10 BEST 2021 KOREAN MINI-SERIES STREAMING ON NETFLIX

Korean drama is definitely breaking its language barrier by giving some amazing content through online streaming platforms like Netflix that are giving many opportunities for K-dramas to reach an international audience. The most hyped series of 2021 was Squid Game which definitely opened the door to the K drama land for many. If you started off your journey through Squid Game or need Korean drama suggestions but cannot commit up to 16 episodes then here are some of the best Korean mini-series that are streaming on Netflix right now.

10. Love Struck in the City

Number of Episodes - 17 (30 min)

The series tells a story about 6 people living Seoul and their thoughts on dating. Park Jae-won (Ji Chang-wook) an Architect met a woman during his vacation at Jiju Island. He could not forget her after she stole his camera and ghosted him. Lee Eun-o (Kim Ji-won) is a freelance marketer who meets Park Jae-won during her vacation but, introduces herself with a different name, Yoo Sun-A . The series also stars So Joo-yeon, Kim Min-seok, Ryu Kyung-soo, Han Ji-eun and Choi Min-ho (he had a special episode focusing on his love story). The first few episodes of the series is more of an interview style story telling. The series is beautifully crafted with heartbreaks and emotions, this series definitely will bring a smile to your face in the end.

9. My Name

Number of Episodes - 8

A woman-centric series starring Han So Hee, Ahn Bo Hyun, and Hi Soon-Park in lead roles. Yoon Ji-woo (Han So Hee) joins the police force after finding out her father Yoo Dong-hoon, a drug dealer was killed by a cop. To take revenge on the murderer, Ji-Woo joins Choi Mu-jin (Hi Soon-Park) boss of Dongchoeon, a drug ring organization who was Yoo Dong-hoon's partner and best friend. Together they try to find the murder and in the process Ji-woo meets Pi-do (Ahn Bo Hyun) and some surprising truths. With a stellar cast and high revenge action-packed scenes this series is a must-watch!

8. Sweet Home

Number of Episodes - 10

Netflix's most expensive series with each episode costing $2.7 million, Sweet home is based on a Webtoon series of the same name. Cha Hyun-soo (Song Kang) is a suicidal high school student who lives in the Green Home apartment complex after going through a tragedy in his family. The people in Green Home soon find out a mysterious phenomenon that is turning humans into monsters and their fight for survival. The series introduces other characters living in the apartment building, Lee Eun Hyuk (Lee Do-hyun) a medical student, and the elder brother to Lee Eun-yoo (Go Min-si), Seo Yi-Kyung (Lee Si-young) a former firefighter who is searching for her fiancé who has been missing for two days, and Pyeon Sang-wook (Lee Jin Wook) a gangster. A thrilling horror apocalypse series that literally keeps you right on the edge of your seat! Sweet Home will be returning with Season 2 and 3, wohoo!

7. Navillera

Number of Episodes - 12

Looking for a series for inspiration? Based on a Webtoon, Navillera is a heartwarming story of a 70-year-old Sim Deok-Chool ( Park In-Hwan) who had a dream of becoming a Ballet dancer but never had the opportunity due to his family's financial conditions. After retiring at 70, Sim Deok-Chool decides to take Ballet class under Le Chae-Rok (Song Kang) a 23-year-old who aspires to be a Professional Ballet Dancer. Navillera is not only a story about Ballet but it shows a story of a man who never gave up on his dream, the strength of a family during hardship, and how love can transform a person. A definite feel-good series that will make you smile and cry, and hopefully inspires you in some way.

6. Hellbound

Number of Episodes : 6

A Netflix fantasy horror series starring Yoo Ah-In, Kim Hyun Joo, Park Jung-min. The story is set in 2022 where people receive a decree from an angel (more like a demon) about prophecy on their death with date and time. At the time of death, unearthly creatures appear and kill the person. Jeong Jin-soo (Yoo Ah-In), the leader of New Truth, a religious cult declares the people who receive the decree are sinners. But the biggest question is, is that the truth? What is this unexplained phenomenon? The series shows a world that is being ruled by a religious cult and living in an apocalypse world.

