5 romance K–dramas for beginners
We pick out some of our favourite romantic Korean shows for those new to the genre!
Image: Oleg Illarionov on Unsplash.
Expanding your TV show repertoire can be intimidating. There is so much to choose from and everyone has a different preference. When it comes to genres, there is often so much overlapping as well because of the different plot lines running through the show.
Because of this, we figured we could lead you in the right direction, or perhaps make it a bit easier for you to pick your next romance K-drama.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020) — Drama, Romance
A crossover between a drama, thriller, and complete and utter romance. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay brings characters that are complex, but relatable in the most vulnerable way.
Ko Moon Young, an isolated children’s book author, finds herself intrigued by two brothers, Moon Gang Tae and Moon Sang Tae. As the three grapple with their emotionally challenging past and present, Ko Moon Young and Moon Gang Tae find their past more tangled than they know, which will determine their future.
Female lead: Seo Yea Ji
Male lead: Kim Soo Hyun
Second male lead: Oh Jung Se
Our Beloved Summer (2021) — Young Romance
After filming a viral high school documentary between the top student, Kook Yeon Su, and the bottom student, Choi Ung, a relationship blooms and withers between the two.
Years later, when a second documentary is in talks, they must meet again. Though one is now an anonymous artist, and the other an event planner, they both still need to work through the struggles of their home life as well as if there are any unresolved feelings between them.
Female lead: Kim Da Mi
Male lead: Choi Woo Shik
My Roommate is a Gumiho (2021) — Fantasy, Romance
Combining fantasy with romance in the real world, My Roommate is a Gumiho presents Lee Dam with a big decision — to live with a 999-year-old Gumiho, Shin Woo Yeo, or to walk away.
After an accident on the street, Lee Dam has swallowed Shin Woo Yeo’s red bead, an item which consumes human energy with the purpose of him one day becoming human. When a handsome Gumiho (a creature of folklore) becomes entangled with a university student, trouble and romance are bound to join them.
Female lead: Lee Hye Ri
Male lead: Jang Ki Yong
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017) — Thriller, Romance
Lighthearted, with a thrilling undertone, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon is the story of a gamer girl that happens to be incredibly strong. Coming from a family of women with superhuman strength, Do Bong Soon starts looking for a job in the gaming world and lands a job at the company of her dreams, but instead of being a designer, she is the CEO An Min Hyuk’s bodyguard.
As threats continue towards the CEO and a serial killer is on the loose, Do Bong Soon and An Min Hyuk get closer and closer, for safety and romance.
Female lead: Park Bo Young
Male lead: Park Hyung Sik
Business Proposal (2022) — Comedy, Romance
Two single best friends, Shin Ha Ri and Jin Young Seo, are navigating the expectations of their parents as well as the dating and work worlds. They find themselves in trouble after Ha Ri goes on a blind date for Young Seo, with a man who turns out to be her CEO, Kang Tae Moo. After he proposes marriage, Ha Ri has to keep it professional (and secretive) at work while pretending to be her own best friend on dates.
Meanwhile, Young Seo serendipitously finds herself madly in love with Kang Tae Moo’s best friend, Cha Sung Hoon. The two pairs of friends now need to work through their feelings and complicated situations if they want to end up together and find their happily ever afters.
Female lead: Kim Se Jeong
Male lead: Ahn Hyo Seop
Second female lead: Seol In Ah
Second male lead: Kim Min Kyu
Are there any romance dramas you are head over heels for? Let us know which shows make you starry-eyed!
Edited by Gabii Rayner.
