Ready the ice-cold soju and a basket of fried chicken wings. Let the binge-watching begin!

K-dramas have been popular in the Philippines for over two decades now—and they show no signs of waning. I consider myself one of the OG junkies, having watched my first Korean series, Autumn in My Heart (Song Hye Kyo, Song Seung-heon, Won Bin), fresh out of college in 2003. I recall waiting every day for the Filipino-dubbed version of my current favorites on ABS-CBN or GMA, and rejoicing when cheap pirated DVDs became easily accessible.

Life as a K-drama addict has been made so much easier with the rise of streaming sites. These days, all-time favorites and exciting new titles are but a few clicks away, making binge-watching a weekend staple. The K-drama machine continues to churn out hits (though there are, of course, the occasional misses), drawing in new fans with the combined star power of its stars and innovative storytelling.

If you’re one of those who, upon signing in to your favorite streaming site, have been tempted to click on a Korean series but don’t know where to start (sometimes, far too many choices can be a bane!), The POST‘s self-professed K-drama veteran (ehem, that’s me) rounds up 10 titles which I can bet my life on will suck you into this wonderful, at times weird, world of K-dramas.

Let the bingeing begin!

“Reply 1988” (Netflix and Viu, 2015 to 2016)

This will always be one of my favorite dramas—and one of the first ones to come to mind when people ask for recommendations. I can’t believe this drama is turning 10 this year! It seems like only yesterday when I was so into this hit series which follows the lives of five childhood friends and their families in late 1980s Seoul. Reply 1988 is made even more memorable by its stellar ensemble cast led by a still boyish Park Bo-gum (Choi Taek) and Lee Hye-ri (Sung Deok-sun) in her most memorable role. Part-romance, drama, and comedy, this one is a true gem of a coming-of-age K-drama, and one of the few ones which gets better with each rewatch. I’ve watched this three times already, and it still tugs at the heart strings every single time.

“Fight for My Way” (Netflix, 2017)

Another all-time favorite, this Park Seo-joon-Kim Ji-won headliner is so addicting, I remember finishing it in less than two days. Who would have thought an MMA-centric drama can be so relatable and entertaining? We have the great cast and seamless storytelling to thank— not one dull moment in this series. Similar in tone to Reply 1988 but with a little more comedy and slightly more mature themes, this, my friends, is romcom gold. Do a one-or two-day marathon with a bottle or two of ice-cold soju and a basket of deep-fried chicken.

Read More: All eyes on Asia

“Moving” (Disney+, 2023)

One of the best K-dramas of all time, this highly acclaimed series is a rarity in that it skillfully and seamlessly blends a cornucopia of genres from thriller to comedy, romance to action. Even at 20 episodes I still found myself wanting more—it’s that good. This near-flawless, top-tier K-drama won’t look out of place among US productions.

“Lovely Runner” (Netflix and Viu, 2024)

The time travel trope can be a hit or miss. It can add a layer of thrill or it can leave viewers confused and frustrated. This romcom did the former so well, making it one of the finest K-dramas of last year. Starring the luminous Kim Hye-yoon as Im Sol, a disabled young woman who goes back in time to save her K-pop idol Ryu Sun-jae (played by the adorable Byeon Woo-seok) from an unspeakable tragedy, Lovely Runner will make you laugh, cry, swoon, and root for the memorable characters.

“Crash Landing on You” (Netflix, 2019)

This pandemic mega-hit is the gateway drama for millions of K-drama viewers around the world. Its success owes to how it encapsulates the reasons why K-dramas have enjoyed enduring popularity. Sure it may be flawed, with loopholes here and there, but its unapologetic romance, high stakes drama, and electrifying chemistry between reel-to-real couple Hyun Bin (Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok) and Son Ye-jin (Yoon Se-ri ) make it a highly addictive watch.

“Princess Hours” (Netflix, 2006)

The oldest drama on this list, this was the very first Korean drama I was addicted to. I recall buying a pirated set of DVDs just so I can watch this over and over again. Set in an alternate 21st century where South Korea is still ruled by an imperial family, Princess Hours follows a high school art student who marries the crown prince. The series stars Yoon Eun-hye (who has sort-of faded from the spotlight due to controversies) as the commoner Shin Chae-kyeong and Ju Ji-hoon as Crown Prince Lee Shin, a role that saw his popularity skyrocket. I haven’t watched anything else quite like it, and it is still as charming and swoon-worthy as it was when it first premiered.

Can friends truly be lovers? Yes, they can

“Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo” (Netflix and Viu, 2016 to 2017)

Another insanely addicting series (and one of the cutest ever), this one will make you remember your first love for sure. K-drama land has a slew of coming-of-age series, but this one stands out. The acting is spot on from the leads down to the cameos, and the cinematography is oh-so-gorgeous. Lee Sung-kyung shines as the titular weightlifting fairy and Nam Joo-hyuk is unforgettable as the mischievous yet kind-hearted swimmer Jung Jun-hyung. The series is also credited for shining the spotlight on a not-so-popular sport and breaking stereotypes on femininity. It has an outstanding soundtrack, too!

“Secret Garden” (Netflix, 2010 to 2011)

Another K-drama classic, this is the series to watch if you’re looking for a good laugh. More comedy than romcom, Secret Garden is one of the few enduring gender-bender series (alongside Coffee Prince and Sungkyunkwan Scandal), thanks largely to its charismatic lead trio: Hyun Bin as the ultra-rich heir who fell hopelessly in love with poor stuntwoman Gil Ra-im played by Ha Ji-won, with a hilarious Yoon Sang-hyun as fading K-pop superstar Oska. I rewatched this just a few weeks ago, and the humor hasn’t lost its sparkle.

“100 Days My Prince” (Netflix, 2018)

Over the years, K-dramaland has churned out a string of memorable sageuk or historical dramas set during the Joseon dynasty or earlier. Watching this kind of series can be a bit jarring at first, especially with the more archaic way of speaking and the staple political machinations and intrigues. If you’re looking to dip your toes into this genre, we suggest this light-hearted romcom about the titular prince who loses his memories after an assassination attempt, played by the never-not-charming Do Kyung-soo, and eventually falls in love with a smart and feisty commoner Yeon Hong-sim, brought to life by the talented Nam Ji-hyun.

Related story: 5 must-read novels by South Korean writers

“Extraordinary Attorney Woo” (Netflix, 2022)

This K-drama took 2022 by storm. An unexpected commercial and critical hit, the series follows Woo Young-woo, an autistic female rookie attorney hired by a major law firm in Seoul. The 16-part legal drama was praised for its acting as well as its deft handling of mental health and contemporary societal issues in South Korea. It became a cultural phenomenon, with sales of gimbap, Young-woo’s favorite food, skyrocketing globally. The tree featured in the show was also designated a natural monument after spurring a surge in visitor traffic.

Down the rabbit hole we go: 10 K-drama recommendations for newbies