There’s no doubt 2020 has been a weird year. But with most of us suddenly being forced to stay at home for months on end, we’ve had nothing to do but find entertainment within the confines of our home. And the easiest pastime is to just sit back and binge-watch shows — especially Korean dramas. We’ve had a lot of dramas trending over the past year, but we’ve narrowed down some of the best Korean dramas of 2020 that really got us all hooked and still wanting more.
Crash Landing on You
What the drama is about: Beautiful, independent, and business savvy South Korean chaebol heiress gets in a freak paragliding accident that ends up with her being stranded in North Korea, where she enlists the help of a North Korean military captain to get home. Things get complicated when they fall in love.
Why you need to watch it: We’ve already gone into great lengths about why we love the masterpiece that is Crash Landing on You. It gives you a glimpse of how life in North Korea could be like. It gave us the Son Ye Jin x Hyun Bin pairing we never knew we needed. And it’s romantic, hilarious, and a little bit heartbreaking all at once, which is exactly why it’s one of our best Korean dramas of 2020.
Watch the drama here.
The World of the Married
What the drama is about: A beautiful, successful doctor seems to have it all: a stable and successful career, a happy family, and trustworthy friends. Until her world crumbles into pieces after she discovers her husband cheating on her and all of her friends covering it up behind her back. Cue revenge.
Why you need to watch it: While married life and infidelity aren’t new topics in K-dramaland, racy scenes sure are, which The World of the Married has loads of, capturing the attention of the general public. It skyrocketed to the top of the highest-rated Korean dramas in history and dubbed as one of the best Korean dramas of 2020 (and ever), and we get why. The surprising plot twists and frustrating emotions it evokes in the audience were surefire ways to keep the viewers on the edge of their seats every week.
Watch the drama here.
Itaewon Class
What the drama is about: After spending a few years in prison, a man opens up a restaurant in Itaewon to beat the big franchise company and its owner, who caused the unjust death of his father.
Why you need to watch it: Itaewon Class is captivating because of the intense power struggle that Park Sae Ro Yi and the CEO of his rival, the Jangga Group. It would probably make you so angry because of so much injustice and corruption that you’ll see, but karma does work in the end. Bonus: Park Seo Joon still looks cute AF even with that chestnut haircut.
Watch the drama here.
Kingdom S2
What the drama is about: A Joseon prince leads the charge against a zombie pandemic in his kingdom, while also battling the people who started the spread of the disease and who are also hellbent on killing him.
Why you need to watch it: After the cliffhanger that was the first season’s finale, it was satisfying to watch this sequel. It was only six episodes, but each one was riveting and intense that you’d probably finish it one sitting. And just the thought of dealing with quick flesh-eating corpses during a period where you only have swords and bows and arrows as weapons? That’s already pretty interesting on its own.
Watch the drama here.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
What the drama is about: A famous children’s book author with antisocial personality disorder crosses paths once again with a psychiatric ward caretaker, who takes care of his autistic older brother. Plus a whole lot of ghosts from the past that comes back to haunt them.
Why you need to watch it: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is not your typical romance drama. It gives a glimpse of mental health concerns and disorders like trauma, autism, and antisocial personality disorder. This is also the first-ever drama acclaimed actor Kim Soo Hyun starred in after completing his military service. Also, the chemistry between Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Ye Ji is just through the roof.
Watch the drama here.
Hospital Playlist
What the drama is about: These five friends work as doctors in the same hospital, and they gather together to play music as a band to relax after a long, action-packed week.
Why you need to watch it: Hospital Playlist isn’t your typical medical K-drama. While it does discuss medical cases, there’s also an exploration of the dynamics and relationship between the doctors, nurses, patients, medical staff, and students and how each of them deals with the reality of life and death they encounter in their everyday work. Bonus: The A+ music the group of friends play as a band!
Watch the drama here.
Hi Bye Mama!
What the drama is about: An expecting mom dies while giving birth to her daughter, but five years later, she gets another chance when the Powers That Be literally brought her back to life. The caveat: it’s only for 49 days.
Why you need to watch it: Hi Bye Mama would remind you how family is important to us and how life is so fragile that we could just lose a loved one so suddenly. It’s cute and hilarious and heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time.
Watch the drama here.
Start-Up
What the drama is about: A group of young people enters a startup incubator in pursuit of their dreams to establish their own tech company. A young, pretty, and independent woman wants to be the next Steve Jobs, and a tech genius, a street-smart investor, and her estranged but business-savvy sister joins her on her journey.
Why you need to watch it: Have seen the fan wars between Team Big Hands and Team Good Boy? That’s all about Start-Up. The love triangle and the strong second lead syndrome are definitely big hooks, but we also love how the drama explores the world of start-ups and the struggles of these twenty-something-year-olds.
Watch the drama here.
Which of these dramas have you watched? Any others you think should be on this list of the best Korean dramas of 2020? Tell us below!
