It is inarguably the best time to be a K-drama fan. Between chart-topping romantic dramas to gripping thrillers, there’s no dearth of entertaining Korean shows out there. Amidst the slew of titles coming in, we won’t blame you for missing out on a few gems every now and then. After all, how do you pick between Park Seo Joon and Han So Hee’s return to fighting evil in Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 and Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon’s unbearable cuteness in Lovely Runner? Luckily for us, we can always use the Diwali 2024 holiday weekend for some good old binge-watching. Bonus points if you add some laddus and chaklis to your catch-up sessions to make it festive.

While these have nothing to do with Diwali, here are some unmissable K-dramas to watch this holiday weekend:

No Gain, No Love

Cast: Shin Min A, Kim Yong Dae, Han Ji Hyun, Lee Sang Yi, Joo Mingyung

Nobody, I repeat, nobody represents the modern girlboss like Shin Min A’s Son Hae Young. The romantic comedy No Gain, No Love sees the actress play a woman who hates losing out. She grew up thinking her mother prioritised the kids in their foster home over her and she carries that sense of missing out into her professional life. When she realises that married employees have better benefits in her company, she decides to fake a marriage in order to get ahead. However, do not be fooled by the comical plot. The show has some gut-wrenchingly emotional moments, and themes of loneliness and loss. Get ready to swoon over the romance and ugly cry within the span of the same episode.

Lovely Runner

Cast: Byeon Woo Seok, Kim Hye Yoon, Song Geon Hee, Lee Seung Hyub

Most K-drama fans did not expect Lovely Runner to turn into the success story it became. After several setbacks, the series arrived and climbed onto the No.1 spot on the charts within its premiere week. The show follows a K-pop fan who embarks on a quest to save her bias from his untimely death. The timeslip drama sees her go back to his high school days and decipher the truth behind his demise. But we wouldn’t get too caught up in the rules of time travel because very early on in the show, the narrative makes way for a heartfelt coming-of-age plot. Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok’s chemistry is top-notch and the warm, nostalgic setting only makes it better.

Gyeongseong Creature Season 2

Cast: Park Seo Joon, Han So Hee, Wi Ha Joon, Claudia Kim

After the first season ended on a cliffhanger, Gyeongseong Creature returned for a second season. The show takes a time jump from 1945 Gyeongseong to 2024 Seoul. In the present day, Yoon Chae Ok, a survivor of the Spring of 1945 runs into Ho Jae, a man who looks exactly like Jang Tae Sang. The two go up against fresh horrors in a past-meets-present tale of destiny. While the show has its roots in the horror genre, the narrative includes politics, action and some thrilling subplots to make it an entertaining watch.

Marry My Husband

Cast: Park Min Young, Na In Woo, Lee Yi Kyung, Song Ha Yoon, Lee Gi Kwang

We like to believe that What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? star Park Min Young can do no wrong. And we’re almost always right. In the thoroughly entertaining Marry My Husband, the actress plays a woman who is diagnosed with cancer and discovers that her husband is cheating on her. Instead of dying, she finds herself transported 10 years into the past. She then goes on to get revenge along with her boss. The show has some great moments and some moments that fans of the original webtoon might find faults with. That being said, it remains an unmissable watch that’s worth your time.

Love Next Door

Cast: Jung Hae In, Jung So Min, Kim Ji Eun, Yoon Ji On

There’s something endlessly endearing about watching childhood friends (or rivals) reunite in K-dramas. Love Next Door sees Jung Hae In and Jung So Min as the aforementioned childhood friends. The show revolves around a woman who leaves her seemingly perfect life abroad and returns to her hometown. Back home, her family will soon find out that she has quit her job and ended her engagement. Reuniting with her friend, now a successful architect, she sets out on a path of rediscovery. The leads’ easy chemistry when they’re fighting and bantering is palpable. And if you ask us, it carries the whole show.

Spice Up Our Love

Cast: Han Ji Hyun, Lee Sang Yi, Lee Yoo Jin

If you couldn’t get enough of the supporting cast of No Gain, No Love, you’re in luck because the show has a spin-off. It follows a web novel writer who transforms into Seo Yeon Seo, a nutritionist who gets swept up in a swoon-worthy romance with Kang Ha Joon, a CEO. Between the meta moments and the fun romantic track, the show is a fun-filled ride. Spice Up Our Love is fan service at best and the makers know it. 

The Judge From Hell

Cast: Jae Young Kim, Park Shin Hye, Kyu Han Lee, Kim Ah Young

If you’re missing legal K-dramas, you might want to check out The Judge From Hell. The show serves up loads of courtroom drama along with some fantasy elements and solid character arcs. The show revolves around Kang Bit Na, a skilful judge with a dark secret – she isn’t human. She’s a demon tasked with bringing justice to the worst criminals and sending them to hell. Her mission is interrupted when she meets a detective and their stories get intertwined.

Family By Choice

Cast: Hwang In Youp, Jung Chae Yeon, Bae Hyun Sung, Choi Won Young

Shows about found families will always be special. This one follows three friends who grew up together and developed a song bond. When they reunite years after high school, their past connections resurface. Amidst society’s judgement, they form an unconventional family unit as they decide to live together. The highlight? The whole plot is set against the backdrop of a charming beach town. Need we say more?

Seoul Busters

Cast: Lee Seung Woo, Kim Dong Wook, Park Se Wan, Park Ji Hwan

Seoul Busters is a rare comedic gem amidst all the rom-coms and thrillers. The show is an old-school comedy about oddball detectives from an underperforming precinct. Fed up with their incompetence, their boss moves them to a new office which doubles up as a play school for kids. Here they’re joined by the most accomplished detective in the country who in his quest for perfection wants to help them become the best police unit. The slapstick comedy and the loveable characters make this a light-hearted watch.

Queen Woo

Cast: Jeon Jong Seo, Ji Chang Wook, Jeong Yu Mi, Lee Soo Hyuk

Any K-drama list is incomplete without a historical drama. Queen Woo follows the story of the Empress of Goguryeo. Upon her husband and King’s death, she becomes the target of princes and surrounding kingdoms amidst a succession war. However, Woo Hee isn’t one to back down from a fight. If you love watching historical war dramas and women in action, this one’s for you.