26 Underrated K-Dramas that are Worth the Watch

Cast: Lee Se Young, Shin Sung Rok, Nam Gyu Ri & Ahn Bo Hyun

Plot: Kim Seo Jin is an ambitious and successful man. He is happily married to Kang Hyun Chae, and together they have a daughter. One day, his daughter is kidnapped. At the same time, he comes into possession of a phone, connecting him to Han Ae Ri, who lives one month in the past.

Why you should watch it? Kairos is an intense drama with a series of plot twists and cliffhangers you are not ready for. The main duo is atypical, but extremely well-matched, and the second leads are more than intriguing.

Cast: Jung Kyung Ho, Park Sung Woong & Ko Ah Sung

Plot: Han Tae Joo leads a crime investigation team. He is a successful detective, who trusts data over people. While investigating on a serial murder case, he gets into an accident. When he wakes up, he is in 1988. He tries to go back to his time by solving a serial murder case.

Why you should watch it? Life on Mars will immerse you in 1988. The drama will also confront you head-on with the investigation methods, cultural and political changes of the time; and embark you on Tae Joo’s mysterious journey.

Cast: Kim Jae Wook, Krystal & Ha Joon

Plot: No Go Jin is a famous math instructor and the CEO of GOTOP Education. He is arrogant, narcissistic, and terrorizes everyone around him. One day, he starts receiving death threats. Meanwhile, Lee Shin Ah is his secretary. She discovers she doesn’t have much time to live.

Why you should watch it? A hatred-turned-into-love relationship, sometimes cliché, but hilarious all the way through. A romance that is deeper than what you’d expect.

Cast: Park Hae Soo, Lee Hee Jun, Soo Hyun & Cha Joo Young

Plot: 35 years ago, several people were killed in mysterious explosions. The murder case became known as ‘Chimera’ and was solved a few months later. In the present, new murders by explosion start happening, reminding the Chimera case. Detective Cha Jae Hwan and FBI agent Eugene Hathaway investigate.

Why you should watch it? It’s an exhilarating story with all the ingredients of the perfect thriller: twists, complex plot and characters, mystery connecting past and present.

Cast: Yoo Ah In, Im Soo Jung & Ko Kyung Pyo

Plot: Han Se Joo is a famous writer, who has in his possession an old typewriter. One day, he discovers that he, and a woman he’s just met, are the reincarnations of people who lived in the 1930s under Japanese rule.

Why you should watch it? It’s a story about a love that transcends time – from the difficult 1930s to present days – and about a friendship that never dies.

Cast: Ha Seok Jin, Bona, Lee Ji Hoon & Go Won Hee

Plot: Kim Ji Woon comes from a prestigious background. He used to work for a big company, but quit his job. One day, he meets Im Da Young and becomes his housekeeper. While on the job, he listens to his customers’ worries and gives them advice to solve their problems.

Why you should watch it? It’s a feel-good slow-paced drama, in which characters overcome struggles, heal their relationships and grow up.

Cast: Lee Dong Wook, Wi Ha Joon, Han Ji Eun & Cha Hak Yeon

Plot: Soo Yeol is an ambitious detective. He is willing to do anything (even use questionable methods) to succeed and be promoted. His life suddenly changes when he meets K. He is a righteous person, fighting against injustice, but he’s also crazy. They are forced to work together.

Why you should watch it? It’s a fast-paced action drama in which madness and reason are deeply intertwined.

Cast: Song Seung Heon, Krystal, Lee Si Eon & Tae Won Seok

Plot: Kang Ha Ri, Cha Ah Ryeong, Im Byung Min and Do Jin Woong are part of a special team that punishes criminals and serves justice when law can’t.

Why you should watch it? Player is an explosive cocktail of action, badass attitude and fighting spirit. Not surprising when you partner up a swindler, a skilled driver, a fighter and a hacker.

Cast: Baek Jin Hee, Kang Ji Hwan & Gong Myung

Plot: Lee Roo Da is an employee working under team leader Baek Jin Sang. He is arrogant and mean, so the entire team hates him. One night, Roo Da dreams of her boss’ death. The next morning, she realizes that she needs to make him a better person to prevent him from dying.

Why you should watch it? The main duo is a breath of fresh air; and their bickering is really hilarious. Though the drama is light-hearted, it also gives crucial lessons on how to live among and with people.

Cast: Jang Dong Yoon, Krystal & Yoon Park

Plot: Koo Dong Jin is about to end his military service. Right before his discharge, he is tasked with one last mission. Along with Son Ye Rim, he investigates a mysterious creature that hides in the DMZ.

Why you should watch it? Search is the perfect mix between mystery, supernatural and action. It immerses you completely in the track of a deadly creature, whose presence threatens to uncover a chilling truth.

