up comin movies list

1. Squid Game – 1 season (2021 – present)

Tomatometer: 95%

Genre: Thriller, Drama, Survival

The show that launched Korean shows on Netflix into new living rooms worldwide, Squid Game is a brutal yet thrilling drama series with heart. It set records when it came out in 2021, reaching number one in Netflix’s top 10 in 94 different countries, including the US and UK. The show centres around contestants on a game show that recruits people in debt and offers them a tantalizing prize – but that prize comes with a deadly cost. If you haven’t watched Squid Game yet, it’s an absolute must-watch for anyone interested in the best Korean dramas on Netflix – and has already been renewed for a second season.

Also available on the UK version of Netflix.

2. My Name – 1 season (2021)

Tomatometer: 100%

Genre: Crime, Suspense, Thriller

This gripping crime drama follows a woman set on avenging her gangster father’s death. To do so, she joins a gang, then infiltrates the local police under a fake name, where she’s partnered with a young narcotics detective. With a touch of film noir-like style and hard-hitting fight scenes, My Name is a treat for any fan of crime dramas.

Also available on the UK version of Netflix.

3. Mr. Sunshine – 1 season (2018)

Tomatometer: Audience score only – 94%

Genre: Political Drama, Historical Drama, Romance

Eugene, a man who was born into slavery in the 1800s Joseon but escaped to the United States, returns to Joseon as a U.S. Marine. There, he meets and falls in love with the granddaughter of an aristocrat who has been betrothed since childhood to a nobleman. The exciting, sweeping story centers around their star-crossed love, woven together with historical events and political intrigue. Though critics would warn you (correctly) to take this telling of historical events with a heavy grain of salt, it’s certainly a great way to learn a little about Korean history through a show that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.

4. Crash Landing On You – 1 season (2019 – 2020)

Tomatometer: Audience score only – 98%

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama

If you’re looking for romance with a touch of drama, Crash Landing On You could be just the ticket. This charming, heartfelt, mostly light-hearted series follows a South Korean heiress who is accidentally blown over the demilitarised zone (DMZ) and into North Korea, where a handsome soldier decides to take her in until she can return home. The romantic show was a huge hit in Korea and abroad, becoming the third highest-rated K-drama in cable television history – and you can watch it all on Netflix!

Also available on the UK version of Netflix.

5. Our Blues – 1 season (2022)

Tomatometer: N/A

Genre: Emotional, Drama, Ensemble Cast

Another one of the most-watched Korean dramas, Our Blues is a sweet and touching, understated series following the day-to-day lives of people living on Jeju Island. While less over-the-top dramatic than some other popular K-dramas, this realistic, bittersweet series relies on a wide cast of characters to capture life’s big and small moments – think something along the lines of This Is Us and Love Actually.

Also available on the UK version of Netflix.

6. Signal – 1 season (2016)

Tomatometer: Audience score only – 100%

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Suspense, Fantasy

Fans of Broadchurch and Sherlock will enjoy this dark and suspenseful crime drama with an unusual twist. Signal follows a criminal profiler in 2015 who finds a walkie-talkie that lets him communicate across time with a police detective from 1989. After their communication leads to the successful solving of a cold case, the profiler, Park Hae-young, is added to a newly formed cold case team – but quickly finds that changing the past, of course, affects the future. It’s a fantastic show that delivers on each individual character’s arc, with stellar acting performances, great writing, and a healthy dose of suspense.

Also available on the UK version of Netflix.

7. Kingdom – 2 seasons (2020 – present)

Tomatometer: 96%

Genre: Political Drama, Period Drama, Horror, Zombies

Based on a Webtoon, Kingdom surprises and enthralls at every turn, well-deserving of its critical acclaim. At once a 16th-century period piece, a political intrigue, and a gory horror series, Kingdom follows a sick king and his son, the crown prince, who starts investigating the strange illness that has made the king sick only to discover that a deadly epidemic is ravaging the kingdom. A zombie epidemic.

Also available on the UK version of Netflix.

8. Single’s Inferno – 1 season (2021 – present)

Tomatometer: Audience score only – 46%

Genre: Reality, Dating Show, Survival

Ignore the negative reviews. If you like reality TV, Single’s Inferno is a must-watch. The show is, in essence, Survivor meets Love Island. Singles are left to survive on a deserted island – but, if they find someone to shack up with, they get to leave the island and go to ‘paradise’, luxury accommodation with everything they could want. Those who can’t find a date are left to compete with each other and fend for themselves on the island. If you’re sold on the premise, you’ll enjoy the show. If reality dating shows with a sadistic twist aren’t for you, then keep scrolling.

Also available on the UK version of Netflix.

9. Twenty Five Twenty One – 1 season (2022 – present)

Tomatometer: Audience score only – 95%

Genre: Romance, Drama

No list of Korean dramas on Netflix would be complete without a heart-wrenching romantic drama about young people, and Twenty Five Twenty One sticks out as one of the best among a large selection of good options. The show follows five characters and their love lives from the 1990s to the 2020s, complete with high school drama, first loves, and lessons learned. It’s lovely, it’s sweet, and it’s easily among the best Korean dramas on Netflix.

Also available on the UK version of Netflix.

10. All of Us Are Dead – 1 season (2022 – present)

Tomatometer: 87%

Genre: Teen Drama, Horror, Zombies

Last, but certainly not least, we have All of Us Are Dead, the hit zombie show about teens trapped in their high school. The students slowly realise they’re stuck in ground zero of a zombie outbreak after a science experiment goes wrong – and no one is coming to pick them up after class. It’s gross. It’s gory. It’s compelling and even occasionally thought-provoking. And, for horror fans, it’s fun. Fans of Battle Royale and The Walking Dead will enjoy this bloody thriller – just maybe don’t try to eat spaghetti or chili while watching.

Also available on the UK version of Netflix.

And that’s that – the 10 best Korean series on Netflix right now. Immersing yourself in media is a fantastic way to start mastering some of the trickier elements of a new language, and these excellent, oh-so-watchable shows make it easy and fun.