In the world of Korean dramas, there are just so many different types of romance. Enemies to lovers, love triangles, and so much more. It’s actually quite hard to find a Kdrama that doesn’t have romance in it. Which is why it can be so hard to find the best ones to watch next. So, we’ve done that job for you – check out the best romance Korean dramas now!
Crash Landing on You (2019)
Starring: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Ji-hye
Yoon Se-ri is a South Korean chaebol heiress to the Queen’s Group. Se-ri’s father, who can no longer run business, wants Se-ri to take over in place of her brothers. However, when she is out paragliding, she gets caught in a sudden tornado and blown into North Korea. Its there that she meets Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok.
Fun Fact: Hyun-Bin and Son Ye-jin are currently dating, so its no wonder that these two had such great chemistry in this K-drama!
Where to Watch: Netflix
Flower of Evil (2020)
Starring: Lee Joon Gi, Moon Chae Won
Baek Hee-sung is a man hiding his identity and past from his wife Cha Ji-won, a detective. On the surface, they are a happy and perfect family – a loving couple with a beautiful daughter. But Ji-won and her colleagues begin investigating a series of unexplained murders and it all seems to be pointing to her husband. So she is confronted with the reality that her perfect husband may be hiding something from her.
Where to Watch: Viki
Romance is a Bonus Book (2019)
Starring: Lee Jong-suk, Lee Na-young, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Yoo-jin
Cha Eun-ho is the youngest ever chief editor at his publishing company. Kang Dan-yi used to be a famous copywriter. She’s divorced and a single mother, who is struggling to find a job. Eventually, she gets a job Eun-ho’s company, after lying about her background. As they become more involved with each other, love begins to bloom.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Strong Girl Bong-Soon (2017)
Starring: Park Bo-young, Park Hyung-sik and Ji Soo
Do Bong-soon is a woman with superhuman strength. And its her dream to create a video game with herself as the main character. So, she ends working for the CEO of a gaming company, Ahn Min-hyuk. As his bodyguard. But through training, Bong-soon learns how to control her strength and use it for good as they hunt down a serial kidnapper. And of course, romance is bound to happen (there’s a love triangle, yay!)
Fun Fact: Park Hyung-sik has a song on the soundtrack. He can sing, he can dance and he can act, is there anything he can’t do?
Where to Watch: Viki
One Spring Night (2019)
Starring: Jung Hae-in, Han Ji-min, Kim Jun-han, Lee Sang-hee
Lee Jeong-in is a librarian who is in a 4 year relationship with a banker, Kwon Gi-seok. When she visits a pharmacy for a hangover remedy, she meets pharmacist Yoo Ji-ho, who kindly pays for her because she left her wallet somewhere else. As they spend more time with each other, Jeong-in realises that Ji-ho might be the one she loves. And despite everyone else frowning on him, Jeong-in doesn’t even mind that Ji-ho is a single father.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Oh My Ghost (2015)
Starring: Park Bo-young, Jo Jung-suk, Kim Seul-gi, Lim Ju-hwan
Na Bong-sun is timid and has very few friends. She gets reprimanded a lot at work too. But she can talk to ghosts and just so happens to get possessed by a lustful virgin ghost, Shin Soon-ae, who wants to seduce as many men as possible. Soon-ae sets her eyes on Bong-sun’s boss, Kang Sun-woo. Sun-woo never paid any attention to Bong-sun before, but now that she is confident, she finally catches his eye.
Start-Up (2020)
Starring: Bae Suzy, Kim Seon-ho, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kang Han Na
Set in the fictional Sandbox, this K-drama tells the story of those in the world of startup companies. Seo Dal-mi is a bright and ambitious woman who dreams of becoming Korea’s Steve Jobs. Nam Do-san was once the pride of his family being a math genuis, but his investments have been going nowhere. He meets Dal-mi, who misremembers him as her first love, and begins a startup, determined to make her misunderstanding a reality.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016)
Starring: Gong Yoo, Lee Dong Wook, Kim Go Eun, Yoo In Na, Yook Sungjae of BtoB
Kim Shin was once a decorated army general from the Goryeo Dynasty. But after being framed as a traitor, he is killed and cursed to stay immortal forever, enduring the pain of seeing his loved ones die. The only way to put an end to it is to find the Goblin’s Bride. Ji Eun-tak is bright and bubbly despite her tragic life. She summons the Goblin by accident and now their fates are entwined.
