The 40 most popular 2000s korean TV shows, ranked. Click any show for ratings, reviews, trailers, and where to watch.


You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook
2009 · KR
You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook is a Korean pop music program that is both a talk show and live music show. The host of this program is You Hee-yeol, also known as Toy, a one-man project band. This program has aired since April 24, 2009.


Infinite Challenge
2005 · KR
Infinite Challenge has been reported as the first "Real-Variety" show in Korean television history. The program is largely unscripted, and follows a similar format of challenge-based Reality Television programs, familiar to the audiences in the West, but the challenges are often silly, absurd, or impossible to achieve, so the program takes on the aspect of a satirical comedy variety show, rather than a more standard reality or contest program. In order to achieve its comedic purposes its 6 hosts and staff continuously proclaim, the elements of this show are the 3-Ds, Dirty, Dangerous, and Difficult.


Radio Star
2007 · KR
“Radio Star” is a South Korean music talk show where the guests and hosts talk openly and intimately about their lives, their pasts and their work. It is part of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation's "Golden Fishery" programming block.


TV Animal Farm
2001 · KR
No overview available


Nonstop
2000 · KR
Nonstop is a South Korean slice-of-life sitcom that broadcast its first season in 2000 on MBC. It continued with 5 more seasons. The series was popular for its cast of teen idols, many who debuted through the show..


2 Days and 1 Night
2007 · KR
2 Days & 1 Night is a South Korean reality-variety show with the motto "real wild road variety." Its main concept is to recommend various places of interest that viewers can visit in South Korea.


Show! Music Core
2005 · KR
Show! Music Core is a music show that has been aired since 2005. Not like any other music shows, this show doesn't include any charts or awards. There are a few segments such as This Week's Hot 3, Chart Up Core and Core of Rising Stars.


We Got Married
2008 · KR
We Got Married is a South Korean reality variety show, one segment of the Sunday Sunday Night program. First broadcast in 2008, the show pairs up Korean celebrities to show what life would be like if they were married. Each week, couples are assigned missions to complete, with candid interviews of the participants to reveal their thoughts and feelings.


X-Man
2003 · KR
Celebrity guests are split into two teams to compete in various contests. One guest, known only to himself, is designated the "X-Man", and does his best to cause his team to lose the contests. At the end, all guests try to determine the X-Man's identity.


M Countdown
2004 · KR
M Countdown, the World No.1 K-POP Chart Show, is broadcast in 13 countries worldwide, including Mnet USA and Japan. Featuring a dazzling lineup of K-Pop stars delivering charismatic performances, spectacular stages, and even online voting for active fan engagement! M Countdown announces the top 10 songs of the week as "MCD's Top 10" by combining weekly album and song sales, online music fan votes, and votes from a panel of music experts. Viewers can directly vote for the winner during the live broadcast, providing a glimpse of the latest K-Pop trends. Since its debut in 2004, M COUNTDOWN has aired over 800 episodes as of 2023. Experience the WORLD NO.1 K-POP Premium Chart Show leading the global K-Pop craze and music trends.


High Kick
2006 · KR
High Kick! was a popular South Korean situation comedy revolving around the life of the Lee family, taking place in Seoul at the same time as the broadcast. The title of the show "High Kick!" has several implications, one of which is the oft-depicted high kicks of Yoon-ho, one of the main characters. The show aired in South Korea from Monday to Friday in sitcom format. Due to its popularity, the show filmed more episodes than were initially planned. Many of the characters starred in commercials and advertisements in Korea. The show's popularity also led to High Kick Through the Roof, which aired in 2009-2010, and High Kick 3: The Counterattack of the Short Leg, which aired in 2011-2012.


Story of a Mermaid
2002 · KR
An estranged daughter vows to take revenge on her father, who abandoned her and her mother.


Real Romance Love Letter
2003 · KR
Male and female contestants compete for "each other" in romance games. For example guests have to dance in order to impress the person they are after. Contestants are artists, actors, models, comedians, and MCs of the South Korean entertainment industry.


Old Miss Diary
2004 · KR
Three single women in their thirties try to figure out their life, career, and romantic relationships.


High Kick Through The Roof
2009 · KR
Two sisters, twenty-two and nine in age, lived all their lives with their father, deep in the country where even electricity is an unaffordable luxury. One day, after a bizarre turn of events, they end up in Seoul. The two sisters encounter a severe case of cultural shock as soon as they hit the city. Building forests, computers, department stores, subways, cell phone To 9-year old Shin-ae, who had never seen these before, Seoul is like a fantasy that can sometimes be difficult to fathom. Meanwhile, a peculiar family lives at a corner of a residential area in Seongbuk-dong. Sun-jae is the president of a small food company. At 72, Sun-jae falls head over heels in love just as his life is slowly winding down. His granddaughter Hae-ri shrieks every morning in the bathroom over her constipation. All the other members of this family have some sort of defect. The most invisible son-in-law in Seongbuk-dong, the EQ-deficient doctor, the perverted female teacher Come to think of it, every man living in this day and age harbors some kind of unique defect. This is why they shout confidently, "Only those of you who are perfect may throw stones at us!" is a sitcom portraying the uplifting comedic story of two sisters who begin to work at Sun-jae's house as maids and their episodes with members of this family. At the same time, it is a drama of these two girls blossoming into young women as they fall in love.


