In the vast landscape of K-Drama, epic romances and thrilling rivalries often take center stage. Yet, some of the most resonant, comforting, and deeply beloved stories are those that focus on a different kind of love story: the profound, life-sustaining bond of friendship. The Slice of Life genre, in particular, has perfected the art of portraying “squads”—groups of friends who form their own chosen families, navigating the mundane and momentous chapters of life together. These dramas celebrate the quiet, unwavering support, the shared history, and the effortless camaraderie that define our most cherished friendships. For viewers in 2025, who often navigate a world that feels increasingly disconnected, these stories are a powerful and heartwarming reminder of the irreplaceable value of having a “squad.” This is a curated list of seven K-dramas that best exemplify the beauty and power of a great friendship group.
Why Do Friendship-Centric Dramas Resonate So Deeply?
While romantic love is a powerful narrative driver, the depiction of a strong friendship group taps into a different, yet equally universal, human need: the need for belonging. These stories offer a unique kind of emotional catharsis and comfort.
The Comfort of a Chosen Family
For many, friends are the family we choose. Slice of Life dramas that focus on “squads” validate this experience. They showcase relationships that are built not on obligation, but on mutual respect, shared experiences, and a deliberate choice to show up for one another. In a world where traditional family structures are evolving, the “found family” trope is both aspirational and deeply comforting. It provides a blueprint for a support system built on unconditional acceptance.
Relatability Beyond Romance
While not everyone may be in a romantic relationship, almost everyone has experienced the joy and importance of friendship. These dramas are incredibly relatable because they capture the small, authentic moments that define these bonds: the late-night talks, the inside jokes, the comfortable silences, and the unwavering support during tough times. The conflicts are often low-stakes and relatable—a silly argument, a misunderstanding, or the bittersweet pang of seeing a friend move on to a new stage of life. This realism makes the relationships on screen feel earned and true.
The Ultimate List of K-Drama Friendship Squads
Here are seven dramas that have masterfully captured the magic of a great friendship group, each offering a unique and heartwarming portrayal of what it means to have a squad.
The Nostalgic Neighborhood Squad: Reply 1988
- The Squad: The “Ssangmun-dong Five”—Sung Deok-sun, Choi Taek, Kim Jung-hwan, Sung Sun-woo, and Ryu Dong-ryong.
- Why It’s a Top Squad: This is, for many, the gold standard of K-drama friendship groups. The five leads have been friends since they were children, and their bond is the beating heart of the entire series. Their friendship is a beautifully realistic tapestry of bickering, fierce loyalty, and shared history. The drama excels at showing, not just telling, the depth of their connection. It is in the way they seamlessly wander in and out of each other’s homes, the way they share food without asking, and the way they instinctively know when one of them is hurting. Their story is a powerful, nostalgic ode to the friendships that shape us.
The Professional Power Squad: Hospital Playlist
- The Squad: The “99ers”—five brilliant surgeons, Lee Ik-jun, Ahn Jeong-won, Kim Jun-wan, Yang Seok-hyeong, and Chae Song-hwa, who have been best friends for twenty years.
- Why It’s a Top Squad: This drama presents an aspirational vision of adult friendship. The 99ers are not just friends; they are colleagues at the top of their field who share a deep mutual respect. Their bond is their sanctuary from the high-stakes pressure of their jobs. The series is celebrated for its incredibly realistic and witty dialogue, and for portraying a platonic male-female friendship (between the four men and Chae Song-hwa) with a refreshing lack of unnecessary romantic tension. Their weekly band practice is a perfect metaphor for their relationship: a dedicated time to set aside their stressful lives and create something joyful together.
The “Fighting for Our Dreams” Squad: Fight for My Way
- The Squad: The “Crazy Fantastic Four”—Ko Dong-man, Choi Ae-ra, Kim Joo-man, and Baek Seol-hee.
- Why It’s a Top Squad: This squad represents the friendships that carry you through your uncertain twenties. The four characters are all underdogs, struggling with dead-end jobs and seemingly unattainable dreams. Their friendship is their lifeline. They are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and harshest truth-tellers. The drama perfectly captures the dynamic of friends who have known each other for so long that they are practically family, able to comfort each other with a shared meal of convenience store ramen or a tough-love reality check. Their bond feels raw, real, and incredibly endearing.
The “Surviving Our Thirties” Squad: Be Melodramatic
- The Squad: A trio of thirty-year-old women, Im Jin-joo, Lee Eun-jung, and Hwang Han-joo, who end up living together after one of them experiences a profound loss.
- Why It’s a Top Squad: Be Melodramatic is a witty, meta, and refreshingly honest portrayal of female friendship in adulthood. The three leads are all navigating the messy realities of their careers, love lives, and personal grief. Their home is their safe space, a place for unfiltered conversations, late-night beer-fueled therapy sessions, and unconditional support. The drama’s dialogue is its standout feature—it is smart, hilarious, and captures the specific cadence of how close female friends actually talk to each other.
The Small-Town Ensemble Squad: Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
- The Squad: The entire quirky, gossipy, and big-hearted ensemble of residents in the seaside village of Gongjin.
- Why It’s a Top Squad: While the central romance is the main plot, the true soul of this drama is its celebration of community. The “squad” is the entire town. It is the three gossipy “grandmas” who act as the town’s information network, the former-singer-turned-cafe-owner, the hardware store owner, and the other residents who slowly but surely welcome the cynical city-dentist into their fold. This drama shows that a friendship squad does not have to be limited to people of the same age; it can be an entire intergenerational community.
The College Years Squad: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo
- The Squad: Kim Bok-joo and her two best friends and fellow weightlifters, Jung Nan-hee and Lee Seon-ok. The “Swag Squad.”
- Why It’s a Top Squad: This drama perfectly captures the chaotic, supportive, and often hilarious energy of college friendships. Bok-joo and her friends are fiercely loyal, constantly shouting “Swag!” in unison to hype each other up. They share everything, from their worries about their athletic careers to their first crushes. Their friendship provides the emotional backbone of the story, a constant source of laughter and support that feels incredibly authentic to the university experience.
The Office Underdogs Squad: Misaeng: Incomplete Life
- The Squad: The four rookie interns at One International, Jang Geu-rae, An Young-yi, Jang Baek-gi, and Han Seok-yul.
- Why It’s a Top Squad: This is not your typical heartwarming friendship group. Theirs is a bond forged in the crucible of corporate Korea. They start as rivals, all competing for a coveted permanent position, but through their shared struggles and quiet acts of support, they form an unlikely but powerful alliance. Their friendship is a testament to the idea that sometimes, the most meaningful connections are formed with the people who understand the unique pressures of your environment. It is a quiet, understated, and incredibly realistic portrayal of workplace solidarity.
These dramas remind us that while romantic love can be a beautiful adventure, the steady, unwavering presence of a good friendship squad is the anchor that gets us through the journey of life.