All of us go through the dilemma of looking for legal streaming platforms when we start watching Korean shows for the first time, don’t we? It is more frustrating when no one is actually there to help. Most of the time, people watch the series on illegal platforms without even knowing if they are legal just because they are subbed in English. Thankfully, people do not have to go through that tough work nowadays. However, there are still some newbies who have just entered the K-drama world and accessing various sites or affording the subscription charges of those streaming platforms are kind of impossible for them.
Does that mean you have to drop the idea of watching Korean series? No way! We have brought to you a list of the top ten K-dramas that are available to watch on YouTube for free along with the English subtitles. Let’s get started!
1. The Hiers (2013)
Screenwriter: Kim Eun Sook
Director: Kang Shin Hyo, Boo Sung Chul
Starring: Lee Min Ho, Park Shin Hye, Kim Woo Bin, Kim Ji Won, Kang Min Hyuk, Choi Jin Hyuk
Total Number of Episodes: 20
If you are a K-Drama beginner, there is a high chance you are here to look for a drama with Lee Min ho in it. Bingo! ‘The Hiers’ is one of the most popular Korean shows even with its basic and predictable storyline. The story revolves around the heir of an Empire Group, Kim Tan and an ordinary girl named Cha Eun Sang, who crosses paths within America. Kim Tan has been sent abroad by his half-brother for studying, who considers him a threat to his position, while Eun Sang visits there looking for her older sister.
A series of circumstances force them to share each other’s company and even when Eun Sang returns to Korea, Kim Tan cannot stop thinking about her until he comes back home. It didn’t take him long to realise that she’s the daughter of the housekeeper of his family. Meanwhile, his fiancée Rachel Yoo is obsessed with him and would do anything to make him hers. ‘The Hiers’ delivers the message that if someone wishes to wear the crown, he has to ensure its weight.
2. Dr. Romantic 2 (2020)
Screenwriter: Kang Eun Kyung
Director: Yoo In Shik, Lee Gil Bok
Starring: Han Seok Kyu, Ahn Hyo Seop, Lee Sung Kyung, Kim Joo Heon, Shin Dong Wook, So Ju Yeon
Total Number of Episodes: 16
A sequel of the 2016 K-Drama, ‘Dr. Romantic,’ the show follows three years after the events of the first season with the genius doctor Kim Sa Bu aka Teacher Kim returning to reprise his role. He runs a shabby hospital named ‘Doldam’ in the countryside and decides to visit Geosan University Hospital for recruiting more people. He comes across a doctor with a troubled past named Seo Woo-jin, who is given cold-shoulder by his fellow doctors. On the other hand, Cha Eun-Jae is a 2nd-year student who is smart and confident but gets nauseous every time she performs surgery. She gets suspended because of making repetitive mistakes and finds no choice but to go with Seo Woo-jin and Teacher Kim to Doldam Hospital. Kim Sa Bu gives them lessons on growing as both humans as well as doctors, running Doldam Hospital together.
Although the series is a continuation of the last season, you do not necessarily need to watch the first one since almost all the main characters have changed except for Kim Sa Bu’s character. Reports say that the show is also getting a third season and the shooting for which will begin soon. For the time being, binge-watch this one on YouTube.
3. Playful Kiss (2010)
Director: Hwang In Roe, Kim Jung Hyun, Kim Do Hyung
Starring: Kim Hyun Joong, Jung So Min, Lee Tae Sung, Hong Yoon Hwa, Yoon Seung Ah, Lee Si Young
Total Number of Episodes: 16
The series is the Korean adaptation of the Japanese manga and anime series ‘Itazura na Kiss’ by Tada Kaoru, which is again, one of the most popular series among the Asian audience. The story is about a clumsy high school student named Oh Ha Ni who falls in love with the perfectionist Baek Seung Jo. While Seung Jo is the most popular boy on campus with extraordinary looks and skills, Ha Ni tops the class from the bottom. However, Seung Jo absolutely has no feelings for her and rejects her love indifferently. When Oh Ha Ni’s house collapses, her father takes her to move into the residence of his long-time friend.
Coincidentally, Seung Jo turns out to be the eldest son of his friend and this is how fate brings Ha Ni and his crush closer. She makes small but steady efforts to capture the heart of Seung Jo and keep following him like a puppy. The question is if he will ever consider her as anything other than a nuisance. Although the plotline is quite silly, it is enjoyable and adorable at the same time. You should definitely give it a try if you are into light K-Dramas.
4. He’s Beautiful (2009)
Screenwriter: Hong Mi Ran, Hong Jung Eun
Director: Hong Sung Chang, Boo Sung Chul
Starring: Jang Geun Suk, Park Shin Hye, Jung Yong Hwa, Lee Hong Ki, Uee, Kim In Kwon
Total Number of Episodes: 16
Watching K-dramas is like an addiction and this might be the perfect thing for you to start with it. ‘He’s Beautiful’ follows an idol group named A.N.JELL who decides to recruit another member when their lead singer has his voice hurting. Unfortunately, Mi Nam, who was supposed to be the new singer, has to fly abroad in order to repair a botched eye job. His agent asks Mi Nam’s twin sister, Mi Nyu to stand in place of him temporarily and pretend to be her brother. Mi Nyu, who was all ready to become a nun, agrees to the plan since she didn’t want her brother to lose this opportunity after all those years they had to spend in an orphanage. Moreover, Mi Nam’s fame would also help them find their mother.
However, when one of the band members, Kang Shin-Woo discovers her secret, instead of leaking it, he keeps it to himself without letting her know about his acknowledgement. As Kang Shin-woo attempts to help her out, he begins to develop feelings for her in the process. The show is very humourous and will definitely tickle your funny bone.
