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Are you a K-drama or a K-pop enthusiast who loves to consume all the interesting stories that comes out of South Korea? Maybe you are also someone who craves that specific K-flavor in your anime watchlist! If that is the case, then you’re in the right place!
We have prepared a list of the top 12 Korean anime, also known as Aeni — a term used for animation -, compiling some of the best underrated and popular shows into one listicle.
From zombie thrillers to wholesome romance, I have handpicked the best titles that you might come to love! So, without any further ado, let’s get started!
12. Lost in Starlight:
Studio: Climax Studio & Netflix Animation
Let’s begin our listicle with the wholesomeness of young romance.
Lost in Starlight is a mesmerizing sci-fi romance movie that follows the journey of Nan-young, an aspiring astronaut bound for a Mars mission. On the other side, our male protagonist, Jay, is a musician with dreams of his own.
The story is set in a near-future world, Seoul in 2050. As Nan-young prepares to travel to Mars, Jay lives alone, waiting for her.
Their love is tested not only by distance but also by space and time. It’s a wonderful premise that cannot truly be wrapped into words.
So, do check this one out if you want to watch something genuinely heartwarming with a touch of emotion.
11. DOTA: Dragon’s Blood:
Studio: Mir (produced in collaboration with Kaiju Boulevard).
DOTA: Dragon’s Blood is an epic fantasy series based on the hugely popular video game Dota 2.The story revolves around Davion, a dedicated Dragon Knight who hunts dragons to protect the world from their chaos.
However, everything changes when he encounters an ancient dragon named Slyrak. Davion becomes bound to its power and is forced into major conflicts far beyond his control.
As the story progresses, more characters are introduced, joining Davion on his journey.
His ultimate mission is to defeat the fearsome demon Terrorblade, who seeks to harvest the souls of all dragons to fulfill his sinister goals, something you can only fully understand by watching the series!
10. Kai: Geoul Hosu-ui Jeonseol (Kai: The Legend of Mirror Lake):
Studio: Meditation With a Pencil
Kai: Geoul Hosu-ui Jeonseol, also known as Kai: The Legend of Mirror Lake, is a truly beautiful and whimsical movie that carries a storytelling charm often seen in Ghibli movies.
The story follows our brave protagonist, Kai, a young warrior who lives in a peaceful village protected by the magical Mirror Lake. However, this peaceful life is soon threatened by dark forces that cause widespread chaos.
Unable to stand by and watch in silence, Kai sets out on a journey to uncover the lake’s secrets and battle enemies born from fear, greed, and ambition.
His mission is filled with countless obstacles, including a confrontation with the Snow Queen herself. Yet, his never-give-up attitude helps him overcome every challenge and emerge victorious.
The movie perfectly blends Korean folklore with classic fantasy adventure, making it a perfect winter watch, best enjoyed with a warm cup of cocoa!
9. Beauty Water:
Studio: Animal, LICO
If you were given two choices, to become extremely beautiful or to live a peaceful life, which one would you pick?
This title explores this very question, revealing the dark side of society’s obsession with attractiveness and how, in the pursuit of beauty, people often lose something truly precious.
Beauty Water follows the life of Yae-ji, an aspiring streamer who feels deeply insecure about her appearance.
One day, she discovers a mysterious cosmetic product called Beauty Water, which allows her to reshape her face and body into anything she desires.
As she gains popularity and confidence, her obsession with being beautiful begins to spiral into something much more unsatiable. This movie is absolutely worth watching if you’re open to stories that explore the darker side of society and show how deeply it can impact a person’s life.
8. Seoul Station:
Studio: Dadashow
Are you a fan of the zombie apocalypse? Or in the mood to watch some horror? Then this one might fit the bill.
Seoul Station is a Korean animated horror movie set before the events of Train to Busan. The story begins when a dying homeless man suddenly turns into a zombie. Soon, this horrifying transformation spreads through the streets like wildfire. We are also introduced to a young woman named Hae-sun, along with her boyfriend and her father, as they desperately search for safety.
However, the government locks down the area, trapping survivors in one place to prevent the infection from spreading to other cities.
This decision leads to intense conflict and chaos as the infected multiply at a rapid pace. Now, the only thing left for the uninfected is to run for their lives and fight as hard as they can to survive this deadly zombie menace.
7. The King of Pigs:
Studio: Dadashow
The King of Pigs might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re a fan of Lookism and want to try something similar with an intense storyline, this might be the show for you.
The story revolves around two characters, Kyung-min and Jong-suk, who reunite after 15 years. However, their reunion is far from pleasant, as they return to their middle school, a place where they were bullied for years.
At school, they were part of a powerless group called the “pigs.”They were not only bullied but also brutally tormented by a privileged group known as the “dogs.”
As the story unfolds, we get to know the secrets that Kyung-min has been hiding as we also see what happened to the third person in their group – Kim Chul – who was known as the King of Pigs.
6. The Fake:
Studio: Dadashow
Warning: If you’re someone who cannot handle dark-themed shows, it’s best to avoid this one.
This anime is deeply rooted in themes of human greed, blind faith, and moral decay. It doesn’t shy away from addressing subjects that are difficult to analyze and even harder to confront in real life.
