Today we’re highlighting 5 “slow burn but worth it” Korean dramas that draw you in deeper with every episode.
1. Love to Hate You
Douban Rating: 7.8
A perfect balance of fantasy and realism!
Female lead Yeo Mi-ran (played by Kim Ok-bin) is a rookie lawyer working at an entertainment law firm called “Gilmu.” She’s fiercely competitive and detests losing to men. For her, romance is nothing more than data collection for career gain — a tool, not a goal.
Male lead Nam Kang-ho (played by Yoo Teo) is a top Korean actor — handsome, charming, and widely known as the “Prince of Romance.” But due to being betrayed by his first love, he harbors deep trust issues and even develops gynophobia (a fear of women).
They meet through work and immediately clash — lots of tension and power plays. But over time, walls begin to break down, and their prejudices soften into something more genuine.
With only 10 episodes, the plot is fast-paced and easy to get into. Yes, it’s a bit dramatic and over-the-top, but it’s also genuinely funny and full of sharp chemistry.
2. Fantasy G Spot
30-year-old Son Hee-jae has been dating the same man for five years, but she’s never truly felt fulfilled in their intimate relationship. To her, intimacy has always just been one part of love — something she never questioned too deeply.
Her best friend and colleague Lee Mi-na (played by Bae Yoo-ram) sees things very differently. The two co-host a podcast called Fantasy G Spot, and through their work, they begin to explore, understand, and support each other in discovering what intimacy and identity truly mean to them.
Don’t be misled by the provocative title — this is a surprisingly thoughtful, educational series, wrapped in bold themes and grounded in the female perspective.
3. Work Later, Drink Now
Rating: 8.9 – Wild, lovable, and surprisingly emotional. Two seasons, 24 episodes total.
TV producer Ahn So-hee (Lee Sun-bin), yoga instructor Han Ji-yeon (Han Sun-hwa), and origami YouTuber Kang Ji-gu (Jung Eun-ji) share a post-work ritual: drinking together. What begins as blowing off steam becomes a nightly therapy session — full of blackouts, deep talks, and drunken truths.
Behind their carefree exterior, each woman carries unseen emotional burdens.
They’re not drinking alcohol — they’re drowning unspoken pain.
It’s raw but healing, messy but authentic. As they surrender to reality, they find catharsis in each other and in the ritual of unwinding.
Season 1 was a breakout hit — a “dark horse” drama. It’s down-to-earth, deeply relatable, and the characters become more likable the longer you watch.
A perfect comfort drama to binge while eating.
4. Summer Strike
Rating: 7.2 – A soft, healing drama with a deep emotional core.
There’s a memorable line:
“2.38 million won a month — the price of selling my time. From now on, I’ve decided that time will only belong to me.”
Centered around youth, healing, and opting out, the drama follows Lee Yeo-reum (played by Kim Seol-hyun), a 28-year-old woman burned out by career failure, heartbreak, and the death of her mother. She declares a “strike from life,” quitting her job, leaving the city, and moving to a rural village called Angok to live a life of “doing nothing.”
It resonates with many young people today — caught between overwork and the inability to truly rest.
We live in a world where you’re expected to hustle, yet no one teaches you how to pause.
Summer Strike isn’t fast-paced — instead, it mirrors real life, inviting viewers to slow down and rediscover what matters.
A drama well worth a second watch.
5. The First Responders
Rating: 7.6 – Each episode features a new emergency, each more thrilling than the last.
Every case (hostage situations, fires, suicides, etc.) brings together police, fire, and paramedic teams in intense, tightly coordinated operations.
While there are a few logical holes, the action-packed storytelling hooks you in episode by episode.
At its core is the mystery surrounding Jin Ho-gae (played by Kim Rae-won), who gets caught up in a massive conspiracy involving smuggling, murder, and corruption within a powerful corporation — eventually leading to his demotion after clashing with those in power.
Fast-paced, zero filler, and packed with suspense — The First Responders is a gritty procedural drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat.