Romantic K-dramas to binge watch in 2023
Lately, the South Korean entertainment industry has been growing in popularity all over the world. With the rising popularity of idols majorly in the acting and music space, more people are slowly getting interested in their way of life. Even though most of their content is in their native language, that doesn’t hinder their fans from supporting and consuming their content. Below we have compiled a list of the most romantic K-dramas that will leave you questioning your love life. Yes, it’s all drama and fiction but we can’t help but fall in love with the storyline and the actors in these dramas. These are our opinions based on the tv shows and Romantic K-dramas we have watched so far.
Business Proposal (2022)
Business Proposal is a type of office romantic comedy-drama. It stars the leads Ahn Hyo-seop and Kim Se-jeong together with the second leads Kim Min-kyu, and Seol In-ah. The rom-com tells the story of Shin Ha-ri (played by Kim Se-Jeong) going on a blind date in place of her friend Jin Young-seo (played by Seol In-ah). On the date, she is actually meeting her boss Kang Tae-moo (Ahn Hyo-seop) who is the new CEO of Go Food, a subsidiary of the chaebol founded by his grandfather Chairman Kang Da-goo (Lee Deok-hwa).
When Shin Ha-ri realizes that it’s her boss, she plans to do obnoxious and unpleasant behaviors while on their date so as to make him disinterested in her. To her surprise, her boss Kang Tae-moo actually likes her and proposes more meet-ups which put Shin Hari in a tight spot. She has to hide her real identity from her boss who was willing to take things to the next level.
Our Take; This 12-episode romcom is great if you want chilled-not-so-serious types of movies. It is a cheesy type of series that will somehow break your ribs.
Crash Landing on You 2019-2020
Crash Landing on You (CLOY) has the most unique romantic storyline which leads to its success. It stars the main lead Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, together with the second lead Seo Ji-Hye and Kim Jung-hyun. CLOY follows the story of Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) a South Korean chaebol heiress and well-known businesswoman who is involved in a paragliding accident and lands in North Korea. Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) who was patrolling with his soldiers saves her and hides her in her home which later causes trouble for him. The first part of the series centers around helping Yoon Se-ri hide in North Korea and escaping to South Korea while the second part centers on their life in South Korea after she returns back home.
Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri have funny and cheerful encounters all throughout the series which keeps it interesting. At first, the two couldn’t stand each other but slowly fall in love in the most natural way. The second leads Seo Dan (played by Seo Ji-hye) and Gu Seung-jun / Alberto Gu (Kim Jung-hyun )also have a romantic encounter and end up with a beautiful love story.
Company Five soldiers led by Ri Jeong-hyeok also play an important role in the series. The soldiers Pyo Chi-su (Yang Kyung-won), Kim Ju-meok (Yoo Su-bin), Geum Eun-dong (Tang Jun-sang) and Park Kwang-beom (Lee Shin-young) each have unique humor that will make you fall for the series.
Our Take; Crash Landing 사랑의 불시착 on You has 16 episodes that will take you through a rollercoaster of emotions. From happiness to laughter, to romance, and at times crying, you can never not fall in love with the storyline and the amazing cast.
Crash Course in Romance 2023
Crash Course in Romance tells the story of Nam Haeng-seon (Jeon Do-yeon), a former national handball player who now runs a banchan shop, and Choi Chi-yeol (Jung Kyung-ho), a celebrity math instructor who has an eating disorder.
Haeng-seon is a kind and caring woman who is always willing to help others. She is also a talented cook, and her banchan shop is very popular. Chi-yeol is a brilliant mathematician, but he is also very guarded and emotionally distant. He has an eating disorder, and he often pushes people away. They meet in a chaotic situation but soon they fall in love after spending time together.
Our Take; Crash Course in Romance will crack your ribs and also make you fall in love with their story. The 16 episodes will comfort you and also make you happy the entire time, it is worth your time.
Descendants of the Sun 2016
Descendants of the Sun tells the story of a group of South Korean special forces soldiers and doctors who are deployed to a fictional war-torn country called Urk. The main characters are Yoo Shi-jin (Song Joong-ki), a captain in the South Korean Special Forces, and Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo), a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Shi-jin and Mo-yeon have a complicated relationship due to Shi-jin being deployed on dangerous missions frequently. When they are both deployed in Urk, they began working together and Mo-yeon sees firsthand what Shi-jin goes through. They slowly fall in love despite the challenges and help each other overcome their difficulties.
Descendants of the Sun was a huge success in South Korea, and it quickly became one of the most popular Romantic K-dramas of all time. The show was praised for its action-packed storyline, its heartwarming romance, and its beautiful cinematography. It also helped to raise awareness of the South Korean military and its role in international peacekeeping missions.
Our Take: There are moments of crying and laughter throughout the series. There isn’t any dull and slow moment in Descendants of the Sun which makes it one of the most popular Romantic K-dramas. It has also been remade in other countries such as The Philipines and Thailand.
