ROMANCE K-DRAMAS

Schedule a weekend binge for these adorable and heart-fluttering Korean romance dramas.

Kdrama fandom can all agree that a string of Korean romance dramas usually trigger the KDrama addiction. The unique and imaginative plots deviate from the basic triumvirate plot of cops-lawyer-doctor TV shows. On that note, it is one genre list that is hard to write because viewers have varied taste on what love stories would appeal to them.

I want to go as far as 10 years ago but video resources might not be available anymore. We will focus our drama reminiscing instead from 2006 onward. But let’s do a quick stop on those classic Korean dramas your mom or aunt might have told you about. Early 21^st century marked the surge of Hallyu wave. The dominant genres are romance and melodramas. Most of the recurring love plots we have seen in the past 10 years can be traced on these timeless Korean romance dramas. It was this period that “Endless Love” series by revered director Yoon Seok Ho aired. These seasoned themed dramas spark the popularity of most actors that are still active today. Autumn in My Heart, Winter Sonata, Summer Scent and Spring Waltz are breakout performances of present top actresses – Song Hye Kyo, Choi Ji Woo, Sohn Ye Jin and Han Hyo Joo.

Benchmark rom-com dramas such as Attic Cat, Full House, My Lovely Samsoon and My Girl are forerunners of perennial kdrama elements like cohabitation, couple bickering, and rich-boy-poor-girl story premise. The melodramas at present have toned down compared to its predecessors. Stairway to Heaven, What Happened in Bali, Save the Last Dance for Me and A Love to Kill are dramas that would exhaust you emotionally, yet they are strong in giving you love affirming lessons. There is no definitive yardstick on the best Korean romance dramas, but I’ll give you breakthrough and memorable dramas that you might have missed and you want to revisit.

P.S I will constantly update this post if new beautiful romance drama arrives or if I had finished one from my pending list. Also, this list and review excerpts are also published on Hellokpop. Some are derived from my consolidated blog entries through the years via abbyinhallyuland as well.

Princess Hours (2006)

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A high school girl becomes the country’s princess, but the prince she married is still caught up with his first flame. Crown Prince Lee Shin and Princess Chae-gyung’s love story is the typical I-was-not-meaning-to-fall-for-you-but-I-fell-anyway romance. The love progresses from nothing at all to “I want you to be always beside me” kind of adoration. There are frustrating moments but the eventual love admittance washes out some of the senseless and slow runs. Princess Hours gives a youthful presence while combining the individual growth of the main leads who are forced to marry due to their ancestors’ promise.

My Girl (2006)

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A rich man hires a woman to pretend as his lost cousin so his sick grandfather will feel better. The con backfires as they fall in love with each other. Lee Dong Wook and Lee Da Hae’s first pairing is a zesty cohabitation where the couple bicker a lot until romance knocks them out to submission. The road to the love realization threads on happy notes and lies. My Girl leaves a message on how time makes you braver to love someone, and how love stays true when separated by time.

Which Star Are You From? (2006)

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After the death of his girlfriend, a film director secludes himself only to be reminded of the past he unhinged from, by meeting a woman who looks exactly like his dead ex-gf. It turns out that the woman is indeed his ex-gf’s long lost sister, and her family is against their relationship since they blame him for the death of his ex-gf. This is one of those pioneering love dramas where the writer is focused on conceiving a resolution for the conflict by trusting the magical power of love through fiction writing, instead of throwing unnecessary setbacks to hurt the main leads. It pushes the love couple to tackle their indifference head on by relying on how they trust and love each other.

Worlds Within (2008)

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Set in TV drama world, the lead couple are both working as production directors. It does not have quirky plots, but it uses clever humor through Song Hye Kyo and Hyun’s Bin portrayal of a workplace couple struggling to give and receive the best love possible. Without so much embellishment, the plain yet heartfelt emotions of the couple rediscovering their love for each other in varied ways shows what a normal relationship should be – messy, uncertain, forbearing. The heartfelt traverse of a couple working in the drama production team is under-appreciated, but it is one drama that you’ll exclaim, “Hey this story happens in real life!”

Coffee Prince (2007)

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Before Gong Yoo slayed the ratings in tvN’s fantasy-romance Goblin, he probably used to be your mom and aunt’s cherished “coffee prince”. Ask any avid K-drama watcher for classic k-drama picks, chances are that Coffee Prince is a recurring favorite. The First Shop of Coffee Prince immensely helped in the growing popularity of Korean wave that also solidified Gong Yoo’s bankable lead man status. Yoon Eun Hye scored another memorable heroine performance as she pretends to be a man so that she can work in an all-male operated coffee shop. Coffee Prince’s ending is cheesy as it can be, but it wraps up with how the lead man lets go of his girl for her to pursue her own dreams. It is a must-watch grandpa classic that will surely not lose its appeal even after a few decades from now.

You’re Beautiful (2009)

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Preparing to be a nun, a young woman is forced to assume her twin’s identity who is supposed to join an idol group, but falls on comatose after an accident. Perky and fast-paced, the well written script is filled with sweet moments of being young and in love. Looking back this is still my favorite Park Shin Hye drama because she displayed a memorable heroine that is naive but refreshing, vulnerable and persevering. With three men battling for the lead girl’s attention and parading their skills regardless if it’s awkward or not, it is a hilarious watch to see the love-struck idol members bleed love to claim her heart. You’re Beautiful shows a clear picture of how love is meant to be enjoyed at the moment and chased at the right time.

City Hall (2009)

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This politics based romance drama crawled in my heart without me realizing it. It beats the regular favorites Coffee Prince, Princess Hours and even My Lovely Samsoon to get to the top of my list, because it’s not your conventional drama with cushioned and frosted romance. It is a love story where the prince did not rescue his damsel in distress, but pushed her to be brave and resolve things on her own. With uncomplicated premise, the writing is exceptionally thought provoking for any woman experiencing challenges in finding her worth not in the standard of what the society dictates, but on the dreams she has as a woman. A memorable performance for Kim Sun Ah and Cha Seung Won who perfectly pictured a love declaration frame that is yet to beat from the rest of Korean romance dramas I have seen.

Boys Over Flowers (2009)

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A young man (Lee Min Ho) from a rich household falls in love with a girl (Gu Hye Sun) from a poor family background. When she resisted his temperament, he starts bullying her but eventually fell in love with her charm. This manga based drama swept my heart when it was adapted by Taiwan TV back when I was in my college days. It was so popular and introduced me to my first fictional love Dau Ming Si. So I had high expectations when Korea took it for their own production. I say they presented it well, that I went back to being in my teens, and even watching it in raw videos every week when it was airing. What made it different from the rest of the remakes done is it stayed on the original context of young and sweet high school love as well as a strong battle between the main and second lead in claiming the lead girl’s heart. It may not be perfect because of the moments when the drama has to ride its popularity, but it is an addictive drama that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (2010)

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A rich, lazy college student (Lee Seung Gi) dreams of becoming an action star accidentally freed a pretty woman (Shin Min Ah) from an enchanted picture. She turns out to be a nine-tailed-fox imprisoned for a long time. The two work on their dreams of becoming an actor and becoming a human and soon enough fell in love with each other. The fantasy and reality mixture of the story is what kept the engrossing vibe. Shin Min Ah’s gumiho character perks up the drama in providing laugh trip moments due to her journey in adapting to the human world. The love fulfillment, although hindered with the supernatural bead that binds the love line, is a neat conflict catalyst. It cemented the love connection which grew on the course of them wanting to be each other’s protector and person.

Dong Yi (2010)

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Hallyu actress Han Hyo Joo plays the titular role of Dong Yi – the drama that recounts the turbulent governance of King Sukjong in controlling the resistance of the stubborn factions eager to cause trouble in his tenure. The romantic plot, involving King Sukjong and his concubines, is also relayed in a classic sageuk manner, having a she-villain keen to make everything hard for the heroine. Beautifully crafted, the political conspiracies, woman-empowering message and the love story are the reasons why this 60-episode period drama is still engrossing. Dong Yi displays a stimulating TV drama while presenting the intricacies and controversies of Korean Joseon Monarchy. It presents the elaborated palace life, power struggles and vibrancy of the culture with clever layering of romance. Additionally, the narration is subtle in its approach, yet daring on its conviction. The beginning is disheartening, the ending will make you pull the strings for it to end out of weary, but you tend to hold on to feel gratified on the conflict’s dissipation. Now the middle part, that is the best part of the series.

Personal Taste (2010)

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A vulnerable lead girl (Son Ye Jin) is betrayed by her best friend who seduced her ex-boyfriend. She meets an architect (Lee Min Ho), who is on a mission to redeem his father’s lost glory by analyzing a house designed by a legendary architect who is the lead girl’s father. Our lead girl mistook her hero to be homophile and let him board in her house but then later on, they develop feelings for each other. There are lots of bright tones which compensate to dry moments when the lead girl is stuck on wallowing in her lack of self-esteem. The doting scenes makes you crave for more inevitably. Why it made this list despite the heroine’s weak spirit is justified by the satisfying romance. Additionally, the lead girl redeems herself through her hero’s encouragement to be a better version of herself. While the hero learns to step back and appreciate the people around him instead of keeping all his woes alone.

Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)

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Presenting Sungkyunkwan Scandal – the drama that can change belief that sageuk series are not fun. A bromance-filled tale incorporating a touch of traditional Korean history set in Joseon era’s premiere school. The series is a Hana-Kimi-Boys-Over-Flower-fusion set in the Joseon period. It is where I suffered the most mind-boggling Second-Lead syndrome, in the end the second-lead prevailed. *chuckles This is a kind of school life every girl wishes for. Having three gorgeous men as your friends and even two fighting for your heart. Considering the setting is in traditional times, they are able to execute love melting scenes while studying in the library, getting stranded inside a wooden elevator, and all the rest of those happy moments shared by the scholars. Despite the politics related conflict, what I loved most in the narrative is the optimism and bravery of the characters which help in making their portrayals worth remembering. The drama gives epic romantic scenes that when you tell your friends, you get transported back to the moment when you were actually watching it.

Secret Garden (2010)

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The sparkling tracksuit, the sweet sit-up kiss and coffee kiss, the hilarious body swap, Ha Ji Won‘s stunt woman portrayal, and Hyun Bin’s melting gaze are some of the things that I remember most about “Secret Garden”. It is a breather from rom-com prototypes with its perfect blending of fantasy and romance. Secret Garden is your drama to see when you want a kdrama marathon vacation. It plays well in keeping the excitement stable and hits a love progression which the viewers loyally cheer for. The fantasy body-switching plot is a brilliant addition to keep the story bubbly as well as the reversal of roles for the strong heroine and weak but charming lead man. The strength of how the love couple bicker along the way to realize they are both rendered by the love bind they throw at each other unconsciously will make you mark this drama as an all-time favorite.

