Cover These K-dramas with foreign remakes not only won hearts at home but inspired official adaptations across Asia and beyond (Photo: ‘Flower of Evil’/IMDb)
These K-dramas with foreign remakes not only won hearts at home but inspired official adaptations across Asia and beyond (Photo: ‘Flower of Evil’/IMDb)
1 / 1
From romance to thrillers, these K-dramas with foreign remakes captivated audiences worldwide
Some Korean series have found second lives abroad, re‑imagined for new audiences in different languages and settings for their universal themes—love, ambition, identity, morality—which transcend cultural boundaries. Shows such as Good Doctor or Flower of Evil carry emotional or moral dilemmas that can be adapted to different societies with relatively minor tweaks.
These K-dramas with foreign remakes tend to localise settings, character backgrounds and social context, but often keep the core premise intact, preserving the original’s dramatic structure while making it resonate with a new target audience. At the same time, they can reflect how conversational television increasingly travels across Asia and beyond. The fact that a show like Flower of Evil becomes the first Korean series officially remade in India suggests growing confidence in cross‑cultural appeal.
Here are K-dramas with foreign remakes to add to your watchlist.
Read more: 6 idol romance K-dramas where celebrities fall in love with common people
1. ‘Coffee Prince’ (2007)
Above Leo Martinez, Aljur Abrenica, Boy 2 Quizon, Kris Bernal, Sef Cadayona and Fabio Ide in ‘Coffee Prince’ Philippines (Photo: IMDb)
Leo Martinez, Aljur Abrenica, Boy 2 Quizon, Kris Bernal, Sef Cadayona and Fabio Ide in ‘Coffee Prince’ Philippines (Photo: IMDb)
1 / 1
Go Eun-chan (Yoon Eun-hye) disguises herself as a man to work at a trendy coffee shop owned by Choi Han-gyul (Gong Yoo). As Han-gyul develops feelings for her, Eun-chan must keep her identity secret, navigating romance, humour, and societal expectations.
Foreign remakes: Thailand (2012), Philippines (2012), Malaysia (2017), China (2018)
2. ‘Full House’ (2004)
Above A contract marriage between a writer and a star leads to unexpected love
Han Ji-eun (Song Hye-kyo), an aspiring writer, returns home to find her house sold while she was away. The buyer, Lee Young-jae (Rain), is a famous actor. They enter a contract marriage to manage misunderstandings, jealousy and rivalries, gradually developing genuine feelings.
Foreign remakes: Vietnam (Ngôi Nhà Hạnh Phúc, 2009), Thailand (2014), Pakistan (2017), Malaysia (2018), China (2020), Turkey (2015)
Don't miss: 8 Song Hye-kyo outfits that prove she's the queen of minimalist elegance
3. ‘My Love from the Star’ (2013)
Above An alien and a top actress find love across centuries in ‘My Love from the Star’ (Photo: IMDb)
An alien and a top actress find love across centuries in ‘My Love from the Star’ (Photo: IMDb)
1 / 1
Do Min-joon (Kim Soo-hyun), an alien who has lived on Earth for centuries, possesses extraordinary abilities but is cynical about humans. He meets Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun), a famous actress, and their relationship explores love, belonging and humanity.
Foreign remakes: Philippines (2017), Thailand (2019), Japan (2022).
4. ‘Good Doctor’ (2013)
Above In ‘The Good Doctor’ US starring Freddie Highmore, a gifted surgeon with autism proves himself in a high-pressure hospital
Park Si-on (Joo Won), a surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, must prove his ability during a six-month residency. Facing prejudice and doubt, he demonstrates his skills, forms relationships and navigates personal and professional challenges.
Foreign remakes: United States (The Good Doctor, 2017), Japan (2018), Turkey (Mucize Doktor, 2019), Hong Kong (2020), Thailand (2024)
5. ‘She Was Pretty’ (2015)
Above Childhood friends reunite, testing love, identity and self-worth
Kim Hye-jin (Hwang Jung-eum), a woman who was once a beauty queen, reunites with her first love, Ji Sung-joon (Park Seo-joon), who no longer recognises her. Set in a publishing office, the series explores identity, self-esteem, and second chances through humour and heartfelt moments.
Foreign remake: China (Pretty Li Hui Zhen, 2017).
6. ‘Signal’ (2016)
Above Detectives solve cold cases through time with a mysterious walkie-talkie
Park Hae-young (Lee Je-hoon), a criminal profiler, communicates across time with detective Lee Jae-han (Cho Jin-woong) through a mysterious walkie-talkie. They collaborate to solve cold cases and prevent crimes, combining suspense, investigation and character-driven drama. This is one of those K-dramas with foreign remakes where the offshoot to the original also became an instant classic.
Foreign remake: Japan (2018)
7. ‘The Suspicious Housekeeper’ (2013)
Above A strict housekeeper enters a household full of secrets
Kim Bon-sang (Kim Sun-a), a strict and enigmatic housekeeper, is hired to care for a widowed professor’s children. She uncovers family secrets and helps each member confront personal challenges, blending mystery, family drama and subtle humour.
Foreign remake: Japan (Kaseifu no Mita, 2011)
8. ‘You Are Beautiful’ (2009)
Above A woman joins a boy band disguised as her twin brother.
Ko Mi-n (Park Shin-hye) joins a popular boy band disguised as her twin brother. Navigating the band’s dynamics while hiding her identity, she develops a complicated romance with band leader Hwang Tae-kyung (Jang Keun-suk). The story combines music, comedy and mistaken identity.
Foreign remakes: Japan (Ikemen Desu Ne, 2011), Taiwan (Fabulous Boys, 2013)
9. ‘Flower of Evil’ (2020)
Above A detective’s husband hides a deadly past in tense thriller ‘Flower of Evil’ (Photo: IMDb)
A detective’s husband hides a deadly past in tense thriller ‘Flower of Evil’ (Photo: IMDb)
1 / 1
Baek Hee-sung (Lee Joon-gi) hides a dark past from his detective wife, Cha Ji-won (Moon Chae-won). As she investigates a series of murders, their lives intersect in a tense narrative exploring deception, identity and morality.
Foreign remakes: India (Durangam, 2022), Philippines (2022), China (Yin Man Zhi Shi, TBA)
The rise of K‑dramas with foreign remakes shows how Asian television is no longer nationally bound. Successful Korean shows are becoming templates for international adaptations, much as Western shows have long been. This movement could lead to a more globalised approach to storytelling—where a series crafted in Seoul might find a second life in Mumbai, Manila or Tokyo, re‑interpreted through different cultural lenses but retaining its dramatic core.
Topics
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
