Life is short, and perhaps too short to watch longer films. Here are 10 best short Korean dramas for all K-drama fans.
What do a deadly children’s game, a brilliant lawyer on the autism spectrum, and a victim seeking revenge from her high school bullies have in common? They make for the plotlines of some of the most popular dramas to come out of South Korea. Most such K-dramas typically consist of over 16 episodes, each lasting approximately an hour. However, some of us might not have the time to watch these gripping dramas in one sitting. For such fans, a short Korean drama can not just create a worthy bingeing experience but also enable them to complete viewing the show in one go.
Some of the best short K-dramas of all time make up a unique part of the Korean entertainment industry — one that neatly offers concise storytelling and nuanced scenes, all the while providing the same excitement as regular K-dramas.
Moreover, there’s something remarkably satisfying about watching a tightly-knit short K-drama that isn’t dragging on to an arbitrary length. A stellar example of how to pack the artistry of a 15- to 20-episode drama into a three-episode masterpiece is the 2018 Lee Jong-suk starrer The Hymn of Death.
Based on a real historical couple living in Japan and Korea during the tumultuous 1920s colonial period, this tragic romantic short drama tells the true story of Korea’s first soprano singer Yun Sim-deok and her lover, acclaimed playwright Kim Woo-jin. Yun is widely considered the first Korean singer to record a pop song — “The Hymn of Death” — on a phonograph record during that era. Recorded in Osaka, Japan, by the Japanese Nitto recording company, the song adapts a melody from Romanian composer Ion Ivanovici’s “Waves of the Danube”.
Not to forget The Deal with Yoo Su-bin in the lead. It remains one of the most popular short K-dramas to premiere in 2023. This crime thriller enjoyed a special On Screen showing at the 2023 Busan International Film Festival along with other Korean TV shows, including I Am A Running Mate, Vigilante, Cigarette Girl and A Bloody Lucky Day.
These short K-dramas will keep you glued to your screens
Song of the Bandits (2023)
Directed by: Hwang Joon-hyeok
Cast: Kim Nam-gil, Seohyun, Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Hyun-wook
Episodes: 9
Synopsis: During the Japanese colonial period, the people of the land of Gando were deprived of their livelihoods. Soon, a brave group of bandits led by the fierce leader Lee Yoon (Kim) plan to wage war against Japanese troops. They team up with the Korean Independence Army and Joseon migrants and vow to fight and restore peace in their homeland.
About the show: This Netflix original Korean short drama is also best known as Bandit: The Sound of the Sword.
Watch on Netflix.
The Deal (2023)
Directed by: Lee Jung-gon
Cast: Yoo Seung-ho, Kim Dong-hwi, Yoo Su-bin, Lee Joo-young
Episodes: 8
Synopsis: Mediocre soccer player Lee Joon-Sung (Yoo) and his friend, a struggling medical student, Song Jae-hyo (Kim), are fed up with being poor. In an attempt to improve their financial condition, the duo plan to kidnap their former schoolmate Park Min-woo (Yoo), who comes from a wealthy family, and demand one billion won as ransom from his family.
About the show: This short Korean drama is based on the 2021 webcomic Georae by Woo Nam 20.
Vigilante (2023)
Directed by: Choi Jeong-yeol
Cast: Nam Joo-hyuk, Yoo Ji-tae, Lee Joon-hyuk
Episodes: 8
Synopsis: A vengeful Kim Ji-yong (Nam) joins the police academy to put his mother’s killers behind bars. But when he realises that the law has limitations, he poses as a law-abiding police trainee by the day and becomes a ruthless vigilante at night. But when numerous investigators tail the vigilante, it becomes risky for Ji-young to pursue his dual life.
About the show: One of the best Korean thriller short dramas to release in November 2023, Vigilante is based on the webtoon of the same name by author CRG and illustrator Kim Gyu-sam.
Love Class (2022)
Directed by: Lee Seong-taek
Cast: Han Hyun-jun, Kim Tae-hwan, Yoo Hyuk-jae
Episodes: 6
Synopsis: High school student Cha Ji-woo (Han) is forced to join senior Lee Ro-ah (Kim) for a couple’s project when the former’s crush chooses to team up with another female classmate. As the two boys start working together on an assignment about love, Ji-woo starts developing unexpected feelings for Ro-ah.
About the show: This teen Korean BL short drama also has a sequel, which was released on 11 August 2023. However, the sequel doesn’t follow the events of Love Class and portrays a fresh love story of University students Lee Hyun (J-min) and Joo Hyuk (Lee Kwang-hee).
Hellbound (2021)
Directed by: Yeon Sang-ho and Choi Gyu-seok
Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hyun-joo, Park Jeong-min, Won Jin-a
Episodes: 6
Synopsis: Chaos ensues in Korea when people start hearing prophecies about the time of their death. Things take a serious turn when, at the said time, a death angel appears in front of them and condemns them to hell. The people are then slaughtered by a group of supernatural beings. The mayhem created by these beings gives rise to Saejinrihwe — a new religion with illogical notions about righteousness.
