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1 | Note: Viki= Viki Rakuten, a legit streaming app for asian dramas. Will not break down your computer, is a legit app. Like Hulu- Most shows you can watch for free with commercials or pay for w/o. Also avail on Apple TV! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | Title | Streaming Platform | Plot/ My hot take | Genre* all are romance-centric | Tropes | Actor Crossovers (w/ other shows on this list) | Very Biased Rating (5-10) | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | Goblin or, Gaurdian: The Great and Lonely God | Viki | my favorite of all time. It is so so good, beautifully shot. Angsty with some great humor, questions of fate with a great bromance between The main guy (a god) and a Grim Reaper he has to be roommates with in the present day, along with great sweeping romance. The God has a prophesy that only the Bride of the Goblin can remove this sword from his chest and let him die (he’s immortal) and she ends up being this super sweet girl who sees ghosts. I was honestly surprised by how this show affected me and how the narrative played out to the very last minute. The writer and director is probably the most renowned in SK TV. | Drama, romance, fantasy | Supernatural, fate, soulmates, rich guy, great cinematography, contract relationship | The King, Touch Your Heart, Tale of the Nine Tailed, Cheese in the Trap | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | Love Between Fairy and Devil (CDrama) | Netflix | I was completely addicted. I rarely have a high like this over a show. A mere fairy wakes up the Moon Lord who has been locked away for thousands of years. She activates a curse where they swap bodies when they kiss, and if one dies, the other does too. She doens/t realize who he is and shelters him. He can't feel emotions, but she wakes up his emotion tree (yes thuis is a real thing). This is the tip of an extremely complex high-fantasy adventure with galactic repercurssions. I love this show so much. Amazing character arcs from both leads- who they are at the beginning is only a kernel of what they grow to. Maybe the best chemistry I've ever seen- the push and pull here is almost unacceptably great. Cinematography is incredible. Tropes are fulfilled and then subverted in thrilling ways. I started twice and gave up because the dubbing and lead female's voice was unfamiliar to me as a new C-Drama watcher, but now I can't imagine the show without it. | Romance, Fantasy, Angst, Epic | Co-habitation, body swap, Grumpy/sunshine, rich guy/ poor girl, body swap | Hidden Love | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | The Red Sleeve Cuff | Viki | I have never seen anything like this show. It completely broke me, made me believe in art, swept me away with the romance. Maybe the best written kdrama I've ever seen. Incredible chemistry. The side characters are also very moving and complex. Based on a novel and real people in history, a Crown Prince and Handmaiden fall in love, but she does not want to become a concubine, which is the only way they could be together. Both leads are so powerful, and I was so impressed with how this one specifically deals with the role of women and the lengths they needed to go to to protect each other in a time when they were so oppressed. Its' so beautiful. | Drama, Romance, Historical | Forbidden Romance, Court Drama, progressive women | Just Between Lovers, Korean Odyssey | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
6 | Alchemy of Souls Seasons 1 and 2 | Netflix | Incredible effects, incredibly chemistry (especially with the body swapping which is admirable), great worldbuilding. An assasin in a magic, ancient time soul-shifts into the body of a poor maid to escape death. A mage whose flow of energy has been cut off since birth discovers her true identity, and they strike a deal where she will be his Teacher/Master in secret, and to the world, he'll be her Master to disguise her identity. An incredible power balance between the leads is struck. So many twists, this is top tier high fantasy. | Romance, Fantasy, Historical | Progressive gender roles, fated mates | Extraordinary You, Because This is My First Life | 9.75 | |||||||||||||||||||
7 | Business Proposal | Netflix | Easily one of the best, if not the best romcom I've seen. Walks the line between self-awareness of it's well-used tropes and genuine chemistry so so well. Based on a webtoon, an employee goes on a blind date in disguise to help out her wealthy friend- and the date is her boss, who doesn't recognize her and becomes determined to marry her. Excellent second leads as well. So good. | Romcom | Boss/Employee, Rich Guy Poor Girl, Office Romance | Lovers of the Red Sky | 9.75 | |||||||||||||||||||
8 | Crash Landing on You | Netflix | oh my GOD this show is really good. An excellent Kdrama entry point. It surpassed Goblin as the #2 most watched show in Korea ever. Beautiful cinematography. The lead is a strong sassy business lady who crash lands in North Korea and the lead guy is a captain in the North Korean army who hides her. Funny show with a real heart and, good balance of silly/drama. and the setup is unlike any other dramas. A really stellar supporting cast as well.Definitely one of the top kdramas. | Drama, action, romance | Rich girl / serious guy, family drama, bodygaurd, mutual pining, progressive gender roles, forbidden romance, great cinematography | Something in the Rain | 9.75 | |||||||||||||||||||
