Hulu‘s collection has expanded significantly in recent months, particularly in foreign movies and TV shows. While many titles leave monthly, some stay for years, and the arrival of Korean dramas and films has provided Hulu viewers with a new reason to renew their subscriptions every month.
Many people seem to have no access to Korean-language-focused streaming platforms such as Rakuten Viki, and not all Netflix titles are available in all regions. Even while Hulu does not have as extensive a repertoire, it is continuously attempting to bring more South Korean content. Fans of Korean films or television dramas will be pleased to know that Hulu offers a good variety of content.
Updated on July 30th, 2024, by Patricia Scheer-Erb: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
23 Call It Love (2023)
Kicked around by life’s many brutalities, Sim Woo Joo is a simple woman who finds herself lost after her father’s death. Before she can even grieve properly, her father’s mistress kicks her out of their home, leaving her lost and broken. She teams up with the woman’s son, who is a lonely man himself, and together they decide to plot a revenge scheme against her.
What Makes It Great?
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo’s Lee Sung-kyung and Pinnochio’s Kim Young-kwang star as the main leads in this romantic melodrama with a touch of revenge. Lacking any gimmicks yet resonating profoundly with its tender moments of humanity, Call It Love is a smooth-sailing, naturalistic K-drama that fans will love to grow. Moreover, watching the two characters fall for each other is as charming as ever.
22 The Impossible Heir (2024)
The Impossible Heir highlights an intense power struggle and the long path to success. Having grown up in poverty, Kang In Ha’s life hasn’t always been easy. However, when he finds his father, he learns that he is the CEO of a company and lives in abundant wealth. Set on climbing up the social ladder, In Ha puts all his effort into adapting to his new family, but not everyone is ready to welcome him in. In order to overcome certain obstacles, In Ha partners with his ambitious childhood friend, Tae Oh, and together they embark on a journey from poverty toward wealth.
What Makes It Great?
Despite this show being considered a bit of a slow burner, The Impossible Heir is definitely full of surprises. After creating a solid foundation, the series picks up pace and draws the audience right in with a plot that is full of excitement. The series highlights the strong commitment between two friends, how working together can actually be extremely helpful, and, of course, there is also plenty of difficult love thrown in there. Overall, The Impossible Heir stands out with its successful build of suspense and certainly manages to capture the attention of anyone who enjoys some mystery.
21 Adamas (2022)
Adamas is one such show where the protagonists are twin brothers troubled by the death of their father 22 years ago. Woo Shin is a best-selling author and his niche is writing mystery novels, whereas Soo Hyun is a public prosecutor always embroiled in one crime case or another. Given their professions, it isn’t hard for them to try and find the real culprit but first, they must get their hands on Adamas, a diamond arrow that will lead them to darker secrets and long-buried truths.
What Makes It Great?
Character backstories play a huge part in making a Korean drama more successful and emotionally resonant. In Adamas, a huge part of the narrative is anchored by the complex and beautiful characters. Their struggles may be different from ours, but their sentiments and reactions seem familiar and relatable. Infusing cop thriller clichés with sensitive characters, the show weaves a touching mystery that addresses how fragile life is.
20 The Golden Spoon (2022)
The Golden Spoon is a Korean fantasy series that centers on a young man’s life-altering decision and the troublesome consequences it brings along. Seung Cheon is given an exceptional opportunity when he finds a magical spoon and figures out that its power allows him to swap places with his best friend. Seeing the wealth his friend is surrounded by, Seung Cheon shows no hesitation, but soon after, he realizes that not everything about switching lives is as bright as it first seems.
What Makes It Great?
With its exciting storyline, The Golden Spoon picks up a thought that is known all too well to arguably everyone out there. Wishing to be in somebody else’s place, living, what seems to be, a better life, isn’t necessarily rare, but rather extremely relatable. This series effortlessly combines the thrilling aspect of such an opportunity with a realistic inner turmoil. With an impeccable script, innovative episodes, fantastic character development, and an overall captivating vibe, The Golden Spoon is a must-watch.
19 Revenge of Others (2022)
In Revenge of Others, the connection between two twins, Chan Mi and Soo Heon, takes center stage as a tragedy unfolds. Even though the two orphans were separated at a young age, they continued to stay in contact and remained a part of each other’s lives. Everything seems to go well until their last phone call ends abruptly. Worried about Soo Heon, Chan Mi shows up at his school, where she is crushed by the devastating news of her brother’s death. Fully aware of the mysterious circumstances of his death, Chan Mi takes matters into her own hands, making it her mission to find the murderer and reveal the truth.
What Makes It Great?
Revenge of Others paints a wonderfully heart-breaking picture of the connection shared between twins, circling in on the heroine of the story, as she tries to unveil the truth behind her brother’s death. The raw portrayal of the twin sister’s emotional whirlwind is wildly captivating and highlights the strength this young woman possesses. It becomes clear that she grew up fighting for herself, as the sense of empowerment stands out throughout the entire series. This series tells a tale of love and utter dedication, seeking revenge and justice when everyone else fails to help.
