Historical epics. Fantasy tales. Romantic comedies. Novela-style sitcoms. K-dramas do it all, and they do it flawlessly. But long before big streamers like Netflix tapped into the cultural phenomenon to create original Korean dramas for its platform, there were certain staples of this specific section of television that drew early fans in. Marked by wild plotlines, Hallyu heartthrobs, and sweeping OSTs, these titles set the tone for many of the dramas that would follow.
I mean, you could settle for watching the modern projects, but personally? I suggest taking a look at the classics. The high-level production quality of today’s new dramas is even sweeter when you know how they got here.
Ahead, the staples in the Korean drama archives that you need to be watching.
Coffee Prince (2007)
Bearing the responsibility of providing for her family after the death of her father, tomboy Go Eun-chan (Yoon Eun-hye) gets a job at a rundown coffee shop run by handsome playboy Choi Han-kyul (Gong Yoo). The only problem? The cafe has a policy of only hiring men, so she has to hide her true identity even as she starts to fall in love with her boss.
Where you can watch it: Netflix
Boys Over Flowers (2009)
A lot of your favorite dramas wouldn’t exist without the Candy Girl trope — the hardworking loner who wins over the popular rich guy — and Boys Over Flowers is no exception. Plucky heroine Geum Jan-di (Goo Hye-sun) becomes of the talk to elite Shinhwa High after attracting the ire (and later affections) of class king Goo Jun-pyo (Lee Min-ho). Can this complicated romance lead to a happy ending?
Where you can watch it: Netflix
My Love from the Star (2013)
After centuries of being stranded on Earth, alien Do Min-joon’s (Kim Soo-hyun) life is upended by the sudden appearance of a notorious A-list Hallyu star named Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun). Despite being total opposites — he’s kind, and she’s a terror — the two are destined to be together and ultimately fall in love. But dating a celebrity turns out to be just as chaotic as dating an alien with superpowers.
When you can watch it: Netflix
Full House (2004)
You may know Rain as the biggest solo artist in the music industry, but he’s also tried his hand at acting a few times. The singer starred in the 2004 romantic comedy as a famous actor who gets seriously entangled with a struggling writer (played by megastar Song Hye-kyo) after unknowingly purchasing her home. The pair bumps heads but find themselves in a contract relationship that quickly turns into the real thing.
Where you can watch it: Netflix
My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho (2010)
In Korean culture, a gumiho is a nine-tailed fox who often transforms into a beautiful woman, seducing men only to eat their livers. Enter Shin Min-ah’s character, a naive gumiho who’s only wish to become human. After striking a deal with aspiring stuntman Cha Dae-woong (Lee Seung-Gi), it looks like her dreams are about to come true…
Where you can watch it: Netflix
Dream High (2011)
If you’re an OG K-pop fan, there’s no way that you missed this crossover of epic proportions when it first dropped ten years ago. In this throwback musical drama, the very best of K-pop’s second-generation starred as aspiring idols training at an elite private school. Featuring Kim Soo-hyun, Suzy (miss A), IU, Eun-jung (T-ara), and Taec-yeon and Woo-young from 2PM.
Where you can watch it: Netflix
IRIS (2009)
A pair of best friends are scouted into South Korea’s National Security Service (NSS) and train to protect the country from internal and external threats. However, their missions are further complicated by the interference of a mysterious secret society intent on preventing the reunification of North and South Korea. Starring Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-hee, Jung Joon-ho, and T.O.P. from K-pop group Big Bang.
Where you can watch it: Netflix
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