Cast: Ahn Eun Jin, Kim Kyung Nam, Joy & Kang Ye Won

Plot: Pyo In Sook is a young woman, who has struggled her entire life and learns she doesn’t have much time left. So, she goes to a hospice where she meets a lonely housewife called Kang Se Yeon and a popular influencer named Sung Mi Do. One day, the three of them get involved in a murder case. While chased by the police, In Sook meets Min Woo Cheon, another suspect. 

Why you should watch it? The drama may be about sickness, but it’s actually an ode to life, love and friendship. It’s warm, bright and the romance is absolutely perfect.

Cast: Seo Kang Joon & Park Min Young

Plot: ​Mok Hae Won is a young woman, who is distant and cold with her family. She doesn’t have a lot of friends either. Every winter, she goes back to her childhood hometown, where her aunt currently runs a homestay. This winter, she meets again her childhood friend Lim Eun Seob, who runs a bookstore. He has always been in love with Mok Hae Won. 

Why you should watch it? The drama tells the story of a slow-paced love that blooms amidst the harsh winter, and in spite of the toughness of life. A perfect cocooning experience to keep your heart warm.

Cast: Uhm Ji Won, Park Ha Sun & Choi Ri

Plot: Oh Hyun Jin just gave birth to her baby and stays therefore in a postnatal care center with her husband. There, she meets other mothers such as Jo Eun Jung and Lee Roo Da, who happen to have very different views on motherhood. 

Why you should watch it? Birthcare Center is a realistic and with-no-filter drama about motherhood. It tackles women/mothers’ struggles with humor and tenderness, showing that everyone is in the same boat when it comes to becoming a parent.

Cast: Lee Yoo Young, Lee Yeon Hee, Lee Dong Hwi, Kim Bo Ra, Lee Si Young, Ha Joon, David Lee, Hani, Lee Se Hee, Uee, Choi Si Won & Moon So Ri

Plot: A series of episodes focused on technologies and their impact on our future ways of living.

Why you should watch it? SF8 is a daring and original drama, that depicts the future impact of technology in various ways. Each episode is centered around a specific theme and will definitely make you reflect on many subjects.

Cast: Kim Ji Seok & Jung So Min

Plot: Na Young Won is a bright young woman, who has housing issues, despite her efforts and hard work. After having been evicted from her house, she finds a job as an editor at Monthly Magazine, a company that belongs to the CEO responsible for her eviction. 
CEO Yoo Ja Sung is a real estate expert who only thinks about profit, unlike Young Won who considers a house to be a home as well. They start working together and eventually fall in love with each other.

Why you should watch it? With this drama, you will understand the true meaning(s) of a house while witnessing a cute romance. You’ll never see your home the same way.

Cast: Nana & Park Sung Hoon

Plot: Goo Se Ra is a young woman struggling to find her path. She has strong beliefs and opinions, is very upright and wants what’s best for her town. Therefore, she is known as the Queen of Complaints which leads her one day to participate in the local election as an independent candidate. In her task, she becomes entangled with Seo Gong Myung, a fifth-grade civil servant who has a peculiar personality as well.  

Why you should watch it? Into the Ring describes the hilarious journey of a determined and positive woman, who unexpectedly finds herself running for candidacy. The drama humorously shows that when you really work hard on something, you eventually get it (work, man or anything else).

Cast: Lee Yeon Hee, Jung Yong Hwa, Choi Woo Sik, Ha Shi Eun, Ryu Seung Soo, Park Yoo Na, Jeong Gyu Su, Lee Ji Hyun & Yoon Park

Plot: Yoon So So works as a travel guide. She gives tours in France to a group of travelers, who all have their own stories.

Why you should watch it? I am not saying that because I am French, but you will love discovering France, while witnessing human emotions, relationships and life stories. The country’s landscapes and atmosphere really click well with the heartwarming and feel-good ambiance.

Cast: Choi Tae Joon, Choi Sooyoung, Chansung & Han Ji An

Plot: Lee Geun Young works as a magazine reporter. One day, she gets involved in an incident with top star Who Joon. The next day, she loses her job. Convinced that the star is responsible for that, she becomes her number 1 anti-fan. Due to this new status, the crew of a reality TV show asks her to appear in a new program with the top star.

Why you should watch it? I have never seen more clichés in dramas than in this one. And yet, the love story between an ordinary poor woman and a celebrity will definitely keep you asking for more. Cheesy, funny and full of romance, what more do you need?

Cast: Im Si Wan, Shin Se Kyung, Choi Sooyoung & Kang Tae Oh

Plot: Ki Seon Gyeom used to be a sprinter for the national team, but he quit. One day, he meets Oh Mi Joo. She writes subtitles for movies. They start falling in love.

