Asian youth romance dramas are staple options every drama fan should have on their watch list!
Years of indulging in countless television dramas have left me with an all-too-familiar drama fatigue. Sometimes, I shake it off quickly; other times, it lingers, making it hard to jump back into another series.
One of my tried-and-true remedies? Youth romance dramas. Their universal charm, often revolving around the magic of first love, makes them an easy favorite. With generous fan service, lighthearted storytelling, and just the right touch of family and friendship narratives, these dramas offer a soothing escape without demanding too much emotional or mental energy.
As I revisited my personal favorites today, I found myself reminiscing about classic gems and modern hits—stories that have left a lasting impression and continue to bring a sense of nostalgia.
You’ll notice that many of these dramas have inspired multiple adaptations across different countries, a testament to their irresistible storytelling. Additionally, most of them are set in school, proving that some of our most cherished romance stories originate from our youthful, carefree years.
Since beautiful drama experiences are meant to be shared, I’ve curated a list of Asian youth romance series that never fail to lift the mood. These are perfect for an annual rewatch or for those moments when you need a refreshing break from emotionally heavy narratives. After all, sometimes, all we need is a heartwarming love story to bring back the spark.
Meteor Garden (2001 & 2018) | Hana Yori Dango | Boys Over Flowers
Based on the Japanese manga series 花より男子 (Hana Yori Dango), the story of an ordinary girl who gets entangled with four rich boys while studying at an elite school has decked a household story status. Plenty of adaptations pushed further its recall that I won’t be surprised if years from now, it will have another remake.
Evidently, all adaptations capitalized on the rich-boy-poor-girl love story, love triangle and friendship.
Itazura Na Kiss | It Started With A Kiss | Playful Kiss | Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo |
One-sided love is pictured as sweet in this series adapted from another popular manga イタズラなKiss (Playful Kiss). It revolves around the story of a not-so-smart girl who harbored admiration for a smart and almost perfect boy.
In a twist of fate, they end up living together in the same house. Little by little her adoration was reciprocated through the course of their high school and college life.
Hana Kimi | Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (2007 & 2011) | To The Beautiful You |
Last from our shojo manga adaptation parade is 花ざかりの君たちへ, For You in Full Blossom which tells the story of a brave girl who enters an all-boys high school to pursue her attraction to a popular athlete.
There she not only gains young love, but friends and affirmation of how being young is a gift.
Princess Hours
Before Ju Ji Hoon embarked on his zombie-vanquishing mission in Kingdom, he was the doted Prince Lee Shin circa 2006. Fulfilling a marriage deal from their ancestors, the modern-day Crown Prince marries an ordinary girl who eventually falls in love with him.
Slowly but surely, the prince also gravitates toward his vibrant wife while tackling the travails of his being heir to the throne. Ultimately, they seal their mutual romance albeit with a few misconceptions.
Sungkyunkwan Scandal | In A Class of Her Own
Fused with a modern vibe in a traditional setting, Sungkyunkwan Scandal is literally a class of its own. To aid in her family’s financial woes, a young woman enters a famed all-boy school that nurtures scholars.
There she meets new friends, new aspirations, and new romance.
Reply 1997
The initiating story of the successful Reply series franchise speaks of fond high school memories and first love. Setting the trademark guess-the-husband game, the torn-between-two-brothers love tale is a perfect fit when you crave a saccharine treat, especially if you are a fangirl. *wink
You’ve Fallen For Me
Incorporating music and campus romance, this Park Shin Hye and Jung Yong Hwa starrer is a feel-good treat rightly blended with scenes that will leave you nothing but smiles.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
The breakthrough portrayals for both Lee Sung Kyoung and Nam Joo Hyuk came from this darling series which reminds us of how young love is always served sweetly.
With ideal romantic seasoning, its relatable process of college romance yielded its interesting presence in K-Drama fans’ favorites.
Love 020
Most of the major global video platforms have Love 020 in their catalog and for a good reason. Online game couple Xiao Nai and Bei Weiwei traverse real life romance as a campus couple.
A healthy dose of heart-fluttering moments makes this series another fan favorite.
A Love So Beautiful
No matter how many times I summon this series on my drama pill stash, Jiang Chen and Xiaoxi’s love journey remains to be one of my favorite story gifts.
It makes you reminisce about your very own first love, first friendship clique and all those sweet school memories.
Put Your Head on My Shoulder
C-Dramas have an endearing reputation for powering fascinating school-set young love series. That goes true for Si Tu-mo and Gu Wei-yi romantic narrative.
Cohabitation turned commitment in this series also traversed the love pairing’s university life along with the process of their falling in love.
Unrequited Love
Derived from Bayue Chang’an’s novel of the same title, Unrequited Love as the title implies threads on the one-sided love story of Luo Zhi to Sheng Huainan. Her adoration goes way back to when they were small children.
Meeting again in high school, she remains loving him from afar, but things progress as they become closer while studying at the same university.
Streaming Sites: Netflix | Viu | Viki | iQIYI | We TV
Photos: Respective Broadcast Networks of above-mentioned dramas
