Korean industry does not really showcase sad endings often, but when they do, they make sure to make the audience cry a river. And to highlight that aspect of Korean dramas, we are presenting our article on the Top 15 Best Korean drama on Netflix with sad endings.
These dramas are not necessarily tragedies; they might even start pretty usually and, they might even have comedy in it, but it is the ending where they snatch away all the hope from the viewers.Â
We have ranked these dramas according to their IMDb scores. Now, read on and find out more about the Top 15 Best Korean drama on Netflix with sad endings.Â
Table of Contents
Top 15 Best Korean drama on Netflix with sad endings-
15) The Last Empress –
IMDB ratings- 6.7
Cast- Jang Na-ra, Choi Jin-Hyuk, Seong-rok Sin
Genre- Romance, Drama
When- 2018–2019
Why Watch- The Last Empress is a TV series talks about an alternate universe where the monarchy is still relevant in Korea. Here we see Sunny, a very bright musical actress marrying the emperor of Korea. She gets entangled in the power struggle within the family and begins a journey to find true love.
In the series, there are two male leads, and sadly, both of them didn’t survive in the end.Â
Must Read-Â Top 10 Prettiest Korean Actress of 2021
14) Record Of Youth –Â
IMDB ratings- 7.3
Cast- Park Bo-Gum, So-dam Park, Woo-Seok ByeonÂ
Genre- Romance, Drama
When- 2020
Why Watch- This is one of the best Korean dramas on Netflix that received much love from fans due to its fresh take on the dreams and aspirations of young people. Here we see three people from the fashion industry trying their best to make a name for themselves.
This, too, has a sad ending, as the male lead and the female lead do not end up together. They both achieve success but, they realize that they couldn’t be together in the end.
13) Cheese in the Trap –
IMDB ratings- 7.3
Cast- Kim Go Eun, Park Hae-Jin
Genre- Romance, Drama
When- 2016
Why Watch- This romantic mystery Korean drama is about a diligent student Hong Seol and, her mysterious senior, Jung Yoo. He abhorred Hong Seol at the beginning of their meeting, but slowly they fell in love with each other.
But this relationship could not continue as problems arose in their lives and, they had to part ways. Much later, we see him sending her an email but, we never got to know what it was.
12) The Hymn Of Death –
IMDB ratings- 7.5
Cast- Lee Jong-Suk, Hye-Sun Shin
Genre- Romance, Drama
When- 2018
Why Watch- This is a historical romance drama that is based on true events. It tells the story of Yun Sim-Deok, the first soprano of Joseon and Kim Woo-jin, a playwright.
In this K-drama, we see how the couple’s unbearable situation made them come to a very tragic decision. And that is to end their lives together.
11) Uncontrollably Fond –
IMDB ratings- 7.8
Cast- Woo-bin Kim, Bae Suzy
Genre- Romance, Drama
When- 2016
Why Watch- This is another Korean romance drama with a sad ending and great storyline. We see the story of two classmates who meet again in their adulthood. Joon Young is now a famous actor, and Noh Eul is a documentary producer.
She gets the chance to film a documentary on the life of Joon Young. But, the ending is again bitter as here, Joon Young passes away while resting his head on the shoulders of Noh Eul.
10) Iris –
IMDB ratings- 7.8
Cast- Lee Byung-hun, Kim So-Yeon, Kim Tae-heeÂ
Genre- Romance, Drama, Action
When- 2009
Why Watch- This thriller spy drama revolves around two agents, Hyun-Jun and Jin Sa-Woo, who despite being very good friends fall for the same woman. When Sa-Woo betrays Hyun-Jun, he comes back a year later to get revenge.Â
This series, too, has a sad ending as Hyun-Jun perishes after being targetted by an Iris agent.
9) Black –
IMDB ratings- 7.9
Cast- Song Seung Heon, Go Ara
Genre- Romance, Drama, FantasyÂ
When- 2017
Why Watch- This thriller series is a tale of a grim reaper, Black who gets the role of tracking down a series of homicide cases. But, he falls in love with a woman who can see shadows of people’s death.
The series ends on a sad note, as the female protagonist forgets everything about Black. She grows old without the memory of loving him and then reunites with him in her afterlife.
