Often shrouded in an aura of intrigue and opulence, chaebols are situated at the top of South Korea's societal pyramid. K-dramas offer us a slight glimpse into their daily lives, portraying characters who suit up as CEOs and retreat home to the most grandiose mansions. Stories usually portray how they gain a fresh perspective on life after encountering someone from the other side of society. More often than not, a little romance is sprinkled in for good measure.
Though, what is a chaebol in the first place?
The term "chaebol" is a portmanteau of "chae," which means wealth, and "bol," which means clan or faction. In essence, these are large conglomerates, usually in the fields of electronics, finance, and retail, that are solely owned and operated by one family. Modern-day examples would be the groups behind Samsung, Hyundai, and LG.
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Chaebols play a huge role in making South Korea a global powerhouse, given their large market shares and contributions to economic growth. Leadership of a chaebol group is typically treated like a family heirloom, which is why people born into these clans are perceived to have silver spoons in their mouths.
If you enjoy getting a glimpse into the world of chaebols, we listed down some K-drama titles (as fictional as they may be) that depict these affluent folk. Check them out below:
10 K-Dramas That Feature Chaebols
1. Boys Over Flowers (2009)
Watch on: Viki, iQiyi, weTV
Gu Jun-pyo rules the ultra-exclusive Shinhwa High School as the leader of the "F4". A clique composed of popular kids, no one dares get in the F4's way—that is, until Geum Jan-di steps in and calls out their bad boy behavior. They continually butt heads in the hallways, but the commoner's daughter manages to charm her way into not one, but two of the quartet's hearts.
Starring: Koo Hye Sun, Lee Min Ho, Kim Bum, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Joon
2. The Heirs (2013)
Watch on: Viki, weTV
In another tale of opposites attract, Jeguk Group heir Kim Tan develops feelings for Cha Eun-sang, the daughter of her family's househelper. His former best friend Choi Young-do pokes fun at his little crush, but unexpectedly starts to fall for Eun-sang too. Kim is then left with the difficult choice of pursuing either the family business or love.
Starring: Lee Min Ho, Park Shin Hye, Kim Woo Bin
3. Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (2017)
Watch on: Netflix, Viki, Viu, iQiyi
Coming from a lineage of women born with superhuman strength, Do Bong-soon finds a job as a bodyguard for gaming company CEO Ahn Min-hyuk. As a kidnapper causes havoc in their district, Min-hyuk helps Bong-soon control her abilities for good and eventually forms a bond with her.
Starring: Park Bo Young, Ji Soo, Park Hyung Sik
4. What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018)
Watch on: Netflix, Viki, Viu
After working for Yumyung Group head Lee Young-joon for nine years, Kim Mi-so suddenly files for resignation. Not wanting to lose his loyal secretary, Young-joon does everything he can to keep her at her post. After Mi-so opens up about her childhood, the two soon discover how intertwined their lives actually are.
Starring: Park Seo Joon, Park Min Young
5. Crash Landing On You (2019)
Watch on: Netflix
After a paragliding rides goes haywire, Queen's Group heiress Yoon Se-ri finds herself in the treacherous fields of North Korea. There, she meets army officer Ri Jeong-hyeok, who, despite the risks, decides to protect her from harm. Even with their different backgrounds, the two begin a relationship as star-crossed lovers.
Starring: Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin
6. Dali and the Cocky Prince (2021)
Watch on: Viki, Viu
In a case of mistaken identity, art researcher Kim Dali runs into Dondon F&B director and restauranter Jin Moo-hak while overseas. Back home in Korea, it turns out that Moo-hak is a big investor in the museum that Dali inherits from her father. Instead of collecting debts, Moo-hak seeks to help Dali bring back the glory of the run-down arts space.
Starring: Kim Min Jae, Park Gyu Young, Kwon Yul, Hwang Hee, Yeonwoo
7. Business Proposal (2022)
Watch on: Netflix
In an effort to escape his grandfather's plans of arranged marriage, Go Food CEO Kang Tae-moo hires his employee Shin Ha-ri to be his fake fiance. As genuine feelings arise, Ha-ri grows insecure of their vastly different lifestyles, while Tae-moo struggles to fully heal from unresolved traumas.
Starring: Ahn Hyo Seop, Kim Sejeong, Kim Min Kyu, Seol In Ah
8. Reborn Rich (2023)
Watch on: Viu
Yoon Hyun-woo has swore utmost loyalty to the family behind the Soonyang Group. Though, in a scheme to cover up tax evasion allegations, he's murdered by the very people he worked for. However, he then finds himself reincarnated as Jin Do-jun, the youngest grandson and eventual heir of the same conglomerate. He then hatches a plan to take down the company from the inside-out.
Starring: Song Joong Ki, Shin Hyun Been
9. King the Land (2023)
Watch on: Netflix
Gu Won is thrown into an intense inheritance war for the The King Group, a company known for their luxury hotels. He gets assigned to oversee operations at one of their properties, which was being led by the optimistic Cheon Sa-rang. As they work together, the hotelier's perpetual smile effectively thaws Gu Won's icy facade.
Starring: Lee Jun Ho, YoonA
10. See You in My 19th Life (2023)
Watch on: Netflix
Ban Ji-eum is stuck in an endless cycle of repeating her life through reincarnation. After a sudden accident, she seeks to find a boy who caught her eye in her 18th iteration. He turns out to be Moon Seo-ha, the executive director of MI Hotel and her boss.
Starring: Shin Hye Sun, Ahn Bo Hyun
11. Young Lady and Gentleman (2021)
Watch on: Netflix, Viu, Viki
The corporate chairman of FT Group, Ji Hyun-woo faces a turbulent period in his life when he loses his wife. With three children to look after, he enlists the help of Dan-dan, a live-in tutor who tries to make ends meet. An unlikely romance blossoms despite their age gaps and vastly different lifestyles.
Starring: Ji Hyun Woo, Lee Sa Hee
12. Love In Contract (xxx)
Watch on: Prime Video
Choi Sang-eun has found herself on a peculiar career path: She's a one-of-a-kind "single life helper," who, for a price, serves as a spouse for people who are in need of a date. Two of her most loyal clients are Ji-ho, a businessman who has her on call on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and Hae-jin, a chaebol heir who has her booked on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Starring: Park Min Young, Go Kyung Pyo, Kim Jae Young
13. Marry My Husband (2023)
Watch on: Prime Video
Granted a second lease of life, Kang Ji-won does all she can to ensure that she doesn't face the same demise she had in her first life. This entails meticulously trying to get her best friend to marry her husband in place of her.
Starring: Park Min Young, Na In Woo, Lee Yi Kyung, Song Ha Yoon
14. My Demon (2023)
Watch on: Netflix
Do Do-hee, an heiress of a conglomerate, and Jeong Gu-won, a 200-year-old demon, make a simple deal: They are to be wed to one another in an effort to keep Gu-won from losing all of his powers. Their agreement takes a turn when romantic feelings (and supernatural forces) begin to get in the way.
Also starring: Kim Yoo Jung, Lee Sang Yi
15. Queen of Tears (2024)
Watch on: Netflix
Hong Hae-In, the daughter of Queens Group's owners, is nicknamed the "Arrogant Queen" at Queens Department Store. Her marriage to Baek Hyun-Woo, the legal director, faces a serious crisis. Despite her affluent upbringing, Hae-In grapples with marital struggles and familial expectations, navigating a love amid corporate pressures and personal conflicts.
Also starring: Kim Soo Hyun, Park Sung Hoon, Kwak Dong Yeon, Lee Joo Bin
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