10 K-Dramas That Became Global Hits (But Some of Them Didn't Age Well)

Here are 10 K-Dramas that became international sensations – but, sadly, were the product of their time and perhaps didn't age all that well, in hindsight.

1. Boys Over Flowers

Step into the extravagant world of Shinwa High, where four rich boys, known as F4, rule the school. Enter Geum Jan-di, the plucky daughter of a dry cleaner who stands up to their bullying ways. Amidst the luxury, Jan-di and Goo Jun-pyo, the F4 leader, develop an unlikely romance. It's a classic Cinderella story with a twist. However, some aspects, like the over-the-top bullying and overt materialism, make a few of us cringe today.

2. My Love From the Star

An alien named Do Min-joon lands on Earth in the Joseon Dynasty and waits 400 years for his spaceship. Just as he's about to return home, he crosses paths with Cheon Song-yi, a feisty actress. They fall for each other, but a relationship between a human and an immortal being? Sounds complicated. The fantastical plot was fresh and intriguing, but the drama's constant emphasis on beauty and age standards is a bit of an eyebrow-raiser now.

3. Playful Kiss

Oh Ha-ni, an academically challenged student, has a crush on the school genius, Baek Seung-jo. After a letter confessing her feelings hilariously falls into his hands, Ha-ni's house collapses! She and her dad then move in with Seung-jo's family. Coincidence much? The cat-and-mouse chase is cute, but the way Ha-ni's obsession borders on stalker-ish vibes might not sit well with everyone today.

4. Healer

A mysterious night courier known only as Healer, a tabloid journalist, and a famous journalist all cross paths. As they dive into an old mystery connecting their shared past, romance and action intertwine. It's adrenaline-packed with some really touching moments. However, the almost caricatural portrayal of some villains and their motivations might get a few eye-rolls in the current era.

5. City Hunter

Lee Yoon-sung seeks revenge against corrupt politicians responsible for his father's death. He infiltrates the Blue House, where he meets bodyguard Kim Na-na. Sparks fly, but so do bullets. Politics, romance, action – this drama had it all! The vigilante justice theme was a hit back in the day, but with a modern lens, Yoon-sung's one-man-against-the-world approach seems a tad overplayed.

6. The Heirs

The lives of privileged high school students in Seoul is as dramatic as you'd expect. Kim Tan, an heir to a business empire, falls for Cha Eun-sang, the daughter of his family's housekeeper. The class disparities, love triangles, and teen angst gave us all the feels. However, its obsession with the wealthy elite and their "problems" might seem tone-deaf to some today.

7. Secret Garden

A stuntwoman, Gil Ra-im, and a snobbish CEO, Kim Joo-won, swap bodies after drinking a magical potion. Hilarity ensues as they try to navigate each other's lives. The gender-swapping concept was refreshing, but Joo-won's overbearing possessiveness and constant belittling of Ra-im? It's a bit hard to digest now, ain't it?

8. You're Beautiful

Go Mi-nyeo pretends to be her twin brother, Go Mi-nam, and joins a famous boy band. Living with three handsome bandmates without revealing her identity leads to some awkwardly funny situations. While the idea of hiding one's gender for a dream was engaging, the constant drama around "protecting" Mi-nyeo's femininity might seem outdated to many now.

9. Moon Embracing the Sun

Set in the Joseon period, a royal love story unfolds between young King Lee Hwon and shaman Wol. Wol, who was once the Crown Princess, loses her memories after a series of palace conspiracies. The historical backdrop was mesmerizing, but its representation of shamanism, often painted as evil or mysterious, now feels like it needed more nuance.

10. Coffee Prince

Go Eun-chan, pretending to be a boy, starts working at a coffee shop. The shop's owner, Choi Han-kyul, falls for her, believing she's male, leading to a whirlwind of emotions. The drama delved into love beyond gender norms, which was progressive for its time. Yet, some character reactions to gender and identity misconceptions might appear a tad insensitive by today's standards.