The Most Popular Korean Series on Netflix, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the series you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 16, 2024 07:16
In a world where streaming options can be overwhelming, having a curated list of the most popular Korean series on Netflix helps viewers easily find top-tier entertainment. This ranking is especially useful when you're in the mood for engaging storytelling but aren't sure where to start. The dynamic nature of the list, shaped by viewer votes, ensures that the rankings are current and reflective of widespread popularity.
Voting on this list allows users to have a direct impact on the ranking, making it a personalized and interactive experience. As more people participate, the list becomes an even more accurate representation of what is trending and worth watching. This not only saves time for viewers but also highlights series that might otherwise go unnoticed in the broad Netflix catalog.
What Is the Most Popular Korean Series on Netflix?
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147votes
Crash Landing on You
Park Ji-eunThis romantic drama about a South Korean heiress who accidentally lands in North Korea and falls in love with a soldier has become a massive hit worldwide. Its unique premise, beautiful cinematography, and captivating performances have made it one of the most-watched Korean series on Netflix.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- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular K-drama on Netflix
- Position 1 of 10 in Most entertaining K-drama
- Position 1 of 10 in Most beautiful K-drama
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Korean drama on Netflix
- Position 4 of 10 in Most dramatic K-Drama
- Position 4 of 10 in Most fun KDrama
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244votesThis historical horror series set in Korea's Joseon period has been praised for its intense storyline, stunning visuals, and exceptional acting. It has gained a massive following globally and has been renewed for a third season.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
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331votes
Itaewon Class
Jo Gwang-jinThis coming-of-age drama about a young man who dreams of opening his restaurant in the trendy Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul has been lauded for its realistic portrayal of social issues, complex characters, and emotional depth. It became a massive hit in South Korea and has gained popularity worldwide.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- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular K-drama on Netflix
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Korean drama on Netflix
- Position 2 of 10 in Most entertaining K-drama
- Position 3 of 10 in Most dramatic K-Drama
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417votesThis action-thriller series about a stuntman who uncovers a massive corruption scandal has been praised for its intense action sequences, intricate plot, and strong performances. It has gained a loyal fanbase globally and has been renewed for a second season.Vagabond is a word associated with the concept of wandering and travelling without a fixed destination or a specific purpose. It evokes a sense of adventure and freedom, representing a lifestyle of exploration and discovery.
- Meaning: Wanderer, someone who travels without a home or job
- Sense of Adventure: Represents a free-spirited and unconventional approach to travel
- Exploration: Signifies a desire to explore new places and cultures
- Freedom: Emphasizes the liberation from societal norms and commitments
- Openness to Randomness: Acceptance of unpredictability and spontaneity in travel experiences
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515votesThis crime thriller about a prosecutor who teams up with a detective to solve a murder mystery has been praised for its intricate plot, realistic depiction of the legal system, and outstanding performances. It has gained a massive following in South Korea and has won several awards.Stranger, also known as Secret Forest, is a popular Korean crime drama series on Netflix. It follows the story of a prosecutor named Hwang Shi-mok and a passionate police detective named Han Yeo-jin as they work together to uncover the truth behind various corruption cases and a mysterious murder. The series delves deep into the inner workings of the legal and justice systems, exploring the dark secrets and power dynamics that exist within. With its gripping storyline and complex characters, Stranger has garnered critical acclaim for its intelligent writing and strong performances.
