Written By: Pragya Brigit Indwar, Ranchi, Jharkhand
Edited by: Pooja Vishwanathan, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
K-dramas are like those tasty-looking Ramyeon. Hot and piping. Once you slurp them, you just can’t get enough of it. And so are these five picks.
K-dramas never cease to amaze us with their stellar cast and amazing storylines. We’ve seen everything from aliens to water gods, to goblins, grim reapers, and nine-tailed foxes, involving magic and time travel. Different genres. Different actors. Whether it’s action, romance, or comedy, these shows have kept us on our toes, never allowing us to move from our seats. So, if you want to relive those days again when you watched your favorites on-screen and now are running out of time, here are 5 rom-com K-dramas that you can binge-watch on Netflix while relaxing and shedding that extra kilo of stress.
Reply 1988
Genre: Coming of Age, Romance, and Comedy
Reply 1988 was released in 2015. Ever since its release, it has made a place in the hearts of everyone who enjoys K-drama, regardless of their go-to genres. This drama is about friendship, family, romance, and life—a paragon of coming-of-age dramas. Also, if you are a 90s kid, this drama will bring all forms of nostalgic memories of the good old days when the internet wasn’t huge.
The show revolves around five friends and their families living in the same neighborhood in Seoul during the late 1980s and 1990s. The episodes stretch on an average of an hour and thirty minutes, enough to explore the bonds among friends, family members, neighbors, situations, and romances. What sets this drama apart is the genuine portrayal of the struggles and emotions of an ordinary person. The show is entertaining, starring some of the most incredible actors in Korean entertainment, genius direction, etc., making it an experience.
Mr. Queen
Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Rom-Com, and Body Swap
Mr. Queen is a fantasy-historical drama released in 2020. It is based on a Chinese web novel called Go Princess Go. This drama garnered attention for its unique storyline and delivery, gaining excellent reviews by the critics and the viewers. The other aspects of the drama, such as costumes, makeup, camerawork, OST, and dialogue delivery, are also worth mentioning because they brought everything together to make this show what it is. The story revolves around a man, Jang Bong-hwan, who works at the Blue House as the head chef. He falls into a pool and is transported to the Joseon period, where he ends up in the body of Queen Cheorin. The show explores Cheorin, who is Jang Bong-hwan, navigating their life in the palace and looking for ways to return in the most hilarious ways possible.
True Beauty
Genre: Teen Romance, Comedy, Slice of life, coming of age
True Beauty is a 2020 teen romance based on a webtoon of the same name. The story revolves around Lim Joo-Kyung, a young girl who was bullied by everyone around her as a child because of her appearance. One day, she decides to use makeup to gain self-confidence by changing her appearance and going to school to get a new start—where she makes new friends and ends up in a love triangle. This story is about finding love within us and learning to accept the love we are given. It’s an easy-to-watch show that one can start on a lazy Sunday morning. Despite its fun and light delivery, the story successfully explores themes like self-hatred, bullying, privilege, loss, anxiety, etc., which adds depth to the characters, their relationships, and the storyline.
My Love from the Star
Genre: Rom-Com, Fantasy
My Love from the Star is a rom-com cum fantasy drama that was released in 2013. It is particularly notable for its blend of romantic comedy and fantastical elements. The story revolves around the character Do Min-joon, an extraterrestrial alien who becomes enamored with a prominent female celebrity, Cheon Song-yi, as he falls in love with her after spending an extraordinary 400-year journey on planet Earth. The series adeptly incorporates a mix of emotions and storytelling tropes, ranging from romance and action to themes of love, realization, and sacrifice. This engaging drama is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys lighthearted yet emotionally resonant storytelling and especially caters to those who have a fondness for the whimsical idea of handsome extraterrestrial visitors.
So Not Worth It
Genre: SITCOM
So Not Worth It is a South Korean sitcom that revolves around the lives of international students living in a dormitory at a Korean university in Seoul. The show explores the humorous and relatable experiences of these students from diverse cultural backgrounds, highlighting the challenges they face while adapting to a new environment. With elements of friendship, romance, and cultural clashes, this show released in 2021, offers a lighthearted yet insightful portrayal of the universal theme of coming of age in a foreign setting. The sitcom’s blend of on-the-spot comedy and heartfelt moments makes it a compelling watch for audiences seeking easygoing and nonchalant entertainment with a touch of cultural immersion.
