2017 was a phenomenal year for K-dramas, bringing us a diverse mix of heartwarming romances, intense thrillers, and gripping historical dramas. From fantasy-driven adventures to emotionally charged love stories, these dramas captivated audiences worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on the industry. Whether you’re a long-time K-drama fan or just starting your journey, this list of the Top 20 K-dramas of 2017 will guide you through some of the best series that year had to offer. Get ready to relive the magic, suspense, and romance of these unforgettable stories!

Main Cast: Cho Seung-woo, Bae Doona

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: June 10, 2017

Network/Streamer: tvN, Netflix

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery

Synopsis: Prosecutor Hwang Shi-mok, known for his lack of emotions due to a past brain surgery, teams up with passionate detective Han Yeo-jin to uncover corruption within the prosecutor’s office and solve a serial murder case. As they delve deeper, they face dangerous adversaries and uncover unsettling truths.

Main Cast: Lee Jong-suk, Bae Suzy, Jung Hae-in

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: September 27, 2017

Network/Streamer: SBS

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Legal Drama

Synopsis: Nam Hong-joo, a field reporter, has the ability to foresee unfortunate events in her dreams. She crosses paths with rookie prosecutor Jung Jae-chan and police officer Han Woo-tak, who also share this ability. Together, they work to prevent their ominous dreams from becoming reality.

Main Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Im Soo-jung, Go Kyung-pyo

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: April 7, 2017

Network/Streamer: tvN

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Synopsis: A famous writer, a ghostwriter, and a fan find themselves connected by their past lives during the 1930s Japanese occupation of Korea. As they navigate their present lives, memories of their past selves resurface, intertwining their fates once again.

Trivia: The drama’s title refers to a typewriter from Chicago that plays a significant role in linking the characters’ past and present lives.

Main Cast: Choi Jin-hyuk, Yoon Hyun-min, Lee Yoo-young

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: March 25, 2017

Network/Streamer: OCN

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Time Travel

Synopsis: Detective Park Gwang-ho from 1986 chases a serial killer through a tunnel and unexpectedly time-travels to 2017. In the future, he teams up with detective Kim Sun-jae and criminal psychologist Shin Jae-yi to solve the cold case and find a way back to his time.

Trivia: The series is inspired by the real-life Hwaseong serial murders that occurred in Korea during the 1980s.

Main Cast: Park Bo-young, Park Hyung-sik, Ji Soo

Number of Episodes: 16 + 1 special

Date of Release: February 24, 2017

Network/Streamer: JTBC

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Fantasy

Synopsis: Do Bong-soon is a woman born with superhuman strength. She dreams of creating a video game featuring herself as the main character. Her strength leads her to a job as a bodyguard for Ahn Min-hyuk, the CEO of a gaming company. As they work together, they confront a series of kidnapping cases in their neighborhood.

Main Cast: Ji Sung, Um Ki-joon, Kwon Yuri

Number of Episodes: 18

Date of Release: January 23, 2017

Network/Streamer: SBS

Genre: Legal Thriller

Synopsis: Prosecutor Park Jung-woo wakes up one day to find himself on death row, accused of murdering his wife and daughter. Suffering from temporary amnesia, he must piece together his lost memories to prove his innocence and uncover the truth behind the conspiracy that led to his imprisonment.

Main Cast: Kim Yeong-cheol, Kim Hae-sook, Lee Joon, Jung So-min

Number of Episodes: 52

Date of Release: March 4, 2017

Network/Streamer: KBS2

Genre: Family, Romance, Comedy

Synopsis: The Byun family leads a modest life until one day, Ahn Joong-hee, a former idol-turned-actor, shows up claiming to be the son of the family patriarch. As he moves in with them, the family navigates unexpected challenges, secrets, and the complexities of newfound relationships.

Main Cast: Park Seo-joon, Kim Ji-won

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: May 22, 2017

Network/Streamer: KBS2

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life

Synopsis: Childhood friends Ko Dong-man and Choi Ae-ra have always dreamed of achieving success in their respective fields—Dong-man as a taekwondo athlete and Ae-ra as a TV anchor. Facing the harsh realities of life, they support each other through thick and thin, gradually realizing their feelings for one another.

Main Cast: Lee Min-ki, Jung So-min

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: October 9, 2017

Network/Streamer: tvN

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Synopsis: Nam Se-hee, a socially awkward IT employee, and Yoon Ji-ho, an aspiring screenwriter facing financial difficulties, enter into a marriage contract for mutual benefit. Living together as housemates, they navigate the challenges of their unconventional relationship and confront their personal issues.

Main Cast: Ok Taec-yeon, Seo Yea-ji, Woo Do-hwan

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: August 5, 2017

Network/Streamer: OCN

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Synopsis: After her family moves to a rural town, Sang-mi becomes trapped in a religious cult that masquerades as a peaceful church. Her former classmates, led by Han Sang-hwan, discover her plight and risk their lives to rescue her from the cult’s clutches.

Trivia: The series is based on the popular Daum webcomic “Out of the World” by Jo Geum-san.

