20 Best Korean Drama Series to Watch in 2026

• saloni gupta
• July 30, 2026
• Entertainment
• best korean drama series to watch in 2026, Korean drama series
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Korean series continue to be popular abroad, and 2026 promises to be a great year. Various genres, from romantic comedies and thriller movies to fantasy adventures and slice-of-life dramas, will be featured in some of the best Korean drama series to watch in 2026.

Here, we have gathered the most anticipated releases from the leading streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, tvN, and TVING. If you’re planning on watching Korean dramas, be sure to include the best Korean drama series to watch in 2026 on our list!

Best Korean Drama Series to Watch in 2026

List of 20 Best Korean Drama Series to Watch in 2026

My Mister (2018) – IMDb 9.1 (Drama, Netflix) 

An extremely heartwarming slice-of-life drama, My Mister (with Lee Sun-kyun and IU) shows a rather unexpected friendship between a middle-aged man and a distressed young woman. Regarded as one of the supreme K-dramas, the show earned an IMDb rating of around 9.1. Its honest narrative and celebrated performances (Baeksang Arts) have allowed it to enjoy its popularity since its first airing.

Source: Prime Video

Reply 1988 (2015) – IMDb 9.0 (Comedy/Family, Netflix)

Set against the backdrop of late 1980s Seoul, Reply 1988 tells the story of five families and their adolescent kids. In this nostalgic drama, Lee Hye-ri and Park Bo-gum performed great. This ensemble comedy-drama is liked for its realistic depiction of the majority’s life and was rated at 9.0 by IMDb.

Source: Rakuten Viki

My Dearest (2023) – IMDb – 9.0 (Historical Romance, Netflix)

My Dearest is a beautiful historical romance released in 2023, starring Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun-jin, and telling the story of love during war in Asia in the 1940s. The series is praised for its stunning cinematography and is rated highly (IMDB = 9.0). It was broadcast on MBC and may also be available on streaming services (verify information). My Dearest can be compared to a masterpiece called Gone with the Wind due to its epic plot.

Source: IMDb

Mr. Sunshine (2018) – IMDb -8.7 (Historical Drama, Netflix)

Mr. Sunshine is a realistic historical drama featuring stars Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-ri, with a plot about a boy connected with Korea at the beginning of the 20th century and his love for a noblewoman. The series combines different genres, including romance, political drama, and action. The show launched on MBC and is also available on Netflix, where it is popular due to its high production value and well-known actors. Its IMDb rating is 8.8.

Source: Letterboxd

Crash Landing on You (2019) – IMDb 8.7 (Romantic Drama, Netflix) 

Appearing as one of the top K-dramas viewed across the globe, Crash Landing on You’s image portrays a narrative of a North Korean army officer falling in love with a South Korean heiress (portrayed by Son Ye-jin) who accidentally paraglides into North Korean territory. The movie is rated on IMDb with an average score of 8.7. This romantic series, filled with moments of suspense, comedy, and other elements of forbidden love, has gained a reputation as one of the most-watched movies on Netflix.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Hospital Playlist (2021) – IMDb 8.7 (Medical Drama, Netflix) 

The movie depicts the journey of five surgeon friends who have been close for a long time. It features talented actors, including Cho Jung-seok and Yoo Yeon-seok. The impact of Hospital Playlist has led to it dominating the medical drama genre due to its portrayal of strong bonds between friends and the heartwarming narrative.

Source: Instagram

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) – 8.6 on IMDb (Legal Drama, Netflix).

Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows the titular character, Woo Young-woo, played by Park Eun-bin, a gifted attorney with autism spectrum disorder who works at one of the biggest law firms in the country. The series has received positive reviews because of its empowering lead character and courtroom drama, with a total rating close to 8.6 on IMDb. The series is currently available on Netflix.

Source: Pinterest

Alchemy of Souls (2022) – 8.6 on IMDb (Fantasy Romance, Netflix).

A romantic fantasy series by tvN called Alchemy of Souls reminds us of magic, curses, and body swapping. This drama series received positive reviews for its action and romance. The total rating on IMDb is 8.6. The two seasons of Alchemy of Souls can be watched on Netflix.

Source: IMDb

Itaewon Class (2020) – IMDb 8.1 (Drama, Netflix)

Inspired by an online comic series, Itaewon Class describes an ex-convict Park Seo-joon’s efforts to win justice in the city of Seoul. It is an uplifting story of someone fighting back after his unjust imprisonment, making the show popular among Netflix viewers worldwide. The series has assembled a great cast and told a heartwarming story of equality, resulting in an IMDb score of 8.1.

Beyond Evil (2021) – IMDb 8.1 (Thriller, Netflix)

Another crime thriller starring Shin Ha-kyun and Yeo Jin-goo, Beyond Evil is referred to as the “next Crawl of Evil” by critics. The plot revolves around the investigation led by two detectives into a string of murders in a small town. With many plot twists and psychological elements, this show is also available on Netflix and has a score of approximately 8.1 on IMDb.

