KDramas to start with

On Amazon Prime, This is going to be a harder one to find... RIP Dramafever...

Mystery, Sci-Fi

This drama does a wonderful job of merging stories from 2 timelines with enough twists and character arcs to keep you guessing about how they really do mix together, and what's really been going on. It is a great jaunt and even better for people who aren't so sure about investing tons of hours, it's only a 12 episode drama.
I will warn everyone though, the drama did really want a season 2 to happen, and while it does end the main story satisfyingly enough, there are still a few questions to be answered and a classic superhero ending. You know, the type The Incredibles had spoofed at the end of their first movie.

I would mostly give this to people that like when a show continually evolves, as well as don't have as much time to watch.

On Netflix

Romance, Comedy

Personally, I believe this drama does great at introducing some normal kdrama tropes but with a brilliant twist to make them work. While the 2nd couple may have a rather frustrating part for people (myself included) overall I feel this drama did really well with what it planned to do, created a cast of characters you'll fall in love with, and gives the viewers a satisfactory ending for the main leads.

I would give this to people who would be just fine watching a drama that really just revolves around the main couple's growing relationship, though there are enough fun escapades that might be fine for others.

On Netflix, On Viki (F)

Historical, Political

Crowned Clown is a drama I happened to be watching near the vicinity of my mother, who then was pulled in and waited as impatiently as I did for the next episode to air and be subbed. There's a lot of introduction to historical drama's political aspects mixed with Yoo Jin Goo's brilliant acting as two characters (My mom was really impressed). Like all kdrama there is romance, but as I'd say it acts more character development and motivations then being the actual focus of the drama.

I would recommend Crowned Clown to anyone willing to try a saeguk(historical).

On Kocowa, On Viki 

Medical, Romance

It's funny, I say I don't care much for medical dramas, but they always make this list. The first on this list being Doctor Romantic, Teacher Kim, which I had almost passed on due to the name feeling cringy. I was pleasantly surprised. While centering around a blooming romance, this is a medical drama that focuses more on the staff growing and becoming better people/doctors due to their interaction with the lead doctor and experiences in this small hospital. Overall it's a very healing drama.  
This drama also did well enough to earn itself a second season. The main staff of the hospital remain but the new doctors with their own battle and lessons to learn join for this season.

I would recommend this to people who enjoy some medical, but mostly (since I don't actually know how accurate the medical actually is) enjoy watching people grow as the drama teaches both them and the viewers little lessons in life, as well as enjoy a nice romance on the side lol.

On Netflix

Psychological, Crime

Probably the darkest drama that'll grace this page. At just 10 episodes, even if you don't have the most time to commit, it's not hard to ty to fit in. This drama is fast paced however is pretty dang solid in story telling. It has you rooting for characters that really aren't making the best choices in life. The only thing I would say is, just like with anything dark, there are a few things that could be triggering, so know yourself and know the person you'd like to show it to. I'd be happy to help if there's anyway I can too. 

I would recommend this to people who enjoy shows that center around the darker side of life as well as would benefit from a quicker show introducing them to what kdramas can bring to the table.

On Netflix, On Viki 

Romance, Drama

Her Private Life is just straight up a romance. If your friend is a big fan of kpop, well they probably already know kdramas bt just incase show them this one. Our main girl is, publicly, a successful Art Museum Curator, but secretly runs a fansite for her favorite kpop idol. (Just in case you don't know, a fansite follows idols to various announced events and takes (usually) high-quality photos of them to share with other fans on their social media). She is very relatable to if you like kpop. The leading male is very understanding and tries not to pry into/judge other's lives leading this to be a romance centered drama that has a very healthy relationship to root for.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good romance drama, as well as someone who enjoys fan-ing over kpop.

On Netflix

Family, Melodrama, Tragedy

I thought it over a bit, and I had to put the Tragedy tag on this. This drama really focuses on loss of a loved one and the different way people grieve over them, and how that loss affects their life. While she was able to come back from being a ghost about 5 years later, the way people are portrayed in this drama, their actions, their reactions, their growth, and their troubles are so brilliantly done. You will definitely connect with them and what they are going through. While it's sad, I personally see it as a beautiful kind of sad as characters are able to grow and move on from things holding them back.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys well done characters, and character relations, as well as like lots of feelings. 

On Netflix

Medical, Friendship, Romance

Hospital Playlist is a absolutely wonderful heartwarming medical drama just about 5 friends; a OBGYN professor, pediatric professor, cardiology professor, neurology professor, and general surgery professor. They, their departments, and some family members daily livings are the focus of this drama. This drama excels at being really down to Earth, and just people dealing with the daily ups and downs of life. There is romance, but it's really not the focus, just people who found that maybe they can be compatible as life goes on. The only thing I would say is the episodes are really very long, but that barely matters as I feel this drama works best as a once a week healing drama anyway (I watched it airing). From what I can tell from watching some reactions, this show also does it's medical part well.
There is also a 2nd Season, but the same goes for it as it continuing to watch or cast's lives. 

I'd give this to anyone who likes a just over all good show with a large cast of loveable characters and could use a healing show great for just unwinding after a stressful day to. 

On Hulu, On Viki (F)

Comedy, Romance, Fantasy

Probably the argumentatively most "kdrama-y" of the kdrama on this list. I feel like this one does a good job of having a lot of the tropes and playing with them so that they aren't just frustrating (as I find for a lot of dramas with the tropes). I feel like this would be a good intro into baseline what kdramas are like. I find this kinda important, cause some dramas will tease their genre, and this could help you understand and still enjoy. Besides, Jun Ji Hyun did a wonderful job as a clueless mermaid on land.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a fun romance that's not too serious. 

