Top 10 South Korean Dramas You Didn’t Expect to Be So Popular

Among the dramas listed here, "Shopping King Louie" stands out with its typical Korean charm—stunning visuals, humorous plot, and lovable characters.

The story follows Kang Ji Sung, also known as Louie, a wealthy young man raised in Canada. After a tragic accident that claimed his parents' lives, Ji Sung loses his memory. Struggling with the loss of his past, he turns to shopping as a way to cope with his loneliness. Upon returning to South Korea, he meets Go Bok Shil, a pure-hearted and lively girl who brings joy into his life. Their blossoming romance forms the heart of the show. The drama earned an impressive rating of 9.5%.

Details:

• Episodes: 16
• Director: Lee Sang Yeob
• Cast: Nam Ji Hyun, Seo In Guk, Yoon Sang Hyun, ...
• Watch here: Shopping King Louie

Marriage and family are recurring themes in Korean dramas, but these stories often fail to make waves on the small screen. However, "Marriage Contract" defied expectations and made an impressive comeback, achieving a remarkable 22.8% rating—a dream number for many Korean dramas.

The drama follows Kang Hye Soo (UEE), a single mother who, after the sudden death of her husband, is left to raise her young daughter (Shin Rin Ah) alone. Later, Kang discovers she has a brain tumor. In search of a guardian for her daughter, she enters into a marriage contract with Han Ji Hoon (Lee Seo Jin), a wealthy man. Their fake marriage soon turns into a complex and emotional love story, keeping viewers hooked.

Details:

• Episodes: 16
• Director: Jung Yoo-Gyung
• Cast: Lee Seo-Jin, Uee, Kim Yong-Geon, Park Jung-Soo, Lee Whee-Hyang
• Watch here: Marriage Contract

"Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo" was initially predicted to be overshadowed by the megahit drama The Legend of the Blue Sea, starring Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji Hyun, with its large budget and star power. In contrast, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo was a more modest project by MBC.

However, this drama surprised everyone with its irresistibly cute storyline and the hilarious yet romantic chemistry between its lead characters. While its latest episode saw a modest 5.4% rating, the drama's impact on social media and its popularity in online forums is undeniable, rivaling some of the hottest dramas of the time.

Details:

• Episodes: 16
• Director: Oh Hyun-jong
• Cast: Lee Sung-kyung, Nam Joo-hyuk, ...
• Watch here: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo

Although starring popular young actors Park Bo Gum and Kim Yoo Jung, "Love in the Moonlight" was initially considered less competitive compared to its historical drama rival, "Moon Lovers", which aired at the same time. "Moon Lovers" boasted a huge budget, an all-star cast, and a plot adapted from a popular Chinese romance novel.

However, when it aired, the chemistry between the lead couple, Park Bo Gum and Kim Yoo Jung, quickly won over the audience. "Love in the Moonlight" became the highest-rated drama in its timeslot, with a remarkable 20.4% rating, elevating Park Bo Gum to A-list status. The drama's success significantly boosted the fame of both actors.

Details:

• Episodes: 18
• Director: Kim Sung Yoon
• Cast: Park Bo Gum, Kim Yoo-jung, ...
• Watch here: Love in the Moonlight

In terms of ratings, "Let's Fight Ghost" may not be able to compete with other hot dramas, with a modest 3.8% rating due to its airing on a cable network. However, its widespread popularity and the numerous records it set are undeniable. At the time of its airing, the female ghost character, played by Kim So Hyun, was trending on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr worldwide.

Despite not being a high-profile project initially, the adorable chemistry between Kim So Hyun and Ok Taecyeon helped the drama become a huge success. Their on-screen moments brought viewers plenty of joy and unforgettable scenes.

Details:

• Episodes: 16
• Director: Park Joon-hwa
• Cast: Ok Taecyeon, Kim So-hyun, ...
• Watch here: Let's Fight Ghost

Secret Forest tells the story of Kang San Hyuk, a brave and intelligent emergency rescue worker. As an outstanding member of his team, he handles 119 emergency calls with precision. However, Kang suffers from memory issues, leaving him unable to recall key events from his childhood. He is determined to uncover the hidden truths of his past.

