Be it American, French, Japanese, Filipino, written, or otherwise, we love the romantic comedy genre. A rom-com story always has that feel-good element to it. Not only does it make you feel and understand what love is all about, but super bonus points if you can get a good laugh out of it. A win-win! And because we're self-proclaimed honorary Korean citizens (LOL), we just love love love a good ~*rom-com*~ Korean drama too!
My first Korean rom-com is the Filipino-dubbed version of Full House. I super loved the chemistry between Rain (as Justin or Lee Young Jae) and Song Hye Kyo (as Jessie or Han Ji Eun) and the story was just refreshing. Koreans have a knack for creating heart-fluttering K-Dramas and I have thus racked up a list of favorites over the years. It’s hard to narrow down the selection, but here’s a list of recent rom-com K-Dramas that you can start watching…or rewatching. *wink*
Here are 12 Rom-Com K-Dramas you need to watch on Netflix, Viu, and iQIYI:
1. Crash Landing On You (2019)
Who’s in it: Son Ye Jin, Hyun Bin, Seo Ji Hye, Kim Jung Hyun
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot: When successful businesswoman Yoon Se Ri goes on a paragliding adventure to test her new line of extreme sportswear collection, she gets caught in a tornado and is blown all the way to the North… Korea, that is. She lands right in front of North Korean Army Captain Ri Jeong Hyeok who, after much deliberation, decides to hide her identity until they can find a way to get her safely across the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas. The fascinating plot and the palpable chemistry between the leads have paved the way for CLOY to become the highest rating tvN drama to date, among many other recognitions. The #RiRi chemistry is so strong that fans are ecstatic to learn that Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin are actually dating IRL and are soon to get married!
2. Her Private Life (2019)
Who’s in it: Park Min Young, Kim Jae Wook, Ahn Bo Hyun
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu, iQIYI
The plot: Deok Mi is an esteemed museum curator by day, and a huge fansite master-nim at night for K-pop idol, Cha Si An. It’s a secret she wants to keep under tight wraps as much as possible, but fate can be playful. When her former boss gets imprisoned for embezzlement, Deok Mi now finds herself reporting to the aloof Ryan Gold, who was once a celebrated painter himself. The two start off at each other's wrong foot, until Ryan learns the other side of Deok Mi and eventually offers to help her out of her fangirl predicament. The show is fun to watch for a lot of reasons, including its relatability (fangirls and fanboys represent!) and Min Young and Jae Wook’s off-the-charts chemistry. But it’s also fun to discover whether Deok Mi would ever give up her love for Si An to make space for a new man in his life.
3. When The Camellia Blooms (2019)
Who’s in it: Gong Hyo Jin, Kang Ha Neul, Kim Ji Seok, Son Dam Bi
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot: Dong Baek is a single mother doing the best she could in raising her child, Pil Gu. She runs a bar called "Camellia" in the town of Ongsan, where many of the townsfolk often talk behind her back. Police Officer Hwang Yong Shik, however, is madly in love with her. And as he tries his best to make known his love for her, Yong Shik is also trying his best to keep the town safe from a serial killer on the loose. This show is one of 2019's best and has won the Grand Prize for Television at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards
4. Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol (2020)
Who’s in it: Lee Jae Wook, Go Ara, Kim Joo Hun
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot: Lala is one wealthy girl who loses everything she had when her father died on her wedding day. She runs away, lest she is held responsible for all the debts their business incurred, and finds herself in Eunpo with nothing but her dog, some clothes, and car. Here she meets Joon Sun Woo, who works multiple jobs to make ends meet. Lala tries to live on her own footing, but Sun Woo is always there to help her where he can. Their story is surely one that will make you laugh and gush in ~kilig~ but do prepare your tissues because… basta! You must watch to find out why.
5. True Beauty (2020)
Who’s in it: Moon Ga Young, Cha Eun Woo, Hwang In Yeop, Park Yoo Na
Where you can watch it: Viu
The plot: This K-drama is the TV adaptation of the popular webtoon of the same name. Ju Kyung isn't pretty, and people around her have made it pretty clear from the get-go. The mean girls at her school hatch an idea to humiliate poor Ju Kyung, until she's made up her mind to leave and start fresh somewhere else. This time, she's determined to turn her fate around by mastering the art of make-up. Ju Kyung triumphs and starts turning heads the moment she steps into her new school. She's gained new friends and catches the attention of the two hottest guys at school, Su Ho and Seojun. But what happens with these new relationships once the make-up starts fading away?
