Dramas that focus on the cliche yet exciting romantic journey between a regular student and the campus heartthrob have always been an in-demand storyline for viewers. Seeing the transition from chaotic interactions to a love line is truly a wonderful sight. What more if the two get stuck in a shared living space, obviously the starting point of a colorful, sometimes complicated, relationship?
Good Morning Call is a live-action series adapted from the Japanese manga of the same name, written by Yue Takasuke. It ran from 1997 to 2002 in the monthly magazine, Ribon.
The captivating live-action television drama began its weekly release on Fuji on Demand and Netflix on February 12, 2016. The series was brought to life by the stellar performances of Haruka Fukuhara and Shunya Shiraishi.
Haruka Fukuhara brilliantly portrayed the character of Nao Yoshikawa, a typical teenage girl who is laid-back and a bit air-headed. Shunya Shiraishi breathed life into the character of Hisashi Uehara, a strikingly handsome young man who commands a significant fan base on campus.
Good Morning Call brought together these two students who have been scammed into renting the same apartment. Left with no other options, they eventually agree to share the living space and become roommates. This agreement also helped them financially, as they shared the rental payment.
The series artfully chronicles their intriguing adventures as they strive to conceal their unconventional living situation from everyone at school.
If you have not watched Good Morning Call, you can stream it online on Netflix. For those who have been fans of the charming and addictive series, here are 10 K-dramas like Good Morning Call that will undoubtedly capture your heart and keep you stuck in front of your screens.
From romantic comedies to fantasy dramas, the dramas in this list possess the same delightful ingredients that made Good Morning Call such a hit.
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You Are Beautiful
You Are Beautiful is a 2009 K-drama that aired on SBS from October 7 until November 26, 2009. Spearheaded by Park Shin Hye, Jang Geun Suk, CNBLUE Jung Yonghwa, and FT Island Lee Hongki, the series has a total of 16 episodes.
An interesting blend of humor and romance, You Are Beautiful features the story of Go Minyeo and her twin brother, Go Minam, who have been living in an orphanage since the death of their father.
While Go Minyeo pursues her dream to become a nun, residing in a nun dormitory, her brother Minam becomes a musician.
Excelling in his craft as a musician, Minam successfully passed the audition to join the band A.N.Jell. However, he was forced to leave for the United States to fix his failed plastic surgery. In his absence, Minyeo must impersonate her twin brother, with constant persuasion from Minam’s manager.
Aside from the musical aspect, there were a lot of backstories in this series. With a heartfelt chance to locate their missing mother, Minyeo agreed to cut her hair and pretend to be her twin brother. Minyeo joined the renowned boy band, unaware of the consequences that may occur once her identity is revealed.
- Released: October 7, 2009
- Episodes: 16
- IMDB Score: 7.7 / 10
- Genre: Romance, Comedy, Musical, Drama
- Cast: Park Shin Hye, Jang Geun Suk, Jung Yong Hwa, Lee Hong Gi
- Directed By: Hong Sung-Chang
- Written By: Hong Jung-Eun, Hong Mi-Ran
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Because This Is My First Life
Because This Is My First Life is a breath of fresh air in the K-drama industry as it explores a rather mature topic of marriage and career. The series aired on tvN from October 9 to November 28, 2017. It had a total of 16 episodes, which was a typical length for Korean dramas.
Lee Min Ki and Jung So Min starred in this exhilarating series. Portraying the character of Nam Se-Hee, Lee Min-Ki flawlessly displayed a 30-year-old single man who turns down each opportunity to get married. Nam Se-Hee owns his own house but is also drowning in debt.
On the other hand, Jung So-Min breathed life into the character of Yoon Ji-Ho, also a single woman in her 30s. Yoon Ji-Ho is described in one word: broke. Due to her financial struggles, dating was excluded from her priorities.
When the two crossed paths, they agreed to sign a two-year contract that would benefit both of them. The marriage of convenience had conditions that each of them should strictly follow.
However, what they deemed to be only a landlord-tenant relationship eventually crossed the line.
- Released: October 9, 2017
- Episodes: 16
- IMDB Score: 8.1 / 10
- Genre: Romance, Comedy
- Cast: Lee Min Ki, Jung So Min, Esom, Park Byung Eun, Kim Ga Eun, Kim Min Seok
- Directed By: Park Joon-Hwa
- Written By: Yoon Nan-Joong
- Streaming Platforms: Netflix, Viki, Viu
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Goblin: The Lonely and Great God
Goblin: The Lonely and Great God, internationally known as just Goblin, is a fantasy romance depicting the intertwining fates of a goblin, a grim reaper, and a girl with the ability to see spirits. This series is rather familiar, especially if you have been a fan of Korean dramas for a long time. Goblin was released on tvN, airing from December 2, 2016, until January 21, 2017.
