Korean Movies and K-Dramas for Teens & Adults to Watch
We love our Korean movies and K-dramas, so we wanted to share some of our favourites with you - enjoy!
KOREAN MOVIES
FORBIDDEN FAIRYTALE
Synopsis: Dan-bi dreams of becoming a children’s book author but ends up working as a rookie in the Youth Protection Team that monitors illegal adult content. After a mishap involving a CEO’s vintage car, she’s coerced into writing erotic web novels. With the help of an uninspired colleague, Jung-seok, and inspiration from her friends’ stories, Dan-bi discovers a surprising talent in adult fiction.
Starring: Park Ji-hyun as Dan-bi, Choi Si-won as Jung-seok, Sung Dong-il as CEO Hwang
Release Date (South Korea): 2025
Rating: 19+ (R-rated/Adults only)
Duration: 109 minutes
Watch in Australia at: Korean Film Festival in Australia - August 2025
IMDb Rating: 5.9/10
FRIENDLY RIVALRY
Synopsis: Woo Seul-Gi, an orphan raised in a provincial town, transfers to Chaehwa High School in Seoul, an elite institution for the top 1% of students. She befriends Yoo Je-Yi, the school's most envied student, leading to a complex relationship marked by both friendship and obsession.
Starring: Lee Hye-ri (as Yoo Je-Yi), Chung Su-bin (as Woo Seul-Gi), Kang Hye-won, Oh Woo-ri
Release Date (South Korea): 2025
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 30 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: A K-pop girl group lives a double life as demon hunters, secretly protecting their fans from supernatural threats. Packed with high-energy music, action, and magical battles, the group balances fame and heroism while uncovering dark secrets in the demon world.
Starring: TWICE (members perform as characters), voice cast includes popular K-pop idols and actors
Release Date (South Korea/Netflix): 2025
Rating: PG 12+ (action/violence, scary images, thematic elements, some suggestive material and brief language)
Duration: Approx. 100 minutes
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
OUR UNWRITTEN SEOUL
Synopsis: Identical twin sisters Yoo Mi-ji and Yoo Mi-rae lead vastly different lives — Mi-ji is a free-spirited former athlete, while Mi-rae is a perfectionist corporate worker. When they decide to swap lives, their worlds are turned upside down, leading to personal growth, romance, and self-discovery.
Starring: Park Bo-young, Park Jin-young, Ryu Kyung-soo, Kim Sun-young, Jang Young-nam
Release Date (South Korea): 2025
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 12 episodes (approx. 70 minutes each) Wikipedia
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
SECRET: UNTOLD MELODY (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: Kim Yu-jun, a promising pianist whose career was cut short by injury, returns to Korea and enrolls in a prestigious music college. There, he encounters Jung Ah, a mysterious woman playing haunting melodies. As their bond deepens, Yu-jun uncovers a secret that intertwines their destinies.
Starring: Do Kyung-soo (EXO), Won Jin-ah, Shin Ye-eun, Bae Seong-woo
Release Date (South Korea): 2025
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 103 minutes
Watch in Australia at: Korean Film Festival in Australia - August 2025
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Our review: “We had the privilege of reviewing this film as part of the Korean Film Festival in Australia. SECRET: UNTOLD MELODY is a moving love story of fate and passion that transcends time and circumstance. The unique performances of the leads keep you engaged and wanting more, leaving an emotional impact that lingers long after the film ends.”
SHIRI 4K REMASTERING
Synopsis: South Korean agents Yoo Jung-won and Lee Jang-gil are tasked with stopping elite North Korean operatives plotting a deadly terrorist attack in Seoul. As the investigation deepens, Jung-won discovers shocking truths that put both his mission and personal life at risk. A tense spy thriller, Shiri is often credited as South Korea’s first modern blockbuster.
Starring: Han Suk-kyu, Choi Min-sik, Song Kang-ho, Kim Yunjin
Release Date (South Korea): Originally 1999; 4K Remaster 2025
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 125 minutes
Watch in Australia on: Korean Film Festival in Australia - August 2025
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
THE NOISY MANSION
Synopsis: Geo-ul, a boisterous and meddlesome woman in her late 30s, moves into Baek-Sae Apartment seeking independence. But every night at 4 AM, mysterious floor noises disturb the residents’ peace. Unfazed, Geo-ul enlists her quirky neighbors to uncover the source of the auditory assault and restore harmony to the building.