Fun Fact: In one of the episodes, Kim Shin (played by Gong Yoo) is screaming over a movie. The movie he was watching was Train to Busan, which stars Gong Yoo as the lead.
Where to Watch: Viki
My Holo Love (2020)
Starring: Yoon Hyun-min, Ko Sung-hee, Choi Yeo-jin, Chansung of 2PM
Due to her face blindness disorder, Han So-yeon made the decision to live a reclusive life. But when she starts using the AI program Holo whose appearance is like that of his creator, Go Nan-do, she begins to change. The real Nan-do begins to fall in love with So-yeon, but his contrasting personality to the Holo is not in his favor.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Image credit: Netflix
Descendants of the Sun (2016)
Starring: Song Joong Ki, Song Hye Kyo, Jin Goo, Kim Ji Won, and Onew from SHINee
Captain Yoo Si-Jin, from South Korean Special Forces, meets Doctor Kang Mo Yeon, who works as a Surgeon at Haesung Hospital in Seoul. He’s instantly attracted to her. Although it’s not easy for them to date. Si-Jin keeps getting called in for duty and their dates keep getting interrupted. So they break up. And eight months later, they are drawn back together in Uruk.
Fun Fact: Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-Kyo, who both played the lead roles, married on October 31, 2017. Although they are now divorced, Descendants of the Sun shows the great chemistry that they had.
Where to Watch: Viki
Angel’s Last Mission: Love (2019)
Starring: Kim Myung Soo (L from Infinite), Shin Hye Sun, Lee Dong Gun, Kim Bo Mi
Lee Yeon-seo is a supremely talented and successful ballerina, but she suffers a devastating accident that leaves her blind. She is bitter and abusive towards her staff, family and everyone else. Dan is an optimistic and carefree angel. In order to return to heaven he is given the task of finding true love for Yeon-seo. However, he ends up falling for her himself.
Where to Watch: Viki
Tempted (2018)
Starring: Woo Do-hwan, Joy of Red Velvet, Kim Min-jae, and Moon Ga-young
Eun Tae-hee is a hardworking college student who no longer believes in love after watching the demise of her parent’s relationship. Choi Su-ji’s boyfriend just broke up with her and it turns out that Tae-hee was his first love. So, Su-ji asks her friend Si-hyun to seduce Tae-hee and then break her heart. After which, Su-ji and Si-hyun will get married. However, things don’t go to plan and Si-hyun actually starts to fall in love with Tae-hee. Like many good romance films/shows, this is loosely based on Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.
Where to Watch: Viki
Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)
Starring: Lee Min Ho, Jun Ji Hyun, Shin Hye Sun, Lee Hee Joon and Shin Won Ho of Cross Gene
During the search for his mother, Heo Joon-jae becomes a con artist with the help of his mentor Jo Nam-doo and computer hacking genius Tae-oh. On a holiday to Spain, Joon-jae comes into contact with a mysterious woman who breaks into his hotel room. And he’s intrigued by her real and valuable jadeite bracelet. But when he returns to Seoul, he finds part of his memory missing – the part where he went to Spain. And then he meets the mysterious woman again.
Where to Watch: Viki
While You Were Sleeping (2017)
Starring: Lee Jong Suk, Bae Suzy, Jung Hae In
Nam Hong Joo lives with her mother, Yoon Moon Sun, a widow who runs a small restaurant. Jung Jae Chan, a rookie prosecutor, and his younger brother, Seung Won, move in across the street. Hong Joo has had the ability to see bad events before they happen, but is often unable to change the event. But then Jae Chan has a premonition dream about an accident involving Hong Joo, so he decides to interfere in the course of events.