9 | Whats' Wrong With Secretary Kim? | Viki or Hulu | Very romantic and charming, with some angst. Probably the best chemistry between leads of any show on this list, IMO. About a ceo whose secretary wants to quit and that’s when he realizes he needs her. The two leads are some of the best in SK. I’ve rewatched this one quite a bit and is the best office place romance ever. The THREE PIECE SUITS | Romcom | Office Romance, childhood friends, rich guy, light and fuzzy romance | Fight For My Way, Healer, Itaewon Class. Her Private Life, When the Weather is Nice | 9.75 | |||||||||||||||||||
10 | Hometown Chachacha | Netflix | Truly beautiful. The couple is really wonderful, and a special thing about this show is the depth the characters around them are also treated with, so the world around the couple feels very fleshed out. Excellent acting all around. Chief Hong is a Jack of All Trades around a small seaside town (which has the most beautiful shots). Hye Jin is a big city dentist who opens up a practice in the town after being burnt out on big city life. They clash at first, but always have a very tangible attraction. In the first half you think that she is the one who needs to learn to open up, but as the show goes on you learn that Chief Hong, while friendly and open, has a true block in sharing his pain. This show is really healing, sweet, beautifully shot and a favoruite of 2021. | Romcom, Healing | Enemies to Lovers, small town, progressive gender roles | Start Up, You Drive Me Crazy | 9.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
11 | It’s Okay to Not Be Okay | Netflix | OH MY GOSH this show was SO. GOOD. Definitely the standout from 2020. A psychiatric nurse (the male) becomes the obsession of a children’s storybook author with baggage/ no social skills, who is sometimes the witch of the show, sometimes the princess. Together they face their issues and grow into the most honest versions of themselves. The whole show has this gothic fairytale style to it, and some of the most creative segments I’ve seen. Deals with disabilities, including a major character with autism without being precious or condescending. Watch it. | Drama | Comfort, childhood friends, progressive gender roles, great cinematography | When the Camellia Blooms, Touch Your Heart | 9.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
12 | You Drive Me Crazy | Viki | This SHOW! It is only 4 episodes, about 30 minutes each. A very easy watch and honestlyu so so lovely, well acted and nice. About two friends who sleep together and then have to navigate their relationship. There is one scene in episode 2 that is one shot and just a long, well acted conversation that completely won me over. Watch this one, another greeat kdrama option fi you're new or just looking for something with a different pace. Also if you've watched"Start Up" you'll know how wonderful the second Male Lead was, and he's the lead in this. get on it. | Romcom | Friends-lovers, forced cohabitation | Start Up | 9.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
13 | Extra-ordinary You | Viki | SO GOOD, I loved it. It is so sweet and really original. Honestly, I would save it until you have watched a few other kdramas bc it totally plays on tropes and setups from all the other shows, then turns them on their heads (example- the main girl in the show finds out she is just a sickly side character in a comic book world she lives in etc). The main girl realizes her “fate” is just to be weak so the boring leads can look good and she sets out to change her story. Amazing leads, all relative newcomers that this shw kicked off the careers for. Self aware, clever and pure at the same time. Such sweet chemistry between the leads. | Romcom, Scifi | supernatural, highschool, progressive gender roles, second lead syndrome | DoDoSolSolLaLaSol, When the Weather is Nice, Search WWW | 9.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
14 | Legend of the Blue Sea | Hulu or Viki | One of my faves. Stars Lee Min Ho, literally the most beautiful man, probably the biggest kdrama star. The female lead is a romcom queen and one of the best comedic actors ever. About a mermaid and a conman who are reincarnations of a tragic story, and their second chance in modern day. Shot in Portugal and Korea. Some of the same team as Crash Landing On You, so, beautiful shots and a story that has mythological elements. I’ve definitely rewatched a few times, that good. | Drama, fantasy | Supernatural, past lives, fate, con-man turned good | The King, Heirs, Faith, My Love From The Star | 9.25 | |||||||||||||||||||
15 | Touch Your Heart | Viki or Netflix | one of my faves of 2019. It stars the secondary leads in Goblin, who had great chemistry. About a no-nonsense lawyer who takes on an actress as his secretary bc she is studying for a role for a comeback. So sweet and fluffy, like the purest thing ever. | Romcom, crime | Office Romance, celebrity/muggle romance, light and fuzzy romance | Goblin, Tale of the Nine Tailed, The Spy Who Loved Me, Its' Okay to Not Be Okay | 9.25 | |||||||||||||||||||
