The Most Popular K-drama on Netflix, Ranked

Choose the K-drama you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 24, 2024 07:19
In a world where streaming services overflow with content, finding your next binge-worthy K-drama can be daunting. With so many new series popping up, each offering unique stories and captivating casts, it's hard to know where to start. This is where the importance of a ranking system comes into play, helping viewers navigate through the plethora of choices to find top-tier entertainment that resonates with audiences globally. By participating in voting for your favorite K-dramas, you contribute to a broader community effort to highlight the best of the best. This dynamic list not only guides new viewers to high-quality content but also gives you a voice in shaping the trends and popularity within the K-drama community on Netflix. It's a fun, interactive way to engage with your passion for Korean storytelling and guarantee others don't miss out on the cream of the crop.

What Is the Most Popular K-drama on Netflix?

  1. 1
    48
    votes

    Crash Landing on You

    Park Ji-eun
    This romantic drama has become a global sensation, with its witty writing, stunning cinematography, and heart-warming performances from its leads. It follows a South Korean heiress who accidentally lands in North Korea and falls in love with a soldier.
    Crash Landing on You is a popular South Korean drama that aired in 2019. It tells the story of Yoon Se-ri, a wealthy South Korean heiress, who accidentally crash-lands in North Korea while paragliding. There, she meets Ri Jeong-hyeok, a North Korean soldier who tries to help her hide and find a way back home. As they spend time together, they develop a deep bond despite their conflicting backgrounds and the challenges they face. The drama beautifully portrays their love story and the complex relationships between North and South Korea.
    • Genre: Romantic drama
    • Writer: Park Ji-eun
    • Director: Lee Jeong-hyo
    • Original network: tvN
    • Number of episodes: 16
    Crash Landing on You in other rankings
  2. 2
    39
    votes

    Itaewon Class

    Jo Gwang-jin
    This drama explores themes of ambition, revenge, and social justice, as a young ex-convict opens a bar in the trendy Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul to take down the ruthless CEO who ruined his life.
    Itaewon Class is a highly acclaimed South Korean drama series that revolves around the life of Park Sae-ro-yi, a young ex-convict who opens a bar-restaurant in the diverse and vibrant Itaewon neighborhood in Seoul. With a strong desire for success, Park Sae-ro-yi sets out on a journey to take revenge on a powerful conglomerate owner who caused his father's death. The series explores themes of resilience, friendship, love, and social inequality, all while portraying the challenges faced by individuals who dare to challenge the societal norms.
    • Genre: Drama
    • Director: Kim Sung-yoon
    • Writer: Jo Gwang-jin (based on a webtoon by Kwang Jin)
    • Original network: JTBC
    • Original release: January 31, 2020 – March 21, 2020
    Itaewon Class in other rankings
  3. 3
    18
    votes
    This historical horror series blends the zombie genre with Korean history and politics, as a prince investigates a mysterious plague that turns people into monsters and threatens to destroy his kingdom.
    Kingdom is a South Korean historical horror drama series that takes place during the Joseon era. It follows the story of Crown Prince Lee Chang as he investigates a mysterious plague that turns people into bloodthirsty zombies. As he uncovers a political conspiracy, he must fight to save the country and the royal family from the spreading epidemic.
    • Genre: Historical, Horror, Drama
    • Country: South Korea
    • Language: Korean
    • Number of Seasons: 2
    • Number of Episodes: 12
  4. 4
    17
    votes
    This coming-of-age story follows a group of young entrepreneurs who compete to create the next big start-up in the tech industry, and navigate their personal and professional relationships along the way.
    Start-Up is a South Korean drama series that tells the story of young individuals who aspire to become successful entrepreneurs in the competitive world of start-ups. The show revolves around the lives of Seo Dal-mi, a young woman from a humble background with big dreams; Nam Do-san, a brilliant but struggling tech genius; Han Ji-pyeong, a sharp-tongued investor; and Won In-jae, Dal-mi's estranged sister. Together, they navigate the challenges of pursuing their dreams while dealing with personal relationships, setbacks, and rivalries.
    • Genre: Drama, Romance
    • Country of Origin: South Korea
    • Original Language(s): Korean
    • Number of Episodes: 16
    • Running Time: Approximately 70 minutes per episode
  5. 5
    13
    votes
    This dark comedy tells the story of a Korean-Italian mafia lawyer who comes to Korea to reclaim stolen treasure and ends up getting involved in a battle against corrupt conglomerates and politicians.
    Vincenzo is a South Korean television series that follows the story of Vincenzo Cassano, an Italian lawyer and consigliere of the Italian mafia. After escaping to South Korea and aligning himself with a group of tenant activists, Vincenzo becomes involved in a battle against a powerful conglomerate. The series explores themes of justice, revenge, and redemption.
    • Genre: Drama, Crime, Black comedy
    • Director: Kim Hee-won
    • Writer: Park Jae-bum
    • Original network: tvN
    • Episodes: 20
  6. 6
    13
    votes
    Love Alarm
    Netflix · Public domain