The Greatest Love (2011)

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This love drama staged in the showbiz land revolves around the story of a top actor in his prime; and a struggling actress who used to be from a famous girl group – but was condemned unfairly by the public’s judgment. In a series of forming-a-love-story, they keep on crossing the same path every now and then. Before he knows it, the cutely egoistic and mischievous Dokko Jin’s protective instinct is awakened by the pure-sometimes-vulnerable character of Ae-jung. An endearing battle-for-the-leading-lady’s-heart showcase can leave viewers truly blissful, as the two male leads wager their creativity to let Ae Jung notice how much they love her. The Greatest Love disarms the viewers from earthly life and draws them to thrive inside a protective romantic bubble. It is done short and sweet with a basket full of happy hearts delivered personally by cupid to all of us.

Scent of a Woman (2011)

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Looking back what I like most about this drama is how, for a change, I got the conflict first in one big blow at the beginning of the series and I stayed glued to it even when I got the picture of expected possibilities. I felt that the tears, the smiles, the bright side, the falling flower petals, the optimism, the strong heroine and Lee Dong Wook are all perfectly placed to the finish line. Knowing the initially laid problem, Scent of a Woman anticipates how they will reach the climax, and how the characters will play together to achieve it. As a viewer, it made me prepare for the pain because of the heroine’s inevitable dying conflict. I am happy that the story comes up with an ending that Eun-jae, Ji-wook and I deserve. It is a conclusion that befits the death defying romance premise. Love and life affirming, if you are looking for a drama that will make you laugh, fall in love, cry and be hopeful all at the same time, this one is for you.

City Hunter (2011)

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The reckless hero and action-filled drama City Hunter leaves a gripping impression that girls may want to be kidnapped, wishing the lead man would rescue them. Lee Min Ho plays devil-may-care-ass-kicking-casanova. With a pinch of romance, gorgeous fight scenes and definitive plot, it raised the bar to action drama set in modern times. The nifty plot provides life lessons owing to the base pretext of the main character’s family issues. Each episode is done where the tussles did not exhaust the viewers but place them on trance for wanting more. Directing and editing wise, this is one of those dramas which knew how to pull cliff-hangers even to the finale episode where the hate-you-love-you character of Jin-pyo showed a befitting redemption. The main leads are so buffed in making the story ever moving and exciting. The show stopper “ajussi” and his online shopping addiction makes me look like an occasional shopper. The other dark apprentice is also oozingly hot orchestrating ruckus for City Hunter. Admirably, the lead girl Kim Nana (Park Min Young) is strong-willed and smart. She does not go to the usual mopey and always looking for a rescue lead woman. Overall, this is a drama that will satisfy your cravings.

I Need Romance (2011)

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I Need Romance overflows with thought-provoking lessons about romantic relationship. It might argue with your existing love standpoint and rules of dating. It makes you yearn how it feels to be in a blissful, addictive, sometimes-painful-yet-binding and worth taking a risk kind of love. Tailored in a city vibe, it narrates modern stories of women in their 30’s and how they struggle to keep their romantic relationship and the lack of it. It features confident characters and the importance of honesty in a relationship. The sassy friendship of the lead girls cover different faces of relationships that make or break a person. It draws the depth of commitment and the pain it comes when loving someone truthfully. It is a drama that can make you finish watching in one sitting due to its addictive and realistic taste.

Spy Myungwol (2011)

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In accordance to fulfilling a military order, North Korean spy Myungwol infiltrates South Korea in her goal to seduce Hallyu superstar Kang Woo (Eric) so that he defects to North Korea as part of their military plan to kill Korean wave. Yes, cutely weird right? Her persistence achieves her goal, but her emotions sway to an unexpected scenario which her undercover agent skills can’t solve. She embarks on a dangerous love affair and proves that a memorable love can spring beyond the North Korean border. The premise of having the heroine protecting the leading man is a breather from the usual vulnerable leading ladies needing a chaebol-in-the-shining-armor to rescue them. There is an equally lovable second lead (Lee Jin Wook) on the side too – which makes the love ride all the more exciting.

My Princess (2011)

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The long lost princess of Korea embarks on re-claiming the honor of her royal family in the modern times. But it is not easy, owing to her need to prove her worth as a princess to the country, along with the evident rivals determined to stop the Monarchy’s re-emergence. She relies between the devil and the deep blue sea to fulfill her filial responsibility. This is the best Kim Tae Hee and Song Seung Heon performance that I have enjoyed. Sassy couple fights, well rendered sweet hero display, and the mischievous yet vulnerable princess make up the delightful run of this love spectacle. It threads on the princess-dark-knight love tale and maintains the bliss of the romantic narrative. My Princess is that drama you watch with your girlfriends on a pyjama night when you don’t want to talk about work and love problems and just want to rest and feel each other’s presence. Sweetly made for a woman who loves freely as it can be.

The Princess’ Man (2011)

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This Romeo-and-Juliet-like melodrama sends the viewers due to the poignant struggles and motivations of the love couple. The directing and cinematography are captured efficiently projecting an emotionally draining love chronicle. How they maneuver the movements of the conflict without making the protagonists look so annoyingly pathetic is strategically done which made me admire the writer of the story. It is a moving narrative of how the lead couple patiently wait to claim the love that is rightfully theirs. It is an agonizing yet gratifying tale that reminds us of the risks in committing yourself to someone, the bittersweet pain of coming to terms that love has always casualties, and the reality that until you learn to forgive, you will not be able to keep in your arms the person who defined you what is love.

Flower Boy Ramyun Shop (2011)

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Flower Boy Ramyun Shop is a ball of sweetness powered by endearing characters. It is one of the quirkiest-so-pleasing-to-watch-main-cast. A love ride that you will keep in your heart because of the memorable characters in lead and supporting roles. The humor and the love triangle keeps the engaging run topped by the eye candy relief of the flower boy filled cast. The series tackles the different fears of falling in love. On the female lead’s perception, she is crossed with falling for someone out of her league, and it made her even more confused when another man tries claiming ownership of her too. In the male lead’s mind, his passion over wanting to be with the woman he likes pours incessantly. That it is overwhelming her when she is still in the process of healing with so many things that happened in her life. At the end of it all, with utmost sincerity he wins her heart. Overflowing with saccharine moments, if you are craving from a sweet story, this drama suffices beyond what you expect.

Queen and I (2012)

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The drive to bring the viewers to a spontaneous romantic binge while holding the reign to a bewitching plot is quenchless with this time-slip-rom-com delight. Queen and I stirs an excitement due to its avant-garde story of a time-traveling Joseon scholar who utilizes a talisman that powers his time-space wrinkling ability to hide in the present time while brewing his next moves on fulfilling his duty to the deposed Joseon Queen. An actress helps him to adapt to contemporary living and they eventually fall in love with each other. The drama is hip and fun and affirms that my decision to eat k-dramas for breakfast is valid. Queen and I disarms the viewers each episode through its creative drama pulls by going maverick to is predicted to happen. It swerves from the typical KDrama cliches of unfinished love issues, family problems, useless vengeance driven characters, and all those personal exhausting battles. Given the time-voyaging premise of the story, the production team worked diligently on the smooth timeline transitions with witty humor. It plays the past and present ends without losing the fluidity of the story. The story line pulls off and amazing conflict deliverance in a make-sense attitude. It is a supernatural rom-com drama at its best, no questions asked, period.

Moon Embracing the Sun (2012)

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This drama open in a grand fireworks display. The ratings stayed up even if there were times that I was wishing for it to speed up. But the production team sure know when they should wake you up when you were about to doze off so I remain positively raving. The young love which bloomed and defied time, reasons, and political issues are reasons why the series was applauded immensely. The strong and consistent character portrayals, supernatural seasonings, family issues and brotherly love cemented the viewers’ loyalty. It is euphoric on its strong notes and contemplating on its sad tones. My verdict? This is a drama full of love and anguish, but you will eventually cherish it.

King 2 Hearts (2012)

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King 2 Hearts is staged in a quasi-utopian Korean world where the North and South Koreans are sort of in peaceful communicating terms. The series is polished, calculated but never failing to entice and push the audience to the assumed outcomes.That being said, what I applaud about this drama is how it seems predictable but it will act otherwise. It meets all the criteria for a superb k-drama in terms of directing and acting plus it ends with conviction. It has also one of the most memorable villains who ever graced the evil camp land and a heartbreaking second lead character conclusion. It is an honest yet tender love picture of a man and woman who overcome political ideologies and personal reservations.

May Queen (2012)

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Sitting on a 38-episode melodrama where birth secret, superhero villains, revenge-and-greed-driven plot needs to be munched is a feat so hard to do if you are impatient. Notably, Korean dramas are tailored in bringing fans to different worlds. For this series, you’ll learn about the shipbuilding industry as the story evolves around characters moving in the oil exploration and shipbuilding business. Ready yourself to explore the ocean, ships, drilling rigs, oil discovery and the realistic and moving love story of May Queen. All the fundamentals of a melodrama are present as the narrative crawled to its finale. That includes the-most-vilest-of-‘em-all-villains, the-kind-and-overly-optimistic-lead-girl and the good-prevailing-over-wickedness-theme. It is a slow-moving drama but all are explained on the conflicts raised — the motivation, the actions after the intentions and the resolution. This drama compensates the long run to explain everything they have to explain. They make sure that each main character revolved and redeemed their personas. It makes a decent yardstick to melodrama that’s not taking the romance as an integral part.

Faith (2012)

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Faith is not a polished drama, in fact it is slow moving, but it is moving to a direction where it urges the viewers to join the drama production — cheering for them, feeling each of the character’s pain, engrossed with the happy moments and frustrated with the inability to end the villains vile ways. It is successful in establishing a connection that will not make it forgettable. Assimilating the action plot with the supernatural spices and decorating it with folklore, having a band of villains equipped with mojos, a sassy modern day doctor that is lost cutely to a new kind of thriving she is forced to live, and the Thor-ish General are the essentials that made this drama such an enthralling TV experience. The provocative plot matches the annoying villain assaults and the firm, arresting retaliation of the underdogs. A drama moving through governance contention and draped by the traditional settings normally sets a serious tone, but how the heroes and the villains pull the tricks on their sleeves ease out the ambiance to set an immersing watch. Faith’s ability to balance the transcendent elemental nonsense is plausible to how it mounts to the story’s peak. The back to the future arc links the primary message of the narrative – the essence of how a person should believe in the love he deserves.

