As K-Dramas become more and more popular in the U.S., audiences are getting to experience unique stories, new cultures, and above all, some of the best romances on television. The following list is ten of the most romantic K-dramas that will make any viewer believe in love. These stories stand out for their sweetness, realism, and depiction of love and relationships.
K-dramas, or Korean dramas, are television series made in South Korea. Since the 1990s, Korean media and pop culture has spread into the West, giving audiences brand-new Korean content from K-pop bands like BTS to K-dramas like those appearing on this list. While K-dramas can exist in any genre, such as Squid Game being a horror/drama series, most K-dramas have a romantic element to them and focus heavily on relationships of all kinds. Romantic K-dramas are some of the most popular among U.S. audiences because of their positive themes and ability to accurately depict the human experience.
10 Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Twenty-Five Twenty-One is a historical K-drama released in 2022. The series follows the romantic lives and entanglements of five different characters played by Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Ji-yeon, Choi Hyun-wook and Lee Joo-myung. Set in dual timelines in 1998 and 2021, the show explores the effects of the IMF crisis or the Korean financial crisis that occurred in the late 1990s. Overall, the series is not only romantic but highly nostalgic and sentimental. It has a cool 90s ambiance and its focus on class and financial struggle makes it relatable to a wide-ranging audience. Twenty Five Twenty One is currently streaming on Netflix.
Available To Stream On Netflix
9 Happiness
Happiness is a thriller K-drama released in 2021. Starring Han Hyo-joo, Park Hyung-sik, and Jo Woo-jin, the series takes place in a world where a new drug treatment has led to a disease known as the Lytta Virus which turns humans into zombies. Happiness's romantic leads are an ambitious and intelligent woman on the police force and an honest detective who works hard to protect the people he loves. This series puts romance to the test as zombies and political unrest put the leads in danger, however, it still provides that burst of joy that comes from a sweet romance. Happiness is currently streaming on Netflix.
8 It’s Okay To Not Be Okay
It's Okay To Not Be Okay is a romance K-drama released in 2020. It tells the story of a children's book writer who has an antisocial personality disorder (Seo Yea-ji) and returns to her hometown to pursue her crush, a psych ward caregiver (Kim Soo-hyun) who has dedicated his life to caring for his autistic brother. With its focus on mental health and loving, understanding relationships, It's Okay To Not Be Okay was the most popular K-drama in the romance genre on Netflix in 2020. Its balance of dark subject matter and unwavering love makes it stand out from other popular romances. It is currently streaming on Netflix.
Available To Stream On Netflix
7 Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo is a coming-of-age sports K-drama released in 2016-2017. With Lee Sung-kyung in the title role and Nam Joo-hyuk as her romantic lead, the series is about a young woman who is determined to become a famous weightlifter, and while at school, falls in love with her best friend's older brother. A much lighter story, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo is great for those looking for an uplifting K-drama set during high school. It has themes of determination and growing up that makes for a heartwarming story. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Available To Stream On Prime Video
6 What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? is a romantic comedy K-drama released in 2018. Starring Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young, the series follows a businessman whose life turns upside down when his highly intelligent and capable secretary quits her job. Determined to make her stay, the businessman and the secretary form a new bond that turns into love as they learn more about each other and heal their past traumas. For those who enjoy K-dramas about falling in love with the boss, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? is a perfect choice. It also has a healthy mix of comedy and serious topics. What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? is streaming on Hulu.
5 Business Proposal
Business Proposal is a romantic comedy K-drama based on a webtoon released in 2022. It follows a young woman (Kim Se-jeong) who goes on a blind date in place of her friend and finds out her date is actually her boss (Ahn Hyo-seop). From there, the couple enter a fake dating plot to avoid the pressures of their parents. With fake identities and plenty of secrets, Business Proposal is a fun watch, and especially great for those who enjoy a fake dating trope. It is lighthearted and funny. Business Proposal is available to stream on Netflix.
Available To Stream On Netflix
4 Descendants Of The Sun
Descendants Of The Sun is an action K-drama released in 2016. The series is about a doctor (Song Hye-kyo) and a soldier (Song Joong-ki) who fall in love in the midst of war. Although they have very different outlooks on life due to their occupations, the two learn to understand each other and form an unbreakable bond. Unlike other romantic K-dramas, Descendants Of The Sun has a more intense and dark setting and explores important themes surrounding war and human life. It won several awards and is highly lauded in Korea. It is currently streaming on Hulu.
3 Crash Landing On You
Crash Landing On You is a romantic comedy K-drama released in 2019-2020. Led by Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, the series follows a successful heiress that goes on a paragliding trip and due to a sudden tornado, is accidentally stranded in North Korea. While there, she meets a kind guard willing to protect her and help bring her back to South Korea. Pushed together by random circumstances, this series offers a touching romance threaded with comedy and a bit of danger. Crash Landing On You is currently streaming on Netflix.
Available To Stream On Netflix
2 One Spring Night
One Spring Night is a romance K-drama released in 2019. It is about a librarian (Han Ji-Min) and a single father (Jung Hae-in) who are inexplicably drawn together but cannot be together because of current relationships and social stigma. Despite this, the two can't stop thinking about each other and have to make sacrifices in order to follow their hearts. One Spring Night is a touching and important story about being true to oneself and chasing happiness. With its themes of prejudice and hardship, it is a story that explores the many highs and lows of romance. One Spring Night is streaming on Netflix.
Available To Stream On Netflix
1 Something In The Rain
Something in the Rain is a romance K-drama released in 2018. With Son Ye-jin and Jung Hae-in, the series centers around the basic concept of two people falling in love and working through their relationship despite hardships. Something in the Rain stands out from other K-dramas because of its realistic look on love. Unlike other romances that include silly circumstances, this series shows the many ways in which love can grow and be threatened by the outside world. In this way, it is a favorite among K-drama audiences because of its relatability and honesty. Something in the Rain is available to stream on Netflix.
Although some viewers may be unfamiliar with K-dramas, these series are a must-watch for romance fanatics. They provide a wide range of stories that include humor, drama, and expansive storytelling. These K-dramas show love in various different forms, and in this way, there's something for everyone. Therefore, even the most cynical audience should give these K-dramas a chance to warm their hearts.