Top 10 Best Korean Dramas You Should Watch in 2020

Nobody Knows follows the lives of high school students torn between right and wrong, exploring how their lives are shaped by the caring adults around them. The story also revolves around Cha Young Jin, a determined detective played by Kim Seo Hyung, who relentlessly hunts a serial killer responsible for the murder of her best friend 17 years ago.

Nobody Knows achieved impressive ratings, dominating primetime slots early in the week. Kim Seo Hyung, known for playing villainous roles, takes on a rare, heroic role as a detective dedicated to justice. This marks a unique opportunity to see her portray a positive character.

Sisyphus: The Myth marks the first collaboration between Park Shin Hye and Cho Seung Woo, and fans are eagerly anticipating this project. Park Shin Hye is a top actress from the current generation, while Cho Seung Woo is a seasoned actor with three prestigious 'Best Actor' awards at major South Korean film festivals. However, Cho's casting has also sparked mixed opinions about his acting style.

The combination of these two stars in Sisyphus: The Myth is an intriguing mystery. While the plot remains under wraps, it draws inspiration from the Greek myth of Sisyphus, condemned to push a boulder up a mountain only for it to roll back down each time. The series promises a blend of mystery, science fiction, and romance, with a director known for hits like 'Legend of the Blue Sea' and 'City Hunter' at the helm.

The King: Eternal Monarch is a 2020 South Korean drama featuring Lee Min-ho, Kim Go-eun, and Woo Do-hwan. The show airs on SBS every Friday and Saturday evening starting April 17, 2020.

The story of The King: Eternal Monarch unfolds in two parallel worlds: one being our reality and the other, a version of the Korean Peninsula as a constitutional monarchy known as the Korean Empire. In this alternate world, a supernatural force opens a door to our world, seeking a better life. To stop this evil plot, Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho), the Emperor of the Korean Empire, and detective Jung Tae-Eul (Kim Go-eun) from our world team up to close the portal and protect both their countries and their loved ones.

Alice: The Universe is another ambitious project from SBS following a series of impressive works in 2019. The drama focuses on time travel, with a detective investigating a case who stumbles upon the existence of a realm that allows people to travel between the past and the future, known as Alice. This mysterious space enables the detective to reunite with a person from the past, a scientist who holds the key to time travel. The drama stars the talented Joo Won and the iconic Kim Hee Sun. With its unique premise and high production value, Alice is SBS's next big hope for innovation in prime-time television.

Alice marks Joo Won's first project after his military discharge, and also signals the return of Kim Hee Sun, who has been absent from the small screen for nearly two years. With a stellar cast including Kwak Si Yang (Oh My Ghost), Lee Da In (Hwarang), Lee Jae Yoon (Again My Life), Choi Won Young (The Heirs), and Hwang Seung Eon (Let's Eat 2), Alice has high expectations for both its captivating performances and its adventurous storyline, despite the potential challenges of maintaining audience interest in its fantastical elements.

Hyena is a powerful metaphor for lawyers, depicting the cutthroat world they inhabit. The show follows two attorneys, Yoon Hee Jae (Yoon) and Jung Geum Ja (Jung), who are likened to hyenas—predators with the potential to rise to the top. In the early episodes, Yoon and Jung are tasked with handling high-profile cases for the elite 1%, including politicians and the heirs of powerful families. As the series progresses, the two lawyers must face off against the head of the prestigious Song & Kim law firm. This intense showdown forces the hyenas to clash within their own ranks.

Hyena centers around Song Pil Joong (Song), a shrewd and strategic lawyer who has propelled Song & Kim to become the most powerful law firm in the country. Song manipulates politicians to pass laws favorable to the corporations he represents, and deftly discards corporate giants that no longer serve his interests. As the series reaches its conclusion, viewers are repeatedly hit with shocking twists. Yoon, who once regarded Song as a mentor and family friend, is left devastated upon discovering that Song had been using his family as mere pawns in his game.

