While many K-drama hits are celebrated for their originality, some of the most popular series are actually successful adaptations of shows from other countries, including the United States. Watching a gripping K-drama, you might not expect its roots to trace back to a popular American show, now reimagined with Korean culture, emotional depth, and unique storytelling.

Let’s check out some of the K-dramas that are based on American originals.

Little Women

The 2022 popular K-drama ‘Little Women’ is based on the American mini-series of the same name but reimagines it with a modern and suspenseful twist. While the original follows four sisters during the American Civil War, the K-drama focuses on three poor sisters as they get caught up in a major incident that pits them against the wealthiest family in the nation. The drama is a bold reinterpretation of the themes of family, poverty, and morality.

Criminal Minds

The Korean remake of the American police procedural crime drama television series ‘Criminal Minds’ aired in 2017. This intense crime-solving drama follows a group of highly trained profilers in the fictional National Criminal Investigation (NCI) team who track down criminals to solve cases. A serial murder case requires the NCI team to collaborate with the local police agency’s Violent Crimes Unit.

The Good Wife

The Korean version of ‘The Good Wife’ premiered in 2016. The drama follows the life of a woman who returns to her legal career after a 13-year hiatus when her husband, who works as a successful prosecutor, gets arrested for corruption in a political scandal. With strong performances and sleek storytelling, it earned praise for successfully adapting the highly acclaimed legal drama.

Entourage

Released in 2016, ‘Entourage’ is a comedy-drama about life in the entertainment industry, based on the American television series of the same name. The story follows a handsomely famous celebrity who depends on his three friends and agency’s boss, who try to help him in his struggles as an actor and a man. Like the originals, the Korean remake also explores themes of fame, friendship, and the high stakes of showbiz.

Designated Survivor: 60 Days

Based on the American television series ‘Designated Survivor,’ ‘Designated Survivor: 60 Days’ is a popular Korean political thriller. The drama follows Park Mu-jin, the Minister of Environment, with little ambition as a politician. After a terror attack in the National Assembly kills many government officials, including the president and ministers, he has to sit as the acting president for 60 days and acts to uncover conspiracies and stabilise the nation.

Suits

Starring Jang Dong-gun and Park Hyung-sik, ‘Suits’ is the Korean remake of the hit American legal drama of the same name. The story follows the most capable and distinguished lawyer of the law firm “Kang and Ham,” Choi Kang-seok, who recruits a young, talented man named Go Yeon-woo with retentive memory and excellent comprehensive skills but no law degree. This decision could place Kang-seok’s own career in jeopardy.

Woori the Virgin

‘Woori the Virgin’ is a 2022 romantic comedy-drama based on the American series ‘Jane the Virgin.’ The story revolves around Oh Woo-ri, a woman who wants to keep her virginity till marriage, getting accidentally pregnant with a child of Raphael, the CEO of a notable cosmetic firm, due to a doctor’s mistake during a regular check-up. The series balances humor and drama while addressing themes of family, identity, and love, much like its American counterpart.

Whether it’s crime, politics, humor, or romance, Korean remakes of American shows bring fresh perspectives and emotional depth that resonate with global audiences.

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