2015 was a stellar year for Kdramas, with a mix of genres ranging from romance and family dramas to historical thrillers and medical shows. The year introduced some of the most unforgettable characters, gripping plots, and heart-wrenching storylines. Whether you were looking for deep family connections, intense love stories, or epic historical sagas, 2015 had it all. In this list, we explore the top 20 Kdramas that captivated audiences and made their mark in the world of Korean television.

Main Casts: Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Go Kyung-pyo, Ryu Jun-yeol, Lee Dong-hwi

Director: Shin Won-ho

Writer: Lee Woo-jung

Number of Episodes: 20

Date of Release: November 6, 2015 – January 16, 2016

Network/Streamer: tvN

Genre: Family, Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life

Synopsis: Set in the late 1980s, “Reply 1988” follows the lives of five childhood friends growing up in a neighborhood in Seoul. It explores their families, friendships, and romantic relationships, all while offering a nostalgic trip through the music, culture, and events of the era. The story touches on family bonds and the challenges of coming-of-age in a rapidly changing world.

Main Casts: Hyun Bin as Goo Seo-jin / Robin, Han Ji-min as Jang Ha-na, Sung Joon as Yoon Tae-joo, Lee Hye-ri as Min Woo-jung

Director: Jo Young-kwang

Writer: Kim Ji-woon

Number of Episodes: 20

Date of Release: January 21 – March 26, 2015

Network/Streamer: SBS

Genre: Romance, Drama, Fantasy

Synopsis: Goo Seo-jin is the cold and calculating director of Wonderland, a theme park. However, he harbors a secret—he has dissociative identity disorder, with a second personality named Robin, who is kind and gentle. When circus master Jang Ha-na enters his life, she becomes entangled in his two conflicting personalities. As Ha-na starts to fall for Robin, she also discovers the painful past that created his condition. As Seo-jin struggles to integrate his identities, he must choose between control and love.

Trivia: The drama was based on the webtoon Dr. Jekyll is Mr. Hyde by Lee Choong-ho.

Main Casts: Ji Sung, Hwang Jung-eum, Park Seo-joon

Director: Kim Jin-man

Writer: Jin Soo-wan

Number of Episodes: 20

Date of Release: January 7, 2015 – March 12, 2015

Network/Streamer: MBC

Genre: Psychological, Drama, Romance

Synopsis: Cha Do-hyun (Ji Sung), a rich heir, suffers from dissociative identity disorder and has seven different personalities. He hires a psychiatrist, Oh Ri-jin (Hwang Jung-eum), to help him regain control of his life. As they work together, the two develop a romantic relationship, all while unearthing dark secrets from his traumatic past.

Trivia: Ji Sung’s portrayal of multiple personalities earned him a prestigious award at the MBC Drama Awards for Best Actor.

Main Casts: Park Bo-young, Jo Jung-suk, Lim Ju-hwan, Kim Seul-gi

Director: Yoo Je-won

Writer: Yang Hee-seung

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: July 3, 2015 – August 22, 2015

Network/Streamer: tvN

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Supernatural

Synopsis: “Oh My Ghost” follows Na Bong-sun (Park Bo-young), a shy assistant chef who is possessed by a ghost (Kim Seul-gi) with a lustful nature. Bong-sun is now able to act confidently and pursue her crush, Chef Kang (Jo Jung-suk). But as the ghost’s influence grows, Bong-sun must confront her own fears and unresolved emotions.

Main Casts: Kim Rae-won, Jo Yoon-hee, Lee Mi-sook, Son Hyun-joo

Director: Lee Myung-woo

Writer: Kim Woo-seok

Number of Episodes: 20

Date of Release: November 23, 2014 – March 15, 2015

Network/Streamer: SBS

Genre: Drama, Legal, Thriller

Synopsis: Prosecutor Park Jung-hwan (Kim Rae-won) is a dedicated public servant with a deep sense of justice. As he faces corruption within the judicial system and his own health problems, he must navigate his relationships with colleagues and loved ones while tackling the criminals in his path. The drama delves into power, betrayal, and personal struggles.

Main Casts: Lee Seung-gi, Shin Se-kyung, Choi Jin-hyuk, Park Shin-hye

Director: Ahn Pan-seok

Writer: Kim Yi-young

Number of Episodes: 20

Date of Release: March 8, 2015 – May 17, 2015

Network/Streamer: SBS

Genre: Romance, Drama, Thriller

Synopsis: “War of the Son” follows the story of a brilliant but emotionally scarred young man, who works as a prosecutor and has a complicated relationship with his family. The drama explores his struggles to understand his past, his feelings, and the people around him. As he is thrust into a tense legal battle, he must confront his deepest fears.

