All of these series are available at present on Netflix.

1. Squid Game – 1 season (2021 – present)

Tomatometer: 95%
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Survival

The show that launched Korean shows on Netflix into new living rooms worldwide, Squid Game, is a brutal yet thrilling drama series with heart. It set records when it came out in 2021, reaching number one in Netflix’s top 10 in 94 countries, including the US and UK. The show centers around contestants on a game show that recruits people in debt and offers them a tantalizing prize – but that prize comes with a deadly cost. Suppose you haven’t watched Squid Game yet. In that case, it’s an absolute must-watch for anyone interested in the best Korean dramas on Netflix – and it has already been renewed for a second season.

2. My Name – 1 season (2021)

Tomatometer: 100%
Genre: Crime, Suspense, Thriller

This gripping crime drama follows a woman set on avenging her gangster father’s death. To do so, she joins a gang, then infiltrates the local police under a fake name, where she’s partnered with a young narcotics detective. With a touch of film noir-like style and hard-hitting fight scenes, My Name is a treat for any fan of crime dramas.

3. Mr. Sunshine – 1 season (2018)

Tomatometer: Audience score only – 94%
Genre: Political Drama, Historical Drama, Romance
Eugene, a man born into slavery in the 1800s Joseon but escaped to the United States, returns to Joseon as a U.S. Marine. There, he meets and falls in love with the granddaughter of an aristocrat who has been betrothed since childhood to a nobleman. The exciting, sweeping story centers around their star-crossed love, woven together with historical events and political intrigue. Though critics would warn you (correctly) to take this telling of historical events with a heavy grain of salt, it’s undoubtedly a great way to learn a little about Korean history through a show that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.

4. Crash Landing On You – 1 season (2019 – 2020)

Tomatometer: Audience score only – 98%
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
If you’re looking for romance with a touch of drama, Crash Landing On You could be just the ticket. This charming, heartfelt, mostly light-hearted series follows a South Korean heiress who is accidentally blown over the demilitarised zone (DMZ) and into North Korea, where a handsome soldier decides to take her in until she can return home. The romantic show was a massive hit in Korea and abroad, becoming the third highest-rated K-drama in cable television history – and you can watch it all on Netflix!

5. Our Blues – 1 season (2022)

Tomatometer: N/A
Genre: Emotional, Drama, Ensemble Cast
Another one of the most-watched Korean dramas, Our Blues, is a sweet, touching, understated series following people’s day-to-day lives on Jeju Island. While less over-the-top dramatic than some other popular K-dramas, this realistic, bittersweet series relies on a wide cast of characters to capture life’s big and small moments – think something along the lines of This Is Us and Love.

6. Signal – 1 season (2016)

Tomatometer: Audience score only – 100%
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Suspense, Fantasy
Fans of Broadchurch and Sherlock will enjoy this dark and suspenseful crime drama with an unusual twist. Signal follows a criminal profiler in 2015 who finds a walkie-talkie that lets him communicate across time with a police detective from 1989. After their communication leads to the successful solving of a cold case, the profiler, Park Hae-young, is added to a newly formed hard case team – but quickly finds that changing the past affects the future. It’s a fantastic show that delivers on each character’s arc with stellar acting performances, excellent writing, and a healthy dose of suspense.

7. Kingdom – 2 seasons (2020 – present)

Tomatometer: 96%
Genre: Political Drama, Period Drama, Horror, Zombies
Based on a Webtoon, Kingdom surprises and enthralls at every turn, well-deserving of its critical acclaim. At once a 16th-century period piece, a political intrigue, and a gory horror series, Kingdom follows a sick king and his son, the crown prince, who start investigating the strange illness that has made the king sick only to discover that a deadly epidemic is ravaging the Kingdom. A zombie epidemic.

8. Single’s Inferno – 1 season (2021 – present)

Tomatometer: Audience score only – 46%
Genre: Reality, Dating Shows, Survival
Ignore the negative reviews. If you like reality TV, Single’s Inferno is a must-watch. The show is, in essence, Survivor meets Love Island. Singles are left to survive on a deserted island – but if they find someone to shack up with, they get to leave the island and go to ‘paradise,’ luxury accommodation with everything they could want. Those who can’t find a date are left to compete with each other and fend for themselves on the island. If you’re sold on the premise, you’ll enjoy the show. If reality dating shows with a sadistic twist aren’t for you, then keep scrolling.

9. Twenty-Five Twenty-One – 1 season (2022 – present)

Tomatometer: Audience score only – 95%
Genre: Romance, Drama
A list of Korean dramas on Netflix would only be complete with a heart-wrenching romantic drama about young people. Twenty-Five Twenty-One is one of the best among a large selection of good options. The show follows five characters and their love lives from the 1990s to the 2020s, complete with high school drama, first loves, and lessons learned. It’s lovely, sweet, and easily among the best Korean dramas on Netflix.

10. All of Us Are Dead – 1 season (2022 – present)

Tomatometer: 87%
Genre: Teen Drama, Horror, Zombies
Last but certainly not least, we have All of Us Are Dead, the hit zombie show about teens trapped in their high school. The students slowly realize they’re stuck in ground zero of a zombie outbreak after a science experiment goes wrong – and no one is coming to pick them up after class. And, for horror fans, it’s fun. Fans of Battle Royale and The Walking Dead will enjoy this bloody thriller – maybe don’t try to eat spaghetti or chili while watching.

And that’s that – the ten best Korean series on Netflix right now. Immersing yourself in media is a fantastic way to start mastering some of the trickier elements of a new language. These excellent, oh-so-watchable shows make it easy and fun.