25+ Kdrama Similar To Sky Castle To Watch Now

25+ Kdramas Similar to Sky Castle to Fill Your Drama Void

Sky Castle is an intense rollercoaster ride through the world of the ultra-rich in South Korea. It delves into the world of lies, deceit, and cutthroat competition for wealth and status, all while highlighting the social pressures placed on children to succeed at any cost. If you loved the dark comedy, social satire, and the mysteries that Sky Castle presents, here are 25+ Kdramas that share similar themes, including intrigue, power struggles, revenge, and the manipulation of the elite.

26. Secret Boutique (2019)

Secret Boutique is a suspenseful drama centered around Jenny, a savvy businesswoman who owns a boutique that secretly connects her to the political and financial elite. Much like Sky Castle, the show delves into the world of powerful and ambitious women who manipulate their way through high society, using their influence to achieve their goals. Filled with secrets, greed, and revenge, Secret Boutique portrays a ruthless world where social status and power reign supreme. The show’s tense atmosphere, where betrayal and manipulation are constant, makes it a must-watch for fans of Sky Castle.

25. Heard it Through the Grapevine (2015)

Heard it Through the Grapevine combines satirical humor with dark comedy, offering a unique spin on the high-society drama genre, similar to Sky Castle. It follows the story of a prestigious family struggling to maintain their image when their son brings home his pregnant, lower-class girlfriend. The drama explores themes of reputation, family pressure, and the social dynamics of the wealthy, all while adding a humorous, yet dark, critique of societal expectations. Like Sky Castle, it highlights the lengths families will go to preserve their status, leading to conflicts and drama that keep viewers hooked.

24. Tempted (2018)

Tempted is a high-stakes, high-society drama set in a world of wealthy chaebol heirs. It is filled with deception, revenge, and romance, and is often compared to Cruel Intentions, but with a Korean twist. The plot revolves around rich, spoiled teenagers who plot and manipulate their way through relationships for fun and to win at life. Much like Sky Castle, it showcases toxic power struggles, family dynamics, and the lengths people will go to protect their wealth and status. The drama’s focus on manipulation, betrayal, and the moral decay of the elite makes it a perfect match for fans of Sky Castle.

23. Birthcare Centre (2020)

Birthcare Centre offers a fresh take on the themes of ambition and societal expectations, set against the backdrop of motherhood. The drama follows Oh Hyun-jin, a high-powered career woman who is forced to navigate the challenges of being a new mother while maintaining her ambitious professional life. The show portrays the pressure to succeed and conform to societal norms, especially within the context of high society, much like Sky Castle. While Birthcare Centre focuses more on the balance between career and family, it still shares the underlying themes of social status, personal ambition, and the expectations placed on women in a competitive, status-driven world.

22. Search WWW (2019)

Search WWW is a drama centered around three ambitious women working in the competitive tech industry. While it is lighter in tone than Sky Castle, it shares similar themes of ambition, power struggles, and the pressure to succeed. The main characters are highly career-driven, navigating corporate politics and personal relationships in a fast-paced, male-dominated world. Like Sky Castle, Search WWW examines the challenges that powerful women face as they fight to stay on top, with a focus on personal and professional rivalry. It’s a compelling watch for fans of women-centric dramas about overcoming societal barriers and achieving success in a competitive world.

21. Witch’s Court (2017)

Witch’s Court stars Ma Yi-deum, a tough and ambitious prosecutor who is willing to cross moral lines to win cases. Much like Sky Castle, the drama critiques the pressure and corruption in the legal world. It tackles sensitive topics, including sex crimes and victimization, while exploring Yi-deum’s relentless drive to succeed. Her complex character mirrors the morally ambiguous figures in Sky Castle, where individuals are willing to sacrifice their integrity to climb the societal ladder. The series also highlights the dark side of the justice system, exposing how power and status often shape legal outcomes.

20. Lie After Lie (2020)

Lie After Lie explores the themes of power, revenge, and manipulation, similar to Sky Castle. The story follows a mother who is wrongfully imprisoned for her husband’s murder and embarks on a journey to reunite with her daughter. The drama is full of twists and secrets, as it delves into the darker sides of the wealthy elite, exposing how far they will go to maintain their social standing. The protagonist’s determination to clear her name and reclaim her child while confronting the powerful forces that wronged her offers a compelling narrative filled with tension and moral conflicts akin to Sky Castle.

19. Black Dog: Being a Teacher (2019)

Black Dog highlights the intense pressures faced by students and teachers alike to succeed, a theme central to Sky Castle. The drama focuses on a temporary teacher, played by Seo Hyun, at a high school where corruption runs rampant and students are under immense pressure to attend prestigious universities. Like Sky Castle, it exposes the toxic dynamics of competition, the inequities within the education system, and the sacrifices that students and educators make in order to secure success. The show critiques the societal and educational expectations placed on young people, making it a poignant exploration of ambition and class struggles.

