10 Best Korean Dramas of 2021 by YummyMovie.org

best korean dramas

Until recently, Europeans knew practically nothing about Korea, a small East Asian country. But in order to be attractive to the rest of the world, Koreans began to actively promote their culture through significant genres of art. So, in a short time, dramas (Asian TV series) and K-pop (Korean pop) swept the whole world, inspiring people to fall in love with Korean history, folk traditions, literature, and language. We decided to make for you a selection of the best dramas of the outgoing 2021, collecting series from different genres so that everyone can find something to their liking.

Squid Game / 오짐어 게임 (2021)

  • Genre: action, thriller, drama
  • Number of episodes: 9 episodes
  • Timing: 55 minutes
  • Cast: Lee Jung Jae, Jung Ho Young, Park Hae Soo, Wi Ha Joon

Four hundred and fifty-six people experiencing severe financial problems accept an invitation to participate in a mysterious tournament. The conditions are straightforward: win the game. The winner will receive 45.6 billion won ($38.5 million). However, the stakes are deadly high.

You may not have watched it but you've heard about this acclaimed drama. "The Squid Game" topped Netflix's list of most-watched series in 90 countries, including the US and UK. In the first four weeks after its premiere, 142 million viewers watched the drama, and "Squid Game" officially became the most-watched series in Netflix history.

Happiness / 해피니스 (2021)

  • Genre: action, thriller, science fiction, drama
  • Number of episodes: 12 episodes
  • Timing: 60 minutes
  • Cast: Park Hyung Sik, Park Hee Bong, Han Hyo Joo, Jo Woo Jin

Near future. An outbreak of an unknown infectious disease occurs in a large apartment building. To prevent the spread of a new condition, the authorities isolate the building, and its inhabitants find themselves in captivity, gripped by fear and mistrust of others.

Yoon Se Bum is a member of the special police unit. She is determined and fearless. The girl had just moved into a new apartment and was immediately forced to face a crisis. Jung Yi Hyun is a detective. He is smart honest, and tries his best to save the building's inhabitants. Han Tae Seok works for the Ministry of Health and is the only one with information about the new disease.

Vincenzo / 빈센조 (2021)

  • Genre: crime, comedy, drama
  • Number of episodes: 20 episodes
  • Timing: 70 minutes
  • Starring: Song Joong Ki,  Kwak Dong Young, Kim Yoon Hye, Ok Taek Young

Vincenzo Cassano is an Italian lawyer and mafia consigliere of Korean descent who was adopted as a child and raised in Italy. He returns to Korea to return 1.5 tons of gold, which is stored in a cache under the Geumga Plaza building. In Korea, he meets Hon Cha Young and her father Hong Yoo Chan, with whom he suddenly forms a strong bond. Because of this, Vincenzo gets involved in the affairs of the residents of Kumga Plaza and tries to deal with the Babylon Group. The drama "Vincenzo" took 15th position in the global ranking of the most popular Netflix series for 2021.

True Beauty / 여신강림 (2020)

  • Genre: comedy, melodrama
  • Number of episodes: 16 episodes
  • Timing: 70 minutes
  • Starring: Moon Ga Young, Cha Eun Woo, Hwang In Yeop

Lim Joo Kyung is a high school student who was bullied at school for her ugly appearance. One day she decided to learn how to do makeup using video tutorials from the Internet. She then transfers to another school, where no one knows what she really looks like.

Despite her newfound popularity, Ju Kyung still considers herself ugly and is most afraid of her peers seeing her true colors. And, unfortunately for the girl, her fears are justified when classmate Lee Su Ho recognizes her without makeup. Now he knows her secret, and the girl has to carry out all his instructions so that he does not reveal her secret. At this time, Ju Kyung meets another guy who shows genuine interest in her. Will there be a love triangle?

The drama began airing on December 9, 2020, and the final episode aired on February 4, 2021. The series became very popular both in Korea and around the world. The drama itself touched on many problems of Korean society, masterfully balancing on the line between humor and seriousness.

