The 25 Best Medical K-Dramas, Ranked

Summary

• The best medical K-dramas feature a unique mix of thrilling life-or-death situations and captivating romantic storylines.
• The unique spin on medical dramas explored in K-dramas includes themes of psychiatry, time travel, and revenge in unforgettable ways.
• From intense thrillers to sweet romances, medical K-dramas offer a wide range of genres that keep viewers entertained and engaged.

Medical procedurals are always an exciting option to binge-watch, and the bestmedical K-dramas put a unique South Korean spin that sets them apart from their US counterparts. K-dramas come in all genres that have fans enthralled from comedy, romance, and even medical dramas. Medical K-dramas still cover a broad range of genres, such as those in the world of psychiatry or veterinary or historical and supernatural, within their given storylines. These K-dramas have some romance, riveting thrills, the supernatural, and even laugh-out-loud comedy.

There are plenty of gasping and holding-your-breath thrills in the best medical K-dramas, as they often entail life-or-death situations both in the ER and the rest of the hospital. Whether a surgeon or psychiatrist, medical K-dramas can explore a variety of different procedural avenues. Romantic storylines in K-dramas are always a bonus feature, but not necessarily a requirement to make the list of best medical K-dramas. These medical K-dramas are considered some of the best to have premiered in South Korea and are beloved by international fans as well.

25 The Great Doctor (2012)

A Plastic Surgeon Time Travels To Save A Life

The Great Doctor is also known as Faith depending on the translation of the title. The series doubles as a historical and time travel series as it sends modern-day plastic surgeon Eun Soo (Kim Hee-sun) to the Goryeo period in Korea. She’s taken by a member of the royal guard, Choi Young (Lee Min-ho) so that she can save the queen’s life.

The series is not exactly what the audience might think of as a modern medical drama, since it’s not set in a hospital or following the relationships among multiple doctors. Instead, it brings modern medical knowledge to the past with less technology and follows the relationship between the doctor and the guard. There’s also the knowledge that Eun Soo could change the past or her own future.

The series was nominated for several SBS Drama Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards following its release. Lee Min-ho was especially recognized, winning multiple awards for his role.

24 Emergency Couple (2014)

A Comedy About Love And Medicine

Oh Chang-min (Choi Jun-hyuk) and Oh Jin-hee (Song Ji-hyo) were married and divorced five years before the events of Emergency Couple take place. The two had a nasty breakup due to Chang’s min’s family interfering and Jin-hee developing an inferiority complex that means they cannot stand being around one another. They have to learn how to all over again, however, when they both become interns in the same emergency room.

This series takes a few romantic comedy tropes, like rivals-to-lovers and second-chance-romance, and places them in a high-stakes medical setting. Despite the series being a comedy, there are serious medical calamities that occur, leaving viewers laughing and worried for patients at the same time. Of course, the love story at the center of everything is the big draw for the show.

Though the series didn’t win big at any Korean award shows, it did steadily build an audience while airing, doubling the number of people watching live from the series premiere to the finale (via Nielsen Korea).

23 Daily Dose Of Sunshine (2023)

A Medical Drama With A Focus On Psychiatry

In the modern era of television, most medical shows focus on the dynamics in a large hospital or emergency room thanks to the success of shows like ER and Grey’s Anatomy in the US and around the world. Daily Dose Of Sunshine, however, sees Jung Da-eun (Park Bo-young) change her focus from general medicine to psychiatry, making for a very different setting. She makes it her mission to bring the titular daily dose of sunshine to all of her patients and coworkers in the psychiatry unit.

The series focuses on mental and emotional health instead of solely on physical health, making for a refreshing change in a medical drama. The series was so well regarded that it made Time’s list of best K-dramas in 2023. It was also nominated for several Bakesang Arts Awards, ultimately winning Best Drama and Best Actress for Park Bo-young at the Blue Dragon Series Awards.

22 Doctor Slump (2024)

A Romantic Medical Drama

There are a surprising number of medical K-dramas that offer their protagonists a second chance at love. In Doctor Slump, those characters are Ha-neul (Park Shin-hye) and Jeon-woo (Park Hyung-sik). Ha-neul is a hardworking woman who hates her time being wasted, but finds herself working in a medical institution where she’s repeatedly taken advantage of by her coworkers. Jeon-woo was always at the top of his class and is now a renowned plastic surgeon. They were rivals in school, but when their paths cross as adults, there’s a definite spark.

