I Binged 5 K-Dramas on Netflix, 4 Were Phenomenal & 1 Was Impossible to Get Through

K-dramas are seriously addicting. They satisfy my appetite for wholesome stories, likable characters and complex themes that get me thinking. But after I devour a show, it's only a matter of time before I need some new feel-good content.

For this reason, I've developed a habit of streaming K-dramas religiously. There is barely a day that goes by when I don't devote at least an hour to playful rom-coms like Business Proposal or tearjerker dramas like Reply 1988—which explains why my ever-growing queue is now filled with binge-worthy Korean shows. Most recently, I watched five titles, including Start-Up, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, The School Nurse Files and Mr. Queen. And all were phenomenal, except one.

Keep reading for my honest thoughts on each of them.

Start-Up immediately pulled me in with its fascinating plot. It revolves around Dal-mi (Bae Suzy), an ambitious young woman who enrolls in a prestigious start-up program in hopes of becoming the next Steve Jobs. But along the way, she gets caught up in a love triangle between Ji-pyeong (Kim Seon-ho), a guy who is secretly her first love, and Do-san (Nam Joo-hyuk), a programmer who's pretending to be her first love.

You've probably heard some variation of this plot a million times before, but this series still feels refreshing because it incorporates so many compelling subplots and key themes. For example, there's the intense sibling rivalry between Dal-mi and her successful sister, Dal-mi's complicated relationship with her mother who abandoned her and the incredible bond between Dal-mi and her grandmother—all of which speak to how family dynamics can influence our drive and motives to succeed. Then there's the story of Do-san and his BFFs. Their friendship is tested as they struggle to get their tech company off the ground, dealing harsh criticism, intense competition and the constant pressure to deliver innovative solutions.

I could also go on about how inspiring it is to see women thriving in a male-dominated field, or how Dal-mi's grandmother forges a beautiful bond with the most unlikely young boy, but what I find the most inspiring is Dal-mi's fiery passion and determination to succeed, despite the odds. She takes risks, she learns from her mistakes and she takes accountability. Suzy's honest portrayal of Dal-mi makes it impossible to not root for her.

PureWow Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Confession: Nam Joo-hyuk is the reason I started to watch this show, but his acting chops and charming smile aren't the only things that make the show a must-see. The heartbreaking drama tells the story of Na Hee-do (Kim Tae-ri), a promising young fencer who transfers schools to train with her idol. While there, she meets and strikes up a romance with Baek Yi-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk), who struggles to find his footing after his family declares bankruptcy.

I won't include any spoilers, but I will say, it will likely remind you of your first love, and you may want to keep some tissues handy. I can also guarantee that Na Hee-do will win you over with her carefree spirit and unwavering determination, despite having a neglectful (and seemingly pessimistic) mom. I love that identity, friendship, self-acceptance and the power of forgiveness are all explored throughout the series, but it's the volatile romance between Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin that I find most compelling. Their chemistry is remarkable and almost like a fairytale, but those temporary moments of joy are often disrupted when they're forced to face some harsh realities.

It's a show that will make you laugh, swoon, gasp and cry, all in the span of 70 minutes, and it does a phenomenal job of blending real-life issues (like financial hardship and heartbreak) with positive messages. It's no wonder this is one of Korea’s highest-rated dramas of all time.

PureWow Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Speaking of highly-rated dramas, allow me to introduce Extraordinary Attorney Woo, which boasts a 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. If you're into shows like Monk or Psych, then you'll love this legal drama, which revolves around Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin), a newly hired attorney who is on the autism spectrum. In addition to her challenging new role, Young-woo must balance her newfound independence with friendships and an unexpected romance.

First off, this show truly stands out in autism representation, thanks in part to Park Eun-bin's brilliant portrayal of Attorney Woo. From her unique mannerisms to her fascination with whales, I found Park's performance as a woman with autism very convincing, and her character is just so endearing and charming. Navigating a world that looks down on you and labels you an outsider is no easy task, but this doesn't dull Young-woo's shine. She's incredibly smart, creative, courageous and resilient—and she serves as a great reminder that people on the autism spectrum are worthy of dignity and respect.

The show also sheds light on the complexity of the legal system and touches on more serious topics like infidelity and suicide, but it still maintains a lighthearted tone and includes a few funny moments.

PureWow Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

The body-swap comedy follows Jang Bong-hwan (Choi Jin-hyuk), an egotistical modern-day chef who finds himself trapped in the body of Queen Cheorin (Shin Hye-sun) during the Joseon period after having a near-death experience. And to make matters more complicated, the queen is betrothed to a king who's in love with another woman.

This show has so many things going for it, from time-travel elements and solid character development to a satisfying enemies-turned-lovers romance. (Kim Jung-hyun is oh so charming as the queen's love interest, King Cheoljong!) But guys, the shining star of this gem, by far, is Shin. While the entire cast is a delight to watch, it's Shin who steals every scene with her easy charisma and incredible comedic timing. Her facial expressions alone will have you cackling, but she still brings depth to the role, convincingly portraying an overwhelmed chef who's been thrust into a completely different era in a woman's body.

Another bonus? There is drama galore. There's no shortage of tension and corruption within the royal court, and it's quite entertaining to see the "queen's" new methods clash with traditional practices. If you need a laugh, then Mr. Queen is the way to go.

PureWow Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars