Here are 10 highest-rated K-dramas in the last decade.
The K-drama scene has undergone many interesting changes over the past 10 years. Let’s see which is the “champion” in the average nationwide viewership rating (according to Nielsen Korea) of each year.
2011: Secret Garden
Having the enemies-to-lovers trope, Secret Garden became a hit when bringing the name of the couple Hyun Bin – Ha Ji Won to fame. Thanks to the fascinating love story between a rich guy – a poor girl, the drama led the viewership ratings in 2011 with an average of 24.3%, as well as receiving 2 Baeksang Awards for Best TV Series and Best Actor for Hyun Bin.
2012: My Husband Got a Family
The family melodrama genre had the opportunity to take the throne in 2012 when My Husband Got a Family surpassed many competitors to become the drama with the highest viewership ratings of the year. Possessing an average rating of up to 33.1%, My Husband Got a Family made thousands of viewers unable to take their eyes off the TV screen thanks to the story of the bride facing the terrifying husband’s family.
2013: Seoyoung, My Daughter
The tearful family genre continued to “dominate” in 2013 when “Seoyoung, My Daughter” became the highest rated drama with 33.3%, higher than “My Husband Got a Family” last year. The drama depicts Seo Young’s life full of ups and downs, especially when she and her father have many problems.The messages about family love and tolerance have helped the drama be loved by the audience even though it does not have a star-studded cast.
2014: Wang’s Family
Wang’s Family continues the winning streak of Korean family dramas, rising to become 2014 highest-rated drama with an average of 33%. The KBS drama revolves around the sisters of the Wang family, each with a separate life. However, they all face such difficulties, forcing them to return to each other to find a way to overcome difficulties.
2015: What Happens to My Family?
With an average rating of up to 31.7%, What Happens to My Family? became the most watched drama of 2015 in Korea, extending the achievement chain of the family genre. What Happens to My Family? talks about the father’s family with 3 children, all of whom have an unapproachable, strange personality. In order to punish the children, the father Cha Soon Bong had to take action, making the drama even more humorous.
2016: Descendants of the Sun
2016 marks the return of the romantic genre. Overcoming strong candidates such as Goblin, Legend of the Blue Sea or Moon Lover, “Descendants of the Sun” became the drama with the highest average rating (28.6%). The drama is not only famous throughout Asia, creating many youth trends, but also charms Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki to become husband and wife.
2017: Defendant
Rarely does a detective drama have the highest viewership ratings of the year (21.69%). In 2017, Defendant played by Ji Sung – Um Ki Joon – Yuri (SNSD) overcame every drama to become the drama with the highest rating. Possessing a career and a fulfilling life, the male lead Park Jung Woo suddenly lost everything, was accused of becoming a bad guy and had to find a way to exonerate himself.
2018: My Golden Life
The drama that won the top prize at the 2018 KBS Drama Awards is also the most watched drama of the year. My Golden Life explores the story of Miss Ji An’s “up and down” after the bankruptcy of her family. The drama shows many practical aspects in life such as work, relationships, marriage, etc.
2019: My Only One
The comedy-romantic genre continued to make an impression when UEE’s “My Only One” achieved a rating of 32.3%, highest in 2019. At first glance, this seems to be just another typical prince-cinderella story. However, surprises still await in the latter part of the drama. My Only One becomes more and more engaging when it comes to the end when it turns completely into the sensational genre, making viewers definitely stand and fidget.
2020: The World of the Married
There is no doubt that “the World of the Married” is the most watched Korean drama of 2020. With an average rating of 18.8% nationwide, the drama from jTBC created a syndrome with thrilling developments. The drama also won many awards at top award ceremonies such as Baeksang, AAA,…
2021: Penthouse 2
Penthouse covers the whole year of 2021 with 3 seasons full of fascinating and unexpected details. Season 2, after airing, set a record of the highest ratings in 2021 with the national average of 22.2%. Although causing controversy over the consistency of the story, Penthouse and the confrontation of Su Ryeon – Yoon Hee – Seo Jin certainly made the viewers unable to take their eyes off.