These two doctors work in very different fields and have very different approaches to their work, but they become very compelling with their perfect chemistry. They also become very compelling when they both hit the titular slumps in their careers and end up living together, moving the story from a fun rivalry to a more heartwarming love story.

21 Doctor Cha (2023-)

A Housewife Returns To The Professional World As A Medical Resident

A housewife (Uhm Jung-hwa) reenters the workforce after 20 years in this unique take on a medical K-drama. Though she’s been a housewife for years, Cha Jeong-suk has a medical degree and decides it’s time to put it to use. She has a big adjustment as she becomes a first-year medical resident.

The show is just as much a family dramedy as it is a medical series.

Complicating matters is the fact that Dr. Cha’s husband is a perfectionist and a surgeon who has been cheating on his wife and their son is also a surgical resident. The show is just as much a family dramedy as it is a medical series, making it a very different addition to the wealth of doctor K-dramas that exist. The show became one of the most popular Korean series in cable history in its native country while its popularity grew when it was made available to international audiences through Netflix.

20 A Poem A Day (2018)

A Love Triangle Forms Among Medical Students

Many medical dramas, like ER and Grey’s Anatomy, deal with the larger ensemble as it follows the lives and hard work of a variety of doctors, nurses, and other staff members in the hospital. A Poem a Dayfocuses on those who support doctors inside the hospital, such as nurses, radiologists, and physical therapists. The show follows three main characters, Ye Jae-Wook (Lee Joon-hyuk ), a physical therapy professor. Woo Bo-Young (Lee Yu-Bi), a physical therapist who dreams of becoming a poet, and Shin Min-Ho (Jang Dong-Yoon), a physical therapist who wasn’t able to enter medical school.

While it didn’t win any accolades, A Poem a Day is a must-watch K-drama due to its relatable characters, emotionally charged episodes, and intriguing love triangle plot. It is also nice to see a medical drama highlight the support staff who are so vital to ensuring things run smoothly yet don’t often get the spotlight in shows like this.

19 Cross (2018)

A Brilliant Young Doctor Is On A Mission Of Revenge

Cross is one of the most intriguing medical K-dramas as it introduces an exciting thriller element into the story. The show focuses on the career of a doctor named Kang In-Kyu (Go Kyung Pyo), a brilliant first-year resident doctor who has excelled in his young career so far. However, his dedication is revealed to have a secret motivation as Kang wants to use his position as a doctor to fulfill his plan to avenge his murdered father.

Combining a medical drama and a revenge story makes for a unique and compelling twist on the genre. The K-drama shows In-Kyu’s ethical and moral struggle between his sworn oath and satisfying his hunger for revenge. Kang makes for a great TV antihero as the audience can sympathize with his pain and his mission while also becoming frustrated with him being willing to throw away his bright future for his dark intentions.

18 D-Day (2015)

Doctors Contend With The Aftermath Of A Sinkhole Appearing

D-Day is an intense medical K-Drama with a twist as it was also tagged with a natural disaster storyline. Surgeon Lee Hae-Sung and orthopedic resident, Jung Ddol-Mi are faced with a monumental challenge. Both doctors are stuck in Seoul after a sinkhole appears in the city following an earthquake. The sinkhole causes the city to be blocked off as there’s no electricity, water, or the ability to call for help. As doctors, Hae-Sung and Ddol-Mi work together to treat patients and those wounded.

There is a certain over-the-top aspect to the show that feels similar to a lot of natural disaster movies as the show attempts to be a notable entry into that genre. However, the best aspects of the show are dealing with the medical emergencies that arise in such a situation. Seeing doctors as the heroes of a disaster is a refreshing take on this kind of story.

17 Live Up To Your Name (2017)

A Medical Practioner Time Travels 400 Years To Modern-Day South Korea

What is great about the medical K-drama genre is that they are not afraid to mix in some other genre elements, such as Live Up To Your Name combining a medical drama and a time travel adventure. Dr. Heo Im (Kim Nam-Gil) is an acupuncture specialist from the Joseon Era of Korea who caters to the poor. When he fails to treat the king, he is pursued for treason only to find himself transported to modern-day Seoul where he meets cardiothoracic surgeon Choi Yeon-kyung (Kim Ah-joong).

The wild premise sets up a very interesting approach to a medical show as it is a fish-out-of-water story of Heo attempting to understand modern medicine and getting taught by Choi. The two approach medicine from very different perspectives, which creates an unlikely partnership for them in an odd couple who can teach each other a lot.

