10 Deep, Thought-Provoking K-Dramas That Keep Your Attention (2024)

K-dramas are often best known for their heartening and steamy romances filled with drama, conflict, and intertwined backstories for the leads. While K-dramas have captivated an international audience with a blend of various genres and impeccable casting and acting, thought-provoking K-dramas stand out by integrating social commentary with compelling storytelling. These deep K-dramas can leave audiences questioning societal norms and urge viewers to critically examine society's issues in real life.

Ranging from shows focused on mental health issues to crime and justice, highly-rated K-dramas with storylines and characters that push boundaries and challenge the norm can spark conversation and provide an enriching view of real life issues. Despite being deeply rooted in Korean culture, K-dramas with complex themes not only tackle issues prevalent in Korean society and social dynamics, but also touch upon universal issues that audiences worldwide can relate to.

10 Because This Is My First Life (2017)

Two Struggling Adults In Their 30s

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9.8/10

Because This Is My First Life

Romance

Comedy

Drama

Because This Is My First Life is a South Korean television series that follows Nam Se-hee, a single man focused on repaying his mortgage, and Yoon Ji-ho, a homeless woman, as they enter a marriage of convenience that slowly evolves into genuine affection and understanding.

Cast

Jung So-min , Lee Min-ki , Esom , Park Byeong-eun , Kim Ga-eun , Kim Min-seok , Yoon Bo-mi , Kim Min-kyu

Release Date

October 8, 2017

Seasons

1

The romantic comedy Because This Is My First Life is a lighthearted yet deep K-drama centered two struggling adults in their 30s who enter a marriage of convenience and learn to live together. Through the main leads of Because This Is My First Life and supporting characters, the K-drama was able to examine life, love, and marriage through the eyes of multiple generations of people and their viewpoints and opinions.

Because This Is My First Life isn't just a cute romantic comedy K-drama focused on the chemistry and burgeoning relationship between the leads, it also tackles issues like toxic workplaces, harassment in the workplace, and traditional gender roles in Korean society. The financial difficulties and responsibilities that set Nam Se-hee (Lee Min-ki) and Yoon Ji-ho (Jung So-min) on each other's paths is a relatable and realistic portrayal of the universal crushing pressure of economic hardship and job stress.

9 Move To Heaven (2021)

A K-drama That Reexamines Life Through The Lens Of Death And Grief

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Move to Heaven

Drama

Move to Heaven follows a meticulous trauma cleaner and his estranged uncle as they unravel the unsung stories of the deceased through their belongings. The series portrays their emotional journey to connect with loved ones left behind, highlighting themes of loss and reconciliation.

Cast

Lee Je-hoon , Tang Joon-sang , Hong Seung-hee , Jeong Seok-yong , Jung Young-ju , Lee Moon-sik , Im Won-hee , Jung Ae-yeun , Ahn Ji-ho , Yang Hong-seok , Ji Jin-hee , Lee Jae-wook , Park Jung-won , Go Ha , Yoon Ji-hye

Release Date

May 14, 2021

Seasons

1

Creator(s)

Yoon Ji-ryun

Move to Heaven is a heartfelt drama that reexamines life, family, and relationships through the lens of death, loss, and grief. The profound and sad K-drama seriesMove to Heaven follows Han Geu-ru (Tang Jun-sang) and his uncle Cho Sang-gu (Lee Je-hoon) as they run the titular trauma cleaning company Move to Heaven.

As trauma cleaners, Geu-ru and Sang-gu sort through the belongings of the recently deceased and piece together clues about their lives based on their possessions. In Move to Heaven, the lead character Geu-ru is on the autism spectrum, and the K-drama respectfully portrayed Geu-ru's neurodivergency and offered audiences a new perspective on autism and life.

Move to Heaven doesn't shy away from death and its aftermath, and helps audiences find meaning in life and death through the eyes of the trauma cleaners as they sort through the deceased's belongings. The unique K-drama stands out with its profound portrayal of life and death.

8 My Mister (2018)

A Woman In Her 20s And A Middle-Aged Man Develop An Unlikely Bond

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My Mister

TV-14

Drama

My Mister is a South Korean drama series that explores the bond between a young woman and a middle-aged man amid life's challenges. Released in 2018, it delves into themes of empathy and connection as the characters navigate their struggles and find solace in each other's presence.