16 | Just Between Lovers (Rain or Shine) | Hulu | very tender, great slow romance. Very thoughtful- both leads are dealing with the trauma of a shared experience ten years ago. Together they learn how to move forward. Doesn't back away from the affect childhood trauma has in adulthood, but overall hopeful. Shot really beautifully- lots of sunrises against construction sites, ugh. Two young actors who show a ton of promise, they really are wonderful. Have definitely rewatched because the slow burn is SO good. | Drama | Poor boy, workplace romance, shared trauma, mutual pining, great cinematography | Red Sleeve Cuff | 9.25 | |||||||||||||||||||
17 | Start Up | Netflix | About a young woman who wants to start a tech business, and the guy she wrote letters with as a kid- and the man he gets to impersonate him now that they're all grown up. This show. Absolutely a top show of 2020. It is smart, hopeful, and most importantly, well written. The characters feel rooted in thir own motives and the the plot takes a lot of turns that feel rooted in honesty. Pretty much everyone on this show is at the top of their game, and because the ensemble is so strong and well written it feels like a fleshed out world rather than just about the two (or three) leads. Also plays with well known tropes in a really unexpected way. | Romcom, drama | Second lead syndrome, workplace romance, childhood friends, wrong identity | While You Were Sleeping, You Drive Me Crazy, Weightlifting Fairy | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
18 | Angel’s Last Mission: Love | Viki | An angel gets a final mission to help this bitter blind ballerina fall in love, and HE falls in love with her (and becomes her assistant)! Angst and cute, with some beautiful cinematography. There is a murder subplot you can FF through. Good chemistry between the leads, and the lead female isn’t a perfect person, which is a nice departure. | Drama | supernatural, progressive gender roles, childhood friends, forbidden romance | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
19 | Because This is my First Life | Netflix | ugh such a feel-good show. Takes the well-known trope of Marriage of Convenience / Co habitation and made it all about what the nature of love and commitment is, wrapped in an adorable bow. Also features a super-literal geek male lead and a strong female lead who are just so great together. They don’t fall in love immediately but fall in love through mutual respect and friendship, which is nice. TROPES, marriage of convenience, fake dating, roommates, friends to lovers | Romcom | Marriage of Convenience, cohabitation, fake dating, grumpy guy & sweet girl, light and fuzzy romance | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
20 | Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo | Dramacool | oh wow, this show. It is historical and takes place in the Goryeo Dynasty- because the main character time travels and gets stuck there. This show has the most twists and turns of any Kdrama I’ve seen, and has a villain-lover dynamic, masked face and all. This show is pretty wonderful and will pull your heart in all directions, but get ready- it is a tragedy. The journey was worth it, but there were TEARS. Fans are still holding out for a season 2. If you’re on the fence, just look at the aesthetics because wow they were amazing. | Historical | Tragedy, enemies-lovers, supernatural. family drama, royal drama, forbidden romance, second lead syndrome | When the Camellia Blooms, Weightlifting Fairy, Start Up, Private Lives, Hotel Del Luna, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Heirs | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
21 | Healer | Viki | a thriller romance that has some wonderful goofy parts too. This vigilante with a code name Healer gets a job to track this aspiring reporter and goes undercover as a nerd and falls in love with her- but she’s in love with his Healer persona. Same female lead as Secretary Kim & Her Private Life- she always has incredible chemistry with her co leads. Lead guy from Suspicious Partner whom I love. | Action | Hidden identity, workplace romance, bodygaurd, childhood friends | Suspicious Partner, Her Private Life, When the Weather is Nice, Secretary Kim, Lovestruck In The City | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
22 | Suspicious Partner | Viki | Really excellent- starts off with a sort of intense premise- she is accused of murder and he is the lawyer prosecuting her, but it quickly resolves into a romcom where they are both lawyers in the same office and they eventually start working for the firm he starts, Funny, a cool female lead and a guy who takes a while to be into her, but once he is, he's all in and doesn't know what to do, which was so fun. | Crime, romcom | Cohabitation, workplace romance, three piece suits | Healer, Itaewon Class, 100 Days My Prince, Lovestruck In The City | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
23 | Melo is my Nature | Viki | definitely a one of a kind show with great performances from a cast without really anyone super recognizable! It’s about a group of people that is producing a Kdrama, so it gets super meta and is very self aware. Romance between the writer and the director, who are both very quirky, smart and atypical romantic leads. The show also has a really moving subplot with a friend who lost her boyfriend that she still has conversations with. Really enjoyed this one! | Drama, Romcom | Progressive gender roles, workplace romance, friendship | Reply 1988 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
