Best Rated Korean Drama According To Critics Worldwide
Best Rated Korean Drama According to Critics Worldwide
The best rated Korean drama according to critics worldwide is My Mister, which holds a 9.0/10 MyDramaList score and won Best Drama at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards. For global critics on Rotten Tomatoes, Moving and D.P. Season 2 both hold perfect 100% Tomatometer scores, while Reply 1988 remains the highest-rated cable drama in Korean television history with an 18.8% nationwide audience share.
Top 10 Highest-Rated K-Dramas by Critic Scores
| Rank | Drama Title | Year | MyDramaList Score | Rotten Tomatoes | Key Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | When Life Gives You Tangerines | 2025 | 9.4 | N/A | Upcoming Release |
| 2 | Twinkling Watermelon | 2023 | 9.2 | N/A | Fan Favorite |
| 3 | My Mister | 2018 | 9.0 | N/A | 55th Baeksang Best Drama |
| 4 | Reply 1988 | 2015 | 9.0 | N/A | Highest Cable Ratings 18.8% |
| 5 | Move to Heaven | 2021 | 9.1 | N/A | Netflix Original |
| 6 | Weak Hero Class 1 | 2022 | 9.1 | N/A | Critical Acclaim |
| 7 | Moving | 2023 | 9.0 | 100% | Disney+ Hit |
| 8 | Crash Landing on You | 2019 | 9.0 | 96% | Global Breakthrough |
| 9 | The Glory | 2023 | 9.0 | 82% | 123.5M Hours Viewed |
| 10 | Hospital Playlist | 2020 | 9.0 | N/A | Critics Love Friendship Story |
Critic-Acclaimed Dramas by Genre
不同类型的韩剧在国际评论界获得了不同的认可。以下是按类型分类的评论家首选：
- Drama / Slice of Life: My Mister - celebrated for its introspective storytelling and healing themes
- Romance: Crash Landing on You - 96% fresh audience score on Rotten Tomatoes
- Superhero / Action: Moving - 100% Tomatometer, Disney+ flagship series
- Military Critique: D.P. Season 2 - 100% Tomatometer, exposes army reality
- Revenge Thriller: The Glory - 123.5 million hours viewed globally
- Nostalgia / Family: Reply 1988 - sparked the global K-drama boom
Why My Mister Is Considered the Best by Critics
My Mister stands as the critically acclaimed masterpiece among Korean dramas. The series aired on tvN from March 21 to May 17, 2018, spanning 16 episodes. It won Best Drama at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards and the Grand Prize for Best Drama at the 6th APAN Star Awards.
The drama's final episode recorded 7.352% nationwide audience share, making it one of the highest-rated episodes in Korean cable television history. It maintained a solid 5% average viewership for cable TV and topped the Contents Power Index (CPI) rankings six times during its nine-week run.
"My Mister offers an introspective look at the lives of two seemingly disparate individuals navigating personal struggles... Celebrated for its writing and character development, it resonates deeply with viewers, prompting reflections on life, family, and society."
Reply 1988: The Show That Sparked the K-Drama Boom
Reply 1988 premiered on November 6, 2015, on tvN and concluded January 16, 2016, with 20 episodes. Its finale recorded 18.8% nationwide audience share, making it the highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history at the time.
South Korean cultural commentator Kim Hern-sik notes that its portrayal of Seoul's "alley culture"-close-knit communities in narrow lanes-and multi-generational characters made it a series families wanted to enjoy together. Director Shin Won-ho emphasizes that "the most significant aspect of my dramas is the individuals who share time and space".
How Critic Ratings Are Measured
- MyDramaList Scores: Fan and critic ratings combined (10-point scale), with top dramas scoring 9.0+
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: Percentage of positive critic reviews (Certified Fresh at 75%+)
- Nielsen Korea Ratings: Nationwide audience share percentage for domestic popularity
- Baeksang Arts Awards: Korea's most prestigious entertainment awards, judged by industry experts
- APAN Star Awards: Major Korean drama awards recognizing excellence in acting and production
Understanding these rating metrics helps viewers identify truly exceptional Korean dramas that excel both domestically and internationally. The convergence of high MyDramaList scores, perfect Rotten Tomatoes ratings, and prestigious award wins signals a drama's elite critical status.
Expert answers to Best Rated Korean Drama According To Critics Worldwide queries
What is the highest-rated Korean drama of all time?
Reply 1988 holds the record for highest-rated cable drama in Korean television history with an 18.8% nationwide audience share for its finale. My Mister is considered the best by critics internationally, winning Best Drama at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Which Korean drama has a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score?
Moving and D.P. Season 2 both hold perfect 100% Tomatometer scores on Rotten Tomatoes. Extraordinary Attorney Woo also holds 100% critic score.
What is the best Korean drama for beginners?
Crash Landing on You is ideal for beginners with its 96% fresh audience score and global breakthrough appeal. It combines romance, comedy, and drama with accessible storytelling.
Which K-drama won the most awards?
My Mister won Best Drama at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards and the Grand Prize at the 6th APAN Star Awards. Reply 1988 received widespread critical acclaim and multiple awards.
What Korean drama has the most viewers globally?
The Glory pulled in 123.5 million hours viewed worldwide during the week ending March 19, 2023, making it the #7 non-English Netflix title of all time. Squid Game remains Netflix's most-watched original show overall.
