Korean dramas, more popularly known as Kdramas, have seen a tremendous rise in popularity globally thanks to streaming platforms like Netflix. With their gripping storylines, high production values, and appeal that transcends language and cultural barriers, Kdramas have become a major force in the world of entertainment.
Netflix in particular has been at the forefront of bringing Kdramas to international audiences. The streaming giant has invested heavily in licensing and producing original Korean content. This has allowed Netflix to accumulate an extensive library of Kdramas catering to varied tastes and sensibilities.
An Overview of Kdramas on Netflix
As of November 2022, Netflix has over 100 Korean drama titles in its catalog. These include classic Kdramas like Boys Over Flowers and Descendants of the Sun as well as more recent hits like Crash Landing on You, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, and Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Netflix also produces many original Kdramas such as Kingdom, My Name, and All of Us Are Dead.
The Kdramas on Netflix span multiple genres like romance, comedy, thriller, horror, historical, and more. The lengths also vary – while most have 16-20 episodes, some are limited series with fewer episodes or just a single season. This allows viewers to find shows suited for quick binges or longer investments.
One standout aspect of Kdramas on Netflix is the star power. Top Korean stars like Song Hye-kyo, Hyun Bin, Park Seo-joon, Son Ye-jin and Lee Min-ho all headline popular dramas. Rising actors like Kim Da-mi, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Soo-hyun and more also feature in lead roles. The combination of star power and compelling stories is a big draw for Kdrama lovers.
Rating System for Kdramas on Netflix
For viewers looking for the most acclaimed Kdramas on Netflix, the viewer ratings and reviews are a key factor. Netflix uses a percentage match or thumbs up/down rating system to show how well a title matches a user’s taste based on their viewing history and preferences. For broader consensus, user reviews and ratings on sites like MyDramaList and Reddit threads are more useful.
MyDramaList is the most comprehensive crowd-sourced database for Kdrama ratings. Users can rate a drama from 1 to 10, and these individual ratings are aggregated to give the show an overall score. The number of votes also indicates how many viewers have seen and rated the show. For very popular shows, the number of ratings can run into hundreds of thousands.
On Reddit, the most active Kdrama community exists on r/KDRAMA which has over 700,000 members. The discussion threads on individual dramas feature insightful ratings, analysis and debate in the comments. These reflect the consensus opinion on the quality and appeal of the show within the hardcore Kdrama fandom.
The Highest Rated Kdrama on Netflix – Reply 1988
Based on the MyDramaList and Reddit ratings, the Kdrama with the highest overall rating on Netflix is Reply 1988. This slice-of-life drama had a run on tvN in Korea from November 2015 to January 2016. Netflix later acquired the global streaming rights. The show revolves around five friends and their families living in the same neighborhood in 1988 Seoul.
On MyDramaList, Reply 1988 has a rating of 9.2 based on over 91,000 user votes. On Reddit discussions, the show constantly gets praised as a nostalgic masterpiece. Fans love the compelling character moments and relationships portrayed against the backdrop of a pivotal time in Korea’s history.
Here are some of the key reasons for Reply 1988’s acclaimed status:
Well-written characters
Reply 1988’s biggest strength lies in its realistic and well-defined characters. The five friends and their families are relatable and quirky, with their own dreams, quirks and struggles. Their personalities and relationships are sculpted through everyday moments. The characters feel like people you know personally.
Powerful nostalgia
For Korean viewers, Reply 1988 captures the lifestyle, pop culture, events and sociopolitical landscape of the late 80s. The drama transports older viewers down memory lane while also giving younger ones a glimpse of the past. The use of music, fashion, technology and references specific to the time evokes nostalgia across generations.
Emotional storytelling
Reply 1988’s writing pulls you into the emotional lives of the characters. It makes you laugh, cry and reflect deeply through its depiction of friendships, family bonds, first loves and coming-of-age struggles. The drama takes its time to develop storylines organically without flashy twists or makjang elements.
Relatable themes
Despite its 1980s setting, Reply 1988 taps into many universal themes – growing up, finding your path, nurturing relationships etc. The characters resonate across age groups and cultures. It offers a heartwarming viewing experience amidst the stresses of today’s world.
Outstanding casting
The drama struck casting gold with its talented ensemble cast. Actors Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Go Kyung-pyo, Ryu Jun-yeol and Lee Dong-hwi gave breakthrough performances and perfectly embodied their characters. Their chemistry made the friend group seem real.
Other Highly Rated Kdramas on Netflix
While Reply 1988 takes the top spot, Netflix is home to many more critically acclaimed and fan favorite Kdramas from Korea. Here are 5 other highly rated titles on Netflix with their MyDramaList scores:
It’s Okay to Not be Okay (2020)
Rating: 8.7
This genre-bending romantic drama starring Kim Soo-hyun and Seo Ye-ji won praise for sensitively tackling mental health issues and harmful stereotypes.
Signal (2016)
Rating: 8.8
This crime thriller revolving around detectives communicating via a magical walkie talkie across time is considered one of the best Korean dramas ever made.
Reply 1997 (2012)
Rating: 8.6
The first installment in the Reply series, this retro coming-of-age story about friends growing up in 1997 is hailed as a Kdrama classic.
Hospital Playlist (2020)
Rating: 8.7
This slice-of-life drama about five doctors has won acclaim for balancing humor, emotion and compelling characters with refreshing maturity.
Because This Is My First Life (2017)
Rating: 8.7
This unconventional romance between a weary homeowner and a boarder plays out in unpredictable and insightful ways.
Conclusion
In the ever-expanding world of Korean dramas, Reply 1988 stands tall as the most critically acclaimed title currently available on Netflix. This nostalgic trip down memory lane continues to resonate deeply with audiences. Meanwhile, Netflix also offers many other top-tier Kdramas covering a diverse spectrum of genres, themes and tones.
For Kdrama newbies or veterans, Reply 1988 and the other highest-rated Korean shows on Netflix offer an enriching and unforgettable viewing experience. They exemplify the unique storytelling, high production values, talented acting, and cultural insight that make Kdramas so addictive.
