3 K-Dramas That Are Popular in Japan Right Now and Why
K-dramas have a big influence on the viewers worldwide, and even countries with their own doramas choose South Korean shows over their own. Let’s find out why.
Almost every Asian country has its own take on doramas, but it seems there's just no competition for South Korean dramas. These shows become popular in an instant, both in their home country and around the world.
For instance, the 3 K-dramas we picked are in demand in Japan — the country that has a conveyor production of their own J-dramas. Let’s find out more about them and how they managed to conquer the hearts of Japanese viewers.
1. Weak Hero Class 1 (2022)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, Weak Hero Class 1 has 95% from viewers.
- On IMDb, Weak Hero Class 1 has 8.4/10.
The most popular K-drama in Japan these days is Weak Hero Class 1. The gripping series delves deep into the harsh realities of school bullying and the resilience of youth. Adapted from a popular webtoon, the series follows Yeon Si Eun, played by Park Ji Hoon, a top student who, despite appearing weak, uses his intellect to stand up to bullies.
He forms an unlikely alliance with two classmates: Ahn Soo Ho, a skilled fighter with a reputation for violence, and Oh Beom Seok, a new student with a troubled past. Together, they navigate the treacherous social dynamics of high school and challenge the cycle of violence and intimidation.
Netflix has just released the first episodes of Weak Hero Class 1 season 2, which is probably one of the reasons why fans in Japan decided to revisit the first chapter.
2. Heavenly Ever After (2025)
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On IMDb, Heavenly Ever After has 7.9/10.
Heavenly Ever After is a South Korean romantic fantasy with a rather unusual premise. The series follows Lee Hae-sook, an 80-year-old loan shark who, after her death, is reunited with her husband in the afterlife.
However, while she chooses to remain at her current age, her husband has returned to the afterlife as a 30-year-old man, creating an interesting dynamic in their eternal bond.
Heavenly Ever After is full of romance and drama, and the fantasy twist is what brings it all full circle. The themes of love and self-identity are front and center.
3. Resident Playbook (2025)
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On IMDb, Resident Playbook has 7.4/10.
This new medical drama comes after the hit series Hospital Playlist and is actually set in one universe with it. Resident Playbook offers a fresh perspective on the lives of first-year OB-GYN residents at a major Seoul hospital. The spinoff series dives deep into their both personal and professional challenges faced by young doctors in a high-pressure environment.
The series follows four main characters: Oh Yi-young, a former failed intern burdened with debt, Pyo Nam-kyung, Kim Sa-bi, and Um Jae-il, a former K-pop idol. Together, they navigate the complexities of their new roles under the mentorship of the tough Dr. Seo Jung-min.
In a short time after the release, Resident Playbook has become extremely popular in South Korea and internationally, especially in Japan.
Why Are K-Dramas More Popular in Japan?
Audiences from Japan mention that despite some popular series, like Alice in Borderland, very few of their own series become popular because the stories and the acting are simply not captivating enough.
“The repetitive/cheesy lines and scenes, poor acting, very slow pacing, conflicting plots, lack of chemistry between leads are some of the few things I don’t like in Japanese dramas/movies. Korean shows are a little superior I guess. Those criticisms sometimes happen in k-shows too but it wasn’t as bad and frequent though. Korean directors and writers have a better way of execution,” AmbitiousQuotation said.
