Most people that I see on the internet, talk about 'Crash Landing on You', 'Goblin', 'Queen of Tears', or 'Vincenzo', when it comes to K-dramas. But what about the gems that didn't go viral yet pack just as much heart, humor, and emotional depth?

Yes, there are a lot of K-dramas that go unnoticed in the social world, and here I am recommending them to you so that you go and add them to your Netflix Watch list.

Here are six underrated K-dramas that deserve way more attention than they receive:

#1 Oh My Venus (2015)

On the surface, Oh My Venus appears to be about weight loss, but when you explore it in depth, you will see a narrative about emotional healing, self-worth, and breaking free from societal expectations.

Kang Joo-eun (Shin Min-ah) and Kim Young-ho (So Ji-sub) are not just shaping their bodies; they are reconstructing their sense of self.

The transformation arc isn’t just physical—it represents shedding the past, unlearning self-hate, and reclaiming confidence on one’s own terms. The gym is a metaphor for life’s challenges; every push-up and every setback reflect their emotional battles.

#2 Fight For My Way K-drama (2017)

This drama is for every underdog who has ever struggled against the odds. Ko Dong-man (Park Seo-joon) and Choi Ae-ra (Kim Ji-won) chase dreams they were told they could never achieve.

Fight for my way is about fighting in literal sense as Dong-man wants to fulfill his dream of becoming a star taekwondo fighter who dreamed of representing Korea. However, a mistake ruined his life, and he became an MMA fighter. On the other hand, Ae-ra fights for her dream to become a television announcer.

Dong-man’s career as a fighter mirrors his battle with his own insecurities. Ae-ra’s microphone represents her unheard voice, her dream buried under practicality. Their “way” is unfinished, constantly evolving, just like real-life struggles.

It is also about fighting self-doubts, societal judgment, and a life that feels predetermined.

#3 Still 17 (2018)

Woo Seo-ri (Shin Hye-sun) wakes up from a coma after 13 years, but inside, she is still a 17-year-old. She remembers her school work, competition, friends, like it was yesterday.

Time has moved forward, but she hasn't. This drama beautifully portrays how trauma can mentally freeze people, leaving them stuck in an age or phase that no longer exists. Of course, the drama included a set of her waking up after 13 years, but it symbolizes the concept of stuck in an age even without a coma.

She loved to play violin, and she remembers even after 13 years. The violin represents Seo-ri’s lost potential, something left unfinished but never forgotten. The metaphor of windows and locked doors appears frequently, symbolizing how different characters either embrace or resist change.

A hidden back-story with Goo Woo-jin unfolds, a cheerful young man withdrawn from the world, lived in guilt, not knowing the actual story. The romance between these two will begin as they cross paths.

Still 17 beautifully captures how love isn’t just about passion—it’s about finding someone who sees you, understands your pain, and helps you move forward.

#4 18 Again (2020)

Now think, what would you do if you could go back in time? Not just to relive your school days, but to understand what you failed to see the first time?

18 Again us about correcting those mistakes and seeing life through a new lens.

Lee Do-hyun’s turns 18 again, but the time doesn't go back, his wife and children remain the same. He introduces his new name - Hong Dae-young.

This drama shows that it isn’t about erasing regrets, but about reappreciating what he had. Basketball serves as a metaphor for his missed opportunities, as well as his chance to reconnect with his children’s struggles.

This time his mind was mature, but he went back to explore the school days, the problems his kids faces, the struggles his wife goes through daily, and he acknowledges how ignorant was he all this time as a father, husband.

#5 Little Women (2022)

This K-drama takes the classic Little Women and reimagines it as a psychological thriller where poverty, ambition, and morality clash. The three sister's journey isn't just about survival, but it is about redefining power and success.

The Oh sisters - In Joo, In Kyung, and In Hye have different views on money, morality, and ambition. The eldest believes in that wealth is the only way out of their struggles, the middle sister is a fearless journalist who refuses to compromise her integrity, and the youngest is drawn into the world of the rich.

In the kdrama, there's an orchid flower—a recurring symbol—represents both beauty and poison, innocence and corruption. The idea that money brings freedom is constantly questioned as the sisters navigate their moral dilemmas.

The theme they have explored here is how far you would go to change your fate?

#5 Castaway Diva (2023)

What does it mean to dream when no one can hear you? Castaway Diva follows a girl with a passion for singing who is stranded on an island for 15 years. The physical island is just the beginning—her real struggle is with the emotional island she has built around herself.

Seo Mok-ha (played by Eun-bin), finally returns to civilization, but the world has moved on without her. The ocean represents both a barrier and a bridge—separating her from the world yet leading her to destiny. Music is her only connection to her past and her future, symbolizing resilience and hope.

Yet, survival is more than just being found because it’s about reclaiming her voice in a world that no longer knows her. As Mok-ha navigates fame, loneliness, and rediscovering herself, Castaway Diva explores whether dreams can truly survive time, isolation, and heartbreak!

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for dramas that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on life, these are must-watch recommendations. So, the next time you're scrolling through Netflix wondering what to watch, give these underappreciated masterpieces a chance. You might just find a new favorite that speaks to your heart in unexpected ways.

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