Have a favorite genre and wondering what to watch? Here are our top recommendations for each genre. Please note most dramas overlap genres. In that case we may list a drama more than one time, but we will try not to have the same drama fill the #1 spot in more than one genre. We will update this as we watch more and our favorites change.
Happy watching!
(Click the titles of the dramas for more information and our review!)
Action
Descendants of the Sun
This is by far the most awarded drama we have watched so far. No other drama has come close. As well as Action, this one also falls in the categories of Romantic Comedy, and Medical.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
Crime
Flower of Evil
Hiding under the name of Baek Hee Sung, Do Hyun Soo (Lee Joon Gi) has established the perfect family; a loving wife, a beautiful daughter, and a successful business. But that perfect world is threatened when a recent homicide directs focus to a series of murders committed 18 years ago. It’s a tragedy that hangs like a noose around Hyun Soo’s dark past. When Cha Ji Won (Moon Chae Won), Hyun Soo’s wife and homicide detective, gets involved, all he had built up over the years starts to crumble. A wanted man, and murder suspect, he must seek to prove his innocence and find the people who are wanting him dead before he loses everything that matters to him.
Also falling into the genres of Romance, Mystery and Psychological we really had a hard time deciding which genre this should top. It is a favorite of ours and one of the best romances we have seen.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
Fantasy
Cha Joo Hyuk (Ji Sung) and his wife, Seo Woo Jin (Han Ji Min), are in some serious marital trouble. As he struggles to maintain a chaotic life, work and an angry wife he runs into a woman from his past and starts to dream of what it would be like to have had a different life. One day he is mysteriously given that opportunity. The opportunity to go back in time and change his choices. And he does. Waking up in his new life he believes he has finally hit the jackpot. But things aren’t as they seem. As he uncovers the pieces of his new life he realizes all he sacrificed to get it. And, to make things worse, the new girl at work turns out to be his wife from the past. As they work together he is slowly reminded of all the reasons he fell in love with her in the first place, and realizes how his treatment of her was what led them to where they had been. Can he find a way to change things back to the way they were? Or is too late?
What would you go back in time to change, if you had the opportunity? This drama also falls into the genres of Romantic Comedy and Life. An easy favorite of ours.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
Viewer favorite: Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Historical
The kingdom of Joseon is in a period of serious drought. With the pressure on Crown Prince Lee Yul (Do Kyung Soo) to resolve the issue he orders the marriage of every person of age by the end of the month (spurred by the superstitious belief that his lack of relations and love for his own wife is the cause). But, there is more than meets the eye. In the midst of unresolved palace scandal, he reluctantly takes his father's place as head of the rain festival. However, darkness awaits him on the road, and our young prince is left injured, with amnesia, in the hands of a local peasant. By his own edict he is given a new name, Won Deuk, and married to a peasant girl named Yeon Hong Shim (Nam Ji Hyun). As he struggles to adapt to a foreign, and uncomfortable, lifestyle he begins to develop feelings for his young wife. However, those who want his life are still looking for him. Can he return to the throne, save the palace and keep Hong Shim?
This drama made it into both our top three dramas. It was one of my early watches, and it has held its spot since then. This drama also falls into the genre of Romantic Comedy.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
When Park Joo Hyung (Song Joong Ki) was 8 years old, he was adopted out of Korea into a family in Italy. Fast forward to the present, past the circumstances of his growing up years, and we find him grown and a famous consigliere to the Italian Mafia. His name... Vincenzo Cassano. When the death of a client (who leaves him one of the only people who knows of his gold stash) and other unfavorable conditions for him occur in Italy, Vincenzo heads to South Korea. However, when he arrives he finds the building that hides the gold stash to be inhabited by a strange group of people, and with no way to safely open the vault. The killing of the innocent goes against his principles so he seeks to find a way to move the inhabitants and get the gold. But, things aren't as easy as they seem. When a Korean pharmaceutical company called Babel Group suddenly steals the ownership of Vincenzo's plaza it begins a war. Pairing up with a woman, Hong Cha Young (Jeon Yeo Bin), who also seeks revenge on Babel Group, they begin to uncover the horrific secret sins of its owner and head chairman. Things become much more than just about the gold. Vincenzo and Cha Young find themselves in a literal race between life and death. Can they expose Babel group and its evil leader before they both end up dead?
