Warning. This 2018 Korean Drama List is very looooong, so unless you’re confident that you’ve got enough time to go on a synopsis reading or drama shopping spree, use the Find tool to search for a keyword related to the series you’re looking for. Just press [CONTROL] + [F] (Windows) or [COMMAND] + [F] (Mac) and type the keyword, and you’re done. Of course, you can also do a similar trick using your phone or tablet.
We listed a total of 83 Korean dramas below, which are equal to an estimated 1,434 hours or 60 days of content. Wow! If you’re a hard-core fan who can set aside 6 hours a day for watching, you’ll finish ALL those dramas in just eight months. But if you’re a busy bee like me who can commit only up to two hours daily, then expect to reach the finish line after two years. God help you.
And this is not even the FULL list yet, as we did not include the daily dramas, web dramas, and series from “non-major” TV networks (e.g. KBS1, MBC, Channel A). So, if we’re really going to consider everything, the total no. of Korean dramas that aired in 2018 probably stands at around 100.
The 83 Korean dramas listed below are those that are shown in prime time on terrestrial networks KBS2, MBC, and SBS, and cable networks JTBC, OCN, and tvN. We can call them the “major dramas” that really pull an audience and whose popularity travel beyond South Korea.
Essentially, for a prime time series to qualify for the list, at least half of its total episode count must have been broadcast in 2018. Which is why Bad Guys 2 and A Korean Odyssey, both of which premiered in 2017, are on the list.
All dramas are chronologically and alphabetically arranged except for two “extra special” ones. Scroll down to find out what I mean.
Here are some keywords you can use in your searches:
- TV Channels/Distributors: KBS2, MBC, SBS, JTBC, OCN, tvN, Netflix
- Broadcast Period: Mon-Tue, Wed-Thu, Fri-Sat, Sat, Sat-Sun
- Names of Directors, Writers, and Actors
- Genres: Romance, Romantic Comedy/Rom-com, Crime, Thriller, Melodrama, Medical, Science Fiction, Mystery, Comedy,
- Tags: Miniseries (dramas whose total running time ranges from 12 to 24 hours), Short (less than 12 hours), Serial (more than 24 hours), Adaptation, Award-winning, Body Swapping/Impersonation, Child Abuse, Contract Relationship, Ghosts, Highly Rated, Memory Loss, Miniseries, Noona Romance, Pre-produced, Revenge, Robot, Sequel/Spin-off, Serial, Short, Time Travel
And try doing this for fun! Calculate your 2018 drama watching completion rate by dividing the no. of 2018 dramas you completely watched by 83 and multiplying the result by 100. I tried watching 24 of them, but managed to finish only one so far—which translates to a completion rate of roughly 1%! I bet yours is higher.
Happy reading (and watching)!
Page Contents
- 1 Best Korean Drama (April 2017 to March 2018): MOTHER
- 2 Best Korean Drama (April 2018 to March 2019): MY AJUSSHI
- 3 A Korean Odyssey
- 4 Bad Guys: City of Evil
- 5 Cross
- 6 My First Love
- 7 Radio Romance
- 8 Return
- 9 Misty
- 10 Mystery Queen 2
- 11 Short
- 12 Should We Kiss First
- 13 Welcome To Waikiki
- 14 A Poem A Day
- 15 Children of a Lesser God
- 16 Evergreen
- 17 Hold Me Tight
- 18 Live
- 19 Marry Me Now
- 20 My Husband Oh Jak Doo
- 21 Something In The Rain
- 22 Switch: Change the World
- 23 The Good Witch
- 24 The Great Seducer
- 25 Exit
- 26 Mistress
- 27 Suits
- 28 The Miracle We Met
- 29 About Time
- 30 Come and Hug Me
- 31 Goodbye to Goodbye
- 32 Investigation Couple
- 33 Lawless Lawyer
- 34 Miss Hammurabi
- 35 Secret Mother
- 36 Sketch
- 37 The Undateables
- 38 Wok of Love
- 39 You Drive Me Crazy
- 40 Are You Human Too?
- 41 Life On Mars
- 42 What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim
- 43 Let Me Introduce Her
- 44 Let’s Eat 3
- 45 Life
- 46 Mr. Sunshine
- 47 My ID Is Gangnam Beauty
- 48 Risky Romance
- 49 Thirty But Seventeen
- 50 Time
- 51 Your Honor
- 52 Your House Helper
- 53 Familiar Wife
- 54 Hide and Seek
- 55 Lovely Horribly
- 56 Voice 2
- 57 100 Days My Prince
- 58 Heart Surgeons
- 59 My Only One
- 60 Terius Behind Me
- 61 The Ghost Detective
- 62 The Guest
- 63 The Player
- 64 The Third Charm
- 65 Bad Papa
- 66 Matrimonial Chaos
- 67 Ms. Ma, Nemesis
- 68 Room No. 9
- 69 The Beauty Inside
- 70 The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
- 71 Where Stars Land
- 72 Children of Nobody
- 73 Clean With Passion For Now
- 74 Encounter
- 75 Feel Good To Die
- 76 Mama Fairy And The Woodcutter
- 77 Priest
- 78 Quiz From God: Reboot
- 79 SKY Castle
- 80 The Hymn Of Death
- 81 Bad Detective
- 82 Dance Sports Girls
- 83 Memories Of The Alhambra
Best Korean Drama (April 2017 to March 2018): MOTHER

- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: January 24 – March 15, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Kim Cheol-kyu (Confession)
- Writer: Jung Seo-kyung
- Starring: Lee Bo-young & Heo Yool
- Average TV Rating: 3.5%
- Notable Awards/Achievements: Best Drama & Best New Actress for Heo Yool (Baeksang Arts Awards 2018)
- Facts: Mother was selected to compete in Cannes International Series Festival. It is a remake of the award-winning 2010 Japanese TV series of the same title.
