11 Iconic K-Dramas Turning 10 Years Old in 2026

The year 2016 stands as a watershed moment in Korean drama history. A decade later, the shows that debuted that year continue to attract new viewers, inspire fan discussions, and shape the trajectory of the K-drama industry. As these beloved series celebrate their tenth anniversary in 2026, it is worth revisiting the titles that helped propel Korean entertainment onto the global stage.

Descendants of the Sun

Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo ignited screens as Captain Yoo Shi Jin and Dr. Kang Mo Yeon, a special forces officer and a surgeon whose paths collide in a conflict zone. Their sizzling chemistry, combined with a romance set amid natural disasters and military operations, made this drama a mega-hit across Asia and beyond. The series proved that K-dramas could command international audiences on a blockbuster scale.

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

Gong Yoo delivered one of the most memorable performances in K-drama history as a nearly millennium-old immortal searching for the bride who can end his eternal curse. Paired with Kim Go Eun and the unforgettable bromance between the Goblin and Lee Dong Wook Grim Reaper, this fantasy romance became a cultural phenomenon that still ranks among the most beloved K-dramas ever made.

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

IU, Lee Joon Gi, and Kang Ha Neul starred in this Goryeo dynasty time-travel romance that broke hearts with its achingly bittersweet love story. Despite modest initial ratings, the drama gained a massive international following and remains one of the most passionately discussed K-dramas online, with fans still hoping for a second season a full decade later.

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk charmed audiences as a collegiate weightlifter and swimmer navigating friendship, ambition, and first love. This feel-good coming-of-age story offered a refreshingly lighthearted take on romance, celebrating self-acceptance and the beauty of being unapologetically oneself.

Signal, Love in the Moonlight, and More Gems

The 2016 class extended well beyond romance. Signal, starring Lee Je Hoon and Kim Hye Soo, delivered a gripping crime thriller that connected detectives across different timelines. Love in the Moonlight brought Park Bo Gum and Kim Yoo Jung together in a charming palace romance. Hwarang assembled a star-studded cast including Park Seo Joon, Park Hyung Sik, and BTS V as flower knights forging bonds of brotherhood in the Silla Kingdom.

Ji Chang Wook showcased his action prowess in The K2, while Kim Woo Bin and Suzy delivered an emotionally devastating performance in the tearjerker Uncontrollably Fond. The inventive W blurred the lines between webtoon fiction and reality with Lee Jong Suk and Han Hyo Joo, and Dr. Romantic launched what would become one of Korea most successful medical drama franchises.

A Legacy That Endures

What made 2016 extraordinary was not just the volume of quality productions but the sheer diversity of storytelling. From epic fantasy and sageuk romance to gritty crime procedurals and lighthearted campus love stories, the year offered something for every viewer. Many of these dramas served as career-defining moments for their stars, several of whom have since become some of the biggest names in Korean entertainment.

As these eleven titles mark their tenth anniversary, their influence on the global K-drama landscape remains undeniable. They expanded the genre reach, set new standards for production quality, and created stories that continue to resonate with audiences discovering them for the first time in 2026.