Best Korean dramas in 2021
Having a variety of Korean dramas to choose from is nice until you feel lost and overwhelmed by the plethora of genres, titles, and storylines. If you’ve no idea where to begin, fret not. We’ve hand-picked the 20 best Korean dramas of 2021 that are worth your time and tears.
Table of Contents
- Best Korean dramas in 2021
- 1. The Veil
- 2. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
- 3. Squid Game
- 4. Happiness
- 5. Vincenzo
- 6. The Penthouse: War In Life (seasons 2 & 3)
- 7. My Name
- 8. Yumi’s Cells
- 9. Hospital Playlist (season 2)
- 10. Move To Heaven
- 11. Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce)
- 12. The Red Sleeve
- 13. D.P.
- 14. Doom At Your Service
- 15. Young Lady And Gentleman
- 16. Lovers Of The Red Sky
- 17. Mine
- 18. The Devil Judge
- 19. The King’s Affection
- 20. Law School
- Best Korean dramas in 2021 you should watch
1. The Veil
Image credit: MBC
Main Cast:
- Nam Goong-min as Han Ji-hyuk
- Park Ha-sun as Seo Soo-yeon
- Kim Ji-eun as Yoo Je-yi
If you’re looking for a drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat, The Veil is the one for you. It’s almost impossible to enjoy this action-packed drama without feeling an adrenaline rush.
Han Ji-hyuk is a competent and reputable National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent. However, his career collapses when an internal traitor schemes and causes Ji-hyuk’s downfall.
He embarks on a journey to find out who the traitor is, only to be faced with unprecedented challenges and predicaments along the way. Yet, nothing can hinder the resilient and steadfast Ji-hyuk.
Watch the trailer of The Veil here:
Video credit: MBCdrama
Korean title: 검은태양
Genre: Crime, mystery, action
2. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Image credit: tvN
Main Cast:
- Shin Min-ah as Yoon Hye-jin
- Kim Seon-ho as Hong Doo-shik
Korean dramas can be intense and draining to watch sometimes, but that’s not the case for Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. This healing drama depicts a realistic day-to-day life of those who live at a seaside village called Gongjin.
Yoon Hye-jin seems to lack nothing in life – she’s an independent woman and a capable dentist. But her life drastically changes following her decision to quit her job.
When she moves to Gongjin, she meets Hong Doo-shik. Everyone calls him “Chief Hong”, but in Hye-jin’s eyes, he remains a mysterious man who is hard to read. Gradually, her interest in Doo-shik grows and they catch feelings for each other.
You can check out our review on the first episode of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha here.
Catch the trailer of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha here:
Video credit: The Swoon
Korean title: 갯마을 차차차
Genre: Romance, healing, slife of life
3. Squid Game
Image credit: Netflix
Main Cast:
- Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun
- Park Hae-soo as Sang-woo
- Heo Sung-tae as Duk-su
- Wi Ha-joon as Joon-ho
If there were a survival game that rewarded you with KRW45.6 billion (~USD38,293,936.08), would you be willing to participate in it?
Squid Game is a drama that helps us to visualise such a scenario with brutal twists that are mind-blowing, to say the least.
Gi-hun and his childhood friend, Sang-woo, decide to join the survival game for a simple reason: they need the money to repay their debts. They put their lives on the line, literally, as this could be their last chance to survive their unforgiving realities.
Packed with superb cinematography and gruesome games, this drama took the world by storm in 2021 – it would be a pity if you don’t watch it.
Read our review on the first episode of Squid Game here.
Catch the teaser of Squid Game here:
Video credit: Netflix Korea 넷플릭스 코리아
Korean title: 오징어 게임
Genre: Thriller, mystery
4. Happiness
Image credit: tvN
Main Cast:
- Han Hyo-joo as Yoon Sae-bom
- Park Hyung-shik as Jung Yi-hyun
Happiness hits close to home as the drama draws parallels between a fictional zombie virus and the very real Covid-19 pandemic, which has forced us to distance and isolate ourselves for the past two years.
Set against the backdrop of a post-Covid world, Happiness follows the residents of an apartment compound as a new infectious disease begins to spread and trouble the society. In order to keep themselves safe, the residents confine themselves to their apartments.
However, the outbreak turns out to be more alarming than the people had initially thought – those infected can no longer function as normal human beings. Instead, they turn into zombie-like creatures that put others in danger.