Starring: Kyung Soo-jin (as Ahn Geo-ul), Ko Kyu-pil, Lee Ji-hoon, Kim Joo-ryoung, Choi Yoo-jung, Jung Hee-tae, Park Jeong-hak, Cha Woo-jin
Release Date (South Korea): 2025
Rating: U15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 97 minutes
Watch in Australia on: Korean Film Festival in Australia - August 2025
IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
TASTEFULLY YOURS
Synopsis: Han Beom-woo, a wealthy heir to a food conglomerate, runs a fine-dining restaurant but lacks passion for taste. His life changes when he meets Mo Yeon-joo, a talented chef who runs a quiet, countryside restaurant. Driven to claim top culinary honors, Beom-woo seeks to acquire Yeon-joo's recipes, sparking an unlikely romance.
Starring: Kang Ha-neul (Han Beom-woo), Go Min-si (Mo Yeon-joo), Kim Shin-rok, Yoo Su-bin
Release Date (South Korea): 2025
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 10 episodes (approx. 60 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
ABOUT FAMILY
Synopsis: Mu-ok, the self-made owner of the popular restaurant 'Pyongmanok,' is troubled by his only son, Moon-seok, who has chosen to become a monk, leaving the family legacy uncertain. However, young children begin to arrive at his restaurant, claiming Moon-seok as their father, offering Mu-ok a chance to continue his family’s legacy and experience happiness like never before.
Starring: Kim Yoon-seok, Lee Seung-gi, Kim Sung-ryung, Kang Han-na, Park Soo-young, Kim Si-woo, Yoon Chae-na
Release Date (South Korea): 2024
Rating: Not officially rated; likely suitable for teens and adults
Duration: 107 minutes
Watch in Australia at: Korean Film Festival in Australia - August 2025
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
HEAR ME: OUR SUMMER
Synopsis: Yong-jun (Hong Kyung), a recent college graduate without clear aspirations, works part-time delivering lunchboxes for his parents. One day, he meets Yeo-reum (Roh Yoon-seo) at a swimming pool and falls in love with her at first sight. Discovering she is deaf, he uses sign language to communicate, gradually winning her heart. Yeo-reum, dedicated to supporting her younger sister Ga-eul (Kim Min-ju), a hearing-impaired swimmer, begins to open up to Yong-jun's sincere affection.
Starring: Hong Kyung, Roh Yoon-seo, Kim Min-ju
Release Date (South Korea): 2024
Rating: G (General Audience)
Duration: 109 minutes
Watch in Australia at: Korean Film Festival in Australia - August 2025
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
HIDDEN FACE
Synopsis: Seong-jin, an orchestra conductor, is devastated when his fiancée Soo-yeon, a cellist, mysteriously disappears, leaving only a video message. He becomes entangled with Mi-joo, a new cellist who replaces her. On a rainy night, their overwhelming desire leads them to commit an unforgivable act—unbeknownst to them, Soo-yeon is trapped in a secret room within the house, forced to silently witness the betrayal unfold.
Starring: Song Seung-heon as Seong-jin, Cho Yeo-jeong as Soo-yeon, Park Ji-hyun as Mi-joo, with supporting roles by Park Ji-young, Park Sung-geun, Cha Mi-kyung, and others.
Release Date (South Korea): 2024
Rating: R-rated (adult-only).
Duration: 115 minutes
Watch in Australia on: Korean Film Festival in Australia - August 2025
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
THE DAECHI SCANDAL
Synopsis: Yoon-Im (Ahn So-Hee), a blunt yet talented Korean language instructor at a private academy in Daechi-dong, Seoul, faces public scrutiny after a chance meeting with her ex-boyfriend, Ki-Haeng (Park Sang-Nam), a middle school teacher. The encounter sparks rumors among local parents, leading to suspicions of exam question leaks and exposing Yoon-Im's hidden past.
Starring: Ahn So-Hee, Park Sang-Nam, Jo Eun-Yoo, Takuya Terada, Bae Yoo-Ram
Release Date (South Korea): 2024
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 109 minutes
Watch in Australia at: Korean Film Festival in Australia - August 2025
IMDb Rating: 6.0/10
K-DRAMAS
POTATO LAB
Synopsis: Set in a charming rural research center, a potato-obsessed scientist, Kim Mi-kyung, encounters the new, no-nonsense director, So Baek-ho. What begins as constant clashes slowly blossoms into unexpected romance—proving that love can sprout in the most unlikely places.
