15 K-Dramas You Should Watch If You’re Big On Design
From nostalgic interiors to grand luxury homes, you’ll fall for these shows’ thoughtful production design
Korean dramas are addictive for a reason—these shows serve wonderful stories, excellent performances from their actors, and of course, stunning visuals that offer daily boost to our lives.
The creative teams behind these productions make sure that the setting is perfect for their narrative, thus completing the whole K-drama viewing experience with beautifully set up offices, homes, and even down to the rooms and the littlest details. If you’re a fan of design, you’ll take delight in the many interior styles seen in your favorite programs.
And it seems like year after year, the South Korean television scene is stepping up even more in the design department. In the past year, newer K-dramas didn’t fail to wow us with the look of their characters’ dwellings. There are the extravagant penthouses, humble hanoks, sleek and trendy minimalist aeries and even Victorian-inspired mansions—all major eye candies we’d love to copy for our own spaces or even just take inspiration from!
If you’re looking for the next K-drama to watch for your next marathon, here are 15 recommendations that give 10/10 in design points! Check out the gallery below for our picks.
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
We’re here for all the feel-good positive vibes, but we can’t help but also fall head over heels with Chief Hong’s Hanok house. It’s a neatly-arranged, vintage-inspired space that even Yoon Hye-jin was surprised to see. It’s warm and cozy, yet brings forth a sense of history that won’t ever be boring to live in. But perhaps the largest design discipline which gives this series its distinct sweet flavor is the cinematography. Each frame draws out the poetic nature of a seaside village.
Photo Credit: Still from Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, TvN, Netflix, 2021
The Penthouse: War In Life
While the actual penthouse is undeniably the grandest of them all, the show didn’t lack in style in all areas—and we mean all the homes of the Hera Club members. We’re particularly engrossed with Cheon Seo-jin’s studio, as well as Shim Su-ryeon’s furniture shop, and basically every nook and cranny that this crazy addictive show has presented to viewers.
Photo Credit: Still from Penthouse: War In Life, Season 1, SBS
Sky Castle
Like The Penthouse, Sky Castle didn’t hold back in showcasing how South Koreans portray luxury in all aspects. However, this show does it mindfully, mimicking each family’s aura as reflected in their homes’ interior styles.
Photo Credit: Still from Sky Castle, JTBC, 2018-2019
Crash Landing On You
It’s definitely one of our favorite TV moments—seeing Yoon Se-ri’s return to Gangnam and her vibrant and stylish apartment! Her tasteful choices in furniture—especially those interesting details like the beehive bookcase—had us wishing we’re BFFs in real life.
Photo Credit: @firstzyxx
It's Okay To Not Be Okay
Once Ko Mun-yeong “cursed castle” began seeing light, viewers saw that it’s far from the dark, creepy place it once was, filled with terrifying memories of the past. The Victorian-style home is like a cut-out from an actual fairy tale—with crystal chandeliers, a magnificent staircase, stained glass walls, an expansive study, vintage fixtures, and dainty accessories.
Photo Credit: Still From It's Okay To Not Be Okay Netflix, 2020
The World Of The Married
Both of Lee Tae-oh’s residences own their respective style that matches its owner. Dr. Ji’s sleek yet practical home has hints of personality with her choices in furniture and paintings, while second wife Yeo Da-kyung’s space is bright and dainty. Either way, they’re both major style inspos!
Photo Credit: Still from The World Of The Married, JTBC, 2020
Start Up
No, it isn’t just your usual female lead character room. Seo Dal-mi’s personal space inspires in a nostalgic way—proving that going back to basics, putting everything in place that sparks joy, is key in making a look work.
Photo Credit: Still from Start Up, Netflix, 2020
Monthly Magazine Home
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be an editor for a home magazine, Monthly Home Magazine gives you a sneak peek. And if you work in this job, you're no stranger to beautiful furniture and design. This series takes the audience through quite a bit of both! But more than that, the show also fronts a very real life situation—saving up to afford buying your own place.
Photo Credit: Still from Monthly Magazine Home, KSST, iQiyi, 2021
So I Married The Anti-Fan
For those who lean towards minimalism and sophistication, So I Married The Anti-Fan is for you. Think of this series as if you’re actually walking inside a home of a K-pop star—which Hoo Joon is!
Photo Credit: Still from So I Married An Anti-Fan, Naver, iQiYi, 2021
Nevertheless
If efficient and maximizing spaces is your thing, Yu Na-bi’s studio will invite you to zen out and hygge comfortably. There’s enough room for all essential parts of the house—living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, and even a study area—incorporated in limited space plus, read: storage solutions!
Photo Credit: Stills from Nevertheless, JTBC, Netflix, 2021
Secret Garden (2010)
In Secret Garden where Hyun Bin plays Kim Ju-Won, the handsome yet egotistical CEO of a department store who falls in love with a stunt woman (played by Ha Ji Won), we were taken to architecturally stellar sets in the Maiim Vision Village, where most of the sets are located. Nature is the backdrop for the lead character, Kim Ju-Won's stunning home.
Photo Credit: @wing332
Within the Maiim Vision Village is another house called the Huekjip Doljip. This structure is the Ju-won's meeting room. The contrast of earth and stone is highlighted in this space.
Photo Credit: @maiimvisionvillage
What's Wrong With Secretary Kim
The Drama House in the Maiim Vision Village gets a makeover for this Park Seo-Joon and Park Min-Young starrer. In this drama, it is a well-appointed bachelor's pad. Glass walls bring the greenery of the outdoors in, giving an illusion of openness to nature.
Photo Credit: Still from What's Wrong With Secretary Kim (Netflix, 2018)
Goblin
Marble floors, arched widows, wood panels, candlelight-- these are the lavish elements of the Goblin's (played by Gong Yoo) home. The combination of styles and design eras in this home (think mid-century modern meets gothic and neo-classical), give lots of design details to relish within a heart-warming story.
Photo Credit: Still from Goblin (2016)
I Am Not A Robot
The interiors convey modern luxe at its finest: a cold mix of classical details expressed in interior accessories and architecture detailing, as well as modern materials such as glass, mirrors and steel. All of these work together to portray the loneliness of Kim Min-yu's drab world before he gets saved by love.
Photo Credit: Still from I Am Not A Robot, MBC Drama, 2017-2018
My Love From The Star
What stands out in Do Min-Joon's apartment, is, in the midst of his home's modern interiors, the touch of nature. A large one at that! Who can forget how the production designers brought nature indoors, literally? Another memorable and transportive place is this library.
Photo Credit: Still from My Love From the Star SBS, 2013
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