Korean drama fans gather! Check out 5 Netflix Korean dramas that are suitable for watching under the covers in winter

Although Korean dramas have gained fans around the world since the 2000s, their international influence has exploded in recent years, a shift that can be largely attributed to the rise of Netflix dramas. The streaming giant's recent data shows that more than 80% of its global subscribers watch Korean content, and Korean programs regularly rank among Netflix's top 10 most watched non-English programs globally, sometimes even accounting for half of them.

The following Five selected Korean dramas to start the new year for you. From thrillers featuring terrifying zombies, ruthless reapers and armed guards in pink jumpsuits to low-key workplace dramas, this roundup showcases the variety and depth of K-dramas today. Despite their different themes, these five works all feel close to life and up to date - each drama has its own unique features.

Now, grab a cup of hot cocoa, wrap yourself up in a warm blanket, and press play—if you’re not brave enough, maybe it’ll be more peaceful to watch with the lights on.

"Happiness"

Genre: Atypical zombie thriller, suitable for viewers who are afraid of zombie thrillers

Number of episodes: 12 episodes

Directed by Han Hyo-joo ("Super Power" Starring "The Family" and "Blood Free") and Park Hyung-sik (starring in "Dr. Low" and "Original Soundtrack #1"), this thriller is directed by Angie, who has directed popular Korean dramas such as "Strangers" and "Memories of the Alhambra". Director Hao is at the helm.

Sae-bom, played by Han Hyo-joo, is a member of the elite police team. She is smart and brave and dreams of moving into a luxury high-rise. In order to obtain an apartment unit, she faked a marriage with her friend, police detective Yi Xian (played by Park Hyung Sik). However, not long after moving in, a mysterious disease began to spread among the building's residents, turning the infected into zombies, and the military subsequently sealed off the building. Isolated residents kill each other in order to survive.

"Happiness" is not your typical zombie thriller. It has a slower pace, a strong horror atmosphere, and most scenes do not directly show zombies (although the image of zombies is still scary). The infected are not even called zombies, and their madness and atrocities appear to be temporary. The play is more like a profound exploration of human nature in times of crisis. Especially when it premiered during the pandemic, it resonated strongly with the audience.

《Hell Minister》Season 2

Genre: Dark supernatural fantasy thriller, reflecting the real world

Number of episodes: 6 episodes

In November 2021, "The Messenger of Hell" ranked first The season premiere became Netflix’s global ratings champion. Although the second season (aired in October of the following year) received less attention, it was still well received by many viewers, who thought it was more exciting than the first season.

The play is directed and co-written by the famous film producer Yeon Sang-ho ("Train to Busan" series, "Parasite: Grey", etc.) and builds a dystopian world. In this world, "angels" issue "decree" to predict the date and time of people's death, thus determining their fate in hell. When the prophecy comes true, three hulking monsters appear out of thin air, beat to death and incinerate their unfortunate victims.

In the second season, the unexpected resurrection of two people who traveled to hell, Park Jung-ja (played by Kim Shin-rok) and the cult leader Jung Jin-soo (played by Kim Sung-cheol), triggered various questions about supernatural events, and leading to power struggles between different ideological groups.

"Hell's Minister" is ostensibly a thriller, but Yeon Sang-ho said that it also symbolizes "the misfortunes in our lives" and the hell that people create themselves. The show's social commentary is particularly relevant amid the rise in religious and political extremism around the world.

"Squid Game" Season 2

Type: Upgraded version of Fatal Child’s Game

Number of episodes: 7 episodes

On December 26, 2024, Netflix finally launched the much-anticipated Squidward Season 2 - The continuation of the most-watched show in streaming history. Writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk admits that there was a lot of pressure to create a sequel, but he seems to have managed to outdo himself.

Three years after surviving the deadly game, player No. 456 Sung Ki-hoon (played by Lee Jung-jae) returns to the game, vowing to end the game once and for all. And will the other contestants - also desperate for money - join forces with him? Will greed defeat reason? Can Kihun finally go head-to-head with Front Man?

The star-studded cast brings together many well-known faces from the Korean film and television (and even K-pop) industry, including the returning Lee Jung-jae, Wei Ha-jun, Lee Byung-hun and Gong Yoo, as well as Uhm Si-wan, Lee Jin-wook, Park Sung-hoon, Kang Ha Nyeo, Park Kyu Young, Cho Yuri and former BIGBANG member T.O.P, etc.

《无生》

Type: Workplace inspirational drama

Number of episodes: 20 episodes

Although "Misang" is a Korean drama broadcast in 2014, its classic status cannot be underestimated. The drama also includes several star actors from the second season of "Squid Game" Um Si-wan and Kang Wonderful performances by Ha Nyeo and Jeon Seok Ho.

The protagonist Zhang Jiu was once a child prodigy in the Go world, but due to his poor family, he was unable to embark on the path of becoming a professional chess player. Faced with the helplessness of reality, he entered a trading company as an intern, but was despised by his colleagues because of his lack of academic qualifications and work experience. With only the wisdom and strategy given by Go, can Zhang Jiu succeed in the workplace and finally win the recognition and respect of his colleagues?

The play is adapted from Yin Taihao's online comic of the same name, directed by Kim Won-seok (representative work " Memories of the Alhambra", "My Uncle", "Signal", "Sungkyunkwan Scandal") directed. "Misato" (a baduk term meaning an immortal chess piece on a chessboard) not only profoundly depicts various challenges in the workplace and daily life, but also conveys many philosophies about life. It has since been remade in China and Japan.

The huge success of "Misei" (won multiple domestic TV awards in 2015 and 2016) and its profound cultural influence in South Korea have promoted the trend of Korean dramas adapting online comics, a trend that continues to this day. .

"Ask the Stars"

Genre: Space workplace romantic comedy

Number of episodes: 16 episodes

This is another workplace Korean drama, but set in outer space! Billed as South Korea's first space workplace drama, this high-profile sci-fi romantic comedy stars Lee Min Ho ("City Hunter," "The King: Eternal Monarch") and Gong Hyo Jin ("When the Camellia Blooms," "The Producers") Starring, directed by Park Shin-woo ("Kill Me, Heal Me", "It's Okay, It's Love"), and written by Xu Shuxiang ("Spaghetti Love", "Full House 2").

Gong Yong (played by Lee Min Ho) is an obstetrician and gynecologist and the future son-in-law of the chairman of South Korea's largest conglomerate. He spent huge sums of money to become a space tourist and go to the space station. There, he meets Kim Eve (played by Kong Hyo-jin), a talented Korean-American space scientist who is rigorous and likes to follow the rules. Jin Eve happens to be the commander of the space station and is quite dissatisfied with tourists like Gong Long who spend money to enter space without formal astronaut training. On a space station hundreds of miles away from the earth, can these two men and women with very different personalities find resonance with each other in the forced close proximity?

It is worth mentioning that "Ask the Stars" It will premiere on January 4th, so stay tuned.