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Original Language: Korean
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 32
- Average Episode Duration: 60 minutes
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612votes
Hospital Playlist
Lee Woo-jungThis medical drama about five doctors who have been friends since medical school and work together in a hospital has been lauded for its heartwarming storyline, relatable characters, and exceptional music. It became a massive hit in South Korea and has gained popularity worldwide.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- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular K-drama on Netflix
- Position 9 of 10 in Most fun KDrama
- Position 9 of 10 in Most entertaining K-drama
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76votes
Reply 1988
Lee Woo-jungThis nostalgic drama about a group of friends growing up in Seoul's Dong-il neighborhood in the late 1980s has been praised for its heartwarming storyline, relatable characters, and outstanding performances. It became a massive hit in South Korea and has gained popularity worldwide.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- Position 1 of 10 in Most fun KDrama
- Position 3 of 10 in Most entertaining K-drama
- Position 4 of 10 in Most beautiful K-drama
- Position 5 of 10 in Most underrated K-drama
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular K-drama on Netflix
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86votes
Netflix · Public domainLove Alarm
Chon Kye-youngThis romantic drama set in a world where a mobile app can tell you if someone within a 10-meter radius has romantic feelings for you has been praised for its unique premise, beautiful cinematography, and strong performances. It has gained a massive following globally and has been renewed for a second season.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- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular K-drama on Netflix
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular Korean drama on Netflix
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94votes
My Holo Love
Director: Lee Sang-yeopThis sci-fi romantic drama about a woman who falls in love with an AI hologram has been praised for its unique premise, beautiful cinematography, and strong performances. It became a massive hit in South Korea and has gained popularity worldwide.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- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular K-drama on Netflix
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106votesThis fantasy thriller about a CEO who gets sucked into a mysterious augmented reality game has been praised for its intricate plot, stunning visuals, and strong performances. It became a massive hit in South Korea and has gained popularity worldwide.Memories of the Alhambra is a popular Korean drama on Netflix. It is a fantasy romance series that tells the story of a CEO who embarks on a journey to Granada, Spain, and gets entangled in a mysterious augmented reality (AR) game. As he tries to solve the secrets of the game, he meets a hostel owner who becomes his ally. Together, they unravel the dark secrets behind the game and its connection to their own lives.
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance
- Original Network: tvN
- Episodes: 16
- Original Release: December 1, 2018 - January 20, 2019
- Main Cast: Hyun Bin, Park Shin-hye, Park Hoon, Kim Yong-rim
Memories of the Alhambra in other rankings- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular Korean drama on Netflix
Missing your favorite series?
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular series
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Viewership numbersThe number of people who watch the Korean series should be considered. Top-ranked shows will have high viewership numbers, often becoming trending content on the platform.
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Ratings and reviewsThe opinions of viewers who have watched the series, as captured through ratings and reviews, can help determine a show's popularity. Series with high ratings and positive reviews are more likely to be popular.
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Award recognitionA show's popularity can be boosted by winning or being nominated for prestigious awards, such as the Baeksang Arts Awards in South Korea.
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Social media buzzA popular series is likely to generate buzz on social media platforms, with fans sharing their reactions and engaging in discussions around the show's plot and characters.
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International appealA Korean series' popularity on Netflix can also be influenced by its appeal to global audiences, with certain shows being more likely to attract international viewers due to their storylines, actors, or other production elements.
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Duration, air time, and release dateThe length of the series, the time it aired or was released on Netflix, and how recent the show is can impact its popularity, with recent shows or those released during peak watching times being more likely to garner viewers.
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Production valuesA show with high production values – including high-quality visuals, sound design, and overall production – will likely be more appealing to viewers and can contribute to its popularity.
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Cast membersPopular actors or actresses in the series can play a significant role in attracting viewers to a show.
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GenreThe genre of the Korean series, such as romantic comedy, action, or thriller, can impact its popularity. Some genres tend to be more popular among large audiences than others.
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Relevance to current events or trendsA series that tackles timely or culturally relevant topics may become more popular due to increased interest in those issues.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Korean series on Netflix. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or series is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1395 views
- 184 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each series once every 24 hours. The rank of each series is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular korean series on netflix
Korean dramas, also known as K-dramas, have taken the world by storm in recent years, and Netflix has played a significant role in popularizing them. With their captivating storylines, relatable characters, and unique cultural nuances, Korean series have become a favorite among audiences worldwide. In fact, many Korean series have gained a massive following and have even surpassed the popularity of Hollywood-produced shows on Netflix. This article will explore the most popular Korean series on Netflix, giving you an insight into the world of K-dramas and introducing you to some of the most binge-worthy shows available on the streaming platform.
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