Every K-drama has unforgettable scenes, but the right kiss can cement a show’s legacy. Korean dramas become exponentially more popular with each passing year, due in no small part to Netflix and other major streaming services introducing the genre to Western audiences. Though there are typically many romantic moments in K-dramas of every sub-genre, nothing compares to a climactic kiss.
Even otherwise perfect K-dramas can fall flat if its big kiss scene goes wrong. Whether the leads lack natural chemistry, the pacing is off within the overarching narrative, or the execution fails to live up to the hype, there are plenty of ways for a kiss to fail. Conversely, the best K-drama kisses turn already good series into global favorites.
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Ryan Gold and Sung Deok-mi
Her Private Life Episode 10
Ryan Gold (Kim Jae-wook) is one of the most beloved K-drama male leads of all time, and he undoubtedly secured legend status in episode 10 of Her Private Life. After he and Sung Deok-mi (Park Min-young) officially confess their feelings for each other, the art curator and museum director passionately kiss in the middle of a workshop.
Her Private Life includes frequent kisses after the leads get together, but none are as impactful as their first. It’s especially steamy for a mainstream K-drama, as the pair stumble through the shop looking for private corners to continue kissing. Their physical chemistry is undeniable, but their love confession adds a sweet tinge that softens the sexy scene.
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Sung Deok-sun and Choi Taek
Reply 1988 Episode 17
Reply 1988 is a quintessential coming-of-age K-drama that follows a tight-knit friend group in the late 80s. Multiple of the male main characters develop feelings for Sung Deok-sun (Lee Hye-ri), but the drama’s most bittersweet moment happens between her and Choi Taek (Park Bo-gum).
After extenuating circumstances cause him to miss his date with Sung Deok-sun, Choi Taek dreams of their perfect first kiss. In the slightly blurry fantasy world of his dream, Taek and Deok-sun share an upside-down kiss similar to the iconic moment from Spider-Man (2002). Taek quietly wishes it wasn’t just a dream, but the scene is heartwarming nonetheless.
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Choi Ae-ra and Ko Dong-man
Fight for My Way Episode 14
Fight for My Way is a hidden gem of a friends-to-lovers K-drama, and every scene between Choi Ae-ra (Kim Ji-won) and Ko Dong-man (Park Seo-joon) was pure sweetness. In episode 14, Dong-man turns to Ae-ra for comfort while preparing for a daunting fight he has scheduled.
To calm him down, Ae-ra kisses wherever he points on his face, claiming her lips will protect him from any pain. Whereas other kisses are memorable for being hot and heavy, Fight for My Way episode 14 is more chaste, but it still packs an emotional punch and perfectly reflects the reciprocal support in their healthy relationship.
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Ahn Jeong-won and Jang Gyeo-ul
Hospital Playlist Episode 12
