2025 is ending, but romance is thriving. The K-drama scene has been rolling out show after show this year, and it’s hard to keep up. Ever since <em>Squid Game</em> first paved the way for global recognition, K-dramas have spanned every storyline imaginable, from thrilling zombie apocalypses to backstabbing family heir dramas.
But there’s no genre more familiar, more comforting than romance. On one hand, Korean romances make viewers feel good with their sappy moments and satisfying emotional payoffs. Yet some K-romances are surprisingly deep, hitting viewers with hard truths about love. Without further ado, here are the best K-romances of 2025, ranked.
10
‘When the Stars Gossip’
Lee Min Ho and a costar laugh together inside a space station in When the Stars Gossip.Image via tvN
Nothing’s riskier than a romance-gone-wrong in space. When the Stars Gossip follows Gong Ryong (Lee Min-Ho), an OB/GYN who becomes a space tourist on a secret mission tied to a powerful chaebol family. On the space station, he clashes with Commander Eve Kim (Gong Hyo-Jin), a strict, brilliant scientist leading her first mission. Joining them is also Kang Kang-Su (Oh Jung-Se), a fruit fly research scientist.
Ignoring the scientifically inaccurate plot, When the Stars Gossip is a classic case of two opposing romantic leads falling in love with each other. Having no prior experience as an astronaut, Gong Ryong is forced to go to space to conduct fertility research. He could only confide in the highly guarded Eve — understandable since she’s spent all these years alone. Within a confined setting, the two ultimately let down their walls and slowly open up to each other.
9
‘Our Unwritten Seoul’
Yoo Mi-ji (Park Bo-young) manning a cash register in ‘Our Unwritten Seoul’.Image via tvN
If The Parent Trap was made into a grown-up K-romance, it would be Our Unwritten Seoul. Identical twins Yoo Mi-ji (Park Bo-young) and Yoo Mi-rae (Bo-young) are complete opposites: the former is a free-spirited athlete, while the latter is a perfectionist office worker. In the aftermath of an ankle injury and workplace bullying, Mi-ji and Mi-rae try to rediscover themselves by doing something any twin siblings would do: swap lives.
Much of Our Unwritten Seoul is about self-discovery, but the show also serves as a slow-burning romance between Mi-ji and lawyer Ho-soo (Park Jin-young). Their relationship is essential to Mi-ji figuring out how she wants to move forward in life. The same for Ho-soo: with Mi-ji being his first, long-lost love, he doesn’t waste this second opportunity to let his true feelings finally be known.
8
‘Love Scout’
Han Ji-min and Lee Joon-hyuk looking intensely at each other in a crowd in Love Scout.Image via SBS TV
It’s hard to find time for love these days. Love Scout follows Kang Ji-yun (Han Ji-min), the rising CEO of the headhunting company Peoplez. Ji-yun is excellent in the HR department, but when it comes to love, she’s hopeless. Ji-yun unexpectedly encounters Yu Eun-ho (Lee Jun-hyuk), a skilled secretary who happens to be a single father. Their business partnership just got a lot more prospective.
Love Scout gives off strong vibes of The Proposal , with the female lead being in a higher professional ranking than her male counterpart. Hierarchies aside, the two bond over valuable life lessons as corporate adults. The series’ climax also shows that neither wealth nor good looks are enough to make someone like you. It’s at this point that the usually uptight Ji-yun follows her heart and delivers one of the most satisfying scenes with Eun-ho.
7
‘Motel California’
First loves, like the one in Motel California, are hard to forget. Ji Kang-hee (Lee Se-young) spent her childhood growing up in her father’s rural motel. Unfortunately, Kang-hee became the talk of the town because of her mixed-race background. After leaving at 20 to become a successful interior designer, she returns home 12 years later with her first love, veterinarian Cheon Yeon-soo (Na In-woo).
It’s heartwarming to watch a childhood crush grow into a serious romance in real time. The two leads are endearing, as shown in their younger days when they shared ice cream and pinky promises. Even as adults, the tenderness remains. If a man is willing to dress up as Santa to confess his love like Yeon-soo, he’s a keeper.
6 ‘My Youth’
Sunwoo Hae (Song Joong-Ki) staring at someone next to him in My Youth.Image via JTBC
<p growing up is difficult but it's different when you used to be famous.Melo Movie follows Sunwoo Hae (Sung Je-Yon), who was once famous as child actor whose early fame was destroyed by greedy adults now living quietly as florist.TEN years later his first love resurfaces.