This drama was a recent watch of ours. It was excellently done and is one of the top dramas to come out this year. This drama also falls into the genres of Romantic Comedy and Crime.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
Recommended Movie(s) in This Genre:
Life
At a Distance, Spring Is Green
Handsome and the son of a rich family, Yeo Joon (Park Ji Hoon) seems to have a life that others only dream about. He's popular and well liked, friendly and the campus "ATM".. However, under his smiles and friendly personality is a boy who carries the weight and pain of a horrible family secret. His life isn't all it seems. A freshman in college, he ends up on a project team with a girl he has begun to fall in love with, Kim So Bin (Kang Min Ah), and a boy who is determined to have nothing to do with him, Nam So Hyun (Bae In Hyuk). So Hyun, struggling to make ends meet, trying to care for a younger brother and an ailing mother, sees Yeo Joon as someone who could not possibly understand what it is to struggle in life. As situations arise that continuously put them in each other's path the boys begin to develop a very brotherly affection for each other as they realize that suffering is not exclusive to a single social class. It is a beautiful story of three youths, from different backgrounds and struggles who come together and find healing in each other.
This drama is brand new to this year (2021) and it immediately moved up into our top 10 favorites. It deals incredibly well with some deep issues and helps teach some valuable life lessons. It also falls into the genres of Romance and School.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
Recommended Movie(s) in This Genre:
Two Lights: Relumino - Movie/Short
Medical
Good Doctor
Surviving an abusive childhood and the death of his brother, Dr. Park Shi On (Joo Won) has only dreamed of one thing... Being a surgeon that gives children the opportunity to become adults. However, he has a huge obstacle to overcome. Born with autism and savant syndrome he must overcome society's view of what he is capable of. With a photographic memory and the ability to mentally visualize the internal workings of the body in 3D he graduates at the top of his class. But, now he must prove that his abilities are far more than just memorizing a text book and a production of a mechanical performance. That behind the social awkwardness and autistic behavior is a compassionate, competent individual with an almost supernatural ability to save lives.
This was the second most awarded drama I have watched, and at the time of its airing won worldwide acclaim. It is also the drama that inspired the American version of The Good Doctor that will be entering its 5th season this fall. It also is included in the genre of Romance.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
Mystery
Memorist
Dong Baek (Yoo Seung Ho) is detective with a supernatural gift that has gained him attention world wide. The ability to view a person's memories via touch. However, the attention he has received is not all good and as the lawful use of his abilities comes into question his position is put at risk. While fighting against the system, a series of events draws him back into the middle of a serious crime investigation that puts him in the list of suspects. He must earn the trust of the young Senior Superintendent Han Sun Mi (Lee Se Young), a genius profiler with a degree in criminal psychology. Together they must reveal the person who shares his gift, and the secrets that link their pasts.
Memorist was the first drama I watched that did NOT include any romance. However, I did not miss it at all, and in truth it might have distracted or pulled from the story. It is definitely a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It also comes under the genres of Crime, Psychological, and Supernatural.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
Political
Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth
King Jinheung (Park Hyung Sik), sent away into hiding as a child by his mother, has now turned 18. Rightfully he belongs on the throne, but his mother is not ready to give it up. Fighting to keep her son faceless to the people she orders that those who see his face be killed. It is an order that costs a life that sets a peasant-raised man, Sun Woo (Park Seo Joon), on a path of revenge against the faceless king. In secret King Jinheung (aka Ji Dwi) joins the Queen's new warriors, the Hwarang, unknowingly alongside Sun Woo who becomes his closest friend. He must find a way to strengthen himself on his own and take back what rightfully belongs to him. The Hwarang do more than just give him strength, however. He finds friendship and hardship, and learns what it takes to be a good king. Can King Jinheung save his friendship with Sun Woo once his identity is revealed? And, will a long hidden history destroy his chance for the throne?