Pororo the Little Penguin
2003 · KR
Fun adventures await in the forest named Porong Porong Village where Pororo and friends live. New friends show up in the village and many exciting things happen in the forest. Our playful little gentoo penguin Pororo, naughty spinosaurus Crong, sweet and lovely American beaver Loopy, cheerful and sporty Adélie penguin girl Petty, clever fennec fox Eddy, strong minikaniko Rody, trustworthy polar bear Poby, happy-go-lucky hummingbird Harry, magical dragon wizard Tong-Tong, and a red sedan car Tu-Tu live in this snow-covered wonderland.


Jumong
2006 · KR
Jumong examines the life of Jumong Taewang, founder of the kingdom of Goguryeo. Few details have been found in the historical record about Jumong, so much of the series is fictionalized.


Family Outing
2008 · KR
Family Outing Season 1 was a South Korean variety show; a part of SBS's Good Sunday lineup, along with Gold Miss is Coming. It was first aired on June 15, 2008, and was one of the top rated programs on Sunday Korean television. In each episode, the "Family" travels to different parts of South Korea and takes care of the house of an elderly family while that family goes on a vacation. The "Family" then accomplishes the tasks left for them by the house's owners. The first season ended on February 14, 2010, and a second season featuring a brand new cast, production team, and concept, aired until July 11, 2010.


Jewel in the Palace
2003 · KR
Orphaned Jang-geum becomes the first female physician in the Joseon Dynasty and her determination is tested when people around her start showing their true faces.


Likeable or Not
2007 · KR
Likeable or Not is a South Korean television series starring Han Ji-hye, Kim Ji-seok, Jo Dong-hyuk, Yoo In-young, and Lee Young-eun. The daily drama aired on KBS1 from September 3, 2007 to May 2, 2008 on Mondays to Fridays at 20:25 for 172 episodes. It was one of the most highly rated Korean dramas since 2000, reaching a peak viewership rating of 43.9%.


The Great Queen Seondeok
2009 · KR
A royal prophecy warns that the birth of twins will end the male line of succession. To protect the kingdom, one twin sister is exiled to a distant desert, growing up unaware of her royal heritage. Years later, she returns disguised as a man, joining an elite order of warriors. Alongside loyal allies and an outcast warrior, she fights to reclaim her identity and overthrow a corrupt rival faction threatening the throne.


Happy Together
2001 · KR
Happy Together is a Korean entertainment talk show.


The King Dae Joyoung
2006 · KR
This 100-episode epic drama vividly depicts the life of King Dae Jo-yeong and other heroes of the Balhae Kingdom, which dates back 1300 years ago.


You are My Destiny
2008 · KR
Jang Sae-byuk is a cheerful and grateful orphan who always tries her best. She dreams of one day becoming an interior designer, despite her lack of education and money. Because of an accident that happened before the story starts (about three years ago), she loses her sight and undergoes corneal transplant surgery. Different events unravel when she encounters the Kim family, who has lost a daughter in a horrible car crash, unbeknownst to everyone besides the father and older brother. The stories then intertwine when Sae-byuk meets the Kim's extended family and the son of a big interior design company, Lohas, in Korea.


Lee San, Wind in the Palace
2007 · KR
At the young age of 11, Lee San witnesses his father Crown Prince Sado's death, but he does not lose his cheerfulness with his strong heart and a gentle personality. He even inherits his grandfather's intelligence, King Yeongjo, and a warm view toward humans. Lee San, who is good at both studying and martial arts, becomes the next king after Yeongjo. Song Yeon is the woman King Jeongjo loves. Song Yeon is talented in painting thanks to her father from a flower garden. While running errands in the royal art department, she enters the palace and establishes a relationship with Lee San. Will Lee San be able to overcome various schemes, stand up against maligning forces, and ascend as a king? And will he be able to achieve love with Song Yeon despite their difference in status?


Emperor Wang Gun
2000 · KR
Taejo Wang Geon was a 200-episode Korean drama starring Choi Soo Jong in the title role. It became very successful, reaching very high ratings, around 60%.


웬만해선 그들을 막을 수 없다
2000 · KR
No overview available


Boys Over Flowers
2009 · KR
A poor high school student earns a scholarship to an elite academy, where she clashes with the most popular boy in school!