Something in the Rain 2018
Something in the Rain tells the story of Yoon Jin-ah (Son Ye-jin), a single woman in her 30s who works as a supervisor at a coffee company, and Seo Joon-hee (Jung Hae-in), the younger brother of her best friend Seo Kyung-sun (Jang So-yeon). When Joon-hee returns to South Korea after working abroad, he reconnects with Jin-ah, and the two of them begin to fall in love.
However, their relationship is complicated by the fact that Joon-hee is 7 years younger than Jin-ah, and by the disapproval of Jin-ah’s parents. Despite the challenges, Jin-ah and Joon-hee continue to fall in love, and they eventually overcome the obstacles in their way.
Our Take; Something in the Rain is a slow-burning romance that explores the complexities of love and relationships. The show is beautifully shot and features some of the most heartwarming and heartbreaking moments in Romantic K-dramas history. It is a must-watch for fans of romance and slice-of-life dramas.
6. Love To Hate You 2023
Love to Hate You tells the story of Yeo Mi-ran, a rookie attorney who hates losing to men, and Nam Kang-ho, a top actor who distrusts women. The two are forced to date each other after Mi-ran’s firm is hired to represent Kang-ho in a lawsuit.
Mi-ran is a strong and independent woman who has been burned by men in the past. She is determined to never let herself be hurt again, and she is not interested in a romantic relationship. Kang-ho, on the other hand, is a charming and charismatic actor who has had his fair share of success with women. However, he has been hurt by women in the past as well, and he has come to believe that all women are manipulative and untrustworthy.
Despite their initial dislike for each other, Mi-ran and Kang-ho slowly start to fall in love. As they spend more time together, they begin to see that they are not as different as they thought. They both have strong personalities and they are both fiercely independent. However, they also have a deep understanding of each other’s pain, and they are able to offer each other comfort and support.
Our Take; Love to Hate You is a funny and heartwarming story about two people who learn to love each other despite their initial differences. It is a story about finding love in the most unexpected places, and it is a story about the power of forgiveness.
7. While You Were Sleeping 2017
While You Were Sleeping tells the story of Nam Hong-joo (Bae Suzy), a woman who can see the future in her dreams, and Jung Jae-chan (Lee Jong-suk), a prosecutor who can also see the future in his dreams.
Hong-joo’s dreams are often about accidents and crimes that will happen in the future. She tries to prevent these accidents from happening, but she is often unsuccessful. Jae-chan’s dreams are also about accidents and crimes, but he is able to use his dreams to solve cases.
When Hong-joo and Jae-chan meet, they realize that they can help each other. They start working together to prevent accidents and crimes from happening, and they also start to fall in love.
Romance is a Bonus Book 2019
Romance is a Bonus Book tells the story of Kang Dan-i (Lee Na-young), a former copywriter who is struggling to find a job after her divorce, and Cha Eun-ho (Lee Jong-suk), a successful writer who is also the youngest editor-in-chief at his publishing company.
Dan-i is a talented copywriter who has a lot of experience. However, she is struggling to find a job because she has been out of the workforce for a few years. She is also a single mother, and she is worried about how she will support her daughter.
Eun-ho is a successful writer who is also the youngest editor-in-chief at his publishing company. He is intelligent and talented, but he is also cold and aloof. He has never had a serious relationship, and he is not interested in getting married.
Our take; Romance is a Bonus Book is a heartwarming Romantic K-drama about two people who find love and redemption in each other. It is also a story about second chances, friendship, and the power of books.
The Good Bad Mother 2023
The Good Bad Mother tells the story of Ji Young-soon (Ra Mi-ran), a pig farmer and single mother who raised her son Choi Kang-ho (Lee Do-hyun) harshly so he could live a better life. However, their relationship is strained after Kang-ho becomes a successful prosecutor and distances himself from his mother.
When Kang-ho is injured in an accident and suffers amnesia, he is forced to move back in with Young-soon. As he begins to recover his memories, he is forced to confront the truth about his mother’s past and their relationship.
The Good Bad Mother is a story about the complexities of motherhood, the power of forgiveness, and the importance of family. It is a drama that will stay with you long after you finish watching it.
Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) 2016
Goblin tells the story of Kim Shin (Gong Yoo), a goblin who has been immortal for centuries and is searching for his bride, who can end his curse.
Kim Shin is a powerful goblin who has been cursed to live forever. He is also the guardian of souls, and he helps people who are about to die. He has been waiting for his bride for centuries, and he believes that she is the only one who can end his curse.
Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun) is a high school student who can see ghosts. She is also a descendant of a goblin hunter, and she is destined to be Kim Shin’s bride. Eun-tak is a cheerful and optimistic girl, and she is determined to help Kim Shin break his curse.
Yoo Deok-hwa (Lee Dong-wook) is a grim reaper who is in charge of guiding the souls of the dead. He is also Kim Shin’s best friend, and he helps him to protect Eun-tak. Deok-hwa is a charming and playful man, but he is also very lonely.