18. The Penthouse: War in Life (2020)

The Penthouse: War in Life is a thrilling drama that echoes the themes of rivalry, manipulation, and revenge seen in Sky Castle. The show follows the lives of residents in a luxurious penthouse complex, where the wealthy and powerful engage in constant scheming to maintain or elevate their social status. It dives into the lengths people will go to in order to protect their position, revealing a world where lying, betrayal, and deceit are commonplace. The drama’s focus on the fierce competition among the elite mirrors the cutthroat world portrayed in Sky Castle, where the characters’ obsession with social climbing leads to increasingly dangerous and dramatic confrontations.

17. The World of the Married (2020)

The World of the Married is a gripping drama about betrayal, revenge, and the complexities of marriage within the upper echelons of society. It centers around a successful doctor who is betrayed by her husband and embarks on a journey of revenge. The show exposes how far characters are willing to go to protect their reputations, both in their personal and professional lives. Similar to Sky Castle, it explores toxic relationships, societal pressures, and the desire to maintain a perfect image, even at the cost of personal integrity. The emotional and psychological battles between the characters make this a powerful examination of the lengths people will go to for power, revenge, and status.

16. Vagabond (2019)

Vagabond revolves around the world of corruption and power struggles within high-level political and business circles. While it does not entirely focus on the elite, it presents a world filled with intrigue, suspense, and dramatic plot twists that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The drama explores the impact of these powerful figures on ordinary lives and the lengths people will go to expose the truth. The tension and conspiracy present in Vagabond share thematic elements with Sky Castle, where corrupt individuals use their influence to manipulate and control those beneath them. The high-stakes nature of the show, involving national security and corporate espionage, echoes the cutthroat competition for power seen in Sky Castle.

15. My Mister (2018)

My Mister is a slice-of-life drama that delves into the pressures of societal expectations and personal sacrifice. It tells the story of a middle-aged man and a young woman, both struggling with their personal hardships, who form a deep emotional bond. Although it doesn’t focus on the wealthy elite like Sky Castle, it explores the themes of societal pressure, personal integrity, and resilience. The characters’ struggle to break free from societal norms and the pressures of life make it a compelling and heartfelt drama, offering a quieter, more introspective look at the consequences of societal expectations compared to the more intense competition of Sky Castle.

14. Mother (2018)

Mother tells the story of a teacher who takes a troubled child under her wing, seeking to protect her from an abusive home life. Like Sky Castle, it delves into the complexities of relationships within families, particularly the bond between mothers and children. The drama portrays the lengths one will go to protect a child from societal pressures, even when faced with personal sacrifice. Mother touches on themes of love, sacrifice, and the expectations placed on children, making it a poignant exploration of the emotional struggles children face in a world that prioritizes success and image, much like the children in Sky Castle.

13. Mister Sunshine (2018)

Mister Sunshine is a period drama set against the backdrop of Korea’s fight for independence, featuring powerful elites manipulating political landscapes for personal gain. While it is set in a different historical context, the drama shares similarities with Sky Castle in its portrayal of the influence and control of the elite. The show examines how wealthy families use their power to shape political events and maintain their status, echoing the manipulative tactics of the high society seen in Sky Castle. The drama’s rich historical context, combined with the struggles for power and control, makes it a compelling exploration of class and corruption in a more tumultuous time.

12. The Lady in Dignity (2017)

A dark tale that involves power, greed, and deception in high society, The Lady in Dignity is a psychological drama that explores the complex social lives of the ultra-wealthy. The show focuses on a woman named Park Ok-nim, a former housekeeper who marries into a wealthy family and gradually rises to the top of their social circle. As she navigates the high-pressure world of the elite, the drama reveals the dark secrets and hidden desires of those at the top. Much like Sky Castle, the characters in The Lady in Dignity will stop at nothing to maintain their image and control, engaging in deceit, manipulation, and corruption to protect their status. The struggle to maintain a flawless social image and family reputation is a central theme, making this a psychological exploration of power, greed, and social pressure.

11. Shady Mom-in-Law (2020)

In Shady Mom-in-Law, the drama revolves around the toxic dynamics of a high-class family. The story follows a woman who uncovers dark secrets about her mother-in-law and her family’s disturbing past. Themes of betrayal, manipulation, and revenge are central, and the toxic relationships depicted in the series closely mirror the cutthroat world of the elite in Sky Castle. The characters’ relentless desire to hold onto their power and status leads to moral corruption, as they resort to deceit and manipulation to cover up their secrets and protect their legacy. The intense family drama and emotional conflicts create a similar atmosphere to Sky Castle, where secrets and lies play a significant role in maintaining the upper class’s façade.

10. Private Lives (2020)

Private Lives centers around a group of con artists who expose the private lives of the powerful elite. The drama tackles issues like corruption, deception, and the extreme lengths people will go to in order to preserve their wealth and status. Like Sky Castle, the drama reveals how the elite manipulate others to maintain control and protect their secrets. The protagonists’ efforts to expose the dark underbelly of the powerful and corrupt make Private Lives a thrilling ride filled with suspense and tension. The deceitful actions and shady deals in the show mirror the kind of manipulation and secrecy that runs rampant in the upper echelons of society, as seen in Sky Castle.

