17 Best Medical K-Dramas, Ranked

More and more people are discovering how Korea has an incredible range of shows for TV. Aptly named K-dramas, these shows highlight Korean culture and introduce to audiences some of the most popular plot points and themes in Korea, including medical dramas. In fact, not many viewers might know that the hit ABC drama The Good Doctor was originally a Korean drama of (almost) the same name.

The success of a medical K-drama is due in large to its complex plots, unique premise, characters who have the chance to grow, and the development of character relationships. Since they rely on one season to make a great drama, medical K-dramas should be able to wow and dazzle viewers to leave a lasting impression.

17

‘Blood’ (2015)

Starring Ahn Jae-hyun, Koo Hye-sun, and Ji Jin-hee

One day, HPB surgeon Park Ji-sang (Ahn Jae-hyun) meets and falls for Yoo Ri-ta (Koo Hye-sun), an arrogant physician who thinks highly of herself. The only problem is that Ji-sang is a vampire who seems to contradict all stereotypes. He strongly desires to be close to humans and values their lives extensively, but then he finds himself on a divisive line when he meets hospital director Lee Jae-wook (Ji Jin-hee).

Blood is a uniquely fascinating Korean drama that includes a take on vampires living in the modern world. While vampires are the least-encountered mythical creatures in Korean dramas, Ahn Jae-hyun puts on an incredible performance as an outwardly cold vampire who is actually caring and deeply invested in the human race. It’s hard not to root for Jae-hyun whose intricate values make him one of the best vampires to exist. Not to mention, the chemistry between him and Hye-sun was absolutely real—it makes it almost easy to forget her and Lee Min-ho‘s chemistry in the defining K-drama Boys Over Flowers.

16

‘Ghost Doctor’ (2022)

Starring Kim-Bum, Rain, and Uee

Go Seung-tak (Kim Bum) is an insecure surgeon who possesses a high level of medical knowledge. His fears and lack of knowledge surrounding the surgical field, however, inhibit him from becoming a great doctor. One day, though, Seung-tak’s body is possessed by intelligent cardiothoracic surgeon Cha Young-min (Rain) ​​​​​who falls into a coma. Though the two do not exactly get along, they must work together. ​

Ghost Doctor is a fun, lighthearted Korean drama with a supernatural twist: a genius doctor who falls into a coma finds himself only able to possess another, unskilled doctor’s body. From the get-go, it’s obvious that this premise is a setup for a hilarious comedy. Unlike other medical Korean dramas, Ghost Doctor establishes a bromance that involves great chemistry between the two leads, both of which are known for their roles in other great and popular series. For those who enjoy bromance, supernatural themes, and comedy, Ghost Doctor is the medical K-drama to watch.

15

‘Live Up to Your Name’ (2017)

Starring Kim Nam-gil and Kim Ah-joong

Joseon doctor and acupuncture specialist Heo Im (Kim Nam-gil) is left on death’s door after being tried for treason. However, instead of outright dying, Heo Im finds himself transported four hundred years into the future in Seoul, Korea. There he meets modern-day cardiothoracic surgeon Choi Yeon-kyung (Kim Ah-joong)​​​​​​, who strongly believes in modern-day medicine over traditional medicine. The two form an unlikely connection.

A hidden gem, Live Up to Your Name is a medical Korean drama that features comedy, romance, and time travel: all factors of a great K-drama. Though it’s not particularly popular due to it being extremely underrated, Live Up to Your Name is a great time-travel Korean drama that viewers will undoubtedly love.

14

‘Life’ (2018)

Starring Lee Dong-wook, Cho Seung-woo, and Won Jin-ah

Ye Jin-woo (Lee Dong-wook) is a highly skilled emergency doctor who works at Korea’s top medical institution. However, when new CEO Koo Seung-hyo (Cho Seung-woo) is appointed, Jin-woo and Seung-hyo begin to clash with one another, and the dark politics of the hospital are brought to light.

A well-written Korean drama, Life examines the politics of hospital care and explores very real issues seen in real life in the medical industry. As usual, Lee Dong-wook puts on a believable and emotional performance, proving that he is a versatile actor. Not to mention, Life delves deeply into the mind of a corporate business and how it counteracts with a life-saving medicinal facility when money-making is the priority over saving lives.

13

‘Hospital Playlist’ (2020-2021)

Starring Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho

Hospital Playlist examines the challenges and routines that five friends and doctors go through at Yulje Medical Centre. The story follows Ik-jun (Jo Jung-suk), Jeong-won (Yoo Yeon-seok), Seok-hyeong (Kim Dae-myung), Song-hwa (Jeon Mi-do), and Jun-wan (Jung Kyung-ho), all of whom share a common interest, which is music.

