Top 15 Dramas Like Boys Over Flowers (but Less Cringy)

Here are some of the best alternatives, working with the same familiar trope, but with less cringe factor.

1. The Heirs (2013, South Korea)

A group of privileged, elite high school students are groomed to take over their families' business empires, amidst which the heir to a conglomerate, Kim Tan, falls for Cha Eun-sang, the daughter of his family's housekeeper, challenging the rigid class divides and family expectations.

2. My Love from the Star (2013-2014, South Korea)

An alien who has been living on Earth for 400 years and possesses a near-perfect appearance and enhanced physical abilities falls in love with a famous actress, Cheon Song-yi, just as he discovers that he finally has a chance to return to his home planet.

3. Hana Yori Dango (2005, Japan)

A hardworking, middle-class student, Makino Tsukushi, enrolls in an elite school dominated by the F4, a clique of wealthy boys, and stands up to their leader, Domyoji Tsukasa, sparking an unexpected and tumultuous romance.

4. Meteor Garden (2018, China)

An ordinary girl, Dong Shancai, is admitted to the most prestigious university in the country, where she encounters and clashes with the F4, a quartet of the school's most desired bachelors, leading to a complex web of romantic entanglements and personal growth.

5. Fated to Love You (2014, South Korea)

An average office worker, Kim Mi-young, finds herself pregnant with the child of a wealthy heir, Lee Gun, after a one-night stand caused by a mix-up of hotel rooms; their accidental encounter leads them to navigate the unexpected consequences with humor and heart.

6. 1% of Something (2016, South Korea)

To inherit his grandfather's fortune, arrogant chaebol heir Jae-in must date school teacher Da-hyun, who is chosen by the grandfather for her kind heart, for six months; despite their initial reluctance, they start developing genuine feelings for each other.

7. A Love so Beautiful (2017, China)

The story follows the bright and energetic Chen Xiaoxi and her neighbor, the aloof and academically gifted Jiang Chen, through their school days into adulthood, depicting their friendships, the evolution of their relationship, and the trials of young love.

8. Le Coup de Foudre (Love at First Sight) (2019, China)

Based on a true story, it recounts the romance between Zhao Qiaoyi and Yan Mo, who reunite years after having parted ways following high school; their story navigates through missed opportunities, understanding, and the rediscovery of first love.

9. Cinderella and Four Knights (2016, South Korea)

Eun Ha-won, a bright and optimistic girl, finds herself living with three chaebol heirs under the same roof, leading to various comedic and romantic situations as she works to bring warmth and understanding into their troubled lives.

10. Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms (Eternal Love) (2017, China)

This epic fantasy romance tells the story of Bai Qian, a goddess and monarch from the Heavenly Realms, who falls in love with Ye Hua, the crown prince of the Nine Heavens, over three lifetimes, each fraught with danger, intrigue, and the trials of immortal love.

11. Scarlet Heart: Ryeo (2016, South Korea)

After a total solar eclipse, a 21st-century woman, Go Ha-jin, wakes up in the Goryeo Dynasty in the body of Hae Soo and becomes entangled in the lives of the princes of the ruling Wang family, finding love and sorrow in a time of political upheaval.

12. Secret Garden (2010, South Korea)

A stuntwoman and a wealthy CEO swap bodies mysteriously, leading to unexpected romantic and comedic moments as they learn to live in each other's worlds, uncovering deeper emotions and connections beyond their social statuses.

13. Personal Taste (2010, South Korea)

Pretending to be a gay man to become roommates with a woman, an architect aims to win a project but ends up falling for her, leading to a series of misunderstandings, comedic scenarios, and the unraveling of personal secrets.

14. Love Alarm (2019, South Korea)

In a world where a mobile app can alert you if someone within a 10-meter radius has romantic feelings for you, the technology disrupts the lives of high school students, leading to a complex web of love triangles and social challenges.

15. Winter Sonata (2002, South Korea)

This classic melodrama follows the intense and tragic love story of Joon-sang and Yu-jin, who are separated by a tragic accident; years later, they reunite under changed circumstances, unraveling the truth behind past events and rekindling their love amidst secrets and familial opposition.