12 must-watch K-Drama remakes of American movies & TV shows

The global entertainment industry has long been a two-way street when it comes to adaptations. While Hollywood has remade countless international films and shows, South Korea has also reimagined American content to fit its own cultural landscape. From gripping crime dramas to lighthearted comedies, Korean adaptations breathe fresh life into familiar stories, often taking creative liberties that surprise even the most dedicated fans of the originals.

Here’s a look at 12 of the best K-drama remakes of American movies and TV shows that are definitely worth a watch.

1. SNL Korea (Remake of Saturday Night Live)

Comedy doesn’t always translate across cultures, but Saturday Night Live Korea (SNLK) has managed to capture the essence of the iconic American variety show since 2011. Featuring a rotating cast and high-profile guest hosts, it retains the live-performance format while tweaking humor to fit Korean sensibilities. After a brief hiatus in 2017, SNLK was revived in 2021 and continues to entertain audiences today.

2. Entourage (2016)

Based on HBO’s hit series, the Korean Entourage follows movie star Cha Young-bin and his close-knit group of friends navigating the entertainment industry. Though it stayed true to the original’s premise, the K-drama had a darker tone and struggled with local audiences, making it an interesting case study in cultural adaptation.

3. The Good Wife (2016)

Korea’s version of The Good Wife condenses the acclaimed legal drama’s seven-season story into just 10 episodes. Jeon Do-yeon delivers a nuanced performance as Kim Hye-kyung, a woman reclaiming her legal career after her husband’s scandal, offering a more focused and culturally attuned interpretation of the American classic.

4. Criminal Minds (2017)

Bringing the intense investigations of the original CBS series to South Korea, Criminal Minds: Korea follows a team of expert profilers tracking down serial killers. While it mirrors many aspects of the American show, it offers a distinct storytelling approach that aligns with Korean crime drama conventions.

5. Suits (2018)

This adaptation of the popular legal drama Suits compresses key plotlines from the first five seasons into just 16 episodes. While maintaining the slick and stylish aesthetic of the original, the K-drama leans into Korean work culture and legal ethics, creating a fresh take on the mentor-protégé dynamic.

6. Life on Mars (2018)

Based on the British series (which also had a short-lived U.S. version), the Korean Life on Mars follows a detective who finds himself transported back to 1988. With sharp writing and engaging performances, this adaptation is considered one of the best remakes, even outperforming its American counterpart.

7. Romance Is a Bonus Book (2019) – Inspired by Younger

Loosely inspired by Younger, this series follows a woman restarting her career in publishing after divorce. Unlike its American counterpart, the K-drama avoids age deception as a plot device, instead focusing on professional and personal reinvention.

8. Designated Survivor: 60 Days (2019)

Unlike the long-running U.S. political thriller, the Korean Designated Survivor runs a tight 16-episode season, making for a more intense and focused political drama. The show emphasizes moral dilemmas over action, adding a layer of realism to the premise of an unprepared leader thrust into power.

9. Leverage (2019)

Retaining the core elements of the American original, Leverage follows a mastermind and his team of expert criminals taking down corrupt elites. Korean themes of corporate greed and social justice add depth to this already gripping crime caper.

10. Little Women (2022)

Taking immense creative liberties with Louisa May Alcott’s novel, the K-drama Little Women reimagines the story as a modern-day thriller about three struggling sisters caught in a dangerous web of corruption. The result is an engaging crime drama with only thematic ties to the original source material.

11. Woori the Virgin (2022) – A Remake of Jane the Virgin

Though it follows the same premise as Jane the Virgin, Woori the Virgin dials down the satire and comedic self-awareness of the original, opting for a more streamlined and dramatic take on the unexpected pregnancy storyline.

12. 18 Again (2020) – A TV Series Version of 17 Again

Based on the Zac Efron-led comedy 17 Again, the Korean 18 Again extends the film’s premise into a 16-episode exploration of family, regret, and second chances. By expanding on the emotional depth of its characters, the drama offers a more heartfelt take on the fantasy concept.

Final Thoughts

Korean adaptations of American series and movies don’t just copy-paste stories—they reinterpret them through a new cultural lens, sometimes making them even better. Whether you’re a fan of legal dramas, crime procedurals, or heartfelt romances, these K-drama remakes offer something fresh and exciting. Happy binge-watching!