24 | I am Not A Robot | Viki | Crazy premise that manages to really get under your heart. A wealthy young man with an allergy to human touch invests in a super advanced robot. But the scientific team behind the robot switch it out with the human it was modeled after, and the two start to fall in love, him not realizing she is actually human, not a robot. Really grounded performances, written well and great chemistry with the leads. I was super surprised by how much I loved it. | Drama, Romcom | Double life, Poor rich guy, socially awkward male, fluffy | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
25 | All of Us Are Dead | Netflix | A zombie outbreak in a highschool, and a group of students fight to stay alive and reach the outside world. Absolutely gorgeous and pulls from a real high school disaster- very grounded in reality and its' getting a season 2. | Horror, coming of age | 8.75 | |||||||||||||||||||||
26 | The Heirs (or The Inheritors on Netflix) | Netflix, hulu | slightly older, like 2014. Cemented Lee Min Ho as a kdrama king. Very old school, but a staple of Kdrama lit. Stars pretty much every kdrama star before they got famous. Think ANGSTY Gossip Girl, high school tropes, everything is SO HIGH STAKES and extra, the works. Guilty pleasure to the max. Where are the adults?!? | Drama | Highschool, rich guy/poor girl, family drama, They Meet Abroad, forbidden romance, second lead syndrome | Pinnochio, Legend of the Blue Sea, The King, Lovestruck In The City | 8.75 | |||||||||||||||||||
27 | True Beauty | Viki | A teenager who is bullied for her looks learns how to use makeup, and when she transfers to a new school, becomes the most popular girl there, while hiding her secret self. The premise had me nervous, but this show had so much heart, really dealt with issues like self esteem, bullying and loving yourself. The love triangle is compelling, and the show has all the tropey goodness you expect from a HS drama, while also leaning into its' graphic novel roots with some really fun, creative moments inside the main girl's imagination. Recomend if you want a light romantic comedy with tons of heart. | Romcom, Drama | Highschool, Makeover, Secret Identity, Quiet Guy/Bubbly Girl | Find Me In Your Memory | 8.75 | |||||||||||||||||||
28 | The Secret Life of My Secretary | Viki | oh my goodness, if you want a sweet fluffy romcom this is a lovely one. A CEO loses the ability to see faces (ridiculous premise, I don't care & neither will you) and his Secretary gets caught in a mess where she ends up living a double life as a rich woman he starts dating. Excellent chemistry between the leads. A bit silly and not realistic but whatever it’ll make you feel good. | Romcom | Secret identity, workplace romance, richguy/poorgirl, light and fuzzy romance, boss/employee romance | From Now On, Showtime | 8.75 | |||||||||||||||||||
29 | Love to Hate You | Netflix | The guy from Past Lives is in this, and he HAS the RANGE. The FL thinks all men are scumbags, and assumes that the famous actor she/s hired to represent, and a ML who thinks all women are shallow because they just want him for his fame. They hate, then love, as the title goes. So fun, a VERY well acted show with great chemistry. Older leads too, which means a more mature storyline. | Romcom | Enemies to Lovers, Workplace Romance, Fake Dating | 8.75 | ||||||||||||||||||||
30 | Into the Ring | Viki | Very unlike any other kdrama I've seen, feels very "indie"- it is shot in a similar style to "End of the Fucking World", the shots and color are beautiful. About a woman who can't hold down a job in the current financial environment who decides to run for city council and finds her passion in the process. She teams up with a reluctant and nerdy old friend who also works at the office, and together they solve the issues of their town. Really loved this one. | Romcom | Workplace romance, childhood friends, great cinematography | 8.75 | ||||||||||||||||||||
31 | The King: Eternal Monarch | Netflix | The top writer (of Goblin, Heirs) with literally her top two actors. Deals with parallel universes where one Korea is a monarchy, and the king was given an ID card of a detective woman the day he was saved as a child from being assassinated. Very epic. Also Lee Min Ho is a star in whatever he does, and the costumes he gets to wear in this are so good. Very good supporting cast in this one as well. | Drama. Action | Fate, soulmates, royal drama, timetravel, progressive gender roles, second lead syndrome, great cinematography | Goblin, Heirs, Legend of the Blue Sea | 8.75 (only because I found the ending lackluster compared to what it built up) | |||||||||||||||||||
32 | Twinkling Watermelon | Netflix | A young man lives as the only hearing-capable person in his family- he is a CODA. After discovering a love of music that his father disapproves of, he falls back in time to the mid-90s when his father and mother are in highschool. He joins a band with his father, who has not lost his hearing yet as a teen. This show has a great double-romance with the ML/FL as well as his parents as teens. The acting in this drama is extraordinary, and there are some great songs. Lovely balance of drama, romance, comedy. Very heartwarming overall. | Fantasy, Slice of Life, Family | Timetravel, Highschool, Chosen Family | 25 and 21, Business Proposal | ||||||||||||||||||||
