10 Underrated K-Dramas You're Missing Out On
Here are some K-drama masterpieces that might be flying under your radar!
Feeling adventurous with your viewing choices? Stop sleeping on some of the most critically acclaimed K-dramas or those that have also amassed some loyal following because of the brilliant plot and amazing storytelling that captured the viewers’ hearts and imagination.
While it’s good to take cues from the mainstream pulse and watch a K-drama based on popularity (and let’s face it: some popular ones are actually good too!), you could be missing out on the greatest Korean stories ever told.
Jo In Sung and Kong Hyo-Jin in 'It's Okay That's Love' | SBS
In this feature, we uncover the underrated K-dramas you should be watching and catching up on. Some of these dramas earned good reviews from critics while others have formed some sort of cult and loyal following because of its entertainment value. We deem it best for you to be let in on these best-kept “open” secrets—a treasure trove of K-dramas that deserve a watch and a further re-watch. Bask in all of these shows’ now not-so-hidden glory!
10 Underrated K-Dramas You Need to Be Watching Now
10 Underrated K-Dramas You Need to Be Watching Now
Chicago Typewriter (2017)
The casting of Yoo Ah In, Im Soo Jung, and Go Kyung Pyo alone should be enough to lure you in. The acting skills of the cast members matched the demand of the brilliant script so well.
Photo Credit: tvN
Chicago Typewriter (2017)
Chicago Typewriter tells the story of three friends who happen to also be resistance fighters during the 1930s in Korea when the country was occupied by Japanese forces.
Photo Credit: tvN
Chicago Typewriter (2017)
It is also part-fantasy as the drama bridges the trio from the past to their present-day reincarnated characters as a best-selling writer dealing with a creative slump and a bad case of writer’s block, a hardworking fan, and a ghost who doubles as a literal ghostwriter.
Photo Credit: tvN
Chicago Typewriter (2017)
Viewers will be treated to a rollercoaster ride of an epic tale of friendship, patriotism, love and even betrayal.
Photo Credit: tvN
My Mister (2018)
A critical and commercial success in South Korea, My Mister was 2019 Baeksang Arts Awards’ Best Drama starred by Parasite actor Lee Sun Gyun and actress-singer IU (Lee Ji Eun). The drama revolves around Park Dong Hoon, a man in his 40s, and Lee Ji An, a woman in her 20s, who are brought together by unusual circumstances and corporate politics.
Photo Credit: tvN
My Mister (2018)
They soon discover that their individual pain is a strong commonality that enables them to empathize and understand each other’s plight. The community they belong to is also instrumental for their emotional recovery.
Photo Credit: tvN
My Mister (2018)
It’s a drama that starts out really depressing but progresses into a lighthearted, healing one. Many celebrities, including bestselling author Paulo Coelho and True Beauty actor Hwang In Yeop, have named this drama as a masterpiece and their favorite drama.
Photo Credit: tvN
Prison Playbook (2017)
This drama earned nominations and scored awards in various Korean entertainment award-giving bodies including Best Drama and acting awards for some of its cast members including Park Hae Soo and Jung Hae In.
Photo Credit: tvN
Prison Playbook (2017)
Prison Playbook is about the lives of convicts behind bars, their loved ones and families, as well as the duty officers amid the prison setting. It essays the story of a renowned baseball player who turns into a convict overnight for saving his sister from a sexual predator.
Photo Credit: tvN
Prison Playbook (2017)
Who knew that a usual dark tale of prison can be heartwarming too?
Photo Credit: tvN
The Crowned Clown (2019)
Imagine a historical (sageuk) drama surrounding two characters who closely resemble each other! The Crowned Clown is about a King in the Joseon era, Yi Heo, who happened to meet his doppelganger Ha Sun, a clown and a commoner.
Photo Credit: tvN
The Crowned Clown (2019)
The doppelganger was ordered to impersonate the King and fill his place while the King was being treated for a severe illness. The clown has to hide his true identity from the Royal Court and the Queen. Intriguing, right?
Photo Credit: tvN
The Crowned Clown (2019)
Yeo Jin Goo once again impresses the critics and the viewers with his impeccable acting chops playing the dual role of a king and a clown. He is also ably supported by Lee Se Young who won an Excellence Award (Actress) at the 12th Korea Drama Awards for her role as the Queen on this drama.
Photo Credit: tvN
Romance Is A Bonus Book (2019)
A drama with Lee Jong Suk as a romantic lead and an empowering show for women set in the book publishing industry? Game! Don’t miss out on this. Cha Eun Ho (Lee Jong Suk) is a writer and an editor at a publishing company who has kept his feelings for his friend Kang Dani (Lee Na Young) hidden for so long.