Crash Landing on You became the highest-rated K-drama in the first quarter of 2020. According to Naver statistics, it was the second most-searched topic, right after news about the COVID-19 outbreak. With 1.75 billion online views, it outperformed many other famous Korean dramas. Directed by Lee Jeong-hyo and starring popular actors like Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Jung-hyun, Kim Sun-young, and Kim Jung-nan, the show captivated audiences with natural performances and stunning cinematography from locations such as Switzerland, Mongolia, and Jeju Island in South Korea.

The plot of Crash Landing on You is both unique and bold, focusing on a cross-border love story between North Korean army officer Ri Jung Hyuk and South Korean businesswoman Yoon Se Ri. It brought a fresh perspective to the entertainment genre while also delivering a powerful humanistic message. As a result, the drama became a sensation across Asia and achieved the highest ratings in the history of South Korea's tVN cable network.

After airing its episodes, Itaewon Class has left audiences across Asia on the edge of their seats. This drama quickly became one of the top-rated shows, with an impressive viewership.

With its unique and captivating storyline, Itaewon Class delivers numerous meaningful messages. The talented cast played a significant role in its success. The central plot follows Park Sae Roy (played by Park Seo Joon), a man with a criminal past determined to rebuild his life and establish his own empire while fighting against societal injustices. Additionally, the emotional love story between Park Sae Roy and his first love Oh So Ah (played by Kwon Nara), as well as the complex love triangle involving them and Jo Yi Seo, have captured the audience's attention.

Secret Forest is a standout crime thriller from tvN that made a significant impact when it first aired in 2017. The drama captured viewers with its intense plot, focusing on a battle to uncover crimes linked to a series of murders, bribery, and corruption involving powerful figures. In the second half of 2020, audiences were eagerly anticipating the return of Secret Forest 2, written by the same screenwriter as the first season, with Bae Doo Na and Jo Seung Woo reprising their lead roles, alongside notable supporting cast members like Lee Joon Hyuk and Yoon Se Ah. This series is one of tvN's strongest contenders for the year.

The story centers on Hwang Shi Mok (played by Cho Seung Woo), a prosecutor who underwent brain surgery as a child, leaving him with emotional impairment. Now an adult, Shi Mok is a brilliant and principled prosecutor, but he lives a lonely life due to his cold demeanor and lack of emotional expression. One day, Shi Mok becomes a witness to a mysterious murder. At the crime scene, he meets police officer Han Yeo Jin (Bae Doona), and the two quickly form a partnership, investigating the truth behind the murder. What they uncover reveals not only the corruption within the prosecutor's office but also a web of hidden secrets.

It's Okay to Not Be Okay was one of the most talked-about dramas of 2020. The lead roles, played by Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Ye Ji, were a perfect match, bringing their characters to life with depth and emotion. Their struggle to overcome a dark and painful past captivated audiences. The unconventional love story between a quirky writer and a dedicated mental health worker caught the attention of viewers with its unique, bold, and sometimes bizarre chemistry. The chemistry between the lead couple also sparked much fan support, with viewers passionately 'shipping' Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Ye Ji as the ideal couple.

Not only did the drama impress on screen, but the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the show also intrigued fans. For instance, while Kim Soo Hyun's character is cold and distant on screen, he was the playful mood-maker behind the scenes. The scenes involving the couple's affectionate moments were filmed with ease, as both actors were comfortable and found the process quite enjoyable.

Mama, the Angel from Heaven tells the story of Cha Yoo-ri, a mother who dies in a tragic accident but cannot move on due to her lingering worries for her young daughter. After 49 days, she is given a chance to reincarnate, on the condition that she returns to her original position during this time. However, her husband, Jo Kang-hwa, has already moved on, remarried, and is living a new life. What will happen when the ghostly wife unexpectedly returns? The story may seem far-fetched and contrary to natural laws, but it raises the question of whether this 'miraculous' event is just a 'blessing' or if there are unforeseen consequences to come.

Mama, the Angel from Heaven promises to deliver a touching yet humorous story, and fans can expect a heartfelt portrayal of family love, as South Korean dramas of this genre rarely disappoint. With a captivating plot, the first episode of Hi, Bye Mama garnered an impressive nationwide rating of 5.9% in South Korea.