Yoon Sae-bom is part of a counter-terrorist team also known as the Special Operations Unit, while her friend, Jung Yi-hyun, works as a detective. They work closely to investigate the cause of the outbreak in hopes of bringing the chaos to an end.
Check out our review on the first episode of Happiness here.
You can watch the teaser of Happiness here:
Video credit: iQiyi K-Drama
Korean title: 해피니스
Genre: Thriller, romance, comedy
5. Vincenzo
Image credit: tvN
Main Cast:
- Song Joong-ki as Vincenzo Cassano
- Jeon Yeo-been as Hong Cha-young
- Ok Taec-yeon as Jang Jun-woo
Mafia, violence, and romance – Vincenzo takes you on a ride with a variety of tried-and-true drama tropes. The drama is named after the main character, Vincenzo Cassano, who also goes by his Korean name, Park Joo-hyung. But for the most part, he’s better known as Vincenzo as he was adopted by an Italian couple.
Vincenzo is a successful lawyer who works for the mafia in Italy. However, he flees to South Korea following a dispute with the mafia. Life is not all that bad in his home country as he begins to fall in love with a fellow lawyer named Hong Cha-young. But will his time in Korea remain smooth sailing?
Don’t miss out on the trailer of Vincenzo here:
Video credit: The Swoon
Korean title: 빈센조
Genre: Crime, dark comedy
6. The Penthouse: War In Life (seasons 2 & 3)
Image credit: SBS
Main Cast:
- Lee Ji-ah as Na Ae-gyo / Shim Su-ryeon
- Kim So-yeon as Cheon Seo-jin
- Eugene as Oh Yoon-hee
Following the success of season one in 2020, The Penthouse: War in Life returned with two more seasons in 2021.
The Penthouse: War in Life is the epitome of a makjang drama – exaggerated dramas that follow an absurd plot. With over-the-top makjang tropes such as murders, split personalities, and babies swapped at birth, this drama is not an easy watch for the faint-hearted.
Set in a luxurious apartment called Hera Palace, the drama revolves around three mothers who know no bounds when it comes to giving the best life to their children. They are even willing to commit crimes as long as their children become the pick of the litter.
Get a taste of The Penthouse: War in Life season 3 here.
Watch the trailer of The Penthouse: War in Life season 3 here:
Video credit: KOCOWA TV
Korean title: 펜트하우스
Genre: Makjang, thriller, crime, mystery
7. My Name
Image credit: Netflix
Main Cast:
- Han So-hee as Yoon Ji-woo
- Ahn Bo-hyun as Jeon Pil-do
- Park Hee-soon as Choi Mu-jin
Noir is not the most common genre when it comes to K-dramas, but the Netflix series My Name managed to make it a hit in 2021.
Yoon Ji-woo is determined to seek revenge on behalf of her father, who was mercilessly murdered at the doorstep of her apartment. She decides to quit high school and join a gang led by Choi Mu-jin in hopes of finding the killer. Mu-jin is not only in charge of the most profitable drug scene in Korea, but also used to be the best friend of Ji-woo’s late father.
Mu-jin takes Ji-woo under his care and even helps her go undercover as a police officer so that she could find out who murdered her father. She works alongside Detective Pil-do at the Drug Investigation Unit, and they discover the appalling truth behind her father’s death.
You can read our review on the first episode of My Name here.
Catch the teaser of My Name here:
Video credit: Netflix Korea 넷플릭스 코리아
Korean title: 마이네임
Genre: Noir, action, crime
8. Yumi’s Cells
Image credit: tvN
Main Cast:
- Kim Go-eun as Kim Yu-mi
- Ahn Bo-hyun as Gu Woong
- Lee Yoo-bi as Ruby
- Park Ji-hyun as Seo Sae-yi
- Park Jin-young as Yoo Ba-bi
Based on the famous Korean webtoon of the same name, Yumi’s Cells is a rom-com that follows the main character, Yu-mi.
Although she’s bubbly on the outside, Yu-mi constantly struggles with expressing her feelings. The drama is titled after her “cells” – anthropomorphic representations of her different emotions, such as love, anxiety, and rationality.
Following a failed relationship, Yumi’s love cell lies dormant. But that changes when she meets Gu Woong, a game developer who holds the key to reawakening her love cell.
