Forget CLOY, These 15 K-Dramas Have the Best Chemistry Between the Leads
Everyone's talking about Crash Landing on You for its love story, but there are 15 other K-Dramas out there with lead couples that will make your heart flutter just as much, if not more.
These shows are like hidden gems, each with a unique story that brings its characters to life in a way that feels real and touching; here are 15 K-Dramas with the best chemistry between the lead actors – and where to stream them in 2024.
1. "Jealousy Incarnate" (2016)
Stream it on: Viki, Kocowa+
Weathercaster Pyo Na-ri, who dreams of becoming a news anchor, finds herself in a love triangle with the station's star anchor Lee Hwa-shin and his best friend, Go Jung-won, a wealthy chaebol heir, leading to a complicated web of rivalry, ambition, and unexpected romance.
2. "Mr. Queen" (2020)
Stream it on: Viki, Netflix
A modern-day chef's soul gets trapped in the body of a Joseon dynasty queen, navigating royal intrigues, a love-hate relationship with the king, and attempts to find a way back to the future while influencing historical events with modern sensibilities.
3. "Mr. Sunshine" (2018)
Stream it on: Netflix
Eugene Choi, born a slave but escaped to the United States, returns to Joseon as an American soldier, getting embroiled in the fight for independence from Japanese colonial rule; he falls in love with an aristocrat's daughter, who secretly works for the Joseon's independence.
4. "Her Private Life" (2019)
Stream it on: Viki, Netflix, Roku
Sung Deok-mi, a professional curator with a secret life as a fan site manager for an idol, and her standoffish boss, Ryan Gold, who starts off pretending to be her boyfriend to ward off scandal, unravel secrets and develop an unexpected romance amidst art and fandom.
5. "Healer" (2014-2015)
Stream it on: Viki, Kocowa+
A night courier with a hidden identity, known only as "Healer," gets involved with a tabloid news reporter and a famous journalist as they uncover a complex political conspiracy tied to their past, leading to love and revelations about their families' histories.
6. "Suspicious Partner" (2017)
Stream it on: Viki, Kocowa+
A prosecutor, Noh Ji-wook, and a judicial trainee, Eun Bong-hee, find themselves working together to solve a mysterious amnesia-linked murder case; as they clear their names, they also deal with their troubled pasts and develop feelings for each other.
7. "Vincenzo" (2021)
Stream it on: Netflix
Vincenzo Cassano, an Italian mafia consigliere of Korean descent, returns to Korea to recover gold hidden beneath a plaza, only to take down a corrupt conglomerate with unconventional methods, finding allies and love in the quest for justice.
8. "Mad for Each Other" (2021)
Stream it on: Netflix
Noh Hwi-oh, a detective with anger issues, and Lee Min-kyung, a woman with her own peculiarities, become neighbors who, initially clashing, embark on a journey of healing each other's traumas and uncovering a romantic connection.
9. "Do You Like Brahms?" (2020)
Stream it on: Viki, Kocowa+
A story centered around students in a prestigious music college, where violinist Chae Song-ah and pianist Park Joon-young, entangled in relationships and career pressures, explore the sacrifices and struggles of aspiring musicians, leading to a complex weave of love and rivalry.
10. "I Am Not a Robot" (2017-2018)
Stream it on: Viki, Kocowa+
Kim Min-kyu, a man who is allergic to humans, unknowingly falls in love with Jo Ji-ah, a woman pretending to be a robot, leading to unexpected complications as they navigate deception, corporate espionage, and the discovery of true feelings.
11. "Doom at Your Service" (2021)
Stream it on: Viki, Netflix
Tak Dong-kyung, a web novel editor with a terminal illness, unwittingly summons Myul Mang, a cynical harbinger of doom, and they enter a risky contract that intertwines their fates, involving challenges of love, existence, and the choices that define them.
12. "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" (2016)
A 21st-century woman, Go Ha-jin, is transported back in time to the Goryeo Dynasty into the body of Hae Soo, becoming embroiled in the power struggles and romances of the princes, leading to a heart-wrenching journey of love and tragedy amidst royal intrigue.
13. "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon" (2017)
Stream it on: Viki
Do Bong-soon, born with superhuman strength, aspires to create a video game about her life; she becomes a bodyguard to a CEO, Ahn Min-hyuk, while involved in a case of a serial kidnapper, leading to a mix of action, comedy, and romance.
14. "Secret Love Affair" (2014)
Oh Hye-won, a sophisticated art foundation director in her 40s, embarks on a passionate affair with Lee Sun-jae, a musical prodigy in his 20s, challenging societal norms and personal dilemmas, as they face the consequences of their forbidden love.
15. "Love Affairs in the Afternoon" (2019)
Stream it on: Viki
Depicts the secretive and passionate relationships of four people who seek escape from the monotony of their marriages, leading to complicated affairs that question love, marriage, and happiness, set against the backdrop of an ordinary life of ordinary people you can actually somewhat relate to.