Best korean Dramas on Netflix: Best Romantic Korean Drama on Netflix
Korean dramas, particularly best romantic K-dramas, have gained immense popularity over the past decade, and streaming giant Netflix has played a significant role in introducing audiences worldwide to the swoon-worthy genre that prioritizes the female gaze; however, with an overwhelming selection of options available on the platform, selecting the perfect K-drama can be a challenging task. Fear not, as Collider has curated the ultimate K-drama starter pack to help you navigate Netflix's library and discover your ideal romantic K-drama, whether it's the twisted yet heart-warming tale of It's Okay Not To Be Okay, or the hilarious escapades of a wealthy heiress whose accidental parachute landing leads her to North Korea in the romantic comedy Crash Landing On You - there's something for every viewer.
Love is in the air in these K-Dramas.
Jin-A, the former leader of popular first-generation girl group Purple in South Korea, currently hosts the underperforming radio program "Wonderful Radio," whose ratings are in a slump; however, when the show's producer takes maternity leave, Jin-A's relationship with her replacement, Lee Jae-Ik, sours after she arrives late to their first meeting, and he pushes the staff to create a new segment to improve the ratings. Struggling to come up with an idea, Jin-A finds inspiration from her mother's singing, leading her to invite regular people to the show to share their stories and sing during the segment, resulting in a massive hit; concurrently, Jin-A endeavors to reignite her music career with tracks like "You Are My Angel" that she penned for Purple.
Twenty Five Twenty One
The cast of Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Writer: Kwon Do-eun
Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Bona, Choi Hyun-wook, Lee Joo-myung
Telling the story of five characters' romantic journeys from 1998 to 2021, Twenty Five Twenty One has become one of the most beloved K-dramas, counting K-pop sensations like BTS' Jungkook and BLACKPINK's Lisa among its devoted fans. Set amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the show centers around Kim Min-chae (Choi Myung-bin), a young woman who discovers her mother's diary and delves into her family's past.
In 1998, Min-chae's mother Na Hee-do (Kim Tae-ri) was a talented fencer whose dreams are dashed by the 1997 IMF financial crisis. Determined to keep pursuing her passion, Hee-do transfers schools and meets the handsome and diligent Baek Yi-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk), a news vendor whose family was also impacted by the financial crisis. The series is filled with emotion, nostalgia, and superb acting, and it's no wonder that fans are clamoring for a second season. If you're in the mood for a romantic drama that feels like a warm hug, Twenty Five Twenty One is the perfect choice.
It's Okay Not To Be Okay
its-ok-to-not-be-ok-imageImage via Netflix
Writer: Jo Yong
Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, Oh Jung-se, Park Gyu-young
With its Tim Burton-esque, twisted fairytale vibe, It's Okay Not To Be Okay is undeniably one of the best romantic K-dramas available on Netflix. While the series explores some challenging themes, its intricately woven mysteries and endearing relationships will undoubtedly have you hooked from the very beginning. The plot centers around the unlikely pairing of an antisocial children's book author, Ko Mun-yeong, and a hospice caretaker, Moon Gang-Tae, whose lives are forever changed when they meet at a mental hospital during one of Mun-yeong's book readings. As they get to know each other, Mun-yeong becomes intrigued by Gang-Tae's empathetic nature and hires him as her "safety pin" to protect her from her worst impulses. Together with Gang-Tae's autistic brother, Sang-tae, they all move into Mun-yeong's gothic mansion, where they learn to grow and love in ways they never thought possible.
Crash Landing On You
Yoon Se Ri and Ri Jeong Hyeok from Crash Landing On YouImage via Netflix
Writer: Park Ji-eun
Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye, Kim Jung-hyun
After a mysterious tornado derails Yoon Se-ri's paragliding adventure, the heiress finds herself stranded on the North Korean side of the DMZ, where she's rescued by Ri Jeong-hyeok, a member of North Korea's elite Korean People's Army. As Jeong-hyeok helps Se-ri plan her return home to South Korea, he must keep her hidden from his fellow North Koreans, including the corrupt Cho Cheol-gang, who aims to expose Jeong-hyeok's actions. With Se-ri's family unaware of her disappearance and her brothers plotting against her in Seoul, will the two protagonists' growing affection be enough to withstand external threats and keep their love alive? Check out this delightful romantic comedy for a fun and sweet time.
