Netflix has completely changed the way we watch TV. Week after week, the streamer drops shows that dominate conversations, rack up insane viewing numbers, and make entire fandoms obsessed overnight. But here’s the thing. While English-language series often grab the headlines, some of the most thrilling, unpredictable, and binge-worthy content is coming straight from Korea.
Netflix has been putting out Korean content for a while now, but it wasn’t until Squid Game that global audiences truly took notice. Since then, Korean shows have been quietly but steadily dominating the platform, proving that they’re just as innovative, gripping, and addictive as any other show. In fact, Netflix’s Top 10 this week features two brand-new Korean series that are impossible to ignore.
The first one is As You Stood By. As of Nov. 13, it is currently holding tight to the No. 8 spot on the streaming giant’s top 10 TV shows list. All eight episodes were released on Nov. 7, and though the series takes a bit to pick up, you’ll be instantly hooked once it does.
This show is different from the typical Korean shows that Netflix releases. The streamer offers a vast selection of romantic dramas and romantic comedies on its platform, but As You Stood By is far from that. It’s a dark and suspenseful crime thriller. Perhaps you watched Ride or Die on Netflix. It’ll remind you of that Japanese show, but minus the romance between the two main leads.
Based on Hideo Okuda’s 2014 novel Naomi and Kanako, As You Stood By follows Eun‑su, a determined woman trying to break free from the scars of an abusive childhood, and Hui‑su, her lifelong friend, who’s stuck in a marriage shadowed by control and violence. Their friendship, formed during high school through moments that changed them both, becomes the anchor in a story about trauma, survival, and the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love.
As Eun‑su pieces together the painful patterns in Hui‑su’s life, she refuses to stand by and let history repeat itself. Together, the women devise a shocking and desperate plan to confront the source of Hui-su’s suffering. What’s the plan? To kill Hui‑su’s husband. But things become complicated when a person from their past suddenly reappears and threatens to upend everything they’ve worked for.
If you’ve watched Squid Game and Parasyte: The Grey on Netflix, then you’ll recognize the two main stars. Jeon So-nee, who portrayed Jeong Su-in in Parasyte: The Grey, takes on the role of Eun-su. On the other hand, Lee Yoo-mi plays the role of Hui-su. She is best known for her previous portrayal of Ji-yeong in Squid Game season 1. Jang Seung-jo and Lee Mu-saeng are also part of the main cast.
Now, let’s move on to the other new Korean series that’s currently taking Netflix by storm. It’s called Dynamite Kiss, and it’s just like the Korean shows we mentioned earlier that the streaming giant usually releases. It’s a romantic comedy that premiered on Netflix on Nov. 12. It’s only been a day since the series came out, and it’s already ranking high on the streamer’s top 10 TV shows list. As of Nov. 13, it is currently ranked at the No. 6 spot.
Unlike As You Stood By, which was released all at once, Dynamite Kiss is rolling out two new episodes every week. The first and second episodes dropped on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13. You can expect two new episodes to continue releasing every Wednesday and Thursday until the series finale. Although not confirmed, it’s believed that this rom-com is made up of 14 episodes in total.
Dynamite Kiss follows Go Da‑rim, a clever and ambitious woman who disguises her single status to secure a coveted position at a baby-products company. She pretends to be a married woman with a kid. However, her carefully constructed plan quickly spirals out of control when she unexpectedly shares a spontaneous kiss with her boss, Gong Ji‑hyuk. Like how every rom-com goes, the two eventually find themselves falling in love.
Ahn Eun-jin (Genie, Make a Wish, Resident Playbook) stars as Go Da-rim, while Jang Ki-yong (The Atypical Family) plays Gong Ji-hyuk. Also in the main cast are Kim Mu-jun and Woo Da-vi.
Make sure to stay tuned to Netflix Life if you’re looking for more Korean show recommendations!
