Cozy Kdramas was born from my deep love for the way Korean dramas can transport you to another world.
The escapism of it all.
There are so many Korean dramas that capture those warm, cozy vibes—here’s our ultimate masterlist.
1. Little Forest
Little Forest. Little Forest. Little Forest. I will forever recommend this warm hug of a film.
Kim Tae Ri (Twenty One, Twenty Five) stars in this live-action-Ghibli-like movie with Ryu Jeon Yul (Reply 1988), Jin Ki Joo (My Perfect Stranger), and Moon So Ri (Queenmaker) as co-stars. This slice-of-life movie follows a young woman who comes back to her hometown after severe burnout trying to live on her own in Seoul. She comes home to an empty and cold house but quickly fills it with warmth and the smell of homemade food. We see her come to terms with her past and figure out her future.
This movie is a remake of a Japanese film of the same name. Both are based on the manga series written by Daisuke Igarashi.
Who should watch this: Anyone who is looking for an escape. If you are tired of hustle-culture and are craving a slower way of living, check out this cozy drama.
2. Reply 1988
Reply 1988 follows a group of friends living in the same neighbourhood. We see their growing pains, their family and friend relationships, their exciting successes, and their disappointing failures. This drama highlights the beauty of the “every day.” This drama is comforting for a lot of people because it is easy to watch. There is, of course, drama. It is a Korean drama after all, but instead of highlighting the tension and stress it causes an individual or the main couple, this drama highlights how a stressful moment or event affects the entire group whether that is the family or the entire neighbourhood.
Every single actor carried their part in creating the beautiful chemistry that happened between all the characters. The crew did an amazing job with the set and the shots. It is honestly just a great little cozy drama.
Who should watch this drama: If you are looking for an easy watch, something that you can take your time with and thoroughly enjoy, check out Reply 1988!
3. Hometown Cha Cha Cha
HomeCha is THAT drama. It is the drama that out dramas all the other dramas.
Hometown Cha Cha Cha follows a dentist from Seoul who moves to a countryside coastal town to get away from her stressful career in the city. She opens up her own practice and starts meeting the townspeople (and attempting to earn their trust). She meets the village handyman, Chief Hong, who seems to be the town’s pride and joy.
The tagline for my review was, “If you’re having a bad day, watch this drama.” I stand by that statement! As soon as I hear that “lalalala, romantic sundayyy” OST start playing, my heart becomes lighter, it cures all my ailments, my skin becomes clearer, and I turn into a little kid again. It is magical.
Who should watch this drama: EVERYONE! lol But seriously, if you enjoy easy-watching, seaside villages, and escapism dramas, this one is for you!
4. Goblin
Gobliiiiin. 8 years later and it is still one of my absolute favourites. A little fantasy drama with stunning scenery including a Canadian village that is so darling that anyone who watches that episode will surely catch the travel bug.
All of the scenes are so warm. You watch the characters walk through the quaint little villages in the middle of winter all bundled up and cute and then you see them in Goblin’s home which looks like it should be in the middle of a magical forest somewhere. As you’re watching this drama, you can tell everything was carefully thought out and planned down to the wardrobe and colour of each prop. This is an excellent little drama that is oozing with hygge.
Who should watch this drama: All of my fantasy lovers out there- this one’s for you!!
5. Mystic Pop-Up Bar
Another fantasy storyline that is fun, light, and a gem of a drama. The humour in this one is super charming. There is a certain dynamic between the characters that make you fall in love with the story instantly. It is the kind of drama that makes you want to crawl into bed, snuggle up with a fuzzy blanket, and be transported to the warmth and entertainment of the pop-up bar.
The characters hang out in their late-night magical pop-up bar, travel to different worlds, and heal people through their dreams, all the while they are going through their own healing journey.
Who should watch this drama: If you want an easy, relaxing, and warm drama to dive into, this drama will provide the perfect escapism.
6. Doctor Slump
In this medical rom-com, Park Hyung Sik plays a plastic surgeon whose life came crashing down after an incident at work. He finds himself running into his ex-classmate and rival, played by Park Shin Hye, who is in a slump of her own.
This drama is about healing, romance, and fighting for one’s mental health and well-being. It was such a well-rounded drama.
Who should watch this drama: If you are burnt out, healing from your own mental health struggles, or need a pick-me-up, this drama might be the perfect one for you.
Trigger warning: There is a brief mention/allusion to suicidal ideation. Please choose what is best for you and take care of your mental health and well-being.
> Check out more TV shows with Park Hyung Sik here
7. Love Next Door
Jung So Min and Jung Hae In star in this fun drama about childhood best friends who reconnect after one has been overseas for 10 years. As they reconnect, we follow along as the characters explore and heal from their past and build a future they truly want.
This drama is special due to the phenomenal cast and heartwarming writing. Not only do we fall in love with the main leads, but all of the supporting characters add warmth and depth to the storyline.
Side note: This drama was created by the same team that did Hometown Cha Cha Cha. They must put some type of magic into these dramas because both of them are my “favorites of all-time” list.
Who should watch this drama: This is another one for those experiencing burnout and wanting to find meaning and joy again.
