You typed that question into Google, didn't you? "What is Korea's top 1 drama?" You probably expected a simple answer. A single title. Something clean like "The best K-drama is X."

Here's the truth right up front: there isn't one. Not in the way you think.

Asking for Korea's top drama is like asking for the world's best food. The answer changes depending on who you ask, what you value, and the moment in time you're asking. Is it the one with the highest ratings in Korea? The one that won the most awards? The one that broke the internet globally? Or the one that changed Korean television forever?

Each of those questions has a different champion. And that's what makes this search so fascinating. Your real question isn't about a static ranking. It's about finding the drama that deserves the crown based on what *you* care about. Let's break down the real contenders.

The Domestic Rating King: A Record-Breaking Legacy

In Korea, television success is measured ruthlessly by one metric: ratings. Nielsen Korea's numbers are the final word. For decades, the crown belonged to a genre we might now call "traditional"—the family sageuk (historical drama) or the epic weekend drama.

The undisputed, all-time champion in this category is "Jumong" (2006).

It’s a founding myth story about the founder of Goguryeo, one of the ancient Three Kingdoms. Why did it resonate so deeply? It wasn't just about battles and politics. It tapped directly into a powerful sense of Korean identity and origin. It was spectacle, history, and national pride rolled into one.

But here's the non-consensus point everyone misses: citing Jumong as the "top drama" today is a historical answer, not a practical one. For a modern viewer, especially an international one, starting with an 81-episode historical drama from 2006 is like recommending the first mainframe computer to someone shopping for a laptop. It's important, but it's not where you start.

The Undisputed Global Phenomenon

This is the easiest answer for a global audience, and in many ways, the most legitimate for the title of "top 1" in the 2020s. There is zero debate here.

The champion is "Squid Game" (2021).

It didn't just break records; it atomized them. It became Netflix's most-watched series ever at its debut, a title it held firmly. We're talking about hundreds of millionsof household views in its first month. It transcended "K-drama" to become a global cultural event. Halloween costumes, memes, TikTok challenges, political discourse—it was everywhere.

But calling Squid Game the "top K-drama" feels slightly off, doesn't it? It's like calling "Parasite" the top Korean movie. It's true by one massive metric, but it exists almost outside the traditional genre. It's a survival thriller that happened to be Korean. For purists looking for the quintessential K-drama experience—the romance, the melodrama, the family dynamics—Squid Game isn't that. It's the top of a different, broader tree.

The Critical Darling & Awards Magnet

If we judge by prestige and industry recognition, the conversation shifts. The Baeksang Arts Awards are Korea's equivalent of the Emmys and Golden Globes combined. Winning the Grand Prize (Daesang) for television is the highest honor.

Recent winners read like a hall of fame: "My Mister" (2019), a profoundly melancholic and uplifting drama about healing, won the Daesang. "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" (Goblin) swept the awards in its year. "SKY Castle" (2019), a vicious satire of education obsession, became a shocking ratings smash and award winner.

But one drama stands out for merging critical acclaim with breathtaking artistic ambition: "Mr. Sunshine" (2018).

Written by the legendary Kim Eun-sook and directed by Lee Eung-bok (the duo behind Descendants of the Sun and Goblin), this 24-episode epic is arguably the most beautifully produced television drama ever made, period. Its budget was astronomical. Every frame looks like a painting. Its story, set in the early 1900s during the lead-up to Japanese colonization, is tragic, patriotic, and heartbreakingly romantic.

The Unforgettable Cultural Touchstone

Some dramas earn the "top" title not just by numbers, but by how deeply they burrow into the national psyche. They define eras and create templates that are copied for years.

"Winter Sonata" (2002) is the godfather here. It was the engine of the first Korean Wave (Hallyu) in Asia. Bae Yong-joon's scarves and glasses became a continent-wide phenomenon. It established the blueprint for the tragic, memory-loss romance that dominated the 2000s.

"My Love from the Star" (2014) did it for a new generation. It sparked fashion trends (Yoona's lipstick sold out globally), food trends (fried chicken and beer), and proved the power of the "fantasy romance" hybrid. Its success directly paved the way for the global streaming era.

And then there's "Reply 1988" (2016).

In Korea, if you ask people for their favorite, most beloved drama, Reply 1988 is mentioned with religious fervor. It doesn't have aliens or billionaires. It's about five families living in a Seoul neighborhood in 1988. It's about friendship, first love, family sacrifices, and the ache of growing up. Its power is in its specificity—the details of late-80s Korean life are perfect—which creates a universal feeling of nostalgia. On Korean review portals, it often holds a near-perfect score, higher than any blockbuster. By the metric of "pure, unadulterated love from its audience," it might be the true #1.

Finding Your Personal Top 1: A Decision Framework

So, you still want an answer? Let's be practical. Stop looking for the world's top 1. Find yours.

Ask yourself this:

If you want the landmark global event: Start with Squid Game. It's non-negotiable. You need to understand the scale it achieved.

If you want the perfect modern romance (the gateway drama): Your first stop should be Crash Landing on You. It has everything—chemistry, comedy, tension, tears—and is executed flawlessly. It's the modern benchmark.

If you want cinematic spectacle and historical tragedy: Dive into Mr. Sunshine. Prepare to be overwhelmed by its beauty and heartbreak.

If you want to understand why Koreans love K-dramas: Invest your time in Reply 1988. It's the emotional core of the genre.

If you want the iconic, genre-defining fantasy romance: Watch Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin). Its style, soundtrack, and mood are iconic.

See? One question, at least five legitimate "top" answers. That's the rich reality you're dealing with.

Your Top K-Drama Questions, Answered

The search for Korea's top 1 drama is a rabbit hole. A fun, emotionally charged, and revealing one. You won't find a single name at the bottom. You'll find a spectrum of brilliance—from the record-shattering power of Squid Game to the heartfelt nostalgia of Reply 1988, from the cinematic sweep of Mr. Sunshine to the romantic perfection of Crash Landing on You.

That's the real answer. The top isn't a peak; it's a glorious, crowded plateau. Your job isn't to find the one. It's to explore it and claim your own favorite. Now you know where to start.