Kpopmap Editors' Pick:
Best of 2021 K-Dramas
Ishani Sarkar ยท Kay ยท Laure
The year is about to end, and it is time to celebrate the new year in a couple of days. But, before 2022 starts, it is the perfect time to look back on 2021 and its not-to-miss releases.
Here at Kpopmap, our Team prepared a list of what makes 2021 an awesome year in K-Dramas with a list of the best dramas, couples, and more.
Don't forget to share your 2021 favorites with Kpopmap readers and us in the comments.
Note: This article contains some spoilers.
Best dramas
Ishani Sarkar
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tvN "Yumi's Cells"
Easily the best webtoon adaptation of 2021, "Yumi's Cells" ushered a new era of K-Content with its flawless juxtaposition of animation and live-action. Needless to say, the cast was simply brilliant and we cannot wait for season 2.
Kim GoEun, Ahn BoHyun, GOT7's JinYoungRead More -
tvN "True Beauty"
"True Beauty" was a drama that made 2021 a golden year in K-Drama history. Nothing except for a second season would ever be able to replace the charm of ASTRO's Cha EunWoo, Moon GaYoung, and Hwang InYoup in this drama.
ASTRO's Cha EunWoo, Moon GaYoung, Hwang InYoupRead More -
Netflix "D.P."
A drama that has the ability to shake you from the core, works like "D.P." only come around once in a blue moon. Besides, in this drama, we got the duo we never expected but the one we desperately needed: Jung HaeIn and Koo KyoHwan.
Jung HaeIn, Koo KyoHwan, Kim SungKyun, and Son SeokKooRead More -
tvN "Mr. Queen"
"Mr. Queen" is a drama that truly proved how Shin HyeSun and Kim JungHyun are masters at their craft. The wonderfully modern story set in an unfamiliar ancient timeline gives a fresh twist to the narrative that is simply unforgettable.
Shin HyeSun, Kim JungHyun, Na InWooRead More -
SBS "Racket Boys"
The most feel-good and wholesome drama of the year was undoubtedly "Racket Boys". This drama feels like a burst of sunshine and adrenaline at the same time and if you need a dose of pure happiness, look no further because it doesn't get better than this.
Tang JunSang, Kim KangHoon, Choi HyunWook, Kim SangKyung, Oh NaRaCast & Summary
Kay
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TVING "Yumi's Cells"
Not only was the cast's acting brilliant, but the best part of this drama was the shift in perspective. Getting to understand and relate to the characters even more by getting to know their cells made this drama layered and intriguing. Read More
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tvN "True Beauty"
"True Beauty" was the go-to feel-good rom-com K-Drama of 2021. The chemistry between the cast, their visuals, the storyline, all of it kept you looking forward to the next episode and paying attention to every single second. Read More
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SBS "Penthouse: War In Life"
"Penthouse: War In Life" seasons 2 and 3 had you sinking your hooks into every single second of the drama. It was full of plot twists that had you in disbelief and the ever-changing character dynamics gave you whiplash but in the best way possible. Eugene, Kim SoYeon, Lee JiAhRead More
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SBS "Lovers of the Red Sky"
This was one of the best historical K-Dramas of the year. Not only was the storyline and mix of fantasy elements intriguing, but Ahn HyoSeop's acting complemented by his chemistry with Kim YooJung was extremely convincing. Ahn HyoSeop, Kim YooJung, Gong MyungRead More
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JTBC "Reflection of You"
"Reflection of You" was one of those dramas that had you questioning the fine line between wrong and right and sometimes rooting for characters that you shouldn't have. It was intense, emotional, and a captivating watch. Go HyungJung, Shin HyunBin, Kim JaeYoungRead More
Laure
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tvN "True Beauty"
"True Beauty" is the best romantic comedy drama of the year (by far) for me. It is like a sweet candy that brings you happiness and that you end up not being able to stop eating because you are already addicted to it without knowing it (lucky enough, a drama is not hurtful for your health). Cast & Summary
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JTBC "Run On"
Im SiWan & Shin SeKyung and SooYoung & Kang TaeOh are two atypical and unforgettable couples that captivate viewers entirely. In the low-paced romance "Run On", the dialogues are fascinating, and the whole story is healing; it is a drama not to miss out on. Im SiWan, Shin SeKyung, (Choi) SooYoung, Kang TaeOhCast & Summary
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tvN "Happiness"
Park HyungSik and Han HyoJoo's chemistry and skilled acting made "Happiness" one of the best dramas of 2021. The depicting of human nature during a zombie outbreak was interesting, but the drama was only better because of these two. Park HyungSik, Han HyoJoo, Jo WooJin Cast & Summary
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tvN "My Roommate is a Gumiho"
