7 Best K-dramas of 2022 according to fans

by Dramaddictally

Making a best-of list is no easy task. While we all have our favorites, knowing exactly what makes a drama so special requires a bit of context and a lot of compare and contrast. Dramabeans is no stranger to strong (and well-informed) opinions and with that in mind we rounded up the best dramas of 2022 according to those who know dramas best: a.k.a. the fans.

The selected dramas aren’t just your average list of well-liked shows, but those that made an impact in 2022 — whether at a personal level or an international one. If you’re interested in not only what dramas to add to your watchlist, but exactly why you need them in your K-drama knowledge arsenal, read on. These dramas set standards, changed hearts, and turned skeptics into believers.

And so, in no particular order, here are the 7 Best K-dramas of 2022:

1) Extraordinary Attorney Woo

The international sensation that drew in new K-drama viewers and kept them rapt, Extraordinary Attorney Woo set records for global reach and won over fans with its socially driven court cases, relatable main character, and unforgettable performance from
Park Eun-bin.

The drama follows Woo Young-woo, an autistic lawyer recently hired at a top firm, as she overcomes dilemmas in work, family, and love — and teaches us a whole host of facts about whales. With humor and heart, this heroine faces challenges head on while resolutely remaining herself — giving all of us who watched the push and permission to do the same.

“It gave us a female lead who made lots of people feel represented in ways they don’t normally get to be; a best friendship that was goals; a really beautiful mentor relationship; and a newfound appreciation for Kang Tae-oh’s forearms,” remarks @unaspirated. “Even if you are not on the spectrum, Woo Young-woo remains relatable — feeling awkward after an interaction, relieved that someone reached out a hand at work, unsure of yourself in a new role — and that didn’t disappear just because she was also a genius.”

Plus, with an excess of legal dramas to choose from, this one stood for out for its selection of nuanced cases. “It wasn’t always clear what any of the characters should do, or even what I hoped would happen, which stands in contrast to some other legal dramas with much clearer outcomes,” continues @unaspirated, adding that of the dramas that defined 2022, Extraordinary Attorney Woo sits at the top.

2) Little Women

This drama won high praise among fans for its visuals and strong storytelling. From shots that make the characters seem like their standing on stage, to sets that keep them confined in tights spaces, everything comes together to reproduce the theme of being trapped in poverty, while other people are manipulating reality.

A dark take on the Louisa May Alcott novel of the same name, this mystery thriller is about three impoverished sisters who are now involved with a wealthy family full of secrets. With many twists and turns — from the plot to the moral standings — viewers were kept guessing about where this immersive female-led story would take them.

“The script is witty and twisty, but also draws from its titular namesake in interesting ways that are fun to spot and think about it,” says @laurensophie. “And the story is primarily about women interacting with other women, and about many more vital things than the men in their lives (although it should be noted that Wie Ha-joon smolders very well in this).”

Overall, it’s “a well-written story, with great directing and cinematography, and good use of aesthetic effects,” adds @jerrykuvira, concluding that, with forceful women at its center, “there’s nothing little about Little Women.”

3) Through the Darkness

The compelling realism of this serial killer crime thriller caught fans off-guard and then sucked them into the world of Korea’s first criminal profiler. Noted for its sense of humanity in the face of the worst humankind has to offer, Through the Darkness holds onto its emotional center, even as it portrays brutal murder.

Set in 1990s Seoul, and based on a non-fiction book, the drama is organized around catching the culprit behind a series of slayings. It’s the early days of criminal behavior analysis in Korea, and the goal isn’t only to solve the mystery behind the murders, but to prove that this new method actually works.

“It shows the beginnings of profiling police work in South Korea and the difficulties there were in getting people to use it, but it also shows what this kind of work imposes on police investigators’ lives,” says @petrolia. “It is just an excellently written, directed, and acted drama that sends chills down your spine, not because it aims for sensationalism or gore porn, but for its realness.”

@midnight adds, “It’s among the amazing dramas I can never watch again.”

4) Twenty Five Twenty One

Another drama that called out to new viewers and turned them into fans was the coming-of-age sports romance Twenty Five Twenty One. With captivating characters and one of the most disputed finales of the year, the heartbreaking reality of following your dreams and facing circumstances beyond your control had fans talking about this one long after it left our screens.