Cheongdamdong Alice (2012)

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What would you do if you truly love the person but you started not with the right intention? This Cinderella-like tale brims with interesting characters and has splashes of mirth, reality slaps, gold-digging lessons, PTSD nonsense and thought-provoking love arguments. There are a lot of reality check scenes in the drama inferring love disparities that has made the texture of the story different from your typical you-and-me-against-my-rich-family premise. The heroine is blatant with her intentions even if she knew that it will destroy her. She is not your typical “I don’t care if you’re rich I just love you” girl because she’s been through a relationship saddled with financial constraint, and in the real world when you build a future with someone, love will be a foundation but money will sustain it. This love tale depicts a typical love story with twisted conflicts and characters. It raises an imbalance that has made the story true. Women dig any Cinderella-story because they want the feeling of being rescued. In this love tale, the girl starts the conflict, she makes the the person who will rescue him part of the conflict, but she finds the way to overcome it. Way to go girl! This drama teaches lessons that there are always reasons why you love someone and you can never ask for a proof of it. When love fails, you can never go back but you can always start again. Cheongdamdong Alice is able to hit all those considerations of people who are looking for the kind of love they deserve. Sometimes love starts because it is meant to be, but it has to end because we have to get the love we deserve.

Rooftop Prince (2012)

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Joseon Era – All is doing well with Crown Prince Yi-gak (Park Yoochun). The empire is smooth sailing and he enjoys afternoon walks with his princess and riddle games with his sister-in-law. Until a morning of surprise when the Crown Princess is found dead floating on a lake. Determined to catch the culprit on the Princess’ death, he gathered three of the most useful Joseon men he could find and off they go to uncover the mystery. In their pursuit to unveil the cause of the Princess’ death, they are transported 300 years after to modern Korea and landed on a rooftop house. From there the real adventure begins. The adorable three Musketeers and their prince are a bundle of bliss showering viewers chuckling moments on how they acclimatize to modern living. The romance is not rushed, and with that love-transcending-time premise, excuse me Romeo and Juliet here’s a couple to beat. It is not your perfect drama technical and script wise, in fact there are a few labyrinth-bound story bends and out of place conflicts. But then again the sweet moments and the humor are overpowering so you would hardly notice the lapses.

A Gentleman’s Dignity (2012)

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From the production team that brought Secret Garden, City Hall and Lovers in Paris comes an addictive, relationship contemplating rom-com in a Sex and the City male version vibe. The quirky cast and the quaint story drew groupie members of the best middle-aged-hotties that graced the K-dramaland.

The urban set A Gentleman’s Dignity narrates the stories of men in their 40’s who grew up as friends since Highschool and nurtured their friendship since then. The morning breakfast forums, the hilarious anecdotes, the sweet love declarations, the pleading love-believe-me’s, and the bromantic I-got-your-back-bro are some of the reasons why it is a classic must-watch Korean series.

From a woman’s perspective, I never thought I would enjoy A Gentleman’s Dignity so much. Evidently, Jang Dong Gun is the main attraction among the boys. However, having them all together is one of the strongest points of the drama. All four of them are big piles of mirth and love.

The 20 chapters spent with A Gentleman’s Dignity is definitely gratifying. The story and the characters have such reverberating resonance that makes one ruminate. It particularly tugs on dealing with relationship and commitment issues. Come to think of it, it is even made in a way that you remember how vulnerable and defiant you become because of love failures. At the same time, it encourages on how love, when sought with sincerity, gives a meaningful life.

Reply 1997 (2012)

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Reply 1997 sprints all the way to the audience’ hearts with its vibrant characters, nostalgic premise, fan girl foolish escapades, friendship and crazy first love. Nothing magical, mythical and supernatural, just a pure trip down to the moments of when we were young. Spicing up the story with flashback element, the drama switches from present to the later part of the ‘90’s showcasing tamagochi, flip top phones and other ancestors of modern technology in their conceiving stage. This engrossing first love drama shares a wonderful friends-turned-lovers journey without hassles. It will make you recollect the good old times when you first passionately and recklessly fell in love. The charming screenplay brings out the best of the newbie artists. The evasion from rom-com clichés makes the plot a winner. Reply 1997 grows on you without you realizing it. This is a wistful memoir of that point in time that we first fell in love.

Operation Proposal (2012)

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A young man who lacks confidence in declaring his love to the woman he adore since they were young cries in despair of letting go of his one great love. A bored time conductor is moved by his lamentation so he is given a magical potion to drink and a weird incantation to go back to the past so he can correct the wrong choices he made in his life and make room for the love he thought is meant for him. Operation Proposal is richly narrated by moving the romance from young love to a taking-time-to-realize kind of love. It goes down to two main points: How far you are going to wait for someone for them to realize your worth and that you are waiting? And being brave to fall in love by discarding the what-if’s and saying it at the very moment you are feeling it. It is a refreshing feel to have a conflict that is not evil. The lead character is competing with himself – with his past self for that matter and his forbearance endures his painstaking drive to be with the girl he loved.

The Master’s Sun (2013)

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In the sea of dramas where stories are usually woven from the rich-boy-poor-girl love affair or the male-pretending-lead-girl, a you-and-me-against-the-ghosts love story hits all the romantic nerves in my body even with its comic spooky vibes. In a way, the calculated but not false-hope promising story pace invites the viewers to back up the lead love couple in discovering the reasons why they fell in love with each other, alongside why they are in denial and scared to admit it. When you have a stubborn romantic lead man who with-and-without amnesia knows how to claim the heart of the woman he loves; and a heroine who struggles in confusion to the path on how she is supposed to love her man – it will give you a love tale full of acceptance and understanding. It will inspire you to trust why your heart falls in love with the person and how your mind will be overpowered by reasons. A nicely blended romance that reminds how being with someone is not half-loving yourself and half-loving the person. It should be loving the person with all you can.

That Winter The Wind Blows (2013)

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“I pretended to be a long lost brother to a blind heiress because I need money to continue to live only to find myself waking up wanting to protect my fake little sister every single day” is the premise of this melodrama. That Winter the Wind Blows nails adequate emotional scenes to stimulate the heart and tear ducts, but not bordering on a draining weep fest. Loving someone when you are literally blind takes faith beyond reasons, and finding a reason to live because you love someone takes bravery beyond faith. Narrating the tale of not really siblings who are entangled by fate, unexpected fondness, blind trust, and true love; this drama surges up with the intense revelations and love conflict. It was not a happy-yey!-ever-after closure, but at least they end up together. Sometimes it’s really the pain that makes the love worth it, because without it you can never differentiate if you are willing to let go or to love the person. That Winter, The Wind Blows is a poignant love drama that will make you remember how you are scared to start a love you are unsure of. Also, how you took the odds to claim it. It is not perfect but it is emotionally stunning.

My Love From the Star (2014)

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Love stories need not to be so big in a romantic kind of way. Not that I didn’t like the “alien-who-loved-me” twist, but My Love From the Star draws a great following because of the vibrant characters who brought to life their fictional images in an unforgettable way. I think the lightness of the conflicts and not involving much negative emotion, but focusing on making the lead couple work their way to defy the cosmic problem inhibiting them from being together gives a gratifying closure for the story. Feisty and fun, it has surely and splendidly built up the conflict, the romance, and the conflicting romance, binding me in perplexing contemplation on how a drama with typical love pretext propels a romantic bliss without never looking back. It comes strongly and surely with each chapter, seemingly faultless in executing the how-to-make-a-perfect-romcom guidelines.

Discovery of Love (2014)

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Discovery of Love walks on the unconventional path of presenting the love story between an estranged couple and how they are able to realize that their love is true even then, and even years after. The heart-breaking dialogues during those “if you only did that” scenes rip me apart as a viewer due to its painful truth. Given the situations and dilemmas raised in the story line, it is really how a normal person would have thrown words at his lost love who presents himself again just when you thought you are done and over him. It gives a painful reminiscing of how after losing a cherished love, it makes us contemplate on how a lost love is a reminder of how beautiful things can change painfully in a moment, and there would be no way for you to prepare. Hitting all the realistic elements of what it really takes to be in a relationship is the best part of the love triangle in this roller coaster romantic ride. The series dig into the root of love problems in a coherent world – the strength to let go of a half-baked love and the choice to be in a not so perfect but true love.

It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014)

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It might be the most unconventional modern romance drama. But given that sickness in K-dramaland usually involves amnesia or anything fatal, the unique illness conflict makes the drama attractive. It’s Okay, That’s Love is just how relationship realities are translated in ardent and unadulterated TV drama scenes. It incites emotional outburst from a beautiful and heartfelt thread of painful and fervid love moments that will cut deep in anyone’s heart while recollecting memories of how it felt to love someone deeply without holding back. Seamless and unfeigned, it progresses from warm to romantic to sacrificial to against-all-odds and eventually to you-were-meant-for-me love timeline. I saw all the faces of love tackled bravely and painfully in this love story.

Healer (2014)

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Healer is one of the best Korean dramas you should include in your list if you haven’t seen it yet. It has a brilliant premise about a one-of-a-kind hero who chose to disconnect from society, but accidentally grew attachment to a woman who drew him out of his hibernation. The drama quaintly links the furtive relationship of the characters while building up the plot’s climax and romance to perfection. It is so addictive and a drama you can sit on with family, friends and even your lover. The story’s main conflict focuses on peeling the truth behind the death of the lead couple’s fathers while journeying on their fated love. While a lot evolves in the story, it never misses its steps in binding the romance, the back story and the conflicts together. The story is intoxicating because it assimilates Healer’s Promethean skills and heartfelt media coverage to battle the conscience-less power players of the country. When your cast is smart and the writing is nifty, there’s no way the notes will not be hit.

Kill Me, Heal me (2015)

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The complexity of the multiple personality disorder fused with the fated but hindered romance of the main couple makes you ruminate the precepts of the story. The ambitious writing of this drama is meticulous in inserting the conflict of the story. Although it came to a point when it became too detailed dragging the denouement which they could have used in a few romantic notes in the penultimate episodes of the story. Typically K-dramas with power struggle plot involved unreasonable conspiracies but since the multiple personality is the carrying story conflict, it is good that it didn’t dwell on the money-filled but problematic chaebol world. Beautiful in its strongest points and faint weaknesses, this is a melodrama that will leave you happy and intrigued.