    Love Alarm

    Chon Kye-young
    This futuristic romance imagines a world where a mobile app can tell you if someone nearby has feelings for you, and explores the consequences of relying on technology to navigate love and relationships.
    Love Alarm is a popular K-drama series available on Netflix. It revolves around a mobile app called Love Alarm that notifies its users when someone within a 10-meter radius has romantic feelings for them. The story follows three main characters: Kim Jo-jo, Hwang Sun-oh, and Lee Hye-yeong, as they navigate their love lives and the impact of Love Alarm on their relationships.
    • Genre: Romantic Comedy
    • Number of seasons: 2
    • Episodes: 16
    • Language: Korean
    • Release date: August 22, 2019
    Love Alarm in other rankings
  7. 7
    9
    votes

    Hospital Playlist

    Lee Woo-jung
    This slice-of-life drama follows the lives and loves of five doctors who work in the same hospital and form a band together to relieve stress and bond with each other.
    Hospital Playlist is a popular South Korean drama series that follows the lives of five medical professionals who have been friends since their days in medical school. They now work together at Yulje Medical Center, a university hospital. The drama explores their personal and professional struggles, as well as their journey of friendship and growth.
    • Episodes: 12
    • Release Year: 2020
    • Genre: Romantic comedy, Medical drama
    • Director: Shin Won-ho
    • Writer: Lee Woo-jung
    Hospital Playlist in other rankings
  8. 8
    10
    votes

    Reply 1988

    Lee Woo-jung
    This nostalgic drama is set in the late 1980s and explores the lives and friendships of five families who live in the same neighborhood in Seoul, capturing the joys and struggles of growing up and coming of age.
    Reply 1988 is a K-drama series that captures the lives of five friends and their families living in the same neighborhood in Seoul during the late 1980s. The story revolves around their personal growth, friendships, and the nostalgic moments of their youth.
    • Genre: Romantic comedy
    • Writer: Lee Woo-jung
    • Director: Shin Won-ho
    • No. of episodes: 20
    • Original network: tvN
    Reply 1988 in other rankings
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    This gritty thriller follows a high school student who secretly runs a prostitution ring to support himself and his mother, and gets caught in a dangerous web of crime and violence.
    Extracurricular is a South Korean crime drama thriller series available on Netflix. It tells the story of Ji-soo, a high school student who becomes involved in a dangerous world of crime to pay his way through college. As he embarks on a journey filled with unpredictability and moral dilemmas, Ji-soo must navigate through the consequences of his choices.
    • Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
    • Country of Origin: South Korea
    • Language: Korean
    • Number of Seasons: 1
    • Number of Episodes: 10
  10. 10
    5
    votes

    My Holo Love

    Director: Lee Sang-yeop
    This sci-fi romance centers around a lonely woman who falls in love with a holographic AI assistant, and explores the boundaries between reality and virtuality, as well as the impact of technology on human emotions.
    My Holo Love is a popular K-drama available on Netflix. It follows the story of a woman named Han So-yeon who has face blindness, which makes it difficult for her to recognize people's faces. She then meets Holo, an advanced AI hologram that has a human-like appearance. As Han So-yeon starts to rely on Holo for comfort and companionship, she also develops feelings for him. The drama explores the complexities of human emotions and the boundaries between artificial intelligence and genuine relationships.
    • Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi
    • Episodes: 12
    • Release Year: 2020
    • Original Network: Netflix
    • Main Cast: Yoon Hyun-min, Ko Sung-hee, Choi Yeo-jin
    My Holo Love in other rankings

Missing your favorite K-drama?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular K-drama

  1. Viewership numbers
    Consider the number of views each K-drama has received on Netflix. Higher views indicate greater popularity among the audience.
  2. Audience ratings and reviews
    Look at the ratings and reviews provided by the audience on Netflix or other platforms like IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, etc. Highly-rated shows with positive reviews are likely more popular.
  3. Social media buzz
    Analyze the social media engagement and conversations surrounding each K-drama. High engagements, including likes, shares, and comments, signify greater fan-following and popularity.
  4. Awards and nominations
    Check if any K-dramas have received prestigious awards or nominations, as they're a strong indicator of critical acclaim and popularity.
  5. Duration and consistency
    Consider how long a K-drama has been running and if it maintains consistent viewership. A long-running series with stable viewership is a sign of ongoing popularity.
  6. Star cast and crew
    The presence of popular actors and directors can increase a K-drama's attractiveness and audience appeal, making it more popular.
  7. Genre and theme
    Some genres and themes are more appealing to a broader audience, resulting in higher popularity. Check if the K-drama belongs to a popular genre or covers themes that resonate with viewers.
  8. International appeal
    Evaluate if the K-drama has been well-received by international audiences and not just in its home country. This can be a measure of its global popularity.
  9. Coverage in mainstream media
    Assess the amount of coverage each K-drama receives in mainstream media, including news articles, interviews, and features. Greater media attention often correlates with higher popularity.
  10. Word of mouth
    Personal recommendations from friends, family, and online forums can have a significant impact on a K-drama's popularity. Gauge the buzz and discussions surrounding each show to understand its standing among viewers.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular K-drama on Netflix. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or drama is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1331 views
  • 176 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each drama once every 24 hours. The rank of each drama is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular k-drama on netflix

K-dramas, or Korean dramas, have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks in part to streaming platforms like Netflix. With their unique storytelling, captivating characters, and stunning visuals, K-dramas have captured the hearts of audiences around the world. And it's no surprise that Netflix has become the go-to platform for fans of this genre. From romantic comedies to action-packed thrillers, there's a K-drama for everyone on Netflix. So, what is the most popular K-drama on Netflix? Let's take a closer look at some of the top contenders.

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