It’s simple to believe that K-dramas are isolated from the outside world, yet that couldn’t be further from the reality. In actuality, a few K-dramas have had a big impact on how South Korean television is viewed both domestically and internationally. Many episodes feature intriguing storytelling techniques that may engage viewers more than other types of shows, even if the influence is primarily related to South Korea. K-dramas are notable for their ability to merge genres; they frequently combine tales with many themes and cannot be categorized into a single category. Many showrunners have been motivated by this to come up with more creative and adaptable concepts for more flawless shows. Through their storytelling, cultural significance, wide international reach, and genre innovation, the top ten K-dramas of all time have had an impact on the industry.

The Influence of K-dramas

The influence of K-dramas extends far beyond South Korea, shaping the global perception of Korean television through their storytelling, cultural relevance, and genre innovation. Here are the ten most influential K-dramas of all time:

• ‘My Love from the Star’ (2013–2014) – This fantasy/sci-fi K-drama popularized the genre and contributed to the spread of the Korean Wave, leading to remakes in several countries.
• ‘Jewel in the Palace’ (2003) – A historical K-drama that significantly increased the prominence of Korean traditional culture and cuisine in local tourism.
• ‘Winter Sonata’ (2002) – Pioneered the melodrama genre and popularized the Korean Wave across Asia, particularly in Japan and the Philippines.
• ‘Boys Over Flowers’ (2009) – Defined the “flower boy” image and contributed to the rise of its cast members as idols and brand ambassadors.
• ‘Reply 1988’ (2015–2016) – A slice-of-life drama that sparked a “newtro” wave, encouraging people to explore 1980s fashion and nostalgia.
• ‘Descendants of the Sun’ (2016) – One of the first K-dramas to be entirely shot on location and pre-produced, leading to increased international popularity and tourism in South Korea.
• ‘Goblin’ (2016–2017) – An epic fantasy romance that showcased elevated production design and contributed to the global popularity of its lead actors.
• ‘Crash Landing on You’ (2019–2020) – A romantic fantasy that humanized the North and South Korean relationship and featured a real-life couple, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin.’Kingdom’ (2019–2022) – The first historical zombie K-drama, proving that K-dramas could thrive in genre experimentation and attract a wider international audience.
• ‘Squid Game’ (2021–2025) – The most influential K-drama of all time, breaking records for Netflix and becoming the first Korean show to receive a franchise treatment.

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