Cast

Shin Goo , Lee Sun-kyun , Woo Ki-hong , Song Sae-byuk , Park Soo-young , IU , Park Hae-jun , Jung Ji-hoon , Jung Hae-kyun , Jang Ki-yong , Lee Young-suk , Chae Dong-hyeon , Park Ho-san , Ahn Seung-gyun , Lee Dong-yong , Jung Young-ju , Kim Ga-young , Han Dae-gwan , Hong In , Kim Jun-won , Kim Gyeong-min , Shin Dam-su , Yoo Byung-soo , Goh Doo-shim , Lee Ji-ah

Release Date

March 21, 2018

Seasons

1

Network

tvN

Directors

Kim Won-suk

My Mister is a realistic and grounded K-drama that tells the tale of duty, hardship and healing. The tear-jerker K-drama follows a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s as they struggle with their obligations, bond, and learn to heal together. My Mister focuses on Park Dong-hoon (Lee Sun-kyun), a miserable 45-year-old man as he deals with his dysfunctional family and Lee Ji-an (Lee Ji-eun), a 21-year-old woman who faces financial difficulties as she struggles to care for her sick grandmother.

The unlikely bond and connection between Dong-hoon and Ji-an along with their relatable struggles helps My Mister highlight humanity's resilience through tough times and the burdens of financial hardships. Dong-hoon and Ji-an's bond showcases how kindness and compassion can bridge people together and heal. My Mister is a testament to the power of human connection and provides an optimistic outlook on a bleak life filled with financial worries and familial duties.

7 Daily Dose of Sunshine (2023)

A Nurse Helps Her Patients In The Psychiatric Department

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Daily Dose of Sunshine

TV-14

Drama

Daily Dose of Sunshine: Set in a psychiatric ward, this film follows a compassionate nurse dedicated to uplifting her patients. As she navigates the challenges of her profession, she strives to be a beacon of hope and positivity for those under her care.

Cast

Park Bo-young , Yeon Woo-jin , Jang Dong-yoon , Lee Jung-eun , Lee Jeong-eun , Victoria Grace , Harrison Xu , Ren Hanami

Release Date

November 3, 2023

Seasons

1

Network

Netflix

Directors

JQ Lee

Daily Dose of Sunshine follows Jung Da-eun (Park Bo-young), a talented nurse determined to make life better for her patients in the psychiatric department. Da-eun has to learn how to deal with her own mental health issues while being a supportive caregiver and healthcare provider.

Park's realistic portrayal of the sweet and brilliant nurse Da-eun is a highlight of the show and perfectly encapsulates the hard work and struggle of being a healthcare worker. Daily Dose of Sunshine addresses mental health with sensitivity and helps take down the stigma around mental health issues.

The K-drama didn't sensationalize the characters' mental health conditions and created multidimensional and relatable characters. Daily Dose of Sunshine challenged society's aversion to talking about mental health and examined how stigma and stereotypes prevented people from seeking help. The heartwarming and thought-provoking medical K-drama destigmatizes mental health without being preachy and heavy-handed about its message.

6 Avengers Social Club (2017)

Women Fighting Back Against Oppression

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Avengers Social Club

Drama

Avengers Social Club follows a group of women who unite to seek revenge on their adversaries while exposing social injustices. This series delves into themes of empowerment, camaraderie, and the pursuit of justice as each member confronts personal and societal challenges.

Cast

Lee Yo-won , Ra Mi-ran , Myung Se-bin , Lee Jun-young , Choi Byung-mo , Jung Ae-yeun , Jang Yong , Seong Byeong-suk , Jeong Seok-yong , Shin Dong-woo , Choi Kyu-jin , Jung Young-ju , Shin Dong-mi

Release Date

October 11, 2017

Seasons

1

Creator(s)

Kwon Seok-jang

Avengers Social Club is a hilarious and thrilling tale of female rage and friendship in the form of a revenge K-drama. The revenge thriller explores how women fight back against oppression and navigate through personal hardships with the help of supportive friends. Avengers Social Club centers around three women from various backgrounds who find themselves trapped in tough situations and exact revenge on those who betrayed and hurt them.

