Thanks to streaming services like Netflix, international content is easier to access than ever before. Whether you’re in the mood for a French film likeAmelieor you’re searching for an original Korean series likeSquid Game, there seems to be an increasing demand for international content. One genre of content that has seen a surge in popularity in Western countries is that of theK-dramaAKA the Korean Drama, a type of melodramatic show that is highly emotional.
From iconic series' likeSky Castleto lesser known gems ofStrong Girl Do Bong-Soon, K-dramas cover a variety of content while managing to keep the audience fully engaged. The formatting of K-dramas is meant to keep you invested while also breaking your heart and making you laugh. Because of the increase in English-speaking viewers, it only makes sense for English shows to be remade to appeal to Korean audiences and fans of K-dramas. Here are thebest K-drama remakesof your favorite English TV shows.
10The World of the Married
The World of the Marriedis one of the highest-ranking K-dramas in Korean history, even surpassing popular hits likeSky Castle. Based onBritish TV seriesDoctor Foster, The World of the Marriedtells the story of a married couple whose mutual betrayal leads to a great deal of revenge and grief. The series was well-received, and while it was criticized for the portrayal of sex and violence, itreceived critical acclaim, with Mo Wan-il winning Best Director at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Related:15 K-Dramas Featuring Office Romances That Will Make You Swoon
9Woori The Virgin
One of the newest releases on the list isWoori the Virgin. Based onJane the Virgin,Woori the Virgintells the story of Woori who winds up getting pregnant by an important CEO after her doctor makes a mistake during a regular checkup. WhileJane the Virginaired for a total of five seasons,Woori the Virginonly has one season. The series was nominated for several awards, but only wound up taking home the SBS Drama Scene Stealer Award for Nam Mi-jung’s performance.
8Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area
Based onMoney Heist,Money Heist: Korearevolves around a group of criminals as they overtake the mint of a unified Korea while keeping hostages. While the heist takes place, the police must stop the thieves from causing harm while tracking down the mastermind who is behind it all. The show received great viewership on Netflix both domestically and internationally. The series has a 79% approval rating with many feeling the remake does the original justice.
7Criminal Minds
Criminal Mindshas been in existence since 2005. With more than 300 episodes over the course of 16 seasons, it was a smart move for South Korea to spawn a remake in 2017. This K-Drama, much like the original English series, revolves around an investigation team that analyzes the psychology of criminals in order to anticipate what the next move will be.Criminal Mindswon the Asia Artist Fabulous Award and earned Lee Joon-gi the 13th Soompi Annual Award for Actor of the Year.
Based on theZac Efron flick17 Again, this K-drama revolves around the Hong family, whose dynamic is falling apart at the seams. When patriarch Hong Dae-Young has the chance to go back in time, he seizes it and winds up in his 18-year-old body while still having his 37-year-old mentality. This allows him to save his family and bond with his children before he loses them forever. The series won both the APAN Star Award and Baeksang Arts Awards for Lee Do-hyun for Best New Actor.
5Entourage
Having the same name as the original TV series, the KoreanEntouragefollows a group of four best friends as they navigate their way through the entertainment industry. One of the older K-dramas on this list,Entouragemanages to be both heartwarming and comedic while examining the friendship between the five friends. The series did not perform well in Korea, with many claiming that it was due to the American vibe of the series.
Related:10 Best Coming-of-Age Korean Dramas
4One Ordinary Day
One Ordinary Daytells the story of University student Hyun Soo who, driving his father’s taxi, mistakenly picks up Hong Guk-hwa. This leads to a spiral of events that wind up in Hyun Soo being put into jail after being falsely accused of murder. This legal drama is based on the British TV seriesCriminal Justice, which won two British Academy Television Awards.One Ordinary Daywas nominated for several awards and won the Asian Television Award for Best Direction by Lee Myung-woo. This is not the first remake ofCriminal Justice, which was originally remade in India.
3Designated Survivor: 60 Days
Designated Survivor: 60 Daysrevolves around Minister of Environment Park Mu-jin as he attempts to lead Korea in the right direction after they suffer a bombing shortly after announcing peace with North Korea. Park Mu-jin is then sworn in as President for 60 days and begins to uncover the truth behind the catastrophic bombing. Based on the American thriller series of the same name, this K-drama was well-received by critics and audiences, earning it the Asian Academy Creative Award for Best Adaptation of an Existing Format.
Based on the hitAmerican legal drama, this Korean drama of the same name is aK-Drama centered around politicsand the law. The series revolves around a corporate attorney who takes a risk in hiring a dropout with a photographic memory and no law degree to help him with his cases.Suitsstars Park Hyung-sik, Jang Dong-gun and Ko Sung-hee, all well-known in Korea for their time on-screen. This K-drama may only have one season, but every episode will keep you on the edge of your seat.
1Life on Mars
Released in 2018, this K-Drama revolves around Han Tae Joo, leader of a crime investigation team who travels back in time to 1988 while investigating a serial murder case. Based on the American drama series of the same name, the KoreanLife on Marsremake was more well-received than its American source material. The series was nominated for several awards and won the Asian Academy Creative Award for Best Adaptation of an Existing Format.