Watch on Netflix.
The Silent Sea (2021)
Directed by: Choi Hang-yong
Cast: Bae Doo-na, Gong Yoo, Lee Joon, Kim Sun-young
Episodes: 8
Synopsis: Space explorer Song Ji-an (Bae) and her crew are on a difficult 24-hour moon mission. Headed by Captain Han Yun‑jae (Gong), a soldier for the space agency, Ji-an’s team has to recover a mysterious sample from a stranded research station.
About the show: One of the best Gong Yoo TV shows to watch, the sci-fi Korean drama The Silent Sea is based on Korean director Choi Hang-yong’s 2014 short film The Sea of Tranquility.
Watch on Netflix.
My Name (2021)
Directed by: Kim Jin-min
Cast: Ahn Bo-hyun, Han So-hee, Park Hee-soon
Episodes: 8
Synopsis: Yoon Ji-woo (Han) is a member of an organised crime ring who infiltrates the police force as an undercover agent to avenge her father. However, she soon develops feelings for Detective Jeon Pil-do (Ahn). With love in the air, will Ji-woo be able to focus on her task of taking down the culprits?
About the show: The crime-thriller has been the most popular series on Netflix in Asia since Squid Game (2020) and has reached the number one spot in multiple regions, including South Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand.
Watch on Netflix.
The School Nurse Files (2020)
Directed by: Lee Kyung-mi
Cast: Jung Yu-mi, Nam Joo-hyuk, Lee Joo-young, Go Yoon-jung
Episodes: 6
Synopsis: Nurse Ahn Eun-young (Jung) has a special ability to see and fight fantastical creatures called jellies. As she starts her new job at a high school, Eun-young discovers multiple unusual occurrences within the school premises. However, she soon comes across Chinese teacher Hong In-pyo (Nam), who is immune to jellies. The duo then teams up to uncover the truth.
About the show: A Korean adaptation of the award-winning novel of the same name by acclaimed writer Chung Serang, The School Nurse Files was one of the best K-dramas to release in 2020.
Watch on Netflix.
Strangers from Hell (2019)
Directed by: Lee Chang-hee
Cast: Lee Dong-wook, Im Si-wan, Lee Jung-eun, Lee Hyun-wook
Episodes: 10
Synopsis: When Yoon Jong-woo (Lee), a man from the countryside, cracks a city job, he is forced to move to Seoul. There, he comes across a cheap hostel named Eden Goshiwon and chooses to move in despite its poor condition and weird residents. However, mystifying happenings in the apartment soon make Jong-woo fear his hostelmates.
About the show: A widely loved Lee Dong-wook short K-drama, Strangers from Hell is also best known as Hell Is Other People. It is based on the 2018 webcomic Taineun Jiokida by artist Kim Yong-Ki.
The Hymn of Death (2018)
Directed by: Park Soo-jin
Cast: Lee Jong-suk, Shin Hye-sun, Kim Myung-soo
Episode: 3
Synopsis: Korea is under Japanese occupation, and playwright Kim Woo-jin (Lee) falls head over heels for music student Yun Sim-deok (Shin). In a turn of events, the young lovers go their separate ways only to cross paths again years later. While Woo-jin is a married man now, Sim-deok is a professional soprano. With two old lovers reuniting, will feelings resurface?
About the show: The title of this popular Lee Jong-suk short K-drama is based on the name of Yun Sim-deok’s last (recorded) song, “Hymn of Death”, also known as “In Praise of Death.”
Watch on Netflix.
(Hero and featured image credit: OCN and Netflix)
The story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What is the shortest K-drama?
Some of the shortest K-dramas include The Hymn of Death, The School Nurse Files, My Name, The Silent Sea, A-Teen, Song of the Bandits and The Deal.
– What short K-dramas should I watch?
Some of the top short K-dramas to include in your watch list are Lee Dong-wook starrer Strangers from Hell, The Silent Sea featuring Gong Yoo, Kim Hyun-joo’s Hellbound and Han Hyun-jun starrer Love Class.
– How popular are K-dramas?
While Asian dramas have gained global popularity of late, one can’t help but obsess over the ideal romances, gripping storylines and thrilling action sequences of South Korean dramas that keep viewers hooked.
The dramas coming from South Korea are mostly targeted towards a younger section of the audience, making them quite popular among teenagers. K-dramas also have popularity due to the versatility of the genres, including romance, historical, fantasy, action, boys’ love and horror. From dramas like Crash Landing On You, portraying an intriguing love story amid cross-border scenarios, to thrillers like All Of Us Are Dead, showcasing zombie apocalypses, Korean TV shows have something tailor-made for everyone.
Moreover, the Korean entertainment industry makes sure to rope in famous Hallyu faces like Bae Suzy, Hyun Bin, IU, Son Ye-jin, Lee kwang-soo, Lee Min-ho in-ho, Jang Dong-yoon, Yoon Doo-joon, Kim Rae-wan, Kim Seul-gi, Kim Min, Jang se-rang, Gong Yoo and Lee Dong-wook, to increase the popularity of Korean dramas.