The leads in Avengers Social Club don't let their bad situation keep them down and work to change their lives by taking down the people who are ruining their lives. Avengers Social Club's perfect blend of humor and drama while talking about serious issues like domestic violence, abuse, and harassment ensures that the K-drama is entertaining without minimizing the seriousness of the social issues.

Kim Jung-hye (Lee Yo-won) and Lee Mi-sook's (Myung Se-bin) troubled marriages provides audiences with an in-depth examination of traditional expectations of marriage in society. Avengers Social Club showcases the importance of female friendships and how they can be a form of support and resistance against the patriarchal norms entrenched in society.

5 Signal (2016)

A Criminal Profiler From 2015 And A Detective From 1989 Team Up To Solve Crimes

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Signal

TV-MA

Crime

Mystery

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Signal is a South Korean crime thriller television series that follows a detective from the present day who communicates with a detective from the past through a ham radio. They work together to solve cold cases and uncover the truth behind a mysterious crime.

Cast

Lee Je-hoon , Kim Hye-soo , Cho Jin-woong , Jang Hyun-sung , Jung Hae-kyun

Seasons

1

The police procedural and crime thriller K-drama Signal follows a criminal profiler in 2015 and a detective in 1989 as they work together to solve a murder case across the decades. With a supernatural walkie-talkie connecting the investigators through time, the detective K-drama is an intriguing and fresh take on the crime-drama genre.

Signal is a gripping K-drama that explores themes of justice and fate. The K-drama skillfully utilizes the time traveling elements to explore a character's morality and ethical dilemmas as they have to wrestle with the responsibility of the unintended consequences of altering the past to prevent crimes. Park Hae-young (Lee Je-hoon) and Lee Jae-han's (Cho Jin-woong) connection through the walkie-talkie despite coming from different times is the show's focal point.

The growing bond between the two flawlessly serves as signal for human connection and hope. Signal reminds audiences that there is no perfect form of justice and sheds a light on the complex criminal justice system. Signal is a K-drama that forces viewers to pay attention to the complex narrative, and each case highlights how society's failure allows for injustices.

4 It's Okay, That's Love (2014)

A Couple Who Learn To Support Each Other And Their Mental Health Conditions

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It's Okay, That's Love

TV-14

Romance

Comedy

Drama

It's Okay, That's Love is a South Korean television series starring Jo In-sung and Gong Hyo-jin. Set in the world of psychiatry and mental health, the series follows the intertwined lives of a mystery writer and a psychiatrist, delving into their personal struggles and relationships. The show was written by Noh Hee-kyung and directed by Kim Kyu-tae.

Cast

Sung Dong-il , Lee Kwang-soo , Jin Kyung , Zo In-sung , Do Kyung-soo , Kong Hyo-jin , Yang Ik-Joon , Cha Hwa-yeon

Release Date

July 23, 2014

Seasons

1

The heartwarming romantic comedy It's Okay, That's Love tells the love story between a psychiatrist and an author with OCD and undiagnosed schizophrenia. The groundbreaking K-drama follows novelist Jang Jae-yeol (Zo In-sung) and doctor Ji Hae-soo (Gong Hyo-jin) as they fall in love and learn to adapt to their mental health conditions and embark on the journey of healing.

It's Okay, That's Love doesn't demonize people with mental health conditions or treat them as abnormal and unlovable, it treats them as human beings who deserve respect. It's Okay, That's Love reiterates and emphasizes that mental health is not an obstacle to love without romanticizing or stigmatizing mental illnesses.

The lovable K-drama couple Jae-yeol and Hae-soo don't "fix" each other, and instead support each other and grow together. It's Okay, That's Love's portrayal of a healthy relationship where the partners aren't shamed for their mental health conditions and support each other.

3 Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)

The First Autistic Attorney In South Korea

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10/10

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows the life of Woo Young-woo, a young attorney with autism spectrum disorder, who navigates the challenges of the legal profession in South Korea. The series portrays her brilliant legal mind and unique approach to cases, highlighting her struggles and triumphs both in and out of the courtroom. Park Eun-bin stars in the titular role, delivering a poignant and nuanced performance.