18 Dr. Romantic (2016)
Idealist yet quirky in nature, the titular character of Dr. Romantic, known popularly as “Hand of God,” has found a decent amount of fame as a professional surgeon. But now he wishes for nothing more than to move to a small Korean town and serve at a rural community hospital and teach other doctors about good healthcare, while also confronting the bureaucracy that hampers patient care in his neighborhood.
What Makes It Great?
Consisting of three unrelated seasons, which isn’t very common in the K-drama landscape, Dr. Romantic is a heartwarming medical drama. Chaotic yet feel-good, the show depicts the hardships faced and victories won in the lives of staff dedicated to saving lives day and night. Led by the charming Ahn Hyo-seop and a talented cast that includes Lee Sung-kyung and Yoo Yeon-seok, Dr. Romantic speaks universally to the audience with its witty stories.
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17 The First Responders (2022)
The series follows three excellent first responders who work together to eliminate crime and heal souls. Jin Ho-Gae (Kim Rae-Won) is a detective. He is a simple introverted man with no social life, but when he’s solving cases, he puts his remarkable knowledge to use earnestly. Bong Do-Jin (Son Ho-Jun) is a firefighter, and as the job demands, he is fearless and kind-hearted, jumping into a calamity headfirst and saving the lives of those in crisis. The third member of this team is Song Seol (Gong Seung-Yeon), a paramedic who not only binds the other two together but extends her warmth and care to everyone she meets.
What Makes It Great?
While Hospital Playlist left fans heartbroken and uplifted at the same time, The First Responders came to their rescue (literally) by delivering the same amount of heartwarming drama and a little bit of action to go with it. The best part about the series is watching them grow with each challenge, and you cannot help but root for and fall for them.
16 If You Wish Upon Me (2022)
If You Wish Upon Me tells the story of Yoon Gyeo-Rye’s tumultuous life, focusing on how his path tremendously changed. After having spent the majority of his life at an orphanage, Gyeo-Rye makes numerous bad decisions, which lead him to end up in a juvenile detention center as well as prison. An incident kick-starts his wish to turn his life around, and when he begins working in a hospice, he finds himself in an entirely new environment.
What Makes It Great?
As opposed to many other series out there, If You Wish Upon Me focuses on a very genuine storyline. The series does a great job at connecting to real-life issues, diving right into the depths of the most painful parts of life, and working as a reminder that profound human interactions are valuable because, eventually, all life must come to an end. Watching this show will leave viewers longing to do something meaningful in their lives and create wonderful memories. If You Wish Upon Me is touching, heart-warming, and, above all, healing, and is definitely worth a watch.
15 Moving (2023)
In the center of it all are Kim Bong-Seok, Jang Hui-Soo, and Lee Gang-Hoon, who go to the same high school. On the outside, they look like normal kids. But they carry a great legacy within them. Like their parents, who run an intelligence agency, they possess supernatural abilities like unmatched speed, the power to heal from bullet wounds, and super strength. As students, they try their best to blend in while the elders make sure they’re protected from the evil and hungry outside world.
What Makes It Great?
A fairly recent entry in the massive Korean drama database available on streaming services, Moving is an incredibly creative series that blends the action and fantasy genres. Director Park In-jae perfectly captures the vulnerabilities of his strong characters, showing a whole new level of emotion and humanity. Moreover, the unique camera work and superb special effects also elevate the show to a binge-worthy standard.
14 Broker (2022)
It centers around a woman who is reconsidering raising her newborn baby. When she learns of a scheme, she leaves her baby in a “baby box” where children can be anonymously surrendered. Parasite’s Song Kang-ho works as a “broker,” illegally selling these infants. Their latest “package” is a young girl named So-young, played by IU. As they set out to find her a home, the brokers begin to view her and care for her as their own.
What Makes It Great?
The celebrated director of Our Little Sister and Shoplifters, Hirokazu Kore-eda, brought another mesmerizing and heart-rending movie in 2022. Broker is a film that will have you pondering the meaning of family in a whole new light. Despite tackling the serious subject of child trafficking, director Kore-eda skillfully steers the film toward family with the help of its unlikely characters. With tender moments and touching dialogues, this unconventional story will leave you wondering what is right and what is wrong.
13 Revenant (2023)
In a world where humans and demons have co-existed for decades, Gu San-Yeong is a student possessed by one of these demons. Yeom Hae-Sang is an exorcist who can see the demon stuck to Gu San-Yeong, who turns out to be the same demon that killed his mother when he was a child. Together, they set out to uncover the truth about a decade-long string of deaths occurring around them related to five mysterious objects.
What Makes It Great?
Twenty-Five Twenty-One’s Kim Tae-ri and It’s Okay To Not Be Okay’s Oh Jung-se star in this supernatural thriller series. The series plunges deep into the morally gray territory of good and bad. As darker secrets come to light, a chilling atmosphere sets in, gripping your soul and attention. The ensemble cast delivers brilliant performances and the narrative stays put throughout. As a revenge Western, Revenant may seem dark to many viewers who are used to feel-good K-dramas.
