Korean dramas have taken the entertainment world by storm. Intriguing plots, captivating storylines and varied genres coupled with phenomenal performances by the star cast — there are more reasons than one behind why some of the best K-dramas of 2022 have garnered global viewership.
While titles like Squid Game, Hellbound and Red Sleeve Cuff were major highlights of 2021, the K-dramas of 2022 are no different. For instance, Ghost Doctor, Business Proposal and Twenty-Five Twenty-Nine have already garnered a massive fan following.
What makes K-dramas so appealing?
Upholding a slice of life genre in Korea, showing the splendid corners of the country and depicting its life and times, Korean dramas have made a special place for themselves in the hearts of television buffs. Such is their popularity that Korean television actors are regarded as some of the most noted celebrities across the globe. But what makes them so appealing to such large audiences?
The answer is fairly simple. Intriguing plots and out-of-the-box themes and concepts come out as star ingredients in making a successful K-drama. Whether it is a deadly reality game show, a zombie apocalypse or even a simple office romance and chance situationships, the gripping plots and phenomenal performances by the actors make every drama quite an interesting watch. They are also packed with punchlines and twists, which makes them all the more addictive.
The same is seen, even when the content is based on supernatural things. The spirits of two individuals swapping places or the story of half-human and half-spirit grim reapers — the best highest-rated K-dramas deliver stories that are not only different but also very well executed.
K-drama actors are known for their good looks as well, and when coupled with impeccable fashion sense, outstanding locations and spectacular cinematography, every series becomes a visual treat.
Such is their fame and global appeal that streaming giants like Netflix and Apple TV have broadened their content base and are now the best options to watch some of the most addictive Korean dramas.
Check our complete list on K-dramas to watch!
Here are some of the highest-rated K-dramas of 2022
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Jump To / Table of Contents
- Under the Queen’s Umbrella
- May I Help You
- Extraordinary Attorney Woo
- All of Us Are Dead
- Ghost Doctor
- Business Proposal
- Juvenile Justice
- Thirty-Nine
- Twenty Five Twenty One
- Tomorrow
- Pachinko
- Forecasting Love and Weather
- Alchemy of Souls
Set against the backdrop of a Korean Royal household, Queen Hwaryeong (Kim Hye-Soo) is having a difficult time controlling her mischievous sons, one of whom shall become the next King of Joseon. She controls her temper and presents herself with grace and dignity, but the troublemakers compel her to forsake all protocols.
2 /13
Kim Jib-sa (Lee Jun-young) runs errands as part of a company named Ildangbaek that provides services for all kinds of odd jobs. On the other hand, Baek Dong-joo (Lee Hye-ri) is a funeral director who has a special ability to talk with the dead. The lives of the two get intertwined in a dire situation when a corpse has a strange request.
Nominated at the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards, Extraordinary Attorney Woo is a much-loved Korean drama series that aired on ENA Channel. The series follows the daily works and cases of a 27-year-old lawyer Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin). Despite being on the autism spectrum, Woo has an extremely high IQ of 164, tops her class and joins a prestigious law firm.
Her daily challenges, how she tackles difficult cases and courtroom drama make this K-drama quite an inspiring series.
4 /13
The series debuted on Netflix in January and became one of the highest trending shows. Garnering incredible global attention, All of Us Are Dead almost reached the fame and success of Squid Game, and a second season is also underway.
One of the most talked-about series, it is based on the Naver webtoon Now at Our School by Joo Dong-Geun. It follows students trapped in a school in South Korea, who try to escape a zombie apocalypse that started due to a failed science experiment.
Ensuring the nail-biting thrill of classic zombie movies, this K-drama stars newcomers, including Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young and Cho Yi-hyun in lead roles, who deliver stellar performances.
5 /13
Ghost Doctor introduces an interesting concept of ‘coma ghost.’ Director Boo Seong-cheol has blended the medical and fantasy genres in this drama seriesbased on two doctors, who get attached in a very strange way.
Cha Young-min (Rain) is an extremely renowned and excellent cardiothoracic surgeon, but he is arrogant. After a car crash, he wanders about the hospital as a ‘coma ghost’ and possesses Go Seung-tak (Kim Bum), a first-year thoracic surgery resident, who is absolutely opposite in nature to the spirit possessing him. After being possessed by such a genius surgeon Go easily takes on difficult surgeries and unearths controversies.
Watch this supernatural medical drama for the much-needed thrill.
6 /13
Based on a webtoon of the same name, written by Haehwa, Business Proposal is one of the best K-dramas of 2022.
The series, also known as The Office Blind Date, is a fun rom-com revolving around Shin Ha-Ri (Se-Jeong Kim) who accepts her friend Jin Young-Seo’s (Seol In-ah) request to go on a blind date in her place, which is set by the friend’s father. However, the situation suddenly changes when Shin finds that the guy is actually her CEO — Kang Tae-Mu (Ahn Hyo-Seop). Interestingly, he offers her a proposal, which she accepts but her life changes dramatically post that.