Beloved Eun Dong (2015)

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A man’s unrequited romance to a woman who keeps being separated from him by fate spins the story of My Love Eun Dong. It narrates a love story so blissful and agonizing as if it came straight from a classic love novel. The love couple met when they were young and became each other’s puppy love, they meet again in college and they formally enter a relationship. But the girl, Eun Dong (Kim Sarang) who dreams of being an actress, faces an accident which separates her again from the the lead man. He becomes a top actor to fulfill her dream. In his quest to find his true love, he commissions a ghost writer to help write a book about his love story. Eun Dong, who is suffering amnesia, takes the job and while writing the book, her memory comes back. She realizes the lies her current disabled husband and adopted father did to her. The conflict of Eun Dong’s marriage situation while the lead man fervently waits for her is agonizing. It is a test of justifying what you’ve been through to lose your greatest love and if you can be happy after reclaiming your love that is legally not yours anymore. The love triangle is in a helpless state trying to break out from that suffocating bind. My Love Eun Dong uses a strong narrative which will put the audience on an emotional dilemma in finding a solution for everyone to be happy. It leaves a lesson that love involves two people loving each other the best way they can and not how the people around them understands it.

Reply 1988 (2015)

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They say that as you age along, you get more sentimental as you look back on what has happened in your life. Sitting on this neighborhood drama set between 1988 – 1995 makes you reminisce the good old days of endearing family love and friendship full of memories and laughter. Reply 1988 pays homage to the irreplaceable bliss of being young – of our young dreams and our young love. It gives you a trip to memory lane when technology hasn’t taken over the world yet— when friends meet up at a house to watch movies, to eat and to chat and when romance comes true by heartfelt love declarations, stolen kisses and warm hugs. Hands down to the extent of the research and the meticulously vibrant writing that are fused together to bring up a heartwarming chronicle. It feels like stepping into a time-warping machine and bringing out the best memories of our youth. Delving on nostalgic premise, Reply 1988 brilliantly utilizes sweet melancholia by sending the viewers back to their very own youth. It is a strip of mementos any person with a euphoric youth can relate to.

Oh My Ghost (2015)

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Bright, cheerful and feel good are the after-effects of Oh My Ghost chapter doses. It consistently runs the romance and comedy by sprinkling it with an adorable supernatural twist. A timid girl connives with a wandering ghost to build up her self esteem in her plan to seduce the man she likes. The man she likes is a famous chef who thinks his employee is suffering from a bipolar disorder hence she is switching from perky to shy attitude. As romance slowly blooms between them, the wandering ghost’ sad death is revealed. Park Bo Young is able to differentiate the two characters she portrayed resulting in the rom-com elements being fused well with the metaphysical plot of the story. Each character’s story is entwined neatly to the conflict making the love story binding. It’s hard not to drum your feet on your bed and grin when the hero turns to his usual I’m-the-man antics and the heroine’s pesky man cravings guided by the spirit possessing her body. If you are in need of a love elixir to boost your already blooming relationship of if you just want a perfect rom-com drama getaway, this drama will serve the purpose.

Oh My Venus (2015)

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Forget the grueling gym work out, home yoga sessions and sadness inducing diet plans. Just allot two hours in two days watching Oh My Venus and you will miraculously lose 10 lbs in two weeks. It’s true. No hidden agendas, no diet pills, and no aggravating body pains. Sign up for a 14-day trial period at Coach John Kim’s Venus boot camp and see for yourself what the rest of the women who tried the program have been talking about. *chuckles KBS2’s hilarious romantic-comedy starring Shin Min Ah and So Ji Sub leaves audience with woman-empowering messages and doses of blissful trance for ladies imagining how it would feel like to have a gorgeous personal trainer like So Ji Sub. Oh My Venus goes to the typical Korean rom-com milieu of a rich heir who falls in love with a normal girl, but with a fitness program twist. The series gives you what you bargained for, even when at times the narrative is too dictating and predictable. I want to commend the show’s drive to encourage women with weight worries to lighten up and push themselves to be even more disciplined in following their fitness programs as it would be a propelling force to reclaim their confidence and to live a robust life. If you can get a supportive partner/boyfriend with that, then you are definitely on the right track. With ample endearing love scenes and charming on screen adorable couple, this rom-com offering will wear out a week’s work stress. If you want an uncomplicated and blithe love drama, this will definitely satisfy your craving. Add So Ji Sub on the side, and boy it’s definitely a winner all throughout.

One More Happy Ending (2016)

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Cooked and prepared like your average romcom, One More Happy Ending is a delightful watch. The plot delves on the varying emotions of women struggling to keep up with love and relationship. The marriage camp and relationship board sticker ideas are also some of the cutesies I will remember about the series. This most likely will appeal to singles in 30’s who have failed their marriage once – who are finding the love lost along the way in their current marriage – who are unsure of finally settling down – and who have been waiting for the right person to come along. Love perspective changes as you age and as you learn from your past mistakes. What I learned about this drama is to never give up on love and romance and to understand its importance in sustaining a relationship. Love takes different forms in a relationship as time goes on. It will kick off to adoration, go steady through memories and romance and move to years of familiarity and will stand firm to loyalty. It is important that in those changing moments you are by your lover’s side.

Descendants of the Sun (2016)

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Rarely do we get a story in dramaland that is so affecting when the narrative is relying on the love plot. Most of the time it maintains a decent showing but in the waning part of the series it will lose its magic. The raves it got can be attributed to how fitting the actors to their character portrayals are, the snappy lines and giggle inducing captured frames and how the story depends on the fulfillment of the romance. The charm of Captain Yoo Si Jin (Song Joong Ki) would have not been possible if his lead girl was not as endearing as our clever surgeon Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo). Descendants of the Sun takes pride in capturing the heartfelt romance even with a violence and disaster plot. It marks lessons on patriotism, life, career and friendship. It defies all K-drama overuse tropes by going to balanced character portrayals and earnest romance build up. This is a drama so beautiful in each chapter, and even more stunning as it flows in the culminating closure. It sends an inspiring message to become the best that we can ever be to the person we love, to the profession we have and to the life we live.

Another Oh Hae Young (2016)

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Another Oh Hae Young narrates the story of a woman whom after all the betrayals and half-hearted I-love-you replies still chooses to be with the man she loves. She might appear weak for letting her love for him consume all the reasons why she should let him go. She might look desperate for throwing away the fears she felt, the days she half-lived and the moments she almost gave up. But at the end of it all, she just wanted to love and be loved back. We typically get utopian love stories, but that is not the case for Another Oh Hae Young. They shared the pain and the bliss in its barest and heart-piercing manner. The angst and confusion of qualifying love is stripped to its messiest and yet sweetest state just how someone would remember how he fought for his one great passionate love. It details the real emotion someone has to go through when he is bargaining with love and when he is angry and missing the person at the same time. It induces a love lesson on how you don’t overthink when you intend to love someone all the way, how you say I love you because that’s what you felt at that moment, and how you embrace the love feeling because you believe it to be true. This sweet melodrama takes pride in its keen perception of the difference between how a man and a woman take distinct approaches in loving someone while weighing on their preconceived inhibitions that the relationship might not work.

Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)

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The fusion of a reincarnation plot and a mermaid-human romance appears trite on its onset, but as the plot thickens, the mythical element supports the romance driving point of the story. It effortlessly keeps the viewers piqued on how the plot will unfold to stay invested in its future episodes. The consistency of the plot while using alternate timelines of the past and the present would have gone ambiguous. But the writer strategically alternates the focal character point from the heroine in its preliminary episodes, then maneuvers to a hero-centric plot halfway through the story. Legend of the Blue Sea succeeds in a lively pace of intelligent storytelling with smart characters you will not hate as they don’t play dumb at hindrances thrown at them. It is superb in the candied-heart-fluttering moments of the love couple, but even stronger in relaying the sweet and yet agonizing journey to endure the love they have in the present in the pretext of a human-mermaid romance impossibility. It smartly spins the narrative by using simple rules considering its fantasy premise by modernizing the reincarnation plot, and by playing the resident drama fix of how love overcomes everything between two people fated to be together.

Something About 1% (2016)

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With its swift format following how web dramas usually are, this sweet love treat explores the story with each closing chapter with a stunning lead couple chemistry. The drama generously displays heart-fluttering scenes every chance they can get. The premise of contract relationship has tendencies to overkill rom-com drama if not elaborated with the right amount of love progression. Something About 1% translates how romance happens in reality which is by sharing conversations, bickering and meaningful events. They are on a clear agreement that strings will not be attached only to succumb to the emotion that springs as a result of spending time with one another. They are intending not to cross the wall they set initially, only to realize how binding shared memories can be in a relationship. It is refreshing to feel a romance drama that is not fortified with misplaced conflicts and negative vibes. It may not be that polished or creatively conceived with twist and turns and top actors that can make such a romantic drama spree amazing. But it is with its heartfelt and pure storytelling that made me pick as one of the rom-coms I’ve seen. It leaves a message on how love does not happen in an instant. You’d be lucky if you recognize it happening at the moment. It is when we are not beside the person that we realize we are in love, and holding them in our arms is when we want to love them even more.

W: Two Worlds (2016)

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W: Two Worlds imbibes an electrifying writing but it fails to close the story with a befitting ending. Sprinting in a mind-blowing setting this rom-com about a manhwa hero crossing the real world pushes the audience to the extent of an imaginary world where everything is possible to happen. The transition of the alternating worlds is a visual treat along with the love couple’s charming renditions. Despite the staggering twists and turns in the narrative, I still like how W: Two Worlds is ambitious on how it vividly displays and chronicles a love story that defies alternate universes. It maneuvers to constant deviation and possibilities having the premise of “everything is possible to happen as long as they can draw it”. The fantasy premise lets you feel immersed in the extent of chimeric world the story threads to, even when it hits a frustrating circle. The drama accelerates to its proxy-universe-deriding setting. It presents a surreal drama experience and yet the romance development for the main leads is pragmatic and memorable. Be prepared for a mixed emotional spin as you frolic on this enslaving K-drama spectacle.

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016)

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This is the drama I will make my daughter watch when she goes to college so she can have an idea of what a perfect college boyfriend is. *wink This campus romance pokes buried love memories set in their school life. Weightlifting Fairy lunges to a momentum that viewers can relate to. Buoyant and feel good, Bok Joo and the rest of the sports athletes in Haneul University give us an awesome time with their interactions and side chronicles. It is a simple story with an almost non-existent conflict. The hours spent watching them fall in love was like a comfort food and bubble wrap combined. It is a genuine coming of age story that beautifully captured the joy and pain and everything in between of being young, of building dreams and of falling in love for the first time.

