Netflix is one of the biggest power players in the Korean content industry at the moment. As the popularity and demand of K-Dramas rise exponentially, Netflix is amping up the production of originals as well as bringing a whole roster of K-Dramas onboard for worldwide streaming. Now, while we know and love the #1 hits like "King The Land", there are also a ton of underrated hidden gems that might be missing your radar.
So, if you seem to be scrolling endlessly through Netflix, trying to find new K-Dramas to watch, here are 11 underrated K-Dramas on Netflix that you might want to give a try!
Note: This list is not a ranking. The listed K-Dramas might not be available on Netflix in all regions.
1. "Behind Your Touch"
JTBC
One of the best fusion dramas of 2023, "Behind Your Touch" has something for everyone. From romantic comedy to slice-of-life, crime and mystery to fantasy and everything in between - this K-Drama will keep you thoroughly entertained until the very end. The drama stars Han JiMin as Bong YeBun - a veterinarian who gains the power of psychometry after a meteor shower, Lee MinKi as the passionate but demoted detective, Moon JangYeol, with an eye for crime, and EXO's SuHo as the heart-fluttering "new face" in the neighborhood, Kim SeonWoo. Their lives are intertwined when a serial murder case shakes up the town and no one is free from suspicion. With the help of Bong YeBun's psychometry, which works only by touching one's dérriere, Moon JangYeol sets out to hunt the killer down and his prime suspect is the "outsider" - Kim SeonWoo. However, with YeBun falling in love with SeonWoo, things get more complicated than you'd think. "Behind Your Touch" is a blend of a range of genres, so you might think that this K-Drama doesn't take itself too seriously. However, the crime thriller aspect is deftly fleshed out, leaving no doubt that it is as riveting as it gets. So, if you're looking for a show that will renew your love for K-Dramas, "Behind Your Touch" is the one for you.
Watch here.
2. "Witch At Court"
KBS
A criminally underrated courtroom drama dealing with crimes against women and children, "Witch At Court" is a must-watch for fans of legal dramas. Starring Jung RyeoWon as the fierce and headstrong Ma YiDeum and Yoon HyunMin as the perceptive and kind Yeo JinWook, "Witch At Court" is a layered and relevant narrative that dares to touch upon untrodden territory and devote time and effort to exploring the complexities of sexual crimes. As for the entertainment quotient, the drama does tackle a slew of crimes but also focuses on a central antagonist, which ensures coherence in the storyline while also offering variety and novelty with each episode. Jung RyeoWon delivers a marvelous performance with her effortless charisma and wit, making us fall for her all over again. "Witch At Court" was highly-rated in South Korea but it isn't talked about much in the K-Drama fandom internationally, hence its "underrated" title. So, if you're looking for a riveting legal K-Drama, try "Witch At Court".
Watch here.
3. "Live Up To Your Name"
tvN
Since we had a legal drama, we must have a medical drama too! "Live Up To Your Name" is the best of all the genres you could possibly think of. Doctors saving lives? Check. Time slip from Joseon to Seoul after falling into a water body? Check. A lovely blend of romance and comedy with an "opposites attract" trope? Double check! Starring Kim NamGil and Kim AhJoong, "Live Up To Your Name" is a delightful watch that will brighten up your weekend. It tells the story of an oriental doctor in ancient Joseon and a modern doctor in present-day Seoul who are plucked from their respective worlds and thrown into opposite timelines. In the process of coping with the sudden changes, they discover meaning and purpose in their lives, learning more about themselves than anything else. The drama also presents a nuanced meditation on the medical profession and the moral dilemmas associated with the same. If you're looking for something semi-serious but meaningful, "Live Up To Your Name" will be your best bet.
Watch here.
