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TVN – or tvN – is easily one of the most popular South Korean television networks.
I rememeber the way it felt as a newbie into Kdrama-land (approx. 10 years ago) and hearing the parental warning before a tvN drama would make me so giddy because I already knew I was about to be FED.
In this article, I’ll be listing 25 interesting tvN Korean dramas that you should watch and I tell you they’re all amaze-balls when it comes to their OST, casting, and storyline – it does seem like tvN hires only the best writers.
Goblin, CLOY, Hotel Del Luna, & 21 more super fantastic tvN K-dramas you should watch ASAP:
1. Mr. Sunshine
A young boy from a servant family sets out on on a transformative journey to the United States during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo expedition (when the American military force rained down on Ganghwa-Do).
Now a U.S. marine officer, he returns to his homeland and meets an enchanting aristocrat’s daughter, and this kicks off their passionate love story.
But soin enough, he gets drawn into a sinister plot revolving around foreign forces who want to colonise Korea.
You guys, this drama delivers history, romance, and intrigue like no other, and if you needed a better proof that tvN is ready to shell out coins if it promises quality, you’ll love this drama starring the female lead from Revenant.
2. Goblin
Arguably one of the most popular tvN Kdramas of all time, Goblin: The Lonely and Great God follows Kim Shin, a human cursed to never die until he meets his bride.
He was once an indomitable general in Goryeo’s military, but he met a tragic end and is now immortal, cursed to always outlive others.
For 900 years, he has been looking for his mortal bride, because he believes that she is the only one that can remove the literal sword lodged in his chest and free him from his eternal existence.
Enter Ji Eun Tak, a resilient high school student with the ability to see spirits, who has braved her own share of hardships.
Claiming to be the Goblin’s bride, tasked with ending his immortal life, their initially simple quest grows complex as their hearts intertwine in this unexpected love story.
If you want to sob (I know you want to), then pick this up – Gong Yoo was stunning in this tvN Kdrama and the final episodes still make me bawl.
3. Crash Landing On You
After a paragliding mishap, South Korean heiress Yoon Se Ri unexpectedly lands in North Korea, where she crosses paths with the kind-hearted but stern North Korean army officer, Ri Jung Hyuk.
Soon enough, they’re living together, sharing meals, playing family, and you guys, when I say that it was the most wholesome thing ever (until it wasn’t, because she had to eventually go home).
This is another incredibly interesting tvN drama that everybody should watch atleast once – yes, it’s that good.
CLOY took the world by storm and it’s frankly one of the most romantic pieces out there and if you’re in the mood for a forbidde love that feels so good, you’ll enjoy it.
4. Hotel Del Luna
For millennia, Jang Man Wol has ruled over a mysterious hotel for ghosts as its CEO, becaude she was bound by a divine power that saved her from spiraling into rage and self-destruction.
To break free, she must release her resentment and discover love’s healing power, and when she meets Goo Chan Sung, it suddenly becomes painful to leave.
5. Stranger
Hwang Shi Mok, a prosecutor with an unparalleled intellect, has a secret—he has brain surgery when he was a child and that stripped him of emotions.
During an investigation into corruption, he meets a stabbing victim and crosses paths with Lieutenant Han Yeo Jin, and he soon realises that it’s all connected.
Together, they decide to uncover the corruption within the prosecutors’ office and catch a serial killer.
6. Mouse
While a deranged serial killer strikes fear across the nation, crookie police officer Jung Ba Reum is shaken when he crosses paths with the killer, but what he doesn’t know is that he’s about to receive the shock of his life.
This is another deliriously addictive thriller tvN Korean drama that you’ve probably heard of if you haven’t watched it.
Lee Seung Gi is one of those actors who’s born for thriller (hello?? Vagabond???), so just know that he bodied his role in this amazing K-drama.
7. Our Beloved Summer
Years after their high school documentary went viral, two former lovers find themselves reluctantly reunited on screen and in each other’s hearts.
Choi Woong, seemingly carefree and innocent, wants a meaningful connection with someone for the first time in his life.
Meanwhile, Kook Yeon Soo, who was once driven to be the top student, embraces her adult life with fierce determination, while she learns to adapt to the many challenges that come her way.
If you want a bittersweet but heartwarming drama about second chances and a love that appears illusive, you’re going to so enjoy this one.