Starring: Lee Sun-bin (as Kim Mi-kyung), Kang Tae-oh (as So Baek-ho)
Release Date (South Korea): 2025
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 12 episodes (approx. 70 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
DOCTOR SLUMP (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: Two former high school rivals, Yeo Jeong-woo and Nam Ha-neul, reunite years later, each facing significant personal and professional challenges. As they navigate their respective slumps, they find unexpected solace and healing in each other.
Starring: Park Hyung-sik, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Park, Gong Seong-ha
Release Date (South Korea): 2024
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 60 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
QUEEN OF TEARS (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: A chaebol heiress and a lawyer navigate a crisis in their marriage, leading to a miraculous resurgence of love.
Starring: Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon
Release Date (South Korea): 2024
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes + 2 extras (approx. 75 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
DESTINED WITH YOU (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: A fantasy romance between civil servant Lee Hong-jo, who unexpectedly comes into possession of a forbidden book sealed 300 years ago, and lawyer Jang Shin-yu, who becomes bound to the book by a mysterious curse. Their fates intertwine as they uncover secrets from the past and navigate love in the present.
Starring: Rowoon, Jo Bo-ah, Ha Jun, Yura
Release Date (South Korea): 2023
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 60–70 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
KING THE LAND (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of a luxury hotel empire, King the Land follows the story of Goo Won (played by Lee Jun-ho), a charming heir embroiled in a tense inheritance battle, and Cheon Sa-rang (played by Im Yoon-ah), a dedicated hotelier known for her radiant smile. Their paths cross in the high-stakes world of hospitality, leading to unexpected romantic developments.
Starring: Lee Jun-ho, Im Yoon-ah
Release Date (South Korea): 2023
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 60–70 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 5.6/10
LOVE TO HATE YOU (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: Yeo Mi-ran, a rookie attorney at Gilmu Law Firm, is determined to never lose to a man. Nam Kang-ho, a top actor, harbors deep distrust towards women. When circumstances force them into a contract dating arrangement, their initial animosity slowly transforms into genuine affection.
Starring: Kim Ok-bin, Teo Yoo, Kim Ji-hoon, Go Won-hee
Release Date (South Korea): 2023
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 10 episodes (approx. 44–63 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
MY DEMON (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: Do Do-hee, a wealthy but lonely chaebol heiress, forms a contract marriage with Jung Gu-won, a powerful demon who suddenly loses his abilities after an unexpected twist of fate. As they navigate their unusual bond, love begins to grow between them, blurring the line between the human and supernatural worlds.
Starring: Kim Yoo-jung, Song Kang, Lee Sang-yi, Kim Hae-sook
Release Date (South Korea): 2023
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 60–70 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
WELCOME TO SAMDAL-RI (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: After a scandal derails her career as a fashion photographer in Seoul, Cho Sam-dal returns to her hometown in Jeju Island. There, she reconnects with her childhood friend, Cho Yong-pil, a dedicated weather forecaster. As they navigate their past and present, their bond deepens, leading to a heartfelt romance.
Starring: Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hye-sun
Release Date (South Korea): 2023
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 70 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
BUSINESS PROPOSAL (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: Shin Ha-ri, a food researcher, agrees to go on a blind date in place of her friend — only to discover that her date is Kang Tae-moo, the new CEO of her company. What starts as a fake dating arrangement quickly turns into a complicated and hilarious romance.
Starring: Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong, Kim Min-kyu, Seol In-ah
Release Date (South Korea): 2022
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 12 episodes (approx. 60 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
EXTRAORDINARY ATTORNEY WOO (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: Woo Young-woo, a brilliant attorney with autism spectrum disorder, navigates her first job at a prestigious law firm. Armed with a photographic memory and exceptional legal acumen, she faces challenges in a neurotypical world, tackling complex cases while building meaningful relationships.
Starring: Park Eun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Kang Ki-young
Release Date (South Korea): 2022
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 75 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
THIRTY-NINE (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: A heartfelt slice-of-life drama that follows three lifelong friends — Cha Mi-jo, Jung Chan-young, and Jang Joo-hee — as they navigate love, friendship, and loss while approaching the age of 40. The series tenderly explores the realities of adulthood, relationships, and saying goodbye.