You will notice that dramas that fall into the Political drama genre are heavily Historical as well. This one was definitely a favorite of ours and includes one of our favorite characters in Korean dramas as well. This, of course, also falls into the genre of Historical, but also Romantic Comedy and Action, as well.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
Psychological
Dr. Frost
Dr. Frost (Song Chang Eui) is a genius of psychology. Having shown advanced intellect and potential at a young age, he was taken in under the guidance of Cheon Sang Won (Choi Jung Woo) the Dean of Psychology at the local university. His only hindrance being his inability to sympathize due to an accident during his childhood which left him with damage to his frontal lobe. One day he is given a new energetic young assistant, Yoon Sung Ah (Jung Eun Chae). Resistant to her involvement at first, he comes to find her insight into people a refreshing help as they work to solve the psychological issues of their patients as well as the puzzle surrounding his own circumstances. Can he solve the mystery behind his parents’ death and learn to recognize his own emotions in the process?
We feel that this drama did not get near the attention that it deserved, and instead sadly fell under the radar of most people. It is based on a popular webtoon and we felt it was incredibly well done. It also falls into the genres of Crime, Mystery and Medical.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
Romance/Romantic Comedy
Healer
"Healer" (Ji Chang Wook) is a well-known night courier who dreams of someday retiring alone to his own island, once his lucrative job provides him enough money to do so. However, the circumstances of a high-paying job end with him being wanted for murder. In his search to expose the truth he finds himself drawn into the path of a girl (Park Min Young) from his childhood, and his entire history put in question. Connected to the past of a group of friends with a huge secret, he must uncover the truth and protect the people he has grown to love. Can they expose the truth before it is to late?
When we think of a good romance, this is the first drama that comes to both of our minds. I am not sure anything will top it for us. But, the drama was much more than that as well and so it also fits the genres of Action, Mystery and Crime.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
Viewer Favorites:
Heirs (A viewer favorite, but our least favorite romance. Click the title to read why in our review.)
School
True Beauty
Lim Joo Gyung (Moon Ga Young) was bullied in school to the point of nearly killing herself, when luck seemed to finally smile on her. Her family moved, and she was able to leave her old school, and life, behind. Learning makeup over the school break she begins her new school as a different person. All is going well until the cutest boy in her school discovers the truth. Can she keep her secret from spreading? And, can he help her realize what true beauty is?
I am sure it is not a surprise that we chose this drama to lead our school genre after how big of a hit it was this past year. We aren't huge school drama fans, yet found this very enjoyable. It also fits the genre of a Romantic Comedy.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
My ID is Gangnam Beauty
Sci-Fi
Are You Human Too?
Married into one of the country's richest families, Laura Oh (Kim Sung Ryung), an AI scientist, finds herself a victim of her father-in-laws corrupt business. After the questionable death of her husband and the confiscation of her son, Nam Shin (Seo Kang Joon), by her father-in-law she is forced to leave the country. In her grief over the loss of her son, she creates an AI version of him to comfort her. She grows the robot Nam Shim 3, following the images of her real son's growth. Her life takes on a new norm, until an accident places her real son in critical condition in her care. Nam Shin 3 must take on the life of his mom's real son and save Nam Shin's inheritance. But,as he grows and changes he discovers he is a very different individual than his human counterpart. He challenges the way people think, and often times shows that, though some concepts might be vague to him, he has a deeper understanding of people than most of those around him. Paired with a young woman named Kang So Bong, he also finds a growing attachment to the people in his life, and a desire to protect them. It is a beautiful story of a robot who learns about life and the world and discovers he is more human than he thought.
Though we have not watched many sci-fi dramas, this one has become an all time favorite of us both and we think it would take an awfully amazing drama to unseat this one. This also is included in the genres of Action and Romantic Comedy.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
Recommended Movie(s) in This Genre:
Supernatural
Chicago Typewriter
As Han Se Joo (Yoo Ah In), a popular novel writer, falls into a writing slump he is suddenly gifted with an antique typewriter with a very peculiar connection to his past life. Strange dreams begin to occur that interestingly include a loyal fan he recently met, Jun Seol (Im Soo Jung), and a mysterious ghostwriter, Yoo Jin Oh (Go Kyung Pyo). Together they must unlock their past memories and tell a story that has been waiting to be told for 80 years. As the stories of their fight against the Japanese invasion of the 1930s slowly come into light, will these friends from the past be able to cope with the answer to their final question?
This drama easily moved up into our top spot for Supernatural. It kept us glued from beginning to end and should be on everyone's to-watch-list. This drama also falls under the genres of Mystery, Romantic Comedy, and Political.
For more information on this drama and our review click here.
Other Drama(s) We Recommend in This Genre:
Viewer Favorite: Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Happy Watching!!
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