With social disasters at its center, the drama runs from the late 90s to the early 2000s, as a spunky high school student pursues her passion for fencing. In the middle, she forms close friendships with a one-time opponent and the can’t-catch-a-break young man who’s new to the neighborhood. Through winding roads and rough terrains, we grew to love them as they grew to love each other, no matter what life had in store.

As @quirkycase wrote, “I freaking loved this drama from start to finish (yes, even the ending). No other drama was as emotionally affecting for me [in 2022] as Twenty Five Twenty One.”

@lostpanda recalls the year fondly, after being sucked into K-dramas and converting to a proclaimed fan for life. “Twenty Five Twenty One stands as my greatest of all time. This show pretty much made sure that I stayed in the K-drama world forever.”

5) Alchemy of Souls

Season 1 of this fantasy romance took fans by storm with its playful magic, political intrigue, and piercing chemistry between the leads. One that’s worth watching again and again, it also scored points for the fond memories of engaging with the K-drama fan community as it aired.

In a fantastical world where soul swapping exists, this story tells the tale of an assassin in the body of a weak maid, and the mage who falls in love with her. Full of sardonic humor, impressive world-building, and a commitment to larger-than-life characters, the drama stayed on the radar through Season 2, which wasn’t nearly as well loved.

@kathryn51 says, “I often return to watch my favorite scenes to relish the cinematography, the choreography (fighting scenes), and my favorite, Jung So Min.”

“2022 was the year I started live-watching dramas, so it included some that are firmly written down in my personal history books,” says @unaspirated. “I was totally obsessed with Alchemy of Souls while it aired… It is planted firmly on my top ten list, and it might still be the best live-watch I’ve ever participated in!”

6) Under the Queen’s Umbrella

One of the highest rated shows of the year, this historical drama had a lot of rewatch capital as fans expounded on its charms. With palace politics that didn’t bore and an ending that drew praise, the motherhood theme was the main standout amidst clear writing and diverse characterizations.

A black comedy about a woman striving to ensure her troublemaker sons become prince-worthy material, the drama humanizes the trope of a queen scheming to promote her sons to the throne. In a cutthroat court, ruthless choices must be made, but the story details this queen’s motives, rather than vilifying her acts.

“An epic sageuk that was made to be binged. I binge-watched the first three-quarters and caught up to the live episodes, then didn’t know what to do with myself,” says @panshel. “The actors were amazing, especially the queen, who embodied the drama’s title ‘under her umbrella.’”

“For me, Under the Queen’s Umbrella was definitely #1 for 2022,” @zindigo adds. “It’s still in my top 10 of all time.”

7) Unlock the Boss

Sneaking in just before the year’s end (with the show completing in 2023), this one made the 2022 list with enough mentions of love for the drama that it would be wrong to leave it off. Not one of the most watched shows, but a fan favorite among those who gave it a shot, the drama stayed in minds and hearts for its displays of kindness and inspiration.

Unlock the Boss has a bit of a strange premise: when a tech CEO gets trapped in his own smartphone, an unemployed theater kid looking for a job acts as CEO to keep the company afloat and unlock his boss. The clever and caring protagonist made a big impact, as fans laughed and also felt warm inside watching the formation of a found family.

“There are only a few dramas I’ve watched twice, but this is the only drama I’ve watched three times,” says @hopefulromantic. “There are so many things I love about it, starting with the tight cast of characters. Since the ensemble isn’t as expansive as some dramas, it has more time and space to flesh them out. I love the male lead [whose] innate kindness becomes a transformative force within the drama, positively impacting the lives of the other characters.”

@hopefulromantic continues, “I love love love the themes, motifs, and characters. At its core, I believe this is a drama about kindness and how it can transform people’s lives. I love how this drama was edited (especially transitions between scenes), the insightful dialogue, and the propulsive soundtrack. It’s my comfort drama!!”

For another 7 dramas that made waves in 2022, check out this list of honorable mentions:

Business Proposal
Yumi’s Cells 2
Our Beloved Summer
Reborn Rich
Weak Hero Class 1
Gaus Electronics
My Liberation Notes

Editor’s note: If you enjoyed this post, please participate in the next Drama Chat where we’ll be asking about your favorite dramas from 2022.
 
RELATED POSTS

• [2022 Year in Review] Editors’ Picks
• Extraordinary Attorney Woo
• Little Women
• Through the Darkness
• Twenty Five Twenty One
• Alchemy of Souls
• Under the Queen’s Umbrella
• Unlock the Boss