- Tags: Adaptation, Award-winning, Child Abuse, Miniseries
Best Korean Drama (April 2018 to March 2019): MY AJUSSHI

- Other Title: My Mister
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN, Netflix
- Broadcast Period: March 21 – May 17, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Kim Won-suk (Asadal Chronicles)
- Writer: Park Hae-young (Oh Hae-young Again)
- Starring: Lee Sun-kyun & IU (Lee Ji-eun)
- Average TV Rating: 5.0%
- Notable Awards/Achievements: Best Drama & Best Screenwriter (Baeksang Arts Awards 2019), Best Drama (Dramabeans’ 2018 Editors’ Picks)
- Fact: My Ajusshi was criticized for setting up a “couple” with an 18-year age gap, which doesn’t really matter because the drama is not a love or romantic story. This fact, according to PD Kim Won-suk, helped him persuade IU to accept the role when she was first reluctant to accept the offer.
- Tags: Award-winning, Miniseries
December 2017 Premieres
A Korean Odyssey
- Also Known As: Hwayugi
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN, Netflix
- Broadcast Period: December 23, 2017 – March 4, 2018, Sat-Sun
- Directors: Park Hong-kyun (Queen Seondeok), Kim Jung-hyun (Legal High), & Kim Byung-soo (Bride Of The Water God)
- Writers: Hong Jung-eun & Hong Mi-ran – the Hong sisters (Hotel Del Luna)
- Starring: Lee Seung-gi, Cha Seung-won, & Oh Yeon-seo
- Average TV Rating: 5.4%
- Facts: A Korean Odyssey is a modern spin-off of the Chinese classic novel Journey to the West. Park Bo-gum was courted to play the lead role but he declined.
- Tags: Adaptation, Ghosts, Contract Relationship, Miniseries
Bad Guys: City of Evil
- Also Known As: Bad Guys: Vile City, Bad Guys 2
- TV Channel/Distributor: OCN, Netflix
- Broadcast Period: December 16, 2017 – February 4, 2018, Sat-Sun
- Director: Han Dong-hwa (38 Task Force)
- Writer: Han Jung-hoon (My Fellow Citizens)
- Starring: Park Joong-hoon, Joo Jin-mo, Yang Ik-joon, Kim Moo-yul, & Jisoo
- Average TV Rating: 3.7%
- Fact: Uhm Tae-goo and Kang Ha-neul were originally cast for the series but they dropped their roles due to health issues and military enlistment, respectively.
- Tags: Sequel/Spin-off, Miniseries
January 2018 Premieres
Cross
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: January 29 – March 20, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Shin Yong-hwi
- Writer: Choi Min-seok
- Starring: Go Kyung-pyo, Cho Jae-hyun, & Jeon So-min
- Average TV Rating: 3.8%
- Fact: In February 2018, Cho Jae-hyun was removed from the drama following allegations about his past sexual conduct.
- Tags: Revenge, Miniseries
My First Love
- Also Known As: Longing Heart
- TV Channel/Distributor: OCN
- Broadcast Period: January 8 – January 30, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Min Yeon-hong (Ms. Ma, Nemesis)
- Writer: Park Ga-yeon
- Starring: Lee Jung-shin, Seo Ji-hoon, & Lee Yeol-eum
- Fact: My First Love is based on a webtoon of the same title.
- Tags: Adaptation, Time Travel, Pre-produced, Short
Radio Romance
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: January 29 – March 20, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Kim Shin-il
- Writer: Jeon Yoo-ri
- Starring: Yoon Doo-joon & Kim So-hyun
- Average TV Rating: 4.1%
- Fact: Yoon Doo-joon and Kim So-hyun first worked together in a 2014 advertisement.
- Tag: Miniseries
Return
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: January 17 – March 22, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Joo Dong-min (The Last Empress)
- Writer: Choi Kyung-mi
- Starring: Park Jin-hee & Lee Jin-wook
- Average TV Rating: 13.7%
- Facts: Go Hyun-jung originally played the heroine, but she left (or was fired from) the drama halfway through the show due to irreconcilable differences with the director. Return is the highest-rated Korean drama (terrestrial) in 2018 in terms of average ratings.
- Tags: Highly Rated, Miniseries
February 2018 Premieres
Misty
- TV Channel/Distributor: JTBC
- Broadcast Period: February 2 – March 24, 2018, Fri-Sat
- Director: Mo Wan-il (Beautiful Mind)
- Writer: Jae-in
- Starring: Kim Nam-joo & Ji Jin-hee
- Average TV Rating: 6.3%
- Notable Awards/Achievements: Best Drama Nomination (Baeksang Arts Awards 2018), Best Actress for Kim Nam-joo (Baeksang Arts Awards 2018 & Asian Television Awards 2019)
- Tags: Award-winning, Highly Rated, Miniseries
Mystery Queen 2
- Also Known As: Queen Of Mystery 2
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: February 28 – April 19, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Choi Yoon-suk(Chief Kim)
- Writer: Lee Sung-min (Mystery Queen)
- Starring: Choi Kang-hee & Kwon Sang-woo
- Average TV Rating: 6.1%
- Tags: Sequel/Spin-off, Miniseries
Short
- TV Channel/Distributor: OCN
- Broadcast Period: February 12 – February 20, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Kim Young-min
- Writer: Kim Jung-ae
- Starring: Kang Tae-oh & Yeo Hoe-hyun
- Tag: Short
Should We Kiss First
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: February 20 – April 24, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Son Jeong-hyun (All About My Romance)
- Writer: Bae Yoo-mi (I Have A Lover)
- Starring: Kam Woo-sung & Kim Sun-ah
- Average TV Rating: 9.5%
- Notable Awards/Achievements: Best Supporting Actress for Ye Ji-won (Baeksang Arts Awards 2018), Grand Prize for Kam Woo-sung and Kim Sun-ah (SBS Drama Awards 2018)
- Tags: Award-winning, Highly Rated, Miniseries
Welcome To Waikiki
- Also Known As: Laughter In Waikiki, Eulachacha Waikiki
- TV Channel/Distributor: JTBC
- Broadcast Period: February 5 – April 17, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Lee Chang-min (Welcome To Waikiki 2)
- Writers: Kim Ki-ho & Song Ji-eun (Welcome To Waikiki 2)
- Starring: Kim Jung-hyun, Lee Yi-kyung, & Son Seung-won
- Average TV Rating: 1.8%
- Fact: Welcome To Waikiki was extended by 4 episodes due to its popularity.
- Tag: Miniseries
March 2018 Premieres
A Poem A Day
- Also Known As: You Who Forgot Poetry
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: March 26 – May 15, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Han Sang-jae (Rude Miss Young Ae)
- Writers: Myung Soo-hyun, Baek Sun-woo, & Choi Bo-rim
- Starring: Lee Joon-hyuk, Jang Dong-yoon, & Lee Yu-bi
- Average TV Rating: 1.0%
- Facts: Gong Myung was first offered Jang Dong-yoon’s character but he declined. A Poem A Day is the lowest-rated Korean drama (cable) in 2018 in terms of average ratings.
- Tag: Miniseries
Children of a Lesser God
- TV Channel/Distributor: OCN
- Broadcast Period: March 3 – April 22, 2018, Sat-Sun
- Director: Kang Shin-hyo (The Heirs)
- Writer: Han Woo-ri
- Starring: Kang Ji-hwan & Kim Ok-bin
- Average TV Rating: 3.1%
- Tag: Miniseries
Evergreen
- Also Known As: That Man Oh Soo
- TV Channel/Distributor: OCN
- Broadcast Period: March 5 – April 24, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Lee Chul-min
- Writer: Jung Yoo-sun
- Starring: Lee Jong-hyun & Kim So-eun
- Tag: Miniseries
Hold Me Tight
- Also Known As: Let’s Hold Hands Tightly And Watch The Sunset
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: March 21 – May 10, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Jung Ji-in (Radiant Office)
- Writer: Jung Ha-yeon (Flames Of Desire)
- Starring: Han Hye-jin & Yoon Sang-hyun
- Average TV Rating: 3.4%
- Tag: Miniseries
Live
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN, Netflix
- Broadcast Period: March 10 – May 6, 2018, Sat-Sun
- Director: Kim Kyu-tae (Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo)
- Writer: Noh Hee-kyung (Dear My Friends)
- Starring: Jung Yu-mi & Lee Kwang-soo
- Average TV Rating: 5.8%
- Fact: Live marks the fifth collaboration of PD Kim and writer Noh, following It’s Okay, That’s Love, That Winter The Wind Blows, Padam Padam, and Worlds Within.
- Tags: Highly Rated, Miniseries
Marry Me Now
- Also Known As: Shall We Live Together
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: March 17 – September 9, 2018, Sat-Sun
- Director: Yoon Chang-beom (First Love Again)
- Writer: Park Pil-joo (House of Bluebird)
- Starring: Han Ji-hye & Lee Sang-woo
- Average TV Rating: 28.8%
- Notable Award/Achievement: Grand Prize for Yoo Dong-geun (KBS Drama Awards 2018)
- Tags: Award-Winning, Serial
My Husband Oh Jak Doo
- Also Known As: My Contracted Husband Mr. Oh
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: March 3 – May 19, 2018, Sat
- Director: Baek Ho-min (You Are Too Much)
- Writer: Yoo Yoon-kyung (Mama)
- Starring: Kim Kang-woo & Uee
- Average TV Rating: 10.4%
- Tags: Contract Relationship, Miniseries
Something In The Rain
- Also Known As: Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food
- TV Channel/Distributor: JTBC
- Broadcast Period: March 30 – May 19, 2018, Fri-Sat
- Director: Ahn Pan-seok (One Spring Night)
- Writer: Kim Eun (One Spring Night)
- Starring: Son Ye-jin & Jung Hae-in
- Average TV Rating: 5.5%
- Notable Award/Achievement: Best Drama (Asian Television Awards 2019)
- Tags: Award-winning, Noona Romance, Miniseries
Switch: Change the World
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: March 28 – May 17, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Nam Tae-jin
- Writer: Baek Woon-cheol (The Suspicious Housekeeper)
- Starring: Jang Keun-suk & Han Ye-ri
- Average TV Rating: 6.2%
- Tags: Body Swapping/Impersonation, Miniseries
The Good Witch
- Also Known As: Nice Witch
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: March 3 – May 5, 2018, Sat
- Director: Oh Se-gang (Temptation of Wife)
- Writer: Yoon Young-mi (Birth of A Beauty)
- Starring: Lee Da-hae, Ryu Soo-young, & Ahn Woo-yeon
- Average TV Rating: 7.7%
- Tags: Body Swapping/Impersonation, Miniseries
The Great Seducer
- Also Known As: Tempted
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: March 12 – May 1, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Kang In
- Writer: Kim Bo-yeon
- Starring: Woo Do-hwan & Joy (Park Soo-young)
- Average TV Rating: 2.2%
- Facts: The Great Seducer is loosely based on the French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. It is the lowest-rated Korean drama (terrestrial) in 2018 in terms of average ratings.
