While some must-see K-dramas are available for audiences to delight in, a quick-moving series can be greatly appreciated.

These K-dramas, ranging across various genres, combine gripping drama plots with compelling characters and thoughtful plot twists that'll have audiences speeding through episodes and finishing a series in no time. Still, that's not to say these K-dramas feel rushed or less rewarding than any slow-burn series. K-dramas like My Name, Goblin, and Strong Girl Bong-soon are packed with material, but move at a brisk pace without sacrificing the development of their characters or the impact of their more heartfelt moments.

10 Touch Your Heart (2019)

A Lighthearted Romance Series About Reinvention & Falling In Love

Goblin actors Yoo In-na and Lee Dong-wook reunite in Touch Your Heart, this time as a disgraced actor hoping to make a comeback and an accomplished lawyer, respectively. Yoo's Oh Jin-shim must work as the secretary of Lee's Kwon Jung-rok to gain field experience for an role she wishes to have. As a classic romantic comedy series, Touch Your Heart employs many of the genre's beloved tropes and doesn't overstay its welcome.

Across its 16 episodes, Touch Your Heart does an excellent job of fleshing out its leading characters and their growing romance. With Kwon Jung-rok being somewhat of a boss to Oh Jin-shim, the series also explores the well-known K-drama trope about falling in love with one's boss.

9 Little Women (2022)

Three Sisters Face Off Against An Extremely Wealthy Family

While it has very little in common with Louisa May Alcott's novel of the same name, Little Women's plot does center around the lives of sisters. The K-drama follows sisters In-joo, In-hye, and In-kyung, who never had much money growing up and merely relied on each other to get through life's greatest obstacles. That is, until one day they get wrapped up in a conspiracy involving one of Korea's richest families.

Thanks to the series' fleshed-out characters and well-written drama, Little Women is a rewarding watch that successfully keeps hold of the audience's attention until the very end.

Little Women is a highly addictive series despite the lengthy runtime of each episode. There is an irresistible sense of suspense that is gradually built upon throughout the series' 12 episodes. Thanks to the series' fleshed-out characters and well-written drama, Little Women is a rewarding watch that successfully keeps hold of the audience's attention until the very end.

8 Hell Is Other People (2019)

A Cheap Living Space Is Filled With Strange Residents

Yoon Jong-woo's (Im Si-wan) need for a place to stay opens him up to a strange world. Based on Kim Yong-ki's webtoon of the same name, Hell Is Other People, or more simply, Strangers from Hell, follows Jong-woo after his financial struggles and relocation for work lead him to temporarily move into a cheap dormitory filled with abnormal residents.

Though Jong-woo is wary of his neighbors, he decides to stay until he makes enough money at work that'll allow him to move out. Hell Is Other People has a fascinating premise that moves at an effortlessly brisk pace. The behavior of the K-drama's bizarre characters and unsettling happenings throughout the show prompt audiences to speed through the series out of curiosity alone.

7 Alchemy Of Souls (2022-2023)

Young Magicians Experience Complications With Spells & Love

The Hong sisters, the celebrated duo of screenwriters behind Hotel del Luna and My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho, are behind the grand, fantastical world in Alchemy of Souls. The series takes place in a fictional country where the titular forbidden spell allows individuals' souls to switch bodies. One of these people is a former warrior (Go Youn-jung) who finds herself trapped inside the body of the servant of a nobleman (Lee Jae-wook).

Complications quickly arise from the body-swapping spell, producing a fast-moving plot that draws audiences in and keeps them thoroughly entertained. Aside from the captivating performances of the series' cast, Alchemy of Souls' budget and production value are also deserving of iration. The K-drama's fictional world is brought to life with top-notch CGI and cinematography that highlights the characters' magical abilities.

6 Lovestruck In The City (2020-2021)

Various Perspectives On Romance Are Explored

It's easy for audiences to binge-watch Lovestruck in the City and finish the series before they know it, thanks to the K-drama's unique setup and realistic story. Differing from the other K-dramas mentioned, Lovestruck in the City utilizes an interview format, where its characters, each in their 20s or 30s, give their perspectives on romance. Audiences become familiar with the characters as they follow them along during their daily routines.

