Doramas or Korean Dramas are quite popular around the world, so much so that there are dozens of them on Netflix. In this article, we will try to share a complete list of Korean doramas and the best ones we found on the platform.
There are many doramas available on Netflix, but I can’t recommend many because I’ve watched few. For this reason, I will recommend 7 main doramas and finish with one with genre, rating, and number of episodes.
Table of Contents
What are Korean doramas?
Dorama is a Japanese word, but it is also used in Korean dramas exactly to romanize the word Drama. There is no plural for the word dorama, but I prefer to add an [s] to make more sense in sentences in Portuguese.
Drama is practically the same as a series or soap opera. The difference lies in the way it is broadcast on Asian channels. Generally, one episode is aired per week just like Japanese anime. The themes are also lighter and more dramatic.
Asian dramas also tend to have 13 to 24 episodes just like Japanese animations. Generally, an Asian drama can cover any genre, which is why I do not agree with the term Asian soap opera; I prefer to categorize it as a series.
We also recommend checking out our list of Japanese Doramas available on Netflix.
Why are Korean Dramas the best?
Personally, I believe that doramas are among the best series on Netflix. Given that Asian culture still has good sense, it does not force clichés of sex scenes, betrayal, hookups, nor does it use vulgar language like many American series.
Although some Korean dramas try to portray adult life, we can see that their culture, like Japanese culture, has a bit more morality, both regarding romantic themes and themes of crime and violence.
Recently I heard my mother saying exactly this; she recently entered the world of doramas and said that it is much more comfortable to watch than the American series that distort minds that we usually watch.
Another advantage of Asian dramas is that they are generally concluded within one season. While American series drag on for several seasons inventing unnecessary stories like in the case of series from the CW channel.
I also notice that Korean dramas have been more successful than Japanese dramas here in the West. I can’t say why, since I have a preference for Japanese culture; I believe that Koreans act much better than Japanese.
Holo – My First Korean Dorama
This was the first dorama I watched, so I believe it should be first on the list. I always had a certain fear of Korean doramas because of the language, which is a big shock for those who study Japanese.
Fortunately, this dorama is available in Portuguese and deals with a theme of my interest. AI, artificial intelligence, holograms, romance, chases, murders, hacking, and conspiracies. There are 13 episodes of 50 exciting minutes from start to finish.
The series tells the story of an AI present in glasses called Holo that ends up in the hands of a girl who suffers from facial blindness. While another organization tries to steal the glasses, and its creator tries to keep it safe by conducting tests.
First Time Love
This Korean dorama available in Portuguese follows the story of five friends who, for different reasons, end up living together. Throughout the series, they will discover friendships, love, and go through real-life situations.
The series is known for its great cliffhangers, scenes with significant consequences that leave the viewer eager for the next episodes. The series currently has a total of two seasons.
Mr. Sunshine
One of the highest-rated original Korean dramas on Netflix. It is a romance with action consisting of 24 episodes that tells the story of a Korean who is taken to the USA in 1871 aboard a warship.
Years later, he returns to Korea as an American soldier and falls in love with a noblewoman he trained to be a sharpshooter. Eugene Choi’s return is also marked by the discovery of American conspiracies to colonize Korea.
Misaeng – Incomplete Life
In this Slice of Life with 20 episodes, Jang Geu-rae dedicated his youth to trying to become a professional player of the game Baduk. After failing, even without an academic background, he manages to get an internship at a stock company.
His journey is not easy, where he faces accusations of nepotism and incompetence; he will need to prove his worth within the company. But new friendships will also help him overcome present challenges and past traumas.
Live – A Police Drama
The dorama Live is a police drama that follows the story of Korean police officers from various divisions showing their functions. Mainly from the perspective of two young people trying to help society amidst injustices, corruption, and risks.
The Netflix Original Drama with 18 episodes received a good rating according to IMDB for its complex and well-constructed characters and social themes of great relevance to society. One of the favorite dramas of the genre.
