Looking for the best Korean dramas? Watch these Award-Winning Korean Dramas and Films on Viu
As our time in lockdown grows longer and longer, we now have even more time to indulge in Korean dramas and Korean films. With an overwhelming selection made available to us (and legally, of course), we’re sure you’re left wondering - what’s actually worth watching?
While we’ve also got a list of medical Korean dramas, historical Korean dramas and action-packed Korean dramas to suit your preference, we put together a list of award-winning Korean dramas and films that we think are absolutely worth your time. We would even go as far to say that these are some of the best Korean dramas and films available right now, and luckily for you, they’re available to stream on Viu. Check them out:
Award-Winning Korean Dramas
- A World of Married Couple (The World of the Married)
- Dr. Romantic 2
- Sky Castle
- My Mister
- The Light in Your Eyes
- Hot Stove League
1. A World of Married Couple (The World of the Married)
In case you missed it, A World of Married Couple made waves in the Korean Drama scene just earlier this year - and for good reason. If you’re looking for a drama to sink into easily, you’ll love this drama starring Kim Hee-Ae and Park Hae-Joon.
A World of Married Couple pulls focus on the life of Ji Sun-Woo, a woman who seems to have it all with a successful career and a loving family. However, her world turns upside down when she learns of her husband’s involvement with another woman.
A World of Married Couple is the highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history. The K-Drama also won big at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, bagging Best Director for Mo Wan-il and Best Actress for Kim Hee-ae.
2. Dr. Romantic 2
Following the success and popularity of Dr. Romantic (2016), fans are welcomed back into the halls of Doldam Hospital, but this time they follow the journey of 2nd year fellows, Seo Woo Jin (Ahn Hyo-Seop) and Cha Eun-Jae (Lee Sung-Kyung) as they train under Teacher Kim.
Ahn Hyo-Seop won Best New Actor (TV) Award at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards for his performance in Dr. Romantic 2.
3. Sky Castle
Sky Castle follows the lives of four housewives who reside at the exclusive and luxurious neighborhood of Sky Castle. Viewers get a close look into the lives of the upper-class in Seoul, exposing the cunning ways they secure the success of their families.
This Korean drama is the second highest-rated drama, following A World of Married Couple, and has multiple awards, including four awards at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards.
4. My Mister
The Korean Drama My Mister puts the spotlight on four individuals, whose lives are far from easy. Each of them carry a load of burdens from struggling family members, broken marriages and debt.
My Mister has won multiple television awards, including the Best Drama and Best Screenplay at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards.
5. The Light In Your Eyes
Kim Hye-Ja, a 25-year-old woman, uses a special watch to turn back time to correct her past. One day, she suddenly becomes a 70-year old and regretfully wishes she didn’t spend her time going back in time. Joon Ha on the other hand is a troubled young man who flirts with the idea of ending his life. The Light in Your Eyes is the story of how these two individuals come together, revealing the importance of life and time.
This Korean drama won the Grand Prize in the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards and as well as Best Supporting Actress for Lee Jung-Eun’s performance.
6. Hot Stove League
Hot Stove League won the Best Drama award at the 56th Baeksang Awards, which is enough reason for you to start watching this drama. It follows Baek Seung-Soo (Nam Gung-Min), who is the newly appointed manager of the lowest ranked professional baseball team, Dreams. Together with Lee Se-Young (Park Eun-Bin), they work towards making Dreams the best team in the league.
Award-Winning Korean Films
- Parasite
- Burning
- Exit
- Kim Ji Young, Born 1982
- Spy Gone North
- Dark Figure of Crime
1. Parasite
More than just winning the prestigious Baeksang Award, Parasite has put Korean films on the map by winning multiple awards at The Academy Awards last February 2020, including Best Picture - the highest award of the ceremony.
When Ki-Woo is given an opportunity to tutor the daughter of a wealthy couple, he and his sister devise a way to get their family out of poverty. Soon enough, Ki-Woo’s family is employed by the wealthy Park family, but the story of greed and societal discrimination only begins there.
If you have yet to watch this Oscar-winning film, stop what you’re doing and stream Parasite on Viu right now.
2. Burning
Yoo Ah In stars alongside The Walking Dead’s Steven Yeun in Burning, a slow burn psychological thriller that will have you at the edge of your seat. Based on Haruki Murakami’s The Elephant Vanishes, the story follows an aspiring novelist, Jong-soo (Yoo Ah-In), who meets Ben (Steven Yeung) through a longtime friend. Later on, Ben tells Jong-soo of his rather interesting hobby.
Many may not know this, but Burning was actually selected as the South Korean entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards. Although it did not go on to become nominated, it was the first Korean film to ever make it to the shortlist. This was only one of the many awards and recognitions received by the film.
3. Exit
Exit is an action comedy film starring Im Yoon-ah and Jo Jung-suk. It has won a multitude of awards, including Best Screenplay at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards and Best Film Editing at the 56th Grand Bell Awards.
Yong-nam has long graduated from university, however is still jobless but remains passionate about rock climbing. On his mother’s 70th birthday, he is reunited with an ex-rock climber and his crush from university, Eui-joo. On the same night, a mysterious white gas engulfs the city of Seoul, and the two get together to save the day.
4. Kim Ji Young, Born 1982
Starring Gong Yoo and Jung Yu-Mi, the story follows Kim Ji-young (Jung Yu-Mi) who quits her job in PR to take care of her daughter. However, one day she suddenly acts out of character, seemingly possessed by people like her mother and grandmother.
The film won multiple awards in South Korea and around Asia, including Best New Director at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards and Best Actress at the 56th Grand Bell Awards.
5. Spy Gone North
Set in 1933, Spy Gone North is a story of how a South Korean army major infiltrated a North Korean nuclear facility. The film is based on a true story and stars Hwang Jung-min, Cho Jin-woong, and Lee Sung-min. The film went on to win international recognition, as well as the Best Film and Best Actor award for Lee Sung-min at the 55th Baeksang Art Awards.
6. Dark Figure of Crime
Dark Figure of Crime, the 55th Baeksang Art Award Winner for Best Screenplay, is a psycho-murder mystery based on a true story. When criminal Tae-Oh confesses to seven murders, Hyun-min, a detective from Busan becomes intrigued by his case. While others are skeptical about Tae-Oh’s confession, Hyun-min sets off to find the seven individuals with zero leads, which forces him into a tug of war with the murder himself.