16 Ghost Doctor (2022-)

The Spirit Of A Skilled Surgeon Works Alongside A Clumsy Young Doctor

Fans of the Canadian medical drama Saving Hope may find a lot to like in the similar medical K-drama Ghost Doctor with its fantasy twist. Dr. Cha Young-min (Rain) is a highly skilled surgeon who finds himself in a coma. His spirit is able to leave his body and join forces with another less experienced surgeon, Go Seung-tak (Kim Burn). While the latter has extensive medical knowledge he has a great fear of blood and clumsy practical skills.

What’s interesting about the series, however, is that it isn’t a case of just one doctor possessing another. There are multiple ghosts in the story that reveal just how the doctors at this particular hospital are able to do such good work, making this ghost story also a pretty uplifting one. Kim Burn also won the 2022 Korea Drama Award for Top Actor for his role in the series.

15 Jewel In The Palace (2003-2004)

The Story Of The First Female Royal Physician

Part medical K-drama and part historical K-drama, A Jewel In The Palace is inspired by the true story of Jang Geum, the first female royal physician during Korea’s Joseon Era. Jang Geum (Lee Young-ae) starts her royal employment as a member of the kitchen staff. She makes it her life’s work to understand everything there is to know about cooking, food, medicine, and the relationship between all of those.

While telling Jang Geum’s story, there’s also a focus on Korean culture and food. The combination of topics makes for a fascinating and unique entry into the genre while the show offers a sweeping epic feel in its exploration of this fascinating historical figure. For fans of the K-drama genre, this is an especially interesting one as it celebrates the culture of Korea in a way that is not seen in many of the modern modern-set shows.

14 Soul Mechanic (2020)

A Psychiatrist Deals With A Challenging Patient

Soul Mechanic certainly ranks among the best medical K-dramas thanks to its exploration into psychiatry and overwhelmingly sweet storyline. In this romantic and scenic K-drama, psychiatrist Lee Shi-joon (Shin Ha-kyun) is completely comfortable with himself and his abilities within his profession. Using a healthy dose of humor and fun, Shi-joon takes psychiatric healing to a whole new level. However, he’s given a problem patient in the form of musical star Han Woo-joo (Jung So-min), who suffers from serious anger management issues.

Soul Mechanic, also called Fix You, may feel reminiscent to shows like Shrinking in its ability to touch on serious subjects of mental health and therapy while also allowing for a sense of humor. Medical dramas can be so serious and dour at times that it is refreshing to have shows in the genre that provide a little lightness in their stories as well.

13 Doctor Detective (2019)

Sleuthing Doctors Investigate A Medical Cover Up

A wonderful woman-led K-drama, Doctor Detective follows Do Joong-eun (Jin-hee Park), an industrial health doctor. She ends up partnering with Dr. Heo Min-ki (Tae-gyu Bong) to uncover the truth behind a string of suspicious industrial accidents and diseases, soon finding herself and the other sleuthing heroes in the middle of a vast conspiracy.

The show is much more of a mystery thriller than a typical medical procedural drama.

This is another example of the genre-mashing medical K-drama that can achieve to great effect. The show is much more of a mystery thriller than a typical medical procedural drama. However, it manages to use the medical elements of its world to great effect to make the mystery all the more interesting and provide some fascinating heroes who use their expertise to get to the bottom of the secrets. While Doctor Detective has no awards to its name, the female-led K-drama kept solid ratings throughout its 16-episode run.

12 Once Upon A Small Town (2022)

A Big City Doctor Find Purpose And Romance In A Small Town

One of the best medical K-dramas also features a sweet romance storyline with Once Upon a Small Town. Seoul city boy and veterinarian Han Ji-yul (Choo Young-woo) returns to his hometown, a small village called Heedong, to take over the veterinary clinic from his ailing grandfather. While there, he befriends a young woman and police officer named Ahn Ja-young (Park Soo-young) who holds a secret.

In some ways, Once Upon a Small Town feels like the K-drama version of one of those Hallmark romance movies. It certainly features the similar elements of a busy city person reluctantly returning to a small town only to discover that this quaint and peaceful way of life, mixed with an alluring romance, is not as bad as they thought. It makes for a charming mix of a small-town doctor story and a budding romance that fits very well together.

11 Birthcare Center (2020)

An Older First-Time Mother Enters A Post-Partum Care Facility

Another fantastic female-led K-drama, Birthcare Center makes it higher on the list of best medical K-dramas thanks to its realistic exploration into post-partum care and motherhood later in life. Primarily following high-powered executive Oh Hyun-jin (Uhm Ji-won), the proficient exec finds out that having a baby is much harder than she originally thought, and finds herself under constant scrutiny of other elitist mothers while residing at a post-partum care center.