Memories of Alhambra
Yoo Jin-woo, CEO of an investment company specializing in optical devices, receives an email about an innovative game; he decides to go to Granada, Spain, to meet the game’s creator, Jung Se-joo.
There, he discovers that Se-joo is missing and ends up getting involved, along with the creator’s sister, in mysterious incidents. This game addresses the theme of virtual reality and games, a very interesting theme for otakus.
Stranger
The cold prosecutor, Hwang Shi-mok, teams up with the fervent police officer Han Yeo-jin to capture a serial killer. But the corruption surrounding them is more dangerous than the killer they do not know.
The 16-episode series was a success with national and international viewers and received favorable reviews for its tight plot, thrilling sequences, and strong performances.
Complete List of Korean Doramas on Netflix
The list includes all the Korean dramas that Netflix has purchased for display. Some of the doramas below may be unavailable due to the end of the contract or due to location in Brazil. The ranking is ordered by IMDB rating.
The list is not complete, as new content arrives on the platform daily. The names of the doramas are in English but can be found in the Netflix search.
| Rating | Korean Drama | Genre | EPS |
| 8.8 | Mr. Sunshine Netflix Original | Romance | 24 |
| 8.7 | Misaeng | Slice of Life | 20 |
| 8.7 | Stranger Netflix Original | Crime | 16 |
| 8.5 | Healer | Romance | 16 |
| 8.4 | A Korean Odessey Netflix Original | Romance | 20 |
| 8.4 | My Love from the Star | Romance | 21 |
| 8.3 | Hello my Twenties Netflix Original | Romance | 26 |
| 8.3 | It’s Okay That’s Love | Romance | 16 |
| 8.3 | Live Netflix Original | Crime | 18 |
| 8.3 | Pinocchio | Romance | 20 |
| 8.3 | Prison Playbook Netflix Original | Crime | 16 |
| 8.3 | Reply 1997 | Romance | 16 |
| 8.3 | Secret Garden | Romance | 20 |
| 8.3 | Strong Girl Bong-Soon | Romance | 16 |
| 8.3 | The Master’s Sun | Romance | 17 |
| 8.2 | Black Netflix Original | Fantasy | 18 |
| 8.2 | Hwarang | Romance | 20 |
| 8.2 | I Hear Your Voice | Romance | 18 |
| 8.2 | Oh My Ghost | Romance | 16 |
| 8.2 | Secret | Romance | 16 |
| 8.2 | Something in the Rain Netflix Original | Romance | 16 |
| 8.2 | Welcome to Waikiki | Comedy | 20 |
| 8.1 | 49 Days | Romance | 20 |
| 8.1 | Boys Over Flowers | Romance | 25 |
| 8.1 | Dr. Romantic | Medical | 21 |
| 8.1 | Good Doctor | Romance | 20 |
| 8.1 | Suspicious Partner | Romance | 20 |
| 7.9 | Don’t Dare to Dream | Romance | 24 |
| 7.9 | Love in the Moonlight | Period | 18 |
| 7.9 | My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho | Romance | 16 |
| 7.9 | Oh My Venus | Romance | 16 |
| 7.9 | Remember | Mystery | 20 |
| 7.9 | Reply 1994 | Romance | 21 |
| 7.9 | Rooftop Prince | Romance | 20 |
| 7.9 | You Are Beautiful | Romance | 16 |
| 7.8 | Beating Again | Romance | 16 |
| 7.8 | Let’s Eat | Romance | 20 |
| 7.8 | Let’s Eat 2 | Romance | 18 |
| 7.8 | Love Rain | Romance | 20 |
| 7.8 | Secret Affair | Romance | 16 |
| 7.8 | Shining Inheritance | Romance | 28 |