One Ordinary Day / 어느 날 (2021)

  • Genre: detective, crime, thriller
  • Number of episodes: 8 episodes
  • Timing: 55 minutes
  • Starring: Kim Soo Hyun, Cha Seung Won, Lee Seol

Kim Hyun Soo, a young man, and a college student, spent the night with a stranger and found her dead in the morning. Now he is the main suspect, only his fingerprints are at the crime scene. The young man himself claims that he did not kill anyone. Lawyer Shin Joon Han, who believes in the student’s innocence, is hired to help him. But what really happened on the night of the murder and will the lawyer be able to acquit Hyun Soo?

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha / 갯마을 차차차 (2021)

  • Genre: comedy, melodrama
  • Number of episodes: 16 episodes
  • Timing: 70 minutes
  • Starring: Shin Min Ah, Kim Seon Ho, Lee Sa Yi

The plot of the drama “Seaside Town Cha Cha Cha” revolves around a young guy named Hong Doo Shik, who lives in a small town. Many here know him for his responsiveness and willingness to help everyone. The guy does not have a regular income, but often takes on various types of work. One day he meets dentist Yoon Hye Jin. She came here to open a clinic and start living in peace. They differ in temperament, but there is still something in common between them, and this something will help them find in each other what they have needed for so long. The drama “Cha-Cha-Cha Seaside Town” took 31st position in the global ranking of the most popular Netflix series for 2021.

My Name / 마이 네임 (2021)

  • Genre: action, crime, thriller
  • Number of episodes: 8 episodes
  • Timing: 45 minutes
  • Starring: Han Seo-hee, Ahn Bo-hyun, Kim Sang-ho, Lee Hak-joo

Young girl Yoon Ji Woo, in search of revenge for the death of her father, trusts the head of the largest drug cartel in Korea, Choi Moo Jin, and becomes a criminal mole in the police. All Ji Woo cares about is finding his father's killer, while Mu Jin's true motives are not as simple as they seem at first glance. The drama “My Name” took 46th position in the global ranking of the most popular Netflix series for 2021.

Mr. Queen / 철인왕후 (2020)

  • Genre: comedy, fantasy, historical
  • Number of episodes: 20 episodes
  • Timing: 75 minutes
  • Starring: Shin Hye Sun, Kim Jong Hyun

Jung Bong Hwan, is a very successful modern man. Working as a chef at the Blue House, he enjoys his position and worries about little. But after an accident, the hero wakes up in the body of Queen Chorin, who lived during the Joseon era. Now Bong Hwan will have to not only return back to his own time but also survive this difficult, intrigue-filled royal period. The series began airing on December 12, 2020, and the last episode was released on February 14, 2021, thus becoming one of the highest-rated dramas of the past year.

Hellbound / 지옥 (2021)

  • Genre: fantasy, thriller
  • Number of episodes: 6 episodes
  • Timing: 50 minutes
  • Starring: Yoo Ah In, Kim Hyun Joo, Park Jung Min, Won Jin Ah, Yang Ik Joon

The series takes place on Earth in an alternate reality where various supernatural beings can pass on prophecies and take people to hell. People first hear predictions of death, and then real monsters from hell come for them. Because of this, humanity is in horror and fear, and the head of the new religion begins to claim that the reapers of death only take sinners. The main characters of the series, a broadcasting station director, a lawyer, and a detective, team up to fight a religious movement and deal with the mysterious phenomenon of missing people. An exciting, mystical, and intense series. The drama “Hell Calls” took 47th position in the global ranking of the most popular Netflix series for 2021.

Nevertheless / 알고있지만  (2021)

  • Genre: melodrama
  • Number of episodes: 10 episodes
  • Timing: 60 minutes
  • Starring: Han Seo Hee, Song Kang, Lee Jung Ha, Lee Yeol Eum, Lee Seung Hyub, Yang Hye Ji

The story is about Jae Eon, a friendly guy who loves to be the center of attention and flirt, but he doesn't get attached to people at all. Relationships seem useless to him, so he gave them up long ago. But one day, a guy meets Na Bi. The girl experienced a painful breakup, after which she stopped believing in love. How will the characters' relationships develop? The drama "I Know, But" took 61st position in the global ranking of the most popular Netflix series for 2021.