Starring: Son Ye-jin, Jeon Mi-do, Kim Ji-hyun
Release Date (South Korea): 2022
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 12 episodes (approx. 70 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
HOMETOWN CHA-CHA-CHA (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: A heartwarming romantic drama set in the seaside village of Gongjin. Yoon Hye-jin, a pragmatic dentist from Seoul, opens a clinic in the small town and clashes with Hong Du-sik, a jack-of-all-trades known as “Chief Hong,” who helps everyone in the community. Their differences gradually turn into affection, bringing healing and love to each other and the townspeople.
Starring: Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho, Lee Sang-yi
Release Date: 2021
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 70–90 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
STARTUP
Synopsis: Set in South Korea's fictional tech hub, Sandbox, Start-Up follows Seo Dal-mi (Bae Suzy), a woman aspiring to be Korea's Steve Jobs, and her journey into the competitive world of startups. Amidst her entrepreneurial pursuits, she navigates a complex love triangle involving Nam Do-san (Nam Joo-hyuk), her first love, and Han Ji-pyeong (Kim Seon-ho), a man who pretends to be Do-san to support her dreams.
Starring: Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Seon-ho, Kang Han-na
Release Date (South Korea): 2020
Rating: TV-PG
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 1 hour 20 minutes each) IMDb
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
CRASH LANDING ON YOU (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: A South Korean heiress, Yoon Se-ri, crash-lands in North Korea after a paragliding accident. There, she meets Ri Jeong-hyeok, a principled North Korean army officer who decides to help her hide and return home. Despite political divides and danger, the two develop an unlikely and heartfelt romance.
Starring: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye, Kim Jung-hyun
Release Date (South Korea): 2019
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 60–70 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
HER PRIVATE LIFE (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: Sung Deok-mi is a talented art curator who secretly lives as an obsessive fangirl of an idol group online. Her double life becomes complicated when Ryan Gold, the new gallery director, discovers her secret, leading to romance, comedy, and heartwarming moments.
Starring: Park Min-young, Kim Jae-wook, Ahn Bo-hyun
Release Date (South Korea): 2019
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 60–70 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
THE SECRET LIFE OF MY SECRETARY (REVIEWING)
Synopsis: Do Min-ik, a competent director at T&T Mobile Media, loses his ability to recognize faces due to a head injury. He becomes dependent on his secretary, Jung Gal-hee, who is the only person he can recognize. As they navigate their professional relationship, Min-ik unknowingly falls for Gal-hee, mistaking her for a glamorous heiress.
Starring: Kim Young-kwang, Jin Ki-joo, Kim Jae-kyung, Koo Ja-sung
Release Date (South Korea): 2019
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 32 episodes (approx. 35 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
WHAT'S WRONG WITH SECRETARY KIM (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: A romantic comedy about Lee Young-joon, a narcissistic vice-chairman of a major company, and his highly capable secretary, Kim Mi-so, who decides to resign after nine years of working together. As Young-joon struggles to stop her from leaving, both uncover misunderstandings, hidden memories, and the truth behind their shared past.
Starring: Park Seo-joon, Park Min-young
Release Date (South Korea): 2018
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 60–70 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8/10
Rotten Tomatoes:
WOK OF LOVE (REVIEWED)
Synopsis: A sizzling romantic comedy set in a shabby Chinese restaurant across from a luxury hotel. Star chef Seo Poong, after being betrayed and wrongfully dismissed from his hotel job, teams up with a former gangster, Chil Seong, to revive the restaurant. Alongside them is Dan Sae-woo, a fallen heiress whose life has been turned upside down. Together, they navigate food, love, and survival in the heat of the kitchen.
Starring: Lee Jun-ho, Jang Hyuk as Chil Seong, Jung Ryeo-won
Release Date (South Korea): 2018
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 38 episodes (approx. 35 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
STRONG GIRL BONG-SOON
Synopsis: A young woman, Bong-soon, is born with superhuman strength. While trying to live a normal life, she becomes the bodyguard for a CEO and uses her powers to fight crime in her neighborhood, balancing romance, comedy, and action.
Starring: Park Bo-young (as Bong-soon), Park Hyung-sik (as CEO Ahn Min-hyuk), Ji Soo (as Bong-soon’s childhood friend)
Release Date (South Korea): 2017
Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)
Duration: 16 episodes (approx. 60 minutes each)
Watch in Australia on: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10