Hospital Playlist, despite its simple premise, is actually a really good and interesting medical drama. It features a wholesome story of friendship, which exhibits growth through their love of music. Though at times it can feature very serious scenarios, it is actually a lighthearted comedic drama for the most part, and it is one of the best medical Korean dramas to date.

12

‘D-Day’ (2015)

Starring Kim Young-kwang, Jung So-min, and Han Woo-jin

The aftermath of a devastating 6.5-magnitude earthquake that catastrophizes Seoul is the setting of the K-Drama D-Day. The story pits surgeon Lee Hae-seong (Kim Young-kwang) against a profit-driven hospital system. He fights for his patients alongside Jung Ddol-mi (Jung So-min), an ambitious doctor shaken by harsh realities, as well as Ha Seok-jin (Han Woo-jin), a talented doctor caught between career ambition and a genuine calling to save lives.

Gripped by the series’ realistic portrayal of a disaster and its aftermath, viewers were drawn to the characters’ emotional and ethical struggles. A particularly memorable scene showcases Hae-seong’s dedication, performing lifesaving surgery on the street surrounded by rubble, a testament to the doctors’ unwavering resolve. Akin to the best disaster movies, D-Day weaves together thrilling action with emotionally resonant storylines, exploring the complexities of human experiences and the professional challenges faced by its characters.

11

‘Doctor Cha’ (2023–)

Starring Uhm Jung-hwa and Kim Byung-chul

Doctor Cha follows Cha Jung-sook (Uhm Jung-hwa), a housewife who rejoins the medical field after a lengthy hiatus. While Jung-sook faces challenges adapting to her return, her determination and compassion make her a valuable asset to the hospital. The show explores her journey of self-discovery as she integrates back into the medical field, balancing work and personal life. Meanwhile, her husband, Seo In-ho (Kim Byung-chul), struggles with the changing power dynamic as Jung-sook reclaims her role as a doctor.

Jung-hwa’s nuanced performance, capturing Jung-sook’s vulnerability and strength, is a highlight of the series, praised for its heartfelt and realistic portrayal of a woman’s journey to reclaim her identity and career. Key scenes, like Jung-sook’s emotional confrontations with a patient’s family or her moments of self-doubt and resilience, resonate deeply with audiences. What’s more, the medical cases were not only engaging but also catalysts for character development, highlighting the human side of medical practice.

10

‘The Great Doctor’ (2012)

Starring Lee Min-ho & Kim Hee-sun

The Great Doctor, otherwise known as Faith, is a time-period K-Drama that follows plastic surgeon Eun Soo (Kim Hee Sun) as she is transported to the Goryeo time period to serve King Gongmin and save his wife, Queen Noguk, from a grave injury. Under the strict watch and guard of Choi Young (Lee Min Ho), Eun Soo has to face the dangers of an ancient era.

Although plenty of the injuries and medical check-ups throughout the show are not necessarily unique or too important to the plot, what makes The Great Doctor great is its take on the fantasy genre in a medical setting where life and death cannot be certain and its reliance on the relationship between plastic-surgeon-turned-medical-doctor and her guard, making for a suspenseful timepiece about the Goryeo period where medical knowledge was limited. This also creates high stakes in the time-travel K-drama, as Eun Soo is not an all-knowing doctor, and should something happen to her, then her fate becomes unknown.

9

‘Emergency Couple’ (2014)

Starring Song Ji-hyo, Choi Jin-hyuk, Lee Phil-mo, Choi Yeo-jin, and Clara

Five years after a nasty and hate-fueled split, Oh Chang-min (Choi Jun-hyuk) and Oh Jin-hee (Song Ji-hyo) are divorcees who must learn to live with and be around one another again when they reunite at the same hospital as emergency room interns. It’s a rivals-to-lovers medical romantic comedy that follows the reunion of a forgotten love.

Emergency Doctor is a fun K-drama that adds a little spice that the average viewer hardly gets. The medical scenarios that play out tend to be both humorous but also serious with higher stakes than viewers expect. But the exciting moments occur between the two leads, which lead to the redevelopment of the love that they once shared.