33 | Extraordinary Attorney Woo | Netflix | Follows an autistic woman who is navigating her first year as a lawyer. Along with being brilliant in the law, she loves whales, which show up a lot. This show was such a joy, and I loved how they brought in a love interest for her, and also utilized a really stellar supporting ensemble, including favorites from other shows who got to shine as actors in a new light. So popular they're making a season 2 in 2024! | Drama, Slice of Life, Legal | Underdog, great cinematography, workplace romance | Run On, Do You Like Brahms, King's Affection | 8.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
34 | Lovers of the Red Sky | Viki | A visually rich historic romantic drama about a blind astrologer and a woman painter, who is destined to seal the demon inside of him in a painting. Sweet chemistry between the leads, and the actors who played them as children were also great. Cute painting competition that felt like Great British Baking Show in Joseon Korea? Fun play with the gods as a real part of their world. | Historic Fantasy, Romance, Drama | Childhood friends, rich guy/poor girl, girl power, They Can't Touch | 8.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
35 | Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo | Viki | very sweet and lovely. About a college lady weightlifter and a swimmer who knew each other as kids. This was also known for tackling things like body image and depression, which aren’t talked about much in kdramas usually. The guy is super goofy and once he likes her, he’s all in. | Romcom, Inspirational | college, friends to lovers, progressive gender roles, light and fuzzy romance | Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Start Up | 8.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
36 | Fight For My Way | Viki | Two best friends decide together to help one another achieve their dreams- him to be a fighter, her to be an announcer. Very cute, if you like friends-lovers you'll like this one. | Romcom | Friends-lovers, childhood friends, light and fuzzy romance | Secretary Kim, Descendants of the Subn, Heirs | 8.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
37 | Hospital Playlist | Netflix | Based around four best friends who work in a hospital together, who have a band on the side so they can spend time together. While the romance isn't at the forefront for all of it, this is such a sweet, well-acted show that is unlike any other hospital-based show I've ever seen. Very feel good but also slice of life that authentically honors the complications of life. | Slice of Life | Hospital procedural, friendship | Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim, Legend of the Blue Sea | 8.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
38 | Mad For You | Netflix | Super quirky with a lot of heart, and actually deals with the mental illnesses the leads experience. Both leads had excellent chemistry! Two neighbors, one traumatized, one with an anger disorder, clash. But, they slowly start to find their similarities and begin supporting each other. Really lovely and swoony. | Romcom, healing | Enemies to Lovers, chosen family | Korean Odyssey | 8.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
39 | Her Private Life | Viki | same female lead from Secretary Kim & Healer. Fluffy and charming. An art gallery lady has a private life as a fan girl of this pop star. Her super serious boss who is no nonsense starts to catch on and obvi they fall in love. Fake dating trope. This one is also pretty progressive for a Kdrama. | Romcom | workplace romance, serious guy/ cute girl, boss/employee, light and fuzzy romance | When the Weather is Nice, Healer, Secretary Kim | 8.25 | |||||||||||||||||||
40 | Kiss Sixth Sense | Disney Plus | A woman sees her future with whoever she kisses, and when she accidentally bumps lips with her cranky boss, she sees their future as a super passionate couple who get together. Makes no sense to her since he seems like the worst. Great chemistry, more mature and nice to have some older actors showing off. Last episode seemed outside of what was established, but the ride was so fun I'll allow it. | Romcom, Fantasy | Workplace Romance, Boss/Employee, couple in their late 30s | Crash Landing on You, When the Camillia Blooms | 8.25 | |||||||||||||||||||
41 | Romance is a Bonus Book | Netflix | Same lead as W and Pinnochio, A recently divorced woman can't find a job in the publishing industrybecause of her age & the time she took off to have a kid. Her childhood friend who has always seemed like a little brother is now a bigwig in the publishing industry and gives her a job. Especially loved the pilot episode. | Romcom | Older woman, forced cohabitation, friends to lovers, workplace romance, rich guy/poor girl, boss/employee relationship | Pinnochio, While You Were Sleeping, W: Two Worlds | 8.25 | |||||||||||||||||||
42 | Soundtrack #1 | Disney+ | Only 4 episodes of ~40 minutes, this is extremely watchable and lovely. Friends of 20 years (he's loved her secretly for 10 of them) live together for 2 weeks and write lyrics for songs together. Well acted, grounded and uncomplicated. | Romcom, slice of Life | Friends to lovers | Strong Woman Do Bong Soon | 8.25 | |||||||||||||||||||