- Tags: Adaptation, Miniseries
April 2018 Premieres
Exit
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: April 30 – May 1, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Jung Dong-yoon
- Writer: Park Yeon-hyuk
- Starring: Choi Tae-joon
- Average TV Rating: 4.8%
- Tag: Short
Mistress
- TV Channel/Distributor: OCN
- Broadcast Period: April 28 – June 3, 2018, Sat-Sun
- Director: Han Ji-seung (Valid Love)
- Writers: Go Jung-woon & Kim Jin-wook
- Starring: Han Ga-in, Shin Hyun-bin, Choi Hee-seo, & Goo Jae-yee
- Average TV Rating: 1.2%
- Fact: Mistress is a Korean remake of a British TV series of the same name.
- Tags: Adaptation, Miniseries
Suits
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: April 25 – June 14, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Kim Jin-woo (Healer)
- Writer: Kim Jung-min
- Starring: Jang Dong-gun and Park Hyung-sik
- Average TV Rating: 8.9%
- Fact: Suits is a Korean remake of a US TV series of the same title.
- Tags: Adaptation, Highly Rated, Miniseries
The Miracle We Met
- Also Known As: Miracle That We Met
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: April 2 – May 29, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Lee Hyung-min (Strong Woman Do Bong Soon)
- Writer: Baek Mi-kyung (Melt Me)
- Starring: Kim Myung-min, Kim Hyun-joo, & Ra Mi-ran
- Average TV Rating: 10.9%
- Notable Award/Achievement: Grand Prize for Kim Myung-min (KBS Drama Awards 2018)
- Tags: Award-winning, Highly Rated, Body Swapping/Impersonation, Miniseries
May 2018 Premieres
About Time
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: May 21 – July 10, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Kim Hyung-sik (Second 20s)
- Writer: Chu Hye-mi
- Starring: Lee Sang-yoon & Lee Sung-kyung
- Average TV Rating: 1.6%
- Fact: Lee Seo-won was supposed to play a supporting role in the drama but he was pulled out of the production prior to airing and was replaced by Kim Dong-jun due to the sexual harassment charges filed against him.
- Tag: Miniseries
Come and Hug Me
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: May 16 – July 19, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Choi Joon-bae (King’s Daughter, Soo Baek Hyang)
- Writer: Lee A-ram
- Starring: Jang Ki-yong & Jin Ki-joo
- Average TV Rating: 4.7%
- Notable Award/Achievement: Best New Actor for Jang Ki-yong (Baeksang Arts Awards 2019)
- Fact: Bae Suzy and Nam Joo-hyuk were first offered the leading roles but they both declined.
- Tags: Award-winning, Miniseries
Goodbye to Goodbye
- Also Known As: Parting Left
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: May 26 – August 4, 2018, Sat
- Director: Kim Min-sik (Flower Of The Queen)
- Writer: So Jae-won
- Starring: Chae Shi-ra, Jo Bo-ah
- Average TV Rating: 7.5%
- Fact: Goodbye to Goodbye is based on a web novel of the same name which was first published in 2017 by Naver.
- Tags: Adaptation, Miniseries
Investigation Couple
- Also Known As: Partners For Justice
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: May 14 – July 17, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: No Do-cheol (Ruler: Master Of The Mask)
- Writers: Min Ji-eun & Won Young-sil
- Starring: Jung Jae-young & Jeong Yu-mi
- Average TV Rating: 6.9%
- Tags: Highly Rated, Miniseries
Lawless Lawyer
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: May 12 – July 1, 2018, Sat-Sun
- Director: Kim Jin-min (The Liar And His Lover)
- Writer: Yoon Hyun-ho (Remember)
- Starring: Lee joon-gi & Seo Ye-ji
- Average TV Rating: 6.1%
- Tags: Highly Rated, Miniseries
Miss Hammurabi
- TV Channel/Distributor: JTBC
- Broadcast Period: May 21 – July 16, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Kwak Jung-hwan (Aide)
- Writer: Moon Yoo-seok
- Starring: Go Ara, L, & Sung Dong-il
- Average TV Rating: 4.4%
- Fact: Miss Hammurabi is based on the Moon Yeo-seok’s own novel of the same name which was first serialized in 2015.