It is another unique perspective to take in the medical drama genre, looking at a very specific area that doesn’t get highlighted enough. It is a show about strong women in heroic roles, both with their medical work and the women dealing with the stress of childbirth. Birthcare Center received two award nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards.

10 Blood (2015)

A Vampire Works To Save Lives As A Doctor

Blood isn’t just a Korean medical series, but also a vampire K-drama. The series combines elements of both genres to create a compelling narrative. It was also nominated for four awards at the KBS Drama Awards after premiering but didn’t take any trophies home. It remains a fun and inventive mix of medical drama with supernatural elements that make for a thrilling series.

The series follows Park Ji-Sang (Ahn Jae-Hyun) as an incredibly successful surgeon who is hiding a rather big secret. He is actually a vampire who has learned to control his desire for blood so that he can save terminally ill patients. The supernatural elements and the medical cases are just the tip of the iceberg as the vampire doctor is also drawn to the niece of the chairman, giving a romantic element to the series as well.

9 Hospital Ship (2017)

Doctors Aboard A Boat Help Patients In Island Communities

Unlike some of the other best medical K-dramas that are usually set in a hospital, Hospital Ship has its doctors traveling around in a ship and providing healthcare to those on far-flung islands. The thrilling K-drama show follows the lives of the doctors aboard the ship, Song Eun-Jae, a highly-regarded surgeon from a large hospital in Seoul, and Kwak Hyun, a famous surgeon who decides to render his military service by joining the ship.

Hospital Ship
received awards from both the 10th Korean Drama Awards and the 36th MBC Drama Awards.

The unique setting makes the series stand out among the others in the genre while also giving it a sense of excitement that each episode provides something a little different. Some viewers found the show to be a slow burn due to the pacing of its episodes. Despite that, Hospital Ship received awards from both the 10th Korean Drama Awards and the 36th MBC Drama Awards.

8 Life (2018)

A Young Doctor Suspects A Cover-up In His Hospital

Once again a K-drama is about to deliver the kind of stories fans escape from the medical drama genre while also featuring a larger mystery at the center. Life follows Jin-Woo, a dedicated emergency medicine specialist at one of Korea’s top medical centers. When the hospital’s director suddenly dies from a fall, Jin-Woo suspects it wasn’t an accident. Jin-Woo soon starts butting heads with the hospital’s new president, Koo Seung-Hyo who believes running a business is the same as running a hospital.

Intermixed in the Netflix K-drama are the struggles of the hospital staff and Jin-Woo uncovering the dark conspiracies and cover-ups. However, they are still facing the everyday emergencies of the hospital while this larger story looms. Life won 3 awards in total, for Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenwriter at the 6th APAN Star Awards and Best Supporting Actress at the 2nd Seoul Awards.

7 Doctor John (2019)

Two Doctors Take Different Approaches To Helping Patients

Doctor John is another one of the best medical K-dramas that surpassed the 16-episode mark with a total of 32 episodes. The drama centers around two doctors and the recurring theme of the morals behind euthanasia. Cha Yo-Han (Ji Sung) is a top anesthesiologist who comes off as rude and cold. He had previously served time in jail for euthanizing dying patients he could no longer help.

He and second-year resident, Kang Si-Young (Lee Se-Young) work together to diagnose patients and find the root cause of their pain. The show does a good job of showing the points of view of both characters, not willing to suggest one is right and the other is wrong. Doctor John has three accolades to its name, winning the Excellence Award at the 12th Korea Drama Awards and the Excellence Award in Miniseries (Actress) and Child Actor Award at the 27th SBS Drama Awards.

6 Doctor Stranger (2014)

A Young Doctor Finds Himself Trapped In North Korea

North and South Korea have a very contentious relationship in reality, and that relationship is reflected in this popular medical K-dama. The series was even illegally purchased in North Korea by smugglers at its time of release. It also earned awards at the Korea Drama Awards, the APAN Star Awards, and the SBS Drama Awards, and became a huge streaming success in China.

The series follows a young South Korean man (Lee Jong-suk) who ends up stuck in North Korea when his father is asked to travel to the country for a medical emergency. He and his father are refused entrance back into South Korea, but as an adult, he’s eventually able to defect to South Korea and pursue a medical career of his own. What happened in his youth, including the woman he fell in love with, in North Korea, continues to affect his life as a professional in South Korea.