Cast

Park Eun-Bin , Kang Tae-oh , Kang Ki-young

Release Date

June 29, 2022

Seasons

1

Creator(s)

Yoo In-shik , Moon Ji-won

Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin), the first autistic attorney in South Korea, as she tackles prejudice and challenges while navigating the legal system. Initially, Young-woo struggles to fit in at the prestigious law firm as her neurotypical co-workers who perceive her to be awkward and peculiar.

The masterpiece K-dramaExtraordinary Attorney Woo quickly became a cultural phenomenon in South Korea and made its mark with its respectful and thought-provoking depiction of neurodiversity and autism on screen. Extraordinary Attorney Woo utilized court cases for two purposes, each case highlighted Young-woo's intelligence and unique problem-solving skills.

In addition, the cases in the K-drama also shine light on social issues and injustices. Park Eun-bin's portrayal of Young-woo turns away from harmful stereotypes, and the K-drama challenges outdated preconceptions about autism while maintaining an intriguing storyline. This balance results in Extraordinary Attorney Woo being an entertaining K-drama that resonates with audiences.

2 It's Okay to Not be Okay (2020)

A Romantic Story That Explores Mental Health, Trauma, And Healing

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26

9.3/10

It's Okay to Not Be Okay

It's Okay to Not Be Okay is a South Korean drama series following Moon Gang-tae, a caretaker in a psychiatric hospital, and Ko Moon-young, a children's book author with antisocial personality disorder. As their lives intertwine, they embark on a journey of emotional healing while grappling with their traumatic pasts. The show explores themes of mental health, relationships, and personal growth.

Cast

Kim Soo-hyun , Seo Yea-ji , Oh Jung-se , Park Gyu-young

Release Date

June 20, 2020

Seasons

1

It's Okay to Not Be Okay is a popular essential watch K-drama that explores mental health, trauma, and healing in a heartfelt tale of resilience and human connection. The K-drama skillfully dismantles social stigmas around neurodivergency and autism.

It's Okay to Not Be Okay follows an antisocial children's book author Ko Moon-young (Seo Yea-ji) as she bonds with the brothers Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun) and Moon Sang-tae (Oh Jung-se) and the trio learns to open up and heal from their past trauma. It's Okay to Not Be Okay put effort into making audiences understand Sang-tae, the autistic aspiring illustrator who was traumatized by witnessing his mother's murder.

The K-drama uses visual storytelling and animation to showcase the inner thoughts and emotions that Sang-tae cannot verbalize. The deep and honest K-drama teaches its audience that it is okay to not be okay, and that acknowledging that fact is the first step towards healing.

1 Prison Playbook (2017)

The Daily Lives Of Convicts And Prison Staff Members

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Prison Playbook

Comedy

Drama

Baseball star Kim Je-hyeok is about to make his Major League Baseball debut. However, due to some misfortune, he ends up in prison and must learn to survive in this new world full of life and death challenges.

Cast

Park Hae-soo , Jung Kyung-ho , Krystal Jung , Yoo Hyeong-kwan , Lee Kyoo-hyung , Jeong Woong-in , Choi Moo-seong , Kang Ki-doong

Release Date

November 22, 2017

Seasons

1

Prison Playbook is a revolutionary K-drama set inside a prison that revolves around the daily lives of convicts and prison staff members. The prison drama highlights how the criminal justice system and prison complex impacts the lives of inmates. Prison Playbook follows Kim Je-hyeok (Park Hae-soo), a former baseball star whose life is turned upside down after being arrested for violently assaulting a man who was targeting his sister.

The K-drama highlights how anyone can end up in prison and how it can drastically alter their life. Despite the bleak setting of a prison, Prison Playbook is a slice-of-life K-drama that tells a heartwarming tale of redemption and friendship in the face of overwhelming adversity and societal limitations.

The K-drama boasted incredible characterizations and deeply emotional relationship dynamics between complex characters. Prison Playbook's ability to balance the hilarious antics and hijinks of the prison inmates with the distressing and heartbreaking moments cemented it as one of the best K-dramas.