- Tags: Adaptation, Miniseries
Secret Mother
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: May 12 – July 7, 2018, Sat
- Director: Park Yong-soon (Wanted)
- Writer: Hwang Ye-jin
- Starring: Song Yoon-ah & Kim So-yeon
- Average TV Rating: 6.0%
- Tag: Miniseries
Sketch
- TV Channel/Distributor: JTBC
- Broadcast Period: May 25 – July 14, 2018, Fri-Sat
- Director: Im Tae-woo (Yoo-na’s Street)
- Writer: Kang Hyung-sung (Hidden Identity)
- Starring: Rain, Lee Dong-gun, & Lee Sun-bin
- Average TV Rating: 2.8%
- Tag: Miniseries
The Undateables
- Also Known As: Handsome Guy and Jung-Eum
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: May 23 – July 19, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Kim Yoo-jin
- Writer: Lee Jae-yoon (My Unfortunate Boyfriend)
- Starring: Namgoong Min & Hwang Jung-eum
- Average TV Rating: 3.6%
- Tag: Miniseries
Wok of Love
- Also Known As: Greasy Melo
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: May 7 – July 17, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Park Seon-ho
- Writer: Seo Sook-hyang (Jealousy Incarnate)
- Starring: Lee Joon-ho, Jung Ryeo-won, and Jang Hyuk
- Average TV Rating: 6.2%
- Tag: Miniseries
You Drive Me Crazy
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: May 7 – May 8, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Hyun Sol-ip
- Writer: Park Mi-ryeong
- Starring: Lee Yoo-young & Kim Sun-ho
- Average TV Rating: 2.4%
- Tag: Short
June 2018 Premieres
Are You Human Too?
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: June 4 – August 7, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Cha Young-hoon (When The Camellia Blooms)
- Writer: Jo Jung-joo (The Princess’ Man)
- Starring: Seo Kang-joon & Gong Seung-yeon
- Average TV Rating: 5.5%
- Fact: Some scenes of the drama were filmed in Czech Republic.
- Tags: Highly Rated, Pre-produced, Robot, Miniseries
Life On Mars
- TV Channel/Distributor: OCN
- Broadcast Period: June 9 – August 5, 2018, Sat-Sun
- Director: Lee Jung-hyo (Crash Landing Of Love)
- Writer: Lee Dae-il (Aide)
- Starring: Jung Kyung-ho & Park Sung-woong
- Average TV Rating: 4.0%
- Fact: Life On Mars is a Korean remake of a British TV series of the same name.
- Tags: Adaptation, Time Travel, Miniseries
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: June 6 – July 26, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Park Joon-hwa (Touch Your Heart)
- Writer: Jung-Eun-young
- Starring: Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young
- Average TV Rating: 7.5%
- Fact: What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim is based on a novel of the same title which was first published in 2013 and was adapted into a webtoon in 2015.
- Tags: Adaptation, Highly Rated, Miniseries
July 2018 Premieres
Let Me Introduce Her
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: July 14 – September 29, 2018, Sat
- Director: Park Gyung-ryeol (Fabulous Neighbor)
- Writer: Park Un-hee (Make A Wish)
- Starring: Nam Sang-mi, Kim Jae-won, & Jo Hyun-jae
- Average TV Rating: 7.9%
- Tags: Memory Loss, Miniseries
Let’s Eat 3
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: July 16 – August 28, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Choi Gyu-sik (Drinking Solo)
- Writer: Im Soo-mi (Let’s Eat 2)
- Starring: Yoon Doo-joon & Baek Jin-hee
- Average TV Rating: 2.5%
- Tags: Sequel/Spin-off, Miniseries
Life
- TV Channel/Distributor: JTBC, Netflix
- Broadcast Period: July 23 – September 11, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Hong Jong-chan (Her Private Life)
- Writer: Lee Soo-yeon (Secret Forest)
- Starring: Lee Dong-wook, Cho Seung-woo, & Won Jin-ah
- Average TV Rating: 4.7%
- Tag: Miniseries
Mr. Sunshine
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN, Netflix
- Broadcast Period: July 7 – September 30, 2018, Sat-Sun
- Director: Lee Eung-bok (Sweet Home)
- Writer: Kim Eun-sook (The King: The Eternal Monarch)
- Starring: Lee Byung-hun & Kim Tae-ri
- Average TV Rating: 13.0%
- Notable Award/Achievement: Best Drama Nomination & Best Actor for Lee Byung-hun (Baeksang Arts Awards 2019)
- Fact: Mr. Sunshine is the all-time highest-rated Korean drama in cable TV in terms of average nationwide ratings.
- Tags: Award-winning, Highly Rated, Miniseries
My ID Is Gangnam Beauty
- Also Known As: Gangnam Beauty
- TV Channel/Distributor: JTBC
- Broadcast Period: July 27 – September 15, 2018, Fri-Sat
- Director: Choi Sung-bum (Family)
- Writer: Choi Soo-young (Cunning Single Lady)
- Starring: Im Soo-hyang & Cha Eun-woo
- Average TV Rating: 4.3%
- Fact: My ID Is Gangnam Beauty is based on a webtoon of the same name that was published in 2016 by Naver Webtoon.
- Tags: Adaptation, Miniseries
Risky Romance
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: July 23 – September 17, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Lee Chang-han (In Need of Romance)
- Writers: Kim Nam-hee & Heo Seung-min
- Starring: Ji Hyun-woo & Lee Si-young
- Average TV Rating: 2.8%
- Tag: Miniseries
Thirty But Seventeen
- Also Known As: Still 17
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: July 23 – September 18, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Jo Soo-won (Pinocchio)
- Writer: Jo Sung-hee (She Was Pretty)
- Starring: Yang Se-jong & Shin Hye-sun
- Average TV Rating: 9.0%
- Tags: Highly Rated, Miniseries
Time
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: July 25 – September 20, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Jang Joon-ho (Bad Thief Good Thief)
- Writer: Choi Ho-chul (Secret Love)
- Starring: Kim Jung-hyun & Seohyun
- Average TV Rating: 3.5%
- Fact: Kim Jung-hyun dropped out of the drama in the middle of the production for health reasons.