Love Alarm
love-alarmImage via Netflix
Writers: Seo Bo-Ra, Lee Ah-yeon (Season 1) Cha Yeon-soo, Kim Seo-hee, Kwon Ji-young (Season 2)
Cast: Kim So-hyun, Jung Ga-ram, Song Kang
Love Alarm is a unique and captivating K-drama that is perfect for viewers looking for something that's both intriguing and bananas. Based on a popular webtoon, the series follows the life of Kim Jo-jo, a high school student who must navigate her way through the social norms and expectations of her peers, while also dealing with the influx of teenage hormones that come with adolescence. Adding to her troubles is a mobile app that has become a hit with her fellow students, which notifies users if someone in their vicinity has romantic feelings for them. While the app reveals how many people are interested in you, it doesn't reveal their identities, causing plenty of confusion and chaos for Jo-jo.
Things become even more complicated for Jo-jo when she catches the eye of the most eligible boy in school, Lee Hye-young, who is the best friend of wealthy student Hwang Son-Oh. Son-Oh, knowing that Hye-young likes Jo-jo, decides to test his feelings by kissing her in front of him. This leads to the messiest love triangle in K-drama history, with Jo-jo at the center of it all and her love alarm going off repeatedly.
Crash Course In Romance
Jung Kyung Ho in front of chalkboard in crash course in romanceImage via Netflix
Writer: Yang Hee-seung
Cast: Jeon Do-yeon, Jung Kyung-ho
Crash Course in Romance, a critically acclaimed Korean drama, holds one of the highest ratings in the country's television history. The show chronicles the life of Nam Haeng-seon, a banchan shop owner who goes above and beyond to support her daughter Hae-yi during the grueling and competitive college entrance exams in Korea. With the help of Choi Chi-yeol, a math teacher at Pride Academy, who also happens to be a regular customer at her shop, she secretly enlists him as her daughter's tutor. However, there is much more to Chi-yeol than what meets the eye.
Struggling with an eating disorder, Chi-yeol's life changes when he encounters Haeng-seon's delicious food, which helps him take better care of himself and focus on his work. In exchange for his tutoring lessons, Haeng-seon provides him with three meals a day, leading to the formation of a tenuous bond between them. Chi-yeol's popularity among the students at the academy grows with his excellent teaching and coaching skills, but he harbors a dark secret, which he hides from his students and colleagues.
As the show progresses, the unlikely friendship between Haeng-seon and Chi-yeol deepens, and they both learn to support each other through their respective struggles. The show's themes of love, friendship, and personal growth are poignantly intertwined with societal issues prevalent in South Korea, such as education, mental health, and social norms.
Cinderella and The Four Knights
The cast of Cinderella and The Four KnightsImage via Netflix
Writers: Min Ji-eunWon, Young-sil
Cast: Park So-dam, Jung Il-woo, Ahn Jae-hyun, Lee Jung-shin, Choi Min, Son Na-eun
The plot of Cinderella and The Four Knights follows high school senior Eun Ha-won, who is forced to work part-time jobs to pay for her mother's memorial and college tuition after losing her in a tragic car accident and having her college fund stolen by her father's new wife. Her life changes when she meets a wealthy corporate chairman who offers her a job looking after his three grandsons at his grand mansion, on the condition that she moves in with them.
The Kang cousins, including the arrogant playboy Hyung-min, charismatic singer-songwriter Seo-woo, and rebellious Ji-woon, all fascinate and enchant her, especially as she shares a secret past with the latter. As one of the most popular Netflix K-dramas, Cinderella and The Four Knights has accumulated a large following over the years.