Check out the teaser of Yumi’s Cells here:
Video credit: TVING
Korean title: 유미의 세포들
Genre: Romance, comedy
9. Hospital Playlist (season 2)
Image credit: tvN
Main cast:
- Cho Jung-suk as Lee Ik-jun
- Jeon Mi-do as Chae Song-hwa
- Yoo Yeon-seok as Ahn Jung-won
- Jung Kyung-ho as Kim Jun-wan
- Kim Dae-myung as Yang Seok-hyung
After a successful first season in 2020, Hospital Playlist returned with season 2, which highlights the friendship among five doctors with a shared love for music.
This group of friends is called the “99z” as they entered medical school together in 1999. Following their graduation, they found work at Yulje Medical Centre. Despite the highs and lows of their lives, they stick together through thick and thin.
Apart from their friendship, this drama also sheds light on the day-to-day challenges that doctors go through, as well as the suffering of patients and their loved ones. More importantly, it deals with pressing issues that are prevalent in Korea, such as child abuse, assault, and fraud.
Check out our review on the first episode of Hospital Playlist season 2 here.
You can watch the teaser of Hospital Playlist season 2 here:
Video credit: The Swoon
Korean title: 슬기로운 의사생활
Genre: Medical, slice of life, comedy, romance
10. Move To Heaven
Image credit: Netflix
Main Cast:
- Lee Je-hoon as Cho Sang-gu
- Tang Jun-sang as Han Geu-ru
- Hong Seunghee as Yoon Na-mu
Move To Heaven was inspired by a book titled Things You Left Behind, based on true events and written by a real-life trauma cleaner.
Geu-ru’s father runs a trauma cleaning service called Move To Heaven, and his main job entails cleaning up and sanitising the houses of the deceased. Trauma cleaners also collect items that were once valuable to the deceased, and pass them to the bereaved family.
Following the death of his father, Geu-ru is left all alone until Sang-gu, his uncle, becomes his guardian and de facto parent. Together, they run and work for Move To Heaven.
Fun fact: Move To Heaven won three awards at the 2021 Asia Contents Awards.
Click here to read our review on the first episode of the drama.
Don’t miss out on the trailer of Move To Heaven here:
Video credit: Netflix Korea 넷플릭스 코리아
Korean title: 무브 투 헤븐: 나는 유품정리사입니다
Genre: Drama, emotional
11. Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce)
Image credit: TV CHOSUN
Main Cast:
- Sung Hoon as Pan Sa-hyun
- Lee Ga-ryeong as Boo Hye-ryung
- Lee Tae-gon as Shin Yu-shin
- Park Joo-mi as Sa Pi-young
- Jeon Soo-kyung as Lee Shi-eun
- Jeon Noh-min as Park Hae-ryun
Marriage is incompatible with affairs, but we can’t deny that the plot becomes stimulating when these two intertwine. Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce) is an intense drama centred on three married couples, and it follows a series of extramarital affairs that occurs in each marriage.
On the surface, these married couples appear to have smooth sailing lives with successful careers and happy marriages – Pan Sa-hyun is a lawyer, Boo Hye-ryung is a DJ, Shin Yu-shin is a psychiatrist, Sa Pi-young is a radio show producer, Lee Shi-eun is a writer, and Park Hae-ryun is a professor.
However, their lives are far from perfect, and like most makjang dramas, this drama will make you question your moral compass.
If you enjoyed The Penthouse: War in Life or are a fan of makjang dramas, we recommend watching this drama as well.
There are two seasons of Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce), both of which were released in 2021.
Watch the trailer of Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce) season 1 here:
Video credit: The Swoon
Korean title: 결혼작사 이혼작곡
Genre: Melodrama, makjang
12. The Red Sleeve
Image credit: MBC
Main Cast:
- Lee Jun-ho as King Jeong-jo / Yi San
- Lee Se-young as Sung Deok-im
- Kang Hoon as Hong Deok-ro
Set in the 18th century, The Red Sleeve is a historical romance drama that follows King Jeong-jo and his concubine, Sung Deok-im.
Following the unexpected death of his father, Prince Yi San ascends the throne and makes himself known as King Jeong-jo. He hopes to make Deok-im his concubine after he catches feelings for her.
However, Deok-im is wise enough to understand that the role of a concubine comes with heavy responsibilities. As an independent and intelligent woman, she dreams of living an unrestricted life.
But upon seeing the kingdom suffering in anguish, she decides to accept the burden of becoming King Jeong-jo’s concubine.
