The Korean content on TV series continues to grow in popularity, becoming one of the most talked-about topics across social media. The Good Data Corporation, a Korean research organization that specializes in the analysis on what is most buzzworthy Korean dramas of the week, collects data from social networking services, online news, blogs, videos, as well as community group reactions and media mentions.
In this article, we have listed 27 Korean TV series that topped the list or took no.1 in the Most Buzzworthy Dramas from year 2020 to 2022. It does not include the ongoing dramas that haven’t finished airing yet. Check it out:
1. The Penthouse: War In Life 1, 2, & 3 (2020-2021)
The crime-thriller series by SBS, The Penthouse: War In Life (2020-2021) was a massive success in all three seasons. Starring Kim So-yeon, Lee Ji-ah, Um Ki-Joon, and several others, the drama achieved a 35% surge in media mentions in 2020 and 46.24% overall in 2021, according to Good Data Corporation. Remarkably, it topped the list of the Most Buzzworthy Dramas for a total of 19 weeks, all seasons combined in the following dates: November 2020, 4th week. December 2020, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th week; January 2021, 1st week; February 2021, 3rd and 4th week; March 2021, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week; April 2021, 1st week.; June 2021, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd week; September 2021, 1st and 2nd week.
2. Hospital Playlist 1 & 2 (2020-2021)
The medical series by tvN, Hospital Playlist (2020-2021), stars Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-Myung, and Jeon Mido. It released two seasons and both achieved the highest-rated Korean TV series in cable history. It also dominated the Most Buzzworthy Drama list, taking no.1 for a total of 11 weeks, both seasons combined in the following dates: May 2020, 4th week; June 2021, 4th week; July 2021, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week; August 2021, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week; September 2021, 3rd week.
3. Crash Landing On You (2019-2020)
The megahit romantic series, Crash Landing On You (2019-2020), starring Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin, did not only achieve the highest nationwide viewership rating in tvN history and receive several awards but also took no.1 in the list of Most Buzzworthy Dramas for eight (8) weeks in the following dates: December 2019, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week; January 2020, 3rd, 4th, and 5th week; February 2020, 1st and 2nd week.
4. The World Of The Married (2020)
JTBC’s The World Of The Married (2020) is a romantic-thriller drama on betrayal, starring Kim Hee-ae, Park Hae-joon, and Han So-hee. According to Good Data Corporation, the series achieved a massive online presence with various reactions and discussions on adultery as well as parodies. It topped the list of the Most Buzzworthy Dramas for eight (8) consecutive weeks in the following dates: March 2020, 4th week; April 2020, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th week; May 2020, 1st and 2nd week.
5. It’s Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)
It’s Okay To Not Be Okay (2020) is another award-winning drama by tvN that explores healing, starring Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, Oh Jung-se, and Park Gyu-young. It was also one of the most talked-about shows in 2020, achieving the no.1 spot for eight (8) consecutive weeks in the following dates: June 2020, 3rd and 4th week; July 2020, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th week; August 2020, 1st week.
6. The Red Sleeve (2021-2022)
MBC’s The Red Sleeve (2021-2022), starring Lee Junho and Lee Se-young, is a popular sageuk-romantic series that received several awards. It also dominated the list of Most Buzzworthy Dramas for eight (8) consecutive weeks in the following dates: November 2021, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week; December 2021, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th week.
7. Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022)
tvN’s Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022), starring Kim Tae-ri and Nam Joo-hyuk, is one of the most popular Korean series of 2022. It took the no.1 spot in the list of Most Buzzworthy Dramas for eight (8) consecutive weeks in the following dates: February 2022, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week; March 2022, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th week.
8. Record Of Youth (2020)
Record Of Youth (2020) is another popular youthful drama by tvN that seeks to achieve dreams amid uncertainties, starring Park Bo-gum, Park So-Dam, Byeon Woo-seok, and Kwon Soo-hyun. It landed at no.1 spot in the list of Most Buzzworthy Dramas for six (6) weeks in the following dates: September 2020, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week; October 2020, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th week.
9. Itaewon Class (2020)
JTBC’s Itaewon Class (2020) is a drama that seeks revenge by achieving massive success, starring Park Seo-joon, Kim Dami, Yoo Jae-myung, and Kwon Nara. It maintained the no.1 position as the Most Buzzworthy Drama for five (5) consecutive weeks in the following dates: February 2020, 3rd and 4th week; March 2020, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd week.
10. Stranger 2 (2020)
tvN’s Stranger (2017-2020) was one of the most popular crime-thriller series ever produced, starring Cho Seung-woo and Bae Doona. The second season took no.1 in the list of Most Buzzworthy Dramas for five (5) weeks in the following dates: August 2020, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week; September 2020, 1st week; October 2020, 1st week.
11. Our Blues (2022)
tvN’s Our Blues (2022) is a star-studded drama that talks about the realities of life set in the beautiful island of Jeju. It took first place in the list of Most Buzzworthy Dramas for five (5) weeks in the following dates: April 2022, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week; June 2022, 1st and 2nd week.
12. Vincenzo (2021)
Besides becoming one of the most watched Korean titles on Netflix in 2021, tvN’s Vincenzo (2021) starring top star Song Joong-ki, also made it to the no.1.spot as the most talked-about Korean drama. It maintained its first position for four (4) consecutive weeks in April 2021: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th week.
13. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
tvN’s Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) is a comfort drama set in the simple yet vibrant countryside of Pohang (Gongjin in the drama), starring Kim Seonho and Shin Mina. It ranked 2nd as the most popular Korean series on Netflix in 2021, achieving 16 weeks on the global top 10. It also took no.1 in the list of Most Buzzworthy Dramas for four (4) consecutive weeks in the following dates: September 2021, 4th and 5th week; October 2021, 1st and 2nd week.
14. My Liberation Notes (2022)
JTBC’s My Liberation Notes (2022) is a slice-of-life drama that revolves around three siblings and Mr. Gu, the stranger, starring Son Su-kku, Kim Ji-won, Lee Minki, and Lee El. The relatable lines, dialogues, and characters caught the attention of many that it topped the list of Most Buzzworthy Dramas for four (4) consecutive weeks in May 2022: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week.
15. Start-Up (2020)
tvN’s Start-Up (2020) is a drama about young adults who dream of becoming entrepreneurs, starring Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Seonho, and Kang Hanna. The show became one of the most engaging and popular Korean series on Netflix in 2020 and no.1 most talked-about drama for three (3) consecutive weeks in November 2020: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd week.
16. Our Beloved Summer (2021-2022)
Our Beloved Summer (2021-2022) is a romantic drama by SBS about ex-lovers who get reunited in an unexpected project, starring Choi Woo-shik, Kim Dami, Kim Sung-cheol, and Roh Jeong-eul. It took first place in the list of Most Buzzworthy Dramas for three (3) weeks in January 2022: 1st, 2nd, and 4th week.
17. Doom At Your Service (2021)
tvN’s Doom At Your Service (2021) is a fantasy-romance about a devastated woman who wishes the world to be doomed and a messenger who has the power to make things disappear. It stars Park Bo-young and Seo In-guk and became the no.1 Most Buzzworthy Drama for three (3) consecutive weeks in May 2021: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week.
18. Jirisan (2021)
Jirisan (2021) is a fantasy-mystery drama by tvN created to celebrate the network’s 15th anniversary, starring Jun Ji-hyun and Ju Ji-hoon. The story centers around the mystery of Mt. Jiri discovered by rangers and hikers. The drama topped the list of Most Buzzworthy Drama for three (3) weeks in the following dates: October 2021, 3rd and 4th week; November 2021, 1st week.
19. Mr. Queen (2020-2021)
Mr. Queen (2020-2021) is one of tvN’s highest-rated dramas, starring Shin Hye-Sun and Kim Jung-hyun. With its body-swap theme and interesting storyline, it became one of the most talked-about Korean series in the first half of 2021, taking first place for three (3) weeks in the following dates: January 2021, 4th week. February 2021, 1st and 2nd week.
20. The King Eternal Monarch (2020)
The King Eternal Monarch (2020) is a fantasy-romance drama by SBS, starring Lee Minho, Kim Go-eun, Woo Do-hwan, Kim Kyung-nam, Jung Eun-chae, and Lee Jung-jin. It was one of the most anticipated, most popular, and most talked-about series in 2020, achieving the no.1 spot for three (3) weeks in the following dates: May 2020, 3rd week; June 2020, 1st and 2nd week.
21. Hot Stove League (2019-2020)
Hot Stove League (2019-2020) is a sports drama by SBS, starring Namgoong Min, Park Eun-bin, Oh Jung-se, and Jo Byeong-kyu. Besides achieving several awards, it also topped the list of Most Buzzworthy Dramas in the first and second week of January 2020.
22. The Uncanny Counter (2020-2021)
OCN’s The Uncanny Counter (2020-2021) is a fantasy-action series starring Jo Byung-gyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong, and Yeom Hye-ran. It took first place in the list of Most Buzzworthy Dramas in the second and third week of January 2021.
23. Bulgasal, Immortal Souls (2021-2022)
Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (2021-2022) is a fantasy drama by tvN that talks about immortality, reincarnation, and a bloody curse, starring Lee Jin-wook, Kwon Nara, and Lee Joon. It became the no.1 most talked-about drama in the third week of January 2022 and first week of February 2022.
24. A Business Proposal (2022)
A Business Proposal (2022) is a popular romantic-drama by SBS, starring Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong, Kim Min-gue, and Seol In-Ah. Besides becoming the longest-running Korean show so far on Netflix’s Top 10 in 2022, it was also one of the most buzzworthy dramas, taking first place in the first week of April 2022.
25. The Devil Judge (2021)
tvN’s The Devil Judge (2021) is a legal-mystery drama, starring Ji Sung, Kim Min-young, Jinyoung, and Park Gyu-young. It was the no.1 most talked-about show in the fifth week of July 2021.
26. Mine (2021)
Mine (2021) is a mystery drama by tvN, starring Lee Bo-young, Kim Seo-hyung, Cha Hak-yeon, and Park Hyuk-kwon. It follows the lives of strong women who seek to find their real “mine” amid the high society’s lifestyle. It became the no.1 most talked-about drama in the first week of May 2021.
27. Do You Like Brahms? (2020)
Do You Like Brahms? (2020) is a musical-romance drama by SBS, starring Park Eun-bin and Kim Min-jae. It talks about finding happiness while achieving dreams in the field of music. It topped the list of Most Buzzworthy Dramas in the fourth week of October 2020.
Source: Good Data Corporation
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