Please note, the series has violence and the ending will drive you crazy! Yoo-Ah-In dramas never disappoint! Add it to your list right now!

5. Love Alarm

Season 1 Episodes - 8

Season 2 Episodes - 6

Love Alarm was the first Korean Netflix series and it certainly deserved all the hype it got. Based on a Webtoon, starring Song Kang, Kim So Hyun, and Jung Ga-ram. Love Alarm is a story about the Love Alarm app which alerts if someone within a 10-meter radius has a romantic feeling for you. The love triangle between the 3 actors will make you question who is the actual main lead and the second lead. If there is a series that I cannot move on that will be Love Alarm, it is one of my all-time favorite series mainly it's because the series is just beautiful whether it's the story, OST, or location, this is something close to perfect, so make sure you are not missing out on this series.

4. D.P.

Season 1 - 6 episodes

Netflix series on military hazing starring Jung Hae-In, Koo Kyun-hwan, and Kim Sung-kyun in prominent roles. An Jun-h (Jung Hae-In) and Han Ho-yul (Koo Kyun-hwan) are military police who catches deserted soldiers after fleeing from the training camps. Each episode shows different soldiers and their backstories. D.P has a unique storyline, it is not the usual military story where you see action and fights instead this series exposes the military hazing that happens in the country and heartwarming stories of soldiers. Jung Hae-in and Koo Kyun-hwan combination make it a Must-Watch series! D.P will be returning with a season 2.

3. Squid Game

Season 1 - 9 Episodes

Do I even need to write a synopsis? The most popular buzzworthy Korean series of 2021. When Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) meets an unexpected stranger (Gong Yoo) at the train station inviting him to Squid Game, he takes up the challenge hoping to win a huge amount to settle his debt. Gi-hun meets his childhood friend Cho Sang Wo (Park Hae-soo), an old man Oh II-nam (O Yeong-su), Sae-byeok (HoYeon Jung) a North Korean defector, Ali (Anupam Tripathi) an immigrant, and many more at the game thinking it will be an easy game until he realizes it's a game of survival. On the other hand, Hwa Jung-ho (Wi Ha-joon) a cop is on the hunt to find his missing brother and it takes him to Squid Game. Will be able to find the truth behind the game? who will win the game? A binge-worthy series, do not miss this one! Squid Game will be coming back with a season 2.

2. Kingdom

Season 1 - 6 Episodes

Season 2 - 6 Episodes

Special Epiosde : Kingdom : Ashin of the North

If you love the Zombie series but are tired of the typical Zombie storyline then Kingdom will raise the standards for you. Adapted from the Webcomic series The Kingdom of the Gods is set in the Joseon Dynasty. After learning that King was collapsed due to a sudden illness, Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) was forbidden to see his father. To know the truth behind his father's illness, Lee Chang and his royal guard Moo-Young (Kim Sang-Ho) heads to Donghae to meet the Physician who treated the King. Soon enough Lee Chang discovers a plaque that turns dead people into flesh-eating monsters. The Crown Prince needs to stop the plaque before it spreads to another region. The series is not just focused on Zombies but also on politics between the Haewon Cho clan and the Crown Prince on taking the throne. A Netflix special episode Kingdom: Ashin of the North was released on the origin of the plaque starring Jun Ji-hyun. The series will have a season 3 but it's worth the wait. Make sure you are not missing this masterpiece and add it to your watch list!

1. Move to Heaven

Number of Episodes - 10

Ending the list with a high packed emotional series, the story is about Han Keu Roo (Tang Joong Sang) has Asperger syndrome who works as a Trauma Cleaner at Move to Heaven along with his father Han Jung Woo who cleans up the belongings of people who passed away. They help the deceased ones with their final move. Each episode tells a heart-wrenching story of different people who died. This story definitely will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. The story, OST, actors especially Jae Hoon and Tang Joong Sang acting makes the series top 1 on this list. If you have not watched this series, then please add this to your list because this series is an underrated gem.

Let the binge party begins! 🥳