Opposites Attract: 10 K-Dramas Where Bad Boy Falls for Good Girl
Who doesn't love the classic bad boy falling in love with the good girl story?
Romance is a formula that never fails in great drama. There is so much that writers can do with it. But even when a show follows a similar pattern to other popular romance series, it can still feel fresh and new.
These 10 K-dramas take this classic trope and create something truly wonderful that explores all of your feelings.
1. Lawless Lawyer
IMDB rating 7.6/10
The key to having a bad-boy male lead in any good series is to make him likable. If the audience does not like him, they will not get on board with the show. So if your male lead is a lawyer for the mob, the writers have their work cut out for them. They do it by making his motivation to avenge his dead mother a cause we can all get behind! Then he meets a girl, a good girl. And things go from good to great.
2. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
IMDB rating 8.6/10
Fans of the Outlander series will love this one. A woman finds herself 1,000 years in the past and in the body of a young girl. Surrounded by many handsome young princes, she first falls for the kind Wook. But then, inevitably, ends up in love with his brother, the bad boy, So. Thus, the stage is set for an epic love triangle as the two men fight not only for her affections, but also for the throne.
3. Tempted/The Great Seducer
IMDB rating 7.1/10
In what could be considered an ultimate act of cruelty, a wealthy, young man makes a bet with his friends that he can seduce a college student. Think Cruel Intentions or She's All That, but with more twists than you can count. The biggest of all is when he starts to fall in love with his target and realizes that love is not to be played with.
4. When A Man Loves
IMDB rating 6.9/10
What happens when a cold-hearted businessman who has never believed in love meets a charming younger woman who owns a bookstore? He falls head over heels for her, of course. This one is warm and tender, with enough shocks to keep you enthralled and teary as you follow the journey of two amazing characters.
5. Vincenzo
IMDB rating 8.4/10
Korean-Italian underworld lawyer, Vincenzo is one tough customer. Efficient and brutal, his mind is sharp, and he takes absolutely no beef from anyone. You feel drawn to him from the very start, sensing instantly that we are only scratching the surface of what will become an infinitely complex character. Then he meets his destiny, a young woman, who changes everything.
6. Cheese in the Trap
IMDB rating 7.2/10
Rich and manipulative college student, Jung, gets more than he bargained for when he is caught out scheming by a fellow student, Seol. Seol becomes so upset, she takes some time off school and when she returns, Jung appears to have changed for the better and asks her out. But has he really changed? Or is this another of his clever plots? Only time will tell.
7. That Winter, the Wind Blows
IMDB rating 7.6/10
A man with a rather serious high-stakes gambling problem decides to try deceiving a blind, orphan girl into believing he is her brother to try and swindle her out of the fortune she has inherited from her parents. If by now you are declaring that this man is scum, you are correct! But fate has plans and he soon finds himself falling in love with the girl.
8. Boys Over Flowers
IMDB rating 7.8/10
A young man is rich, popular, and a member of a powerful and cruel group of bullies at his school. When one of their targets is saved from suicide by a young woman, the group turns their attention to her. Yet, she does not cower, showing no fear and standing up for herself. This begins to intrigue our male lead, who finds himself enamored by this bold, brave, young woman.
9. A Korean Odyssey
IMDB rating 8.0/10
Something for all you fantasy fans out there. The female lead has grown up being able to communicate with ghosts and spirits and, not surprisingly, has found herself somewhat isolated. When she frees a powerful, immortal being from his prison, she is instantly repulsed by his sickening behavior, including wanting to eat her at one stage. But soon, true love takes over and they realize that they belong together.
10. Flower of Evil
IMDB rating 8.6/10
What happens when a good girl falls for the bad boy, but doesn't realize it? That is exactly the predicament Detective Cha Ji-won finds herself in when investigating a series of murders, and clues point to her perfect husband being the killer.