If you are looking for comedy, you shouldn't miss the hilarious romantic comedy of this year: "My Roommate is a Gumiho". We couldn't get enough of Jang KiYong & HyeRi and Kang HanNa & Kim DoWan's funny interactions; this needs a season 2. Jang KiYong, HyeRi, Kang HanNa, Kim DoWan, Bae InHyuk Read More
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KBS "The King's Affection"
"The King's Affection" brought viewers on a palpitating palace story with excellent acting and lovely sets. The beautiful romantic relationship and tense political struggles made the show enchanting.Park EunBin, SF9's RoWoon, Nam YoonSu Read More
Best web dramas
Ishani Sarkar
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Coupang Play "One Ordinary Day"
Kim SooHyun and Cha SeungWon came in at the end of the year and completely dominated the industry with "One Ordinary Day". From the unsettling premise to the fast-paced action and the suspense of it all, everything about this drama screams brilliance. Kim SooHyun, Cha SeungWonCast & Summary
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TVING "Work Later, Drink Now"
Work Later, Drink Now" is as refreshing as a Friday night after an especially hard week at work. The variety of characters and all their idiosyncrasies that make them imperfect are exactly what make this drama perfect. APINK's Jung EunJi, SECRET's Han SunHwa, Lee SunBin, Super Junior's Choi SiWon Read More
Kay
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Kakao TV "A Love So Beautiful"
This was everything that a high-teen drama is supposed to encompass. It was youthful and an entertaining watch as you got a slice-of-life look at the friendship and romantic dynamics between teens. WEi's Kim YoHan, So JooYeon, Yeo HoeHyunRead More
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Kakao TV "Shadow Beauty"
This web drama is a riveting watch that has you hooked to the suspenseful storyline and the extremely convincing acting. The story is dark but grapples with the ins and outs of life with social media, making for an interesting piece of societal analysis. Shim DalGi, Golden Child's BoMin, PENTAGON's HoSeokRead More
Laure
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TVing "Scripting Your Destiny"
"Scripting Your Destiny" is a mysterious, unpredictable, and captivating web drama that was particularly pleasing to watch. It was good to see rising actors (and fresh faces) work on this beautiful fantasy script of famous writer Kim EunSook. Jeon SoNee, Ki DoHoon, Park SangNamCast & Summary
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Put Your HANDSOME "Handmade Love"
It does not take long for "Handmade Love" to make viewers fall into its universe with visually pleasing and detailed sets. Moreover, casting Lee SooHyuk as a cold god is what fans have been requesting for years, and "Handmade Love" finally did it for us; needless to mention that he has perfect synchronization with this role. Lee SooHyuk, Lee SuJi, Park SeungJiRead More
Best Couple / Duo
Ishani Sarkar
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tvN Shin HyeSun & Kim JungHyun - "Mr. Queen"
The BongHwan (or alternatively, Kim SoYong) x CheolJong couple lives in my mind absolutely rent-free. The immaculate comedic timing of both actors coupled with their brilliant seriousness make for an unbeatable power couple but it is in the nuances of their affection for each other that their chemistry is elevated to a whole new level.Cast & Summary
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Netflix Park JungMin & Won JinA - "Hellbound"
This couple occupied half of a 6-episode short-form series "Hellbound" but those three episodes were enough to make them my OTP. The painfully perfect representation of a realistic couple faced with an unnatural crisis, this is a couple that can truly make you believe in love that transcends all darkness. Cast & Summary
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tvN ASTRO's Cha EunWoo & Hwang InYoup - "True Beauty"
The debate about who Im JuKyung (played by Moon GaYoung) should have ended up with in "True Beauty" can go on for ages but one thing is certain: there's nothing like the soulful friendship that SuHo (ASTRO's Cha EunWoo) and SeoJun (Hwang InYoup) have. Platonic soulmates, I say! Read More
Kay
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SBS Kim HyeonSoo & Kim YoungDae - "Penthouse: War In Life"
This couple was the ultimate couple when it came to looking out for each other, especially when Kim YoungDae's character amazed us by even going against an unexpected character to protect his love. Read More
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tvN ASTRO's Cha EunWoo & Moon GaYoung - "True Beauty"
Not only did Cha EunWoo capture our hearts with the way that he loved Moon GaYoung despite her struggles with self-esteem issues, but the two of them also had some of the best chemistry that we've seen on camera this year. Read More
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tvN Park HyungSik & Han HyoJoo - "Happiness"
Although their relationship was portrayed as being more complex than most, that is actually what made them more endearing as a couple. Their chemistry contributed to that authenticity as well. Read More