- Tag: Miniseries
Your Honor
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: July 25 – September 20, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Boo Sung-chul (My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho)
- Writer: Chun Sung-Il (The Package)
- Starring: Yoon Shi-yoon & Lee Yoo-young
- Average TV Rating: 7.0%
- Tags: Highly Rated, Body Swapping/Impersonation, Miniseries
Your House Helper
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: July 4 – August 29, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Jeon Woo-sung (Strongest Deliveryman)
- Writer: Kim Ji-seon
- Starring: Ha Suk-jin & Bona
- Average TV Rating: 3.3%
- Fact: Your House Helper is based on a webtoon of the same title which was first published in 2014 by KTOON.
- Tags: Adaptation, Miniseries
August 2018 Premieres
Familiar Wife
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: August 1 – September 20, 2018
- Director: Lee Sang-yeob (Me Alone You)
- Writer: Yang Hee-sung (Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo)
- Starring: Ji Sung & Han Ji-min
- Average TV Rating: 6.8%
- Tags: Highly Rated, Miniseries
Hide and Seek
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: August 25 – November 17, 2018, Sat
- Director: Shin Yong-whee
- Writer: Seol Kyung-eun
- Starring: Lee Yoo-ri, Song Chang-eui, & Uhm Hyun-kyung
- Average TV Rating: 15.4%
- Tag: Miniseries
Lovely Horribly
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: August 13 – October 2, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Kang Min-kyung
- Writer: Park Min-joo
- Starring: Park Si-hoo and Song Ji-hyo
- Average TV Rating: 3.8%
- Tags: Ghosts, Miniseries
Voice 2
- TV Channel/Distributor: OCN
- Broadcast Period: August 11 – September 16, 2018, Sat-Sun
- Director: Lee Seung-young (The Missing)
- Writer: Ma Jin-won (Voice 3)
- Starring: Lee Ha-na & Lee Jin-wook
- Average TV Rating: 4.9%
- Fact: For the second season of Voice, Lee Ha-na reprised her role and Jang Hyuk was replaced by Lee Jin-wook.
- Tags: Sequel/Spin-off, Miniseries
September 2018 Premieres
100 Days My Prince
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: September 10 – October 30, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Lee Jong-jae
- Writer: No Ji-sul (My Lovely Girl)
- Starring: D.O. (Do Kyung-soo) & Nam Ji-yun
- Average TV Rating: 9.0%
- Fact: D.O. won the Most Popular Artist prize in the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards for his performance in this drama.
- Tags: Highly Rated, Memory Loss, Miniseries
Heart Surgeons
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: September 27 – November 15, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Jo Young-kwang (Defendant)
- Writer: Choi Soo-jin (Defendant)
- Starring: Go Soo, Uhm Ki-joon, & Seo Ji-hye
- Average TV Rating: 7.1%
- Tags: Highly Rated, Miniseries
My Only One
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: September 15, 2018 – March 17, 2019, Sat-Sun
- Director: Hong Seok-Ku (Lingerie Girls’ Generation)
- Writer: Kim Sa-Kyung (Blow Breeze)
- Starring: Choi Soo-jung & Uee
- Average TV Rating: 32.3%
- Notable Award/Achievement: Best Writer (KBS Drama Awards 2018)
- Tags: Award-winning, Serial
Terius Behind Me
- Also Known As: My Secret Terius
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: September 27 – November 15, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Park Sang-hun (Romance Full Of Life)
- Writer: Oh Ji-young (Shopping King Louis)
- Starring: So Ji-sub & Jung In-sun
- Average TV Rating: 8.5%
- Notable Award/Achievement: Grand Prize for So Ji-sub, Drama of the Year, & Writer of the Year (MBC Drama Awards 2018)
- Fact: Terius Behind Me is the highest-rated MBC drama in 2018 in terms of average ratings.
- Tags: Award-winning, Highly Rated, Miniseries
The Ghost Detective
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: September 5 – October 31, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Lee Jae-hoon (Chief Kim)
- Writer: Han Ji-wan (Wanted)
- Starring: Choi Daniel & Park Eun-bin
- Average TV Rating: 2.7%
- Tags: Ghosts, Miniseries
The Guest
- Also Known As: Hand: The Guest
- TV Channel/Distributor: OCN
- Broadcast Period: September 12 – November 1, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Kim Hong-sun (Black)
- Writers: Kwon So-ra & Seo Jae-won (Entourage)
- Starring: Kim Dong-wook, Kim Jae-wook, & Jung Eun-chae
- Average TV Rating: 3.0%
- Fact: The Guest is the first ever Wednesday-Thursday drama of OCN.
