6 Best Korean TV Shows for Christmas Bing-Watching + Bonus

Christmas is in the air, with cozy fireplaces, fluffy blankets, hot chocolate, thick sweaters, snowflakes, and mistletoe. It's the season of joy, and Christmas has a special meaning in the world of K-dramas. For some, it's a time of hope, for others, a time of nostalgia, and for the rest, a time of new beginnings. Here are 6 K-dramas that will get you in the Christmas spirit.

1. "Crash Landing on You" 

This epic drama tells the story of a forbidden love between a South Korean heiress named Yoon Se Ri (Son Ye Jin) and a North Korean army captain named Ri Jung Hyuk (Hyun Bin). "Crash Landing on You" is a fan favorite, as the two lovers overcome obstacles and politics to stay together. The drama has many memorable moments, and one of them is Christmas. Se Ri is a tough boss who runs her business in Seoul, even making her employees work during the holidays. But after meeting Jung Hyuk, she changes her outlook on life. She longs for warmth and a sense of belonging.

She makes a homemade tree in Jung Hyuk's house. It's not fancy, but it's full of love and care. She also has a special gift for him, which she doesn't know, means a lot to him. It's a touching moment in the show, and soon after, there is a crisis, and Jung Hyuk does everything he can to protect his beloved. 

2. "Oh My Venus"

Kim Young Ho (So Ji Sub) trains celebrities in Hollywood. He begins to train Kang Joo Eun (Shin Min Ah), a lawyer who was dumped by her boyfriend. Soon, they become more than trainer and client, they become friends and lovers. She even moves into his luxurious home that he shares with his two buddies. Christmas happens twice at a critical moment in the show. The first time, it is a joyful occasion for Joo Eun, who enjoys the love and friendship in her life. The second time, it is a sad time for Young Ho, who struggles with his problems, followed by a time of thankfulness.

"Oh My Venus" is a fan favorite, thanks to the amazing chemistry between So Ji Sub and Shin Min Ah. The show also portrays the Christmas spirit. It is a day to cherish the people who matter to you, not necessarily those who share your blood.

3. "Reply 1988" 

One of the most beloved groups of friends in the K-drama universe, the awesome five of Ssangmun are Duk Sun (Hyeri), Choi Taek (Park Bo Gum), Sun Woo (Go Kyung Pyo), Jun g Hwan (Ryu Jun Yeol), and Dong Ryong (Lee Dong Hwi). Christmas in the show is a time for sincere confessions and exchanging gifts, but it's also a time for chaos and fun in the neighborhood. 

Christmas Eve is spent together watching the "College Campus Song Festival," organizing a Secret Santa game, with each giving the other what they wish for. Jung Hwan adorably gets Duk Sun the pink mittens she really wants, and it's also the day for revelations, as in Sun Woo's case.

You may also be interested in: The Top 30+ Best Quotes from the Drama, Reply 1988

4. "Secret Garden"

This drama is about the unlikely romance between a super-rich and arrogant CEO Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin) and a self-sufficient and independent stuntwoman Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won). He doesn't expect how love will transform him and his world. Even though she rejects him repeatedly, she knows that their social and economic differences will always be a barrier in their relationship. But this man, who has everything done for him, is ready to sacrifice anything for his woman. 

Christmas is one of those occasions when he shows his love by setting up a tree for Ra Im and her friends. It's a simple tree, but it shines with colorful ornaments and it's his way of telling her how she brightens up his lonely life. 

5. "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God"

Kim Shin, also known as the Goblin (Gong Yoo), is cursed to live forever and has wandered the earth for almost 1,000 years. The only one who can end his curse and become his bride is the orphaned Ji Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun). She can see ghosts and summon the goblin too.

They meet, and despite their doomed fate, they embark on a magical journey. In episode 6, we see the Christmas tree that Kim Shin decorates for Eun Tak when he confesses that he's afraid she likes him too much. In later episodes, we see a sweet hug and a kiss as Eun Tak weeps in front of a Christmas store, missing the Goblin, only to have him appear before her.

You may also be interested in: The Most Beautiful Quotes from the K-drama, Goblin

6. "Pinocchio"

The past torments Choi Dal Po (Lee Jong Suk). A false report by a ruthless journalist alters his destiny. He dreams of becoming a broadcast journalist and revealing his true identity. He lives with Choi In Ha (Park Shin Hye) and her family, who took him in. She shares his dream of journalism, but she has a rare disorder that makes her hiccup whenever she tells a lie.

Christmas is a turning point in the show, when Dal Po encounters a young man under a huge tree. He is his long-lost brother, and this accelerates the plot of the show. Another scene is when Dal Po loses his way to his new home and ends up at his old home on Christmas morning. He gets the message that Christmas is a time for home and family. 

Bonus: "Switch" (Movie - 2023)

Switch is a Korean comedy-drama film written and directed by Ma Dae-yun. It stars Kwon Sang-woo, Oh Jung-se, and Lee Min-jung as they portray the story of Park Kang, a top star who lives a glamorous and carefree single life, but also a notorious troublemaker in the industry. His life takes a dramatic turn when he encounters a taxi driver on Christmas Eve, who shows him a different perspective on love and marriage. 

This movie has changed my view on marriage, which I used to regard as an unnecessary burden in life. It is so simple because it is the life that revolves around you, not the one that chains you to decay. You give and receive love, and your love blossoms into more beautiful flowers. Even though life has its ups and downs at every stage, we have to overcome them or literally live in agony. Love is the simplest and purest force that empowers us to endure and fight. Now I understand what life is, I seek joy and support from the smallest things.