43 | Amidst a Snowstorm of Love (CDrama) | Netflix | Two billiard players- she is starting her professional career, and he has walked away from playing professionally- meet while she is abroad in Finland, where he is living as a graduate student. I have never enjoyed a show so much that had so little going on. The show is really anchored by the VERY good chemistry between the leads, and the show emphasises every step along the way of them falling in love, then being in love, and it's very satisfying and thrilling to watch. If that is what draws you into a story, you can absolutely forgive ALL THE BILLIARD/SNOOKER GAMES. There is a lot of love, billiards and snow. Standout cinematography. | Romance, sports | Sports romance, rich girl-poor guy | Love Like the Galaxy | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
44 | Clean With Passion For Now | Viki | He has a germ phobia, and she has too much going on in her life to be bothered with cleanliness. She is put on his most elite cleaning team at the cleaning company he is CEO of. I almost dropped it because the first 2 episodes are just sort of silly. However, it really kicked into gear around episode 4. Really swoony, and the cleaning team becomes a found family. The second male lead really makes a strong argument for why he would be a good match for her. This show does a good job of really diving into why the two leads are the way they are, because of the personal hang ups they need to get past to be together. | Romcom | Second lead Syndrome, workplace romance, cohabitation, rich guy/poor girl | Lovers of the Red Sky | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
45 | Hidden Love (Cdrama) | Netflix | A young girl has a crush on her older brother's friend, and the show follows them from her teenage to adult years. I thought they played the age difference with a lot of class, and the main actress is so talented! They do a great job of naturally progressing this relationship, and growing both of them as characters. | Romcom | Friends to lovers, Age gap | Love Like the Galaxy | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
46 | I’ll Go to You When the Weather is Nice | Viki | Slow paced but very good, with excellent acting. Very nostalgic and cozy. A woman comes back to her hometown and re-meets a guy from high school, who now runs a bookstore and a book club that she joins. This is a good ML to watch. | Slice of Life | Comfort, childhood friends, mutual pining, great cinematography | Extraordinary You, Cheese in the Trap, Secretary Kim, Her Private Life, Healer | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
47 | Pinocchio | Viki | two childhood friends who were raised in the same household grow up to be journalists together and fall in love. Called “Pinnochio” bc the main girl hiccups whenever she lies and thus can only tell the truth as a journalist. Lead girl from Heirs, lead guy from Romance is a Bonus Book/W. Slightly ridiculous, very fun. | Action | Crime, workplace romance, childhood friends | W: Two Worlds, Heirs, Romance is a Bonus Book, Something in the Rain, One Spring Night | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
48 | Lovestruck In The City | Netflix | A group of friends are featured in a docu-series about dating life. The series centers around a couple who meet on vacation and fall in love, only for the woman to ghost him. Surprise surprise, they're both featured in the docuseries and are connected through their friend groups, and the woman was not honest about who she is, although she still loves him. Once you get used to the structure, this show is a sweet, good time with shorter-length episodes. | Romcom/drama | Met On Vacation, Secret Identity, Soft Male Lead, Mutual Pining | Healer, Suspicious Partner, Fight For My Way, Descendants Of The Sun, The Heirs, A Love So Beautiful | 7.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
49 | A Love So Beautiful | Netflix | A girl loves her next door naighbor all through highschool, and the show follows their relationship into adulthood. Very sweet and fluffy, with some seriousness around mental illness and taking people for granted. Episodes are 20 minutes, so this is an easy breezy watch. | Romcom, Slice of Life | Childhood friends, Highschool, love triangle | Lovestruck In The City | 7.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
50 | 1% of Something | Viki | "Secretary Kim" and "Because This is My First Life" (watch both before you watch this one) had a baby with a much lower production value. This is that show. I started it because of the tropes and it was such a sweet, messy ride. It shouldn't work - but the charisma of the leads and their chemistry sells it. A chaebol heir to a hotel comglamerate (except the production doesn't seem to have $$ to actually have a nice hotel they just keep saying how fancy it is??) is forced into a marriage contract with a school teacher, so they fake date only to fall in love. I sort of admire this show for how adult and seriously everyone takes this ridiculous premise. Absolute guilty pleasure. | Romcom | Marriage contract, Rich Guy Learns To Love, fluff | There is a very side character who blew up like two years later that you see in "Her Private Life", "Its' Okay To Not Be Okay" | 7.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