Laure
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KBS Kim MyungSoo (INFINITE's L) & Lee YiKyung - "Royal Secret Agent"
Kim MyungSoo and Lee YiKyung formed a truly memorable duo in "Royal Secret Agent", without their hilarious and touching bromance, there would have been no fun in watching their adventures. They are so amusing together that we can only hope to see them together one more. Read More
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JTBC SF9's RoWoon & Won JinA - "She Would Never Know"
RoWoon and Won JinA's chemistry was undeniably high in "She Would Never Know". Their passionate romance was filled with their perfectly delivered heart fluttering and lovely romance scenes; this couple made our heart race this year.Read More
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tvN Song Kang & Park InHwan - "Navillera"
In "Navillera", Song Kang & Park InHwan were an unforgettable pair for their shared story and the strong bond between the two actors. In this splendid life-teaching story, the two actors made viewers root for their characters, laugh and cry with them. Read More
Characters Who Deserved Better
Ishani Sarkar
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tvN Kwak DongYeon's Jang HanSeo - "Vincenzo"
At one point in "Vincenzo", I was unequivocally rooting more for Jang HanSeo than any other character on the show, and for good reason too! His selfless sacrifice and forethought were key to dissolving a lot of tangled ends and he definitely deserved a happier ending than just a simple acknowledgment from his hyung. Profile
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Netflix Jung HoYeon's Kang SaeByeok - "Squid Game"
The world collectively wept for Kang SaeByeok as she was carried away in a pretty pink box, eliminated from the Game. The way Jung HoYeon endeared herself to a global audience through Kang SaeByeok truly speaks volumes of her talent because I'm still not over how attached I feel to this character. Read More
Kay
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JTBC Chae JongHyup's Yang DongHyuk - "Nevertheless,"
Chae JongHyup's character in "Nevertheless," deserved more in the romance department. He gave his everything to someone who wasn't capable of properly receiving it and he deserved to find love with someone who could appreciate his sincerity. Read More
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Netflix Anupam Tripathi's Ali - "Squid Game"
Anupam Tripathi's character in "Squid Game" was done dirty by not only the game system itself but by someone that he believed he could trust too. It was hard to watch the injustice that happened to him without wanting to hop into the screen and make it right yourself. Read More
Laure
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KBS Bae InHyuk's Nam SooHyun - "At A Distance, Spring is Green"
Bae InHyuk made viewers' hearts ache from the start to the end as a poor and unhappy university student who is overworked and undernourished for the sake of supporting his sick mother and his little brother (while being a top student). But, sadly, the end does not give him more happiness because he refuses to think about dating and living for himself. Read More
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tvN SF9's Chani's Jung SeYeon - "True Beauty"
SeYeon's bloody hand and friendship bracelet coming out of the stretcher (and tvN using SF9 official promotional pictures) made the character's suicide even more shocking and unerasable from my mind. No one could stop this young boy in his tragic action (initiated with false accusations), and every viewer of "True Beauty" only wished for a better life for Jung SeYeon. Read More
Best villain / antagonist
Ishani Sarkar
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Netflix Yoo AhIn - "Hellbound"
Yoo AhIn did not have nearly as much screentime as I hoped he would in "Hellbound" but as long as he was on screen, he maintained such an eerie air about him that it chilled me to the bone. Jung JinSu isn't just your everyday, regular, normal villain but rather one that you find yourself empathizing with and that is exactly what makes this character so dangerous. Read More
Kay
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SBS Kim SoYeon - "Penthouse: War In Life"
Kim SoYeon's character is the queen of plotting, revenge, and having no conscience. Anything that gets in her way or is a detriment to her and her family must be eliminated no matter what it takes and we love to hate her for it. Read More
Laure
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SBS Cha JiYeon - "Taxi Driver"
Cha JiYeon is the villain that gave us the most chills this year. Surrounded by her scary-looking gangsters, she is senseless to people's pains and is not scared to do abominable deeds; a true villain.Read More
With such a brilliant year behind us and an even brighter one ahead, the Kpopmap Team wishes you a very happy new year! Let's look forward to another year of even more wonderful K-Content to make our lives happier! - The Kpopmap Team