5. Master’s Sun (2013)
Screenwriter: Hong Jung Eun, Hong Mi Ran
Director: Jin Hyeok
Starring: Gong Hyo Jin, So Ji Sub, Seo In Guk, Kim Yoo Ri, Choi Jung Woo, Kim Mi Kyung
Total Number of Episodes: 17
The story revolves around a greedy and stinky CEO of a conglomerate named Kingdom which includes a major hotel and department store. When he comes across Tae Gong Shil, who gets the ability to see ghosts after getting into an accident, their lives take a sharp turn. Circumstances let them join hands and deal with all the terror and gloominess brought about by the evil spirits, falling in love in the process. They also try to solve a kidnapping incident that had occurred years ago in Joong Won’s life.
The story introduces several ghosts in the way and from each of them, the main leads learn something or the other, while the main plot keeps lurking in the background. Luckily, this show is available on YouTube as well.
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6. Personal Taste (2010)
Director: Song Hyung Suk, Noh Jong Chan
Starring: Lee Min Ho, Son Ye Jin, Kim Ji Suk, Wang Ji Hye, Jo Eun Ji, Ahn Suk Hwan
Total Number of Episodes: 16
A very fun-to-watch show with amazing chemistry between the leads: if this is what you are looking for, you can blindly choose ‘Personal Taste‘. The show follows a well-organized guy named Jeon Jin Ho who is a stickler for cleanliness and keeps everything in an organized way. When Jeon Jin Ho applies to be Park Gae In’s roommate, he is mistaken as gay. On the other hand, Gae In has a very trusting nature even after getting betrayed several times.
Misunderstandings lead them to cohabit with each other while Gae In has no idea that her roommate is not gay and has developed romantic feelings for her.
7. The Fiery Priest (2019)
Director: Lee Myung Woo
Screenwriter: Park Jae Bum
Starring: Kim Sung Kyun, Kim Nam Gil, Lee Ha Nee, Go Jun, Jeon Sung Woo, Geum Sae Rok
Total Number of Episodes: 40
‘The Fiery Priest’ is an action mystery series that follows the murder investigation of a senior Catholic priest who had been a father figure to Kim Hae Il all this time. Kim Hae Il, who is a sassy, short-tempered but just priest, teams up with the talkative detective Koo Dae Young and the sharp-minded and ambitious prosecutor Park Kyung Sun to find the killer and put him behind the bars. The show will bring in a hurricane of emotions and pretty good action scenes. In case you are looking for a show full of comedy and heartfelt characters, this is the one.
8. Hi! School : Love On (2014)
Director: Sung Joon Hae
Starring; Kim Sae Ron, Nam Woo Hyun, Lee Sung Yeol, Choi Soo Rin, Kim Min Seok, Jo Yeon Woo
Total Number of Episodes: 20
Another beginner-friendly K-Drama on the list, ‘Hi! School : Love On‘ has the plot of a nice and simple high school drama, having a lot of fluff and sweet scenes. The protagonist of the story is Shin Woo Hyun, who, though has a cold demeanour, is quite popular in school for his attractive looks and singing skills. However, he lives with his grandmother after being abandoned by his parents and thus carries emotional scars from the past. In order to look after Shin Woo Hyun, an angel named Lee Seul Bi is sent to Earth who enrols in the same school as him.
The now-human angel learns to interacts with high school students, and the meaning of friendship and love that binds people together. However, when his best friend, Hwang Sung Yeol discovers a secret about his connection with Woo Hyun and his feelings for Seul Bi, a love triangle generates making the two best friends rivals to each other.
9. Suspicious Partner (2017)
Screenwriter: Kwon Ki Young
Director: Park Seon Ho
Starring: Ji Chang Wook, Nam Ji Hyun, Choi Tae Joon, Kwon Na Ra, Dong Ha, Kim Ye Won
Total Number of Episodes: 40
The story is about Noh Ji Wook, a hard-headed and intelligent prosecutor turned lawyer and the strong and confident Eun Bong Hee, a prosecutor trainee, and a former taekwondo instructor. When Eun Bong Hee is asked to work under Noh Ji Wook in order to solve a mysterious case dealing with a sly psychopath murderer, they start getting romantic feelings for each other.
Ji Chang-wook and action go hand in hand. So just hop into this K-Drama if you are a fan of action-mystery series. Moreover, You will get to witness great chemistry between the male and the female lead.
10. Pinocchio (2014)
Screenwriter: Park Hye Ryun
Director: Jo Soo Won
Starring: Lee Jong Suk, Park Shin Hye, Kim Young Kwang, Lee Yoo Bi, Jin Kyung, Lee Pil Mo
Total Number of Episodes: 20
The story follows around 20 newbie reporters who are determined to deliver justice and trying to find themselves on the way. While Choi In Ha is an idealistic broadcast journalist who suffers from a weird condition called ‘Pinocchio syndrome’ because of which she breaks out into hiccups whenever she lies about anything, Choi Dal Po is a skilled rookie with a sharp mind though he dresses shabbily. Their colleagues also include a wealthy heir named Seo Bum Jo who has everything one can ever want and Yoon Yoo Rae, whose fangirl knowledge comes to her advantage in covering the news.
The viewers found the show extremely gripping and intelligently written. The plotline was totally on point without any deliberate twists and turns. The characters are true to life as well as significant. And, we know Lee Jong Suk never disappoints when it comes to picking scripts. You can go and find this show on YouTube for free.
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