Korean Broadcasting Channels & The K-Drama Genres They Do Best

If you've been in the K-Drama fandom for any amount of time now, you are likely familiar with the different Korean broadcasting channels. From tvN's iconic jingle before your favorite K-Drama to JTBC's intro, K-Drama fans know them all too well and love them too! While Korean broadcasting channels are quite versatile regarding their productions, they definitely have particular genres they do best. So, here are some of the most popular Korean broadcasting channels and the genres they are best-known for. 1. KBS - Sentimental K-Drama KBS KBS is one of the major public broadcasting networks in South Korea, established in 1927. It operates KBS1 and KBS2 television channels, providing a mix of news, dramas, variety shows, documentaries, and cultural programs. KBS World is its international broadcasting service, offering content in multiple languages for global audiences. KBS is best known for its family dramas but also for some of the most iconic romance melodramas in the history of K-Dramas. KBS might as well be credited with kickstarting the Hallyu wave when it comes to K-Dramas, especially with titles like "Autumn In My Heart", "Winter Sonata" and "Boys Over Flowers" under its banner. It is also home to the celebrated "School" series, proving KBS' ability to produce the most touching and emotional stories. KBS dramas usually feature intricate and heartwarming storylines with strong themes of friendship ("Fight for My Way"), family - both biological and found ("Homemade Love Story", "My Father Is Strange", "Revolutionary Sisters"), and fate ("Go Back Couple"), regardless of genre. For instance, predominantly action dramas like "Healer", psychological thrillers like "Hello Monster" and horror dramas like "Sell Your Haunted House" are also emotionally charged and sentimental. You can expect a lot of tears from KBS dramas, but they will also mend your heart, like in "Angel's Last Mission: Love", "Descendants of the Sun", "At a Distance, Spring is Green", "If You Wish Upon Me" and the Emmy-winning "The King's Affection". Sentimental K-Drama Coming Soon on KBS - "My Lovely Boxer" 2. MBC - Historical K-Drama MBC MBC is another major public broadcasting network in South Korea, founded in 1961. It operates several television channels, including MBC TV, MBC Drama, MBC News, and MBC Sports, offering a variety of content ranging from dramas to news programs. MBC America serves as its international broadcasting arm, catering to Korean-speaking audiences in the United States and worldwide. MBC is best known for its legendary historical dramas, and the network has maintained that reputation for a long time now. The moment you see the name MBC on the poster of a historical drama, you know it's going to be one of the finest works of art ever. From the writing to the cinematography, the characterization, soundtracks, and everything in between, MBC certainly has a signature style that fans have fallen in love with. In terms of some of MBC's best works, we have the iconic "A Jewel in the Palace", "Jumong", "Moon Embracing the Sun", "Empress Ki", "Gu Family Book", "Damo", "Arang and the Magistrate" as well as the more recent hits like "The Forbidden Marriage", "Joseon Attorney" and most notably, "The Red Sleeve". It is also common for MBC dramas set in modern-day to have historical sequences, like in "Extraordinary You", "Kokdu: Season of Deity" and "Tomorrow". Historical K-Drama Coming Soon on MBC - "My Dearest" 3. SBS - Social Problem K-Drama SBS SBS is one of the three major national broadcasting networks in South Korea, founded in 1990. It operates SBS TV and SBS Plus channels, known for broadcasting a diverse range of programs, including dramas, variety shows, and news. SBS "Inkigayo" is a popular music program that showcases live performances from K-Pop artists. SBS is best known for K-Dramas that critique societal evils and convey an important message. As such, social commentary and social problem dramas from SBS are the most popular and highly rated. Some major themes of SBS dramas include politics, corruption, inequality, class struggle, bullying, violence, discrimination and so on. The perfect recent example of this would be the "Taxi Driver" series - which deals with all of the above. Similarly, K-Dramas like "City Hunter", "Defendant", the "Dr. Romantic" and "Penthouse" series, "The Last Empress", "Doctor John" and more recently, "The First Responders", "Again My Life", "The King: Eternal Monarch" and even the horror K-Drama "Revenant" address significant social issues. SBS drama protagonists are usually seen going against the status quo and dismantling unfair power systems. They're social heroes in the truest sense of the word. SBS dramas that are on the lighter side, such as "Business Proposal", "Suspicious Partner", "Our Beloved Summer", "Racket Boys" and "Today's Webtoon" are also imbued with morals and effectively challenge stereotypes. Social Problem K-Drama Coming Soon on SBS - "The Killing Vote" 4. tvN - Romance/Fantasy K-Drama tvN tvN is a cable and satellite television network owned by CJ ENM, a major South Korean entertainment company. It is known for producing and broadcasting a wide variety of K-Dramas and entertainment programs that appeal to a vast audience. tvN is very well known among international audiences, and like we mentioned earlier, its intro jingle is quite beloved too! While tvN is recognized for its versatile productions, it is especially known for some of the best romance and fantasy dramas in K-Drama land. tvN can make even the most serious K-Dramas with heavy subject matter feature a memorable romance, such as in "It's Okay To Not Be Okay", "Flower of Evil" and "Happiness", where love becomes a major driving force for our protagonists. Another one of tvN's