With the recent conclusion of "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," which gained immense popularity internationally and domestically, as K-drama fans, we can be stuck on what to watch next! There are popular, well-known dramas such as "Descendants of the Sun," "My Love From Another Star," and "Penthouse." But what are the 10 highest-rated K-dramas of all-time? Check out this list for some potential dramas you may not have seen to binge on next!
1. My Lovely Sam Soon: With an average rating of 37% and the highest rating of 49.1%, "My Lovely Sam Soon" was such a loveable drama because the main character wasn't "beautiful," wasn't rich but was a relatable character struggling with making ends meet, striving towards losing weight to fit the standards of society's beauty, all while trying to deal with a cheating ex. It's such a breath of fresh air to be able to see the main character, who just looks like your average person; no wonder this drama gained so much love!
2. Bread, Love and Dreams: Another breakthrough within the K-drama world, Yoon Shi Yoon rose straight up to stardom through his role as a young man in the 70s, striving toward his dream of becoming the best baker in South Korea. A 30-episode series, "Bread, Love and Dreams," gained a viewership rating of 50.9%! But be careful when watching this drama; it is going to make you hungry for bread and more bread!
3. Stairway to Heaven: Ever seen celebrities reenact the famous boomerang scene? It's actually from one of the most highly-rated K-dramas of all time! "Stairway to Heaven" is a drama full of sadness, bitterness, and it really shows us how to enjoy every moment of our lives and what we've been given!
4. The Moon Embracing the Sun: A great role that actor Kim Soo Hyun was able to portray so well. It's a story of a prince who loses his first love through a tragic "accident" only to come across her many, many years later. This story of love rekindled surely captured the hearts of many viewers, as this drama ended up receiving the Best Drama and Best Actor awards at the 48th Baeksang Arts Awards, and its viewership rating peaked at 42.2%!
5. Full House: Living the fan girl life, based on the manhwa "Full House" created by Won Soo Yeon, "Full House" will take you on a roller coaster ride with the ups and downs, the bickerings between the two main leads. Considered one of the leading dramas within the romantic comedy genre, "Full House" gained a viewership of 41.6% at the highest peak!
6. Goong: Also known as "Palace Hours," this drama is one of the most unique dramas as it's a mesh of modern-day monarchy. Coincidentally finding herself forcefully engaged to the Crown Prince of South Korea, well, you can probably guess the chaos that ensues within this drama. Truly a unique take on a K-drama, "Goong" received so much love when it was aired back in 2006 with a rating of 28.3% at its highest!
7. Pasta: "Chef, chef!" is an iconic line. If you know, you know. Peaking at 21.5% on its finale, "Pasta" is an adorable love story between a very chic, strict head chef and a lowly kitchen assistant trying to make her way to the top of the ladder. This is a drama you do not want to watch while hungry, be forewarned!
8. Iris: Starring two of the most well-known and respected veteran actors, Lee Byung Hun and Kim Tae Hee go all out in this South Korean espionage drama series, sweeping many end-of-the-year awards, "Iris" marked its spot as one of the most viewed dramas of all time peaking at 39% on its finale! If you're a lover of high-paced action and espionage, this drama is for you.
9. Coffee Prince: With a viewership of 29%, unexpectedly finding himself falling in love with someone he assumes to be of the same gender, Choi Han Kyul goes through an immense identity crisis throughout the drama while trying to run his own coffee shop. "Coffee Prince" became such a hit that even now, the coffee shop that the drama was filmed in is a classic tourist spot to go to whenever you're in South Korea!
10. Secret Garden: Gender-bender dramas are one of the most entertaining dramas you can ever watch. Even more so, when each actor has to play their counterpart, and they nail the little habits and tone of voice! Plus, who can ever forget the sit-up scene or the milk foam mustache scene? "Secret Garden" became a mega-hit within the world of K-dramas, earning itself 31% viewership on its finale!
Let us know how many of these top-rated dramas you have watched and which ones would you recommend to viewers?
dae jang geum and jumong should be on the top of the list. they average in the upper 40s and high at the 50s. also they are one of the best kdramas out. jumong is my #1.
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