When you're down in the dumps, there's no motivation quite like the promise of dedicating yourself to a TV show that ends well, one way or another. Here, we've rounded up 20 light-hearted romantic comedy K-dramas to binge-watch that will lift your spirits for sure. Spoiler alert: They all have a happy ending!
1. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (2016)
Who doesn't love a good college story to take you back to your glory days? This coming-of-age series follows elite collegiate athletes as they chase after their dreams while experiencing life and love for the first time. Promising weightlifer Kim Bok-Joo, in particular, finds herself torn between her goals and her unexpectedly blossoming love life.
Starring: Lee Sung Kyung, Nam Joo Hyuk, Lee Jae Yoon, Kyung Soo Jin
2. Because This Is My First Life (2017)
Both struggling singles in their 30s, a house-poor man and a homeless woman hatch a plan to get married to save money in the process. The two agree to living together but soon realize that marriage comes with complications and demands that they're both ill-equipped for.
Starring: Lee Min Ki , Jung So Min, Park Byung Eun, Esom
3. What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018)
Lee Young Joon is the vice president of his family's company. Self-absorbed and narcissistic, he barely recognizes the efforts of those around him, least of all his loyal and patient secretary Kim Mi So. Wanting more in life, Mi So abruptly decides to resign from her post of nine years, leading to a series of hilarious misunderstanding that may or may not bring the two opposing personalities closer together.
Starring: Park Seo Joon, Park Min Young, Lee Tae Hwan , Pyo Ye Jin
4. Touch Your Heart (2019)
After being involved in a damaging scandal, a famous actress' career takes a fatal hit, leaving her without a project for two years. Upon hearing of a famous screenwriter interested in hiring her for a lead role in a drama, she grabs the chance and prepares for the character by agreeing to become the secretary of a cold-hearted lawyer fully uninterested in her and her antics.
Starring: Yoo In Na, Lee Dong Wook, Lee Sang Woo, Son Sung Yoon
5. I Am Not a Robot (2017)
Kim Min Kyu, a wealthy shareholder of a financial company, is suffering from a "human allergy" that keeps him isolated and unable to undertake normal interactions with people. His guarded life is thrown for a loop when he takes an interest in an artificially intelligent robot named Aji 3, modeled after its developer's ex-girlfriend. In hopes of getting funded, Hong Baek Gyun, Aji 3's inventor, presents his work to Min Kyu. The robot malfunctions in the process and Baek Gyun begs his ex-girlfriend, Jo Ji Ah, to momentarily take its place, unbeknown to Min Kyu.
Starring: Yoo Seung Ho, Chae Soo Bin, Um Ki Joon
6. Her Private Life (2019)
Sung Deok Mi is a dedicated, professional gallery curator with a dark secret. She's the ultimate fangirl of White Ocean's Cha Shi An. Heck, she even manages a famous fansite for him. When dating rumors of her and Shi An break out, Ryan Gold, a former artist and the new director of the gallery she works in suggests that they fake date to rid Deok Mi of Shi An's rabid and jealous fans.
Starring: Park Min Young, Kim Jae Wook, Ahn Bo Hyun, Jung Jae Won
7. Strong Woman Bong-Soon (2017)
Born with Herculean strength, petite and seemingly kind Do Bong Soon is hired by Ahn Min Hyuk, the childish CEO of a gaming company, to protect him from an anonymous threat. He falls in love with her, but unfortunately for him, Bong-soon's already got her eyes set on her high school friend, rookie police officer In Guk Doo. A love triangle ensues all while Bong Soon struggles to protect those around her, including keeping Ming Hyuk safe.
Starring: Park Bo Young, Park Hyung Sik, Ji Soo
8. Oh My Venus (2015)
When a 33-year-old lawyer is dumped by her boyfriend of 15 years for gaining weight, she enlists the help of famous Hollywood personal trainer Kim Young Ho to turn her life around.
Starring: So Ji Sub, Shin Min Ah, Jung Gyu Woon, Yoo In Young
9. Shopping King Louie (2016)
Louis, a shopaholic rich heir of a vast business empire, has his life upturned when he becomes homeless after suffering from amnesia. The unfortunate even then leads him to meeting Koh Bok Shi, a simple country girl who teaches him to survive on only the bare necessities.
Starring: Seo In Guk, Nam Ji Hyun, Yoon Sang Hyun, Im Se Mi
10. She Was Pretty (2015)
When her now handsome first love, Ji Sung Joon, asks to meet her, Hye Jin convinces her attractive roommate to take her place and pretend to be Hye Jin. However, complications arise when she finds work in Sung Joon's magazine company where he openly treats her with contempt and disdain, not knowing that she's really his childhood friend.
Starring: Hwang Jung Eum, Park Seo Joon, Go Joon Hee, Choi Si Won
11. Crash Landing on You (2019)
A tale of love transcending borders, this drama weaves a poignant narrative of a South Korean heiress who finds herself in North Korea after a paragliding mishap. The serendipitous encounter with a North Korean officer paves the way for an endearing love story.
