The Best TV Shows on KBS1

Every KBS1 Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Stay up-to-date with over 20 of KBS1’s elite series, with our list refreshed for December 2025. Some of the best tv shows from KBS1 include Emperor Wang Gun and The King Dae Joyoung, airing in 2000 and 2006 respectively. Across the timeline from 2000 to 2024, KBS1 has presented audiences with over 20 captivating shows.

  • Larva
    Larva (2011)7.2

    Two curious worms spend their days investigating the otherworldly objects that fall through the grate into their subterranean world.

  • Unpredictable Family
    Unpredictable Family (2023)6.7

    A romantic family drama about a divorced couple who broke up 30 years ago out of hate, reuniting as in-laws through their children and overcoming long overdue conflicts and enmity.

  • My Merry Marriage
    My Merry Marriage (2024)6.4

    A delightful family drama that asks the true meaning of 'happiness' by showing various aspects of marriage such as divorce, remarriage, and single life, and brings about empathy and laughter from all generations. Maeng Gong Hee is a contract designer at Jayce Fashion. Having inherited her strong mother's spirit and her former detective father's athletic ability, she is a rare wild woman these days who has the guts to survive even if she were to be stranded on a deserted island. Gu Dan Soo is the grandson of Jayce Fashion Chairman Hwang Ik Seon and born to a wealthy father and a poor mother. Dan Soo, who was living as a free spirit in a foreign country, comes to Korea according to his grandmother's plan to make a successor to the chairman out of him and he reunites with childhood friend Maeng Gong Hee once again.

  • Gwanggaeto, The Great Conqueror
    Gwanggaeto, The Great Conqueror (2011)6.0

    Gwanggaeto, The Great Conqueror is an alternate title for King Gwanggaeto the Great, a historical drama based on the life of the nineteenth monarch of Goguryeo, Gwanggaeto the Great. The drama was based on two sources, Gwanggaeto the Great by Jeong Jip, and Great Conquests of Gwanggaeto by Hyeong Minu.

  • Brilliant Heritage
    Brilliant Heritage (2020)6.0

    A stepmother takes revenge on four spoiled brothers. The father feels betrayed by his sons who are always after his money. This twisted family shows conflict and the true meaning of being a family. The story revolves around Buruna Noodles and the owner of the restaurant. Each son and their wives have different dreams, but they all want one thing.

  • Su Ji and U Ri
    Su Ji and U Ri (2024)5.8

    A healing romance begins between fallen star doctor Jin Su Ji and stubborn newbie doctor Choi U Ri.

  • The King Dae Joyoung
    The King Dae Joyoung (2006)5.7

    This 100-episode epic drama vividly depicts the life of King Dae Jo-yeong and other heroes of the Balhae Kingdom, which dates back 1300 years ago.

  • You are My Destiny
    You are My Destiny (2008)5.5

    Jang Sae-byuk is a cheerful and grateful orphan who always tries her best. She dreams of one day becoming an interior designer, despite her lack of education and money. Because of an accident that happened before the story starts (about three years ago), she loses her sight and undergoes corneal transplant surgery. Different events unravel when she encounters the Kim family, who has lost a daughter in a horrible car crash, unbeknownst to everyone besides the father and older brother. The stories then intertwine when Sae-byuk meets the Kim's extended family and the son of a big interior design company, Lohas, in Korea.

  • Smile Again
    Smile Again (2010)5.5

    Raised in America by his mentally handicapped mother Anna, Dong Hae dreams of traveling to Korea to propose to the woman he loves.. After qualifying for a speed skating competition, he smuggles his mother to Korea with him, but his undying devotion to her soon begins causing him problems. Finally reconnecting with his lost love Saewa, Dong Hae finds his affections divided when things don’t work out as he planned in this award-winning daily drama.

  • Dream of the Emperor
    Dream of the Emperor (2012)5.2

    Kim Chunchu is the grandson of King Jinji, but when his grandfather is overthrown, Chunchu is denied the chance to become a successor to the throne of Silla. He later meets Kim Yushin, and the two men begin a friendship. Chunchu later becomes King Muyeol, the 29th Korean monarch who leads the unification of three ancient kingdoms - Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, while Kim Yushin becomes one of the greatest generals in Korean history.

  • Likeable or Not
    Likeable or Not (2007)4.6

    Likeable or Not is a South Korean television series starring Han Ji-hye, Kim Ji-seok, Jo Dong-hyuk, Yoo In-young, and Lee Young-eun. The daily drama aired on KBS1 from September 3, 2007 to May 2, 2008 on Mondays to Fridays at 20:25 for 172 episodes. It was one of the most highly rated Korean dramas since 2000, reaching a peak viewership rating of 43.9%.

  • Jang Yeong Sil
    Jang Yeong Sil (2016)4.3

    Drama series follows the life Jang Yeong-Sil: a scientist, technician and inventor during the Joseon period. Jang Yeong-Sil was born in the lower class nobi. King Sejong notices his abilities and brings him to the palace. King Sejong grants him a chance to display his abilities. He invents tools like astronomical instruments, iron printing press and a water clock.

  • Emperor Wang Gun
    Emperor Wang Gun (2000)3.2

    Taejo Wang Geon was a 200-episode Korean drama starring Choi Soo Jong in the title role. It became very successful, reaching very high ratings, around 60%.

  • Like Land and Sky
    Like Land and Sky (2007)N/A

    Like Land And Sky is a 2007 South Korean television series starring Park Hae-jin, Han Hyo-joo, Lee Joo-hyun, Kang Jung-hwa, and Hong Soo-ah. It aired on KBS1 from January 15 to August 31, 2007 on Mondays to Fridays at 20:25 for 165 episodes. The daily drama was a hit, maintaining an average viewership rating of 30% throughout its nine-month run. Its peak viewership rating of 36.1% made it the third highest-rated Korean drama of 2007.

  • Hometown Over the Hill
    Hometown Over the Hill (2007)N/A

    By depicting the dreams of people living in farming villages, this drama also reveals problems that today’s residents of rural areas face, such as a growing number of biracial children from international marriages and the cutthroat competition to survive.

  • The Women of Our Home
    The Women of Our Home (2011)N/A

    The Women of Our Home is a South Korean television series starring Jung Eun-chae, Jay Kim, Yoon Ah-jung and Choi Min-sung. It aired on KBS1 from May 16, 2011 to November 4, 2011 on Mondays to Fridays at 20:25 for 125 episodes.

  • Cheer Up, Mr. Kim!
    Cheer Up, Mr. Kim! (2012)N/A

    A family drama involving a 32-year-old unmarried man who is raising four children! Kim Tae Pyung is a domestic helper and a legal guardian for four children who are not related by blood. Mr. Kim and his children go through a range of difficulties on their way to becoming a family. Let’s find out how they learn to accept each other as family members and become a true family!

  • Hello Carbot
    Hello Carbot (2014)N/A

    An unexpected package is delivered to a school boy, Chatan. Chatan opens the box, but there is only an ordinary toy cube inside. However, as soon as Chatan touches the cube, a car-transformation robot appears.

  • Mr. House Husband
    Mr. House Husband (2016)N/A

    Mr. House Husband is a South Korean television entertainment program, where six men who do housekeeping and parenting are observed by their fellow cast members. For season 2, the format changed and the cast members' recordings were observed and narrated by two hosts.

  • Do-ol Ah-in Going All Directions
    Do-ol Ah-in Going All Directions (2019)N/A

    Cultural and Educational TV Show to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea and the March First Movement