Check out the highest-rated K-dramas in the history of South Korean cable television (2024)

The South Korean entertainment industry is extremely competitive and a few among them has emerged as commercially successful. Let’s check them out.

By Hrish*ta Das

Updated on Apr 16, 2024 | 05:41 PM IST| 25.4K

Check out the highest-rated K-dramas in the history of South Korean cable television (1)

Crash Landing on You poster and Queen of Tears poster: tvN

In the world of numerous K-dramas released every month, have you ever wondered which ones have gained the most popularity in South Korea? It is an open secret thatthe viewers in the country can be very picky when it comes to content and only a few extraordinary shows receive their attention.

Without further ado, let’s delve into the five highest-rated and most-watched K-dramas on cable television in South Korea.

5 Highest-rated K-dramas of all time

1. The World of the Married

JTBC's The World of the Married, starring Kim Hee Ae, Park Hae Joon, and Han So Hee in the lead roles, the K-drama is based on the British TV series Doctor Foster. The K-drama emerges in the top spot with an impressive 28.4% viewership rating.

The drama follows the turbulent journey of a married couple who navigate betrayal, revenge, and redemption. Its intense storyline was deeply relatable to viewers. With each episode, The World of the Married kept audiences on the edge of their seats, showcasing the complexities of human relationships with raw authenticity.


2. Reborn Rich

Following closely behind is another JTBC K-drama, Reborn Rich, a captivating show that delves into the lives of the wealthy elite. With a viewership rating of 26.9%, the series entertained audiences with its intricate plotlines, filled with ambition, deceit, and romance.

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The stellar cast includes Song Joong Ki, Lee Sung Min, and Shin Hyun Been in the lead roles, who brought their characters to life. As the drama unfolded, audiences were hooked, eagerly anticipating each twist and turn in the storyline.

3. Sky Castle

JTBC continues its winning streak with Sky Castle, a thought-provoking drama that explores the cutthroat world of elite education. With a viewership rating of 23.8%, the series entertained audiences with its compelling narrative and interesting characters.

The drama sheds light on the extreme pressures faced by families in pursuit of academic success, delving into themes of privilege, ambition, and sacrifice. The show stars Yeom Jung Ah, Lee Tae Ran, Yoon Se Ah, and more.

4. Crash Landing on You

Transitioning to tvN, Crash Landing on You captured hearts with its enchanting tale of love against all odds. With a viewership rating of 21.7%, this romantic comedy charmed audiences worldwide with its unique premise and endearing characters.

The drama follows the unlikely romance between a South Korean heiress and a North Korean soldier, who fall in love despite everything going against their relationship. As viewers were swept away by the enchanting storyline and heartfelt performances by Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin, the show became a global sensation.


5. Queen of Tears

The latest addition to the list is none other than the ongoing K-drama starring Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won. Queen of Tears has managed to grab the fifth position on the list by surpassing some of the iconic K-dramas, such as Goblin and Reply 1988.

The show’s unique storyline, along with the fierce yet relatable characters truly makes it one of the best shows to be released recently. Furthermore, the esteemed cast ensemble, which includes Park Sung Hoon, Kwak Dong Yeon, Lee Joo Bin, and more, draws the audience in even more.


Some of the other shows that received high ratings are Reply 1988, Goblin, Doctor Cha, Mr. Sunshine and more. Since Queen of Tears is still an ongoing K-drama, it is expected that the show’s viewership will increase significantly during the release of its final episodes. Which K-drama from the list above is your favorite?

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ALSO READ:Queen of Tears remains at top for 6 weeks straight; Lovely Runner's popularity continues to rise

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Check out the highest-rated K-dramas in the history of South Korean cable television (2024)

FAQs

Check out the highest-rated K-dramas in the history of South Korean cable television? ›

"The World of the Married" holds the highest rating for any cable TV drama in South Korea with a peak of 28.371%. As of 2021, the most popular K-drama genre is Romantic Comedy. "Sky Castle" reached a peak viewership rating of 23.8% and is currently the highest rated drama in Korean cable television history.

What is the highest-rated Korean drama of all time in Korea? ›

highest-rated K-Drama on cable television
  • The World of the Married (2020) 80 min | Drama, Romance. ...
  • Reborn Rich (2022) 71 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance. ...
  • Doctor Cha Jeong Suk (2023– ) 60 min | Drama. ...
  • Mr. Sunshine (2018) ...
  • Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017) ...
  • Mr. ...
  • SKY Castle (2018–2019) ...
  • Reply 1988 (2015–2016)

What is the No 1 famous Korean drama? ›

Some of the most popular Korean dramas of all time are Crash Landing on You, The Glory, Squid Game, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Legend of the Blue Sea, It's Okay to Not Be Okay, Heirs, Boys Over Flowers and Goblin.