- Tags: Ghosts, Miniseries
The Player
- TV Channel/Distributor: OCN
- Broadcast Period: September 29 – November 11, 2018, Sat-Sun
- Director: Go Jae-hyun (Syndrome)
- Writer: Shin Jae-hyung
- Starring: Song Song-heun, Krystal Jung, Lee Si-eon, & Tae Won-suk
- Average TV Rating: 4.5%
- Tag: Miniseries
The Third Charm
- TV Channel/Distributor: JTBC
- Broadcast Period: September 28 – November 17, 2018, Fri-Sat
- Director: Pyo Min-soo (The Producers)
- Writers: Park Eun-young & Park Hee-kwon (Romance Full of Life)
- Starring: Seo Kang-joon & Esom
- Average TV Rating: 2.6%
- Tag: Miniseries
October 2018 Premieres
Bad Papa
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: October 1 – November 27, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Jin Chang-gyu
- Writer: Kim Sung-min
- Starring: Jang Hyuk & Son Yeo-eun
- Average TV Rating: 2.7%
- Tag: Miniseries
Matrimonial Chaos
- Also Known As: The Best Divorce
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: October 8 – November 27, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Yoo Hyun-ki (Unkind Ladies)
- Writer: Moon Jung-min
- Starring: Cha Tae-hyun & Bae Doo-na
- Average TV Rating: 3.4%
- Fact: Matrimonial Chaos is a remake of the 2013 Japanese TV series of the same title.
- Tags: Adaptation, Miniseries
Ms. Ma, Nemesis
- Also Known As: Miss Ma, Goddess of Revenge
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: October 6 – November 24, 2018, Sat
- Directors: Min Yeon-hong (My First Love) & Lee Jung-hoon
- Writer: Park Jin-woo (Doctor Stranger)
- Starring: Kim Yun-jin, Jung Woong-in, Go Sung-hee, & Choi Kwang-je
- Average TV Rating: 5.9%
- Fact: Ms. Ma, Nemesis is based on the novel Miss Marple by Agatha Christie.
- Tags: Adaptation, Miniseries
Room No. 9
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: October 6 – November 25, 2018, Sat-Sun
- Director: Ji Young-soo (High-End Crush)
- Writer: Jung Sung-hee (The Merchant: Gaekju 2015)
- Starring: Kim Hee-sun, Kim Hae-sook, & Kim Young-kwang
- Average TV Rating: 4.5%
- Tags: Body Swapping/Impersonation, Miniseries
The Beauty Inside
- TV Channel/Distributor: JTBC
- Broadcast Period: October 1 – November 20, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Song Hyun-wook (Oh Hae-young Again)
- Writer: Im Mea-ri
- Starring: Seo Hyun-jin & Lee Min-ki
- Average TV Rating: 4.2%
- Fact: The Beauty Inside is a drama adaptation of a 2015 Korean film with the same title.
- Tags: Adaptation, Body Swapping/Impersonation, Miniseries
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
- Also Known As: Hundred Million Stars From The Sky
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: October 3 – November 22, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Yoo Je-won (Abyss)
- Writer: Song Hye-jin (Sent From Heaven)
- Starring: Seo In-guk, Jung So-min, & Park Sung-woong
- Average TV Rating: 2.9%
- Fact: The Smile Has Left Your Eyes is a remake of the 2002 Japanese television series of the same title (Hundred Million Stars From The Sky).
- Tags: Adaptation, Memory Loss, Miniseries
Where Stars Land
- Also Known As: Fox Bride Star
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS
- Broadcast Period: October 1 – November 26, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Shin Woo-cheol (Secret Garden)
- Writer: Kang Eun-kyung (Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim)
- Starring: Lee Je-hoon & Chae Soo-bin
- Average TV Rating: 8.0%
- Notable Award/Achievement: Drama Of The Year (SBS Drama Awards 2018)
- Fact: Hyun Bin, Park Bo-gum, Park Shin-hye, and Bae Suzy were courted to play the lead roles but they all declined.
- Tags: Award-winning, Highly Rated, Miniseries
November 2018 Premieres
Children of Nobody
- Also Known As: Red Moon Blue Sun
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: November 21, 2018 – January 16, 2019, Wed-Thu
- Director: Choi Jung-kyu (Triangle)
- Writer: Do Hyun-jung (The Village: Achiara’s Secret)
- Starring: Kim Sun-ah & Lee Yi-kyung
- Average TV Rating: 4.8%
- Notable Award/Achievement: Best Drama Nomination (Baeksang Arts Awards 2018)
- Tags: Award-winning, Miniseries
Clean With Passion For Now
- TV Channel/Distributor: JTBC
- Broadcast Period: November 26, 2018 – February 4, 2019, Mon-Tue
- Director: No Jong-chan (Personal Taste)
- Writer: Han Hee-jung
- Starring: Kim Yoo-jung and Yoon Kyun-sang
- Average TV Rating: 2.8%
- Fact: Clean With Passion For Now is based on a popular webtoon of the same title which was first published by KakaoPage in 2013.
- Tag: Adaptation, Miniseries
Encounter
- Also Known As: Boyfriend
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: November 28, 2018 – January 24, 2019, Wed-Thu
- Director: Park Shin-woo (Jealousy Incarnate)
- Writer: Yoo Young-ah (Entertainer)
- Starring: Song Hye-kyo & Park Bo-gum
- Average TV Rating: 8.5%
- Fact: Encounter is the first drama of Song Hye-kyo and Park Bo-gum following their massive hit series Descendants of the Sun and Moonlight Drawn By Clouds, respectively, in 2016.
- Tags: Highly Rated, Noona Romance, Miniseries
Feel Good To Die
- Also Known As: Happy If You Died
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: November 7 – December 27, 2018, Wed-Thu
- Director: Lee Eun-jin (Cheer Up!)