You can catch the trailer of The Red Sleeve here:
Video credit: Viu Singapore
Korean title: 옷소매 붉은 끝동
Genre: Romance, historical
13. D.P.
Image credit: Netflix
Main Cast:
- Jung Hae-in as Ahn Joon-ho
- Koo Kyo-hwan as Han Ho-yeol
- Kim Sung-kyun as Park Bum-goo
- Son Seok-koo as Im Ji-sub
Based on the Korean webtoon titled D.P Dog Day, this Netflix series unveils the brutal and ruthless aspect of the Korean military. While the system has improved over the years, the changes made are still inadequate, nonetheless.
Ahn Joon-ho is one of the many soldiers serving in the military. However, his military career takes a turn for the extraordinary when Sergeant Park Bum-goo transfers him to the D.P. team to catch soldiers who abandon the military.
There, Joon-ho works alongside Han Ho-yeol to make sure soldiers who shirk their military duties, without an official claim, return to the base safely.
As Joon-ho and Ho-yeol engage in the given tasks, they begin to see that these deserters have personal stories that drive them to leave the military without saying a word.
Don’t miss out on the trailer of D.P. here:
Video credit: Netflix Korea 넷플릭스 코리아
Korean title: 디피
Genre: Military, action
14. Doom At Your Service
Image credit: tvN
Main Cast:
- Park Bo-young as Tak Dong-kyung
- Seo In-guk as Kim Sa-ram / “Myul Mang”
- Lee Soo-hyuk as Cha Joo-ik
- Kang Tae-oh as Lee Hyun-gyu
- Shin Do-hyun as Na Ji-na / “Lee Hyun”
Dong-kyung is thrown into an abyss following the death of her parents. To make matters worse, she’s diagnosed with a terminal illness. Despite several attempts to remain strong for her younger brother, she eventually gets demoralised and loses hope, knowing that she only has 100 days to live.
One night, upon seeing shooting stars, she wishes for the collapse of the world. To her surprise, an immortal being – Myul Mang – turns up at her doorstep and promises to make her wish come true before she dies.
Click here to read more about the first episode highlights of Doom At Your Service.
You can also watch the trailer of Doom At Your Service here:
Video credit: Viu Singapore
Korean title: 어느 날 우리 집 현관으로 멸망이 들어왔다
Genre: Fantasy, romance, comedy
15. Young Lady And Gentleman
Image credit: KBS
Main Cast:
- Ji Hyun-woo as Lee Young-guk
- Lee Se-hee as Park Dan-dan
- Park Ha-na as Jo Sa-ra
- Kang Eun-tak as Cha Gun
Lee Young-guk is a successful chairman of a company, but he’s overcome with grief following the tragic death of his wife. He’s now widowed with three children by his side.
One day, Young-guk comes across Dan-dan during a hike. Fate brings them together as Young-guk hires her as a tutor, and she decides to live with him along with his three children to distract herself from her complicated family matters.
Gradually, Young-guk falls in love with Dan-dan despite their age difference of 14 years.
Catch the trailer of Young Lady And Gentleman here:
Video credit: KBS Drama
Korean title: 신사와 아가씨
Genre: Family, comedy, romance
16. Lovers Of The Red Sky
Image credit: SBS
Main Cast:
- Kim Yoo-jung as Hong Chun-gi
- Ahn Hyo-seop as Ha Ram
- Gong Myung as Prince Yang Myung / Yi Yul
- Kwak Si-yang as Prince Joo Hyang / Yi Hu
Adapted from the Korean novel that shares the same name as the protagonist, Lovers Of The Red Sky is a historical drama set during the Joseon Dynasty.
Hong Chun-gi’s life is a miracle to say the least – although she was born blind, she unexpectedly regains her vision one day. Also, she was born with a gift for painting. She even attends the Royal Academy of Painting, which is known as the most reputable arts school.
On the other hand, Ha Ram is an astrologer who faces an unfortunate incident that causes him to lose his sight. However, he has a special ability to see visions that no one else can.
Ha Ram becomes smitten with Chun-gi, but little do they know that they are in for a wild ride as they become entangled in a scheme that involves two prominent figures: Prince Yang Myung and Prince Joo Hyang.