7 /13
It is difficult to resist a Korean drama featuring the enigmatic Kim Hye-Soo. Her brilliant performance makes Juvenile Justice one of the best K-dramas of 2022 as the series gets more intense with every passing minute.
Sim Eun-seok (Kim) has a particular dislike for juvenile criminals. And, when a senior and elite judge like her is appointed to head a juvenile court, a lot of legal drama and thrill unfolds. While handling serious and sensitive juvenile cases, she has to keep her distaste aside and pass proper verdicts as per law.
This K-drama also stars Kim Moo-yeol and Lee Sung-min.
8 /13
This K-drama tells a heart-warming and relatable story. It brings back Crash Landing on You star Son Ye-Jin as Cha Mi Jo, with Hospital Playlist actress Jeon Mi-Do as Jeong Chan Young and Kim Ji-Hyun as Jang Joo Hee.
The story revolves around the life and journeys of three best friends who have been together through thick and thin. While approaching middle age (40), they experience love, loss and laughter in this much-loved K-drama series.
9 /13
This series is a coming-of-age 90’s love story starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee Do and Start-Up actor Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-Jin. With a beautiful narrative and an excellent cast, this is one of the highest-rated K-dramas of 2022.
Set against a tumultuous backdrop of South Korea facing a severe financial crisis, the story revolves around characters who see their hopes and ambitions crash down. They grow together through difficult times and look forward to a better tomorrow.
The effort to portray the upheavals and changes in society, culture and economy and a gripping storyline make Twenty Five Twenty One not only one of the best series but also an extremely addictive Korean drama.
10 /13
Fantasy lovers are sure to enjoy this K-drama to the core. The series follows a group of grim reapers and death angels who take in the dead and save people from ending their lives.
Made half human and half spirit by accident, Choi Jun-woong (Rowoon) meets grim reapers Goo-Ryeon (Kim Hee-Seon) and Lim Ryung-gu (Ji-On Yoon). They take Choi in and make him a part of their crisis management team. What happens next makes Tomorrow one of the highest-rated K-dramas.
It also stars Lee Soo-Hyuk as Park Joong-gil, Kim Hae-Sook as The Jade Emperor and Nu-ri Kim as Jang Jae-hee.
11 /13
This Korean drama is based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee. It chronicles the story of a Korean immigrant family across four generations set against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of Korea, and its devastating effects that continue to influence lives even today.
Arguably one of the best K-dramas of this year, Pachinko stars Lee Min-Ho, Soji Arai and Jin Ha. The series depicts the journey of the family that fights all odds to survive and leave their roots with hopes and dreams.
12 /13
This is another sweet love story but with a rather unusual setting. The Korean drama series shows the budding relationship between a hardworking weather forecaster and her colleague.
The impeccable performances by lead actors Park Min-Young, who plays Jin Ha Kyung, and Song Kang, who portrays Lee Shi Woo, became a major reason for all the praise it received. The way the two balance their work life and romance makes it an interesting watch.
13 /13
The Netflix synopsis of this fantasy K-drama reads, “A powerful sorceress in a blind woman’s body encounters a man from a prestigious family, who wants her help to change his destiny.”
The story is set in Daeho, a fictional country, and the events of which are inspired by South Korea’s Jaeson period. The drama takes viewers into the realms of the other world and blends romance with elements of fantasy. It depicts the journeys and fates of people that are twisted because of certain changes that their souls must adjust to.
The Korean series stars Jae Wook Lee as Jang Wook, Min-Hyun Hwang as Seo Yool and Jung So-Min as Mu-deok.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Which are the best K-dramas to watch in 2022?
Answer: ‘Business Proposal,’ ‘Forecasting Love And Weather,’ ‘ Ghost Doctor,’ ‘Twenty Five, TwentyOne,’ ‘Juvenile Justice,’ ‘Grid,’ and ‘All Of Us Are Dead’ are some of the best K-dramas that you must watch in 2022.
Question: Which are the best Korean TV shows to watch in 2022?
Answer: Some of the best Korean TV shows in 2022 include ‘Thirty-Nine,’ ‘Tomorrow,’ ‘Our Blues,’ ‘My Liberation Notes,’ and ‘Green Mother’s Club.’
Question: Which are the most popular Korean dramas in 2022?
Answer: Korean dramas with the highest ratings in 2022 that must be on your watchlist include names like ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo,’ ‘Our Blues,’ ‘Twenty-Five Twenty-One’ and ‘Military Prosecutor Doberman.’
Question: What is the best rom-com K-drama of 2022?
Answer: While it is difficult to pick the best one, some of the best rom-com K-dramas of 2022 are ‘Business Proposal,’ ‘Twenty-Five Twenty-One,’ ‘Alchemy of Souls,’ ‘Our Blues’ and ‘Jinxed At First.’
Question: What is a K-drama?
Answer: K-dramas are television drama series in the Korean language that are based in Korea and feature actors from that country.
Netflix korean dramas K-dramas All of Us Are Dead Popular K-Dramas
