10 Best K-Dramas With An Ensemble Cast

It’s easy to fall in love with the main characters of a K-drama, but it’s even better when a K-drama has a big ensemble full of amazing characters.

•  Ensemble K-dramas focus on a large group of characters, leading to dynamic relationships and complex storylines.
•  The success of an ensemble K-drama relies on giving each character an intriguing story to ensure audience investment.
•  Popular ensemble K-dramas like "Penthouse" and "Reply" series showcase diverse storylines and interesting relationships among characters.

K-dramas have many different kinds of genres and types, and though action or romantic K-drama series can be a lot of fun, an underappreciated form of K-drama is the ensemble K-drama. An ensemble series does not have just one main character but focuses on a large group of characters. An ensemble television series could have four characters, or it could have ten. Regardless of the number of characters, an ensemble K-drama can be even better than a regular one because of its dynamic relationships, complex storylines, and overall grander scale.

The best ensemble K-dramas are those whose characters are all interesting in their own right. A K-drama may have an ensemble cast, but that does not always mean that it is a successful or exciting cast. For an ensemble K-drama to succeed, the series must give each character an intriguing story and make sure that the audience can be invested in everyone, not just one or two characters. This is even better when romance is involved. If there are many characters with unique relationships and distinct stories, then an ensemble K-drama can thrive.

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10. Because This Is My First Life
2017

Because This Is My First Life is an ensemble K-drama that follows Se-hee and Ji-ho. The pair begin a marriage of convenience wherein the two live together solely as landlord and tenant, however, their fool-proof plan is made difficult by their past traumas, social expectations, and familial problems. This series is not just about Se-hee and Ji-ho though. The ensemble cast of Because This Is My First Life is an unexpected but amazing addition to the K-drama. Se-hee and Ji-ho's friends and family bring more nuance, discussion, and excitement to the series, especially when it comes to love and romance.

9. Age Of Youth
2016

Also called Hello, My Twenties!, the K-drama Age of Youth is a true ensemble piece. It follows five girls who live in a sharehouse together called Belle Epoque in South Korea. The series follows the girls' everyday lives, and in particular, the struggles they face as young women in Korea. With five girls sharing the spotlight, Age of Youth is a strong ensemble piece that is able to portray many different perspectives. Each girl has her own story to tell, and that is what makes this series so enticing and fun to watch.

8. Fiery Priest
2019

An action-packed ensemble series for K-drama fans is Fiery Priest. The series follows a man who was once a member of the National Intelligence Service and is now a priest investigating the mysterious death of an elderly priest. In his journey for justice, the priest comes face to face with several suspicious figures, from members of the cartel to corrupt government officials. In this way, Fiery Priest boasts a large cast of exciting and unique characters that only increase the mystery and the comedy. With five main cast members, this K-drama won't disappoint in the character department.

7. Prison Playbook
2017

Sometimes a k-drama's setting can be the perfect opportunity for an ensemble cast to shine.

Prison Playbook is a perfect example of this. In this K-drama, a young man is sent to prison for assault after saving his sister from a sexual assault. While in jail, the main character meets the various interesting inmates who are now his peers. In this case, the jail setting makes the ensemble cast stand out. Each character's unique story only adds to the overarching situation that the main character is going through. This series would not be nearly as strong without its ensemble.

6. Penthouse
2020

A K-drama that is the definition of an ensemble series is Penthouse. The 2020 K-drama follows the various families living in Hera Palace. What makes Penthouse stand out is the fact that its ensemble is generational. The cast not only includes several adults but also their spouses and their children. In this way, the series goes in-depth, exploring countless different stories and perspectives within one solid setting. The fact that Penthouse is also full of drama makes the situation even better. The series leaves no story untouched because of its vast cast.

5. Chief Kim
2017

Chief Kim, also known as Good Manager, follows a man who becomes a middle manager at TQ Group company to embezzle money but ends up fighting for his employees' fundamental rights instead. This is yet another series that benefits from its setting and premise. Because Chief Kim is set in an office with several employees, the K-drama has the chance to build an environment with its characters. Audiences can become familiar with these workers and become attached to them just as the main character is. Plus, his initial nefarious attempts make their relationships even more complicated.

4. Sky Castle
2018

A series similar to Penthouse in drama and cast is Sky Castle. The K-drama is about materialistic and wealthy parents in South Korea, who put their desires over the needs of their children. A unique aspect of Sky Castle is that its ensemble cast is not particularly likable. Though audiences become invested in them and care about what happens to them, they are not necessarily good or kind characters. Ultimately, this unlikeability makes Sky Castle stand out among other ensemble K-dramas. But to be clear, the character's bad reputations don't hurt the series. If anything, it makes it better.

3. Hospital Playlist
2020

One especially popular ensemble K-drama is Hospital Playlist. Like Age of Youth, the series follows five characters, but rather than being young women living in South Korea, they are five doctors working at the same hospital, who first became friends in medical school. Though Hospital Playlist has many aspects of any other ensemble series, what makes it especially interesting is the shared history of the main characters. Although audiences are meeting them for the first time, their off-screen pasts make their relationships more interesting. In contrast, viewers have to try and catch up, which increases the mystery and anticipation.

2. Goblin
2016

Also known as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, the fantasy k-dramaGoblin has a highly lovable ensemble cast. The series follows a man who, in the Goryeo period, was cursed to be an immortal goblin. Now, in the present day, he becomes entangled in the life of a bubbly high school student and his present-day ancestors. Made up of five main characters, Goblin has a small ensemble, but it is an intimate one. Audiences can easily become invested in each character's story and how each intertwines through time and history. Goblin is also unique in its fantasy genre.

1. The Reply Series
2012

Without a doubt, one of the most popular ensemble k-drama series is the Reply series. Since 2012, there have been three seasons of Reply with three different ensemble casts, set in unique periods. Each season follows a friend group dealing with their issues and also the problems of their era. Because of the Reply series' ability to portray such strong friendships and relationships, along with social and political problems, it is by far one of the most beloved ensemble series. In particular, Reply 1988 is a favorite among K-drama fans.