Swoon-Worthy K-Drama Watchlist: Captivating Love Stories to Binge
Last update: April 8, 2024
I derive pleasure from watching Korean dramas (K-dramas) during my leisure hours. As someone who tends to reflect on situations introspectively, I find myself consistently evaluating people and various aspects of life, which keeps my mind engaged most of the time. However, when I do manage to carve out some free time, I prefer immersing myself in light-hearted and entertaining love stories with happy endings—content that doesn't demand overthinking. This serves as my way of taking a brief mental vacation from assisting clients with their challenging life experiences.
Upon realizing my interest in these simple pleasures, people often ask for recommendations. In response, I've taken the initiative to compile lists of suggestions. This not only brings smiles to their days but also adds a positive touch to mine.
Favorite Swoon-Worthy Series I Watch Again:
Alchemy of Souls (2022) source from IMDb
Alchemy of Souls:* Alchemy of Souls seamlessly blends the enchanting world of wizards with the rich tapestry of old Korean culture, crafting an exhilarating narrative brimming with mystery, love, magical powers, and the genesis of legendary tales.
Because This Is My First Life: A single woman, lacking a place to live, crosses paths with a male roommate struggling to find a compatible match due to his challenging personality. Their journey unfolds as they navigate the complexities of living together, discovering in each other a complement that brings a unique harmony to their shared space.
Boys Over Flowers: Embark on a Korean drama journey with the tale of an ordinary girl thrust into the elite world of a prestigious private school, where she captures the hearts of the most popular boys known as the F4. This is no ordinary Cinderella story – it's a Korean drama rendition featuring two compelling love interests, where the underdogs may win your heart. With every episode, be prepared to be captivated by the intriguing twists and turns of this classic must-watch.
Coffee Prince: In our story, a wealthy young man faces arranged marriage pressure from his grandmother. To escape, he hires a boy (who is actually a girl in disguise) to pose as his love interest. They pretend to be a couple, but things take a turn when the grandmother challenges him to run a coffee shop. The girl becomes an employee, and amidst the challenges, they unknowingly fall in love, unaware of her true identity
Descendants Of The Sun: Destiny intertwines the lives of a special forces captain and a spirited doctor. Their captivating chemistry and unwavering perseverance shine through as they navigate the challenges of danger together.
Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol: Follow the journey of a pampered pianist who loses everything, only to discover love and self-independence in a quaint village. Against the backdrop of this small community, she establishes a piano academy, weaving a tale of resilience, growth, and newfound purpose.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo: Experience the extraordinary odyssey of an autistic lawyer in Attorney Woo, as she harnesses her exceptional IQ, impressive memory, and imaginative thought process to triumph over cases and break down prejudices in a competitive law firm. Amidst the challenges, she encounters a man who sees and appreciates her for who she is, bringing the transformative power of love into her life.
Fight For My Way: Embark on a heartwarming journey in this coming-of-age tale, where childhood friends evolve into lovers, united by a common goal of turning their dreams into reality. Follow the captivating story of four friends navigating the challenges of finding their place in the world. As they tackle careers, friendships, and love, watch how the bonds of friendship transform into profound love. Each character's journey is bound to capture your heart in this enchanting narrative.
Go Back Couple: a young couple faces regret and dissatisfaction in their marriage, leading to a divorce. In a peculiar twist of fate, they time-travel back to the day before they first met, inhabiting their younger selves with the knowledge of their future. As they grapple with the opportunity to reshape their destinies, the question looms: will they choose each other once more, or decide to part ways and rewrite their history?
In Need of Romance 3: In this romantic tale, a 33-year-old fashion marketing director, having given up on true love, finds a renewed sense of hope when a carefree 26-year-old songwriter reenters her life in Korea. As they reconnect, the songwriter endeavors to demonstrate that he's no longer the kid she once remembered, aiming to win back his first love with sincerity and maturity.
Legend of the Blue Sea: Experience the enchanting tale of a mermaid who fell in love with the main character in their past lives. Reincarnated and reunited, she attempts to assimilate into the human world without revealing her aquatic origins. The whimsical and adorable journey of the mermaid adapting to human life, intertwined with a heartwarming love story, creates a captivating and entertaining narrative.
