K-Dramas are a dime a dozen these days, but every year, there are classics that seem to stand the test of time. Here are 12 K-Dramas that were released a decade ago, but feel like it was just yesterday.
1. Healer
Healer stars Ji Chang Wook, Park Min Young, and Yoo Ji Tae. It tells the story of a group of friends who attempt to uncover the truth of a past incident. The K-Drama achieved a respectable 10% viewer ratings and is credited as one of the K-Dramas that brought Ji Chang Wook to international fame.
2. Empress Ki
Empress Ki stars Ha Ji Won, Ji Chang Wook, and Baek Jin Hee. It tells the story of a woman who ascends to power despite there being a class system at the time, restricting her abilities. The K-Drama peaked at an outstanding 29% viewer ratings.
3. Jang Bo-ri Is Here!
Jang Bo-ri Is Here! stars Oh Yeon Seo, Kim Ji Hoon, Lee Yu Ri, and Oh Chang Seok. It tells the story of a competition between two successors of a famous hanbok store and how one fight lasts for decades. The K-Drama peaked at an unbelievable 37.3% viewer ratings.
4. Doctor Stranger
Doctor Stranger stars Lee Jong Suk, Jin Se Yeon, Park Hae Jin, and Kang So Ra. It tells the story of a North Korean doctor who flees to South Korea and becomes a doctor, all the while attempting to find his first love. The K-Drama received a respectable average of 11.7% viewer ratings.
5. My Love from the Star
My Love from the Star stars Jun Ji Hyun, Kim Soo Hyun, Park Hae Jin, Yoo In Na, Shin Sung Rok, and Ahn Jae Hyun. It tells the story of an alien who lands on Earth hundreds of years ago. Due to his abilities, he must take on a new identity every year. He gets entangled with a popular actress and her family and friends. The K-Drama averaged an excellent 24% viewer ratings and is credited as one of the K-Dramas that helped spread Hallyu across the world.
6. Pinocchio
Pinocchio stars Lee Jong Suk, Park Shin Hye, Kim Young Kwang, and Lee Yu Bi. It tells the story of a boy who gets adopted by a family and ends up being an “uncle” at a very young age. The relationship between the two continues to grow as they become older. The K-Drama averaged a respectable 10.6% viewer ratings.
7. It’s Okay, That’s Love
It’s Okay, That’s Love stars Jo In Sung, Gong Hyo Jin, Lee Kwang Soo, Doh Kyung Soo, and Sung Dong Il. It tells the story of an author and DJ who has OCD. He ends up meeting a psychiatrist who doesn’t seem to care much about relationships in her personal life, and their lives begin to intermingle. The K-Drama averaged a respectable 10% viewer ratings.
8. Liar Game
Liar Game stars Kim So Eun, Lee Sang Yoon, and Shin Sung Rok. It tells the story of a college student who joins a psychological survival game with a prize of 10 billion won. The K-Drama averaged around 1% viewer ratings.
9. Birth of a Beauty
Birth of a Beauty stars Joo Sang Wook and Han Ye Seul. It tells the story of a plastic surgeon who works to help a woman get revenge, transforming her from overweight to model status. The K-Drama averaged 6.6% viewer ratings.
10. Let’s Eat
Let’s Eat stars Lee Soo Kyung, Yoon Doojoon, Shim Hyung Tak, and Yoon So Hee. It tells the story of four single people who simply love to eat. Their relationships grow as they continue to enjoy each other’s presence alongside food. The K-Drama averaged around 1.3% viewer ratings.
11. Misaeng
Misaeng stars Im Siwan, Lee Sueng Min, Kang So Ra, Kang Ha Neul, and Byun Yo Han. It tells the story of a man who was once a promising baduk player but ends up becoming a typical office worker, experiencing corporate life for the first time. The K-Drama averaged 5.6% viewer ratings, which at the time, was great for a cable channel.
12. Bad Guys
Bad Guys stars Kim Sang Joong, Park Hae Jin, and Ma Dong Seok. It tells the story of a detective who has vowed to do whatever it takes to apprehend criminals, even if he risks getting suspended. That includes releasing prisoners to join his team. The K-Drama averaged 3% viewer ratings, which at the time, was one of OCN’s most watched K-Dramas.