K-dramas to date continue to captivate global audiences with their unique blend of compelling storylines, exceptional performances, and visually stunning settings. As audiences delve into these remarkable narratives, they are transported to a world where emotions run deep, laughter knows no bounds, and love triumphs against all odds. With each episode leaving an indelible impact, the enduring appeal of K-dramas is a testament to their unparalleled ability to resonate with people, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries, and cementing their place as beloved classics in the world of entertainment.
Have you watched any of these dramas? Tell us in the comment section below your favorite pick.
Enjoyed all of ’em😍😍😍
Though Mr. Queen is the most hilarious 😂
Havent watched not so worth it adding to my watch later list for later.
💗💗…
Wow, this article really highlights why K-dramas are so addictive! They’re like that perfect bowl of Ramyeon – once you start, you can’t stop. Shows like “Reply 1988” and “Mr. Queen” offer such unique storylines and amazing characters, it’s no wonder they captivate audiences worldwide. Personally, I love how they blend genres and keep things fresh with every episode. Whether it’s the nostalgic vibes of “Reply 1988” or the fantasy twist in “My Love from the Star,” there’s always something to keep you hooked. Can’t wait to binge-watch these again!
In love with k drama
I will surely watch these series nice recommendations
i love this artical amazing and very informative
just looking wow
Idk why but I didn’t watch reply 1988 I didn’t like it
The #myloveromstar is my all tyme fav kdrama. 🫰🏻💞
Those who have not watched it and are not introduced with kulture, then bro I am telling you you are missing out something veeryyy cool and fun in your lyf 😂😍
So, go and watch it to enjoy your days! 👀💯🌟
I’m love with kdrama I will surely watch these series nice recommendations…🫰🏻❤️🫰🏻
😍😍😍
amazing dramas
Enjoyed all of ’em😍😍😍…
Loved the true beauty❤️
The besttt!
Reply 1988 my fav
But the 2nd lead syndrome is real in True beauty….
Waiting for next suggestions
My favorite- My love from the star
I still missed some of them… Will watch for sure
My love from the star was truly worthwhile watch.Loved it😍
All of them go straight to my bucket list. True Beauty was sooo good and Mun Ka-Young looked so pretty 💕
❤️❤️❤️
Must watch 💅🏻💅🏻
Mr. Queen is such a good and hilarious drama
Very good dramas
I have watched True beauty and Reply 1988. Loved it. Both the dramas are so good, the storyline, the acting, casting everything is superb. The Combination of romance, comedy, slice of life shown in these dramas are soo good. Hyeri is my fav actress tbh.
From upper dramas one of my most favourite is true beauty. This drama is close to my heart. I still remember reading webtoon of true beauty and one day I got a news tha it is adapted as a drama.i was really giggling and shouting.
Not worth it is perfect to know about a multicultural life of student in korea. Reply 1988 capture the Beauty of friendship, family.
I absolutely loved the Ramyeon analogy—so true! K-dramas are definitely hot, piping, and addictive. This is a brilliant roundup! I’ve seen Reply 1988 and True Beauty, and they’re classics for a reason, especially for that perfect blend of heart and humor. I’m now definitely adding So Not Worth It to my list for a lighthearted binge-watch. What a great set of recommendations!
Pragya, your writing is so engaging! The opening line comparing K-dramas to Ramyeon was fantastic and immediately hooked me. You did an excellent job of capturing the unique appeal of each show, from the nostalgia of Reply 1988 to the sheer hilarity of Mr. Queen. It’s clear you’re a true Hallyu fan, and I appreciate the deep dives!
I watched true beauty and love from the star the both dramas are fantabulous and cast was so amazing never fails to entertain audience and talking about storyline are totally different but captivating as one shows the what is actual beauty and other shows the there’s no boundaries for love 💖. Direction of both dramas are really so good and ither three dramas mention in the article I didn’t watch but I want whenever I get a time.
I hadn’t seen all the dramas on this list, but I’ve loved ones like True Beauty and My Love from the Star before—and they totally deserve the hype. The idea of picking rom-coms you can just chill with on Netflix? Yes please. These feel-good picks are exactly what I need after a long week. 📺💖
i have watched mister queen and true beauty. boht of them are rreally great dramas. at first i dont used to watch historical drama but mister queen got me into this. it was so good, a lot of comedy
What a fun and helpful list! This article highlights some of the best feel-good Korean rom-com dramas perfect for Netflix watching — from laugh-out-loud moments to sweet romantic journeys. It’s great how it mixes fan-favorites with underrated gems, making it easy for viewers to pick their next binge. Perfect guide for cozy weekends or light-hearted drama nights with friends!