6 K-Dramas With Picture Perfect Character Development

In the era of good quality TV it’s surprising how some shows can still have characters with zero development. Luckily for the K-drama industry, there are some meaningful projects that don’t treat character development like it’s nothing.

Here are 6 K-dramas that (in my opinion) showed a true masterclass in how to have their characters grow up and learn.

1. 'Mouse' (2021)

People all over the world often name this K-drama one of the best in the thriller genre. And what made it happen was exactly the way the creators handled their characters. There are a lot of stories about their identity questioning, self-discovery, and overcoming personal traumas through existential conflicts.

The series is wrapped into a police procedural with a modern twist, and the many fresh takes mixed with the beloved South Korean tropes makes it a perfect watch, with Lee Seung-gi and Lee Hee-joon playing the leads as Jung Ba-reum and Go Mu-chi.

You can stream on Mouse on Prime Video.

2. 'Stranger' (2017–2020)

This acclaimed K-drama goes beyond typical legal procedural and crime thriller and becomes an exploration of its characters' deep internal journeys and moral complexities. Starring Bae Doona and Cho Seung-woo, the series follows prosecutor Hwang Si-mok who partners with detective Han Yeo-jin to investigate a murder case.

Both protagonists face personal moral battles against corruption while experiencing periods of tough isolation. However, it’s their professional ethics that define their individual growth and partnership.

You can stream Stranger on Netflix.

3. 'Itaewon Class' (2020)

This pandemic-era Netflix series stars Park Seo-joon as Park Sae-ro-yi, a grief-stricken ex-convict whose emotional journey finds him becoming an entrepreneur at the end. After being expelled from high school and serving a three-year prison sentence, he opened a restaurant in Seoul's Itaewon district and that changed his life.

The series offers a pretty authentic and realistic character development, particularly in family and friendship dynamics. It also provides a glance on what redemption and forgiveness is, making the show a few more layers deeper.

You can stream Itaewon Class on Netflix.

4. 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' (2020)

This series is recognized as one of the best K-dramas of recent years, and the thing that made it so popular is exactly the emotional depth and brilliantly written characters. Starring Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, and Oh Jung-se, the story of the series follows Moon Gang-tae, a psychiatric hospital caretaker who cares for his disabled brother Sang-tae.

Gang-tae meets children's book writer Ko Moon-young at his work and they immediately bond. The main trio confronts psychological trauma while overcoming selfishness, and self-doubt. And that's a journey you'd want to follow.

You can stream It's Okay to Not Be Okay on Netflix.

5. 'My Liberation Notes' (2022)

This story in this slice-of-life coming-of-age drama starring Kim Ji-won, Lee Min-ki, Lee El, and Son Suk-ku focuses on "liberation" from dull existence through tremendous character development.

Siblings Chang-hee, Mi-jeong, and Ki-jeong live near Seoul and all waste life on city jobs while at the same battling existential dread from office politics, wage disparities, and… romantic failures. However they find it in their heart to change their lives for the better, and that's personal growth at its finest, right?

You can stream My Liberation Notes on Netflix.

6. 'Reply 1988' (2015–2016)

Starring Lee Hye-ri and Park Bo-gum alongside an exceptional ensemble cast, this series is a perfect mix of lighthearted comedy and heavy drama. The premise is quite simple, yet very powerful. The series follows Deok-sun and her family and friends navigating late 80s adolescence through friendship, love, loss and curiosity.

Character choices feel realistic rather than fake and overdramatic, and the story is overall heartwarming and charming, with minimal nonsense.

You can stream Reply 1988 on Netflix.