5 K-dramas That Avoid Beaten Romance Stereotypes

There have been a staggering number of romantic K-dramas made over the years, and new ones are popping up every year, so it comes as no surprise that many of them rely a little too heavily on well-worn stereotypes.

If you just want to enjoy stories about normal people with good chemistry on screen, these five should be just what you need.

Cheese in the Trap (2016)

Based on a webtoon of the same name, this show avoids the "fairy tale" feel of many romantic K-dramas by depicting the relationship between people with drastically different personalities and views on life.

At first glance, Yoo Jung seems to be perfect in every way, as he is handsome, intelligent, rich and charming, but Hong Seol isn't convinced by this shiny facade, which makes her want to uncover the secrets of the young man.

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016-2017)

Vaguely based on the story of real-life Olympic gold medalist Jang Mi-ran, this series follows Kim Bok-joo, whose unique (and rather explosive) personality makes her a far cry from the typical romance K-drama protagonist.

Gifted with impressive physical strength, she is obsessed with following in her father's footsteps as a weightlifter and has a crush on Jung Jae-yi, a doctor at an obesity clinic.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)

The setup of this romantic comedy may sound familiar to those who have seen a lot of K-dramas, but that doesn't make this charming and heartwarming story any less worthy of your time.

Yoon Hye-jin suddenly decides to leave the big city behind and moves from Seoul to a small seaside village to open a dental clinic, where she soon meets Hong Du-sik, a local handyman who is always eager to help his fellow villagers.

Because This Is My First Life (2017)

Nam Se-hee and Yoon Ji-ho are going through a difficult time in their lives, which forces them to enter into a marriage of convenience, signing a contract for two years.

However, they soon encounter unforeseen complications that put the whole plan in jeopardy, as living together turns out to be not as easy as they expected.

Fight for My Way (2017)

Beautifully blending the themes of friendship, love, and stopping at nothing to achieve your dream no matter the odds, this story of four underdogs who have been friends since childhood definitely fits the bill if you are looking for stories about ordinary people.