Kim Shin, portrayed by Gong Yoo, is a highly respected military general from the Goryeo Dynasty who is unjustly accused of treason and executed by the young monarch. Following his demise, he is condemned to eternal life by the Almighty as retribution for the lives he took in defense of his nation.
Despite his sorrowful past, he transforms into an immortal goblin, using his supernatural abilities to assist others while still grieving about his horrible and heartbreaking past. Kim Shin’s immortality can only be ended by the goblin’s bride, who can finally finish his lifelong torment by pulling out the sword, which is only visible to the bride.
Kim Go Eun plays Ji Eun-Tak. Despite her sorrows, she is a vibrant high school student and remains optimistic and full of life. Ji Eun-Tak’s destiny with the goblin started when she inadvertently summoned him on her birthday.
Three more characters get involved in the series, aside from the goblin and the goblin’s bride. These characters make Goblin a more complex yet interesting watch, making viewers not miss a second of each episode.
Specifically, the existence of these characters is not random. All of them are with profound, interconnected histories that make up the show’s exciting story.
- Released: December 2, 2016
- Episodes: 16 (+3 Special Episodes)
- IMDB Score: 8.6 / 10
- Genre: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy, Drama
- Cast: Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun, Lee Dong Wook, Yoo In Na, BTOB Yook Sungjae, Lee El, Kim Byung Chul, Kim Sung Kyum, Jo Woo Jin, Yeom Hye Ran, Jung Young Gi, Choi Ri, Hwang Seok Jeong, Ham Sung Min, Go Bo Gyeol, Kim Min Young, Park Se Wan, Park Kyung Hye, Ahn Ji Hyun
- Directed By: Lee Eung-Bok, Kwon Hyuk-Chan, Yoon Jong-Ho
- Written By: Kim Eun-Sook
- Streaming Platform: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Viki, Viu
Dali and the Cocky Prince
Dali and the Cocky Prince stars Park Gyu Young and Kim Min Jae. The series was released in September 2021, with local airing on KBS2 until November 11, 2021. This Korean drama explores the journey to romance between two individuals who are two worlds apart.
Kim Dali crosses paths with a restaurant owner in the Netherlands due to a case of mistaken identity. Following her father’s sudden death, Dali did not hesitate to return home and assume control of her family’s financially troubled art museum.
Because of this, her life takes a rather challenging turn. Dali faces bankruptcy and has to live in a humble home until the museum recovers.
On the other hand, Jin Moo-Hak is a restaurant owner who spent his childhood as a market peddler. Jin Moo-Hak is a determined young man with an impressive knack for making money despite his lack of formal education.
He is currently working under Dondon F and B, a global restaurant chain that originated from his family’s Gamjatang diner when he was young. Unfortunately, Moo-Hak lost the importance of dignity and only focused on earning money.
Unbeknownst to Dali, Moo-Hak is a significant creditor of the museum, leading to a surprising reunion when he comes to talk about the settlement of the family’s debts.
Coincidentally, Dali lives above Moo-Hak’s home. Over time, Moo-Hak’s intentions shift from merely recovering his money to genuinely wanting to restore the museum’s financial health for Dali’s sake.
- Released: September 22, 2021
- Episodes: 16
- IMDB Score: 8.0 / 10
- Genre: Romance, Comedy
- Cast: Park Gyu Young, Kim Min Jae, Kwon Yul, Hwang Hee, Yeonwoo, Jang Gwang, Woo Hee Jin, Ahn Se Ha, Yoo Hyung Gwan, Song Ji Won, Lee Jae Woo, Ahn Gil Kang, Seo Jeong Yeon, Lee Je Yeon, Hwang Bora
- Directed By: Lee Jung-Seob
- Written By: Son Eun-Hye, Park Se-Eun
- Streaming Platform: Viki, Viu
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Playful Kiss
Based on the popular Japanese manga Itazura na Kiss, Playful Kiss is a romantic comedy Korean drama that was released on MBC. With a total of 16 episodes, Playful Kiss aired from September 1 until October 21, 2010.
Playful Kiss tells the story of Oh Ha-Ni, portrayed by Jung So Min. Oh Ha-Ni pursues her high school crush, Baek Seung-Jo, who is played by Kim Hyun Joong. The series is a cute and playful romance of a clumsy girl who ends up living under the same roof as her long-time crush, who also happens to be the smartest yet most arrogant student in school.
Despite the cold attitude and rude treatment, Oh Ha-Ni still sends Baek Seung-Jo love letters to confess her love. Oh, Ha-Ni was unbothered, even though Baek Seung-Jo had already told her outright that he hates stupid girls.