| 7.8 | Who Are You | Romance | 16 |
| 7.7 | Doctors | Romance | 20 |
| 7.7 | In Need of Romance 3 | Romance | 16 |
| 7.7 | Uncontrollably Fond | Romance | 20 |
| 7.6 | 12 Years Promise | Romance | 26 |
| 7.6 | Fantastic | Romance | 16 |
| 7.6 | Gab-Dong | Crime | 20 |
| 7.6 | Heaven’s Garden | Family | 30 |
| 7.6 | Life Netflix Original | Medical | 16 |
| 7.6 | Man to Man Netflix Original | Thriller | 16 |
| 7.6 | Sassy, Go Go | Romance | 12 |
| 7.6 | The Royal Gambler | Period | 24 |
| 7.6 | This is My Love | Romance | 16 |
| 7.6 | Young Pal | Romance | 18 |
| 7.5 | Ms. Hammurabi | Legal | 16 |
| 7.5 | You’re All Surrounded | Romance | 20 |
| 7.4 | Love and Marriage | Romance | 16 |
| 7.4 | Strongest Delivery Man | Slice of Life | 16 |
| 7.4 | YG Future Strategy Office | Comedy | 8 |
| 7.3 | Beautiful Gong Shim | Romance | 20 |
| 7.3 | Lie to Me | Romance | 16 |
| 7.3 | My Horrible Boss | Romance | 16 |
| 7.3 | My Only Love Song | Romance | 20 |
| 7.3 | The Girl Who Sees Scents | Romance | 16 |
| 7.2 | Birth of a Beauty | Romance | 21 |
| 7.2 | Hi! School – Love On | Romance | 20 |
| 7.2 | Part-Time Idol | Musical | 5 |
| 7.2 | Secret Healer | Sageuk | 20 |
| 7.2 | Temperature of Love | Romance | 20 |
| 7.1 | Blood | Medical | 20 |
| 7.1 | Moorim School | Romance | 16 |
| 6.9 | K-POP Extreme Survival | Romance | 14 |
| 6.9 | White Nights | Netflix Original | 20 |
| 6.8 | One More Time Netflix Original | Romance | 8 |
| 6.7 | Can we Get Married | Romance | 49 |
| 6.6 | Orange Marmalade | Romance | 12 |
| 6.6 | The Miracle | Romance | 12 |
| 6.4 | I Need Romance 2012 | Romance | 16 |
| 6.4 | My Runaway | Romance | 6 |
| 8 | Bad Guys | Crime | 11 |
| 8 | Full House | Romance | 16 |
| 8 | Misty | Romance | 16 |
| 8 | Nice Guy | Romance | 20 |
| 7 | Busted Netflix Original | Mystery | 10 |
| 7 | In Need of Romance | Romance | 16 |
| 6 | Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog | Romance | 16 |
Below I will paste another less complete list with other Dramas and some names in Portuguese:
- 12 Years Promise
- Abismo
- Age of Youth
- Bad Guys
- Beating Again
- Beloved Eun-dong
- Can We Get Married?
- Chicago Typewriter
- Cinderella and Four Knights
- Chronicles of Arthdal
- Designated Survivor: Korea
- Hae-Ryung, the Historian
- Heaven’s Garden
- Hi Bye, Mama!
- Hospital Playlist
- Itaewon Class
- K-POP Extreme Survival
- Kingdom
- Love Alarm
- Man to Man
- Memories of Alhambra
- Misaeng: The Incomplete
- Mr. Sunshine: A Ray of Sunshine
- Ms Panda and Mr Hedgehog
- My Country: The New Age
- My Holo Love
- My Only Love Song
- Nightmare Teacher
- One Spring Night
- Part-Time Idol
- Because This is My First Life
- Landing on You
- First Time Love
- Prison Playbook
- Cheese in the Trap
- Reply 1988
- Reply 1994
- Reply 1997
- Romance is a Bonus Book
- Rugal
- Secret Affair
- Something in the Rain
- Stranger
- The Heirs
- The Hymn of Death
- The K2
- Tunnel
- A Korean Odyssey
- Vagabond
- When the Camellia Blooms
- YG Future Strategy Office
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