Top 5 cozy K-Dramas to spend the holiday season, with Queen of Tears and more

From Queen of Tears to Alchemy of Souls, K-dramas have a magical way of making viewers laugh, cry, and feel every emotion in between. Whether it’s a heartwarming romance or a thrilling fantasy, these shows will keep you binge-watching. With so many quality dramas available on platforms like Netflix, Viki, and Disney+, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Here are five of the best K-dramas to watch if you want to feel cozy this holiday season:

05. Queen of Tears (2024, Netflix)

Baek Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun) and Hong Hae-in (Kim Ji-won) are a married couple who can’t seem to bridge the emotional gap between them. When Hae-in, the  “queen” of her family’s department store empire, has a sudden health crisis, their relationship changes for the better! Slowly, the couple re-discovers the love that once bonded them by supporting each other through an intriguing ordeal.

04. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020, Netflix)

This drama focuses on its three protagonists—Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Ye-ji, and Oh Jung-se—who bring complicated characters to life. There are plenty of humorous moments in a narrative about mental health and emotional healing. The drama’s color choices including blue and pale purples reflect how lonely winter can be and are similar to the character’s relationship at the start of the show.

03. While You Were Sleeping (2017, Viki)

Nam Hong-joo (Bae Suzy) foresees tragic events in her dreams, but she can’t seem to change the outcomes. She gets involved with Jung Jae-chan (Lee Jong-suk), a prosecutor who becomes her neighbor. When Hong-joo dreams of Jae-chan’s unfortunate future, she tries to do everything in her power to alter fate. Their journey is both suspenseful and heartwarming for the holidays!

02. Soundtrack #1 (2022, Disney+)

Best friends become something more in this gentle romance. Lee Eun-soo (Han So-hee), a lyricist, and Han Sun-woo (Park Hyung-sik), a photographer, have been inseparable for years. Their bond gets stronger when Sun-woo temporarily moves in with Eun-soo, sparking feelings that can no longer remain hidden.

01. Alchemy of Souls (2022, Netflix)

A captivating fantasy story set in the fictional land of Daeho! This drama centers on Jang Uk (Lee Jae-wook), an aspiring mage with dark family secrets. An elite assassin named Naksu (Go Youn-jung) mistakenly ends up inside the body of Mu Deok (Jung So-min), a humble servant with a frail body. As Mu Deok trains Jang Uk and conceals her true identity, they form a partnership that will have you glued to your screen!