Source: Prime Video

Weak Hero Class 2 (2024) – IMDb ~8.5 (Action, Netflix)

In 2024, a Netflix series called Weak Hero Class 2 was released as the continuation of Weak Hero Class 1. In this new installment, Park Ji-hoon plays the role of a bullied schoolboy who stands against school gangs. Based on a popular webtoon, this new series presents a lot of action and thrill. The ratings are quite high- above 8. Anyone interested in such genre films (for example, The Uncanny Counter) will definitely love this stylish series.

Source: About Netflix

When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025) – IMDb ~9.2 (Romance, Netflix)

This Netflix limited miniseries features IU and Park Bo-gum telling a truly touching and heart-warming love story of the first love that took place on Jeju Island in the early 1990s. Although the new series is limited to only 4 episodes, it took its place among the best drama series of 2025. The show is praised for its very high ratings, reaching 9.0, and its romantic plot. It will seem like a must-watch show of 2026 on Netflix.

Source: Reddit

The Wonderfools (2026) – IMDb 8.0 (Superhero/Comedy, Netflix)

A comedy-drama that was released in 2026, The Wonderfools tells the story of a normal man (Cha Eun-woo) who gains extraordinary abilities after consuming an experimental carrot and joins forces with a masterful gourmet (Park Eun-bin) to fight injustice. The film is described as a fun superhero movie; it is expected to bring something fresh to the genre. The initial IMDb grade is estimated to be close to 8.

Source: Twitter

Can This Love Be Translated? (2026) – IMDb ~7.9 (Romantic Comedy, Netflix)

Starring Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung, Can This Love Be Translated? is a romantic comedy in which a teacher and a diplomat get together by way of a smartphone app. The movie was released in January 2026 and is already winning the hearts of movie fans with bright dialogue. Currently, IMDb scores are being gathered around mid-7s, but with such great stars and a worldwide Netflix release, it is an option to consider.

Source: Facebook

2026 The Scarecrow – IMDb – 8.3 (Mystery Thriller, Viki/TVING)

The Scarecrow is a South Korean mystery thriller series that features Park Hae-soo in the lead. He plays a detective who collaborates with a prosecutor to track down a serial killer. The show was released on ENA in 2026 and is currently being streamed on TVING in South Korea and Rakuten Viki globally. Early reviews highlight the thriller aspect, making it much-anticipated, with an approximate rating of 8.0+ on IMDb.

Source: Reddit

Also Read: Best Romantic Movies for Date Night

Yumi’s Cells 3 (2026) – IMDb 9.5 (Romantic Comedy, Viki)

Yumi’s Cells 3 marks the end of the successful series Yumi’s Cells (TVING/Viki), which debuted in 2026. Kim Go-eun portrays Yumi in this season, whose love cells get activated when she meets a new editor. The show has received a high rating on Viki with 9.5 on a total of 15k votes, showing that the show is much loved by its fans.

Teach You a Lesson (2026) – IMDb ~7.5 (Action, Netflix)

Teach You a Lesson is an incredible Netflix action show focusing on a secret organization that combats school bullies with the help of vigilante methods. The series features Kim Moo-yul and Lee Sung-min again after the duo starred in Juvenile Justice. The show premiered on June 5, 2026. Sellable adage describes the series as “bullies beware.” It combines school drama with elements of action and superheroes. Initial feedback confirms the series is something out of the box. IMDb ratings have not yet arrived (they may vary in the range of 7-8), but the first screening on Netflix makes the show worth mentioning in connection with 2026.

Source: Letterboxd

We Are All Trying Here (2026) – IMDb ~8.0 (Drama, Netflix)

Scripted by the author of My Mister, this Netflix drama has Koo Kyo-hwan starring as a filmmaker in his 40s dealing with life’s disappointments. Also known as 모두가 자신의 무가치함을 싸우고 있다 (“We Are Fighting Our Worthlessness”), it is considered by many experts as one of the leading K-drama series released in the year. 

Source: Tomorrowsindia

Pro Bono (2025–2026) – IMDb ~8.2 (Legal Drama, Netflix)

A judge with a skeptical outlook on life (Jung Kyung-ho) is forced into becoming a pro bono lawyer after his career is destroyed by a scandal. This JTBC series follows the legal drama that mixes hilarious cases with different commentaries. The show airs on a cable channel, tvN, but is also available on Netflix worldwide. The series received rave reviews thanks to its smart writing. 

Source: IMDb

Phantom Lawyer (2026) – IMDb ~8.1 (Supernatural Legal Drama, Netflix)

Phantom Lawyer is an SBS series released in 2026, combining elements of the legal drama and fantasy genres. The series features Yoo Yeon-seok as the main character who becomes possessed by the souls of dead people and helps them resolve their unfinished business. The show has received positive reviews and has an IMDb rating of around 8.1.

Final Thoughts!

The best Korean drama series to watch in 2026 provide something intriguing for every audience member: touching family stories, exciting thrillers, grand love tales, and fun comedies. Whether you’re getting familiar with the great classics (Reply 1988, My Mister) or discovering new projects (When Life Gives You Tangerines, Wonderfools), these 20 shows will be a highlight of the K-drama industry at the moment. Most of them can be easily watched through Netflix, Disney+, Viki, or TVING. K-dramas are becoming more and more popular among viewers.