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


The Scandal
2026
country: South Korea
In Joseon, a secret proposal ignites hidden desires in a gifted noblewoman, a famed lover and an unsuspecting lady caught in their dangerous game.


Radio Star
2007
country: South Korea
“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.


Men on a Mission
2015
country: South Korea
Male celebs play make-believe as high schoolers, welcoming star transfer students every week and engaging in battles of witty humor and slapstick.


Running Man
2010
country: South Korea
These days, as variety shows are gradually disappearing, this is one of Korea’s representative variety shows that has been responsible for Sunday evenings for over 10 years. This program features numerous stars and members going around various places, playing games, and completing missions. In particular, among the many fun elements of variety shows, this one focuses solely on laughter. Open your eyes! Big fun is coming in! Open your mouth! Big laughter is coming in! Open your heart! Useful lessons are coming in!


My Dearest
2023
country: South Korea
A love-story between a noblewoman and a mysterious man who shows up in her hometown set in the 1600s during the Qing invasion.


Infinite Challenge
2005
country: South Korea
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.


Home Alone
2013
country: South Korea
It can be a badge of honor to be “single.” “I Live Alone” is a documentary-style South Korean reality series that follows the members of a self-formed club called Rainbow, which is comprised of celebrities who are single and live alone.


Amazing Saturday
2018
country: South Korea
A group of hungry celebrities listen to poppin’ tunes, from recent hits to all-time-favorites, to correctly dictate a part of the lyrics. The songs may sound familiar, but the part they must dictate are unclear to the naked ear, as the lyrics are slurred, muffled by strong beats, etc. If they get the lyrics right, they get to share exquisite regional dishes. But if they get them wrong, a professional eater gobbles it up instead.


Law of the Jungle
2011
country: South Korea
Law of the Jungle is a hybrid reality show combining elements of drama and documentary. The show is hosted by comedian Kim Byung Man, and each episode invites various celebrities from the various field. So far, many of idol stars and famous actors have appeared on the show. The show introduces viewers to exotic locations around the world where celebrities must work together in order to complete missions and survive. The cast celebrities travel to less habituated, natural places to survive on their own and experience life with local tribes and people. In each location, the guests are tasked to hunt and prepare their meals and also create shelter for the tribe. They sometimes confronted by many difficult challenges. Where will the tribe visit? And how will they survive on their own? Stay tuned to check out!


2 Days and 1 Night
2007
country: South Korea
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.


Nonstop
2000
country: South Korea
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..


You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook
2009
country: South Korea
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.


TV Animal Farm
2001
country: South Korea
No overview available


My Little Old Boy
2016
country: South Korea
How much do you know about your grown up son? In Mom’s Diary, the daily lives of the grown up celebrity sons are closely observed by their mothers. Do you know why your son drinks so much these days? How much do you know about your son’s philosophy in his life style? Heart-warming moments of observational communication between a mother and a son can be seen on Mom’s Diary.


How Do You Play?
2019
country: South Korea
Yoo Jae-suk reunites the producing team of Infinite Challenge and presents you How Do You Play? The Indefinitely expanding YOONIVERSE, based on Yoo's blood, sweat, and tears, will entertain viewers at home. Let's follow Yoo and his friends' new projects every week.


Inkigayo
1998
country: South Korea
The program is a weekly music show that features and introduces viewers to the most popular artists in Korea. Every week, they ask viewers to vote and select the most popular song of the week.


The Manager
2018
country: South Korea
We will get involved in every little detail of the stars’ lives. The managers who work closely with the stars reveal their mundane lives. Once the information is all revealed, the professional meddlers from various different fields are invited to make comments regarding even the smallest details. Lee Yeong Ja, Jun Hyun Moo, Song Eun I, Kim Saeng Min, Yang Se Hyeong and Yoo Byung Jae participate as the life meddlers along with the professionals.


Show! Music Core
2005
country: South Korea
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.


Weekly Idol
2011
country: South Korea
Weekly Idol is back with all new hosts. Cho Sae Ho, Hwang Kwang Hee and Nam Chang Hee are sticking together as a new unit group for Weekly Idol, a.k.a CKN Trio, to turn the idol world upside down! Get ready for their hot debut! Cho Sae Ho transforms himself into an idol expert. The hottest entertainer in the show business is marching into the idol world after taking over variety shows and he's more than ready to dominate the show with his amazing look and talents. They say idols understand each other best! As soon as being discharged from military service, Hwang Kwang Hee is reenlisted in Weekly Idol as a senior and a mentor to cheer his fellow idol friends. And lastly, the hidden card of the trio, Nam Chang Hee joins Weekly Idol. With his irresistible charms and talents, Nam Chang Hee becomes the irreplaceable member of Weekly Idol and shows off his amazing chemistry with idols.


Super Wings
2014
country: South Korea
An action-packed preschool series about an adorable jet plane named Jett who travels the world delivering packages to children. On every delivery, Jett encounters a new problem that the he and his friends the Super Wings must work together to solve!


Squid Game
2021
country: South Korea
Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits — with deadly high stakes.


You Quiz on the Block
2018
country: South Korea
Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho who enter ordinary people's everyday lives, chat with them, and give them surprise quizzes! The talk and quiz show program will spotlight these people's lives and aims to gift them a refreshing, different kind of day. Recently they're also inviting celebrities & professionals to the show.


SNL Korea
2011
country: South Korea
Korea's version of the late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory cast members.


A Love Other Than Yours
2026
country: South Korea
A realistic, emotionally resonant romance about a couple in their tenth year together whose comfortable relationship is tested by unexpected feelings.


Three Guys and Three Girls
1996
country: South Korea
The series is Korea’s first youth sitcom, revolving around three men and three women sharing a university lodging house. The group navigates comedic and romantic adventures, with a focus on friendships and budding relationships. Key highlights: Lee Ui-jung (one of the female leads) stands out with her quirky hairstyle and serves as the show’s central figure, particularly through her dynamic with Song Seung-heon’s character The sitcom blends lighthearted humour with relatable themes of young adulthood, making it a pioneer in Korean TV history


The Return of Superman
2013
country: South Korea
An up-close look at celebrity dads who have to take care of their kids for the next 48 hours without any help. Will it be a dad-tastrophe, or can they finish their wives' to-do lists while having fun with their kids?


Mystery Music Show: King of Mask Singer
2015
country: South Korea
Competitors are given elaborate masks to wear in order to conceal their identity, thus removing factors such as popularity, career and age that could lead to prejudiced voting. In the first round, a pair of competitors sing the same song, while in the second and third rounds they each sing a solo song. After the First Generation, the winner of the Third Round goes on to challenge the Mask King, and is either eliminated or replaces the previous Mask King through live voting. The identities of the singers are not revealed unless they have been eliminated.


Our Sticky Love
2026
country: South Korea
An ambitious prosecutor loses her memory and moves in with a boxing coach who claims to be her boyfriend. Can this sticky situation turn into real love?


Teach You a Lesson
2026
country: South Korea
An inspector from the Educational Rights Protection Bureau (ERPB) who is authorized by the government to use physical intervention and unconventional methods to discipline delinquent students and reform the educational system.


Weak Hero
2022
country: South Korea
With the aid of unexpected friends, a gifted but introverted student confronts bullies and violent foes — unaware of how dangerous his world will become.


Where Is My Home
2019
country: South Korea
Celebrities are here to find your home sweet home! The show features two teams of celebs competing to help their clients find the new houses for them. As "real estate coordinators," celebs visit realtors and discover houses that fit the needs of the clients. They aren't afraid of cold weather, continuous allies to go through, nor stiff steps to climb. In the end, clients grades how much they are happy with celebs' proposals. Which team will get the clients pleased?


Let's Eat Dinner Together
2016
country: South Korea
As more and more people are getting used to eating dinner alone, Kang Ho-dong and Lee Kyung-kyu visit ordinary Korean families at dinner time and share their lives as they eat dinner together.


Hello Counselor
2010
country: South Korea
A talk show with an emphasis on regular people, regardless of age or gender, that aims to help take down communication barriers by sharing stories about life.


Unanswered Questions
1992
country: South Korea
A current affairs/journalism program that investigates unsolved cases and looks into various problems in society, religion and more.


Chef & My Fridge
2014
country: South Korea
The best chefs of Korea compete to create impromptu dishes that feature ingredients found inside the guest stars' personal refrigerators.


KBS Drama Special
2010
country: South Korea
Forget the existing one-act dramas! Short but impactive! KBS Drama Special presents high quality single episode dramas. Dramas are the broadcast content with the widest public appeal. KBS Drama Special will produce short dramas of far-reaching impact involving at times a serious social message, unique emotions or perspectives. It will stay abreast of modern viewership.


Lee Mujin Service
2022
country: South Korea
"Lee Mujin Service" is a high-quality live content in which MZ generation's representative singer-songwriter Lee Mu-jin, along with other artists, provides the best music service that catches the eyes and ears of music fans around the world.


Alchemy of Souls
2022
country: South Korea
A powerful sorceress in a blind woman's body encounters a man from a prestigious family, who wants her help to change his destiny.


Just an Excuse
2022
country: South Korea
Yoo Jae-suk Welfare Content Pinggyego (Just an Excuse) It is a content where Yoo Jae-suk freely chats with his favorite friends for various excuses and provides small stories and laughter.


Quiet Please!
2025
country: South Korea
One month into living on his own, Yi-hyuk was hoping for an exciting, dramatic start to his independent life—but not this kind of drama. What he doesn’t expect is to be tormented by the thunderous noise coming from the apartment next door. Determined to put an end to it, he confronts his neighbor—only to make things infinitely worse when he accidentally punches him in the face.Yi-hyuk tries everything—from childish pranks to petty power plays—but his neighbor just won’t budge. He even pleads on his knees to make the noise stop. Just when it seems the feud will never end, they finally manage to call an uneasy truce.And somewhere along the way, Yi-hyuk realizes he might be falling for the very person who once drove him up the wall.
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.