I’m so excited to be talking about classic kdramas today!
It was 2012 when I watched my very first Korean drama. I was home sick from school and absolutely miserable from the flu. There I was on the couch, flipping through Netflix, when I remembered a series a friend had recommended.
I hit play on Secret Garden after my mom left for work at 8 a.m. and by the time she came home that evening, I was eight episodes deep in body swaps and iconic tracksuits, I had fallen completely in love with Hyun Bin and was already planning the next three dramas I would watch.
From that moment on, I was hooked.
Lately, I’ve found myself revisiting the early Kdramas that pulled me in and made me fall head over heels for this world of storytelling. “Classic” means something different to everyone, and nostalgia is deeply personal, so for transparency’s sake, this list reflects the dramas I fell in love with. Many of them from the 2010–2013 era.
Honestly, writing this article was so fun to write and while researching, I kept rediscovering shows I’d completely forgotten about, and it made me feel like a teenager again. My hope is that this list does the same for you… or, if you’re new to Kdramas, that it introduces you to the stories that brought me so much comfort and excitement.
Gentle Heads-Up
Just a gentle heads-up before you dive in: some of these dramas may or may not have aged well(˃ᗜ˂) Early K-dramas are known for a bit of questionable content here and there, so keep that in mind as you watch.
Above all else, ENJOY!!
☕ RomComs & Comfort Classics
These are the dramas that feel like a warm hug. Everything that gives quirky romances, charming leads, and early-2010s vibes.
- Coffee Prince
- Boys Over Flowers
- Playful Kiss
- Personal Taste
- Lie To Me
- Flower Boy Ramen Shop
- Flower Boy Next Door
- To The Beautiful You
Boys Over Flowers is so many people’s first kdrama. This is one I would definitely recommend diving into if you want to get an idea of early drama vibes.
You’ll also notice Lee Min Ho kind of dominated the screen during this era (and still is mind you!). If you want to check out more of his dramas, make sure to read this here.
✨ Fantasy Romance & Magical Escapes
Love stories with a twist: immortals, body swaps, parallel timelines, and just little magic⋆𐦍.ೃ࿔:･
- Secret Garden (Fantasy, Rom-Com)
- Goblin (Fantasy, Melodrama)
- My Love From Another Star (Fantasy, Rom-Com)
- The Master’s Sun (Supernatural, Rom-Com)
- 49 Days (Fantasy, Melodrama)
- Big (Fantasy, Rom-Com)
> Find more Supernatural Kdramas here
⏳ Time Travel & Time Warp Romances
For when love refuses to stay in one timeline.
- Rooftop Prince
- Queen & I
- Faith (The Great Doctor)
👑 Historical Dramas
Old-world settings with youthful energy, romance, and political intrigue.
- Sungkyunkwan Scandal
- Faith (The Great Doctor) (Historical, Fantasy)
- The King 2 Hearts (Political Drama with Romance)
> Find the best historical dramas of all time here.
🎸 Youth, Dreams & Coming-of-Age Stories
High school halls, idol dreams, and the raw emotions of growing up.
- Dream High
- Shut Up: Flower Boy Band
🕵️ Crime, Thriller & Dark Supernatural
Mystery, action, and a darker edge that still feels very “classic K-drama.” These are still some of my FAVE crime/thriller/dark kdramas. I’m still waiting for the next season of Vampire Prosecutor. So so good.
- Iris
- Master’ Sun
- Ghost
- Vampire Prosecutor
- Blood
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