Certain stories make for perfect dramas, so they keep being repeated. Boy meets girl. Rags to riches. Time travel and revenge.
But what if all these remarkable stories are set during Christmas and New Year’s?
We can immerse ourselves so much more in those dramas, sharing the feeling of warmth, the joy of the upcoming New Year with its new promises, and our new resolutions. How much more festive can a home feel while sharing the same seasonal greetings with our favorite actors and actresses?
And to set the dynamite, how many of you have ever experienced a real love confession on a rooftop during the change of the year? I bet only a handful of you out there might have a similar experience. For the rest of us, we can immerse ourselves in that setting and fully enjoy the romance in front of our eyes.
From iconic rooftop confessions to entire thrillers set on Christmas Eve, we’ve gathered the definitive list of K-dramas with Christmas & New Year’s scenes that make the holidays even more magical.
K-Dramas Set During the Holidays
White Christmas
A snowy, sleepless night when you want a holiday story with a sharp, philosophical bite about the nature of evil. Though provoking K-drama with Christmas setting that will haunt you through the holidays. Just kidding.
The entire 8-episode series takes place over 8 days, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. A group of students and a teacher stay behind at their elite, isolated high school for the winter break, only to find themselves snowed in, cut off, and in a tense game of psychological survival.
This is the other kind of Christmas story. It’s a cult-classic masterpiece that uses its claustrophobic, snowy setting to build incredible suspense. It’s a dark, philosophical exploration of human nature (“Are monsters born, or are they made?“) that is truly unforgettable.
This 2011 special is a rare find, but if you happen to find it don’t hesitate.
While You Were Sleeping
If you love fireplaces, this fated, snowy mystery has the same warm feeling as if standing by the fire.
This K-drama is all about Christmas, as the holiday season is woven directly into the plot. Expect a serene, snowy atmosphere from its very first episode. A key, poignant dream that the main character, Hong-joo, has involves her in a hospital “near Christmas time,” making the holiday a suspenseful and emotional benchmark in the story.
Nam Hong-joo (Bae Suzy) dreams of future events, but can’t stop them. That is, until she meets Jung Jae-chan (Lee Jong-suk), a prosecutor who starts having the same dreams. It’s a clever fantasy-thriller and a touching romance all in one.
K-Dramas With Iconic Holiday Scenes
Healer
A pulse-pounding thriller that pauses for one of the most romantic Christmas scenes ever.
This show is essential for its iconic, heart-touching romantic payoff set on a snowy rooftop on Christmas. It’s a scene that perfectly balances the show’s thrilling nature with a truly sweet and heartwarming moment of connection. A must watch.
A high-tech “night courier” codenamed “Healer” (Ji Chang-wook) gets entangled with a feisty reporter (Park Min-young). Action, mystery, and romance, driven by the sizzling chemistry between its leads and the outcome a high caliber drama worth your time.
Oh My Venus
This ultimate cozy, feel-good transformation story might give you some afterthoughts about getting in shape after the holidays. Worth considering, though… but after the holidays. But seriously try to keep a healthy eating style.
The show’s main conflict is perfectly framed by two separate Christmases. Episode 12 features a wonderfully wholesome and heartwarming Christmas party with the whole cast. Later, a second Christmas is featured, which is more poignant and hopeful, brilliantly showing character growth.
Lawyer Kang Joo-eun (Shin Min-a) enlists a world-famous personal trainer, Kim Young-ho (So Ji-sub), to get her life and health back. What follows is a hilarious, uplifting, and adorable journey of healing, both inside and out.
Twenty-Five Twenty-One
This vibrant, nostalgic story about youth and new beginnings captures all the joy and excitement for the future in a pivotal New Year’s celebration scene.
This drama has one of the most memorable and uplifting New Year’s scenes. The main characters gather to watch the final seconds of 1999 tick down, celebrating the New Year 2000 with an explosion of pure joy, hope, and excitement for the future. It’s a breathtaking, cathartic scene that perfectly captures the feeling of a new era.
The story follows an ambitious teenage fencer (Kim Tae-ri) and a young man (Nam Joo-hyuk) whose family lost everything in the 1998 financial crisis. It’s a beautiful, character-driven masterpiece with a gorgeous soundtrack.
Crash Landing on You
What can one say about this drama? It’s the perfect holiday binge-watch if you want an epic, sweeping romance that sets a new standard—one that will make other dramas often feel inadequate by comparison.
The story is perfect for the holidays as much of the plot unfolds in a cozy, snowy North Korean village. It also features a memorable Christmas scene that perfectly balances the high-stakes thrills with heartwarming romance.
A South Korean heiress (Son Ye-jin) accidentally paraglides into North Korea and “crash lands” into the life of an elite army captain (Hyun Bin). The legendary chemistry between the leads (now married in real life!) is the soul of this flawless, heartfelt, and hilarious show.
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin)
Prepare some tissues. Get past some initial trouble about the age difference between the leads; they feel incompatible at first. Then, immerse yourself in this epic fantasy. At the end, the leads will justify their place. And the tissues? Well, let’s just say you should pack a few in advance.
This is the quintessential winter drama. While not strictly about a single holiday, its stellar cinematography is filled with breathtaking visuals of snow-covered landscapes, and the entire story perfectly captures the magical, melancholy, and hopeful feelings of the New Year.
A 900-year-old immortal “goblin” (Gong Yoo) searches for his human bride (Kim Go-eun) to end his curse. His life gets entangled with an amnesiac Grim Reaper (Lee Dong-wook), creating one of the most iconic bromances in drama history.
Lovestruck in the City
This modern, realistic, and stylish romance feels like a documentary and, while it might displease you at first, it is brimming with festive lights and that unmistakable holiday feeling.
The show’s premiere and core romantic storyline are steeped in the holiday season. The city is full of beautiful visuals of festive lights, and the mood is nostalgic and poignant.As far as K-dramas with Christmas go, this is one of the most immersive in the spirit.
Presented as a documentary, this short-form drama (about 30 minutes an episode) follows an architect (Ji Chang-wook) who can’t forget the free-spirited woman (Kim Ji-won) he fell in love with over a magical winter. The sizzling chemistry between the leads makes this an incredibly cozy and binge-worthy watch.
Your K-dramas with Christmas Watch List Is Ready
Whether you’re in the mood for a heartwarming New Year’s countdown or a pulse-pounding thriller with a snowy Christmas kiss, there’s a K-drama on this list to make your holiday season bright. The season might call for a familiar, unforgettable drama, or simply for the sheer happiness of sharing the same festive atmosphere as the show itself—creating absolute immersion. Seeing a Christmas tree on your television while you have one in your own living room will set the tone for the best holiday season ever.
Which of these K-dramas with Christmas is at the top of your holiday watch list? Did we miss one of your favorite Christmas or New Year’s scenes? Let us know in the comments below!
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