Uncontrollably Fond (2016)

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The thing about Uncontrollably Fond is that it tapped into those memories of lost and depressing love that people don’t want to look back anymore in their lives. It is not a happy-ever-after kind of romance that appeals typically to almost anyone. Instead, it delves to the most shameful, most regretful and most painful things anyone can do because of love. Putting me on all levels of frustrating emotions I can ever ask for, I remained faithful hopeful of some miracles that might salvage the series’ disappointing run. Praising the love pairing’s heartfelt portrayals is expected even if it drained me emotionally with and without tears. This Suzy and Kim Woo Bin starrer won’t appeal to those who crave light and sweet type of romantic stories. You can indulge to this narrative but be aware that you will be put on tormenting spot most of the time. Though deemed to have been badly written, the series yielded a loyal following. I stayed until the very end because I believe that not all love stories are wrapped in kisses and sweet memories. There are those that are melancholic and yet lives on as someone’s one great love.

Cinderella and the Four Knights (2016)

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Cinderella and Four Knights tried to mark the checklist on kdrama youth romcom prototype and is successful at some but lacking at others. However, the upbeat and smart presentation of the cast compensates to the trite story premise. I would want my nieces to watch this drama to understand that love is never about you-and-me-against-the-world-or-money, but the willingness to work on why love mutually happened in the first place. For a feel-good romcom treat, this drama is not that bad. True, there are a few screenplay lapses and unnecessary flashbacks in those individual moments of the characters, but I gambled my time because of Jung Il Woo. *wink At the very least, the committed roles of the main leads show endearingly their on-screen romance blossomed. K-Dramas like this is meant to tap on those unadulterated young love that we had at some point in our lives. And yes sir! I was reminded of my old teen crushes from 10 years back. *chuckles

Jealousy Incarnate (2016)

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Sure, there are a lot going on in Jealousy Incarnate that sometimes the sporadic mini plots did not equate well to its overall make. But the eager and vibrant cast made up to that missing push the story failed to achieve. Honestly the safe ever-after ending failed to complement those strong moments of the lead cast along with the story conflict they had to face together hilariously and painfully. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the sweet ride and the endearing couple who tackled the friendship defying love chase. Presenting a love triangle that does not feed on angst or misplaced and incomprehensible obsession of second leads, the series paraded a nice fight between the lead man and second lead who equally deserve the heroine. I think it would have been safe it went to a shorter run because the kind of narrative it circled to is not that complicated to begin with.Though there are a few heartfelt and emotional scenes I really enjoyed, the stagnant progression and dormant conflict might make your heart veer away from the story.

Fantastic (2016)

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Even with the dying premise, I have grown to love ‘Fantastic‘ because of the dexterous cast and how they blend together supporting each other’s friendship and stories. It is an optimistic story that not only encourages through its love theme, but also with how the main characters are able to leave insightful life lessons. Fantastic might yield a nonchalant committal to viewers. Nonetheless, it does not give a hard time in understanding the characters and their stories as well as the minimal discrepancies of the plot along the way. The feisty heroine, the comedic timing and the binding friendship circle are the reasons why I remained loyal with the series. Although plain and leaning on the cancer cliche, it hooks owing to the lucid role-playing of the main cast as they go along with their struggles. If you fancy a sane and steady rom-com then buckle your seat belt for a fantastic ride.

Shopping King Louis (2016)

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Brimming with optimism and happiness, Louis and Boksil’s journey to living together in a world they are not familiar with. They trust their friendship and eventually realize that fate brought them together for them to fall in love. While every drama is busy with the ratings and solidifying a remarkable plot, Shopping King Louis just want to be sassy and strut like a big pile of positive vibe due to its endearing characters. Heck, even the villains are adorably bad in the story. It’s that one drama made for sunny days and for people who just want to lounge and not worry about kdrama clichés and conflicts. It is for everyone who just want to live each episode as light as possible and without worrying about so many things. With its zany warmth, although lacking in depth, Shopping King Louis amuses with character centered plot that teaches friendship, trust and love. If you need a laughter inducing drama treat, then settle your camping things and imbibed on the cheerful adventure of a shopaholic who found the meaning of life and love when he lost all his memories.

Love in the Moonlight (2016)

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Drawn on a historical premise, Love in the Moonlight is a sweet drama treat brimming with giddy-ish scenes that will make you reminisce that once special love when you were young. A full drama package commendable due to its poignant sketching of the main characters and the writer’s impeccable timing to pin me on my spot and not sway away from the story in those moments when I almost did. It’s hard to keep the balance of romance and conflict on period dramas. There will always be a moment when the plot will drag so proper blending and stirring is pertinent to avoid a stasis. The series began a spirited and addictive stride, struggled a bit while substantiating the story conflict and characters’ driving forces, and ended safe and steady. All those strong moments and a little of those dragging villain runs, still makes this heartwarming love tale tap on those youthful romantic memories that we keep in our hearts. Those days when our love views were not yet corrupted and just free flowing. Prince Young and his first love Ra On will take you to an amazing ride with their binding commitment in not giving up on love.

Moonlovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

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Albeit the tormenting emotional strain I got with Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, it was one of my 2016 favorites because I love that it became even more believable and fervent due to the plot’s instability and the main characters indecisiveness. It was a situation that might have killed the drama, but because the essential character motivations were clearly drawn, as a viewer I enjoyed that feeble and vulnerable facets of the production. Scarlet Heart Ryeo touches not just the long-suffering unrequited love of a damaged prince to a woman who shared his pain without prejudice. It also sadly and yet beautifully expresses the betrayals of a dysfunctional Royal family who raised devious ways in order to claim the throne for them to use it in protecting the ones they love. Just as life is short, love is also fleeting. The all-important love lesson Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo taught us is how loving someone does not stop when we gave up on the person because the love does not belong anymore in the future. It is a sweet reminder on keeping as much happy memories as you can to keep you going in moments when you yearn to be with them in the future, but they can’t stay by your side anymore.

Goblin (2016)

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Goblin affirms your K-drama fan spirit with its addictive pace, perceptive characters, detailed back story and the exciting race to its closure. It gives a constant awe at how the yarn of the folklore and supernatural mise-en-scene fit perfectly to the modern setting. What made Goblin such a novelty for a love story is how the transcendental element blends the mystical notes and sensible realities happening in the narrative. It marks all the bullet points of a lingering story even though the metaphysical milieu is tricky. Although set on a melancholic tone, the dynamics of the cast and the lively humor cushioned the viewers so well given its inevitable tragic ending. At times there are moments when it is languid, but it was necessary for the build-up of the character connections to make the climactic conflict confrontation solid and stunning. Goblin is beautifully done from its cinematography, story line to its character portrayals. The writing does a lot of impossible tweaks by conceiving an intricate realm while managing the labyrinth set for the story. The exquisite tale of a man searching for the woman to end his immortality curse establishes a memory that K-drama followers will still love in the future. It explores the boundless creativity of Korean culture through writer Kim Eun Sook’s sweet story manipulation. See for yourself why this drama raised a cult following.

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017)

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It is a whimsical love ride with thugs, a psycho, a policeman, a gaming company CEO and a woman with extraordinary strength. The labyrinth is a whirlwind of cuteness, mirth and everything a fan would ask K-drama gods for. Consistently endearing with amusing surprises along the way, Strong Woman Do Bong Soonis a steady delightful romantic-comedy. It reaches a heartfelt closure for a love that missed its timing, and celebrates how true love happens when you are patient enough to wait. What made this drama so endearing is the perfect fusion of the love couple/triangle chemistry, the warranted humor, even the slapstick travesty, and the charming tale of the heroine who blooms to become a woman who acknowledges her strengths and frailties. Hers is a story that any girl can relate to. From those love confusions, career-where-I-am-going-questions and finding her worth as a person. This drama might be coated in chocolates and marshmallows, but it provides a tangible encouragement especially to women watching it.

Chicago Typewriter (2017)

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tvN has always been home to dramas that are not afraid to experiment on stories. Such is the case for Chicago Typewriter, which started on a vague footing, but emerged strong in picturing a story that uses heartfelt emotion in fueling the fictitious period drama framework. The drama defies creative boundaries as it switches the past and present timelines without losing the brilliant writing and fascinating characters that moved in the story. Sans the bleak opening week, when the chronicle motions to its trajectory, the absorbing enactment just hits all the bullet points of what I look forward to in a k-drama series – innovative plot and committed cast. I think the age group of mid – 20’s above can withstand the intricate progression of the narrative. It requires forbearance but the reward is gratifying, especially when the drama reaches the euphoric phase. I observed no wasted episode except the pilot week groggy introduction. Smartly written along with top notch acting, it is a classy K-Drama experience that embodies a stunningly crafted fiction, which is best served if you will watch it with a lover or with your friends.

School 2017 (2017)

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I think all the followers of School 2017 would agree that not much happened on this coming-of-age drama, except the sweet boy crush we all felt towards Tae Woon. *wink Having a weightless difficulty to tackle in the story actually makes it easy for the audience to focus on the positive notes of the campus tale – the friendship lessons and the young love sweet frames. The student cast are able to present insights on how your maturity as an adult is derived on how brave you have been in your youth. It leaves a retrospective note on the responsibilities of educators to the young minds, who rely on life experiences they can share before they face the cruel world. The young love captured in the youth drama displays the usual picture of how romance blooms for students. It is not grand or glamorized, but something that happened along the way because of sharing dreams, sob story sessions and I’m-here-for-you memories. School 2017 lacks story depth but the light premise and the young love progression easily melt the hearts of the viewers. Following the recurring elements of its predecessors, it painted a picture of students along with their woes, dreams and bliss we can all relate to.

The King Loves (2017)

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Though the emotional connection is not that absorbing for this historical romance drama, the uncluttered writing brings out the charm of the story as it unravels. The mesmerizing lead men combined resonating portrayals fit to counter the antagonists, who are motivated to induce the story conflicts. It is expected for a period drama to dig on political struggle, betrayals and painstaking love plot. So I am impressed on how I comfortably finished The King Loves without feeling frustrated. Even if it did not send me to an ecstatic state, I appreciate that it is a relaxing spectacle flowing smoothly while giving essential unpredictable bends. This period drama is beautiful without love seasonings. It is a case where the writing hesitated if it would go romantic or just plain drama, yielding a lack of strong finishing kick on its end game. Nonetheless, if you want a relaxing period drama with the right amount of conflict and superb story-telling, Won, Rin and So Hwa’s story will suit your taste.

Bride of the Water God (2017)

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Bride of the Water God is my K-drama heartache in 2017 since I am rooting for its artistic promise – only to be disappointed for failing to achieve it. There are a few addictive runs, but the cliff-hangers and direction of the supernatural plot kills the budding love, just when you think it is finally settling to a decent narration. I keep hoping for a miraculous spurt, but the writing remains unaware of its sporadic trajectory. Savor the sweet moments and sigh on the nonsense events. The drama gives you sufficient reasons to enjoy the love affair, yet the picture as a whole leaves you bereft of emotions. It is hard to deconstruct as a viewer. It does have good and bad points, so you have to rely on your patience to finish it. If Nam Joo Hyuk is your cup of tea, it is still a tolerable watch.