51 | My ID is Gangdam Beauty | Netflix | This show walked so True Beauty could run, even had the same male lead! A college student gets plastic surgery before she enters college and navigates the world as a "pretty person". I put it off bc the synopsis sounds gross, but the show actually dealt a lot with women's autonomy, bullying, and the pressure to fit in. | Romcom | College, childhood love | True Beauty | 7.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
52 | Imitation | Netflix | What a silly, comforting show. Only 12 episodes, this is an easy watch centering around the world of kpop. A young woman and her girl group are trying to break in, and of course she has romantic tension with the lead of the most popular boy kpop group. This isn't trying to be some dark exposee about kpop, so don't go into it expecting it to be. Also there are some weird wigs happening, but the show is so charming that I eventually stopped noticing. | Romcom, Kpop | Forbidden romance, dance numbers | 7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
53 | King: The Land | Netflix | A spoiled chaebol hotel heir who wants to prove his worth falls in love with the #1 employee at the hotel, who takes great pride in her work. This show didn't try to do anything new (except maybe sneak in a pro-labor theme? Amazing) but when it works, it works. If you like these tropes, it's a must-watch. | Romcom | Rich guy poor girl, grumpy/sunshine | Rain or shine | 7.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
54 | One Spring Night | Netflix | about a woman with a boyfriend she doesn’t want to marry but is being pressured into it from society, who meets the SWEETEST single-dad/pharmacist and they develop an attraction. If you love mutual pining, this is the one for you. IMO, it stalls a bit toward the end before resolving issues that went on too long, but the chemistry between the leads is really good and I just couldn’t look away. Get ready for the same song to play over and over again. | Drama | Single dad, forbidden romance | Crash Landing on You, Pinnochio, Something in the Rain, Goblin | 7.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
55 | When the Camellia Blooms | Netflix | the leads are very different from normal Kdrama pairings in that the guy is this dopey but very earnest guy who falls in love at first sight with the single mom in their small town who owns the local bar. Very sweet and lots of stellar performances (won lots of acting awards). A murderer sub-plot. I get tired when the shows focus on one of the leads being a single parent the whole time as if it’s an overwhelming obstacle, but the characters kept me around for this very sweet show & well acted show. | Drama | Single mom, goofy male lead | Moon Lovers | 7.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
56 | Catch The Ghost | Korea On Demand | A woman joins the Subway Police to catch the "ghost" who kidnapped her sister. The Captain and her butt heads but also have great teammwork on the hyjinks they get into. Pros: Kim Seon Ho, my fave actor ever, great chemistry between leads. Con: gets a bit messy with how the show handles mental health, FYI. | Romcom, crime, drama | Buddy Crime, Opposites Attract | Start Up, 100 Days My Prince | 7.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
57 | W: Two Worlds Apart | Netflix, Hulu | A hospital intern is pulled into the world of the action comic her dad is writing, and the worlds start merging. She meets the lead guy from the comic and the two become entangled. Romantic comedy meets murder mystery thriller. Same guy from Pinocchio. IMO, doesn’t do the comic-life thing as well as Extraordinary You, but still really fun. | RomCom, Sci Fi, Fantasy | One of them is a comic book character | Pinnochio, Romance is a Bonus Book | 7.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
58 | Destined With You | Netflix | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
59 | Find Me In Your Memory | Viki | A famous actress and a news anchor become involved in a scandal where people think they're dating in secret. So then they start fake dating. Also there is a big murder and the actress is stalked? Does stall a bit in pacing at times. The two leads share a best friend/ex love in their pasts, which the main guy remembers everything about, but the main girl has completely forgotten. Definitely an easy watch and the leads have a sweet balance to each other. | Romcom/ thriller | Fake dating, celebrities, amnesia | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
60 | Korean Odyssey | Netflix | The Monkey God and a woman who sees ghosts. He has a bracelet on that makes him love her so you don't know his true feelings. Good setup, it just was drawn out for a very long time. Fun ensemble. | Fantasy, romance | Destiny, Opposites Attract | Mad For you | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
61 | Love Like the Galaxy (CDrama) | Viki | In typical C-drama, it has lots of episodes with a compelling romance surrounded by a ton of politcal B-Plots. A free-spirited young woman is raised away from home and lacks social graces/interest to enter society once her parents come back from war. A general falls in love with her at first sight. | Historical, angst, poltical intrigue | Slow burn, Grumpy/sunshine | Hidden Love | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