Boys Over Flowers
boys-over-flowersImage via KBS
Writer: Yoon Ji-ryun
Cast: Koo Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum, Kim Joon, Kim So-eun
Boys Over Flowers is a classic Kdrama that has been loved by audiences worldwide. Based on the Japanese manga, it tells the story of an average schoolgirl, Jan Di, who finds herself embroiled in the lives of the four richest and most spoiled boys in her high school, collectively known as the F4. Jan Di, who comes from a humble family, keeps to herself and tries to avoid interactions with the F4. However, when her best friend crosses Goo Joon Pyo, the leader of the F4, Jan Di stands up for her friend against the group.
As the story progresses, Jan Di discovers that there's more to the members of the F4 than their spoiled-boy facade, and she finds herself falling in love with one of them. At the same time, Goo Joon Pyo begins to battle his attraction towards her, leading to a love triangle that changes the dynamics of the group.
Boys Over Flowers tackles themes like socio-economic disparity, family ties, and the joys of love and friendship, making it a relatable and heartwarming watch. The show's addictive drama, romance, and comedy are some of its best qualities, and the worldwide famous cast makes it a must-watch for those into the world of Kdramas.
Romance Is A Bonus Book
Kang Dan I and Cha Eun Ho from Romance Is a Bonus Book hugging
Writer: Jung Hyun-jung
Cast: Lee Na-young, Lee Jong-suk, Jung Yoo-jin, Wi Ha-joon
Romance Is A Bonus Book is a delightful K-drama that revolves around the lives of Cha Eun-ho (played by Lee Jong-suk) and Kang Dan-i (played by Lee Na-young), childhood friends who reunite after years of being apart. As the story unfolds, we learn that Dan-i's marriage to an unkind man had put a strain on their friendship, causing them to drift apart. However, after a tumultuous divorce, Dan-i has to provide for her daughter and, through a twist of fate, ends up getting a temp position at Eun-ho's publishing company, where he is the editor-in-chief.
Initially, Eun-ho is unsure of whether Dan-i will fit into the company's culture, but her creativity pleasantly surprises him and his senior executives. As they work alongside each other, Eun-ho's long-dormant feelings for Dan-i begin to resurface, and she begins to feel a spark with him that she hadn't noticed before.
This slow-burn romance is perfect for those who crave a heart-warming love story. With their history and undeniable chemistry, Eun-ho and Dan-i's eventual union is nothing short of explosive. The show captures the essence of a genuine and honest relationship that blossoms slowly and is built on mutual respect and admiration.
Moreover, the show's supporting characters are equally compelling, adding depth to the story with their unique quirks and backstories. The show's portrayal of the publishing industry is also noteworthy, providing a fascinating insight into the world of books and the people who make them.
Nevertheless
Na Bi and Jae Eon from Nevertheless
Writer: Jung Won
Cast: Han So-hee, Song Kang, Chae Jong-hyeop, Lee Yul-eum, Yang Hye-ji
Despite being fresh off a heart-wrenching breakup, Yu Na-Bi, an art student whose perspective on love has been jaded by her past experiences, finds herself unable to resist the alluring charm of Park Jae-eon, a carefree and flirtatious individual whose magnetic presence is hard to ignore. As the two emotionally unavailable individuals embark on a friends-with-benefits relationship, they begin to open up and heal each other from their past traumas, ultimately falling deeply in love with each other. Nevertheless, the path towards a happily-ever-after is riddled with obstacles, as both Na-Bi and Jae-eon struggle to overcome their emotional barriers and find the courage to take a leap of faith in each other. With each episode, audiences are treated to a rollercoaster of emotions as they witness the ups and downs of Na-Bi and Jae-eon's journey, rooting for them every step of the way. The chemistry between Han So-hee and Song Kang is palpable, drawing viewers into the story and making it hard to look away. Nevertheless isn't just a simple love story; it's a complex and nuanced exploration of the complexities of modern-day relationships, the emotional turmoil of heartbreak, and the hope of finding true love amidst the chaos. Through its relatable characters, stunning visuals, and heartwarming storyline, Nevertheless has cemented itself as one of the must-watch Best romantic K-dramas on Netflix.
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