Popular Korean Shows On Netflix Beyond The Obvious Choices
Popular Korean Shows on Netflix: The Complete 2026 Guide
The most popular Korean shows on Netflix right now are Squid Game, Queen of Tears, The WONDERfools, All of Us Are Dead, and Crash Landing on You. Squid Game remains the most-watched Korean series in Netflix history with over 2.2 billion hours viewed, while Queen of Tears became the most-watched Korean television series of all time on Netflix with 689.5 million hours viewed as of September 2024.
Top 10 Most Popular Korean Shows on Netflix Right Now
Netflix's Korean content explosion has transformed global streaming, with over 60% of Netflix users having watched at least one Korean title on the platform. K-content viewership has increased sixfold since 2019, and South Korean shows now account for 85 titles (17% of the top 500) most popular non-US shows on Netflix globally.
| Rank | Show Title | Genre | IMDb Rating | Hours Viewed | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Squid Game | Action Thriller, Dystopian Horror | 8.0/10 | 2.2 billion+ | 2021 |
| 2 | Queen of Tears | Romantic Comedy, Drama | N/A | 689.5 million | 2024 |
| 3 | All of Us Are Dead | Horror, Action, Thriller | 7.5/10 | 679 million | 2022 |
| 4 | Crash Landing on You | Romantic Comedy | 8.7/10 | 120 million+ | 2019 |
| 5 | The Glory | Drama, Psychological Thriller | 8.1/10 | 620 million | 2022 |
| 6 | Kingdom | Historical Drama, Horror | 8.3/10 | N/A | 2019 |
| 7 | It's Okay to Not Be Okay | Romantic Comedy, Drama | 8.6/10 | N/A | 2020 |
| 8 | Sweet Home | Horror, Action, Fantasy | 7.3/10 | 22 million users | 2020 |
| 9 | Vincenzo (Binsenjo) | Crime Drama, Action | 8.4/10 | N/A | 2021 |
| 10 | Extraordinary Attorney Woo | Legal Drama, Romance | 8.6/10 | N/A | 2022 |
Hidden Gems in Your Recommended Feed
Many popular Korean shows are hiding in your Netflix recommended feed that you may have missed. The WONDERfools, Netflix's highly anticipated superhero K-drama premiering May 15, 2026, stars Park Eun-bin and Cha Eun-woo in a comedic action-packed series about ordinary citizens gaining superpowers in 1999 during Y2K fears. Physical: 100 became the first reality show to top Netflix's non-English language TV charts, featuring 100 elite athletes competing in intense physical challenges.
- Squid Game - 545k IMDb ratings; most-watched series in Netflix history
- Queen of Tears - 29 million views; starred Kim Soo-hyun earning $220,000 per episode
- All of Us Are Dead - 67k IMDb ratings; season 2 expected December 2026
- Crash Landing on You - Top 10 in Japan for 69 consecutive weeks
- The Glory - Won Best Drama at Baek Sang Art 2023 Awards
Why Korean Content Dominates Netflix Globally
Netflix announced plans to allocate $2.5 billion towards Korean content over four years, double previous investments, following discussions between South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos in 2023. Sarandos stated that South Korean narratives are "now at the core of the global cultural zeitgeist," with data showing over 60% of Netflix's 233 million global subscribers consume Korean content.
From 2021-2023, Netflix released increasingly more original Korean productions, reaching a peak of 34 titles in 2023, with over 20 dramas, movies, and unscripted series announced for 2024. The Hallyu wave continues to captivate global audiences, and Korean series don't show signs of slowing down.
Upcoming Korean Netflix Series to Watch
- All of Us Are Dead (Season 2) - Horror/Action/Thriller; expected December 2026
- Sweet Home (Season 3) - Horror/Action/Fantasy; final installment released July 19, 2024
- Squid Game (Season 2) - Released December 26, 2024
- Hellbound (Season 2) - Thriller/Drama/Fantasy
- The 8 Show (Season 1) - Thriller/Mystery/Dark Comedy
- Hierarchy (Season 1) - Drama/Romance/Mystery
Whether you're an experienced K-drama fan or just discovering popular series like Squid Game, these top-rated Korean shows deliver compelling storytelling that has transformed global streaming culture. Netflix's increasing investment in original Korean productions ensures the future looks promising for fans awaiting new releases and sequels.
Expert answers to Popular Korean Shows On Netflix Beyond The Obvious Choices queries
What is the most-watched Korean show on Netflix?
Squid Game is the most-watched Korean show on Netflix with over 2.2 billion hours viewed as of 2024, more than any other English or non-English title in Netflix's history. It has 545k user ratings on IMDb and won 43 awards including Best Foreign Language Series at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards.
What Korean drama has the highest viewership in 2024?
Queen of Tears ranks as the most-watched Korean series on Netflix in the first half of 2024 with 689.5 million hours viewed and 29 million views, placing it as the 14th most-watched show on Netflix overall.
Are there new Korean shows coming to Netflix in 2026?
Yes, The WONDERfools premiered globally on May 15, 2026, as Netflix's most anticipated superhero K-drama of 2026, starring Park Eun-bin and Cha Eun-woo. All of Us Are Dead season 2 is expected in December 2026 or early 2027 after filming delays.
Which Korean show won the most awards?
Squid Game won 43 awards and 85 nominations including Best Foreign Language Series at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards and The Bingeworthy Show of 2021 at the USA People's Choice Awards. The Glory also won Best Drama at the Baek Sang Art 2023 Awards and received a 2024 nomination for Best Foreign Language Series at the Critics Choice Awards.
What is the best Korean horror series on Netflix?
All of Us Are Dead is the second-most-watched Korean Netflix series with 679 million watch hours and 67k IMDb ratings, following high school students surviving a zombie outbreak. Sweet Home was the first major K-series on Netflix and the first Korean show to reach Netflix top 10 in the US, with 22 million Netflix users streaming it.