8. Vincenzo
As a child, Park Joo Hyeong found a new home in Italy through adoption, and now known as Vincenzo Cassano, he thrives as a ruthless consigliere for a Mafia family.
To protect some money hidden under a masisve complex, he travels to South Korea where he crosses paths with Hong Cha Young, a young, fierce lawyer known for her relentless pursuit of victory (even if it means betraying her father and her morals).
And while in Korea, Vincenzo decides to take on a conglomerate trying to tear down the apartment complex while leaving bodies in their wake, and he sets out to give them a taste of their own medicine.
I won’t say more, but this refreshing twist on retribution was literally the icing on the cake (is this the right phrase?), and I enjoyed watching him get in an out of messes with Cha Young.
9. My Mister
Park Dong Hoon, a middle-aged engineer, has more than one thing wrong with his life – His two unemployed brothers rely on him, while his wife is having an affair with his boss and former college junior.
When Dong Hoon receives a bribe, he realizes his co-worker Lee Ji An witnessed the incident, and as they navigate internal company rivalries and personal struggles, Dong Hoon remains oblivious to the plans against him.
This is frankly one of the best slice of life tvN dramas that should absolutely give a chance if you haven’t watched it – trust me when I say you’ll love it!
10. Because This Is My First Life
Nam Se Hee is a content single man in his early 30s, and he has a hefty mortgage even though he owns a home.
Enter Yoon Ji Ho, a single woman in her early 30s, who, despite her financial issues, wants the steady steadyship of homeownership.
Somehow they become unexpected housemates, and since See Hee eas this really stoic man while Ji Ho was rather reserved, it was so wonderful seeing them bumble their ways to love.
This tvN Korean drama with fake dating and an unexpected cohabitation arrangement is one of the first Korean dramas I watched on YouTube and trust me when I say it’s absolutely fab.
11. The Good Wife
In this captivating Kdrama, a husband’s seemingly bright future as a successful prosecutor takes a nosedive when he is arrested in a political scandal, and accused of corruption.
But, his wife, who had set aside her career as an attorney during their marriage, comes back from her 13-year hiatus from lawyering and this sparks a bout of self-growth and more realisations.
12. Oh My Ghost
Bong Sun is a shy and self-conscious young woman struggling to find her place in the world, and when she is ossessed by the spirited ghost of a lustful virgin, her life takes an unexpected turn.
For one, she becomes much more verbal to her bosses and annoting colleagues, and secondly, she becomes moee proactive about fixing her romantic life (or lack thereof) and Sun Woo, her boss at the restaurant, is the object of her desire.
13. Live Up To Your Name
Heo Im is a highly skilled, money-obsessed medical practitioner (accupunturist) given birth to by a concubine during the Joseon era.
Despite his remarkable abilities, his career remains stagnant because of his mixed blood, and when he accidentally time-travels to modern-day Seoul, he meets Yeon Gyung, a contemporary doctor.
Initially, she finds Heo Im very peculiar, so she tries to distance herself from him, but their paths keep crossing over and over again.
14. It’s Okay To Not Be Okay
In this enchanting tvN romantic Kdrama, Moon Gang Tae is a compassionate community health worker at a psychiatric ward.
He lives for his elder brother, Sang Tae, who is autistic and has seasonal flare-ups and this has made them change towns multiple times.
On the other hand, Ko Moon Young, a renowned writer of children’s literature, is self-centered, arrogant, and impolite due to her antisocial personality disorder.
To boot, Her past is shrouded in pain and she’s the sweetest softie inside.
If you’re in the mood for a Kdrama about found family, then I can’t recommend this more and you’re going to love seeing them grow together.
15. The Devil Judge
Set in a dystopian Korea where chaos reigns and society teeters on the edge of collapse, Head Trial Judge Kang (played by Ji Sung), known as the “Devil Judge,” shakes things up with his ruthless courtroom antics on a reality show.
Then there’s Jung Sun Ah, a fiercely ambitious director, and two childhood friends, Judge Kim Ga On and Officer Yoon Soo Hyun, who want justice in this extremely volatile world.
With everyone’s intentions remaining dubious, the thrilling battle of power and ideals unfolds in the most beautiful ways in this legal Kdrama.
16. Little Women
When three sisters become entangled in an unfortunate incident, they soon realise that they have been pitted against the wealthiest family in the nation.