Main Casts: Hwang Jung-eum, Park Seo-joon, Choi Siwon, Go Joon-hee

Director: Jung Dae-yoon

Writer: Jo Sung-hee

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: September 16, 2015 – November 11, 2015

Network/Streamer: MBC

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Synopsis: “She Was Pretty” tells the story of an overweight and insecure girl who reunites with her childhood friend, now a successful and handsome man. She struggles with her appearance and worries that he will no longer recognize her. However, her transformation into a confident woman opens doors to love, self-acceptance, and unexpected challenges.

Main Casts: Soo Ae, Joo Ji-hoon, Yeon Jung-hoon, Park Se-young

Director: Boo Sung-chul

Writer: Choi Ho-chul

Number of Episodes: 20

Date of Release: May 27, 2015 – July 30, 2015

Network/Streamer: SBS

Genre: Romance, Thriller, Mystery

Synopsis: “Mask” follows the life of a woman who, after losing her mother, assumes a new identity to survive and take care of her family. She becomes involved with a wealthy businessman, but her past and her hidden secrets complicate their relationship. The drama explores themes of identity, trust, and love amidst deceit and corruption.

Main Casts: Kim Mu-yeol, Lee Si-young, Choi Min-soo, Kim Young-ae

Director: Lee Kwang-young

Writer: Kim Ji-woo

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: July 28, 2015 – September 17, 2015

Network/Streamer: OCN

Genre: Thriller, Crime, Romance

Synopsis: This crime thriller tells the story of a man who searches for his missing fiancée after she disappears under mysterious circumstances. As he delves deeper into the underworld, he uncovers dark secrets and conspiracies that put his life and love at risk. The series focuses on love, revenge, and the quest for justice.

Main Casts: Seo In-guk, Jang Nara, Park Bo-gum, Choi Won-young

Director: Kim Jin-man

Writer: No Ji-sul

Number of Episodes: 18

Date of Release: June 22, 2015 – August 11, 2015

Network/Streamer: KBS2

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Psychological

Synopsis: “Hello Monster” follows a detective who specializes in solving cold cases involving serial killers. He forms a partnership with a woman who has a complicated past. Together, they investigate gruesome crimes while also battling their personal demons. As they get closer to solving the mysteries, they uncover chilling truths about the killers.

Main Casts: Choi Kang-hee, Chun Jung-myung, Ahn Jae-hyun, Lee Jae-yoon

Director: Lee Yoon-jung

Writer: Lee Hee-myung

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: January 9, 2015 – March 6, 2015

Network/Streamer: tvN

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama

Synopsis: “Heart to Heart” follows a woman who suffers from social anxiety disorder and wears a mask to hide her condition. She meets a psychiatrist who is grappling with his own issues. As they work together, they develop a deep bond, and the series explores their personal growth, healing, and their evolving relationship.

Trivia: The series was praised for its portrayal of mental health issues, and Choi Kang-hee’s performance received positive reviews for her role.

Main Casts: Joo Won, Kim Tae-hee, Chae Jung-an, Jo Hyun-jae

Director: Oh Jin-seok

Writer: Jang Hyeok-rin

Number of Episodes: 18

Date of Release: August 5, 2015 – September 17, 2015

Network/Streamer: SBS

Genre: Medical, Romance, Thriller

Synopsis: “Yong Pal” tells the story of a genius surgeon who works as a “yong pal” (a black-market doctor) for criminals to make ends meet. His life changes when he encounters a comatose heir to a conglomerate’s fortune, and they develop a complex relationship. The drama explores themes of power, greed, and the medical world.

Main Casts: Lee Yeon-hee, Choi Si-won, Lee Sung-jae, Kim Ji-seok

Director: Kim Jung-kwon

Writer: Kim Yi-young

Number of Episodes: 50

Date of Release: March 28, 2015 – October 18, 2015

Network/Streamer: MBC

Genre: Historical, Drama, Politics

Synopsis: Set in the Joseon Dynasty, “Splendid Politics” follows the turbulent life of a woman who becomes entangled in the world of politics and royal conspiracies. She becomes a powerful figure in her own right, navigating a world of betrayal and ambition as she rises in rank and faces political intrigue.