6. Mr. Queen (2020)
Who’s in it: Shin Hye Sun, Kim Jung Hyun, Choi Jin Hyuk
Where you can watch it: Viu
The plot: Jang Bong Hwan is a skillful chef at the Blue House who is so full of himself and is pretty much a lady's man. When he finds himself running for his life amid a law scuffle, Bong Hwan slips and falls into a swimming pool, eventually waking up in the body of a woman. And not just any woman, he’s swapped bodies with Kim So Yong, the future wife of King Cheol Jong of the Joseon Dynasty! What follows is the story of Bong Hwan reluctantly coming to terms with the fact that she is now Lady Kim So Yong, as well as settling her feelings for the King. She also helps the King fight off the evil deeds happening at court while adding a modern flair to the dishes coming out of the royal kitchen. The show is so fun to watch, and many people seem to think so too. It became the 5th highest rating show in tvN's history!
7. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
Who’s in it: Shin Min Ah, Kim Seon Ho, Lee Sang Yi
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot: Yoo Hye Jin is a talented dentist who gets fed up with the unscrupulous ways her boss is running their clinic. She leaves Seoul for a while to take a breather in the seaside town of Gongjin. A series of unfortunate events has Hye Jin’s path crossing with erstwhile village handyman, Hong Du Sik. Hye Jin soon realizes that she has a market in Gongjin and decides to open her own dental clinic to salvage her reputation. Initially detached, she soon finds herself liking the town with each passing day, as heart-warming stories unfold and love blossoms between a city girl and a small-town boy. This rom-com is so popular, it topped the Netflix charts for most of its run and earned the highest viewership ratings ever on its final episode!
8. My Roommate Is A Gumiho (2021)
Who’s in it: Jang Ki Yong, Hyeri
Where you can watch it: iQIYI
The plot: Sin Woo Yeo is a gumiho (a nine-tailed fox) whose goal for the past 999 years is to become human. He moonlights as a university professor, where he meets Lee Dam who accidentally swallows his magical fox bead, therefore kick-starting the process of him finally getting his dream. The two figure out a way to co-exist, and step one is to live together so they can navigate this new world they now find themselves in. Will Woo Yeo succeed and finally become human? And will Lee Dam get to help him out while living her best college life?
9. Yumi’s Cells (2021)
Who’s in it: Kim Go Eun, Ahn Bo Hyun
Where you can watch it: iQIYI
The plot: Kim Yumi is your typical, hardworking office worker. She hasn't been in a romantic relationship in years, so she's solely devoting her time to her career. Sure, she has crushes here and there, but things start turning upside down when he meets scruffy but talented game developer Goo Woong. What now? You'd think she’d navigate career, love, and daily decisions all on her own, but Yumi has her brain cells to help her out. Her brain has a variety of cells that take responsibility for a lot of aspects in Yumi’s life: Emotions, logic, hunger, fashion—you name it, she has a cell for it. This rom-com, also adapted from a popular webtoon of the same name, allows us to take a peek into Yumi's life and how these adorable cells help her figure out the ups and downs of adulthood.
10. Our Beloved Summer (2021)
Who’s in it: Kim Da Mi, Choi Woo Shik, Kim Sung Cheol, Noh Jung Ui
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot: Choi Woong and Kook Yeonsu used to be mortal enemies in high school until they weren't. Their antagonistic ways in high school somehow led to a romance that ended up in flames. Years later, however, a documentary they filmed together back in high school resurfaces and their paths once again begin to cross, as if by fate. And so we follow the story of Woong and Yeonsu, of them going back to their Tom and Jerry fights, of revelations unfolding, of dreams intertwining, and of a love that they try hard to suppress but has actually never gone away.
11. Business Proposal (2022)
Who's in it: Ahn Hyo Seop, Kim Sejeong, Kim Min Kyu, Seol In Ah
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot: Business Proposal follows the story of food researcher Shin Ha Ri, who agrees to go on a blind date in place of her best friend, Jin Young Seo. However, in a twist of fate her date turns out to be her employer: Go Food CEO Kang Tae Moo. Tae Moo, trying to escape his grandfather's plans of an arranged marriage, convinces Ha Ri to fake a relationship with him. Ha Ri leads a double life as Shin Geum Hee, Tae Moo's fake partner, all the while hiding the fact that she is his employee. When real feelings start developing between the two, can their fake love story become a happy ever after?
12. King the Land (2023)
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot: Gu Won (Junho) is the reserved heir to the conglomerate King Group. Having been traumatized by people faking their emotions around him when he was a child, Gu Won detests fake smiles. His initial encounter with King Hotel's top employee, the bright and optimistic Cheon Sarang (YoonA) is definitely a memorable one. However, the two soon learn that the other has hidden depths—but can they find happiness despite their vastly different upbringings?