Suspicious Partner (2017)

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Romance in a legal world setting spurs the romantic ride of Suspicious Partner. It billows high on romantic realization cushioning its trite narrative. It lacks writing confidence. Thus, it is easy to read what will happen next. The storyline is most of the time, preoccupied in establishing arcs and bends without finishing the existing side conflicts that were just introduced. Nevertheless, it is the right amount of bubbly main cast that sustained the dragging and tiring parts of the narrative. While it is not as addictive as the rom-com drama favorites, the charming love couple is keen in displaying a delightful relationship to hook back the attention, when the unfolding of events starts circling. Notably, the fan service is noticeable, albeit the inconsistencies of the writing.

Fight For My Way (2017)

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Fight For My Way incidentally creates its own kind of beauty by presenting a cheerful cast, who channeled the honest storytelling to a good-humored spectacle. This leaves lingering lessons on chasing dreams while finding true love. Charting consistent impressive ratings, the chirpy synergy of four friends living a common life leaves an impression on how love and happiness are always within our reach if we are brave and forbearing enough to claim it. It deviates from the idealistic rom-com stories by giving us characters living a typical life while adjusting to career pressure and a bleak future. The love story rides on an apprehensive note as the main couple works on giving a chance to a love that will break the friendship they shared for a long time. The approachable framing of the love and life struggles makes this drama a comforting chronicle due to its vivid sketches on how common people fight their ways to claim the love and life they deserve. It displays a well-thought scenario, from kick-off to its closure. It is a rom-com delight that draws strength from the realistic and heartfelt conversations. It has managed to avoid K-drama cliches, thanks to the genius depiction of how normal people live to dream and to love.

Tomorrow With You (2017)

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Albeit some frustrating notes, Tomorrow with You surprisingly strongly made a connection to its viewers that it’s impossible not to see the end of it. The series chronicles the life of a time-traveler, Yoo So Joon (Lee Je Hoon) and his quest to prevent his eventual death in the future. When he survived a subway explosion, he obtained an ability to navigate through time. He learns about his imminent death, so he saves the woman who will be with him in his future fatal encounter, thinking that she can be of help to evade his looming death. Soon enough, they fall in love and get married, but layers of mystery are uncovered as the story threads on the focal conflict of their shared inevitable misfortune. Working out the strenuous hitch is no easy task due to his perceptive wife Song Ma Rin (Shin Min Ah), who wants everything in their married life done together. Eventually, So Joon confronts his predicament not with his initial urge to survive, but because it dawns on him that he cannot picture a future without his wife anymore. It might give a frustrating ride – so consider you are forewarned, if you are not used to a story that you must analyze from start to finish. Also, It test my fortitude, but I focus on the love promise to overlook the plot confusions.

My Secret Romance (2017)

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My Secret Romance is a pure candied story meant to just please the audience with its rom-com vibe. OCN’s first love TV story moves swiftly to capture the attention of the viewers, and seals the deal by bombarding frames of sweet moments. The scattered heart-fluttering kisses fill out the 12-episode run nicely. In all honesty, the selling point of this drama is the promise to make the viewers heave a sigh of bliss from the love couple’s journey of fulfilling their romance on-screen. If you need a drama that will require you to just rest, and bask in honeyed moments while sipping a hot chocolate on a rainy day, then this short drama will serve the purpose. But be warned that the barren story line is borderline cathartic that you might feel like you are watching it only because of the lip-locks.

Queen For Seven Days (2017)

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Queen For Seven Days tells the story of two brothers in contention of the King’s position. It efficiently maximizes the staple government intrigues and character motivations to balance the frustrating love line. That is one of the reasons why even with its weep fest premise, you end up forgetting the tears and being consumed in finding the best way possible to make the people of that eccentric love triangle happy. When you think of those tragic love stories, you will remember them only as a sad tale. But not in this drama. While you grieve with the love couple who are forced to love each other from afar, you will accept that true love is kept in the heart with the best memories you have with someone, even if you cannot have future moments together. This drama, though not achieving a happy ending fully, is still a satisfying romantic tale, which will appeal to people who know that love waits, love goes on, and love endures. Queen For Seven Days leaves a lingering message on how an enduring love may not picture an ever after at the moment, yet it does not mean that it won’t be fulfilled in the future.

The Liar and His Lover (2017)

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Coated with youthful romance and meaningful friendship, The Liar and His Lover reminds us that being young gives us the best memories of falling in love and chasing dreams for the first time. Sans a complicated story, the drama is heartfelt in conceiving relatable characters for the audience to cheer and be inspired on. The age group, which this drama targets, would enjoy the budding romance, quirky and cute boys of the idol band and the music, tailored to the setbacks that they encounter in pursuing romance and life achievements. For the young-at-heart viewers, the immature scenarios and the shallow narratives might test your patience, but it will also remind you about how being young gifts us life experiences that we can look back on. All those memories will always stay special in our lives.

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017)

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It is a whimsical love ride with thugs, a psycho, a police, a gaming company CEO and a woman with extraordinary strength. The labyrinth is a whirlwind of cuteness and mirth and everything a fan would ask k-drama gods for a gift. Consistently endearing with amusing surprises along the way, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon is a steady delightful drama that deserve all the raves and hype it has been getting from k-drama followers. What made this drama so endearing is the perfect blend of the engaging love couple/triangle chemistry and the warranted humor even the slapstick travesty. Aside from that, the charming tale of the heroine who bloomed to become a woman acknowledged her strengths and frailties. Hers is a story that any girl can relate to. From those love confusions, career-where-I-am-going-questions and finding her worth as a person. This jTBC drama might have been coated in saccharine frosting, but it gives a tangible encouragement especially to women watching it. It sprints to an amazing spectacle with the stunning and lively depictions and comical storytelling. Although technically bare, the simplicity and the fascinating cast synergy accompanied by the palpable humor keeps any viewer warmly sedated and feeling good after watching it.

While You Were Sleeping (2017)

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What the rest of supernatural themed dramas missed, While You Were Sleeping accomplished in full marks consistently. The drama introduces the fantasy twist of interconnected dreams as soon as it starts drawing the interest of the audience. As it moves along, the twist is tweaked in an appealing bind by explaining how the characters sharing linked dreams each have saved each other’s lives, triggering the strange phenomenon. The writer smartly injects the romance to the core metaphysical plot driver while presenting the legal cases from which the narrative flow is derived. At some point, I imagined the writer meticulously penning the script with a big board of connecting scenarios similar to how detectives work on criminal cases. The heedful writing contributes to the seamless linking of the mini conflicts up to the eventual climax. It switches from comic highs, courtroom thrills and heart-fluttering moments while treading on the exciting fantasy landscape. If you are up for a binge, this is the perfect K-drama for you.

The Package (2017)

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With picturesque France as the designated setting, you will get what you never asked for in this comforting drama about travelers who embark on a premium package French tour. As the journey unfolds, they reflect on their current life and love situations resulting in overdue disappointments that need to be forgiven and new beginnings that need to be accepted. The Package is a romantic gift that is ironically spirited while running on a wistful narrative. The supporting chronicles appear like puzzle pieces meant to complete the entire picture of the plot. It results in an excellent capture of the drama’s ultimate message – how personal relationship, romantic or otherwise, won’t reveal apprehensions due to a man’s self-sacrificing nature.

Go Back Couple (2017)

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Staged in a wistful retro vibe, the engrossing love journey of Ban Do and Jin Joo pushes you to ponder on how you react if you would be given a chance like them to work on a relationship you have already given up. Go Back Couple presents a gravitating picture through the lead girl’s mother’s story arc, which starts the initial breaking of their relationship – and which they tried to ignore through the years. That same overlooked grudge is what they discovered to work on the fantasy borrowed time given to them, to realize how they vowed to be with each other. If you are looking for a swift rom-com drama that highlights friendship, family relationship and recounting the good old days of being in love, then pick your favorite pillow and a marathon date to watch this gleeful cast.

Jugglers (2017)

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The office romance narrates the story of a diligent woman, who takes on her secretary role seriously so much. She vows not to ever cross the line of having romantic feelings with her boss, until she meets her new boss who makes her eat her words. Flowing on a familiar set up, the bait for this KBS’ romantic comedy stems from the on-screen chemistry between the love couple, who get caught up in an unexpected romance. The mushy frames, which show the love trajectory for the lead couple, feast on endearing scenes that will push you to cheer for them in their you-and-me-against-the-evil-corporate-villains battle. Jugglers celebrates career dreams, acknowledging self-worth and finding love. Although it takes the long winding path to clear the simple problem, the sweet direction makes up for it.

I’m Not a Robot (2017)

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Arguably a collective favorite of rom-com followers from 2017 tail-end K-dramas, I’m Not A Robot is a happy and easy watch with graspable direction and endearing romance on the side. Pacing to an interesting love milieu, the story of a man who stumbled on the peculiar cure for his extreme human allergy, confronts the reality of how his newfound liberty to interact with people, comes with the price of admitting that he is in love with a robot. To complicate his situation, he learns that his reservations are pointless since the supposed android he can’t love, is actually a woman, who is commissioned to pretend that she is not a human. The series adorably captures familiar romantic elements, which audience can surely relate to. The smooth and quirky first half of the story focuses on the lead man’s newfound world of emotions he obtained from the android introduced to his life.

The Black Knight (2017)

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Crossing the middle part of the narrative, Black Knight became livid on its trajectory. The initially engaging romance lost its magic along the way, because the storytelling circled on languid journey to make the love happen for the lead couple while reconciling the grudges from the unfortunate deaths of their fathers. It does not belong to dramas that you would hate because of how badly it was written and executed. The disappointment mainly happened because of the initial beautiful picture presented which gravitated the audience to expect more from it. There are definitely amazing highs, but the characters and the story itself were unable to expand the potentials first laid on. Nevertheless, it would amuse you with its romantic drift, even with its safe ending. You won’t think fondly about it when you look back. But swerving away from a battered and draining narrative can be a comforting watch for those who want a laid back romance with fantasy hints of unrequited love.

Because This Is My First Life (2017)

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Because This Is My First Life proves how predictable drama plots can be reinvented to create an endearing love story of minimalist approach, yet filled with love retrospection. Armed with equally captivating side romance stories, the heart-fluttering affair of two people who found love through a marriage contract is my highly-recommended rom-com drama for 2017. Powered by a vibrant cast, the heartfelt writing reinvented the trite rom-com cohabitation premise to a whole new level, leaving traces of feel-good love affirming moments that would make you smile after each chapter. No self-help books can teach how life can be lived perfectly the first time. In this emotionally perceptive drama, we are given pep talks on how to burst happiness on our faces by living and loving to the fullest.