Though Lovestruck in the City's plot is fictional, the interviews with characters, frequent acknowledgment of the camera crew, and the occasional breaking of the fourth wall mirror the addictive qualities of a reality show. Lovestruck in the City has a well-written story full of heartbreak and humor, and moves at an appreciated, quick speed.

5 Strong Girl Bong-Soon (2017)

The Superhuman Strength Of A Woman Is Used For Good

There's a lot to love about Strong Girl Bong-soon, including its quick pace. The K-drama, which is also known as Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, is centered around the titular character (Park Bo-young), who is born with a superhuman strength that's been ed down through the women in her family. Containing hints of a coming-of-age story, Strong Girl Bong-soon also incorporates romance, comedy, and thrills within its plot.

The subplot surrounding a series of local kidnappings keeps Strong Girl Bong-soon moving along at a nice pace, but neither the suspense nor the plot twists are rushed. The character development of Bong-soon is also realistic and handled well, as she gradually learns to embrace her Herculean abilities that once made her insecure.

4 Weak Hero (2022)

An Underdog Trio Stands Up To School Bullies

Fortunately, the important themes addressed in Weak Hero don't get lost in its fast pace and multitude of action sequences. The series explores the effects of bullying and the inevitable cycle of violence that many victims of bullying find themselves in. At the center of the K-drama's tense plot is Yeon Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon), who is among the smartest in his class and is constantly picked on by his school's toughest bullies.

Luckily, Si-eun forms a closeness with two of his classmates, and the trio winds up becoming an unexpected force against the school's group of bullies. Weak Hero is a great K-drama for those who love anime or a gripping underdog story. The characters throughout the show are relatable, flawed, and easy to become invested in.

3 While You Were Sleeping (2017)

Three Individuals Are Gifted With Seeing The Future In Their Sleep

Fusing the makings of a thrilling legal drama with a fantasy romance series, While You Were Sleeping has a bit of something for everyone to enjoy. The show centers around a trio of individuals with the ability to see the future in their dreams. Together, Nam Hong-joo (Bae Suzy), Jung Jae-chan (Lee Jong-suk), and Han Woo-tak (Jung Hae-in) work to prevent their disastrous dreams from becoming a reality.

Coupled alongside the fun exploration of the trio's unique ability are the series of crimes Jae-chan, a rookie prosecutor, has to investigate. Though While You Were Sleeping can be dark, there's still a lot of fun to be had with the core trio and their efforts to make a change. The fast pace and compelling mysteries that are made different in most episodes allow audiences to finish the show relatively quickly.

2 My Name (2021)

A Woman Is Determined To Avenge Her Father's Death

Having only eight episodes, My Name wastes no time getting into its gritty action. Han So-hee leads the show as Yoon Ji-woo, a young woman who is haunted by the mysterious and sudden death of her father. Determined to find out what happened to him, Ji-woo immerses herself in the local underworld. Played with much courage by Han, Ji-woo is an inspiring, tough protagonist on a single-minded mission.

There's a lot packed into My Name's eight episodes, but the intensity, shocking plot twists, and Ji-woo's character development are never sacrificed for the sake of the K-drama's momentum.

menacing villains seen in thriller K-dramas. Additionally, the series' fast-moving pace is handled extremely well. There's a lot packed into My Name's eight episodes, but the intensity, shocking plot twists, and Ji-woo's character development are never sacrificed for the sake of the K-drama's momentum.

1 Guardian: The Lonely And Great God (2016-2017)

An Immortal Goblin Wishes To Be Free

Though audiences will certainly wish they had more time with Guardian: The Lonely and Great God and its characters, it's a K-drama that flies by. The fantasy K-drama became a cultural phenomenon in South Korea during its run, and there's no doubt as to why. The series masterfully blends fantasy with comedy and romance, producing a love story that is enthralling and tragic.

The series centers around the titular character (Gong Yoo), a goblin who wishes to break free from his curse of immortality. However, his plan is interrupted when he begins to fall for Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun) —the one person who can help set him free. Goblin's compelling story and well-established, whimsical world are easy to fall in love with and get through in no time.