On Kocowa, On Viki

Historical, Gender-Bender, Romance

Definitely more focused on the romance, Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, or Love in the Moonlight, is a pretty good gender-bender drama. Meaning that someone (usually female) is dressed in "men's" clothing and so everyone around them thinks they are a guy, including their love interest. Coffee Prince is usually the one people point to for gender-bender and while at this point it's a classic, I enjoyed this one a little more (or maybe I was too busy swooning over Park Bo Gum's smile, that's entirely possible). Honestly more just happens in this one's overall plot while Coffee Prince is more focused on Gong Yoo's character introspection.

So... I hand this to anyone to show them Park Bo Gum... um... I would give this to anyone who's up for a fun gender-bender that while has a full story around it still isn't very serious. 

On Netflix

Sci-Fi, Action

My mom caught like the last few moments of the 3rd to last episode of this one. I think it's the first one that had caught her eye. So, after I caught her up to who everyone was and what's been happening, she wanted to finish with me. It's a pretty fun show, with an Alternate Reality video game played using contacts going wrong. The cinematography and special affects of the show really bring it to life. The main lead does a brilliant job of portraying his character as well.

I would give this to anyone who enjoys video games (I would really like to play this game...) as the drama is far more centered on that than anything else.

On Amazon Prime, On Netflix, On Viki (F)

Business, Life

Misaeng is a drama that one might not expect to like. It's got no great fancy twists and turns, it's got no romance. It's just a 20-something kid trying to find his way and how he can make his knowledge work for him. However it's got a ton of heart and relatability that has you rooting for the protagonist. Honeslty I can't write it well enough to give it credit.

Give this to anyone in college or graduated college, but really anyone higher than highschool can really relate to the characters.

On Amazon Prime, This is going to be a harder one to find... RIP Dramafever pt2...

Historical, Political, Time Shenanigans

When a show wreaks your friend's emotions so they show it to you in hopes it breaks your "I don't cry" and makes you cry, maybe you'll become a kdrama addict. Or maybe that's just me. >.> Though I still didn't cry at the show Lee Joon Gi completely breaking down at a scene did hurt my heart, and I enjoyed the show enough that I decided to try other kdramas. Honestly I'm not sure this Kdrama will really appeal to everyone... but as it t'was my first drama it had to go here. >.< Also, Lee Joon Gi is an amazing actor and my top favorite.

I'd give this to people who are more emotional (cause my friend and I are evil), but also anyone up for a historical that goes further than Joseon (where most are based).

On Netflix

Life, Family

I watched this with my younger brother who, when I showed the trailer for went, "woah, kdrama can be like THAT too?" Move to Heaven is an extremely emotional rollercoaster. You follow a trauma cleaning group with the same name as the drama consisting of a young man with autism and his caretaker. The drama has many different stories as the viewers are slowly given how each of these people lived, and continue to live on through those they met. While I'm a stone cold person, MANY people were put to tears due to various parts of this drama, including my brother.

Honestly I would just give this to anyone looking for a good compact story. With just 10 episodes it's quicker but with very loveable characters and a storyline that will put you to tears.

On Netflix

Historical, Romance, Action

This is one of my top favorites (Sharing a spot with Mother).
Mr. Sunshine is absolutely visually stunning (something I will never shut up about). It's characters are an absolute joy to watch, they are strong yet with their own amount of flaws, and you will fall in love with them and their relations to each other. Honeslty, the show is almost feels just wonderfully poetic.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good strong character (male or female), who loves themselves some gorgeous cinematography, and wants to watch themselves a wonderful over all watch.

On Netflix

Historical, Action

This one has a lot of action in it. Following our main characters who are fighting for their definition of country, pitting childhood friends against eachother. It's honestly a little painful to watch because of it, but is also well executed and fun to watch as friends who care and know eachother be attacking eachother. 

I would recommend this to anyone up for a sad relationship, or who like action and fight scenes. 

On Netflix

Life, Family

I hope to begin this with my mom and dad at some point as its just the kind of show they enjoy. Navillera is about an old man who has decided to finally follow his childhood dream of becoming a ballet dancer. He meets a young ballerino who is struggling between life and ballet. This is an absolutely wonderful heartwarming drama about family, and never giving up, finding oneself and staying true to yourself. It is a very down to Earth drama without frills and sparkles but that is exactly it's charm. It will make you laugh, cry, and peaceful.

I would recommend to anyone... literally anyone lol. I suppose especially those struggling in life or not sure they're on the right track?

On Netflix

Romance

This is another completely centered around the relationship drama on this list. But just like the one from Her Private Life, I consider this a very healthy relationship. Our main leads are singular units. They don't NEED the other per say, but their lives are better for it. They aren't reliant on each other, but help each other reach greater heights all the same.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good romance as well as enjoy when scripst and directings juxtapose different parts within the story. (I am blanking on the actual wording for this sorry!)

On Viki (F)

Historical, Comedy

Take the drama's normal gender-bender and flip it to a guy dressing like a woman (in this case to hide and find his families attackers). Tale of Nokdu is a very fun little spin on usual saeguk(Korean historical drama) and gender benders. If I remember it gets more serious near the end, but is still very enjoyable. Overall it's a show that's not necessarily mind blowing, but pretty widely enjoyable over all. 

I would give this to people who have watched a few dramas and not equally. Who's looking for a fun ride that retains serious vibes.