5 K-Dramas That Will Make You Fall in Love with Korea

Nothing goes to waste when it comes to South Korea: in recent years, from skincare, beauty, and music to much, much more, South Korea has become not just a trend but a true obsession in the Western world. It has almost matched neighboring Japan in terms of social media presence and beyond. Everyone seems to want to visit the capital Seoul, thanks in part to countless videos and reels featuring meals enjoyed at konbini (convenience stores where food is incredibly cheap and can even be prepared on-site) and idols showcasing the latest fashion and beauty trends, as well as tourists and travel bloggers sharing their experiences. This fascination with South Korean culture and lifestyle is also fueled by K-Dramas, TV series produced and filmed in the country, which often revolve around romantic stories that usually reach their climax only in the final episodes. Unlike Turkish soap operas, however, they generally don’t last more than one season (though the number of episodes may vary). We have selected five K-Dramas for you, but we bet you’re already familiar with one of Korea’s most famous productions: Squid Game!

No Gain, No Love (손해 보기 싫어서, Prime Video)

Hae-young Son (Shin Min-a) is an extremely pragmatic woman who absolutely cannot afford to lose a job promotion. She is so determined to secure it that she arranges a fake marriage with Ji-wook Kim (Kim Young-dae), a man widely regarded as an angel in his neighborhood. Ji-wook, who works night shifts at a convenience store, is kind to all customers—except for Hae-young. Despite their differences, he agrees to her proposal. Will she get the promotion? And will love bloom between them? This series also inspired the spin-off Love with Spice (사장님의 식단표), starring Han Ji-hyun as Nam Ja-yeon, a romance novelist who has just released a book named after the series, and Oh Yeon-seo, its protagonist. 

Celebrity (셀러브리티, Netflix)

Do we really know influencers and their lives? That’s what Seo Ah-ri (Park Gyu-young) asks her Instagram Live audience. Once a humble door-to-door makeup seller, she has become a fashion guru with millions of followers, ready to unveil the secrets behind the glamorous world of social media celebrities. But within the Gabin Society, a circle of elite social media stars, one chilling question lingers: wasn’t she supposed to be dead? This drama exposes the rise and fall of an influencer, filled with secrets, designer handbags, and mysterious haters.

May I Help You? (일당백집사, Prime Video)

Dong-joo Baek (Lee Hye-ri), a former ping-pong champion, is now the director of a funeral service agency with a unique gift—she can communicate with the dead. To avoid bad luck, she must fulfill the final wishes of the deceased. Her assistant, Tae-hee Kim, works for a company called "A Job for 100 Won", which offers various services (as long as they’re legal). However, Tae-hee is hired by Dong-joo’s own boyfriend—to break up with her. This K-Drama provides a compelling look at how South Korea perceives death and societal beliefs, with a storyline reminiscent of Ghost Whisperer. (Note: this drama is not dubbed in Italian, but it has subtitles.)

Kiss Sixth Sense (키스 식스 센스, Disney+)

Hong Ye-sool (Seo Ji-hye) has an unusual power—when her lips touch any part of someone’s body, she can see their future. However, she has no idea when it will happen—it could be in a second, a month, or even years later. Working at an advertising agency, she relies on energy pills and coffee to keep up with her demanding mentor and boss, Cha Min-hoo (Yoon Kye-sang). But when she accidentally kisses him and sees a future where they are together and happy, she starts believing in the possibility of a happily-ever-after. Yet, what happens when an ex-boyfriend complicates things? This series explores fate, destiny, and the unexpected twists of romance.

A Virtuous Business (정숙한 세일즈, Netflix)

Set in a rural town in the early 1990s, four women from different social backgrounds embark on an unconventional business venture—selling erotic products door-to-door, complete with live demonstrations and customer satisfaction surveys. Meanwhile, a city police officer moves in to investigate his past and a series of mysterious fires that led to the disappearance of several local children years ago. A remake of the British show Brief Encounters (2016), this drama combines Sex and the City vibes with the taboo of sexuality in South Korea. (Note: This series is not dubbed in Italian, but it has subtitles.)