Notably, this is a story with no heroes riding in to save the village. It strikes close to reality and forces you to reflect on just how destructive human greed can be.
The story is set in a rural village facing displacement as a newly constructed dam threatens to flood their homes.
Fearing the loss of their homes and uncertain about the future, the villagers place their complete trust in church elders who promise salvation and happiness.
In reality, however, these so-called saviors are merely exploiting innocent villagers and robbing them of their money.
A mysterious gentleman tries his best to expose their greedy intentions, but no one believes him. Corruption, blind faith, and betrayal slowly consume the minds and souls of the villagers.
5. Blade of the Phantom Master (Shin Angyo Onshi):
Studio: DR Movie
Want to indulge yourself in a dark political realm? A hero who fights to put an end to these atrocities? Then this might be your jam!
The story begins in a war-torn land where Munsu, a Phantom Master tasked with restoring justice, travels through fallen kingdoms while confronting corruption, suffering, and his own troubled past.
As the story progresses, he encounters both allies and enemies who challenge his sense of right and wrong, revealing that justice often comes with a heavy price to pay.
The plot may feel a bit repetitive at times, but once you watch the movie, you’ll truly feel the rage of justice and gain a deeper understanding of its world. So, definitely don’t skip this one, it might surprise you in the best way possible.
Interestingly, this is adapted from a comic written by Youn In-wan and illustrated by Yang Kyung-il, which was published both as a manga (by Shogakukan) and also as a Manhwa (in Young Champ). In 2017, a webtoon version of the story debuted on Naver.
4. Hyperventilation:
Studio: ABJ COMPANY
This Korean BL animation touches on some serious issues, yet presents them through a beautifully narrated story that captures the quiet ache of unresolved feelings. This aeni is adapted from a manhwa of the same name by Bboong Bbang Kkyu.
The story follows Lee Myeongyi, who has suffered from a collapsed lung since childhood. Because of his illness, he has often been treated like an outcast.
The only person who ever treated him with genuine kindness was the class president, Han Seonho, who quietly became Myeongyi’s first crush.
Years later, their paths cross again at a high school reunion. Although they feel unable to reconnect the way they once did, destiny has other plans, and their lingering emotions slowly develop into something truly special.
3. Ghost Messenger:
Studio: ANIMAL
If you’re into ghosts and afterlife phenomena, similar to Death Note but set in a different time with cool animation, then this might be your jam.
The show beautifully portrays what happens when the worlds of the living and the dead collide, and how a single connection can change everything.
The story follows Kang Lim, a super-patient and duty-bound Ghost Messenger whose sole responsibility is to guide lost spirits to the afterlife. Pretty simple, right?
However, things take an unexpected turn when he meets Little Kang, a curious young boy who accidentally becomes linked to his device, causing their paths to collide in ways neither of them anticipated.
What begins as a straightforward mission quickly evolves into something far more wholesome and meaningful, bringing them closer as the story unfolds.
Although the show may appear to be an action-packed shounen anime on the surface, it focuses more deeply on emotions, such as the loneliness of wandering souls, the fear of being forgotten by loved ones, and the warmth that comes from finally being understood.
It’s an emotional rollercoaster, and if you’re ready for the ride, be sure to add it to your watchlist!
2. There She Is!!
Studio: SamBakZa Animation
A fan of Beastars? Even if you’re not, this one is sure to make your heart smile with joy. It’s a beautiful love story between Doki, a cheerful bunny, and Nabi, a quiet cat, living in a world where their relationship is forbidden.
The show is packed with emotion and features mesmerizing animation, all delivered through completely dialogue-free storytelling.
But don’t assume that a series without spoken conversations will feel underwhelming, this one speaks directly to the heart.
Just give it a chance and witness the magic of this short and sweet Korean animation that truly works wonders.
1. Lookism:
Studio: Mir, DR Movie
This might be one of the most popular Korean anime on our list so far, and it’s our number one recommendation if you’re just starting your journey into Korean animation.
The best part is that if you’re a fan of webtoons, this series is fully adapted from one. Even if you’re not into webtoons, that’s completely fine, as the anime adaptation does full justice to the original story.
With the support of renowned studios like Studio Mir and DR Movie, it stands as one of the finest shows you can watch.
The story begins with Daniel Park, a boy who has spent his entire life being bullied because of his appearance.
Everything takes a drastic turn when, one day, he wakes up with a second body, completely opposite to his original one: handsome, strong, and admired by everyone.
Overnight, his world changes, but the weight and guilt in his heart remain the same. His journey offers a powerful narrative about how people judge others based on looks and social status, and how difficult it is to survive in a world filled with constant judgment.
The show tackles many heavy themes, including severe bullying, stalking, and more. So, proceed with caution before starting, as it may be triggering for some viewers.
Final Thoughts:
We’ve finally come to the end of our long Korean anime listicle, and we hope you enjoyed reading it, and will enjoy watching these titles even more.
Do let us know if you’ve watched any of them, or if we missed out on any amazing titles. We’re always on the lookout to review new releases.
So, until next time, happy watching!
