Korean dramas have a special way of capturing hearts, often becoming unforgettable experiences for fans. While there are always new K-dramas coming out every month, some shows remain iconic, etched in our memory for their timeless stories, legendary performances, and emotional impact. These dramas are worth rewatching, not just for nostalgia but to rediscover the magic that made us fall in love with K-dramas in the first place. Here are 10 iconic K-dramas that every fan should consider rewatching.
1. Crash Landing on You
Few dramas have made an impact as big as Crash Landing on You. This heartwarming story of a South Korean heiress who crash lands in North Korea and meets a stoic North Korean officer became a global sensation. From its unique setting to the incredible chemistry between Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, the drama is filled with unforgettable moments. Rewatching it allows you to catch small details you may have missed the first time, especially the touching side stories and the subtle cultural contrasts between the two Koreas.
2. Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)
If there’s one fantasy K-drama that lives rent-free in fans’ minds, it’s Goblin. With its stunning cinematography, poetic dialogue, and emotional storyline, this drama delivers an experience that feels more like a movie than a TV series. Gong Yoo’s portrayal of the immortal goblin and Lee Dong-wook’s grim reaper still stand as iconic characters in K-drama history. Rewatching Goblin brings back all the emotions, from laughter to tears, and reminds you why it became a cultural phenomenon.
3. Descendants of the Sun
When it aired in 2016, Descendants of the Sun took the world by storm. It blended romance, action, and military drama into one powerful package. Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo’s on-screen chemistry lit up every scene. The setting in a fictional war-torn country added intensity, while the beautiful soundtrack made each moment feel even more emotional. A rewatch is especially rewarding because it lets you fully appreciate the clever dialogue and dramatic pacing that made this series a global hit.
4. Boys Over Flowers
For many international fans, Boys Over Flowers was their first K-drama. Based on the popular Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango, this classic series tells the story of an ordinary girl who enters an elite high school and clashes with the rich and arrogant leader of a group known as F4. It’s over-the-top, dramatic, and full of early 2000s fashion choices, but that’s exactly what makes it so iconic. Rewatching it is like going back in time to the beginning of the Hallyu wave and remembering why we all fell in love with K-dramas in the first place.
5. My Love from the Star
Before Crash Landing on You and Goblin, there was My Love from the Star, a drama that mixed sci-fi with romance in a completely fresh way. Kim Soo-hyun plays an alien who has been living on Earth for 400 years, while Jun Ji-hyun plays a top actress with a bold personality. Their love story is sweet, emotional, and full of hilarious moments. The drama was so popular that it influenced beauty trends and fashion across Asia. Rewatching it today reminds you of how brilliantly the story blended fantasy with real-life emotions.
6. Reply 1988
Reply 1988 is one of those rare dramas that doesn’t rely on big plot twists but still keeps you hooked through its warmth and nostalgia. Set in a small Seoul neighborhood in the late 1980s, it focuses on a group of close-knit families and childhood friends. With its realistic storytelling, emotional family moments, and subtle humor, it feels like a love letter to simpler times. A second watch often hits even harder as you start to recognize the little emotional beats that made it so special the first time.
7. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
This historical romance is one of the most emotionally intense K-dramas ever made. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo tells the tragic love story of a modern woman who time-travels to the Goryeo Dynasty and becomes entangled in royal politics and power struggles. Lee Joon-gi and IU give unforgettable performances that pull at your heartstrings. Though the drama has a heartbreaking ending, rewatching it helps you appreciate its depth, the character arcs, and the powerful themes of love, loyalty, and fate.
8. Itaewon Class
When Itaewon Class premiered, it felt different from anything else on TV. It tackled themes like discrimination, justice, personal growth, and entrepreneurship, all while telling the story of a group of misfits trying to succeed in Seoul’s vibrant Itaewon neighborhood. Park Seo-joon’s portrayal of the principled yet stubborn Park Sae-ro-yi is inspiring to watch. A rewatch reveals the finer character development and the bold storytelling that made the series a standout in 2020.
9. Secret Garden
This body-swap romantic comedy is a must-rewatch for anyone who loves quirky fantasy with emotional depth. Secret Garden features Hyun Bin as a rich CEO and Ha Ji-won as a strong-willed stuntwoman who mysteriously begin switching bodies. The drama is filled with iconic scenes like the sit-up kiss and the sparkling tracksuit, which fans still talk about today. Watching it again brings a mix of nostalgia and a deeper appreciation for the clever writing and heartfelt performances that made it a K-drama classic.
10. Hotel Del Luna
Last but not least, Hotel Del Luna is a visual masterpiece with a story that lingers in your mind long after it ends. IU stars as the mysterious and glamorous owner of a hotel for ghosts, while Yeo Jin-goo plays the new manager who helps her resolve unfinished business. With its rich backstories, emotional depth, and hauntingly beautiful OST, it’s one of the most rewatchable dramas of recent years. Every episode is packed with stunning visuals and subtle themes about life, death, and forgiveness that hit even harder the second time around.
Bottom line
Rewatching iconic K-dramas isn’t just about revisiting old favorites; it’s about experiencing the emotions all over again, noticing new details, and falling in love with the characters for a second (or third) time. These dramas aren’t just popular; they’ve shaped the K-drama world in different ways and continue to influence newer shows even today. So if you’re in the mood to rewatch something, any one of these ten dramas is a great place to start. They’re timeless, powerful, and always worth one more viewing.
