15 Recommendations for Exciting and Romantic Military Korean Dramas That Will Make You Feel!

Military Korean dramas always manage to capture attention by presenting a combination of intense action and touching emotional stories. The backdrop of military institutions, police, and intelligence agencies provides space for major conflicts that risk lives as well as feelings.

Not only about warfare or secret missions, this genre is often wrapped in romance that grows amid the pressures of duty. Love relationships hindered by ideological differences, distance, and responsibilities make the stories feel even more dramatic.

Interestingly, several dramas on this list also record high ratings, proving the quality of the stories and the acting of the cast. Here are the complete recommendations.

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1. MR SUNSHINE (2018)

MR SUNSHINE is a must-watch drama for fans of romantic stories set against a military backdrop. Set in 1871, this drama follows the journey of a young man who dreams of becoming a soldier after witnessing the invasion of the United States Army in the Joseon Dynasty. With strong determination, he leaves his homeland and sails to the United States to undergo military training until he becomes a tough soldier.

When he returns to Joseon, the situation becomes complicated as he brings an important mission that is not easy to carry out. In the midst of this duty, he meets an aristocratic woman who gradually steals his heart. This drama presents the emotional conflict between love and conflicting responsibilities. The drama received a rating of 8.8/10 from mydramalist.

2. SEARCH (2020)

SEARCH (credit: mydramalist)

SEARCH presents a military story full of tension and a touch of romance. The story centers around Yong Dong Jin, a military sergeant with extraordinary tracking abilities alongside his dog. His skills are proven when he successfully uncovers various mysterious cases.

His biggest challenge arises when he is assigned to investigate a case in the DMZ area, a border region filled with secrets between North and South Korea. In this mission, he is reunited with Son Ye Rim, a senior lieutenant and also his former lover. This meeting not only tests his professionalism as a soldier but also rekindles memories of past love. This drama has a rating of 8.1/10 on mydramalist.

3. CRASH LANDING ON YOU (2019)

CRASH LANDING ON YOU is known as one of the best romantic military dramas of all time. This drama tells the story of a forbidden love between a North Korean army captain and a South Korean businesswoman.

The story begins when Yoon Se Ri has an accident while paragliding and accidentally lands in North Korean territory. She then meets Captain Ri, who immediately helps her. In an effort to return Se Ri to her country, the two are forced to live together and gradually develop feelings amidst their strikingly different backgrounds. The drama received a rating of 9.0/10 on mydramalist.

4. THE KING 2 HEARTS (2012)

THE KING 2 HEARTS offers a romantic military story set in a modern royal backdrop filled with political intrigue. The King of South Korea decides to send his crown prince to undergo military training in North Korea to make him a more disciplined leader.

There, the prince meets a female officer who turns out to be the daughter of North Korea. Their relationship develops into a complicated romance. However, just before the wedding, the prince's identity is revealed, triggering the anger of the King of North Korea, escalating the political situation between the two countries. The drama received a rating of 8.2/10 on mydramalist.

5. DESCENDANTS OF THE SUN (2016)

DESCENDANTS OF THE SUN is a highly popular romantic military drama. The story focuses on Yoo Si Jin, the leader of an elite force who appears indifferent to his country's politics.

His life changes when he meets military doctor Kang Mo Yeon. Their relationship evolves from an unexpected encounter into a romance filled with laughter, conflict, and action. This drama is known as one of the legendary dramas that leaves a mark on the hearts of its viewers. DESCENDANTS OF THE SUN has a rating of 8.6/10 on MyDramaList.

6. MILITARY PROSECUTOR DOBERMAN (2022)

MILITARY PROSECUTOR DOBERMAN has a rating of 8.4/10 on MyDramaList. This drama consists of 16 episodes, each with a duration of about 1 hour and 5 minutes, and aired on tvN, iQIYI, Viki, and Netflix.

The story focuses on Do Bae Man, a successful military prosecutor who actually wants to escape from his job, and Cha Woo In, a rookie prosecutor from a wealthy family who is bold and has a desire for revenge. With sharp investigative skills, they work together to uncover various cases in the military environment. The touch of romance along their journey makes this drama even more interesting. This drama has a rating of 8.3/10 on MyDramaList.

7. VAGABOND (2019)

VAGABOND has a rating of 8.5/10 on MyDramaList and consists of 16 episodes, each lasting about 1 hour and 10 minutes. The drama airs on SBS and Netflix.