Starring: Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin, Kim Jung Hyun, Seo Ji Hye
12. Alchemy of Souls Seasons 1-2 (2022)
Set in the land of Daeho, the lives of its inhabitants are profoundly affected by a phenomenon known as "hwanhonsool," where departed souls return to the living. Amidst this mystical backdrop, Jang Uk from the noble Jang family holds a significant secret about his birth, leading to a reputation as a troublemaker. He crosses paths with Mu-Deok, an elite warrior whose soul resides within a fragile body. Despite their differences, she becomes Jang Uk's servant and teaches him the art of combat.
Starring: Lee Jae Wook, Jung So Min, Go Yoon Jung, Hwang Min Hyun
13. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
Immerse yourself in a heartfelt love story that unfolds against the picturesque backdrop of the seaside village of Gongjin. Yoon Hye-Jin, a pragmatic dentist, finds her life taking an unexpected turn due to her underlying sense of righteousness. This inclination leads her to the quaint village of Gongjin. Amidst the tranquil seaside surroundings, her path crosses with Hong Du-Sik, affectionately known as Chief Hong among the locals. Handsome and sharp-witted, Chief Hong is an enigmatic figure, officially unemployed yet always at the forefront when help is needed.
Starring: Shin Min Ah, Kim Seon Ho
14. Business Proposal (2022)
Shin Ha-ri navigates her single life and career until a heartbreak pushes her into a bold exchange with her wealthy friend. To help her friend out, Ha-ri goes on a blind date in her place. Unexpectedly, she meets Kang Tae-moo, her company's CEO. Tae-moo, tired of blind dates, decides to marry the next woman he meets. Little does he know that the woman, in this case, is Ha-Ri, masquerading as someone else.
Starring: Kim Se Jeong, Ahn Hyo Seop, Kim Min Kyu, Seol In Ah
15. Fight for My Way (2017)
The drama centers around Ko Dong-man and Choi Ae-ra, whose paths are intertwined from their school days. Dong-man, once a taekwondo enthusiast, now juggles contract work and his aspiration for the UFC title. Meanwhile, Ae-ra, who once dreamed of being an announcer, now finds herself working at a department store's information desk. In this heartwarming story of love and friendship, witness the journey of dreams, aspirations, and relationships as they unfold against the backdrop of everyday lives.
Starring: Park Seo Joon, Kim Ji Won, Ahn Jae Hong, Song Ha Yoon
16. Suspicious Partner (2017)
Delve into the story of Bong-hee, a judicial apprentice, who mistakenly accuses Ji-wook, a prosecutor, of molestation. Their paths intersect again under unexpected circumstances, leading to a series of events involving Bong-hee's boyfriend and a tragic incident. Bong-hee finds herself accused of murder, and Ji-wook becomes her defender. Years later, they reunite on opposing sides in a courtroom, where their lives take on a new dynamic.
Starring: Nam Ji Hyun, Ji Chang Wook, Choi Tae Joon, Kwon Nara
17. Shooting Stars (2022)
Oh Han-Byeol holds the role of PR team leader in a management company. Her prowess in speech and crisis management shines brightly. Enter Gong Tae-Sung, the company's leading actor, cherished for his kind and courteous demeanor. Yet, beneath his pleasant facade lies a fierce competitive spirit and a fiery temper. Their interactions may spark friction, but the drama beautifully navigates their evolving relationship from professional sparring to a heartfelt romance, within the backdrop of fame and ambition.
Starring: Lee Sung Kyung, Kim Young Dae, Yoon Jong Hoon, Kim Yoon Hye
18. So I Married the Ant-Fan (2021)
Enter the world of Who-Joon, a prominent star, and Geun-Young (Sooyoung), a determined magazine reporter. An unfortunate encounter at a club opening leads to Geun-Young losing her job after an accidental mishap involving Who-Joon. Believing him to be responsible, she takes a stand by demonstrating outside his management office, earning herself fame as an anti-fan. As the situation escalates, Geun-Young is presented with a unique opportunity: participating in a reality TV show where she and Who-Joon, the object of her disdain, must live together. Despite their initial intentions to antagonize one another on the show, unexpected feelings blossom between them.
Starring: Choi Tae Joon, Sooyoung
19. True Beauty (2021)
Im Ju-Kyung, a high school student, grapples with a long-standing complex about her appearance. To conceal her bare face, she adorns herself with skillful makeup. While her makeup prowess enhances her beauty, her real face remains a secret. In the midst of this, her life becomes entangled with two men, Lee Soo-Ho and Han Seo-Joon.
Starring: Moon Ga Young, Cha Eun Woo, Hwang In Youp
20. King the Land (2023)
Gu Won, scion of the prestigious King Group, is embroiled in a heated inheritance battle within his chaebol family. His refined demeanor masks his struggle with matters of the heart, making dating a challenge. Enter Cheon Sa-Rang, whose infectious smile hides her own difficulties as she starts working at the King Hotel. As their paths intersect, a heartfelt romance unfolds against the backdrop of corporate intrigue and personal growth.
Starring: Lee Jun Ho, YoonA
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