My First Love (2018)

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Somewhere along the way, My First Love literally broke my heart. I don’t know if it was because of time, pacing, or unforeseen misunderstandings. But it’s funny about the typical reasons why first love does not work in real life, are also the same disappointments I got from this initially sweet and nostalgic fictional world. It sprints with the right amount of sweet and unadulterated romantic tale about a man, who can’t forget his first love. When he is magically transported to the time he met his dream girl, he is given an opportunity to make things right along with saving the girl from her eventual death in the future. The drama is only marred by the rushed drive to the end line.The story has a lot of potential if only time was given enough to explore the loose ends. Nevertheless, it manages to present a well-rounded first love story, with ample friendship and family love lessons on the side.

Evergreen (2018)

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A man, who inherited the ability to induce romance by adding magical love pollen on the coffee served by his family owned cafe, finds the meaning of true love when he is forced to confront that his destiny would endanger the life of the first woman he has ever loved. The drama light and comforting watch perfect for rom-com cravers. Though it struggles at its end game, it is the kind of drama that you would rerun due to its sweet scenes. However, it would have been nice if a spree of more sweet notes was made after pulling the amnesia trick. Since for the majority of its run, the drama was strongest on the love couple’s saccharine frames. But then again, we were delighted for the most parts of the story, and that’s all that matters.

What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim (2018)

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There is no wasted episode in What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim – even with the parade of acceptable cliches. The engrossing mood explained well the immense following it has generated throughout its run. Though traipsing on vanilla romance, finding the meaning of love from disregarded moments over the years warrants a satisfying ending, based on the mutual emotions which Young Joon and Mi So have for each other that are only belatedly realized. Adorned by ample humor, heart-stopping lip-locks, and sincere love intentions and declarations, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim has been nothing but a giant bubble wrap that spoils the hopeless romantics. While it does not have a neatly written and creatively imagined plot, it is still an enjoyable watch. It banked on the perfect execution of the couple’s love journey and targeted people, who preferred a light and comfy story full of romance and heart-flutters.

Tempted (2018)

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All was good until the seduction was abruptly halted. Initially set on the mood to advertise a master player, it felt the seduction part was cut off when it was just heating up because the lead love couple’s parents love arc made it messier. Individually, the four main characters fairly painted their characters to the best of what the story flow could offer. But given their talents, they could have done more if the narrative did not dwell on the conflict related to the lead love couple’s parents. Nevertheless, there were striking moments from the love journeys and friendship drawn in the narrative. However, it was not enough to create a lingering story.

Thirty But Seventeen (2018)

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Thirty But Seventeen tells the story of an unfortunate accident, which caused a 17-year-old violin prodigy to be unconscious for 13 years. When she wakes up, her uncle and aunt are nowhere to be found, and the house which her parents built was sold to new owners. Adjusting to what she missed in the last 17 years, she is helped by the family who owns the new house as she gropes her way to accustom herself of being a 30-year-old woman. Live in the moment while appreciating life changes is the lingering nudge I received from the series. Albeit some supine plot movements, it is a safe watch, but don’t expect too much. When compared to a musical piece, it lacks the crescendo to make the rhythm push the audience upwards for some lingering thoughts about it, yet you appreciate while watching it, no doubt.

Radio Romance (2018)

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As a self-proclaimed optimist, I focused on the good points and ignored the evident writing miscues related to the villains in the series. It is an invigorating drama that won’t take much of your brain activity, as its main charm is to target your heart with candied moments. There are dramas that make you smile even with unnecessary plot bends because the narrative knows when to stop with playing safe, or when to bounce back after an uncalled for story line lapse. Radio Romance guardedly moved to a perceivable curve of fulfilling its romantic promise, and not over-achieving the technicalities of the conflicts that surrounded the love pairing. As simple and as serene as it can be, the series is a romantic treat that I would love to share with my friends and family.

My ID is Gangnam Beauty (2018)

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My ID is Gangnam Beauty thankfully proves how youth dramas do not warrant immature characters, while treading on excess baggage of being young, chasing dreams, and discovering love. It easily hooks due to its refreshing mood, and successfully elevates its game through romantic notes in the waning episodes. One of those rare few youth dramas that I gladly recommend if I will be asked for K-drama suggestions on the spot, because of its nicely paced plot, decent portrayals, and engaging overall appeal.

100 Days My Prince (2018)

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Veering away from usual notion about historical dramas, 100 Days My Prince is a recommended period series starter for those who don’t like classic setting. Incorporating romance and humor, it brings noble characters to a relatable front. Cheering for the main love pairing is inescapable just as getting a second lead syndrome. The series takes a muted approach on expected palace problems in sageuk production. Its relatively young cast keeps the sprightly mood thereby keeping the story engrossing.

Tale of Fairy (2018)

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Admittedly, Tale of Fairy is sadly a k-drama disappointment. Although the intention is there, the execution requires viewers to watch it on a binge to get the whole picture to understand its message. Imbalance of the fantasy and romance elements are evident. Furthermore, it is hard to immerse on the romance story, because even the writing seemed unsure of what love tale it is aiming for. Because of that, the romance that was eventually achieved felt not that much gratifying. Strangely though, even with all those heavy sigh moments, I remained faithful as a weekly follower instead of skipping it. But there are a lot more neat fantasy-romance to choose from that you can enjoy without suffering frequent confusions like this one.

About Time (2018)

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The series has been consistent in delivering the relatable bitterness of life paired with the mystical strings of fate just like any other romantic drama. What sets it apart from other fantasy-romance themed stories is the staggering character development that draws viewers to root for their happy endings. Delineating that time is indeed gold, About Time settled for a hurried ending. The plot feels like merely fillers pieced together to get through the series’ closure. The series bottomed out and almost fell flat until the 16th episode. There is always uncertainty hanging around in the drama’s atmosphere – where you don’t know if things will get better or not. Adding to that, the constant pessimistic actions of Mika at the latter half emphasized on that sorry miss. Nevertheless, the drama made viewers wonder about the mystery that revolves around the life clocks of each of the characters.

Something in the Rain (2018)

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Taking subtle storytelling that is focused on the bliss and complication of the love tale, viewers would be immersed to cheer for the fulfillment of the romance that was belatedly realized, crazily enjoyed, and painfully let go in Something in the Rain. It reinvents the romance drama landscape with how it fervently keeps the serenity of the storytelling by its heartfelt dialogues and spontaneous scenarios. True love has its own way of proving a relationship that did not initially work – may still work at the right time. That has been one of the myriad takeaways you can ruminate about in the drama. If you are needing a binge-worthy romance story, consider adding it to your watch list.

Encounter (2018)

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It is baffling how the taxing conflict hounding the main characters of Encounter complemented the tranquilizing mood that had been limned since the drama’s first episode. It gifts stunning lines delivered remarkably not just by the main leads, but also by the supporting characters. Maintaining that classy narration, the series flaunted character engagement in clear communication inside the story. Even the evil characters colluded in a restrained and respectful manner different from those melodramas with exaggerated let’s-make-the-main-characters suffer to the hilt cliche. Furthermore, the delicate narrative paid more attention to the message of the story. It is also garnished with resonating music, timely inserted on the crowning moments of the series. Encounter proves that love is for two brave people willing to take each other’s pain, viewers are expected to feel those contemplative nudge of appreciating little things that we tend to overlook when relationship problems seem too hard to handle. The story of Jin Hyuk and Soo Hyun is for patient viewers – those who love taking time to savor the quiet and meaningful moments of being truly in love.

Grand Prince (2018)

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The year 2018 did not produce much historical productions. Interestingly, all of the period dramas accomplished well in ratings and story values. That had been the fate of The Grand Prince which I truly regretted not being able to write a full review because I really enjoyed it like how I loved Queen For Seven Days dearly. The series propelled its presence through an engaging symphony of love and drama, involving a woman caught in between the affection of two Joseon princes. The grandiose design, powered by indelible portrayals of the actors, made up the familiar contours of classic historical masterpiece which historical drama fans love – these are elements visibly evident in this spectacle. Superbly unraveling the poignant events of the story, the series drives a balanced energy by incorporating the trademark political strife of historical dramas and cushioning it with the romance elements of the story. It secures a well-blended serious and bright notes, while drawing the viewers to its stunning love tale. The seamless narration easily navigates the viewers to the compass of the narrative. Yoon Shi Yoon, Jin Se Yeon and Joo Sang Wook live up to their roles immensely.

Devilish Charm (2018)

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In a way the journey of Ma Seong and Gi Beum in fulfilling their love, along with their personal dreams, is the main drawing factor for the drama’s following. In all honesty, there’s nothing spectacular with its premise. Nonetheless, the sketching of the romance between the main leads is fetching. Lucky for the abundance of adorable scenes, Devilish Charm reached an engrossing story dedicated to people who seek feel-good romantic stories. Despite the messy ending which relied on viewers’ understanding nature to accept whatever road to happy ending scenarios thrown in the concluding episodes, the series is still a safe bet for a romantic treat. Credit to Choi Jin Hyuk and Song Ha Yoon’s spot-on portrayals and a reliable support from the secondary characters, this drama is perfect for a weekend binge if your set theme is romance.

Mr. Sunshine (2018)

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Mr. Sunshine surges to a stunning work of art that refuses to downshift its intensity, week after week, leaving an affecting and breathtaking story. Kudo Hina’s moving atonement, Gu Dong Mae’s heartbreaking final battle, Kim Hee Sung’s life meaning realization, Eugene Choi’s love-driven sacrifice, and Lady Ae Sin’s struggle to uphold her valor amidst losing everyone who protected her – all those harrowing moments, along with the heart-rending junctures which layered those climactic points, have embellished the immeasurable meaning of patriotism, friendship, and love, which spins what this prized drama is about. Furthermore, the quality of the cinematic experience of every episode is one for the books, that even with its somber tone, it would yield a trance moment for you to appreciate its worth. Looking back, it took a simple route following how period set stories are usually done. We got the historical problem scenario to spur the web of the events, the heroes and the villains to move inside it, and the path to a satisfying closure. But it was the expressive depictions and garnished screenplay execution that made Mr. Sunshine a force to reckon.

The Third Charm (2018)

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Tracing the romantic journey of Joon Young and Young Jae in The Third Charm provided a few retrospective love messages that would leave the viewers stop for a while to savor the felicity and agony of being in love. Unlike most romantic stories which do not allow a detailed growth on a character’s love perspective, the series took its strength by showing the character development of the love pairing together, and when they were apart from each other. Traversing the buildup and peak of their romance until its eventual fallout, has made the audience feel like invisible friends, who still hope that their beautiful romance will be given another chance. In a sea of Korean romantic dramas, it is rare to find an unfeigned love story. Most often than not, avid followers can already predict the flow of the narrative. Hence, going an extra mile with a simple love premise is already a feat hard to accomplish. Its love lessons cut deep to people who have experienced the anguish that always comes with heartfelt adoration we feel for someone.