Meanwhile, Jung Yeong Jae, a passionate young surgeon, is drawn into an enigmatic forest as part of her new residency. When a daring rescue mission takes Kang San Hyuk into the same forest, he crosses paths with Jung Yeong Jae, and an inexplicable attraction forms between them. As their bond deepens, they gradually uncover the forgotten secrets of their pasts and the mysterious role the forest plays in their intertwined fates.

Details:

• Episodes: 32
• Director: Oh Jong Rok
• Cast: Park Hae Jin, Jo Bo Ah, Jung Yeon Joo, Noh Kwang Shik, Ryu Seung Soo, Woo Jung Kook
• Watch here: Secret Forest

Vincenzo follows the story of Cassano, a Korean man who was adopted by an Italian family at a young age. With his exceptional charm and top-tier negotiation skills, his sole goal in life is to exact revenge as a mafia boss. Despite his deep aversion to returning to Korea—a country tied to painful memories—he is compelled to go back after discovering a dangerous criminal gang with strong ties to Korea.

In Korea, he teams up with the brilliant lawyer Hong Cha Young (played by Jeon Yeo Bin) and intern Jang Joon Woo (played by Ok Taecyeon) to investigate long-unsolved mysterious cases.

Details:

• Episodes: 20
• Director: Kim Hee Won
• Cast: Song Joong Ki, Jun Yeo Bin, Ok Taec Yeon, Kim Yeo Jin, Jo Han Chul, Kwak Dong Yeon
• Watch here: Vincenzo

The drama features singer Min Ah from Girl's Day in her debut leading role, earning praise for her performance. She charms audiences with her wide range of adorable expressions as the quirky Gong Shim.

The story revolves around Gong Shim, a kind-hearted, lovable woman who is constantly unlucky and compared to her beautiful older sister. Her life changes when she meets the handsome lawyer Dan Tae (Nam Goong Min). With its lighthearted and captivating storyline, this series is sure to draw you in.

Details:

• Episodes: 20
• Writers: Baek Su Chan, Lee Hee Myeong
• Cast: Nam Goong Min, Min Ah, Ohn Joo Wan, Seo Hyo Rim, Woo Hyun, Oh Hyun Kyung, Jung Hye Sun, Kyun Mi Ri, Kim Il Woo, Kim Byung Ok, and more
• Watch here: Gong Shim The Lovely

While "Oh Hae Young Again" may not have the high ratings of dramas from SBS or MBC, it became incredibly popular with fans, despite its modest 5.9%. The passionate kiss scene between the two leads became one of the hottest moments on Korean television in 2016, breaking rating records.

The story follows a sound editor who gets dumped by his girlfriend, Oh Hae Young, and ends up living with another woman named Oh Hae Young. The blend of comedic moments and emotional depth in the show makes it a must-watch.

Details:

• Episodes: 18
• Director: Song Hyun Wook
• Cast: Hye-bin Jeon, Jeong-min Heo, Ji-seok Kim, Young-ji Heo
• Watch here: Oh Hae Young Again

Although medical dramas are often perceived as dry, and with a cast that wasn't particularly famous among younger viewers, "Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim" defied expectations and became a huge hit. The show captivated audiences with its tightly written script, solid performances, and memorable moments, even though the acting wasn't outstanding.

The series achieved an impressive 22.8% rating, making it the highest-rated drama on SBS in 2016. The story follows the talented but eccentric doctor Kang Dong Joo, whose life takes a turn when he is transferred to a rural hospital, where he meets the brilliant but difficult doctor Kim Sa Boo, a man who will shape his future forever.

Details:

• Episodes: 20
• Director: Yu In Sik
• Cast: Han Suk Kyu, Yoo Yeon Seok, Seo Hyun Jin, Kim Hong Fa
• Watch here: Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim