12 Essential K-Drama Romcoms
Here are our tried-and-tested, forever favorite romantic comedies to soothe the soul and set your hearts aflutter!
There’s nothing like a good romcom to soothe the soul—especially if it’s a K-drama, where even the slightest tells of a burgeoning romance deliver a significant emotional pay-off.
Kim Soo-Hyun and Jun Ji-Hyun gave us all the feels in 'My Love From The Star' | SBS
We’re casting the spotlight on 12 romantic comedies that have made our hearts flutter and have kept us in stitches because Koreans have a pretty damn good sense of humor. For those new to the genre, we’ve included a little bit of everything from old favorites to new must-watches—but these are, of course, just the tip of the iceberg.
Your Essential Guide to K-Drama Romcoms
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Full House (2004)
Considered the pioneer of the K-Drama romcom genre as well a major contributor to the rise of Hallyu movement, Full House was well-received on a global scale, most notably in Asia. This classic stars Song Hye-kyo as Han Ji-eun, an aspiring writer who lives alone in a large house built by her late father.
Photo Credit: KBS
Full House (2004)
One day, her friends trick her into believing she won a free trip to China, and sell her house while she is away. Upon returning, Ji-eun discovers her house has been sold to a movie star named Lee Young-jae (Rain), who she met on the plane en route to China. While they initially do not get along, they agree to live together, and end up falling for each other along the way.
Photo Credit: KBS
Coffee Prince (2007)
Another oldie but goodie, Coffee Prince introduced viewers to one of the K-World’s favorite oppas, Gong Yoo. Here, he plays Choi Han-kyul, the grandson of the chairwoman of Dong-in Foods who has no desire to work. He meets Go Eun-chan (Yoon Eun-hye), a tomboyish young girl who works multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Photo Credit: MBC
Coffee Prince (2007)
Convinced she is a boy, Han-kyul hires to Eun-chan to pose as his gay lover so his grandmother will stop setting him up on blind dates. When he takes over a rundown coffee shop to prove his mettle, Eun-chan comes onboard, continuing to masquerade as a boy to keep her job as Han-kyul only hires male employees. With its humor and lovable side characters, there’s a lot to enjoy here.
Photo Credit: MBC
What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018)
Fluffy, funny, and nearly devoid of angst (there’s a wee bit, but nothing major), What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? is a genre favorite that makes us all wish we had our own Park Seo-joon. He stars as Lee Young-joon, an able yet self-absorbed vice chairman of a top company who realizes he has feelings for his secretary of nine years when she announces her resignation. Along for the ride is romcom darling Park Min-young, who plays the long-suffering secretary Kim Mi-so.
Photo Credit: tvN
What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018)
It’s a 16-episode push-pull between the two leads—whose chemistry alone is more than enough reason to give this a try—that is more focused on the romance than any heavy plot, but its strong viewership is proof that a show need not be inventive to make an impact.
Photo Credit: tvN
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016)
This coming-of-age sport-oriented romcom based on the life story of Olympic gold medalist Jang Mi-ran was well-received on an international level, particularly here in the Philippines. Lee Sung-kyung plays the plucky Kim Bok-joo, a naturally gifted weightlifter with an equally strong personality to match. Around her are Jung Joon-hyung (Nam Joo-hyuk), her childhood friend who is a talented swimmer; Jung Jae-yi (Lee Jae-yoon), an athlete turned obesity doctor as well as Bok-joo’s first love; and Song Shi-ho (Kyung Soo-jin), an overachieving rhythmic gymnast.
Photo Credit: MBC
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016)
Merging heart-warming backstories with the rigorous demands of the sporting world, the plot is both realistic and relatable, making it immensely popular among young viewers as well as an easy choice for repeat viewing.
Photo Credit: MBC
Her Private Life (2019)
If you’re a K-pop fangirl with your very own bias, then you can surely relate to protagonist Sung Deok-mi (Park Min-young), a museum curator by day and the webmaster of a famous fansite for the idol group White Ocean’s Cha Shi-an (Jung Jae-won) by night. After Deok-mi’s current boss is investigated for embezzlement charges, standoffish ex-artist Ryan Gold (Kim Jae-wook in his first lead role) comes in as the new art director.
Photo Credit: tvN
Her Private Life (2019)
When rumors break that Shi-an and Deok-mi are dating after she is seen leaving his apartment building post-business meeting, Ryan swoops in to save the day by posing as her boyfriend. Predictably, the two end up developing real feelings for each other, but the journey to end is a genuine delight.
Photo Credit: tvN
Touch Your Heart (2019)
For Goblin fans, Touch Your Heart is the happy ending the Grim Reaper and Sunny deserve. This romcom stars Yoo In-na as Oh Yeon-seo, a much adored queen of CFs who was often criticized for her lack of actual acting skills. A scandal puts her successful career on hold, and she winds up having to work as a secretary at a law firm to be considered for a lead role in a drama she is eyeing. The firm’s top lawyer is straitlaced perfectionist Kwon Jung-rok (Lee Dong-wook), who is initially dismissive of Yeon-seo as he finds her vapid.
Photo Credit: tvN
Touch Your Heart (2019)
Eventually, he sees her sincerity towards her job and comes around, developing feelings for her—which are mutual, as Yeon-seo finds herself crushing on him—as he gets to know her better.
Photo Credit: tvN
Because This Is My First Life (2017)
Nam Se-hee (Lee Min-ki) is an apathetic designer in need of funds to pay off his mortgage faster. Yoon Ji-ho (Jung So-min) is a broke assistant screenwriter in need of a new place to live. She takes the spare room Se-hee is renting out, becoming his housemate and later, contract spouse simply because one can provide what the other needs. Older millennials are particularly fond of this show, as the characters are in their 30s, all dealing with juggling their responsibilities with their wants, and their career goals with their relationships.
Photo Credit: tvN
Because This Is My First Life (2017)
Worth noting as well is the focus on breaking outdated traditions surrounding familial obligations and marriage. These affect not just Se-hee and Ji-ho, but also their close friends, who are compelling characters in their own right.
Photo Credit: tvN
She Was Pretty (2015)
She Was Pretty tells the story of two acquaintances who decide to meet once again as adults. Ashamed of what her life has become after losing everything to bankruptcy, the once wealthy and beautiful Kim Hye-jin (Hwang Jung-eum) asks her best friend, Min Ha-ri (Go Joon-hee) to go in her place. On the other hand, the once shy Ji Sung-joon (Park Seo-joon) grew up to be handsome and successful.
Photo Credit: MBC
She Was Pretty (2015)
Things get complicated when Hye-jin is appointed junior editor at The Most magazine, of which Sung-joon is the chief deputy editor. Not recognizing his old friend, Sung-joon is openly rude to Hye-jin, poking fun at her clumsiness. An entertaining watch, this show also imparts a meaningful lesson, teaching viewers that problems must be faced head-on rather than avoided.
Photo Credit: MBC
My Love From The Star (2013)
Top star Kim Soo-hyun plays Do Min-joon, an extraterrestrial being that landed on Earth during the Joseon Dynasty. Stranded for the next four centuries due to missing the voyage back to his planet, he is forced to create a new identity for himself every few years. Three months before his long-awaited trip back home, he ends up being next-door neighbors with Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun), a famous Hallyu actress sought after for her talent but disliked in the industry due to her haughty personality.
Photo Credit: SBS
My Love From The Star (2013)
He finds himself entangled in the crazy situations Song-yi ends up in, often having to use his powers to help her. With his departure drawing near, Min-joon tries to distance himself from her, but fails, and the two end up falling in love.
Photo Credit: SBS
Secret Garden (2010)
This Cinderella type story won Hyun Bin a Daesang for his portrayal of department store CEO Kim Joo-won. While trying to resolve a romantic scandal involving his cousin and a famous actress, Joo-won ends up meeting said actress’ body double, stuntwoman Gil Ra-im (Ha Ji-won) instead. The two don’t hit it off too well in the beginning, but it’s clear from the get-go where this is headed.
Photo Credit: SBS
Secret Garden (2010)
Arrogant and rather chauvinistic early on, Joo-won finds himself fascinated by Ra-im’s no-nonsense coolness, and decides to pursue her. To her credit, Ra-im refuses to show any interest in him until he acknowledges his bad attitude and does his best to change. An unforeseen body swap allows them to learn and understand each other more, paving the way for a hilarious yet still sweet love story.
Photo Credit: SBS
Fated To Love You (2014)
A remake of a Taiwanese drama, Fated to Love You revolves around the lives of Lee Gun (Jang Hyuk), the wealthy heir to a prestigious family run business and a descendant of the distinguished Jeonju Lee clan, and Kim Mi-young (Jang Nara), a naive, Plain Jane type law firm secretary called “the post-it girl” as she is unable to refuse any work dumped on her.
Photo Credit: MBC
Fated To Love You (2014)
They cross paths one night after ingesting drugged drinks, which results in a one-night stand after Mi-young accidentally enters the wrong hotel room: Lee Gun’s. She later finds out she is pregnant, and the news significantly changes both her life and Lee Gun’s, who reluctantly agrees to a shotgun wedding so he can do right by her and their child.
Photo Credit: MBC
Oh My Venus (2015)
So Ji-sub plays Kim Young-ho/John Kim, a favorite personal trainer among Hollywood stars whose passion for fitness and living well stems from having fallen seriously ill as a child. A scandal involving an actress consequently has him returning home to Korea to wait for it to die down.
Photo Credit: KBS
Oh My Venus (2015)
On the flight, he meets and rescues Kang Joo-eun (Shin Min-a), a former ulzzang from her teen years and the so-called Venus of Daegu, who faints after excessive intake of alcohol and medication due to being dumped by a boyfriend. Unhappy with her weight gain and feeling she is no longer beautiful, she asks Young-ho to help her lose weight and get fit with the promise of not revealing his dual identity to the public.
Photo Credit: KBS
If you’ve additional recommendations, share them with us! We’d love to know which romcoms have turned you into goo.
A definite mustwatch—Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young's chemistry in 'What's Wrong with Secretary Kim'! | tvN
Lead photos are stills from What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?, My Love from the Star, and Secret Garden courtesy of SBS and tvN. Background photo by Andre Moura on Pexels.