The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (2018)

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Brilliantly penned, portrayed and executed, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes has streamed to one of the best melodramas in the recent years. The sound approach of presenting the characters’ motivations, which flows neat to its heartbreaking storytelling, painted a stunning series that should not be missed by avid K-Drama patrons.

What you can change to because of love, and to which extent you would be willing to go to for that same love, are the questions answered in the thrilling strips of this series. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes put me on that realization on how I underestimated melodramas to be just relying on tears and series of unfortunate events to whirl its narrative. If given proper treatment, even with bare setting along with essential conflicts and characters, it can paint an idyllic picture that goes back to one of the fundamental goals of storytelling — providing clear inspiration to its viewers. No matter how privileged or sheltered someone’s life might have been, experiencing life difficulties is inevitable to prove that you are really living. The small-numbered cast achieved enough time to have shining moments in their roles prior to the focus on the intertwining fate of the love pairing, which highlighted the main point of the story. Seo In Guk, who played the role of “the man who has lost the smile in his eyes” left lingering impressions on how we should not give up on people who are dear to us, who seemed hopeless on the life course they are taking. Most often than not, they are just needing a Jin Kang (Jung So Min) in their lives, who can pull them out from caving in so they can share their fears and dreams.

One Spring Night (2019)

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Narrated in full sentiments of a you-and-me-against-my-ex-bf-and-father love story, One Spring Night honestly makes the viewers perceive how lucky those people, who gets the one they love without any hitches to worry about. Taking in consideration that my upbringing differs to South Koreans who are the same age as mine, this series broke my heart because I liked its initial episodes. However, the scattered emotions put the love pairing of the series to a pendulum of deadlock. And while I am a willing audience in wanting to support them, my forbearance ran out when the love journey felt so plagued with issues. We didn’t know the process of breaking up can be so agonizing even in fictional world setting until One Spring Night. But of course since the inspiration is derived from circumstances happening in Korea, at the very least it shed light on relationship and marriage positions. Additionally, it probed on the sentiments of reminding its targeted audience on what commitment entails especially if you intend to marry someone. Something that should never be decided in consideration of your previous relationships and parents’ preferences. For people in the right state of mind and age to marry, practical reasons should be included when contemplating about marriage. Ultimately, working on a strong love and trust foundation should be a foremost goal.

Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung (2019)

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Even on its premiere, the series aimed a modern approach to its storytelling. As home of period dramas, MBC did a great job exploring the world of palace historians. We only know of their roles as transcribers recording day-to-day activities of the King. However, the series explained their importance highlighting their passionate and kind attitude. Albeit the climax hitting a “genuine-let’s-persuade-the-king” scene, I also struggled to think of alternate ending that would balance the romance line and political conflict raised in the plot. At the end of it all, the drama achieved its goal to impart the message of driving ripples of change. Of making small differences to challenge the existing irrational laws of Joseon. As the recurring moments of the narrative, it brought inspiring insights from its main leads. Hae Ryung is a reminder that there’s nothing wrong in thinking different than the majority. Yi Rim inspires to have a dream and protect it like a part of yourself. Prince Jin exemplifies being rational and fair equip anyone in seeing the goodness and hope to any struggle. Conveniently framed, Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung has merits that do not go away as the story progressed. It makes you feel inwardly delighted rooting for the hopes and dreams of its characters.

Extraordinary You (2019)

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I honestly don’t have much tolerance now on the plot that youth and school-set drama typically use. Picking up Extraordinary You was mainly because of the story. As long as no bullying or no crappy school officials would be presented in a drama, I’m good. I have a happy school memory. Hence, I don’t want to taint it. Bribing me with cute boys, the frequent aigoo moments down the wire of the series helped me a lot in not giving up in the story. Albeit the congested storyline with complex bends and plot elements in a realistically speaking simple love story, the engaging momentum drew strength from its peculiarity. While I appreciate the ambitious plot, it faltered in a way that a drawn manhwa world presenting two minutes of happy ending bliss for Dan Oh and Haru can’t make me feel better. Nevertheless, for a first love story that usually takes uncomplicated route, the drama challenged a winding path that made it vulnerable and engrossing at the same time. Despite the evident plot inconsistencies, Extraordinary You had enough happy moments to get it through the bad drama times.

Search: WWW (2019)

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Whether you prioritize career or romance – or both, you would find yourself relating to the stories shared by the people moving in this narrative. Smartly written, Search: WWW celebrates the triumphs achieved by women determined to define their worth on their own. At the same time, it gave a picture of how even successful career women struggle to find their inner piece. As women suffering from over-dependency are often depicted on Korean dramas, it is such a refreshing moment to meet ladies who genuinely portray the other type of girls K-Dramaland refuse to delve on.

Her Private Life (2019)

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Nothing but good vibes celebrating fan girl spirit in Her Private Life. It may be trite, but at least it went on to create a full story that did not rely strongly on kissing scenes. Proving proper placement of sweet moments is the key to a remarkable romantic comedy, the tvN treat accomplished not having dull moments on its report card. Full marks on their onscreen chemistry, Park Min Young and Kim Jae Wook embellished their love pairing with apparent commitment. Bringing to life a vivid picture of a refreshing romance, the two made sure they gleamed together. Moreover, they created each character with well-defined individual bearing. Sprinting to a chronicle full of optimism, I like how Her Private Life is just a potent force of happiness pill. Considering how the story does not have any emotionally straining conflict, the seemingly raised complication was realizing the couple’s mutual affection. Beginning from a fake relationship, how they acknowledged it notched a few heavenly sweet scenes for fans to enjoy. In all honesty, the love admittance was the highest peak of the story. Ergo, the succeeding episodes of fan service gift was just a bonus. Following rom-com structure, the chosen featured moments for the love couple were cleverly rendered. Making sure to please, it delighted the viewers and completed a cohering story flow. That is deemed praise-worthy, instead of a bombardment of sweet couple scenes to hide the lack of story dynamics.

Romance is a Bonus Book (2019)

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There are plain rom-com dramas, and there are rom-com dramas that inspire. Romance Is A Bonus Book joins the cluster of rom-com series which does not rely on overflowing liplock frames and cheesy lines to boost the story. On that note, Lee Jong Suk and Lee Na Young’s starrer draws strength on how the series as a whole can be watched at different years of our lives, with us getting different insights from how we perceived it before. Just like how our favorite book keeps surprising us with newfound ideas after reading it again. Bringing out the idyllic beauty of lyrical memorable lines remarked by the characters has been one of the many good things about the series. I like that the workplace setting makes it easy for me to settle in understanding the stories of the lead couple, along with the moments when the supporting characters were highlighted. It has also touched a brooding moment for women audience seeing the focal character’s journey to muster her strength. From there, she rediscovered the brave woman inside her, which she lost along the way while raising a family of her own. A few love and dating pep talks were also sprinkled, specifically targeting people in early 30s to mid-40s. An age group, which has relatively experienced being in a relationship, whether it may be good or bad. Hence, loving at the spur of moment is not a viable option, but being sure that long-time commitment is a top most priority.

Chocolate (2019)

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Watching Chocolate in a binge requires patience given its supine mood. I regret choosing to watch it on a spree because it took me a while to finish it. Consistently enclosing the story to its main love pairing, the drama created momentous side stories for its supporting cast. But the soothing tone was just so tranquilizing that I remembered more of the patient stories than the angst and happy endings the main cast achieved. Bridging strained relationships, Chocolate is a heartwarming reminder that death can be painful but the memories left by our departed loved ones help us get by. Reminding us that life is fleeting, it wants us to be thankful of each day we get to live feeling the warmth of our loved ones.

Love Affairs in the Afternoon (2019)

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Exploring the reasons and emotions that bring about failed marriage is the direction of Love Affairs in the Afternoon. This series easily gravitates because it knows what it wants in the story by not pining on the agony that comes in themes focusing on betrayal. Threading on a sensitive and complicated theme, the realistic conflicts depicted in the series are enticing to watch. While I do not tolerate infidelity, I understand how people in relationship need to be the best caretakers of their love. If they fail to work on it and a change of heart happens, cheating is inevitable. An aftermath that would be painful to accept. I appreciate the classy setup of the series. It has strong emotional frames that are complemented well with subtle yet piercing painful realities coming from the perspective of the characters.

When The Camellia Blooms (2019)

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A single mother who discovered love in a small town hounded by an unsolved serial killing stigma appears heavy on paper. Hence, the comforting feel of When The Camellia Blooms strangely does not fit its premise. Therefore, it layers as an additional charm of the narrative. When a drama with a big cast makes you remember all the characters that paraded and their connection to the main leads; that is considered commendable. Moreover, the thrilling elements of the plot indirectly highlighted the goal to make its heroine blossomed to her very best version. Dong Baek’s character gives a new meaning to “girl power”. Her neon label tag as “unfortunate woman” drove the narrative of a unique underdog story that did not utilize annoying villain. Instead, it focused on her inner challenges to strengthen herself so she can face all demons, may it be self-encouraged or life inflicted.

Crash Landing on You (2020)

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Validating its euphoric run are impressive numbers accumulated in each chapter. The series joins the group of saccharine K-Drama favorites that would convert a nube spectator into discovering how the life of K-Drama fans are not that bad at all. *wink Always a tad too sweet in every episode, Crash Landing On You effortlessly enamored the audience with its captivating drama experience. It edged out Goblin in nicking the highest-rated episode in tvN’s history at 21.68% national viewership rating. It proves how its loyal following spent time to support and with a stellar send off. Given how rom-com stories often take the bulk of K-Drama lineup each year, it is massive feat to create one that would simultaneously garner online raves while scoring impressive viewership numbers. Crash Landing On You is an addicting series that easily makes someone feel good. Brimming with saccharine treats, there has been no dull moment happily witnessing how love blooms between a South Korean heiress and a North Korean elite army captain. Hitting all the bullet points required for a perfect K-Drama romantic comedy, this Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin starrer should be included in your watch list.

I know this is quite a long read, but I guarantee you that these K-Drama recommendations would help a lot when you can’t decide what to watch, if you have limited time or particular preferences. I hope you include my recommendations on your k-drama watch list.

You can check FULL REVIEWS on HELLOKPOP. Photos Credit To: Netflix | KBS2 | SBS | MBC | tvN | jTBC | OCN | MBN

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