8

‘Daily Dose of Sunshine’ (2023)

Starring Park Bo-young, Yeon Woo-jin, Jank Dong-yoon, and Lee Jung-eun

Daily Dose of Sunshine is a medical K-drama that focuses on the psychiatric side of medicine. Jung Da-eun (Park Bo-young) switches from medicine to psychiatry for her own personal reasons. But as she does so, she doesn’t realize the challenges that will begin to follow after, including that of her personal relationships. But despite this, she wants to bring a daily dose of sunshine to her patients and the psychiatry unit.

This is another K-drama that has a unique premise. While a majority of the K-dramas on this list focus on the medicinal side (ER, surgical procedures, etc.), this one focuses on mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders that touch the viewers’ hearts. The realism makes for a story that is both tragic and bittersweet.

7

‘Angel Eyes’ (2014)

Starring Lee Sang-yoon and Koo Hye-sun

Soo-wan (Ku Hye-sun), a blind woman, lost her sight at a young age in a tragic accident that also took her mother. Dong-joo (Kang Ha-neul), who wishes to become a firefighter like his deceased father, decides to aim for medical school. Dong-joo, unaware of her blindness, falls in love with Soo-wan one night as she recites her speech. Then, one fateful day during a star-system presentation, Dong-joo, out of the generosity of his heart, helps her out in her time of need. After learning of her blindness, Dong-joo decides to help Soo-wan expand her lifestyle to the best of her ability and to not let her blindness affect her life. The two are eventually separated by the force of circumstance, and Soo-wan receives eye surgery that grants her sight back. The two meet again later, under new circumstances, and their love for each other is put to the test.

Angel Eyes is a beautiful and heartfelt K-drama that attests to the strength of a first love. Admittedly, the CGI and effects are a little old-school and outdated, but the story of a first love more than makes up for it. Its melancholic start sets up the mood for the rest of the series, which is bittersweet, with Soo-wan losing her sight almost immediately, and then her mother thereafter. Likewise, Dong-joo also loses his father, a rescue worker, who attempted to save Soo-wan’s mother. It’s a tragic story that allows for a beautiful love story to blossom. Despite its sad story, Angel Eyes can be lighthearted sometimes, making it a wonderful love story that can only be told due to the diligence of a kind heart in the medical field.

6

‘Doctor Slump’ (2024)

Starring Park Hyung-sik, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Park, and Gong Seong-ha

Doctor Slump is a Netflix-produced series that follows the long-lost love of two doctors. Ha-neul (Park Shin-hye) is a very precise and hardworking woman who hates wasting her time and makes every second count. Jeong-woo (Park Hyung-sik) is one of the smartest kids in the school who always felt as though that if he could keep at the same pace, things would stay the same. Years later, Jeong-woo is a well-renowned plastic surgeon, while Ha-neul’s career takes a fall as she works as a doctor in a harsh medical institution where she is taken advantage of by her senior colleagues. They meet again, and thus begins their love story in their adult lives. While this is a medical K-drama, the drama focuses more so on the heroes in the white coats and their lives behind the operating table.

This K-drama is filled with plenty of heartwarming moments. Despite its ability to maintain a sense of realism that can sometimes hit a little too close to home (thanks to the hard work of popular faces Shin-hye and Hyung-sik), it’s a very fun drama that focuses on the rekindling flame of an old love as Jeong-woo and Ha-neul meet again. It begins as a playful rivalry, stemming into a heartwarming love story, leaving viewers with the message that sometimes, things are simply out of everyone’s hands.

5

‘It’s Okay, That’s Love’ (2014)

Starring Zo In-sung, Gong Hyo-jin, Sung Dong-il, Lee Kwang-soo, and Do Kyung-soo

Twenty-six months after a traumatizing event at a party where DJ and novelist Jae-yeol (Zo In-sung) was at, he joins a talk show where he goes face-to-face with intelligent psychiatrist Hae Soo (Gong Hyo-jin) who has some words and concerns to express regarding his horror-filled crime novels. Hae Soo is a psychiatrist who is rough around the edges but tough-minded and determined. The dynamic between self-centered Jae-yeol and strong-willed Hae Soo is one that makes It’s Okay, That’s Love worth the watch.

It’s Okay, That’s Love is a realistic telling of mental health and the challenges that follow it. It’s a fun story with a compelling plot and a well-built love story with great chemistry between the two leads. This is more of a mature K-drama, dealing with mature topics, heavy concepts, and realistic portrayals of trauma and mental health. Sometimes, the topics at hand can be a bit difficult to watch, but it’s definitely worth watching due to the poignant storytelling, especially since this K-drama does not romanticize mental health in a way that others tend to. Not to mention, the leads (and the entire cast, in actuality) are very fun to watch and are strong characters to explore the world of mental health and the issues deep within.