Photo Credit: tvN
Romance Is A Bonus Book (2019)
When Kang Dani got divorced, she struggled to find a job as the corporate world is unkind to divorced women who took a hiatus from working to focus on being a wife and a mom. As the two are reunited at work, they begin to see each other in a different light.
Romance Is A Bonus Book (2019)
Fall in love and be reminded of your worth as a woman and as a person regardless if you’re single, married, separated, or divorced.
Photo Credit: tvN
Signal (2016)
Looking for a good K-drama that is not a love story? Signal is for you! Follow the journey of a present-day criminal profiler (Lee He Hoon) who stumbles upon a mysterious walkie-talkie that allows him to communicate with a detective (Jo Jin Woon) who is apparently living in the past.
Photo Credit: tvN
Signal (2016)
Together with another detective (Kim Hye Soo), the criminal profiler is able to solve cases and change the future. Signal scored critical and commercial success that it even earned a Japanese adaptation.
Photo Credit: tvN
Signal (2016)
A second season is very much awaited by the show’s fans but it looks like plans are still being made.
Photo Credit: tvN
18 Again (2020)
A remake of the hit Zac Efron Hollywood film 17 Again, 18 Again gets the South Korean treatment and results in a heartwarming and well-crafted family drama.
Photo Credit: JTBC
18 Again (2020)
The drama is centered on 37-year-old Hong Dae Young (Yoon Sang Hyun) who magically transforms back into his 18-year-old self (Lee Do Hyun) and takes over a new identity as classmate to his teenage son and daughter. He meets his wife Jung Da Jung (Kim Ha Neul) but is unable to show his affection for her.
Photo Credit: JTBC
18 Again (2020)
He might have had a new shot at life again to achieve his dreams but is it really worth leaving everything behind?
Photo Credit: JTBC
Go Back Couple (2017)
A lesson on love and marriage, Go Back Couple tells the story of a married couple in their 30s who are so in love but are now at each other’s throats.
Photo Credit: KBS
Go Back Couple (2017)
It just wasn’t the married life they have envisioned it to be. They decided to get a divorce. With some magical twist, the two were brought back in time as 20-year-old students who meet for the first time.
Photo Credit: KBS
Go Back Couple (2017)
It’s an intriguing watch to check if they will choose to not have anything to do with each other or find themselves falling in love all over again. The drama stars Son Ho Jun and Jang Na Ra.
Photo Credit: KBS
It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014)
While Korean superstars Jo In Sung and Gong Hyo Jin are visually pleasing and possess an explosive chemistry together that beautifully radiates onscreen, it’s their capable and acting prowess coupled with the amazing script that took this show to a whole new level.
Photo Credit: SBS
It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014)
Released in 2014, it was ahead of its time as it bravely put mental health on spotlight and as the centerpiece of the drama.
Photo Credit: SBS
It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014)
The romance between the arrogant author and radio DJ Jang Jae Yeol (Jo In Sung) and psychiatrist Ji Hae Soo (Gong Hyo Jin) lead to uncovering deep-seated wounds that impacts the mental health of the male lead.
Photo Credit: SBS
It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014)
Watch out for EXO’s Do Kyung Soo’s brilliant performance that might send you sobbing or feeling empathy for his character.
Photo Credit: SBS
Welcome to Waikiki (2018)
On a lighter note, wouldn’t we want to experience a good laugh? Welcome to Waikiki is a laugh-out-loud comedy that will make you see K-dramas in a stunning and overly hilarious new light.
Photo Credit: JTBC
Welcome to Waikiki (2018)
It’s a buddy comedy which tells the story of three young men (Kim Jung Hyun, Joon Ki and Son Seung Won) who are struggling to make ends meet and maintain a guest house in Itaewon they named “Waikiki.”
Photo Credit: JTBC
Welcome to Waikiki (2018)
Sparks fly and jaw-dropping scenarios happen when one of the protagonist’s sisters and a single mother with a baby enter the picture. We promise you, there’s not one episode that will pass without you screaming with laughter!
Photo Credit: JTBC
Welcome to Waikiki (2018)
The cast has a remarkable comedic timing and chemistry. The show even earned a Season 2 (with some cast changes though) with Start Up actor Kim Seon Ho as one of the leads.
Photo Credit: JTBC
What are you waiting for? Treat yourself to something new and be in awe of these new discoveries you will never ever regret watching. Catch these underrated gems that are available for streaming on Netflix, Viu, and iQiyi! Happy weekend!
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