13. Love To Hate You (2023)
Who's in it: Kim Ok Vin, Teo Yoo, Go Won Hee, Kim Ji Hoon
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot: If you're into the enemies-to-lovers trope, Love To Hate You should be your pick. When headstrong Yeo Mi Ran (Kim Ok Vin) takes up a new challenge of solving celebrity scandals, she then meets Nam Kang Ho (Teo Yoo) who is a big romantic actor. Despite Kang Ho's work, he is aloof and does not want to mingle with women, especially Mi Ran, whom he explicitly thought was not his type at all. But Mi Ran changes his perspective on women as their paths cross in several unfortunate events. One of which would be Mi Ran overhearing Kang Ho's remarks on women—which obviously did not sound good to Mi Ran. She goes out on a mission to prove how much of a "jerk" Kang Ho is. However, things take an unexpected turn when both of them fall in love with each other.
14. See You In My 19th Life (2023)
Who's in it: Shin Hye Sun, Ahn Bo Hyun, Ahn Dong Goo, Ha Yoon Kyung
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot: This fantasy rom-com explores the world of reincarnations. Ban Ji Eum (Shin Hye Sun) has a special ability to remember her past lives—from the skills she learned during each lifetime, to the people she met, and up to her name per lifetime. There's only one thing she could not remember: her very first life. But among all the lifetimes she's lived, her 18th life stood out, when she met the love of her life, Mun Seo Ha (Ahn Bo Hyun). Luckily, in her 19th life, she was reincarnated in the same timeline as Seo Ha, grabbing the chance to be involved in his life. As she tries to let Seo Ha know their story and connection, Ji Eum tries all sorts of comic efforts for Seo Ha to notice her.
15. Welcome To Samdal-ri (2023)
Who's in it: Ji Chang Wook, Shin Hye Sun
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot: Exes making a comeback into each other's arms? Color us thrilled about it! That's how Cho Sam Dal (Shin Hye Sun) and Cho Yong Pil (Ji Chang Wook) hooked up in their groundbreaking drama, Welcome To Samdal-Ri. Sam Dal comes back to her hometown in Jeju Island after facing a major setback in her career in Seoul. Sam Dal's homecoming forced her to cross paths again with her "greatest love" and childhood friend, Yong Pil. Thinking they're already over their love for each other, the two struggle to come into terms with the truth in their relationship as ex-couple. Of course, adding spectacle to the story is their acting chops. Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun delivered!
16. My Demon (2023)
Who's in it: Song Kang, Kim Yoo Jung
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot: Jeong Guwon (Song Kang) leads a prosperous eternal life as a demon for 200 years. His works entail looking for the most desperate human being looking for a so-called miracle, which he will be granting. His peaceful life turns upside down when he meets Do Do Hee (Kim Yoo Jung). Do Hee will ask Guwon to be her bodyguard-slash-husband. The two will unconsciously unravel their centuries-old love story!
READ ALSO: Everything We Know About 'My Demon' Starring Song Kang And Kim Yoo Jung
17. Wedding Impossible (2024)
Who's in it: Moon Sangmin, Jeon Jong Seo, Kim Do Wan
Where you can watch it: Prime Video
The plot: Rookie actress Na Ah Jeong (Jeon Jong Seo) has been looking for a great opportunity to land her first lead role. So when her guy best friend Lee Do Han (Kim Do Wan)—who happens to be gay and su[er wealthy—asks her to pretend to be his fiancée, she grabs it despite her reservations over the role. But above all her reservations about it, the greatest hurdle surrounding her role was Lee Do Han's younger brother, Lee Ji Han (Moon Sangmin). Ji Han exerts all his effort to stop the marriage between Ah Jeong and Do Han, even seducing Ah Jeong for it. At first, it was all about how to prevent Do Han and Ah Jeong from tying the knot. But later on, Ah Jeong and Ji Han find themselves falling in love with each other *hard.* What's going to happen now that Ah Jeong has been introduced as Do Han's fiancée to everyone and when the wedding date has been set already?
18. Lovely Runner (2024)
Who's in it: Byeon Woo Seok, Kim Hye Yoon
Where you can watch it: Viu
The plot: What if you get the chance to know your bias or fave idol's first love—but it happens to be you? Case in point: Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon)! Sol has become the biggest Ryu Sun Jae fangirl. After witnessing a tragic accident involving Sun Jae, she mysteriously travels back to her high school life which was 15 years ago. There, he meets pre-debut Sun Jae, who surprisingly was her schoolmate and her neighbor! As she tries to prevent the tragic future from happening, she convinces Sun Jae to listen to her and stay safe. However, Sol continues to alter the future including the status of her life all while rediscovering her love for the non-idol Sun Jae. NOTE: The rom-com in Lovely Runner is rom-com-ing guys, we swear. This will not only bring you butterflies but the whole zoo to your stomach. It's that kind of heart-fluttering.
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