9 New Romantic K-Dramas In 2023 That’ll Tug At Your Heartstrings
They'll leave you yearning for that perfect fairytale ending
Sizzling chemistry, heart-fluttering gestures and witty banter – there’s a reason why romantic K-dramas are one of the most well-loved genres among Korean shows.
There’s something for everyone in the realm of popular K-romances: whether you’re a fan of the classic forbidden love trope you’d find in cult-favourite Crash Landing on You, or you prefer a slow-burn whimsical drama such as It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, or the action-packed romance in Descendants of the Sun (it’s still a classic, no matter what).
If you’ve exhausted your list of classic K-romance titles to watch, we’ve put together a list of new romantic K-dramas that have just been or are set to be released soon.
Starring: Yoona from Girls Generation, Jun-ho from 2pm
The plot: It’s a classic enemies-to-lovers romance – Gu Won (Junho) is a wealthy chaebol heir to a luxury hotel empire. One day, he crosses paths with Cheon Sa Rang (Yoona), a hotelier working in one of his family’s hotels who always has a smile on her face due to the nature of her job. Gu Won immediately dislikes her, believing she conceals her true self behind fake smiles.
King the Land premiered on Netflix on June 17.
Starring: Shin Hye-sun and Ahn Bo-hyun
The plot: Mr. Queen‘s Shin Hye-sun stars in this fantasy romance spinoff from a hit webtoon, playing Ban Ji-eum, a woman who can endlessly reincarnate and remember all her past lives. As a young girl in her 18th life, she falls for a thoughtful boy next door but dies in an accident. In her 19th life, she goes to great lengths to find her way back to the boy, Moon Seo-ha (Ahn Bo-hyun), but realises he has become an aloof guarded man who doesn’t want to get close to anyone after his first love, who’s actually Ji-eum in her 18th life, died.
See You In My 19th Life premiered on Netflix on June 17.
Starring: Kim Dong-wook and Jin Ki-joo
The plot: This time-travel drama follows TV reporter Yoon Hae-joon (Kim Dong-wook) and his accidental female companion Baek Yoon-young (Jin Ki-joo), who mysteriously travel back to the year 1987, and soon find themselves trapped in the era. Yoon Hae-joon investigates a series of murders in hopes of saving the victims, while Baek Yoon-young tries to prevent her parents from marrying to avoid her future. They soon find that their seemingly unrelated goals are intertwined.
My Perfect Stranger is now on Viu.
Starring: Park Joo-Mi, Choi Myoung-Gil
The plot: If you love dramatic soap operas, this one’s for you. Renowned scriptwriter Phoebe (Im Sung Han), known for her previous melodrama hits like New Tales of Gisaeng and Love (Ft. Marriage And Divorce), is returning with a new fantasy romance drama.
The storyline travels through time, and follows the well-off Dan family as their lives get intertwined with two mysterious women who claim to be from the past.
Are there any actual durians involved in the plot? We’ll find out soon enough.
Durian’s Affair premiered June 24 on Viu.
Starring: Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, Kang Hoon
The plot: In this highly-anticipated remake of the classic Taiwanese romance Someday or One Day, Han Jun-hee (Jeon Yeo-been) is still mourning the loss of her boyfriend, a year after his passing. She manages to travel back to 1998, and wakes up as 18-year-old Kwon Min-ju. As she grapples with her new reality, she meets Nam Si-heon (Ahn Hyo-seop), a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to her late boyfriend.
A Time Called You is set to premier third quarter of 2023 on Netflix.
Starring: Bae Suzy, Yang Se-jong
The plot: Won-jun (Yang Se-jong), an unassuming college student, unexpectedly crosses paths with Doona, a former K-Pop sensation, who’s played by real-life former K-Pop star Suzy. Doona has retired from her glamorous days, and is embarking on a new chapter in life. As fate would have it, they become housemates and start growing closer – but can their connection withstand the cruel pressures of fame?
Doona! is set to premiere in the fourth quarter of 2023 on Netflix.
Starring: Ok Taecyeon from 2PM, Won Ji-An, Yoon So-hee, Park Kang-Hyun
The plot: Half-human and half-vampire Seon Woo-hyul (Taecyeon) desires to be a human, but he missed his chance on the very one day he is able to do so every 100 years. Fate leads him to eventually move in with Joo In Hae (Won Ji-An), a seemingly heartless woman who, despite being human, is devoid of humanity.
Heartbeat premiers June 26 on Amazon Prime Video.
Starring: Jo Bo-ah, Ro-woon from SF9
The plot: In this classic K-romance saga, Jang Shin-yu (Korean boy band SF9’s Rowoon) is a successful and charismatic lawyer who seemingly possesses everything, and yet he finds himself plagued by a lingering family curse. The key to breaking the spell? Lee Hong-jo (Jo Bo-ah), who’s an unassuming civil servant turned saviour.
Destined with You is set to premier third quarter of 2023 on Netflix.
Starring: Lee Min-ho, Gong Hyo-jin
The plot: This first-of-its-kind space romance drama stars actor Lee Min-ho as Gong Ryong, a Korean OB/GYN, who books a trip to the space station as a tourist. There, he meets Eve Kim (Kong Hyo-Jin), a Korean-American astronaut.
Ask the Stars is set to premiere in the fourth quarter of 2023 on Tvn.
Text: Cheryl Lai-Lim/HerWorld Additional reporting: Michelle Lee