The best military K-dramas to watch for your next Netflix binge

Netflix has quite the arsenal of military Kdramas — each of which are deemed the best Kdramas of all time by IMDB ratings. Here’s our picks.

Featuring hair-raising action scenes, complex plot-twists, and romantic entanglements with a hint of danger — some of the most exciting Korean shows are centred on the army. And Netflix has quite the arsenal of military titles — from cult-classics to contemporary hits — each of which are deemed the best Kdramas of all time, if IMDB ratings are anything to go by. Here’s our pick of the lot.

For South Korean citizens the army is an essential part of life, intricately woven into its fabric. This, owing to the country’s mandatory enlistment rule — which requires men aged 18-30 to serve in a branch of the defence forces for anywhere between 18-21 months. And as life inspires art — the entertainment industry has been touched by this as well. For starters, many popular names take a break from the spotlight to fulfil their national duties — most recently the members of BTS and actor Song Kang.

Several popular titles are centred on men in uniforms — offering an insight into their tumultuous, gritty world with a side of romance, drama, and comedy. This includes the highly-anticipated Bloody Romance, featuring Nam Gyu-ri and Kim Min-seok. And of the sea of military Kdramas ever produced, Netflix is home to some of the best — as evidenced by their IMDB ratings. We’re talking classics helmed by the finest in the business with storylines that will keep you hooked. Whether you’re a Korean entertainment veteran on the lookout for their next binge or a new recruit eager to discover everything it has to offer — here’s a look at titles worth tuning into.

Best military Kdramas to arm yourself with for a fun Netflix sesh

Crash Landing On You

Directed by: Lee Jung-hyo

Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye, Kim Jung-hyun

Episodes: 16

Release date: 14 December 2019

Synopsis: A paragliding accident puts billionaire heiress Yoon Se-ri (played by Son Ye-jin) in North Korea. There she’s discovered by the upstanding North Korean military man Ri Jeong-hyeok (played by Hyun Bin). As she fights to find her way back home, the latter decides to help her get there. Along the way, they fall in love. This is deemed one of the best military Kdramas of all time.

IMDb rating: 8.7

Mr. Sunshine

Directed by: Lee Eung-bok

Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Byun Yo-han

Release date: 7 July 2018

Episodes: 24

Synopsis: In 1871 — during Shinmiyangyo (The Korean Expedition) — Eugene Choi or Mr. Sunshine (played by Lee Byung-hun) heads to the US and joins the marine corps. On a military mission in Joseon, he falls in love with an aristocrat’s daughter named Go Ae Shin (played by Kim Tae-ri). In the process, he learns of a ploy by foreign forces to colonise Korea.

IMDb rating: 8.7

Descendants Of The Sun

Directed by: Lee Eung-bok, Baek Sang-hoon

Cast: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, Kim Ji-won

Episodes: 19

Release date: 24 February 2016

Synopsis: In this military Kdrama — one of the best of all time — a rather bizarre set of occurrences lead to South Korean Special Forces agent Captain Yoo Shi-jin (Song Joong-ki) crossing paths with hardworking Haesung Hospital surgeon Kang Mo-yeon (played by Song Hye-kyo). Sparks fly and the two give dating a go — all while navigating their hectic schedules. Soon, fate brings them together in a war-torn country — where they work to protect and keep the health of the local population.

IMDb rating: 8.2

D.P

Directed by: Han Jun-hee

Cast: Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun, Son Suk-ku

Episodes: 12

Release date: 27 August 2021

Synopsis: Within the Korean military a team is tasked with capturing soldiers who are deserters.
This includes new recruit Private Ah Jun-ho (played by Jung Hae-in), Sergeant First Class Park Beom-gu (played by Kim Sung-kyun), Captain Im Ji-sup (played by Son Suk-ku), and Corporal Han Ho-yeol (played by Koo Kyo-hwan). As the Deserter Pursuit unit goes about its mission, grim realities of the army come to the fore.

IMDb rating: 8.2

Military Prosecutor Doberman

Directed by: Jin Chang-gyu

Cast: Ahn Bo-hyun, Jo Bo-ah

Release date: 28 February, 2022

Episodes: 16

Synopsis: Driven purely by the desire for money and fame, Do Bae-Man (played by Ahn Bo-Hyun) becomes a military prosecutor. On the other hand, Cha Woo-in (played by Jo Bo Ah) was born into a rich family and chooses to become a military prosecutor to exact revenge for her father’s death. The two join hands to take down corrupt forces.

IMDb rating: 7.7

Which of these military Kdramas do you think best does justice to its genre?

All images: Courtesy Netflix