4. "Trolley"
SBS
One of the most well-written, intricate, and engaging thrillers to come out of the Korean entertainment industry in recent times, "Trolley" definitely deserves more mainstream attention. The drama addresses immensely heavy subject matters and ethical problems that suffocate our characters at a relentless pace. The drama derives its title from the trolley problem (a moral thought experiment that presents a hypothetical scenario with a runaway train headed towards multiple people, and a person must choose between pulling a lever that leads to the death of one individual to save multiple others or refrain from acting, resulting in more deaths) and with this thematic foundation, the drama explores morality, political intrigue, the blame game, and more. The plot revolves around Kim HyeJoo (Kim HyunJoo), the unassuming wife of politician Nam JoongDo (Park HeeSoon), who finds herself entangled in a web of unforeseen tragedy and conflict when her son turns up dead in the possession of drugs. Family secrets are revealed, priorities are tested, and personal becomes public, subject to unforgiving scrutiny. If you're looking for a philosophical thriller, "Trolley" is exactly what you need.
Watch here.
5. "A Model Family"
Netflix
This one is highly underrated among original Netflix K-Dramas. "A Model Family" is a haunting, atmospheric thriller that creeps into the darkest corners of the human psyche, leaving a trail of spine-chilling suspense and unsettling dread behind. Starring Jung Woo, Park HeeSoon, Yoon JinSeo, and Park JiYeon, this drama delves into ideas like what it means to be a perfect family, the illusion of the same versus the broken reality, the lengths to which one will go for family and so on in an almost poetic manner. The episodes paint a cloudy grey bigger picture that comes together in the very end but still leaves you wanting more. At the centre of this spiraling chaos is Park DongHa, a man beaten down by his circumstances, desperate to keep his family together. However, right when his sanity seems to be bursting at the seams, he finds himself with bags full of cash and blood on his hands. Rather than turning his life around, he dives headfirst into impending doom as he gets involved with two dangerous drug rings and risks everything to protect his family.
Watch here.
6. "Melancholia"
tvN
This underrated K-Drama may be called melancholia, but it is far from being blue. Starring Lee DoHyun as Baek SeungYoo and Lim SooJung as Ji YoonSu, "Melancholia" tells the story of pure, unadulterated love that doesn't necessarily have to translate into romance, at least not always. It explores how love, even when it is one-sided, can be a driving force for healing, self-acceptance, and progress. In "Melancholia", it is Baek SeungYoo's love for math, which is reawakened by his teacher Ji YoonSu, and his love for Ji YoonSu, which pushes him to stand up for what's right. Her presence as a guide and mentor helps him process his inner turmoil and recover from the trauma that holds him back. Mathematics, in and of itself, is treated with such beauty and fascination in this drama that if it wasn't already, it might just become your new favorite subject, regardless of whether you're a student or not! From the gripping storytelling to the mellow elegance of our protagonists' relationship, "Melancholia" is a must-watch.
Watch here.
7. "Designated Survivor: 60 Days"
tvN
If political K-Dramas are your thing, look no further than "Designated Survivor: 60 Days" on Netflix. With a star-studded cast in the truest sense of the word - we're talking Ji JinHee, Heo JunHo, Kang HanNa, Lee JunHyuk, Bae JongOk, Son SukKu, and more, this K-Drama will blow you away. The premise revolves around a bombing of the National Assembly, which kills the President, alongside other high-ranking government officials. Thanks to Minister of Environment Park MooJin's absence on the scene (Park MooJin is played by Ji JinHee), he is the highest-ranking government official alive and must thus take on the position of Acting President for 60 days. Despite being a remake of the American TV show "Designated Survivor", "Designated Survivor: 60 Days" does an excellent job of imbuing the story with originality and uniqueness, making it a refreshing watch. Park MooJin's character development as he grows into a politician is one of the key strengths of the show, and you can't help but root for him as he goes against all odds to stand by his own principles. In addition, the figures surrounding Park MooJin are incredibly well-written too, which gives structure and conviction to the narrative. You do not want to miss this one.
Watch here.
