Here are the top 10 romantic Korean dramas with additional story details, genres, main actors, notable directors, and networks/platforms where they aired:
Top 10 Romantic Korean dramas
- Crash Landing on You (2019-2020)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama
- Main Actors: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin
- Director: Lee Jung-hyo
- Network/Platform: tvN, Netflix
- Story Details: Yoon Se-ri, a South Korean heiress, gets caught in a tornado while paragliding and crash-lands in North Korean territory. There, she meets Ri Jeong-hyeok, a North Korean army officer who takes it upon himself to protect her. As they devise plans to get her back to South Korea, they must deal with cultural barriers and political intrigue. Their journey is fraught with danger, camaraderie, and unexpected alliances, leading to a deep bond that transcends borders.
- Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) (2016-2017)
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
- Main Actors: Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook
- Director: Lee Eung-bok
- Network/Platform: tvN, Netflix
- Story Details: Kim Shin, a decorated military general from the Goryeo era, is cursed with immortality and becomes a goblin. To end his endless life, he seeks a human bride who can remove the sword embedded in his chest. Ji Eun-tak, a lively high school student who can see ghosts, is believed to be the “Goblin’s bride.” Their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, revealing past lives and enduring love, while dealing with the Grim Reaper, who also has a complicated past and connection to them.
- Descendants of the Sun (2016)
- Genre: Romance, Action, Melodrama
- Main Actors: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo
- Director: Lee Eung-bok, Baek Sang-hoon
- Network/Platform: KBS2, Netflix
- Story Details: Amidst deploying on peacekeeping missions and handling crises in war zones, Captain Yoo Si-jin and Dr. Kang Mo-yeon’s paths cross in a fictional war-torn country called Urk. Their romance blooms amidst challenges like natural disasters and political conflicts, testing their courage and commitment to each other. The drama also explores the stories of their comrades and the local people they encounter, emphasizing themes of sacrifice and humanity.
- What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Main Actors: Park Seo-joon, Park Min-young
- Director: Park Joon-hwa
- Network/Platform: tvN, Netflix
- Story Details: The highly efficient secretary Kim Mi-so decides to resign after nine years of working for the self-absorbed vice chairman, Lee Young-joon. Her decision sends Young-joon into a tailspin as he tries to convince her to stay, sparking an exploration of their past and developing feelings. As they unravel the mysteries of Young-joon’s traumatic childhood and Mi-so’s own family struggles, they discover love in the most unexpected ways.
- My Love From Another Star (2013-2014)
- Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Main Actors: Jun Ji-hyun, Kim Soo-hyun
- Director: Jang Tae-yoo
- Network/Platform: SBS, Netflix
- Story Details: Do Min-joon, an alien stranded on Earth for 400 years, lives quietly as a college professor. With three months left before he can finally return to his home planet, he meets his next-door neighbor, Cheon Song-yi, a famous Hallyu star. As they grow closer, Min-joon must confront his feelings and the dangers that threaten Song-yi, including a sinister plot against her. The drama intertwines past and present, revealing the star-crossed nature of their destinies.
- The Heirs (2013)
- Genre: Teen, Romance, Drama
- Main Actors: Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye
- Director: Kang Shin-hyo
- Network/Platform: SBS, Netflix
- Story Details: Kim Tan, heir to a vast conglomerate, lives in the shadow of his domineering brother until he meets Cha Eun-sang, a girl from a humble background, in the U.S. Returning to Korea, their paths cross again at the elite Empire High School. As they navigate their mutual attraction, they face family opposition and class conflicts. The series explores themes of wealth disparity, friendship, and the quest for personal identity.
- It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Main Actors: Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Ye-ji
- Director: Park Shin-woo
- Network/Platform: tvN, Netflix
- Story Details: Moon Gang-tae works at a psychiatric hospital, taking care of his autistic brother, Sang-tae. Their lives change when they meet Ko Moon-young, a children’s book author with antisocial personality disorder. As they uncover each other’s deep-set traumas and pasts, they embark on a journey of emotional healing. The drama beautifully weaves mental health issues into a love story, emphasizing themes of personal growth and human connection.
- Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016-2017)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy, Sports
- Main Actors: Lee Sung-kyung, Nam Joo-hyuk
- Director: Oh Hyun-jong
- Network/Platform: MBC, Netflix
- Story Details: Kim Bok-joo is a weightlifting prodigy with a passion for the sport, struggling with societal expectations and her own dreams. She falls for her friend’s older brother, a doctor, while her childhood friend, Jung Joon-hyung, a talented swimmer, realizes his feelings for her. The drama captures the heartwarming journey of young athletes finding love, friendship, and self-acceptance.
- Boys Over Flowers (2009)
- Genre: Teen, Romance, Drama
- Main Actors: Lee Min-ho, Ku Hye-sun
- Director: Jeon Ki-sang
- Network/Platform: KBS2, Netflix
- Story Details: Geum Jan-di, a courageous girl from a modest background, enters the prestigious Shinhwa High School and crosses paths with its elite F4 group, led by the enigmatic Gu Jun-pyo. Despite bullying and societal pressures, Jan-di’s resilience and compassion win over Jun-pyo. The drama explores themes of love, friendship, and the battle against class discrimination.
- Hotel Del Luna (2019)
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
- Main Actors: IU, Yeo Jin-goo
- Director: Oh Choong-hwan
- Network/Platform: tvN, Netflix
- Story Details: Jang Man-wol, the enigmatic owner of Hotel Del Luna, a place where spirits linger before moving on, is cursed to manage the hotel for centuries. Goo Chan-sung, a Harvard MBA graduate, becomes the hotel’s new manager, uncovering Man-wol’s tragic past and the hotel’s mysteries. Their evolving relationship is woven with ghostly tales and emotional depth, exploring themes of redemption, love, and letting go.
Top 10 Romantic Korean dramas: These dramas are rich in storytelling, offering a blend of romance, fantasy, and drama that captures viewers’ hearts and imaginations.
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