Why you should watch it? Run On is an original drama full of movie references that describe not one, but two sweet love stories. You get really attached to all the characters and their relationship.

Cast: Jung Hae In, Chae Soo Bin, Lee Ha Na & Kim Sung Kyu

Plot: ​Moon Ha Won has been in love for years with Kim Ji Soo. However, she never reciprocated his love and got married to another man. Over the years, they grew apart. Ha Won became a brilliant AI engineer, who created his company, currently working on a communication device for patients, that uses someone’s voice and recreates his/her personality. In order to test his device, he recruits Han Seo Woo, a sound engineer to record Ji Soo’s voice. Han Seo Woo becomes close friends with Ji Soo and Ha Won, without knowing their relationship. 

Why you should watch it? Though often criticized for its confusing first episodes, this drama is a hidden gem. It’s full of tenderness, warmth in the middle of winter and has this mystical vibe like no other.

Cast: Lee Joon Hyuk, Nam Ji Hyun & Kim Ji Soo

Plot: ​Ji Hyung Joo is a police officer. Because of one criminal, he loses his partner. Shin Ga Hyun is a very famous manhwa writer but becomes paralyzed after a hit-and-run. One day, Lee Shin calls them and offers them and a little group of people to go back one year in the past and to set things right. Hyung Joo and Ga Hyun accept. One year before, they are able to change their destiny but discover that other members of the group start dying mysteriously. 

Why you should watch it? 365: Repeat the Year clearly went under the radar, despite its clever plot. Made up of 10 captivating episodes, the drama is fast-paced and full of mysteries. You won’t regret witnessing the intricate plot unravel at each reset!

Cast: Kim Jung Hyun, Lee Yi Kyung, Son Seung Won, Jung In Sun, Go Won Hee & Lee Joo Woo

Plot: Kang Dong Goo, Lee Joon Ki and Bong Doo Shik run a guesthouse. They all have their respective dreams, but struggle to achieve them. One day, they discover that one of their guests left a baby in the guesthouse.

Why you should watch it? Laughter in Waikiki is THE most hilarious drama ever. Characters all have a peculiar side, and knowing they all quite live under the same roof, you can imagine the interactions, events and situations they end up in. It’s 20 episodes of pure laughter, like the title so rightfully says it!

Cast: Ko Hyun Jung, Shin Hyun Bin, Kim Jae Young & Choi Won Young

Plot: Jung Hui Ju grew up in a poor and ruthless environment, but she is now a successful painter, married to a wealthy man with whom she has two children. However, she feels that her life is meaningless. One day, she meets Gu Hae Won. She is poor and reminds Hui Ju of herself when she was younger. Yet, she shines brightly. Their lives become entangled, for better and for worse. 

Why you should watch it? Reflection of You may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But for those who like drama, tension, and debating over each character’s (mis)behavior, this is made for you. The plot is as fascinating as upsetting. Though you already feel the bitter end coming, you somehow just need to know what’s going to happen next.

Cast: Jung Eun Ji, Lee Sun Bin, Han Sun Hwa & Choi Si Won

Plot: Ahn So Hee, Han Ji Yeon and Kang Ji Gu are best friends. They love meeting after work and drinking together. As they share these happy moments, they also talk about their lives, as they experience love, pain, and a whole lot of different situations. 

Why you should watch it? Yet another hilarious drama led by a crazy female trio this time. These 3 atypical women are really forces of nature, handling their problems in a surprising, but also wise way. Behind the laugh, the drama has many life lessons to take-away, and I am not talking about alcohol abuse.

Cast: Chun Woo Hee, Jeon Yeo Bin & Han Ji Eun

Plot: This drama tells the story of 3 women: Im Jin Joo, Lee Eun Jung and Hwang Han Joo, as they advance in life. We witness their love relationships, life struggles and how they overcome and deal with them. 

Why you should watch it? Be Melodramatic is a reliable drama that tackles realistic, and sometimes tough subjects, but with a certain tenderness. You will definitely get attached to its complex characters.

Cast: Lee Bo Young, Lee Hye Young & Go Sung Hee

Plot: ​Soo Jin is a cold biology teacher, who doesn’t bound easily with people. One day, she passes by one of her pupil’s house at night, and finds the little girl outside in a trash bag. Recognizing domestic abuse, Soo Jin decides to take Hye Na with her, without telling anyone. They start running away from authorities, while connecting with each other. 

Why you should watch it? A breathtaking depiction of motherhood, and the connection that exists between an adult and a child, though unrelated by blood. The drama also handles some harsh family-related themes that will either break your heart or warm it.