Yellow Handkerchief
2003 · KR
Sang-min wants success in life, and in pursuit of success, he abandons his ten-year relationship with Ja-yeong to marry his boss’ daughter, Min-ju. Ja-yeong finds herself pregnant and raising a child alone. When Sang-min finds out, the battle over custody of child begins. This drama became a number one hit and captured more than 30% of viewers during its broadcast while unraveling the mysteries of waiting, forgiveness and above all - the value of love.


똑바로 살아라
2002 · KR
No overview available


Iris
2009 · KR
Two friends, members of the South Korean military, are recruited by a secret black ops agency.


Kimchi Cheese Smile
2007 · KR
Kimchi Cheese Smile (Korean: 김치 치즈 스마일; RR: Kimchi Chiseu Seumail) is a South Korean sitcom revolving around the life of a kimchi-like (having a popular & conservative thought) family headed by Shin Goo who are to become in-laws with Sunwoo Eun-sook's cheese-like (rich & stylish class) family. With contrasting classes and family values, the sitcom follows these two families through various events of their lives.


White Lies
2008 · KR
When Seo Eun Young's fiance, Kang Jung Woo, leaves her alone and pregnant, she manages to get on with her life. Just as she has a chance to find happiness with Kang Hyung Woo, Jung Woo returns to complicate everything.


Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin
2004 · KR
Admiral Yi Sun-shin, who led the Joseon Navy to a myth of invincibility during the Hideyoshi invasion, was a true soldier and leader who struggled to protect people. Drama Yi Sun-shin is not a biography of Admiral Yi Sun-shin, nor does it inetnd to reconstruct a part of the Joseon Dynasty that existed in the 16th century. This drama will merely look into many human beings, incliuding Yi Sun-shin, who underwent an extreme situation. It is not just a historical drama series. It’s rather about human nature that makes both of the war and peace. It is a Korean version of “War and Peace” in 21st century. No hero has ever been sent by heaven. He has emerged as one ultimately after undergoing a lifelong process. Drama Yi Sun-shin is designed to shed a new light upon him as a human being.


Escaping Crisis No. 1
2005 · KR
Crisis Escape No. 1 (Hangul: 위기탈출 넘버원) is a 2005 South Korean television program starring Kim Jong-kook, Jeong Tae-ho, Kim Ji-min, Park Ji-yoon, Lee Jung-min and Oh Hyun-min. It airs on KBS 2TV on Monday at 20:55 beginning July 9, 2005.


Empress Myeongseong
2001 · KR
Based on the life of Empress Myeongseong (1851 - 1895), the first official wife of King Gojong, the 26th king of the Joseon dynasty. She was killed on October 8, 1895 by Japanese assassins.


Bernard
2006 · FR
Bernard is a series of animated shorts centered on the fictional polar bear and main character of the same name. It is a Korean-Spanish-French co-production. Each three-minute episode focuses on the bear's curiosity and have many moments of slapstick. Bernard never speaks with the exception of unintelligible noises Bernard is accompanied in the cartoons by a few other characters: Lloyd and Eva the penguins, Zack the lizard, Goliat the chihuahua, Sam the baby, Pilot the dog, Pokey the porcupine and Santa Claus. He usually gets knocked unconscious or severely injured at the end of an episode, due to some calamity caused by his bumbling


Pure in Heart
2006 · KR
Yang Gook-hwa (Korean: 양 국화) is a nineteen-year-old country girl who leaves Yanbian and travels to Seoul because she is marrying Hong Soon-goo (Korean: 홍 순구), the third son in an average but respectable family. When she arrives in Seoul, however, she finds out that her fiancé has just died in a terrible car accident. Instead of returning to Yanbian, she decides to stay and create a new life in Korea while sending money back to her aunt and uncle.


Temptation of Wife
2008 · KR
One night Goo Eun Jae got drunk and Jung Gyo Bin took this opportunity to take advantage of her. Eun Jae and Gyo Bin got married but their marriage is not a very blissful marriage. Eun Jae's best friend, Shin Ae Ri, openly flirts with Gyo Bin in front of Eun Jae. Gyo Bin decided that he did not want to remain married to Eun Jae and tried to kill her. Eun Jae was presumed to have drown and died. Gyo Bin thought he was successful in killing Eun Jae and moved on with Ae Ri. Months later, Eun Jae is back for revenge but she assumes the identity of another woman, Min So Hee, who had killed herself. How will Gyo Bin react to a girl who looks exactly like his presumed dead wife, Eun Jae? Will he be tempted by So Hee?


Age of Warriors
2003 · KR
This is a KBS 1TV drama that aired from February 8, 2003 to August 15, 2004.
The 2000s were cable television's breakthrough — HBO and its imitators proved that serialized, morally complicated drama could be the most ambitious storytelling around.
K-dramas are typically told in a single 16-episode season with a definite ending, which gives them a shape closer to a long film than to Western serial TV. Their global streaming reach has made Korean television one of the most influential production cultures anywhere.