Summary
- K-dramas offer a variety of romance genres, blending history, fantasy, and drama seamlessly.
- Standout K-romances like Jewel in The Palace and Descendants of the Sun offer compelling narratives and character dynamics.
- Shows like Crash Landing On You and It’s Okay To Not Be Okay explore unique themes, making for heartwarming and impactful romances.
There are plenty of romantic shows and movies that are perfect to watch on Valentine’s Day. But when it comes to the romance genre itself, K-dramas have produced some of the best romance hits around.
From romances set in historical settings to those blended with fantasy and the supernatural, these K-romances are sure to sweep you off your feet. Although several of these shows happen to have romance as a secondary plotline, they’re seamlessly added to the story in a way that’s sure to have your heart racing this Valentine’s.
9
Jewel In The Palace
2003
A true classic in every sense of the word, Jewel in the Palace is one of the many productions that further catapulted the spread of the Korean Wave. Although it mainly chronicles main character Jang-geum’s rise from an impoverished orphan to one of the foremost physicians of the Joseon court, it masterfully blends romance with the cutthroat political scheming of the time.
Although you’d expect the leading lady to win the heart of the King, Jewel in the Palace subverts expectations by centring the love story on that of Jang-geum and the honourable member of the royal guard, Jeong-ho. The show also serves as an impactful commentary on a woman’s struggles to have her achievements recognised in this medieval era, all while introducing traditional Korean culture to the world.
8
Mr Queen
2020
A K-drama that is guaranteed to be a barrel of laughs, romance comedy Mr Queen takes the body swap concept to a different level. Although we start with skilled chef Bong-hwan in the modern-day world, Bong-hwan eventually wakes up in the body of a real-life Queen of the Joseon dynasty, Queen Cheorin.
We follow Bong-hwan as he finds himself at odds with the inner and outer workings of the female body, resulting in chaotic and comedic antics as he desperately tries to return to his original body. Actress Shin Hye-sun portrays Bong-hwan’s dilemma perfectly, and coupled with an excellent script, sees Bong-hwan’s character gradually fall in love with the stoic King Cheoljong.
7
Twenty-Five Twenty-One
2022
An excellent coming-of-age drama, Twenty-Five Twenty-One is realistic in both its main and secondary romances. The show delves deeper into its teenage characters’ struggles, especially since two of them are members of different national fencing teams. They face the pressures of performing well while juggling the everyday trials of your average high school kid.
Not only are these characters well-written, but the story is also well-developed, paired with vibrant visual aesthetics. Twenty-Five Twenty-One is a show to watch if you’re looking for a wholesome, yet heartrending tale of young love.
6
Memories Of The Alhambra
2018
Memories of the Alhambra is a definite must-watch, lauded for its unique plot that blends sci-fi with captivating drama and romance. Although romance isn’t central to the story, the show is a visual and storytelling masterpiece, with top-notch stars Hyun-bin and Park Shin-hye delivering in their roles.
Related
There are a lot of romance anime out there, but which ones are best? Here, you can check out some of the best romance anime to watch.
The story cleverly integrates virtual reality gaming into the plot, adding an element of mystery as its main character, CEO Jin-woo, starts investigating a new AR game inspired by the history of the Alhambra Palace in Spain. Notwithstanding the tasteful action sequences, the romance between Jin-woo and hostel owner Hee-joo was built up well, making for a convincing relationship.
5
It’s Okay To Not Be Okay
2020
It’s Okay To Not Be Okay stands apart from most K-dramas and K-romances due to its running theme regarding mental health, as well as its fantastic Tim Burton-esque animation sequences. The main character, Gang-tae, works in a psychiatric facility and encounters a well-known children’s author, Moon-young, who suffers from antisocial personality disorder.
Emotionally impactful and heartwarming, each character’s internal conflicts and past traumas are explored, with moments of hilarity that don’t take away from what the show is trying to say. Gang-tae and Moon-young’s burgeoning romance is also portrayed superbly, as the two attempt to heal from their painful pasts.
4
Descendants Of The Sun
2016
Descendants of the Sun is one of the most popular K-romances to ever be produced, with plenty of drama and amazing cinematography. The story centres on the romance between a special forces operative, Shi-jin, and field doctor Mo-yeon, whose respective occupations bring them into conflict with each other despite their obvious attraction.
A show that’s garnered international acclaim, Descendants of the Sun stands out due to its compelling character dynamics, as well as knowing when to drive suspense or humour when needed, making for an unforgettable narrative experience.
3
Boys Over Flowers
2009
Yet another classic in the K-romance space, Boys Over Flowers is the third live adaptation of a Japanese manga and anime of the same name. The series remains memorable due to the believable performances of its young cast, particularly Lee Min-ho’s portrayal of the main male lead, which helped launch his name into the mainstream.
Related
From dating dads to island-based murder mysteries, these are the 10 best romance visual novels.
The show does well in highlighting class struggles, as protagonist Ja-di comes from a working-class background compared to her wealthy classmates. It also serves as a coming-of-age story for its teenage characters, with good characterisation and well-paced romance development.
2
Guardian: The Lonely And Great God
2016
One of the best fantasy romance K-dramas of the past decade, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God was an instant hit upon release. Written by Kim Eun-Sook – the same person responsible for Descendants of the Sun – the series won hearts with Gong-Yoo’s excellent performance as its main male lead, and the tender, lighthearted romance between the goblin Kim Shin and Eun-tak.
The story blends the weighty consideration of prophecy and history with moments of levity, humour, and a tear-jerking climax. Although the main romance is between Kim Shin and Eun-tak, the romance between the Grim Reaper and chicken shop owner Sunny is also done incredibly well, making for a perfect all-rounder to binge on for Valentine’s Day.
1
Crash Landing On You
2019
2019’s Crash Landing On You has become an instant classic, capturing audiences due to the originality of its plot and the compelling chemistry between its characters. The show masterfully navigates the disparities between North and South Korea, with well-written characters and top-notch dialogue that’ll leave you either laughing or in tears.
The story follows Yoon Se-ri, an ultra-wealthy chaebol heiress who goes paragliding to destress. However, she gets caught in a tornado and ends up in North Korea, where she meets a North Korean soldier, Jeong-hyeok, who helps hide her from the authorities. The romance between Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok is both heartwarming and heartrending, with a bittersweet ending to wrap things up neatly.