8. "My Only Love Song"
Another hidden gem among Netflix K-Dramas is "My Only Love Song", a bubblegum-sweet romance that takes the time slip trope and turns it into a modern fairytale full of fun adventures and wholesome relationships. An actress playing a historical princess, Princess PyeongGang, storms off in a strange old van, only to end up in Joseon, where the real Princess (played by Jin YeJu) lives. This actress is Song SooJung, played by Gong SeungYeon, and the male lead in her drama, On Dal, becomes her real lover during her time in Joseon. The real On Dal is played by Lee JongHyun. Meanwhile, the real Princess PyongGang, who is kept captive and forced to marry someone she does not love, is rescued by SooJung and On Dal and later realizes that she has someone else in her heart - her bodyguard Moo Myung (played by Ahn BoHyun). Thus ensues a wonderful, exciting, and cheerful journey that will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Without much complications or sageuk-exclusive conspiracies, "My Only Love Song" is a simple and happy watch for those days when you just need a little pick-me-up.
Watch here.
9. "The Third Charm"
JTBC
If you're also suffering from missing Seo KangJoon and Esom syndrome like us, check out "The Third Charm" which stars both actors in a heartening romance. "The Third Charm" is a human drama, first and foremost, as it focuses on the realism of life rather than providing a dreamy escape. "The Third Charm" spans across 12 years and tells the story of two people with completely opposite sensibilities - On JoonYeong, played by Seo KangJoon, and Lee YeongJae, played by Esom. The drama's characters are flawed, no doubt, but it is through their flaws that they become more endearing to the audience, who can effortlessly identify themselves in the story. At the end of the day, "The Third Charm" highlights the importance of hurting and healing coming full circle, and in this story, it can only happen when our leads are able to come to terms with their own hearts, their own grief, and their own lingering feelings for each other. If that takes over a decade, then so be it! So, if heartbreak is your poison, "The Third Charm" is going to be your next favorite K-Drama.
Watch here.
10. "Hometown"
tvN
We can't emphasize this enough, but if you're a fan of suspense thrillers and you haven't watched "Hometown" yet, you're missing out big time! With acting powerhouses Yoo JaeMyung, Han YeRi, and Um TaeGoo in the cast, "Hometown" is a masterpiece, to say the least. From the dark, cold, and moody aesthetic that's truly one of a kind to the slow-burn revelations that keep you hooked until the very end, "Hometown" is brilliantly executed, thanks to the unparalleled writing and inimitable acting performances by the cast. In terms of plot, "Hometown" tells the story of a terrorist attack and the destruction it left in its wake. Years after the attack, where Detective Choi HyungIn (Yoo JaeMyung) lost his wife, a series of murders convinces him that this case must have something to do with the attack. In the mean time, when Jo JungHyun's niece goes missing (Jo JungHyun is played by Han YeRi), she buckles up to do what it takes and find her with the help of Choi HyungIn. The catch is that Jo JungHyun's brother, Jo KyungHo (played by Um TaeGoo), who is serving time in prison, was the one behind the attack. "Hometown" is perfectly fleshed out with no loose threads and is compelling enough to make you want to watch it in one sitting. So, what are you waiting for? Check out "Hometown" on Netflix!
Watch here.
11. "Private Lives"
JTBC
A female-driven revenge/crime/spy/romance drama all in one, "Private Lives" is a treat for K-Drama lovers. It has something for everyone as we follow our protagonist Cha JooEun (played by Girls' Generation's SeoHyun) on her quest to bring down a shady conglomerate that wronged her father and get her hands on damning evidence that could bring down the nation. She isn't your typical good girl heroine, though. Not even close! She is sharp, intelligent...and a con artist! In fact, this is a drama about the artistry of cons, albeit only when it is put to good use. In addition, JooEun has an enemies-to-lovers moment when she unexpectedly falls in love with Lee JeongHwan (Ko KyungPyo), a man who was supposed to be her target. SeoHyun and Ko KyungPyo have sizzling chemistry on the show, even though their romance doesn't get the screen time it deserved, but fret not because they have all the "power couple" moments you could hope for and then some. If you like putting the plot together like puzzle pieces, "Private Lives" is going to be a joyride for you!
Watch here.
Which other Netflix K-Dramas would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments section down below!
Comments