Watch the trailer of Lovers Of The Red Sky here:
Video credit: SBS Catch
Korean title: 홍천기
Genre: Historical, fantasy, romance
17. Mine
Image credit: tvN
Main Cast:
- Lee Bo-young as Seo Hee-soo
- Kim Seo-hyung as Jung Seo-hyun
- Ok Ja-yeon as Kang Ja-kyung / Lee Hye-jin
Finding your identity in a world that encourages you to fake it till you make it is challenging. But the main characters in Mine are different as they are independent and ambitious women who know how to stand their ground.
Seo Hee-soo’s life is a K-drama on its own. A former top-tier actress, Hee-soo decided to let go of her career she took years to build in order to tie the knot with the son of a chaebol (a large conglomerate run by a family). Married into the same chaebol is Jung Seo-hyun, the other protagonist in Mine.
You can read our review on the first episode of the drama before giving it a shot.
Check out the teaser of Mine here:
Video credit: tvN drama
Korean title: 마인
Genre: Mystery, thriller
18. The Devil Judge
Image credit: tvN
Main Cast:
- Ji Sung as Kang Yo-han
- Kim Min-jung as Jung Sun-ah
- Park Jin-young as Kim Ga-on / Kang Isaac
- Park Gyu-young as Yoon Soo-hyun
Imagine a society brimming with nothing but mistrust, hatred, and chaos, where law and order no longer prevail over the people.
Kang Yo-han, also known as the “Devil Judge”, is a head trial judge who is determined to create a change. He adopts an extreme and radical approach by transforming his courtroom into a reality show. During the show, he publicises and punishes those who are culpable for their crimes.
However, Yo-han’s power is challenged by the appearance of Jung Sun-ah. She’s the director of a corporate social responsibility foundation, and she has a wide social network of eminent figures at her disposal.
Here’s our review on the first episode of The Devil Judge for those who are interested in the drama.
You can watch the trailer of The Devil Judge here:
Video credit: tvN drama
Korean title: 악마판사
Genre: Crime, mystery
19. The King’s Affection
Image credit: KBS
Main Cast:
- Park Eun-bin as Lee Hwi
- Ro Woon as Jung Ji-woon
- Nam Yoon-su as Lee Hyun
- Choi Byung-chan as Kim Ga-on
- Bae Yoon-kyung as Shin So-eun
The news of his wife being pregnant with twins troubles the Crown Prince as they are a symbol of curse to the royal family. Eventually, he decides to take the life of the twin girl and spare the twin boy in hopes of steering clear of any potential threat.
Since the Crown Prince’s wife can’t bear to see the death of her baby girl, she saves the life of her daughter behind her husband’s back. Her plan runs smoothly until Lee Hwi, her son, passes on.
The royal family comes up with another discreet plan – the twin girl who has been living away from the public eye is to take on the identity of her brother.
Korean title: 연모
Genre: Romance, historical
20. Law School
Image credit: JTBC
Main Cast:
- Kim Myung-min as Yang Jong-hoon
- Kim Bum as Han Joon-hwi
- Ryu Hye-young as Kang Sol / Kang Dan
- Lee Jung-eun as Kim Eun-sook
Yang Jong-hoon is a professor at a distinguished law school. He’s not the most fun person to be around as he is a plain-spoken person who isn’t afraid to speak his mind.
Kang Sol barely makes the cut for the law school where Jong-hoon works. Her family struggles to make ends meet, and her life seems pale in comparison to her affluent classmates, which includes Han Joon-hwi. The has-it-all freshie doesn’t only excel in his studies, but he’s also charismatic and popular.
But don’t be too quick to judge Joon-hwi’s life as he carries a secret that has yet to be revealed.
Here’s our take on the first episode of Law School.
Check out the trailer of Law School here:
Video credit: The Swoon
Korean title: 로스쿨
Genre: Law, crime, mystery
Best Korean dramas in 2021 you should watch
2021 was a turning point in the K-drama world thanks to the release of a few series that opened doors for global viewership. We believe this list of the best Korean dramas in 2021 is a must-watch for K-drama connoisseurs, and the shows are not just entertaining, but will also teach you a life lesson or two.
Check out other K-drama articles:
- 8 Korean dramas to watch in January 2022
- 20 Korean dramas you must watch in 2022
- 27 romantic Korean dramas sorted by themes
- 12 crime Korean dramas with mind-blowing twists
- 26 thriller Korean dramas to have on your must-watch list
Cover image adapted from: KBS, tvN, and KBS