Discover the best K-dramas for beginners. This starter guide breaks down easy-to-watch Korean dramas that are perfect for first-timers, from romantic comedies to feel-good comfort shows.
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If you’re just stepping into the world of K-dramas, you are in for a real treat. Your heart is about to change in the best way.
There’s something magical about K-dramas. They’re cozy, emotional, beautifully told, and somehow make you feel seen, even when you least expect it. Not to mention, they’re also highly addictive. If someone in your life has been telling you to “just try one,” or if you’re simply curious where to begin, this guide is for you.
As a Korean-American who grew up between two cultures, K-dramas have become a comforting bridge, a way for me to reconnect with the country I see as home, to the language, emotion, humor, and stories that feel familiar yet fresh. And if you’re new to all this, don’t worry. You don’t need to know Korean or understand the cultural references too much. That's what subtitles are for. 😉
So let’s dive right into my K-drama recommendations for beginners. 💜
1. Crash Landing on You
If you want romance, tension, humor, and cinematic storytelling, start here.
Starring Son Ye-jin, a South Korean CEO named Yoon Se-ri, crash lands in North Korea and falls in love with a military captain named Ri Jeong-hyeok, played by Hyun-bin. Both characters are on a mission to get Se-ri back to South Korea without getting caught. It’s emotional but comforting, dramatic yet wholesome. You end up falling in love with the whole cast, especially with the comrades and their cute quirks.
Why beginners love it:
✔️ Easy storyline
✔️ Incredible chemistry
✔️ Beautiful cinematography
And believe it or not, the two main leads are now married and have started their own little family.
2. Business Proposal (2022)
This is the “I-just-want-something-fun” drama. If you are looking for an easy-going, low-stress type of K-drama, Business Proposal fits the bill.
It’s a fast-paced romantic comedy filled with hilarious moments, cute chemistry, and no emotional stress.
Based on a webtoon, Shin Ha-ri, a food researcher, goes on a fake blind date pretending to be her chaebol (conglomerate) friend… and her date turns out to be her own CEO, Kang Tae-moo. Cue the contract relationship, identity swappings, and a best-friends-to-lovers second couple.
Why beginners love it:
✔️ Lighthearted
✔️ Fast-moving
✔️ Zero heartbreak anxiety
Starring Ahn Hyo-seop (from K-Pop Demon Hunters), Kim Se-jeong (from girl group, I.O.I), Kim Min-kyu, and Seol In-ah, this K-drama is a laugh-out-loud office romance that makes your heart flutter after a long day at work.
Where to watch: Netflix
3. Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)
This one is my all-time favorite and for good reasons. If you’re ready for fantasy and love, this one will stay with you for a lifetime.
Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) stars Gong Yoo as Kim Shin, a cursed immortal goblin who falls in love with a human girl, Ji Eun-tak, who is played by Kim Go-eun. She can end his miserable life of suffering by removing the sword from his chest. Their lives intertwine with a grim reaper who has lost his memories and a beautiful chicken shop owner who has secrets of her own. The K-drama blends love, fate, past lives, and heartbreak into a lovely story about finding purpose, healing old wounds, and choosing love. It is one of the best K-dramas, in my opinion, and is a classic one to watch.
Why beginners love it:
✔️ Stunning visuals
✔️ Iconic OST
✔️ Romance + friendship + humor
Where to watch: Viki
4. Twenty Five Twenty One
Slice-of-life story.
So I have to warn you about this one... you'll have to prepare tissues towards the end of the drama. 🤣 Twenty Five Twenty One is an emotionally gripping coming-of-age nostalgic story about heartbreak, friendship, and the bittersweet reality of growing up.
It stars Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo-hyuk as Beak Yi-jin. The story follows Na He-do, a hopeful fencer, and Baek, Yi-jin, a guy trying to put his life back together after his family falls apart during the IMF crisis. The two find comfort in each other in times of distress, and what starts out as friendship slowly shifts into something else. I won't give away the ending, but it's raw and real and totally relatable.
Why beginners love it:
✔️ Beautiful storytelling
✔️ Relatable characters
✔️ Nostalgic 90s/2000s vibe
Where to watch: Netflix
5. True Beauty
If anyone knows me really well, they will know that True Beauty is by far one of my all-time comfort K-dramas. I have time and time again mentioned this K-drama since release, and if you are a knitter, I even designed a knitting pattern inspired by Lee Su-ho, played by Cha Eun-woo. This webtoon-turned-K-drama is a high school rom-com with all the classic tropes: makeover, love triangle, and emotional healing. The story follows a girl named Lim Joo-kyung, played by Moon Ga-young, a not-so-attractive high schooler, who struggles at school because she is bullied by classmates. She transfers to a new school, and with the help of makeup, she is called a true beauty. It's a story about navigating high school, crushes, insecurities, and learning to be comfortable in your own skin.
Perfect for fans who are looking for lighthearted romance.
Why beginners love it:
✔️ Teen-friendly
✔️ Fun and cute
✔️ Fast-paced
Where to watch: Viki
6. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
If your heart needs healing, start here. I have another post about this drama, which I'll link here.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a cute K-drama about a dentist, Hyejin, played by Shin Min-a, from Seoul, and a handyman, Dusik, played by Kim Seon-ho, from a small town called Gonjin. Most of the drama takes place in this small town along the coast where their love unfolds.
Why beginners love it:
✔️ Warm & cozy
✔️ Stunning seaside setting
✔️ Gentle humor and romance
It's a feel-good drama that won't disappoint.
Where to watch: Netflix
7. Lovely Runner
A time-slip romance that mixes heartbreak, healing, humor, and fate. Played by Kim Hye-yoon, a girl named Im Sol travels back in time to save a boy named Ryu Sun-jae, played by Byeon Woo-seok, whose music changed her life. This K-drama hits in my Top 5 List. It's that good.
Why beginners love it:
✔️ Time travel that’s easy to follow
✔️ Strong emotional pull
✔️ The perfect blend of cute + heartbreaking
Funny, tender, and totally binge-worthy, Lovely Runner will be one of those dramas that will make you want to watch over and over again.
Where to watch: Viki
8. Because This Is My First Life
A quiet, mature, and beautifully written drama about marriage, adulthood, and finding your place in the world. When beginners ask me what K-drama I recommend watching first, Because This is My First Life is always the first one mentioned. It's a slice-of-life drama with a contract marriage plot. It’s soft, introspective, and full of emotional warmth.
Why beginners love it:
✔️ Realistic relationships
✔️ Not overly dramatic
✔️ Full of life lessons & comfort
A wonderful choice for viewers who want deeper stories without the emotional chaos. It's a feel-good drama and one that will keep you coming back for more.
Where to watch: Viki
Final Thoughts
Starting your K-drama journey is an exciting time. I wish I were a beginner so I could start my journey all over again. Whether you love romance, comedy, fantasy, or soft slice-of-life stories, there’s something on this list for everyone.
So grab a snack, get cozy, and enjoy your first dive into the world of K-dramas. Trust me, this is only the beginning.
XO,
혜원쌤
Laura
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