10 Popular Korean Series To Watch This Season

If you’re a Korean series enthusiast, get ready to indulge in an even more addictive series. Last year’s hits like Pachinko, Our Blues, and Again My Life have left fans craving for more. In 2023, a fresh lineup of captivating K-dramas awaits you.

Korean dramas offer a perfect blend of romance, suspense, and unexpected plot twists, making them a complete entertainment package. Whether you’re a fan of free streaming sites or prefer Netflix, I’ve got you covered with the 10 must-watch Korean series for this July. I’ll even mention which ones are available on Netflix for your convenience. So get prepared to gratify your addiction and enjoy the compelling world of K-dramas.

#1. The Glory (2022- )

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Drama
Cast: Song Hye-Kyo, Lee Do-Hyun, Ji-Yeon Lim
IMDb: 8.1/10
Available On Netflix

The Glory is an acclaimed South Korean streaming series exclusively available on Netflix. It is written by Kim Eun-sook and directed by Ahn Gil-ho, garnering widespread recognition and praise. The story centers around a determined high school student with aspirations of becoming an architect. Unfortunately, her ambitions are wrecked when she becomes prey to severe school violence at the hands of her classmates. Compelled to leave school due to relentless bullying, she devises a plan for vengeance, targeting both her tormentors and the passive bystanders who turned a blind eye to her suffering.

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#2. Alchemy Of Souls (2022- )

Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Action
Cast: Jae-Wook Lee, Min-Hyun Hwang, Joon-Sang Yoo
IMDb: 8.8/10
Available On Netflix

Alchemy of Souls is an enchanting South Korean TV series directed by Park Joon-Hwa. The plot is set in a captivating fantasy realm brimming with mages and magic, the story follows a young mage who possesses no magical abilities. Fate intertwines their lives when he encounters an assassin trapped in the body of a maid. Despite her powerlessness, the assassin becomes his mentor, guiding him on a transformative journey of learning and self-discovery.

#3. Descendants of the Sun (2016)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Action
Cast: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-Kyo, Jin Goo
IMDb: 8.2/10
Available On Netflix

Descendants of the Sun is a South Korean TV series directed by Lee Eung-bok as well as Baek Sang-hoon which pursues the compelling story of Yoo Shi Jin, a special forces captain, and Kang Mo Yeon, a trauma surgeon. Their lives intertwine when they meet unexpectedly, leading to a complex relationship. While Shi Jin is immediately drawn to Mo Yeon, she initially mistakes him for a criminal. As they navigate their contrasting views on protecting and saving lives, they eventually part ways. However, destiny reunites them in the war-torn country of Uruk, where they confront their beliefs and rediscover the power of love amidst challenging circumstances.

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#4. Crash Landing On You (2019 – 2020)

Genre: Comedy, Romance, Adventure
Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye
IMDb: 8.7/10
Available On Netflix

Crash Landing on You is a South Korean drama series penned by Park Ji-Eun and helmed by Lee Jeong-hyo. The plot follows Yoon Se Ri, a South Korean heiress who finds herself in North Korea after a paragliding mishap. In her unexpected journey, she crosses paths with Ri Jung Hyuk, a North Korean army officer who becomes her ally in her quest to return home. Despite the political tensions, forbidden love blossoms between them, defying the boundaries that separate their countries.

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#5. All Of Us Are Dead (2022-)

Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Action
Cast: Park Ji-hu, Chan-Young Yoon, Yi-Hyun Cho
IMDb: 7.5/10
Available On Netflix

All of Us Are Dead is a South Korean zombie apocalypse horror television series directed by Lee Jae-kyoo as well as Kim Nam-su. The plot revolves around Hyosan High School which becomes the epicenter of a devastating virus outbreak, turning the contaminated into ravenous zombies. In a despairing battle for survival, the students discover themselves entrapped within the school walls, fighting for their lives and scouring for an escape route. As chaos ensues, the Korean military takes swift action to contain the outbreak and safeguard the nation from a potential widespread catastrophe.

#6. The Good Detective (2020 – 2022)

Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Crime
Cast: Jung Moon Sung, Jang Seung Jo, Kim Hyo Jin, Son Hyun Joo
IMDb: 7.6/10

The Good Detective is a South Korean television series, skillfully directed by Jo Nam-gook, that centers around the dedicated detectives of Violent Crimes Team Two fearlessly confronting ambitious villains who have crossed ethical boundaries, relying solely on the power of truth to bring them to justice.

#7. Missing: The Other Side (2020- )

Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Mystery
Cast: Go Soo, Sohee, Eun-Su Seo
IMDb: 7.8/10
Available On Netflix

The Other Side: Unraveling the Mystery is a 2020 South Korean drama series directed by Min Yeon Hong. The plot pursues Kim Wook, a charming conman, who gets entangled in supernatural circumstances when he visits Duon Village. Teaming up with Jang Pan Seok, a mysterious individual involved in searching for missing people, they uncover the secrets of the village. Later, joined by Lee Jong Ah, a government officer with computer skills, and Shin Joon Ho, a committed police officer, they venture on an adventure to unravel the mysteries and contend with the challenges that lie ahead.

#8. The Good Bad Mother (2023- )

Genre: Crime, Drama, Comedy
Cast: Ra Mi-ran, Lee Do-Hyun, Eun-Jin Ahn
IMDb: 8.3/10
Available On Netflix

The Good Bad Mother is a South Korean television series, that premiered in 2023 and directed by Shim Na-Yeon. The story revolves around, Young-Soon, a single mother managing a pig farm, who raised her son Kang-Ho with strictness to prevent him from repeating her mistakes. In his adulthood, Kang-Ho transforms into a prosecutor with a cold-hearted demeanor, maintaining a significant emotional distance from his mother. However, a sudden accident reverts Kang-Ho back to a child-like state, leading him to return to his hometown and rebuild his life with Young-Soon. During this journey, he reconnects with his childhood friend Mi-Joo, a compassionate individual with a strong sense of justice. As Kang-Ho’s life undergoes a remarkable transformation, the presence of Mi-Joo becomes a catalyst for significant changes.

#9. Black Knight (2023- )

Genre: Adventure, Sci-fi, Action
Cast: Kim Woo-bin, Song Seung-Heon, Kang You-Seok
IMDb: 6.4/10
Available on Netflix

Black Knight is a 2023 South Korean streaming TV drama directed by Cho Ui-Seok. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world of 2071, ravaged by toxic air pollution, a stringent social order emerges as only 1% of the population survives. People seldom leave their homes and rely on knights, parcel delivery drivers, who not only transport packages but also protect them from thieves. Legendary Knight Knight 5-8 encounters refugee Yoon Sa-Wol, who idolizes him and dreams of becoming a knight. Officer Seol-Ah saves Yoon Sa-Wol’s life and becomes his guardian. Together, they navigate this dystopian society, with Knight 5-8 mentoring Yoon Sa-Wol in his quest to become a knight.

#10. My Love From the Star

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
Cast: Jun Ji-hyun, Kim Soo-hyun, Park Hae-Jin
IMDb: 8.2/10

If you have a penchant for fantasy melodramas, this one is an absolute must-watch. My Love From Another Star made waves worldwide, captivating audiences far beyond Korea. The story revolves around an extraterrestrial being with extraordinary abilities, who has been marooned on Earth for centuries. Masquerading as a university professor, his sole focus is finding a way back home. However, everything changes when he crosses paths with a renowned actress.