Where to Watch: Viki
When the Camellia Blooms (2019)
Starring: Kang Ha-neul, Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Ji-seok, Son Dam-bi
Oh Dong-baek is a single mother running a bar called Camellia. Six years later, she meets Yong-sik, who is madly in love with her despite her rejections. Although, the more time she spends with him, the more her feelings begin to grow. But a notorious killer sets out to take Dong-baek as their next victim, Yong-sik needs to use his police officer skills to find the killer before he gets to Dong-baek.
Where to Watch: Netflix
I Am Not A Robot (2017)
Starring: Yoo Seung Ho, Chae Soo Bin, Uhm Ki Joon
Kim Min-kyu lives a luxurious but isolated life due to a severe allergy to physical contact with other human beings. He develops extreme life-threatening rashes that rapidly spread over his body whenever he makes any form of skin contact. Through his company, he gets to keep a robot for a demonstration – a robot modelled after Jo Ji-ah. But the robot malufunctions before he gets it and Ji-ah is sent to Min-kyu instead.
Where to Watch: Viki
Master’s Sun (2013)
Starring: So Ji Sub, Gong Hyo Jin, Seo In Guk
Joo Joong-won is a cold, distant and rude CEO of a conglomerate that includes a major department store and hotel. He meets the gloomy Tae Gong-shil, who can see ghosts after an accident. They haunt her – some want wishes granted, others just want to scare her. And it turns out that touching Joong-won makes the ghosts go away. She needs him, and he agrees as long as she helps him recover a fortune that was stolen from him.
Fun Fact: The name Joong-won means something along the lines of ‘supremacy’, which is befitting for his personality.
Where to Watch: Viki
Wok of Love (2018)
Starring: Junho from 2PM, Jang Hyuk, Jung Ryeo Won
Across the street of the six-star Giant Hotel, there stood a small and shabby Chinese restaurant called Hungry Wok. Seo Poong worked his way up from the bottom to become a top chef in the Giant Hotel. Until a conspiracy sees him removed from his job. So he gets a job at the Hungry Wok and ends up being the co-owner. He’s joined by former loan shark Chil-sung and bankrupt heiress Sae-woo. And obviously, it wouldn’t be called Wok of Love if there wasn’t romance.
Where to Watch: Viki
W – Two Worlds (2016)
Starring: Lee Jong Suk, Han Hyo Joo
Oh Seong-moo is a writer and illustrator of the popular webtoon W. The main character of the webtoon is Kang Chul – famous for winning the 50-metre pistol shoot at the 2004 Athens Olympics. But then his whole family is murdered. He is accused, but is deemed innocent. Although he’s depressed after losing his family, he decides to find the real killer. Ten years later, he’s a millionaire and has started Project W to catch the culprit. But then, Seung-moo is unexpectedly transported into the comic world.
Where to Watch: Viki
Because This Is My First Life (2017)
Starring: Lee Min Ki, Jung So Min, Kim Ga Eun, Park Byung Eun
Nam Sae Hee is a single man in his early 30s who has managed to buy his own home. But he’s struggling for money – his mortgage takes all of his disposable income. Yoon Ji Ho becomes a renter at his house. She’s also struggling finacially – she barely makes enough money to get by and has given up on dating. Well, they are actually married (by signing a contract of two years), but treat each other as renter and landlord. They plan to share a flat based on common goals and values. Definitely with no feelings involved.
Where to Watch: Viki
Still 17 (2018)
Starring: Shin Hye Sun, Yang Se Jong, Ahn Hyo Seop, Ye Ji-won, and Park Si Eun of STAYC
When Woo Seo-ri was seventeen, she fell into a coma. Thirteen years later, she has woken up but she’s now thirty. She has no family who visited her and she doesn’t know where her Aunt and Uncle are. So she visits their old home, which now belongs to Gong Woo-jin – a thirty year-old set designer who keeps his distance from others. Woo-jin lets her stay overnight so that she can begin the search for her family.
Where to Watch: Viki
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? (2018)
Starring: Park Seo Joon, Park Min Young, Lee Tae Hwan
Lee Young-joon is the vice chairman of a major corporation. His world is shaken when his highly-capable secretary Kim Mi-so announces that she will resign from her position after working for him for nine years. She’s had enough of his egotistical attitude and the fact that he’s never listening to her. After talking to his best friend, Lee Young-joon will do whatever it takes to keep Mi-so by his side.
