Image credit: MBC, tvN, Dramax, jTBC, KBS, Studio Dragon, Netflix, Kakao TV
These grounded romance series expertly make their stories feel like they could be yours or mine.
Romance K-dramas are everywhere, and while many of them stick to the same old storylines where the rich, handsome guy falls for the ordinary girl, there's a bunch out there that break the mold with fresh, unique takes on love; these shows toss the clichés out the window and dive deep into what makes relationships tick, exploring everything from the awkward first dates to the challenges of keeping love alive in the most realistic and relatable ways.
1. "Dinner Mate" (2020)
Psychiatrist Kim Hae-kyung and webtoon producer Woo Do-hee, both nursing broken hearts from previous relationships, meet by chance at a dinner; their unexpected encounters lead them to become dinner mates, sharing meals without personal commitments, until their repeated meetings evolve into a deeper connection.
2. "Familiar Wife" (2018)
Cha Joo-hyuk, a bank worker unhappy with his life and marriage to Seo Woo-jin, finds himself transported to an alternate reality after a strange encounter, where he's married to his college sweetheart instead; his journey through this new life uncovers the true value of his original family and the consequences of his choices.
3. "Just Between Lovers" (2017-2018)
Lee Gang-doo and Ha Moon-soo, survivors of a tragic building collapse that marked their childhoods, cross paths as adults when they both get involved in the construction of a memorial for the accident; their shared trauma and quest for healing bring them closer, unraveling secrets and finding solace in each other.
4. "When the Weather is Fine" (2020)
Cellist Mok Hae-won quits her job in Seoul and returns to her hometown, where she rekindles a relationship with Im Eun-seob, a quiet bookshop owner; their past and present merge as they find warmth and healing in each other amidst the cold, snowy landscape.
5. "Something about 1%" (2016)
Ha Seok-jin, an arrogant heir to a large company, and Kim Da-hyun, a high school teacher, enter a contract relationship to appease his grandfather's will; their initially contentious interaction slowly turns into genuine affection and understanding.
6. "A Piece of Your Mind" (2020)
Moon Ha-won, an AI programmer, and Han Seo-woo, a music engineer, connect through an AI device that becomes a repository of her unrequited love; their complex emotions for loved ones lead them to comfort and understand each other, forming a bond that helps them cope with loneliness and loss.
7. "Mad For Each Other" (2021)
No Whi-oh, a detective on disciplinary leave for excessive violence, and Lee Min-kyung, a woman with her own mysteries, are neighbors who initially clash but soon discover they can help each other heal from their respective traumas, leading to an unusual but therapeutic relationship.
8. "Run On" (2020-2021)
Oh Mi-joo, a subtitle translator, and Ki Seon-gyeom, a former sprinter turned sports agent, defy societal norms and personal challenges as they develop a relationship, supporting each other's dreams and facing obstacles from their different worlds together.
9. "Hospital Playlist" (2020-2021)
Five doctors, who have been friends since medical school, work together in the same hospital; through their daily lives, they navigate personal and professional challenges, sharing love, friendship, and the healing power of music in a hospital setting.
10. "When the Camellia Blooms" (2019)
Oh Dong-baek, a single mother, moves to a small town and opens a bar, where she faces prejudice but finds support and love from a local policeman, Hwang Yong-sik, amidst a serial killer threat that looms over the town, challenging their budding relationship.
11. "One Spring Night" (2019)
Lee Jung-in, a librarian, and Yoo Ji-ho, a pharmacist and single father, meet and experience a slow-burn romance; their relationship faces societal pressures and personal dilemmas as they contemplate the realities of love, commitment, and societal norms regarding family.
12. "Because This Is My First Life" (2017)
Nam Se-hee, an app designer with a pragmatic view on housing and marriage, and Yoon Ji-ho, a homeless assistant writer, enter into a marriage of convenience, but their cohabitation brings unexpected personal growth, understanding, and genuine affection.
13. "Flower of Evil" (2020)
Baek Hee-sung, a craftsman living under a false identity, hides his dark past from his detective wife, Cha Ji-won; as she begins to uncover a series of murders, their marriage is tested by secrets, leading to a confrontation with the truth and a desperate fight for their family's future.
14. "Birthcare Center" (2020)
Oh Hyun-jin, the oldest mother at the postpartum care center, navigates the challenges of new motherhood alongside other mothers from different backgrounds; through their shared experiences, they confront societal expectations, personal insecurities, and find friendship and strength in their collective journey.
15. "Youth of May" (2021)
Set against the backdrop of the Gwangju Uprising in May 1980, medical student Hwang Hee-tae and nurse Kim Myung-hee fall in love amidst the turmoil; they and those around them are caught in the historic events, leading to sacrifices and heartbreak.