<p For Hae he finds romance difficult because of his family baggage., however Je-Yon reminds him that he deserves love too making their relationship endearing.The two have their silly times like having share same hotel room feeding each other but My Youth also has its serious moments like Je-Yon calming Hae during panic attack.
5 ‘Tastefully Yours’
Kang Ha-neul eating while Go Min-si hovers behind him watching him eat in Tastefully Yours.Image via ENA
<p Food and feelings clash with each other inMelo Movie.. Han Beom-Woo(Kang Ha-neul may be heir major food company backing fine dining restaurant but ironically lacks passion taste., meanwhile flavor obsessed chef Mo Yeon-Joo(Go Min-si runs hidden one-table restaurant., despite professional clashes they start managing small restaurant together Jeonju.
<p Just likeThe Bear there are lot shenanigans when starting eatery.The same can said Beom-Woo Yeon-Joo. But instead stabbing each other knives two find themselves flustered random scenarios from Beom-Woo catching falling Yeon-Joo while searching mushrooms Yeon-Joo melting into Beom-Woo’s hug at food festival there’s romance this restaurant.
4 ‘Melo Movie’
Ko Gyum (Choi Woo-Sik) looking at someone who is off-camera in Melo Movie.Image via Netflix
<pMelo Movie shows what it’s like pursue dreams all while carrying old wounds A story young lovers past trauma series follows Ko Gyeom(Choi Woo-shik former extra becomes movie critic one goal mind watch all movies world Kim Mu-bee(Park Bo-young works movie industry but passion fueled love-hate relationship father.
<p<Melo Movie proves circumstances do not define people Mu-bee might understandably cold because bitter past but doesn’t stop cheerful Ko Gyeom from being attracted her As if destined together two constantly find themselves situations Mu-bee dislikes including accidentally missing bus.
3 ‘Bon Appétit Your Majesty’
Im Yoon-ah as Ji-young serving Lee Chae-Min as King Lee Heon Bon Appétit Your Majesty. Image via tvN ‘
<p It takes more than talent cook royaltyBonn Appétit Your Majesty follows Yeon Ji-young(Im Yoon-ah chirpy French chef after winning cooking competition mysteriously transported Joseon eraShe serves fusion cuisine tyrannical King Yi Heon(Lee Chae-Min whose extraordinary taste impresses himOffered role royal palace Ji-young must get used monarchy inner politics all while whipping delicious meals.
<p Combining fantasy history romanceBonn Appétit Your Majesty bold step K-dramas The female lead channels courageous energy first faces king though does not yet know true identityDespite generational differences social hierarchies food becomes bridge heart.
2 ‘Resident Playbook’
Oh I-young (Go Young-jung) getting her bag taken Resident Playbook. Image via tvN ‘
<p Spin-off celebrated K-dramaHospital Playlist equally chaoticResident Playbook follows lives friendships professors doctors Yulje Medical Center’s Jongno branch focusing group young obstetrics gynecology residents show sees highs lows medical professionalsTo make interesting team works less popular department during era low birth rates.
<p Between shifts folks Resident Playbook still find time romance One notable couples includes Oh Yi-young(Go Youn-jung Ku Do-won(Jung Joon-won Although Yi-young relationship anesthesiologist strictly professional Do-won can’t help watch sidelines jealousyWith lives line these residents don’t have luxury time confront feelings.
1 ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’
A young man stands next young woman wearing headscarf boat When Life Gives You Tangerines. Image via Netflix ‘
<p When Life Gives You Tangerines follows Ae-sun(IU free spirited book lover Gwan-sik(Park Bo-gum gentle farmhand whose romance slowly builds on 1950s Jeju Island Amid juicy tangerine groves quiet library corners their young love grows through shy glances shared moments Yet aftermath war forces them face realities relationship.
<p Despite circumstances beyond control Ae-sun Gwan-sik remain devoted showing endurance love Their bittersweet farewell reminds viewers happiness fleeting yet memories grief that follow proves depth bond There no clichés no happy ending just message about how love emerges not true ease but perseverance through trials.
[nospin]Here you can find the original article photos images used our article also come from this source We not their authors they have been used solely informational purposes proper attribution their original source.[nospin]
Sarah Parker is a research analyst and content contributor with a strong interest in business strategy, organizational behavior, and social development. With a background in sociology and public policy, she focuses on exploring the intersection between research and real-world application. Sarah regularly contributes articles that bridge academic insights and practical relevance, aiming to foster critical thinking and innovation across sectors.