Main Cast: Lee Seung-gi, Cha Seung-won, Oh Yeon-seo

Number of Episodes: 20

Date of Release: December 23, 2017

Network/Streamer: tvN

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy

Synopsis: In a modern retelling of the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West,” Son Oh-gong, a powerful immortal, and Woo Ma-wang, a demon, seek a true light in a dark world. They encounter Jin Seon-mi, a woman who can see spirits, leading to a fateful journey intertwined with love and destiny.

Main Cast: Namgoong Min, Nam Sang-mi, Lee Jun-ho

Number of Episodes: 20

Date of Release: January 25, 2017

Network/Streamer: KBS2

Genre: Comedy, Office Drama

Synopsis: Kim Sung-ryong, a skilled accountant with a knack for embezzlement, takes a job at TQ Group with the intent to siphon funds. However, witnessing the company’s widespread corruption, he transforms into an unlikely hero, fighting for employees’ rights and justice.

Main Cast: Son Ho-jun, Jang Na-ra

Number of Episodes: 12

Date of Release: October 13, 2017

Network/Streamer: KBS2

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Comedy

Synopsis: Married couple Choi Ban-do and Ma Jin-joo regret their decision to marry young. Mysteriously, they are transported back to their 20-year-old selves, giving them a second chance at life. As they relive their youth,

Main Cast: Song Seung-heon, Go Ara

Number of Episodes: 18

Date of Release: October 14, 2017

Network/Streamer: OCN

Genre: Fantasy, Thriller, Romance

Synopsis: Grim Reaper 444, inhabiting the body of detective Han Moo-gang, teams up with Kang Ha-ram, a woman who can foresee death, to prevent impending fatalities. As they work together, they uncover dark secrets and confront forbidden emotions, challenging the boundaries between life and death.

Main Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Nam Ji-hyun

Number of Episodes: 40 (30 minutes each)

Date of Release: May 10, 2017

Network/Streamer: SBS

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Legal Thriller

Synopsis: Noh Ji-wook, a prosecutor turned private attorney, crosses paths with Eun Bong-hee, a judicial trainee accused of murder. As they work together to solve the case, they uncover a larger conspiracy and develop feelings for each other amidst the dangers they face.

Main Cast: Park Min-young, Yeon Woo-jin, Lee Dong-gun

Number of Episodes: 20

Date of Release: May 31, 2017

Network/Streamer: KBS2

Genre: Historical, Romance, Drama

Synopsis: Based on a true story, the drama chronicles the tragic love between Lady Shin Chae-kyung and Prince Lee Yeok, who becomes King Jungjong. Despite their deep affection, political intrigues lead to her dethronement just seven days after becoming queen.

Main Cast: Jang Hyuk, Lee Ha-na

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: January 14, 2017

Network/Streamer: OCN

Genre: Crime, Thriller

Synopsis: Moo Jin-hyuk, a detective haunted by his wife’s murder, teams up with Kang Kwon-joo, a voice profiler whose father was also killed by the same culprit. Together, they form the “Golden Time” team, dedicated to solving crimes within critical moments using Kwon-joo’s exceptional hearing abilities.

Main Cast: Yoo Seung-ho, Kim So-hyun

Number of Episodes: 40 (30 minutes each)

Date of Release: May 10, 2017

Network/Streamer: MBC

Genre: Historical, Political, Romance

Synopsis: Set in the 1700s, Crown Prince Lee Sun fights against a powerful organization controlling the kingdom’s water supply. With the help of commoner Han Ga-eun, he strives to reclaim his authority and bring justice to his people, all while concealing his identity behind a mask.

Main Cast: Park Hae-jin, Park Sung-woong

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: April 21, 2017

Network/Streamer: JTBC, Netflix

Genre: Action, Thriller, Comedy

Synopsis: Kim Seol-woo, a mysterious black ops agent, is assigned to protect a top Hallyu star, Yeo Woon-gwang. Posing as his bodyguard, Seol-woo embarks on a covert mission, leading to unexpected bromance and comedic situations as they navigate dangerous conspiracies.

Trivia: This was JTBC’s first drama to be simultaneously broadcast on Netflix, reaching a global audience.

Main Cast: Lee Je-hoon, Shin Min-a

Number of Episodes: 16

Date of Release: February 3, 2017

Network/Streamer: tvN

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Time-travel

Synopsis: Yoo So-joon, a successful CEO with the ability to time-travel via subway, foresees his tragic future. To alter his fate, he marries Song Ma-rin, a cheerful photographer. As they navigate their relationship, So-joon learns the true meaning of love and the consequences of tampering with time.

That wraps up our list of the Top 20 K-dramas of 2017! This year gave us some of the most iconic series, from thrilling mysteries to heartfelt love stories that still resonate with fans today. Whether you’re revisiting these classics or discovering them for the first time, each drama on this list offers a unique and memorable experience. Which of these dramas was your favorite? Did we miss any must-watch titles? Let us know, and happy binge-watching! 🎬✨