Korean dramas (K-dramas) have garnered global interest following the success of the Netflix Original series ‘Squid Game‘.
Squid Game season 2 was officially confirmed on June 12, 2022, through a short clip released by Netflix.
The show’s hype quickly resurfaced as fans eagerly await its return. Unfortunately, no official release date has been confirmed, though RadioTimes reports the second season may be released in early 2024.
We understand that 2024 is a long wait. Here is a list of other captivating Korean dramas we can recommend available for viewers on Netflix South Africa.
All Of Us Are Dead
Released: January 2022
A thrilling zombie K-drama with 12 episodes that are immensely gripping, blood-soaked and an emotional rollercoaster. A group of students trying to escape their high school, which has become the epicentre of a zombie virus outbreak.
Extracurricular
Released: April 2020
A gifted high school student turns to crime to pay for his college tuition. The 10-episode series diverges from cliché high school drama and introduces a dark theme that focuses intensely on serious issues such as compensated dating and bullying.
Sweet Home
Released: December 2020
Residents in an apartment building must survive a zombie virus outbreak that transforms their neighbours into ferocious monsters. The characters reflect on their survival instincts, which allow them to keep moving forward, along with their grief and guilt, which hold them back. With 10 episodes, here is another zombie apocalyptic odyssey filled with suspense, death and more blood.
Flower of evil
Released: July 2020
A 16-episode thriller filled with secrets and murders. Flower of evil is a suspense Korean drama about a man who tries to hide his dark past by changing his identity, whilst his detective wife tries to investigate his past.
Juvenile Justice
Released: February 2022
This legal drama is 16 episodes and explores complex cases in the South Korean juvenile court. As she tackles juvenile cases, the stern judge adapts her legal expertise to minor offenders and is determined to uphold the laws of justice and punishment.
Here are Korean dramas that are light-hearted with a compelling storyline:
Crash Landing on You
Released: December 2019
A paragliding accident sends a South Korean heiress to crash-land into North Korea. There she meets an army officer, who decides to help her hide and escape back into her own country. For 16 episodes, viewers are compelled by a heartfelt love story despite political strife.
Guardian: The lonely and Great God
Released: December 2016
16 episodes of fantasy romance, this Korean drama is often described as ‘one of the best K-dramas of all time.’ A lonely and great god (also known as Goblin), who has been alive for over 900 years, is on a quest to find his human bride and set his soul free. Apart from the eye-capturing cinematography, the story is told with historical and mythological elements that incorporate romance, comedy, action, and a charming bromance to keep you captivated.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Released: June 2020
A healthcare worker with a tragic past meets a children’s book author with a personality disorder. The two form a romantic bond that helps them both emotionally heal and move forward. A heartfelt drama of16 episodes that address serious issues such as mental and emotional health told with fairytale-style cinematography is what keeps the viewers hooked on this swoon-worthy drama.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Released: November 2016
A group of college athletes are experiencing and finding love whilst they navigate chasing their dreams. Often described as a ‘fan-favourite,’ the viewers are offered 16 episodes of a cheerful and engaging story with heartwrenching backstories.
Twenty-five Twenty-one
Released: February 2022
A coming-of-age drama about friendships and romantic pursuits. The storyline follows the individual lives of five friends for over a decade (from 1998 to 2021) as they manoeuvre through life. The audience is enthralled in the pure excitement of first love to the complexities of keeping a years-long close friendship.