strengths lies in world-building, so dramas like "The Arthdal Chronicles" and "Tale of the Nine Tailed" are highly successful too. Moreover, fusion dramas that include elements of both romance and fantasy, such as "Goblin", "Hotel Del Luna", "Mr. Queen", "Alchemy of Souls" and "Bulgasal: Immortal Souls" are naturally also popular. Some more of tvN's best works are the darling "Reply" and "Hospital Playlist" series, "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim", "Crash Landing On You", "Mr. Sunshine", "My Mister" (not a romance but a story about love nonetheless), "Romance is a Bonus Book", "True Beauty", "Twenty-Five Twenty-One", "Yumi's Cells" and most recently, "See You In My 19th Life". If you're looking for feel-good dramas to watch with friends and family, you'll most likely find it at tvN. Fantasy K-Drama Coming Soon on tvN - "The Uncanny Counter Season 2: Counter Punch" 5. JTBC - Human K-Drama JTBC JTBC is a South Korean cable and satellite network launched in 2011. It is owned by JoongAng Ilbo, a major South Korean media conglomerate, and Tongyang Group, a leading business conglomerate. Since its inception, JTBC has rapidly established itself as one of the prominent broadcasting networks in the country, offering a diverse range of content to its viewers. JTBC is best known for human dramas or dramas that revolve around the human condition. They are universally resonant, relatable, and compelling as they dive into the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and experiences. Rooted in reality, these dramas have emotional depth and are cathartic to viewers, who can vicariously process their own emotions as they identify with the characters on screen. At the same time, JTBC dramas are healing and wholesome with the "slice-of-life" genre being a fan-favorite. The most popular human drama by JTBC in recent times has been "My Liberation Notes", which was not only commercially successful but also critically acclaimed. Other popular K-Dramas in this category include "Be Melodramatic" and "Thirty Nine" - two wonderfully feminist K-Dramas, "Reflection Of You" - an exploration of greed and revenge, "The Good Bad Mother" - which emphasizes the importance of upbringing and healing the inner child, "Nevertheless," and "The Interest of Love" - two far from ideal but extremely realistic takes on romance in today's day and age, "Lost" - a story of finding oneself and "Itaewon Class" - a tale that makes you root for the underdog. While melancholy is a common theme in JTBC dramas like "When the Weather is Fine", they can also be thrilling, like "SKY Castle" and "The World of the Married", which, despite being grand, also speak to viewers on a human level. Human K-Drama Coming Soon on JTBC - "Welcome to Samdal-ri" 6. OCN - Thriller K-Drama OCN OCN is a prominent South Korean cable and satellite television channel owned by CJ ENM and launched in 1995. OCN's style of dramas is the most instantly recognizable among audiences, both in South Korea and overseas, and as such, it is one of the most beloved Korean broadcasting channels of all time. OCN is renowned for its high-quality crime, thriller, and horror dramas, featuring intense plots, enigmatic characters, and high production value, so much so that OCN has become a hallmark of quality when it comes to these genres of K-Drama. It wouldn't even be an exaggeration to say that OCN has a fandom of its own! With a dark and gritty approach to storytelling, the network is popular for unique concepts, suspenseful plots, mysterious characters, eerie and atmospheric settings, and even the inclusion of supernatural and fantasy elements. Themes of good vs. evil, morality, justice, survival, vengeance, trauma, and ethics are also found commonly in OCN dramas. Popular OCN K-Dramas include "Missing: The Other Side", "Dark Hole", "Strangers From Hell", "The Guest", "Voice", "Save Me", "The Uncanny Counter", "Chimera" and "A Superior Day". Needless to say, OCN's treatment of thrillers is unparalleled and rightfully enjoys global popularity. Thriller K-Drama Coming Soon on OCN - "The Player - Season 2" 7. ENA - Character K-Drama ENA ENA recently rose to prominence with "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and has since been delivering some of the best character-driven K-Dramas. Originally known as SkyHD, the channel was launched in September 2003 as part of Skylife channels, and it underwent several name changes before becoming ENA on April 29, 2022. Even though it is still a young broadcasting channel in terms of producing originals, fans have recognized that it has great potential. As we mentioned earlier, ENA is best-known for character dramas at the moment. Character dramas are defined by their emphasis on well-rounded, fleshed-out characters and nuanced storytelling that revolves around the characters' minds, emotions, and motivations, providing insights into their distinct personalities and arcs. These shows tend to be more introspective and may explore themes such as personal growth, identity, and relationships. "Extraordinary Attorney Woo", whose central focus is the eponymous Attorney Woo YoungWoo is the perfect example of such a character drama. Some other ENA productions that are notably character dramas include "Pale Moon", "Summer Strike", "Lies Hidden In My Garden" and "Not Others". Naturally, these dramas range from romance to thrillers and even slice-of-life, but one thing that all have in common is that they narrow their focus on the in-depth exploration and development of individual characters within the narrative, making for an exceptionally engaging and captivating viewing experience. Character K-Drama Coming Soon on ENA - "The Day of the Kidnapping" Which of these are your favorite Korean broadcasting channels? Tell us in the comments section down below!