9. Itaewon Class (2020)

Itaewon Class may focus on revenge, but it shares several thematic parallels with Sky Castle, especially the struggle against powerful and corrupt forces. The series follows Park Sae-ro-yi, a young man who seeks revenge on a powerful chaebol family that wronged him. As Sae-ro-yi fights against the system and the corporate giants controlling his life, he also grapples with his own moral code, maintaining integrity while taking down those who exploit the vulnerable. Itaewon Class explores themes of standing up against corruption, social injustices, and the abuse of power, similar to Sky Castle, where the elite will go to any lengths to maintain their wealth and status, even at the expense of others.

8. Stranger (2017)

Stranger is a crime thriller that pits a prosecutor, Hwang Si-mok, against a corrupt system. As he uncovers the dark side of the legal and political world, he faces power struggles that echo the intense deception and manipulation in Sky Castle. The drama’s central theme focuses on the fight for justice against a backdrop of corruption, where both sides of the battle are marked by secrets and lies. As Si-mok works to uncover the truth, he challenges the power dynamics of the elite class, making Stranger a thrilling exploration of moral conflict, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to in order to maintain their control.

7. City Hall (2009)

In City Hall, the drama delves into the politics of local government and the corruption that comes with it. Although it doesn’t focus entirely on the elite, the show examines how power struggles shape society. The protagonists, including the ambitious and idealistic Ma-ri, navigate the world of politics, where manipulation, betrayal, and corruption are common tools used to climb the ranks. City Hall explores the societal systems that allow the elite to retain power, making it a compelling watch for fans of Sky Castle who enjoy dramas centered around the complexities of power, manipulation, and political maneuvering. The struggle for influence and control in City Hall mirrors the battles fought by the wealthy families in Sky Castle, who will go to great lengths to ensure their dominance.

6. The K2 (2016)

Set against the backdrop of South Korean politics and corporate intrigue, The K2 tells the story of Kim Je-ha (played by Ji Chang-wook), a former mercenary who becomes a bodyguard for a chaebol family. As he becomes embroiled in a fierce political power struggle, he uncovers dangerous secrets about the elite. The drama focuses heavily on revenge and betrayal as Je-ha uncovers the twisted, manipulative world of the ultra-wealthy. Much like Sky Castle, it presents a cutthroat environment where family loyalty, power, and status are more important than anything else. Characters are driven by ambition, and they will stop at nothing, including using others as pawns, to maintain control.

5. Kingdom (2019)

While set in the Joseon Dynasty, Kingdom mirrors the themes of corruption, manipulation, and betrayal found in Sky Castle. The story follows a crown prince, Lee Chang, who discovers a terrifying epidemic turning people into zombies, which is later revealed to be a political plot orchestrated by powerful elites. The show explores the ruthless lengths to which the aristocracy will go to preserve their control over the throne, much like the cutthroat world in Sky Castle. The elite class in Kingdom is embroiled in fierce struggles for power, often using underhanded tactics and leaving human lives as collateral damage, paralleling the manipulative actions seen in Sky Castle.

4. The Secret (2013)

A melodrama about a wealthy family’s lies, secrets, and revenge, The Secret revolves around a woman named So-jung, who becomes entangled in a tragic event leading to the death of her daughter. The family’s carefully concealed dark past begins to unravel as the quest for revenge takes center stage. Like Sky Castle, the characters in The Secret engage in morally questionable actions, using manipulation, deceit, and even betrayal to secure their desired outcomes. The drama is filled with suspense, intense emotional conflict, and characters who will go to any lengths to maintain their family’s reputation.

3. The Emperor: Owner of the Mask (2017)

Set in the Joseon Dynasty, this historical drama centers around Prince Lee Sun, who must battle both political adversaries and the secretive power of an underground organization that controls the country’s water supply. The fierce competition for power and status mirrors the cutthroat world depicted in Sky Castle. The drama is built on themes of corruption, manipulation, and the desire for control, where the royal family and the elite class are willing to exploit anyone and anything, even at the cost of their morals, to secure their rule.

2. The Bride of Habaek (2017)

Though The Bride of Habaek is a fantasy drama, it shares Sky Castle‘s focus on the manipulation, power, and rivalry among the elite. The drama follows a water god, Habaek, who comes to the human world to seek a powerful artifact. His journey involves dealing with a woman named So-ah, who is entangled in the battle for control between the gods. The gods, much like the powerful families in Sky Castle, engage in manipulative schemes to maintain their status and legacy. The drama delves into the consequences of their actions and the lives they ruin along the way to power, making it a dark exploration of ambition and betrayal.

1. The Heirs (2013)

The Heirs is one of the most popular Kdramas about the rich and powerful, showcasing the lives of the children of Korea’s wealthiest families. The heirs to vast fortunes must navigate a world of manipulation, rivalry, and power struggles. The drama centers on Kim Tan, a chaebol heir, and his complicated relationships with his friends, family, and love interest. Like Sky Castle, The Heirs explores the pressure that comes with being a member of the elite class, where the expectation to maintain status is overwhelming, and manipulation is often used to get ahead. The rivalry between characters, family secrets, and the battle for succession echo the darker themes of wealth and power seen in Sky Castle.