Main Casts: Jung Eun-ji, Lee Won-keun, Choi Tae-joon, Seo Kang-joon

Director: Lee Kyung-seok

Writer: Lee Yoon-joo

Number of Episodes: 12

Date of Release: October 5, 2015 – November 10, 2015

Network/Streamer: KBS2

Genre: School, Youth, Romance, Drama

Synopsis: “Sassy Go Go” follows a high school cheerleading squad that has been struggling with internal conflict. The story focuses on how the squad’s members navigate friendship, love, and rivalry. It showcases the pressures and challenges of being a student while trying to break free from societal expectations.

Main Casts: Cha Tae-hyun, Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Soo-hyun, IU

Director: Seo Soo-min, Park Jin-woo

Writer: Park Ji-eun

Number of Episodes: 12

Date of Release: May 15, 2015 – June 20, 2015

Network/Streamer: KBS2

Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama

Synopsis: “The Producers” is a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry in South Korea. It follows a group of TV producers, stars, and their interactions with one another as they create reality shows and variety programs. The series highlights the personal and professional struggles of its characters as they balance their ambitions and relationships.

Main Casts: Lee Joon-gi, Lee Yu-bi, Kim So-eun, Ahn Jae-hyun

Director: Lee Sung-joon

Writer: Jang Hyun-joo

Number of Episodes: 20

Date of Release: July 8, 2015 – September 10, 2015

Network/Streamer: MBC

Genre: Historical, Romance, Fantasy

Synopsis: Set during the Joseon Dynasty, “Scholar Who Walks the Night” follows a scholar who has been turned into a vampire. As he seeks to uncover the truth behind his transformation, he crosses paths with a woman disguised as a man and a royal conspiracy. Together, they unravel secrets while navigating love, betrayal, and revenge.

Trivia: The series is based on a popular webtoon, and Lee Joon-gi’s portrayal of the vampire scholar was widely praised for his charismatic performance.

Main Casts: Kim Young-kwang, Jung So-min, Lee Kyu-han, Ha Seok-jin

Director: Jeon Chang-geun

Writer: Kim Su-ji

Number of Episodes: 20

Date of Release: June 22, 2015 – August 25, 2015

Network/Streamer: JTBC

Genre: Medical, Drama, Action

Synopsis: “D-Day” revolves around a massive earthquake that strikes Seoul, triggering a medical emergency. A group of doctors and emergency responders work tirelessly to save lives and deal with the aftermath. The series follows their personal and professional struggles as they fight against time to manage the catastrophe.

Main Casts: Lee Jang-woo, Kim Hae-sook, Oh Yoon-ah, Jang Seo-hee

Director: Lee Jae-sang

Writer: Kim Sa-kyung

Number of Episodes: 50

Date of Release: January 31, 2015 – August 16, 2015

Network/Streamer: SBS

Genre: Family, Drama, Romance

Synopsis: “All About My Mom” tells the story of a woman who, after overcoming hardships, becomes a respected figure. It focuses on her relationships with her children and the impact her love and sacrifices have on their lives. As the family goes through trials and tribulations, they rediscover the meaning of family and love.

Main Casts: Kim Hyun-joo, Ji Jin-hee, Park Han-byul, Lee Kyu-han

Director: Choi Mun-seok

Writer: Bae Yoo-mi

Number of Episodes: 50

Date of Release: September 19, 2015 – March 6, 2016

Network/Streamer: SBS

Genre: Romance, Drama

Synopsis: “I Have a Lover” follows a woman who suffers from amnesia after an accident and struggles to remember her life and identity. She unexpectedly reconnects with her husband and the affair he had with her sister before the accident. The series delves into complex emotional dynamics, infidelity, and self-discovery.

Trivia: The drama became popular for its mature themes and was highly praised for the performances of Kim Hyun-joo and Ji Jin-hee.

Main Casts: Lee Seung-gi, Shin Se-kyung, Joo Jin-mo, Seo Kang-joon

Director: Kim Hong-sun

Writer: Yoo Seong-yeol

Number of Episodes: 23

Date of Release: November 11, 2015 – March 24, 2016

Network/Streamer: KBS2

Genre: Historical, Drama, Political

Synopsis: Set in the Joseon Dynasty, “The King’s Face” tells the story of King Gwanghae’s rise to the throne and the struggles he faces in a court full of political intrigue and betrayal. With the help of a talented fortune teller, he navigates his destiny and attempts to maintain power in a turbulent kingdom.

From heartfelt tales of love and family to intense political and historical drama, the top Kdramas of 2015 were a testament to the creativity and depth of Korean television. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the Kdrama world, these series are definitely worth watching. As we reflect on the iconic shows of this year, they continue to inspire future generations of dramas and captivate viewers around the world. Happy watching!