After the “Squid Game” phenomenon, Korean dramas, better known as K-dramas, have become one of the most popular and appreciated serial genres by audiences around the world. Dramatic, romantic, action and sometimes comical stories, K-dramas were born as South Korean serials to watch on TV but the spread of Korean culture abroad has also made them reach streaming platforms and, among these, Netflix is the one that is dedicating the most space to this serial genre.
But what are the best K-dramas to watch on Netflix?
The best Netflix series of 2025, so far
The 8 Show
Taken from the webtoon Money Game by Bae Jin Soo, The 8 Show is undoubtedly one of the best k-dramas on Netflix but also one of the best series ever on the streaming platform. This survival game, in the style of “Squid Game” but different from Hwang Dong-hyuk’s phenomenon series, is an exciting yet scary game that sees 8 individuals trapped in a mysterious eight-story building participate in a tempting but dangerous game in which they earn money as time passes.
This series will keep you glued to the screen from start to finish and will push you to continually reflect on topics such as human greed, the power of money and the contradictions of contemporary society. A real gem.
The 8 Show review
Squid Game
We couldn’t help but start with the most famous and also the most significant of Netflix’s South Korean series: Squid Game. 456 desperate contestants compete against each other in various children’s games in a bid to survive and win the 45.6 billion won prize pool that could transform their sad existence. But whoever loses…dies. Who will win and what is the real reason for the race?
The Squid Game review
The Squid Game 2 review
The Squid Game 3 review
Kiseiju – The gray area
A truly captivating horror, action and science fiction series that adapts Hitoshi Iwaaki’s legendary Japanese manga for the small screen and in a live-action version. This series of 8 episodes becomes a metaphor for contemporary society by addressing various current issues from loneliness to the sense of abandonment, from the relationship with those who are different to inclusion, making us reflect on what the meaning of life is and what makes human beings so. Humanity faces a growing threat as unidentified parasites violently take control of humans and gain ever more power.
Kiseiju – The Gray Zone: the review
Alice in Borderland
Apathetic, without a job and with an obsession for video games, Arisu suddenly finds himself in an unusual Tokyo emptied of its inhabitants where he is forced to participate in dangerous games with his friends to survive. In this strange world Arisu meets Usagi, a young woman who has decided to compete alone, and together they end up unraveling one mystery after another while overcoming numerous dangers and trying to grasp the meaning of life. Alice in Borderland is a k-drama based on a survival thriller manga (originally published in Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine) by Haro Aso, directed by Shinsuke Sato and starring Kento Yamazaki (Kingdom, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K) and Tao Tsuchiya (Library Wars: Book of Memories).
The Glory
And how can we not mention “The Glory”, another South Korean series that has conquered Western audiences. It’s a Netflix series about a woman who dedicates her life to getting revenge on the childhood bullies who ruined her life. A real Netflix gem.
Black Knight
One of Netflix’s most recent K-dramas is “Black Knight”, perfect for those who love post-apocalyptic series. The story told by “Black Knight” is that of a world that has been destroyed due to pollution where only 1% of the population has managed to survive. The few survivors are forced to stay indoors and only go out wearing gas masks to avoid breathing poison and dying. In order to survive, the last men on earth need the so-called “delivery knights” and among them there is the legendary 5-8, a man with incredible fighting skills. When a refugee man who dreams of being one of the knights meets Sa-wol his life will change forever.
The Black Knight review
Hellbound
Heir to “Squid Game”, “Hellbound” it also made its way into the hearts of the public. With this series we move into the horror genre and dive into one story of otherworldly beings who appear from nowhere to pass sentences and condemn certain individuals to hell.
These supernatural events unleash chaos and allow the religious organization New Truth to increase its influence. However, some people become suspicious of the activities of this sect and begin to investigate its involvement in the mysterious events.