4

‘Descendants of the Sun’ (2016)

Starring Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, and Kim Ji-won

Yoo Si-Jin (Song Joong-ki) is the captain of the Korean Special Forces, well-versed in combat and ready to sacrifice his life for the good of his country. Doctor Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo) is an intelligent doctor who meets Si-Jin by pure chance thanks to the hospitalization of a thief he helped capture. In a war-torn country, the two have to face danger head-on.

Being one of the unique (and one of the most popular), Descendants of the Sun is a high-stakes drama filled with plenty of suspense and drama. Although one of the more serious K-dramas, Descendants of the Sun does not fail at being lighthearted at times when the series calls for it, especially after somewhat serious events that take place. Not to mention, this K-drama is filled with action and thrilling scenes that will excite viewers.

3

‘Doctor Stranger’ (2014)

Starring Lee Jong-suk, Jin Se-yeon, Park Hae-jin, and Kang So-ra

Surgeon Park Hoon (Lee Jong-suk) is a South Korean who was forced to live in North Korea from a young age due to circumstances surrounding his father, who was also a surgeon. Years later, Park Hoon meets Jae-hee and falls in love with her, but due to the strict North Korean government, his father is executed, and Park Hoon decides to defect to South Korea with Jae-hee (Jin Se-yeon). However, during their escape to South Korea, Park Hoon and Jae-hee are separated, leaving Park Hoon to himself in South Korea. There, he eventually becomes a doctor at Myungwoo University Hospital. There he meets a woman who looks like his lost lover, though he can’t be sure, since he receives word that Jae-hee is still in North Korea. With this knowledge, he attempts to uncover the mystery.

Unlike some of the K-dramas on the list, Doctor Stranger is a show that delves into the side of medicine through cinematic surgical scenes. While there exist a lot of medical K-dramas, not very many peer into the actual medicine side, and instead, medical K-dramas tend to focus on the lives of doctors, the aftercare provided to patients, and the discussion of mental health. Doctor Stranger is a K-drama that does all of it while maintaining solid chemistry between the leads.

2

‘Kill Me, Heal Me’ (2015)

Starring Ji Sung, Hwang Jung-eum, Park Seo-joon, Oh Min-suk, and Kim Yoo-ri

Cha Do-hyun (Ji-sung) is a business heir with dissociative identity disorder (DID), which developed after going through traumatic events. This leaves him with five different personalities. Psychiatry resident Oh Ri Jin (Hwang Jung-eum) attempts to help Do-hyun overcome his trauma. As the two work together, Do-hyun finds himself falling for Rin Jin.

The cast of Kill Me, Heal Me is the best part of the K-drama, as all the actors make the characters believable and likable. Thanks to these interesting and intricate characters, there is never a dull or boring moment in this K-drama — rather, it is full of interesting twists that will keep viewers watching. Additionally, Kill Me, Heal Me explores the world of dissociative identity disorder in a mature and sensitive way that does not romanticize the disorder but rather incorporates it well into the story being told. Not to mention, despite the seriousness of the topic at hand and the eventual tone later on in the series, Kill Me, Heal Me includes a touch of comedic humor that will win the audience’s heart.

1

‘Good Doctor’ (2013)

Starring Joo Won, Moon Chae-won, Joo Sang-wook, and Kim Min-seo

Park Si-on (Joo Won) is a pediatric surgeon who faces challenges and judgment from patients and colleagues alike due to having autism. At a young age, it was discovered that Si-on had an amazing memory, among other things, which led him on the path of becoming a pediatric surgeon. Despite the judgment he faces in the competitive medical world, Si-on works to overcome the discrimination he faces, with the help of supportive peers such as love interest Yoon-seo (Moon Chae-won) and Jin Wook (Kim Young-kwan).

This list wouldn’t be complete without the addition of Good Doctor, the K-drama that inspired the American adaption that lasted for seven seasons. Similar to the American adaption, Si-on is on the autism spectrum, but due to his near-perfect memory, he has decided to become a surgeon. More importantly, Good Doctor tells a meaningful story surrounding autism, love, and kindness. Not to mention, it portrays the realism of facing discrimination and judgment about things out of anyone’s control, doing so in a delicate manner. Although brief, Good Doctor remains one of the best Korean medical dramas for its very realistic depictions and for just being a fun watch.

NEXT: The Most Underrated South Korean Dramas