Summary
Romance is a staple feature of manyK-dramas, but some shows take their romances to the next level. From sweet tales of first love to devastating stories of loss,thebest K-drama romancesare hard to forget.These different relationships feel timeless in their approach to something as complicated as love, giving each series an enticing new hook that makes them stand out in a genre full of similarities.
While not every K-drama features a romantic subplot, many include at least some form of romance. These stories are portrayed with sincerity, sweeping audiences away with tales from the modern day to those rooted far in the past. However, K-dramas that give room for these love stories to grow hold a special place in the hearts of keen romance fans. Althoughnot every K-drama romance keeps the same tone, with some valuing comedy rather than tragedy, all of them deliver love stories that help to make them some of thebest K-dramas of all time.
10 K-Drama Couples Who Shouldn’t Have Ended Up Together
K-dramas are known for their romances with happy endings. However, just because a couple ended up together doesn’t mean that they should have.
Because This Is My First Life
Cast
Because This Is My First Life is a South Korean television series that follows Nam Se-hee, a single man focused on repaying his mortgage, and Yoon Ji-ho, a homeless woman, as they enter a marriage of convenience that slowly evolves into genuine affection and understanding.
Because This Is My First Lifeviews a popular K-drama trope from a different perspective, resulting in a quiet yet affectionate love story. The show follows Yoon Ji-ho (Jung So-min) and Nam Se-hee (Lee Min-ki) as they enter into a marriage of convenience, but soon discover their relationship developing into something more real.
Because This Is My First Lifeis a much slower and quieter K-drama than most,giving its introverted leading couple time to navigate their emotions at their own pace. This is the series' biggest strength and makes it incredibly endearing.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo
Inspired by the life of an Olympic weightlifting champion, this series follows the coming-of-age story of Kim Bok-joo, a young athlete discovering her path in weightlifting and love. As she pursues her dreams, she struggles with the everyday trials of sports training and young love.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joois a classic romantic comedy with a lot of heart. Thecollege romance K-dramafocuses primarily on weightlifting prodigy Kim Bok-joo (Lee Sung-kyung) and swimming athlete Jung Joon-hyung (Nam Joo-hyuk), who are both students at Haneul Sports University.
Bok-joo and Joon-hyung’s love story is refreshingly sweetas the two former classmates navigate the highs and lows of sport alongside one another. AlthoughWeightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joodoesn’t have the emotional depth as some of the other K-dramas on this list, it is a great lighthearted tale of first love that’s a joy to watch.
When it comes tooffice romances,What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?is a standout hit.Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young’s portrayal of Lee Young-joon and Kim Mi-so’s relationship is hysterical, particularly as Young-joon tries to fathom why Mi-so wants to quit her job.
Many of Mi-so and Young-joon’s most intimate scenes are full of passion, something that countless other K-dramas have failed to replicate.
However,What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?is at its best when it embraces its identity as asteamy K-drama. Many of Mi-so and Young-joon’s most intimate scenes are full of passion, something that countless other K-dramas have failed to replicate. As a result,What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?’smain romance is very memorable.
Guardian: The Lonely And Great God
Guardian: The Lonely And Great God is a 2016 South Korean television series following the lives of a modern-day goblin and his human bride. Portrayed by Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun, the show delves into themes of immortality and destiny as the goblin seeks to end his eternal existence. The series blends romance, fantasy, and drama, winning acclaim for its unique storyline and strong performances.
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,otherwise known asGoblin, is well-known for the varied and deep connections its characters have. However, romance is where the K-drama excels.The dark clouds looming over Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun) and Kim Shin’s (Gong Yoo) fated relationship giveGoblinan eerily and intense depthwhile also allowing for great comedic moments to blossom.
Alongside this, the second lead couple’s entirely different dynamic adds another mystical element to thefantasy K-drama. As a result,Goblinremains an outstanding series, as its breathtaking approach to romance leaves an impression that will certainly last.
Descendants of the Sun
This drama series follows the romance between a dedicated soldier and a talented surgeon, whose differing worldviews test their relationship. Amidst challenging circumstances and life-threatening situations, they navigate the complexities of love, duty, and the unpredictable nature of fate.
Like many K-dramas on this list,Descendants of the Sunis well known for its romantic storylines. The series’ setting in an overseas military camp gives the main love story a fiery intensity that sees Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) and Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo)’s relationship go from 0 to 100.
Though the leading couple’s romance is thrilling, the second lead couple’s tale of forbidden love is just as enthralling. The combination of two love stories is not uncommon in K-dramas, butDescendants of the Sunexecutes both so well that revisiting this series is a must for romance fans.
Song Joong-ki’s Queen of Tears Cameo Makes Me Want To Watch This 8-Year-Old K-Drama Classic Again
Song Joong-ki’s Queen of Tears cameo is a reference to one of his most recent shows but it makes me want to watch this K-drama classic even more.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is a South Korean drama series following Moon Gang-tae, a caretaker in a psychiatric hospital, and Ko Moon-young, a children’s book author with antisocial personality disorder. As their lives intertwine, they embark on a journey of emotional healing while grappling with their traumatic pasts. The show explores themes of mental health, relationships, and personal growth.