Where to Watch: Viki
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)
Starring: Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, Kwak Dong-yeon, Park Gyu-young, Jang Gyu-ri from fromis_9
Moon Gang-tae lives with his older brother Moon Sang-tae. They have been constantly moving from place to place after Sang-tae witnessed the death of their mother. Gang-tae starts working in a psychiatric ward, where he meets the famous children’s book author, Ko Moon-young. She develops a romantic attraction for Gang-tae and goes to extreme lengths to get his attention.
Fun Fact: This marks Kim Soo-hyun’s first lead role in a TV series since he was discharged from the South Korean military in July 2019.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Tale of the Nine-Tailed (2020)
Starring: Lee Dong Wook, Jo Bo Ah, Kim Bum, Kim Yong Ji
Lee Yeon is an over 1000-years-old Gumiho (nine tailed fox) and was once a guardian spirit. He is now a city dweller and works to eradicate supernatural beings that threaten the mortal world. On a mission to capture a fox that has killed the lives of many humans and is now marrying a man in the guise of a human woman, he is spotted by producer Nam Ji-ah, who recognizes him as the one who saved her from being eaten by foxes.
Where to Watch: Viki
Uncontrollably Fond (2016)
Starring: Kim Woo Bin, Bae Suzy, Im Joo Eun, Im Joo Hwan
Noh Eul and Shin Joon-young were classmates – seperataed during their teenage years due to an ill-fated relationship, but later meet in adulthood. Noh Eul had a tough childhood and had to quit school to make a living for herself and her brother. She is now a documentary producer. Joong-young had everything planned out for him, he was supposed to become a prosecutor. Instead, he’s a top actor-singer. Noh Eul is tasked to film a documentary of his life. And Joong-young agrees after a while and tries to win her heart back.
Where to Watch: Viki
My Love From The Star (2013-2014)
Starring: Jun Ji Hyun, Kim Soo Hyun, Park Hae Jin, Yoo In Na
Do Min-joon is an alien who landed on Earth in 1609 during the Joseon Dynasty. Instead of taking his return trip home, he saves a girl from falling off a cliff. So, he is stranded on earth for the next four centuries. And since he never ages, he has to take on a new identity every ten years. With only three months left until he can return to his home, Cheon Song-yi – a famous Hallyu actor – moves in next door. And slowly he finds himself becoming entangled in her crazy life.
Fun Fact: Kim Soo Hyun sings the song If I on the soundtrack!
Where to Watch: Viki
Doom At Your Service (2021)
Starring: Park Bo Young, Seo In Guk, Lee Soo Hyuk
Tak Dong-kyung is an editor for a web novel company, lives a fairly ordinary life. Until in just one day, she is dying from glioblastoma and has three months left to live, learns her boyfriend is a father-to-be and has a wife, amongst other terrible things. As she drinks her problems away, she sees a shooting star from her rooftop apartment and wishes for the world to be doomed. Her wish is heard by Myul Mang, a messenger between gods and humans. Sick of his fate, he chooses to fulfil Dong-kyung’s wish to end the world.
Where to Watch: Viki
Hotel del Luna (2019)
Starring: IU, Yeo Jin Goo, Kang Mina of Gugudan, P.O. of Block B
Jang Man-wol is the owner of a hotel. Due to a huge sin she committed a millennium ago, the hotel catering to the dead has been bound to her soul. As the result of a deal she made with his father, Gu Chang-sung – a Harvard MBA graduate – is forced to become the manager of Hotel del Luna. Man-wol loves luxury (and she worn over 100 different outfits throughout the series), whereas Chang-sung is more rational and curbs her spendthrift and extortionist tendencies. While this does put them at odds, it also makes them a perfect couple.
Fun Fact: A lot of famous stars had cameos in this drama – like the actors Kim Soo Hyun and Lee Joong Gi. As well as the late singer Sulli, who was close friends with IU.
Where to Watch: Viki
