26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
8 classic K-dramas to catch, from Full House to Stairway to Heaven to Coffee Prince
The popularity of Korean dramas is nothing new. Highly rated shows like Stairway to Heaven, Jewel in the Palace and Winter Sonata once swept Asia, captivating audiences and sparking a cultural phenomenon.
Advertisement
These classic dramas from the 1990s and early 2000s, which were instrumental in launching the original Korean wave, are now finding fresh audiences worldwide thanks to the power of modern streaming services.
US-based Korean content streamer Kocowa, operated by Wavve Americas, says these older shows' powerful storytelling continues to connect with viewers around the world today.
Here is a closer look at some of these all-time classics, drawn from a list provided by the US-based Korean movie and drama streaming service, that helped shape and influence the dynamic Korean entertainment landscape we enjoy today.
A still from Jewel in the Palace, set in Korea's Joseon dynasty. Photo: MBC
Epic dramas
Historical K-dramas, with their rich, cinematic narratives, offer outside audiences a unique and immersive window into a world they may not be familiar with.