Sunny (Yoo In-na) is the owner of a chicken restaurant that is frequented by Kim Shin, Eun-tak, and Deok-hwa. She is a mysterious woman who knows more about Kim Shin’s past than she lets on. Sunny is also a kind and compassionate person, and she is always willing to help those in need.
Goblin is a fantasy romance that explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption. It is a story about finding your purpose in life and about the power of hope.
Hometown Cha Cha Cha 2021
Hometown Cha Cha Cha tells the story of Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a), a dentist who moves to the seaside village of Gongjin, and Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho), a jack-of-all-trades who is known as the “seaside romeo.”
Hye-jin is a successful dentist who lives in Seoul. She is smart and talented, but she is also very demanding and perfectionistic. She is not good at socializing, and she has a hard time making friends.
Du-sik is a kind and helpful man who is known for his good deeds. He is also very skilled at various jobs, such as fishing, fixing things, and cooking. He is well-liked by the people in Gongjin, and he is always willing to help those in need.
When Hye-jin moves to Gongjin, she is initially put off by Du-sik’s laid-back attitude and his lack of ambition. However, she soon realizes that he is a kind and genuine person. As they spend more time together, they begin to fall in love.
Hometown Cha Cha Cha is a heartwarming story about finding love and belonging in a small town. It is a story about the power of community and the importance of kindness.
The Glory 2022
The Glory tells the story of Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo), a woman who was severely bullied in high school and vows to get revenge on her bullies 20 years later.
Dong-eun is a talented architect who is about to get married. However, her plans are derailed when she learns that her high school bullies are now successful professionals. She decides to become a teacher at the same high school where she was bullied, and she begins to plot her revenge.
The Glory is a revenge drama that explores the themes of bullying, trauma, and redemption. It is a story about a woman who refuses to be a victim, and it is a story about the power of hope.
Her Private Life 2019
Her Private Life tells the story of Sung Duk-mi, a museum curator who is also a secret fangirl of a K-pop idol group. She meets Ryan Gold, a new museum director who is also a fan of the same idol group.
Duk-mi is a kind and intelligent woman who is also very passionate about her work. However, she has a secret that she keeps hidden from everyone: she is a fangirl of a K-pop idol group. She has a secret SNS account where she posts about her love for the group, and she even has a shrine in her apartment dedicated to them.
Ryan Gold is a new museum director who is also a fan of the same idol group. He is a charming and intelligent man, but he is also very mysterious. He has a past that he keeps hidden from everyone, and he is not afraid to bend the rules to get what he wants.
When Duk-mi and Ryan meet, they are immediately drawn to each other. However, they are both hesitant to start a relationship because of their secrets. As they spend more time together, they begin to fall in love, and they must decide whether or not to reveal their true selves to each other.
Her Private Life is a romantic comedy that explores the themes of love, fandom, and identity. It is a story about two people who learn to accept each other for who they really are.
Nevertheless 2021
Nevertheless tells the story of Yoo Na-bi, a woman who doesn’t believe in love, and Park Jae-eon, a man who doesn’t want to be in love. Na-bi is a beautiful and intelligent woman who is also very independent. She has been hurt in the past, so she doesn’t believe in love. She decides to have a casual relationship with Jae-eon, a handsome and charming man who doesn’t want to be in a serious relationship.
Jae-eon is a free-spirited man who enjoys flirting and having fun. He doesn’t want to be tied down to anyone, but he is drawn to Na-bi’s beauty and intelligence. He agrees to have a casual relationship with her, but he soon finds himself falling in love with her.
Nevertheless is a romantic drama that explores the themes of love, relationships, and self-discovery. It is a story about two people who are afraid of getting hurt but are also drawn to each other.
Run On
Run On tells the story of Ki Sun-gyeom, a former track and field athlete who becomes a sports agent, and Oh Mi-joo, a subtitle translator.
Sun-gyeom is aloof and doesn’t like to talk much while Mi-Joo is outgoing and loves to talk. When they meet, they are immediately drawn to each other. However, they are both hesitant to start a relationship because of their different personalities. As they spend more time together, they begin to fall in love, and they must learn to bridge the gap between their worlds.
Run On is a romantic comedy that explores the themes of love, communication, and understanding. It is a story about two people who are from different worlds, but who are able to find common ground.
When the Camellia Blooms
When the Camellia Blooms tells the story of Dong-baek, a single mother who runs a bar in Ongsan, and Hwang Yong-sik, a police officer who falls in love with her.
Dong-baek is a single mother who runs a bar in Ongsan. She is strong and independent, but she is also kind and compassionate. Yong-sik is a police officer who is also a single father. He is kind and caring, but he is also a bit of a hothead.
When Dong-baek and Yong-sik meet, they are immediately drawn to each other. However, their relationship is complicated by the fact that Dong-baek is a single mother and Yong-sik is a police officer. As they spend more time together, they begin to fall in love, and they must learn to overcome the challenges that their relationship faces.
When the Camellia Blooms is a romantic comedy-drama that explores the themes of love, family, and community. It is a story about two people who are from different worlds, but who are able to find common ground and build a life together.
