We all love K-Dramas’ cute couples, the heart-wrenching moments, and that touch of weirdness that makes them so unique. But unfortunately not all K-Dramas are picture perfect love stories with “lived happily ever after,” some stories are messy, unpredictable, and melancholic just like real life.
Instead of fairy tales with their perfect endings, these dramas show us love comes in all shades. A reminder that even love stories that don’t have a perfect ending can be beautiful and stay with you.
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10. Uncontrollably Fond
Starting the list with ‘Uncontrollably Fond‘, a heartbreaking romance about two childhood classmates. Noh Eul (Bae Suzy) and Shin Joon-Young (Kim Woo-Bin), who reunite as adults but never fully realize their love. As a filmmaker, Noh Eul is assigned to document the life of Joon-Young, now an actor and singer. In the poignant final scenes, Joon-Young rests his head on Noh Eul’s shoulder and quietly passes away. The series ends with Noh Eul tenderly kissing his poster and saying, “See you tomorrow, Joon Young-Ah,” capturing a love that lingers despite their limited time together.
9. Scarlet Heart: Ryeo
Premiered in 2016, ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo‘ is a Netflix K-drama based on the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin. During a total solar eclipse, 25-year-old modern woman Go Ha-jin is transported back to the Goryeo Dynasty, waking up in 941 as Hae Soo. She falls in love with Prince Wang Wook but later with Prince Wang So, earning the nickname “wolf-dog.” Hae Soo becomes entangled in palace politics and royal rivalries as the princes vie for the throne.
8. Memories Of The Alhambra
This K-drama ‘Memories of the Alhambra’ is a perfect combo of mystery, science fiction, and romance. The plot takes place in Granada, Spain. It’s about tech CEO Yoo Jin-woo, played by Hyun Bin, and Park Shin-hye as a hostel owner. As they come across an exciting adventure of augmented reality game based on Alhambra Palace folklore, the line between the real world and Se-joo’s AR world starts to fade.
7. Mr. Sunshine
Capturing the seventh spot, ‘Mr. Sunshine‘ has won several hearts since it debuted in 2018, weaving together the drama of a politically turbulent era with the romance between Eugene Choi, played by Lee Byung-Hun, and Kim Tae-Ri’s Go Ae-Shin. But the story wraps up with a truly heart-wrenching ending. In the final episode, we see Dong-Mae, played by Yoo Yeon-Seok, die in battle, all while smiling and thinking of Ae-Shin. Then comes Eugene heroically saving Ae-Shin by using his last bullets to separate her train car from enemy soldiers, only to be shot in the back multiple times. The series received critical acclaim, racking up 9 nominations at the Baeksang Arts Awards and earning Lee Byung-Hun the Best Actor award.
6. Vagabond
With a stellar cast including Lee Seung-gi and Bae Suzy, ‘Vagabond‘ is a thrilling ride till the end. This Netflix drama, directed by Yoo In-sik and written by Jang Young-chul. The plot revolves around a guy dealing with the devastating death of his nephew in a plane crash, only to discover hints that it was all planned! Despite the fascinating idea, the series ends with a cliffhanger that ignores the numerous questions.
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5. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
In this series, Seo In-Guk plays Kim Moo-Young, a mysterious yet childlike character who falls in love with a woman tied to his forgotten past. Their relationship evolves from tense beginnings to a deep, tragic romance. In the end, Moo-Young confronts his dark past and takes responsibility for killing an evil character. The drama culminates in heartbreak when Moo-Young and his lover are tragically killed by another, dying in each other’s arms after confessing their love. Sadly romantic, isn’t?
4. Flower Of Evil
At four we have a thrilling K-Drama available in Viki, ‘Flower of Evil,’ starring Lee Joon-gi and Moon Chae-won,. Written by Yoo Jung-hee and directed by Kim Cheol-kyu, the storyline is about a man Baek Hee-sung (Lee Joon-gi) who keeps his real identity hidden from his detective wife Cha Ji-won (Moon Chae-won). At first you may think they’re a cute couple with a lovely 6- years-old girl. But as Cha Ji-won and her colleagues start looking into a string of mysterious deaths, she is forced to face the fact that her ideal husband could be hiding something from her.
3. The King: Eternal Monarch
A fantasy romance featuring Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun, ‘The King: Eternal Monarch‘ explores parallel universes and the power struggles within them. Available on Netflix, the series centers on Emperor Lee Gon of the Kingdom of Corea. After entering an alternate reality through a mythological door that his half-uncle, Lee Lim had opened, Lee Gon learns that the Republic of Korea now stands in the Kingdom’s place. Lee Gon then sets out to stop Lee Lim’s atrocities and recover the other half of Manpasikjeok, which had been used as a portal between two worlds.
2. A World Of Married Couple
This intense drama about betrayal and revenge stars Kim Hee-ae and Park Hae-joon. Streaming on Viki, ‘A World of Married Couple‘ is directed by Mo Wan-il and based on the British series ‘Doctor Foster.’ It’s about a respected family medicine doctor, Ji Seon-u who seems to have a perfect life with her husband, Lee Tae-oh and son, Lee Jun-yeong. However, her world crumbles when she discovers Tae-oh’s affair with Yeo Da-kyung. After divorcing Tae-oh, Seon-u seeks revenge by ruining his finances and exposing his affair to Da-kyung’s parents. The series ends on a realistic note, highlighting the scars left by broken relationships rather than offering a clean slate.
1. Doom at Your Service
Topping the list is ‘Doom at Your Service,’ a supernatural romance starring Seo In-guk and Park Bo-young. Available on Viki, this 2021 drama is written by Im Me-a-ri and directed by Kwon Young-il. The plot revolves around Tak Dong-Kyung, a young editor who has a difficult hand in life. After casting a drunken wish on a shooting star, she meets Myul Mang. She is Doom, a messenger from the gods to humanity who wants to grant Dong-Kyun’s request. The ending is both beautiful and heartbreaking, a poignant reminder that not all stories end with a kiss.
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