62 | My Love From the Star | Viki | A legit alien from another planet, who has lived on earth for hundreds of years, becomes entwined with a diva celebrity. Great leads, they've both gone on to have amazing careers. This is from 2013 and there are some aspects that feel old, but it was a major hit when it came out. | RomCom, Sci Fi, Fantasy | Past lives, time travel, Rich bratty girl with a heart, Stoic closed off guy with a heart | Its' Okay Not To Be Okay, Legend of the Blue Sea | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
63 | From Now Showtime | Viki | A famous magician can see ghosts, which is how he pulls off his magic tricks. He gets involved with a detective who can also see them, and they all solve mysteries together. Very light and silly. Easy to have on in the background, not groundbreaking but I loved how the ghosts are basically employees, including unionizing etc. | Romcom, Fantasy, Mystery | Childhood friends | Cheese in the Trap, Secret Life of my Secretary | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
64 | My Secret Romance | Viki | Low budget but so so tropey and fun. A nutritionist and a chaebol heir have a one-night stand and three years later she finds herself working at his company. Uh oh! So so silly, he totally oversteps his boundaries as a boss, but again, fun and light. Got a bit melodramatic toward the end and I skipped forward to the end because I knew there would be a happy ending. | Romcom | Workplace romance, boss/employee, one night stand | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
65 | Oh My Ghostess | Netflix | A super shy girl who is in love with her celebrity chef boss is possessed by the ghost of a flirty young woman. Chaos insues. Ridiculous premise, but the chemistry of the leads is really good, and if you can release your disbelief and not worry too much about who he's actually falling in love with. The murder subplot is interesting because it involves the ghost and how she died. IMO, they let the ghost take over her body a bit too long, but I was relieved that eventually the main girl comes out of her shell and is loved for who she is. | Romcom | Workplace Romance, Supernatural, fluffy romance | Hospital Playlist, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Doom At Your Service | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
66 | Youth of May | Viki | Takes place in the 70s, when Korea was under martial law, and centered around the college students protesting. A very interesting look at a time in history. Poor girl meets rich guy, their love is forbidden. Some very cute elements, and also a trajedy so get ready. This show really doesn't shy away from this dark period in history and its impsct on the youth of that time. Felt like a slog at times, but I respect the show and the actors for its uniqueness! | Drama | History, tragedy, forbidden love, secret identity | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
67 | Summer Strike | Viki | A young career woman in Seoul leaves her toxic workplace to live off her savings in a seaside town. She meets the locals, including a librarian with a stutter who she develops a friendship and romance with. Only 12 episodes, but the last 3 or so turned into a murder mystery, weirdly. A joy if you want to watch until about episode 9. | Drama, Slice of Life | Small town, Beta male lead | Run On | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
68 | Crash Course in Romance | Netflix | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
69 | Do You Like Brahms? | Viki | A violinist and a pianist meet through his performances and her studies. They are both very shy and sweet, and that makes for a different dynamic than usual in kdramas, which is cool. The side characters often feel more like narrative tools rather than people (their friends are the WORST) and can be a bit messy at times, but the very sweet performances of the main leads, as well as a main female who really stands up for herself despite being shy (shy does not equal weak) really saves it. | Drama | Love triangles, college, progressive gender roles | Goblin | 6.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
70 | 100 Days My Prince | Netflix | A prince loses his memory and is discovered by a group of peasants. He gets recruited to marry a peasant girl because the law says every woman must be married by 28 (a law he himself made as Prince). The don't get along at first, but start to fall in love. The highlights of this show were episodes 4-11, when the main leads are just figuring out life in the village and falling in love. Pacing is a bit of an issue, with lots of B Plots and palace intrigue I just FFed through. | Historical/Romance | Marriage of Convenience, Amnesia, Second Lead Syndrome, Palace Intrigue | Suspicious Partner, Start Up, You Drive Me Crazy | 6.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
71 | Run On | Netflix | A champion runner and an interpreter who dreams of making subtitles for movies meet and become friends, then fall in love. The first half was pretty strong, and the leads had a fun, sweet chemistry. Some cool "making a movie" episodes. Strong second leads as well. Phetered out around the second half, IMO. | Romcom/drama | Rich girl/poor guy, Soft Male Lead | 6.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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