3 Netflix K-Dramas Actually Worth Watching

I don’t know about you, but it’s been a long time since a Korean drama has gripped me hook, line, and sinker. And I do say this with disappointment as someone who has been an avid K-drama watcher for many years. Maybe it’s the fatigue from this that has made me jaded, or I’ve come to realise that K-dramas as of late have become predictable, formulaic, and in some instances, just tired. 

Sometimes, I’ll find a show that intrigues me with its premise, only for it to quickly lose momentum halfway through, leading to a completely lacklustre ending if I even make it that far. Other times, I can’t even get past the third episode and drop the series entirely due to glaring flaws such as pacing issues, poor scriptwriting, and underwhelming performances.

I was beginning to resign myself to the fate that K-dramas just might not be the genre for me anymore, when, to my utmost surprise, I found not one or two but three K-dramas that came out recently on Netflix that absolutely hooked me from start to finish! From April to June, I was treated to one great show that defined each month for me.

As mentioned above, it does take me longer than most people to actually finish a K-drama due to my growing disenchantment. However, these three K-dramas tick all the right boxes that you’ll be tempted to binge the whole thing in one sitting (you probably will). From horror to action, here are the shows that made me excited about K-dramas again.

Teach You A Lesson

Topping Netflix’s non-English TV List in over 90 countries, Teach You A Lesson lives up to its hype and exceeds it. Premiering on 5 June, the K-drama had immediately gripped me from its first episode with its compelling premise. 

Following the implementation of the Educational Rights Protection Bureau to tackle complex challenges within South Korea’s education system, the series presents a cathartic narrative centred on an institution with the bold mission of delivering true lessons to students, teachers, and parents who dare to cross the line. Operating even beyond the limits of the law, this team stops at nothing to restore order within the school. 

If there is one word to describe Teach You A Lesson, it would be satisfying. The depiction of school bullying, violence, and abuse of power is nothing new in K-dramas; however, they share the commonality that the victims are always rendered completely helpless or try to fight back with what little power they have, while those around them turn a blind eye. In Teach You A Lesson, we finally get an official government-backed organisation that stands with the victims and is adamant about getting them justice. 

Every episode draws you in with its riveting cases as the main inspector Na Hwa-jin and his team visit different schools to tackle their respective issues. When they weave in an overarching plot that cleverly ties all these cases together, you’ll be positively hooked to watch it to the end. From the incredible cast (leading man Kim Moo-yul delivers a career-defining performance) and well-written cases to hard-hitting life lessons that feel like a punch to the gut, you’ll laugh and cry your way to its finale, wishing for more.

Rating: 5/5

The Wonderfools

If you’re looking for something fun and light-hearted, The Wonderfools is an absolute riot of a time. I mean, a bunch of goofy misfits who have to save the world? Sign me up! Set against the backdrop of the 1999 doomsday panic, a ragtag group of neighbourhood eccentrics unexpectedly develops superpowers and finds themselves, against all odds, thrust into a battle to save their town and possibly the world.

The heart of the story is very much the relationship between these ‘fools’, and the all-star cast of Park Eun-bin, Cha Eun-woo, Im Seong-jae, and Choi Dae-hoon is the perfect comedic ensemble that will leave you in absolute stitches (like tears-in-your-eyes-abs-hurting kind of humour). It’s been a long time since a K-drama has made me laugh this much. 

Watching the group’s chaotic adventure is fun enough, but The Wonderfools is further elevated by its impressive action sequences, inventive direction, witty dialogue, heartfelt camaraderie, and nostalgic late-90s charm. Director Yoo In-sik delivers an entertaining genre-blending spectacle packed with genuine emotion that will have you rooting hard for this dysfunctional unit. 

Rating: 4/5

If Wishes Could Kill

Look, I’ll be the first to admit I’m a wuss (have you seen my horror tier list I’m trying to work my way through to conquer my fears?). But I’m a sucker for a good concept, and I couldn’t resist giving If Wishes Could Kill a try. Fortunately, I can thank my morbid curiosity this time because this K-drama turned out to be worth almost peeing my pants! 

This horror series follows five high school friends who get tangled up with Girigo, a deadly app that grants wishes but curses the user to die within 24 hours. As they race to uncover the curse’s mysterious origin and stop it before the timer runs out, the group must fight an evil force to come out the other side. 

While I was watching most of the show through my fingers, I did appreciate that the K-drama didn’t rely on unnecessary jump scares to sell its horror. Rather, If Wishes Could Kill lets the eeriness slowly build until it’s creeping under your skin. 

After thoroughly enjoying Disney+’s Battle of Fates and learning about Korean shamanism, If Wishes Could Kill arrived at the perfect time to jump down that rabbit hole once more. When it’s not scaring you out of your wits, the show explores Korean spirituality in interesting ways through elaborate set designs and even some impressive action sequences.

If Wishes Could Kill’s global success without any notable star power is also noteworthy, as its ensemble cast of rookie actors delivered commendable performances. Notably, newcomer Jeon So-young as Yoon Se-ah proves she’s one to watch. While the K-drama did get a bit convoluted at times and the ending could have been better paced, If Wishes Could Kill still offers plenty of thrills and suspense for a wickedly spooky time.  

Rating: 3.5/5

For more ideas on what to watch, head here.