Sarah and Grace had a lovely time chatting through what makes K-dramas special in this short primer geared toward new and curious potential viewers. We discuss what a K-drama is, the genres that K-dramas do well, and give a brief overview of K-drama history. We also give recommendations for viewers who are just starting out, as well as those who have already dipped their toes in the water and are wondering where to head next.

Dramas mentioned:

Hospital Playlist (Netflix)

Residents Playbook (Netflix)

Pachinko (Apple TV)

Taxi Driver (Viki)

Signal (Viki)

Yumi's Cells (Viki)

Crash Landing on You (Netflix)

Reply 1988 (Netflix)

Prison Playbook (Netflix)

Hometown Chachacha (Netflix)

Mr. Queen (Netflix)

Moving (Disney+/Hulu)

Tomorrow (Netflix)

Dae Jang Geum/Jewel in the Palace (Viki)

My Mister (Netflix)

Misaeng (Netflix)

Our Blues (Netflix)

25 21 (Netflix)

Racket Boys (Netflix)

Goblin/Guardian: the Great and Lonely God (Viki)

My Dearest (Netflix & Viki)

Call It Love (Disney+)

One Spring Night (Viki)

Never Have I Ever (Netflix)

Love to Hate You (Netflix)

Business Proposal (Netflix)

Lovely Runner (Viki)

Coffee Prince (Viki)

Go Back Couple (Viki)

Touch Your Heart (Viki)

Squid Game (Netflix)

Death's Game (Amazon Prime)

Uncanny Counter (Netflix)

D.P. (Netflix)

A Shop for Killers (Disney+)

Bad and Crazy (Netflix)

I Am Not a Robot (Viki in US/Netflix in UK)

Twinkling Watermelon (Viki)

Alchemy of Souls (Netflix)

Doom at Your Service (Netflix)

Something in the Rain (Netflix)

Still 17 (Viki)

Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born (Hulu/Disney+)

When Life Gives You Tangerines (Netflix)

Strong Woman Bongsoon (Viki)

Happiness (Netflix)

Fated to Love You (Viki)

One More Happy Ending (Viki)

Good Partner (Viki)

Healer (Viki in US/Netflix in UK)

Other media mentioned:

The Power of Pop Culture in “Reply 1988” | The New Yorker 

Oshin: The gritty Japanese drama that gripped the world

Drama Over Flowers on Kdrama history

The Fangirl Verdict