Mischievous Kiss: In this charming story, a high-spirited girl with a crush on the school's smartest boy finds herself unexpectedly moving into his house. Despite his initial mockery of her perceived lack of intelligence, her quirky personality and unique perspective lead both to reassess their life goals. As she undergoes personal growth, the dynamic between them evolves, and their mutual interest in each other deepens.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo:* In this captivating tale, a 21st-century woman time-travels to Korea during the reign of Taejo, the first king of the era. Stranded in a society where women lack freedom, she must quickly adapt and navigate the intricacies of court life. Amidst the challenges, she becomes entangled in the conflicts among the seven Wang Princes vying for the throne and grapples with the complexities of love, all while striving to find a way back to her modern time.
Strong Girl Bong-Soon: Meet a girl born with super strength, who takes on the role of a CEO's bodyguard. As she fiercely guards the CEO, a love story unfolds. The CEO, smitten by her strength and character, endeavors to win her heart, all while facing competition from her longstanding cop friends who have been a part of her life. This action-packed romance explores the dynamics of love, loyalty, and strength.
The Forbidden Marriage: In a kingdom where the widowed king enforces a seven-year ban on marriage, a clever female swindler attempts to defy the decree by organizing illicit marriages and faces arrest. To survive, she resorts to tricking the king into letting her see his deceased wife. Unexpectedly, their encounters lead to a deep connection, and love blossoms between the swindler and the grieving king, defying the very law that brought them together.
True Beauty: Experience the transformative journey of an initially unattractive girl who masters the art of makeup, emerging as the school's beauty. Caught in the intricate web of Korean drama, the most handsome guy in school falls for her true inner beauty rather than the external facade. As their love story blossoms, a captivating love triangle unfolds, with his rival vying for her heart. Amidst the romance, they rediscover their friendship, adding layers of complexity to this heartwarming tale.
Twenty-Five Twenty-One:* Delve into the coming-of-age journey of a determined teen aspiring to become an Olympic fencer. Along the way, she crosses paths with a young man on a quest to rebuild his life through hard work. Their story unfolds as they grapple with struggles and find love amidst life's challenges. Brace yourself, as this narrative might not conclude the way you anticipate, but the compelling love story is too great to omit from this list.
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?: Enter the world of a vice-chairman whose stability is upended when his highly competent secretary of nine years announces her resignation. Fearing the loss, the chairman is determined to keep her by his side, leading to a tale of strategic moves and unexpected developments as he endeavors to ensure she remains an integral part of his life.
Adorable Romanic Notable Series:
Big
Birth of the Beauty
Blade Man
Business Proposal
Cinderella and the Four Knights
Dream High
Dear Fair Lady Kong
Doom at Your Service
Extra-ordinary You
Familiar Wife
Fated to Love You
Full House
Go Back Couple
Heirs
Hello Me!
Her Private Life
High Society
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Kill Me Heal Me
I Am Not A Robot
I Married Anti-Fan
In Need of Romance 3
Let’s Eat
Love in the Moonlight
Love is for Suckers
Love to Hate You
Master’s Sun
My Golden Life
My Man is Cupid
My Roommate is a Gumiho
My Secret Romance
Oh My Ghost
Oh! My Ladylord
Oh My Venus
Second 20s
Seducing Mr. Perfect
She Was Pretty
Shopaholic Louis
Strong Girl Nam-Soon
Tale of the Nine-Tailed
The Heirs
The Law Cafe
The Moon Embracing the Sun
Touch Your Heart
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo
Welcome to Samdal-ri
When Camellia Blooms
Comedy with Romance
18 Again
Business Proposal
Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth
Kill Me Heal Me
Man Who Dies To Live
Mr. Queen
My Only Love Song
My Roommate Is A Gumiho
Personal Taste
Seducing Mr. Perfect
She Was Pretty
Shopaholic Louis
Strong Girl Nam-Soon
To All The Guys Who Love Me
The Secret Life of My Secretary
Under The Queen’s Umbrella
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo
Fantasy with Romance
18 Again
A Korean Odyssey
Alchemy of Souls 1 & 2*
Arthdal Chronicles 1 & 2*
Black Knight*
Blade Man
Bride of the Habaek
Doom at your service
Extra-ordinary You
Go Back Couple
Heart Beat
Hotel DeLuna
Master’s Sun
Memories Of The Alhambra
Mr. Queen
My Demon*
My Girlfriend Is Gumiho
My Love from the Stars
My Man is Cupid
My Only Love Song
My Roommate Is A Gumiho
Mystic Pop-Up Bar
Rooftop Prince
Princess Hours/Goong
So I Married My Anti-Fan
Splash Splash Love
Strong Girl Nam-Soon
Tale of the Nine-Tailed
The King Eternal Monarch
The Scholar Who Walks The Night
The School Nurse Files
The Sound Of Music
Tomorrow
Historical Setting Romance
100 Day Prince
Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency
Hotel DeLuna
Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth
Love In The Moonlight
Mr. Queen
Mr. Sunshine*
My Only Love Song
Princess Hours/Goong
Rookie Historian
Rooftop Prince
Tale Of Arang
Tale Of Nokdu*
The King's Affection
The King Eternal Monarch
The Moon That Embraces the Sun
Under The Queen’s Umbrella
Soft Melodrama with Romance
Familiar Wife
Go Back Couple
Hotel DeLuna
I hear Your Voice
Itaewon Class
Lie To Me
Monthly Magazine Home
My Girl
My Holo Love
My Liberation Note
Navillera*
Pinocchio
Sweet Stranger and Me
The Scent of a Woman
Tomorrow
The Real Has Come!
When Camellia Blooms
Murder Mystery Romance:
Arthdal Chronicles*
Birth of the Beauty
Cafe Minamdang
Cheer Up
Crash Course In Romance
Descendants Of The Sun
Healer
I Hear Your Voice
Itaewon Class
Memories Of The Alhambra
May I help you?
My Liberation Note
Mystic Pop-Up Bar
Oh My Ghost
Pinocchio
Rooftop Prince
The King Eternal Monarch
Tomorrow
Unlock My Boss
Vincenzo
When Camellia Blooms
Worth Mentioning Series:
Another Miss Oh
Dream High
In Need of Romance 1
In Need of Romance 2*
It's Okay Not to Be Okay*
Jugglers
Lovers of Haeundae
My Girl
My Girlfriend Is Gumiho
My Holo Love
My Princess
Navillera*
Oh My Venus
Romance Is A Bonus Book
Scent Of A Woman
The Secret Life of My Secretary
The Time We Were Not in Love
Popular Among Others, Not My Favorite:
Are We In Love?
Bride of the Habaek
Crash Landing On You
Forecasting Love And Weather
My Love from the Stars
Princess Hours/Goong
Secret Garden
Start-Up
The King Eternal Monarch
Complex Happy Endings: K-Dramas with a Twist:
Flower Boy Next Door
Lie to me
My ID Is Gangnam Beauty
Once Upon A Small Town
One Fine Day
Strongest Delivery Man
The School Nurse Files
The Sound Of Music
Engaging enough to kill time:
K-Pop Extreme Survival
Monthly Magazine Home
My ID is Gangnam Beauty
Risky Romance
Second 20s
Still, Marry Me
The Spies Who Loved Me
Movies:
200-Pound beauty *
Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds
IL Mare
Love And Leashes
Memories of the sword
Miss Granny*
Series on my watchlist:
Adult Trainee
Again My Life
Beautiful Goes Shim
Crazy Love
City Hunter
Finding Mr. Destiny
Girls Generation 1979
Ghost Doctor
Guardian: The Lonely And Great God
Hit The Top
Love In Contract
Marriage, Not Dating
Melting Me Softly
Moorim School
Monthly Magazine Home
More Than Friends
Mr. Sunshine
My Absolute Boyfriend
My Lovely Sam Soon
Switch
One Spring Night
Our Beloved Summer
Personal Taste
Queen Of The Ring
Radio Romance
Replay 1988
Red Sleeve
Royal Secret Agent
Scarlet Moon
Something With 1 Percent
Still 17
Suspicious Partner
The Emperor: Owner Of The Mask
The Heavenly Idol
The Last Empress
The Producers
Uncontrollably Fond
*Might not be an ideal happy ending and might need tissues for tears
~ Currently watching