12 Hunt (2022)
As for the story, it is set in 1980 after the brutal murder of President Park. In such a situation, North Korea finds itself as a powerful party, readying itself for a future invasion so it sends an infiltrator into the country. Park Pyong-Ho and Kim Jung-Do are two senior officers of the Korean Spy Agency, and they have made it their mission to find this mole who goes by the name of Donglim.
What Makes It Great?
With a start that is as exhilarating and satisfying as the end, Hunt becomes one of the greatest Korean action movies of recent times. Also faring well at the box office, the movie is the fourth-highest-grossing Korean film of 2022. Well-choreographed in its action and raising the bar for suspense at every turn, the movie brings you plot twists that you never see coming. A perfect edge-of-your-seat thriller from the mind of director Lee Jung-jae, Hunt is a must-watch.
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11 What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018)
The popular rom-com What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim follows the story of Lee Young-joon, vice president of a large corporation. He is knowledgeable, successful, and exceptionally narcissistic. Lee Young-joon relied heavily on his secretary, Kim Mi-so, for nine years, as she is incredibly efficient at her job. However, everything changes when Mi-so decides to resign from her secretary position.
What Makes It Great?
Throughout the series, the viewers witness the development of Young-joon and Mi-soo’s relationship, filled with comedic and heartwarming moments. The chemistry between the lead actors, well-written dialogues, and character growth are some of the key elements that contribute to the Korean drama’s popularity and appeal.
10 Shadow Detective (2022)
Shadow Detective follows Kim Taek-rok, a seasoned detective preparing for retirement. He receives alarming calls from someone confessing to killing his colleague. As suspicions arise, Squad Chief Kook Jin-han investigates Taek-rok but eventually believes in his innocence. Together with movie-like detectives Lee Sung-a and Son Kyung-chan, they strive to uncover the mysterious caller’s identity.
What Makes It Great?
This gripping South Korean crime thriller boasts a profound script, a dedicated cast, and skilled camerawork, immersing the audience with its intense and three-dimensional storytelling. Shadow Detective takes fans on a thrilling journey, skillfully navigating through suspense and intrigue that led to a successful sequel season.
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8 Big Mouth (2022)
Big Mouth is a mystery crime drama with a hint of comedy, featuring Park Chang-ho, a talkative lawyer with a mere 10% winning rate. Mistaken as the genius swindler Big Mouse during a murder case, he faces life-threatening consequences. His wife Go Mi-ho, a wise and brave nurse who supported his legal career, sets out to clear his name.
What Makes It Great?
Featuring a star-studded cast of Lee Jong Suk, YoonA, Kwak Dong Yeon, Yang Kyung Won, and Oh Eui Shik, the drama emerges as a wildly immersive one full of plot twists in every episode. This series adeptly tackles class politics and incarceration issues, revealing a compelling story with captivating lead actors. With engaging twists and thrilling moments, Big Mouth keeps viewers hooked until the end.
7 May It Please The Court (2022)
No Chak-hee, an ambitious attorney at a law firm, faces a setback when a case jeopardizes her promotion in May It Please The Court. She decides to become a public defender instead and starts sharing an office with Jwa Si-baek, a talented but mysterious fellow defender. While No Chak-hee and Jwa Si-baek don’t get along, they team up to solve a serial murder case involving wealthy elderly victims.
What Makes It Great?
Being a legal drama, the show truly features the kind of courtroom sequences and trials that constantly keep you on the edge of your seat. The gripping mystery keeps viewers guessing about the killer’s true identity, which is a true victory for any show. The blend of dark themes, class confrontations, humor, and a touch of romance makes May It Please The Court a top-notch legal series.
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6 I Saw the Devil (2010)
The story highlights the atrocities performed by Jang Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik), a terrifying psychopath who has committed numerous murders of men, women, and children. Authorities have been on the hunt for him for quite some time, but they haven’t been able to get any closer to him. However, at some point, he targets the daughter of a retired police chief and horrifyingly kills her. Her fiancée, Soo-hyun (Lee Byung-hun), also a secret agent, learns about the killer and vows vengeance, even if it means turning himself into a monster.
What Makes It Great?
Fans won’t be disappointed with most South Korean thriller films, and director Kim Jee-woon provided one of the grimmest take on the genre. 2010’s I Saw the Devil is an incredibly explicit film with depictions of raw violence as it didn’t hold back from showing the world through the eyes of a vicious serial killer.
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4 Connect (2022)
The story follows Ha Dong-Soo (Jung Haein), who is, like a handful of humans in the show, born with superhuman abilities, as they can heal non-lethal wounds. Unfortunately, he gets abducted by organ traffickers and loses his eye before escaping with his life. However, his eye has been implanted in Oh Jin Seo (Go Kyung Pyo), a serial killer, and Ha Dong-Soo witnesses everything he does. Soon after, he sets out on a mission to catch the killer before he takes any more innocent lives.
What Makes It Great?
Korean dramas based on webtoons have always been popular with viewers, and Connect is no exception. When you combine that with director Takashi Miike’s expertise, you get a gritty and dark Korean drama that you don’t see very often. Connect takes a new road down memory lane and develops an exciting plot without pulling its punches.
