Trigger warning: these series tackle heavy topics, and not every one of them actually has a happy ending.
If you're the type who loves a good cry and doesn't mind spending a day recovering from an emotional K-drama marathon, these shows are perfect for you.
1. "Uncontrollably Fond" (2016)
Superstar actor Shin Joon-young reunites with his childhood love, No Eul, now a documentary producer, under professional circumstances; as they reconnect, hidden truths and past injustices resurface, complicating their renewed relationship amidst Joon-young's secret battle with terminal illness.
2. "Youth of May" (2021)
Set against the backdrop of the Gwangju Uprising in May 1980, medical student Hwang Hee-tae and nurse Kim Myung-hee fall in love amidst the turmoil; their relationship becomes a poignant symbol of youth, love, and sacrifice during one of South Korea's most tragic historical events.
3. "Mr. Sunshine" (2018)
Eugene Choi, born a slave in Joseon but escaped to the United States, returns to Korea as a US Marine Corps officer at the turn of the 20th century, where he becomes embroiled in the fight for Korea's sovereignty, falling in love with an aristocrat's daughter and discovering a plot that could change the course of history.
4. "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" (2016)
A 21st-century woman, Go Ha-jin, is transported back to the Goryeo Dynasty into the body of Hae Soo, finding herself in the middle of a royal struggle for the throne; as she forms bonds with the princes, she faces love, betrayal, and the harsh realities of palace life.
5. "Our Blues" (2022)
Set on Jeju Island, this ensemble drama intertwines the lives of various islanders, from a returning hometown girl and a truck driver to a haenyeo (female diver) and a fish shop owner, showcasing their joys, pains, and healing journeys.
6. "Juvenile Justice" (2022)
Judge Sim Eun-seok, known for her dislike of juvenile offenders, faces complex cases in a juvenile court, challenging her preconceptions and evoking empathy as she encounters the diverse backgrounds and stories of young offenders.
7. "The Hymn of Death" (2018)
Based on the tragic true story of Korea's first soprano Yun Sim-deok and playwright Kim Woo-jin, their secret love affair unfolds against the backdrop of 1920s Japanese occupation, culminating in a poignant and tragic end.
8. "The Red Sleeve" (2021)
In the 18th century, court lady Sung Deok-im navigates palace life and her relationship with Crown Prince Yi San, balancing her personal aspirations with the love and duties that come with her position, leading to a heart-wrenching choice between love and freedom.
9. "Thirty Nine" (2022)
Three best friends nearing forty face life's complexities together, dealing with love, loss, and the challenges of aging as they support each other through personal crises and the impending loss of one among them to terminal illness.
10. "Move to Heaven" (2021)
Geu-ru, a young man with Asperger's syndrome, and his ex-convict uncle Sang-gu become trauma cleaners, uncovering untold stories of the deceased, leading them on a journey of emotional healing and familial reconciliation.
11. "Reunited Worlds" (2017)
Despite dying in a tragic accident at 19, Sung Hae-sung mysteriously reappears 12 years later, still the same age, to his friends and love, Jung Jung-won, leading to a mystery that bridges the gap between the living and the dead, revealing buried secrets and unresolved issues among the friends.
12. "Jewel in the Palace" (also known as "Great Jang Geum") (2003)
The legendary journey of Jang-geum, the first female royal physician of the Joseon Dynasty, overcoming numerous obstacles, from her humble beginnings in the royal kitchen to becoming the king's personal physician, amidst palace intrigue and the challenge of social norms.
13. "Mother" (2018)
A temporary teacher discovers one of her students is being abused at home; she makes a spontaneous decision to kidnap and become a mother to the child, leading them on a poignant journey of fugitives seeking a place of safety and love.
14. "Empress Ki" (2013)
From Goryeo girl to Empress of the Yuan Dynasty, Ki Seung-nyang navigates the treacherous political landscape of the royal court, becoming embroiled in a love triangle with the Yuan Emperor and her first love, all while striving to protect her homeland.
15. "My Name" (2021)
Following her father's murder, Yoon Ji-woo joins a powerful crime syndicate and goes undercover as a police officer to find his killer, embarking on a path of vengeance that uncovers dark truths and challenges her morality and loyalties.
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