Squid Game and Beyond: Exploring the Best Non-Romantic Korean Dramas
When it comes to South Korean dramas, romance often takes center stage. However, there’s a whole world of non-romantic K-dramas waiting to be discovered. From psychological thrillers to apocalyptic horrors, these shows offer a fresh perspective on the Korean drama scene.
South Korean dramas have more to offer than just romance
Leading the charge is the 2021 Netflix global hit Squid Game. This show took the world by storm, garnering over 1.65 billion hours of viewership in its first 28 days of release. Its success was further solidified with six Primetime Emmy Awards in 2022, including Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Hwang Dong-hyuk and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Lee Jung-jae.
Another standout is Ahn Gil-ho’s 2022 Korean psychological thriller drama The Glory. With mind games and spectacular performances by Son Hye-kyo and Lim Ji-yeon, this show consistently topped the charts, with over 436.90 million hours watched in its first 28 days of release.
The Glory: A psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat
Not to be forgotten is the Song Kang starrer 2020 show Sweet Home, a Korean drama adaptation of the webtoon of the same name. This apocalyptic horror drama was viewed by over 22 million subscribers worldwide in its first four weeks of release, eventually making history as the first Korean series to top the Netflix Global Top 10 TV (Non-English) list.
Stream-worthy Non-Romantic Korean Dramas to Watch Now
1. The Whirlwind (2024)
2. Celebrity (2023)
3. Bloodhounds (2023)
4. The Good Bad Mother (2023)
5. Duty After School (2023)
6. Doctor Cha (2023)
7. The Glory (2022)
8. All of Us Are Dead season 1 (2022)
9. Squid Game season 1 (2021)
10. Taxi Driver (2021)
Explore the world of non-romantic Korean dramas
These shows offer a glimpse into the diverse world of non-romantic Korean dramas. Whether you’re a fan of psychological thrillers or apocalyptic horrors, there’s something for everyone. So, go ahead and explore this exciting new world of K-dramas beyond romance.
