Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back with a brand new list of romantic Korean dramas? This girl! Yes, since publishing my last list of some of my favourite Kdramas on Netflix, I’ve travelled to South Korea to star in my own real-life drama! 🙂
As I prepare for my second trip to the country, I thought it would be great to share an additional list with you – because I care so much! 🙂
I’m going to be honest though, I’ve fallen off the kdrama bandwagon. I found anti-MLM, crime and fraud docuseries on YouTube and Netflix, and I’m stuck in a rabbit hole of some sort over there – for now.
Nevertheless, this post has been sitting in my drafts for a while now, and as my trip approaches, I thought it was a good time to revisit it. True to form, I will be focusing on my favorite genre: romantic comedies. Over the past few years, I’ve explored some sub-genres within this category, and that has truly paid off – entertainment-wise. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Best Romantic Korean Dramas on Netflix – Fantasy
1. Alchemy of Souls – Part 1
Plot: In a magical world where soul-shifting is possible, a powerful assassin named Naksu finds her soul trapped in the weak body of a noble servant girl named Mu-deok, who becomes the maid of the nobleman Jang Uk. As Mu-deok secretly trains Jang Uk in magic while concealing her true identity, they navigate political intrigue, forbidden magic, and growing feelings for each other, all while powerful mages hunt for Naksu and dark forces threaten the kingdom of Daeho.
The first scene from this drama threatened to drive me away. It seemed quite intense and as you know, I’m here for the soft life. But I’m glad I stuck with it because this drama was fun, intriguing, and exhilarating! In my typical fashion, I skipped a lot of the “bad-guy” scenes in favour of the lighter portions of the plot. I enjoyed it overall and often return to watch my favourite scenes. There is a second part that was just as interesting to watch but I liked Part 1 better.
2. The Atypical Family
Plot: The Atypical Family centers on the Bok family, whose inherited supernatural abilities are fading along with their wealth. Widower Gwi-ju, who can time travel, and his mind-reading daughter I-na find their lives transformed when con artist Do Da-hae enters their world. As Gwi-ju regains his powers and falls for Da-hae, their romance faces constant interruption from two feuding matriarchs—Gwi-ju’s fortune-telling mother and Da-hae’s conniving stepmother—who battle for control over both money and their children.
It’s strange that this drama makes this list because I only vaguely remember the entire thing – but wait, hear me out first! I remember absolutely loving it when it first aired on Netflix. I liked the slow and building chemistry between the leads, and the supernatural elements added such a fun twist to the typical rom-com formula. Compared to other shows in the genre, this one is fun and light. Writing this post has inspired me to rewatch it again. I truly am my own best friend! 🙂
3. See you in my 19th life
Plot: The premise of this rom-com is super unique – our female lead Ban Ji-eum remembers all her past lives and in her current life, she’s trying to reconnect with a man she fell in love with in her previous incarnation.
Shin Hye-sun’s acting is phenomenal (as always), and the way the story weaves between past and present is both heartbreaking and beautiful. The childhood trauma storyline might be a bit heavy at times, but the sweet romance and healing journey make it all worthwhile. Plus, there are some genuinely funny moments that balance out the emotional ones perfectly!
Best Romantic Korean Dramas on Netflix – Office Rom-Com
4. Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Plot: Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows Woo Young-woo, a brilliant attorney on the autism spectrum, as she navigates life at a prestigious law firm.
I eagerly followed this drama episode by episode when it first aired. I loved it and always looked forward to the next weekend to binge-watch the subsequent two episodes.. What I love most about it is how it balances serious issues with heartwarming moments. Park Eun-bin deserves ALL the awards for her portrayal of Woo Young-woo – it’s sensitive, nuanced, and completely captivating. And can we talk about the romance? The slow-burn relationship between Young-woo and Lee Jun-ho had me squealing into my pillow at 2 AM!
Best Romantic Korean Dramas on Netflix – Coming of Age
5. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Jo
Plot: This drama follows the adorably awkward weightlifter Kim Bok-joo as she navigates first love, friendship, and finding her own path.
I was surprised to learn that this drama didn’t do so well in Korea. I wonder why, but I guess, different strokes for different folks. I enjoyed it very much and it is one of my comfort watches. I still randomly quote “Do you like Messi?” in conversations (watch it and you’ll understand!). What I loved most is how relatable Bok-joo’s struggles are – body image issues, feeling torn between passion and expectations, and that messy journey of figuring out who you are.
6. True Beauty
Plot: Based on the wildly popular webtoon, True Beauty explores themes of beauty standards, bullying, and self-acceptance – all wrapped up in the most delicious high school love triangle!
This is one of my all-time favourite kdramas. I watch it whenever I’m bored and need a light show to pick me up. The second-hand embarrassment is REAL in this one, folks, but in the best possible way. I found myself alternating between cringing and melting into a puddle of emotions. The side characters are just as lovable as the main trio, and there are some genuinely moving storylines about healing from past trauma.
Best Romantic Korean Dramas on Netflix – Historical Drama & Thrillers
7. Mr Queen
Plot: A modern chef is transported back in time to the Joseon era where he inhabits the body of a queen.
In my last post about romantic Korean dramas, Maia suggested that I watch Mr. Queen. I’m not typically a fan of body-switching dramas. Funny I say this as Alchemy of Souls is sitting pretty high on this list! But I took that recommendation and gave it a try and loved it! The historical setting is gorgeous, the palace politics are intriguing (though I did occasionally fast-forward through some of the heavier political scenes), and the comedy is top-tier. Fair warning: this one has some darker elements and a somewhat controversial ending that divided fans, but the journey is absolutely worth it. I still find myself rewatching clips on YouTube when I need a good laugh!
Bonus: Flower of Evil
I know, I know – I said I’m all about the soft life, but this thriller romance deserves a special mention! Lee Joon-gi and Moon Chae-won play a married couple with a devastating secret: he’s hiding his past and true identity from her… and she’s a detective.
TALK ABOUT DRAMA! This one kept me on the edge of my seat with its perfect balance of suspense, romance, and emotional depth. What makes it special is that unlike most thrillers, it centers on an established relationship rather than a new romance, exploring themes of trust, forgiveness, and whether we can ever truly know the people we love. If you’re willing to venture beyond pure rom-coms, this is absolutely worth the emotional investment!
Well, there you have it – my updated list of romantic Korean dramas that have been keeping me company between trips to South Korea! As I pack my bags for my second adventure, I’d love to know: have you watched any of these? Do you have recommendations for what I should binge-watch next once I crawl out of my true crime rabbit hole? Let me know in the comments! 안녕히 계세요 (goodbye for now)! 🙂
K dramas are the best. Love your blog! 😀
Thank you! They are a sweet escape!
This is such a wonderful list. I’ve noticed that the streamer carries tense thrillers and airy rom-coms in spades, but haven’t watched any of them yet. In the years before I started travelling I often got lost in a dream world of my favorite TV shows or movies that would take me away to faraway places. Fiction shows or documentaries that show certain locations always got me hooked. Even to this day, I look to these shows to inspire even more travel. I love using them as inspiration for where I want to go in the world, what I need to eat in a new location or just to reconfirm why this travel thing is all worth it. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva x
Thanks for your comment, Aiva – I absolutely get what you’re saying! I love how these shows can inspire new destinations, new food to try, and even just remind us of the magic of travel. There’s something special about watching a place come to life on screen and thinking, “I need to see that for myself!” Thanks again and wishing you a great day as well!
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