The story follows Cha Dal Gun, a stuntman who investigates a plane crash that killed his nephew and suspects a major conspiracy. He meets Go Hae Ri, an agent of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), who is involved in the same investigation. From an initially tense relationship, they eventually unite to face dangerous missions and build an emotional bond amid the tension.

8. BRIDAL MASK (2012)

BRIDAL MASK is set in the 1930s during the Japanese occupation. The drama follows Lee Kang To, a Korean officer who struggles to lift his family out of poverty despite his mother's opposition to his choices.

His journey becomes more complicated with the emergence of a mysterious masked figure known as Bridal Mask, which triggers various conflicts. The drama combines elements of history, military, and romance within a story full of intrigue.

9. ROAD NUMBER ONE (2010)

ROAD NUMBER ONE received a rating of 7.9/10 on MyDramaList and consists of 20 episodes with a duration of about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

This drama tells the story of Lee Jang Woo who is caught in the Korean War unprepared. He struggles to survive to protect his true love, Kim Soo Yeon. On the other hand, Soo Yeon must face the bitter reality when she becomes engaged to Shin Tae Ho. This story presents a blend of war action and emotional love drama.

10. IRIS (2009)

IRIS received a rating of 7.9/10 on MyDramaList with a duration of about 1 hour and 20 minutes per episode and aired on KBS2, WeTV, and Netflix.

This drama tells the story of the friendship between two soldiers, Kim Hyun Jun and Jin Sa Woo, who undergo rigorous training before joining the NSS. Conflict arises when both fall in love with Choi Seung Hee. Tensions escalate when Hyun Jun is transferred to Hungary and their love triangle becomes entangled in the political intrigue between South Korea and North Korea.

11. D.P. (2021)

D.P. achieved a rating of 8.8/10 on MyDramaList and consists of 6 episodes with a duration of about 50 minutes, streaming on Netflix.

This drama follows Jun Ho, a young man undergoing military service who later joins a team that captures deserters. In each mission, he encounters various stories of soldiers who choose to escape due to immense pressure. These experiences change his perspective on the military system and the psychological impact it has.

12. DUTY AFTER SCHOOL: PART 1 (2023)

This drama received a rating of 8.6/10 on MyDramaList with a duration of about 1 hour and 6 minutes per episode and is available on Prime Video, VIU, Viki, and TVING.

The story centers around an alien invasion that forces the military to collaborate with third-year high school students. Amidst preparations for university entrance exams, the students must learn to use weapons and survive. These experiences bring significant changes to their mental state and future outlook.

13. MY MILITARY VALENTINE (2024)

MY MILITARY VALENTINE has a rating of 6.9/10 on MyDramaList. This drama is set in a new era of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The story begins when a South Korean star named Lloyd holds a concert in the DMZ and gets involved in a misunderstanding with a North Korean special forces soldier, Baek Young Ok. The incident goes viral and triggers a scandal that forces Lloyd to enlist in the military. He is shocked to find out that his unit is led by Young Ok, opening up the possibility of romance amidst the awkward situation.

14. COMRADES (2010)

COMRADES (credit: mydramalist)

COMRADES has a rating of 7.8/10 on MyDramaList. This drama serves as a tribute to the soldiers who fell in the Korean War 1950–1953.

The story focuses on Lee Hyun Joong, a veteran South Korean squad commander dedicated to protecting his men despite having a cynical view due to the war. His life becomes more complex when he meets Lee Soo Kyung, a figure from the past who is now a lieutenant in the North Korean army.

15. COMRADES (2010)

As a war story rich in humanitarian messages, this drama reaffirms that the sacrifice of life is far more valuable than national glory.

The reunion of Lee Hyun Joong and Lee Soo Kyung on the battlefield reveals a deep emotional dilemma. Personal conflicts and responsibilities as soldiers are at the heart of this touching story.

16. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the common thread of military-themed Korean dramas?
Most dramas depict duties or formal assignments that trigger internal conflicts and significant consequences for the characters.

Why are military and police settings often used?
Because these settings allow exploration of systemic pressures and their impacts on the characters' personal choices.

Which drama has the highest rating on this list?
D.P. has the highest rating with 8.8/10 on MyDramaList.

Do all dramas contain elements of romance?
Most blend military conflict with love stories, although some focus more on psychological aspects and systems like D.P.

Are there any historical dramas?
Yes, MR SUNSHINE and BRIDAL MASK use strong historical settings in their plots.

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