Oh In Joo, the eldest sister, wants to shield her family with wealth, and since she ws born into near destitution, she works hard day and night so that her sisters don’t have to suffer.
Then there’s In Kyung, the second sister who’s a stickler for the rules, and In Hye who wants to make a name for herself to make her sisters proud.
You guys, this is family drama through and through, and if you’re looking for a tvN drama you van watch on Netflix that’s chock-full of drama, you don’t want to miss this one.
17. Mother
When she finds out her young school student was being abused, Soo Jin, a compassionate schoolteacher deeply invested in avian studies, makes a life-altering decision – she kidnaps her student and they hit the road.
So, she steps into the role of a caring substitute mother, determined to shield her from harm and provide the support she desperately needs, and I’m not kidding when I say this drama had me positively bawling my eyes out.
18. Happiness
With her sharp intellect and agility, Yoon Sae Bom, a skilled special agent, manages to secure a spot in a prestigious apartment complex reserved for civil servants.
To meet their requirements, she pretends to marry her high school friend, Jung Yi Hyun, who happens to be a detective investigating a puzzling epidemic that’s gaining root in SK.
But soon, the head of the disease control task force, Han Tae Seok, orders a lockdown of the complex, and they’re trapped inside.
19. Memorist
Dong Baek can read a person’s memory when he touches them, so he’s regarded as a global sensation even though his direct, irreverent approach causes him issues with his colleagues.
On the other hand, Han Sun Mi is a senior superintendent and a brilliant profiler who has cracked cases that even someone with supernatural abilities couldn’t solve.
The both of them then team up to catch the serial killer, and, you guys, this tvN thriller Korean drama legit gave me chills, and I just know you’ll enjoy it!
20. The Crowned Clown
In a tumultuous Joseon plagued by unrest and power struggles, King Lee Hun’s life is in danger.
To protect him, a clever plan is set in motion – they bring in Ha Sun, a talented clown who looks exactly like the king.
Now, as Ha Sun lives as the the king, he stays scared that someone would discover their plot and he even slowly falls in love with the enchanting Queen Yoo So Woon.
For some reason, tvN doesn’t produce many historical dramas, but this tvN saeguk is positively one of my favorite of all time.
21. The King Of Pigs
Kyung Min, who is still haunted by the trauma of school bullying, has to contend with his emotions when a new case dredges up his worst memories.
Meanwhile, Detective Jong Suk receives a cryptic message that reminds him of the school violence they endured, so he sets out to find the truth and stop the mysterious killings.
22. Avengers Social Club
In this tvN Kdrama about revenge, three women, each with unique backgrounds, unite with a shared desire to get their pound of flesh.
There’s the determined fish store owner, the underestimated housewife, and the sheltered heiress – they all band together to find revenge but find a deep friendship and sisterhood with each other.
23. Yumi’s Cells
After a painful breakup, Yoo Mi’s love cells have fallen into a deep slumber, so she simply trudges along to her monotonous routine.
But just when all hope seems lost, Goo Woong, an emotionally challenged game developer, enters the picture and this sets off their captivating journey.
With their cells working overtime, Yoo Mi and Goo Woong inch closer together and it was really the sweetest thing to watch them be so oblivious to their feelings.
24. L.U.C.A.: The Beginning
Based on Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, this bonkers Kdrama delves into the idea of a last universal common ancestor.
Ji Oh, a reserved individual with hidden abilities and a mysterious background, is pursued by enigmatic figures as he searches for his true identity.
Meanwhile, determined detective Gu Reum, who experienced the vanishing of her parents in childhood, relentlessly pursues the truth.
And when their paths intersect, Gu Reum’s life changes – he falls in love, has a child, and learns more about himself.
If you ask me, this underrated tvN Kdrama needs (no, really) to get into the mainstream.
It’s so effortlessly brilliant and the male lead was superb, and I genuinely can’t say I’ve been this satisfied with a sci-fi Kdrama in a long while.
To round up, tvN is quite clearly the GOAT when we’re talking about Kdramas. I know that many of the best dramas this year have come from Disney+, but there’s still a whole lot of super interesting ones.
Do any of these dramas look interesting? Off the top of your head, what’s one of your best tvN Korean drama? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
There are even more amazing Kdramas recommendations, so please check out the recommendations in the related posts below!
Happy watching!