Romance may not be the main focus ofIt’s Okay To Not Be Okay, but it plays a significant part in the healing process of its two leading characters, Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun) and Ko Moon-young (Seo Yea-ji). Throughout the K-drama, Gang-tae and Moon-young become increasingly drawn to one another as they support each other in processing their past traumas.
Kim Soo-hyun and Seo Yea-ji’s on-screen chemistry is magnificentas they allow room for their character’s relationship to develop naturally. This makes the eventual ignition of their romance one of the best parts ofIt’s Okay To Not Be Okay.
Strong Girl Bong-Soon
Strong Girl Bong-Soon is a South Korean television series released in 2017, starring Park Bo-young as Bong-soon, a woman born with superhuman strength. She navigates the challenges of concealing her powers while working as a bodyguard for a CEO, played by Park Hyung-sik. The series delves into themes of justice, romance, and self-discovery, creating a compelling narrative that balances humor and action.
Strong Girl Bong-soon’s twist on gender roles adds more dimension to Do Bong-soon (Park Bo-young) and Ahn Min-hyuk’s (Park Hyung-sik) relationship.
Park Bo-young and Park Hyung-sik’s dynamic inStrong Girl Bong-soonis one-of-a-kind. The duo perfectly balance each other’s chaotic energy and anchor the series through their character’s unique relationship as boss and bodyguard.Strong Girl Bong-soon’s twist on gender roles adds more dimension to Do Bong-soon (Park Bo-young) and Ahn Min-hyuk’s (Park Hyung-sik) relationship that allows it to thrive in contrast to other office romance K-dramas.
Although comedy is the actors’ main strength,Park Bo-young and Park Hyung-sik infuse Bong-soon and Min-hyuk’s quiet and tender moments with something magicalthat makes this comic-style romance intensely enjoyable from start to finish.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
After a total solar eclipse, a 21st-century woman is transported back to the Goryeo Dynasty. Trapped in the past, she finds herself stuck in the center of attention of the royal princes, struggling for power - and her heart. As she continues to spend time with the princes, she must now carefully wade through their feelings, knowing the looming fates that history holds for them.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeobreathtakingly mixes comedy and tragedy to deliver a story about a woman who suddenly finds her traveling back to the heart of the Goryeo Dynasty after falling into a lake. Hae Soo’s (IU) efforts to warm the heart of undesirable prince Wang So (Lee Joong-ki) are incredible to watch, particularly as the political contexts of thehistorical K-dramaheighten tensions between the all-star cast.IU and Lee Joong-ki execute this heartbreaking love story to perfection, delivering a romance that has been hard to match since its release in 2016.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeois the Korean adaptation of the Chinese series,Scarlet Heart(2011), which is based on the book “Startling Each Step” by Tong Hua.
Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Twenty-Five Twenty-One is a South Korean television series directed by Jung Ji-hyun. Set amidst the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the series follows the lives of a fencer and a reporter as they navigate love and ambition. Starring Kim Tae-ri and Nam Joo-hyuk, the show delves into themes of resilience and growth as the characters strive to achieve their dreams in a time of uncertainty.
Based on the song “Twenty-Five Twenty-One” by the Korean band Jaurim,Twenty-Five Twenty-Onedepicts a coming-of-age romance between promising fencer Na Hee-do (Kim Tae-ri) and journalist Baek Yi-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk). The nostalgic elements of the story’s 90s backdrop make it truly memorable as a tale of first love.
Hee-do and Yi-jin’s relationship develops over several years, giving it room to breathe as they grow as individuals and professionals. Although the K-drama’s ending may not be satisfying to all,the romanceTwenty-Five Twenty-Onedelivers is a beautiful homage to the loves and what-ifs of the past.
Something in the Rain
Something in the Rain is a romantic drama series that follows Yoon Jin-ah, a single woman in her 30s, and her unexpected romance with Seo Joon-hee, the younger brother of her best friend. As their relationship develops, they confront societal expectations and personal challenges. The series explores themes of love, age, and societal norms connected to modern relationships.
Something in the Rainfeatures an age-gap romance that is spectacular. The K-drama takes a slower approach to reach its goals, but this bold choice ultimately works in its favor.Son Ye-jin and Jung Hae-in are a powerhouse couple as they portraySomething in the Rain’s main protagonists, who face social taboos head-on as their feelings for one another become stronger.
The K-drama’s tender romance differs from some of the more boisterous comedies that have become famed within the genre. However, this makesSomething in the Rain’s romance even more distinctive and unforgettable.
Jung Hae-in’s Upcoming K-drama Is The Show I’ve Been Waiting For 7 Years
Jung Hae-in’s next K-drama will see him deviate from melodramas and thrillers and instead return to the genre that gave him his breakout role.