- Writer: Im Seo-ra
- Starring: Kang Ji-hwan, Baek Jin-hee, & Gong Myung
- Average TV Rating: 2.7%
- Fact: Feel Good To Die is based on a webtoon of the same name that was published on Daum in 2015.
- Tags: Adaptation, Time Travel, Miniseries
Mama Fairy And The Woodcutter
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN
- Broadcast Period: November 5 – December 25, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Kim Yun-cheol (Woman Of Dignity)
- Writer: Yoo Kyung-sun
- Starring: Moon Chae-won, Yoon Hyun-min, & Seo Ji-hoon
- Average TV Rating: 3.8%
- Fact: Mama Fairy And The Woodcutter is based on a popular webtoon of the same title that was first published on Naver in 2017.
- Tag: Adaptation, Miniseries
Priest
- TV Channel/Distributor: OCN
- Broadcast Period: November 24, 2018 – January 20, 2019, Sat-Sun
- Director: Kim Jong-hyeon
- Writer: Moon Man-sae
- Starring: Yeon Woo-jin, Jeong Yu-mi, & Park Yong-woo
- Average TV Rating: 1.9%
- Fact: Lee Je-hoon was first courted to headline the series but he declined.
- Tags: Ghosts, Miniseries
Quiz From God: Reboot
- TV Channel/Distributor: OCN
- Broadcast Period: November 14, 2018 – January 10, 2019, Wed-Thu
- Director: Kim Jong-Hyuk (Secret Of The Birth)
- Writer: Kang Eun-Sun (Vampire Prosecutor 2)
- Starring: Ryu Deok-hwan & Yoon Joo-hee
- Average TV Rating: 2.3%
- Fact: Quiz From God: Reboot is the 5th installment of the Quiz From God series.
- Tags: Sequel/Spin-off, Miniseries
SKY Castle
- TV Channel/Distributor: JTBC
- Broadcast Period: November 23, 2018 – February 1, 2019, Fri-Sat
- Director: Jo Hyun-tak (Secret Healer)
- Writer: Yoon Hyun-mi (Bridal Mask)
- Starring: Yum Jung-ah, Lee Tae-ran, Yoon Se-ah, Oh Na-ra, & Kim Seo-hyung
- Average TV Rating: 12.5%
- Notable Award/Achievement: Best Drama Nomination, Best Director, Best Actress for Yum Jung-ah, Best Supporting Actor for Kim Byung-chul, & Best New Actress for Kim Hye-yoon (Baeksang Arts Awards 2019)
- Fact: SKY Castle is the highest-rated Korean cable drama of all time in terms of peak ratings.
- Tags: Award-winning, Highly Rated, Miniseries
The Hymn Of Death
- TV Channel/Distributor: SBS, Netflix
- Broadcast Period: November 27 – December 4, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Park Soo-jin (While You Were Sleeping)
- Writer: Jo Soo-jin
- Starring: Lee Jong-suk & Shin Hye-sun
- Average TV Rating: 6.1%
- Tag: Short
December 2018 Premieres
Bad Detective
- Also Known As: Less Than Evil
- TV Channel/Distributor: MBC
- Broadcast Period: December 3, 2018 – January 29, 2019, Mon-Tue
- Director: Kim Dae-jin (Hotel King)
- Writers: Heo Joon-woo & Kang Yi-hun
- Starring: Shin Hya-kyun, Lee Seol, Park Ho-san, & Kim Gun-woo
- Average TV Rating: 7.0%
- Fact: Bad Detective is based on the 2010 British TV series titled Luther.
- Tags: Adaptation, Miniseries
Dance Sports Girls
- Also Known As: Just Dance
- TV Channel/Distributor: KBS2
- Broadcast Period: December 3 – December 25, 2018, Mon-Tue
- Director: Park Hyun-suk (Uncontrollably Fond)
- Writer: Kwon Hye-ji
- Starring: Park Se-wan & Jang Dong-yoon
- Average TV Rating: 2.3%
- Fact: Dance Sports Girls is based on a documentary of the same name which aired on KBS1 in 2017 and was recognized as “Best Educational Show” during the 54th Baeksang Arts Awards.
- Tag: Adaptation
Memories Of The Alhambra
- TV Channel/Distributor: tvN, Netflix
- Broadcast Period: December 1, 2018 – January 20, 2019, Sat-Sun
- Director: Ahn Gil-ho (Secret Forest)
- Writer: Song Jae-jung (W-Two Worlds)
- Starring: Hyun Bin & Park Shin-hye
- Average TV Rating: 8.4%
- Notable Award/Achievement: Technical Awards for Special Effects (Baeksang)
- Fact: Writer Song admitted to drawing inspirations from the mobile game Pokemon Go and Tesla CEO Elon Musk for this drama.
- Tags: Award-winning, Highly Rated, Miniseries
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First of all thank you for this list! Surely I will watch some of it. But can you or someone help me out find this Comedy Fantasy series I’m looking for? I watched it last year I guess.
Comedy Fantasy ||
Episode 1: I remember it was a guy, in a suit, looks like a father already, he woke up in the evening, like in a wide plain lawn & it was raining. Then he stood up, he saw his friend. They were teasing each other, then there was a tree beside them. Then they found out that they’re dead already something like that. I can really say it’s a comedy series. Because I was laughing with their convo.
And I think I watched it on Viu
Please help. I really wanna continue on watching it now!
Thanks so much!! 😭💞