8) Squid Game –
IMDB ratings- 8.0
Cast- Lee Jung-Jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-Joon, Jung Hoyeon
Genre- Drama, Mystery, Action
When- 2021
Why Watch- Easily one of the best Korean dramas on Netflix, Squid Game talks about the lives of miserable people who agreed to play the game of death for a huge amount of cash.Â
The ending might not seem sad, as Gi Hun, the protagonist, wins all the cash, but we must remember how, in the end, he lost all his friends and companions to the game.Â
7) A Korean Odyssey –
IMDB ratings- 8.1
Cast- Lee Seung-gi, Seung-Won Cha, Yeon-Seo Oh
Genre- Romance, Drama, Fantasy
When- 2017
Why Watch- This is another fantasy romantic drama that starts on a pretty comedic note but ends with tragedy. The story is about the monkey king or Son Oh Gong and Seon Mi, a girl who can see spirits and ghosts.
Seon Mi, who was fated to perish at the hands of Oh Gong, ends her life in his arms in the end. And, they do not end up together like a normal couple from a normal drama would.
6) Hotel Del Luna –
IMDB ratings- 8.2
Cast- Ji Eun Lee, Yeo Jin-gu
Genre- Romance, Drama, FantasyÂ
When- 2019
Why Watch- Hotel Del Luna is a fantasy romantic Korean drama that had many comedic elements to it and, it surprised the fans when its sad ending came. The story is about Jang Man Wol, who runs a hotel for souls.
Man Wol is trapped in the hotel to run it until she lets go of her revenge and finds love. This, too, has a sad ending, as at the end, she does not end up with her lover Chan Seong.
5) My Country: The New Age –
IMDB ratings- 8.3
Cast- Woo Do-Hwan, Yang Se-Jong
Genre- Historical, Action, Drama
When- 2019
Why Watch- My Country: The New Age is a historical Korean drama revolves around the period when the Goryeo dynasty was ending and, the Joseon dynasty was beginning. Two friends who tried their best to protect their friends and family in their own respective ways end up becoming enemies.Â
In the end, we see how Seon Ho perishes to let Seo Hwi see the Prince. And, Seo Hwi returns only to be injured himself and, he too loses his life in the arms of his perished friend.
4) Empress Ki –
IMDB ratings- 8.5
Cast- Ha Ji-won, Joo Jin-mo, Ji Chang-wook
Genre- Historical, Romance, Drama
When- 2013–2014
Why Watch- This historical K-drama is a very popular series that tells us about the reign of Empress Ki. The series depicts the life of Seung-Nyang, who, despite having no power at the beginning, rises to become the empress of the Yuan dynasty.
This series has a sad ending as we see that Empress Ki’s husband Ta Hwan gets poisoned and, hence, he loses his life. Empress Ki becomes the sole ruler of his kingdom.
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3) Goblin –
IMDB ratings- 8.6
Cast- Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun
Genre- Romance, Drama, FantasyÂ
When- 2016-2017
Why Watch- Goblin is a fantasy romance story is about Kim Shin, a supernatural being and his fated bride. From the very beginning, their relationship was condemned as she was destined to pull the sword from the Goblin’s chest, slaying him in the process.
But they still tried to be together and go against the will of God. But that did not fare well as she perishes in an accident and, they reunite again when she reincarnates.
Even though this ending is not entirely tragic, it is still bittersweet.
2) Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo –
IMDB ratings- 8.7
Cast- Lee Joon-Gi, Ji-eun Lee, Kang Ha-Neul, Nam Joo-Hyuk
Genre- Romance, Drama, FantasyÂ
When- 2016
Why Watch- This historical romantic drama became tremendously popular due to its star cast and commendable storyline. Here we see how a modern woman, Ha-jin gets transported back in time to the dynasty of Goryeo.Â
She falls in love with the 4th Prince, who wears a mask to hide his face. Things become tragic for them when the Ha jin returns back to her original time, leaving behind her lover in the past.
1) Mr. Sunshine –
IMDB ratings- 8.8
Cast- Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-Seok
Genre- Historical, Romance, Drama
When- 2018
Why Watch- Mr. Sunchine is a historical drama has absolutely gorgeous cinematography and a gripping storyline that showcases the turmoils of the Joseon era. Here we see Eugene, who was born into slavery, moving to America and then returning back home as an American Marine Corps officer.
After returning, he falls in love with a noblewoman who is a part of the righteous armies. From the very beginning, their fate was doomed, and, in the end, we witness just that.
We hope this article on the Top 15 Best Korean drama on Netflix with sad endings, was helpful to our readers. Stay tuned for more interesting articles on K-dramas and K-movies.Â
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When I’m not writing for Otaku’sNotes, I can be found reading manga, watching anime, and shipping anime couples like there’s no tomorrow. I also occasionally venture out whenever I need a reality check, but then soon, I find myself creeping back into my cozy abode. Nonetheless, I’m happy that I can write about my favorite topics and share my articles with enthusiastic readers.