Which K-drama has the most kissing scene? ›

K-dramas like "Because This Is My First Life," "It's Okay, That's Love," and "While You Were Sleeping" showcase memorable kissing scenes that leave fans wanting more.

Which channel is best for Korean drama? ›

Amazon miniTV is host to some of the most popular K-dramas that people can watch for free. And the best thing is you can watch them in Hindi or other supporting regional languages as well. Amazon miniTV is a free video streaming service available within the Amazon shopping app and on Fire TV.

Which cable drama has the highest rating in Korea? ›

1. The World of the Married. JTBC's The World of the Married, starring Kim Hee Ae, Park Hae Joon, and Han So Hee in the lead roles, the K-drama is based on the British TV series Doctor Foster. The K-drama emerges in the top spot with an impressive 28.4% viewership rating.

What is the most watched Korean drama? ›

Most watched Korean dramas on Netflix 2023. by hours viewed

As of June 2023, psychological thriller drama "The Glory" was the most watched Korean TV series on Netflix, with around 622.8 million hours viewed globally.

Which K-drama is banned in Korea? ›

The King: Eternal Monarch: Why the Controversial K-Drama Is Banned in South Korea - IMDb.

Who is the number 1 K-drama actress? ›

Lee Ji-eun, also known by her stage name IU, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, composer, and actress. She is the most influential celebrity.

Who is the biggest K-drama star? ›

Question: Who are the most popular K-drama actors? Answer: Among the most popular K-drama actors are Song Hye-kyo, Song Joong-ki and Lee Min-ho. Each of them are better known for their television appearances than big screen performances.

Which Korean actor never kissed someone? ›

Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun surprised his fans in Japan when he revealed that he had never kissed a woman besides his partners in movies and television dramas.

Do Korean actors really kiss in drama? ›

It depends on the drama. It also depends on which broadcast network airs the drama, on the ages of the actors, the ages of the intended viewing audience, and on whether the actors happen to be “idols". Dramas featuring adult actors that are intended for more mature audiences usually include real kisses.

What is the No 1 Korean romantic drama? ›

Top 10 Romantic K-Dramas of all Time:
Sr. NoNameIMDB Rating
1Guardian: The Lonely and Great God8.6
2Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo8.6
3Healer8.5
4Signal8.5
6 more rows
Feb 12, 2024

Which K-drama should I watch next? ›

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)

The series blends legal drama with romance, family plots, comedy and life lessons that will keep you glued to the screen. You can stream season 1 of Extraordinary Attorney Woo now, and Netflix has renewed the fan-favorite for a second season, expected to air sometime in 2024.

Why are K-dramas so good? ›

Renowned for their well-crafted narratives, K-dramas often delve into a diverse range of genres, including romance, historical, fantasy, and suspense. The intricate plots, combined with compelling character development, create an emotional resonance that resonates with viewers worldwide.

Who is the richest Korean actor? ›

Soong Joong Ki

Song Joong Ki is one of the richest Korean actors, with an estimated net worth of 24 million USD.

Who is the No 1 K-drama actors? ›

Kim Soo-hyun is widely believed to be the highest-paid Korean drama actor. – Who is Korea's richest actor? Kim Soo-hyun is reportedly the richest actor in Korea among those whose earnings are mostly from television.

Which drama has the highest rating of all time in tvN? ›

'Queen of Tears' episode 14 sets drama's highest ratings to date
  • The Korean drama “Queen of Tears” has reached another milestone by recording its highest ratings to date, narrowly missing in equalizing or surpassing the nationwide rating of “Crash Landing on You.”
  • "Queen of Tears" (tvN)
2 days ago

Which tvN drama has the highest rating? ›

tvN has a history of wonderful K-Dramas: Here are 8 of the Top-Rated tvN Dramas of All-Time
  • “ Crash Landing on You” A unique love story that truly takes the concept of 'love knows no bounds' to a new level. ...
  • " Queen of Tears" ...
  • “ Reply 1988” ...
  • “ Goblin” ...
  • “ Mr. ...
  • “ Mr. ...
  • “ Vincenzo” ...
  • “ Hospital Playlist”
Apr 15, 2024

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