The two’s exciting fate comes knocking when Oh Ha-Ni’s family loses their home to an earthquake. Baek Seung-Jo’s father, who turned out to be Oh Ha-Ni’s father’s close friend, took them in.
Their constant banter and comical interactions are something to highlight, as their relationship eventually went on a brighter note in the end.
- Released: September 1, 2010
- Episodes: 16
- IMDB Score: 7.1 / 10
- Genre: Romance, Comedy
- Cast: Jung So Min, Kim Hyun Joong, Lee Tae Sung, Lee Si Young
- Directed By: Hwang In-Roi, Kim Do-Hyung
- Written By: Go Eun-Nim
- Streaming Platform: Viki, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix
The Heirs
Lee Min Ho, Park Shin Hye, and Kim Woo Bin lead the 2013 Korean drama The Heirs. It aired from October 9 until December 12, 2013 on SBS.
The Heirs tells the story of people who comfortably live in a wealthy neighborhood. Privileged high school students stand at the center of inheriting their families’ business empires.
As they navigate the maze of challenges that come their way, they experience unexpected personal growth and finally learn valuable lessons as they work together to overcome their problems.
Lee Min Ho plays the character of Kim Tan, the heir to the Jeguk Group. It is a prominent Korean conglomerate. When Kim Tan’s half-brother, Kim Won, who is portrayed by Choi Jin Hyuk, harbored ambitions of seizing possession of the family business, he was forced to fly to the US.
Meanwhile, while Kim Tan is banished abroad, he crosses paths with Cha Eun-Sang, played by Park Shin Hye. Cha Eun-Sang went to the US in search of her sister. The conflict appears when Kim Tan finds himself attracted to Cha Eun-Sang, even though he was planning to be married to Yoo Rachel, who is played by Kim Ji Won.
On the other hand, Kim Tan’s life takes a severe turn when his former best friend, Choi Young-Do, portrayed by Kim Woo Bin, becomes his enemy. The complicated relationship between Choi Young-Do and Cha Eun-Sang took on an intriguing twist when the former found himself falling for the latter.
If you want to immerse yourself in a story that explores the complexities of love, family business, wealth, and the trials of growing up amidst privilege and power, then The Heirs is the right choice.
- Released: October 9, 2013
- Episodes: 20
- IMDB Score: 7.5 / 10
- Genre: Romance, Drama, Teen
- Cast: Lee Min Ho, Park Shin Hye, Kim Woo Bin, Kim Ji Won, Krystal Jung, Kang Min Hyuk, Kang Ha Neul, Park Hyung Sik, Jeon Soo Jin, Choi Jin Hyuk, Kim Sung Ryung, Kim Mi Kyung
- Directed By: Kang Shin-Hyo, Boo Sung-Chul
- Written By: Kim Eun-Sook
- Streaming Platform: Netflix, Viki
My Roommate is a Gumiho
It is one thing to have a roommate, but it goes completely different when you live under the same roof with a different being. My Roommate is a Gumiho, a Korean drama that aired on tvN. With a total of 16 episodes, the series ran from May 26 until July 15, 2021.
Shin Woo-Yeo, portrayed by Jang Ki Yong, is far more than meets the eye. Not only is he a strikingly handsome and intelligent professor, but he also harbors a secret that sets him apart from the rest of humanity. Shin Woo-Yeo is a 999-year-old nine-tailed fox, or gumiho, in Korean folklore.
For centuries, Shin Woo-Yeo has been on a relentless quest to shed his supernatural form and become a human. To achieve this, he has been diligently gathering human energy in a mystical bead. Now, he stands on the precipice of finally realizing his long-cherished dream of transforming into a human.
On the other hand, Lee Dam, played by Girl’s Day member Hyeri, is a university student leading an ordinary life. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when her drunk friend unintentionally falls asleep in an expensive car. Coincidentally, the car belongs to Shin Woo-Yeo.
Shin Woo-Yeo’s mystical bead slips from his mouth and is accidentally swallowed by Lee Dam. Shin Woo-Yeo knows that the fox bead can survive within a human host for only a year. After this period, it will be broken, which can result in the human host’s untimely death and also shatter Shin Woo-Yeo’s dream of becoming a human.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Shin Woo-Yeo had no choice but to explain his position to Lee Dam. Shin Woo-Yeo suggests that they live together until they can figure out a solution to their problem.
Lee Dam, who has never been in a romantic relationship, finds herself in an unusual living situation with Shin Woo-Yeo. This marks the start of their budding romance, yet unusual for the fact that Shin Woo-Yeo is a gumiho and Lee Dam is a normal person.
- Released: May 26, 2021
- Episodes: 16
- IMDB Score: 7.7 / 10
- Genre: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy
- Cast: Jang Ki Yong, Lee Hyeri, Kang Han Na, Kim Do Wan, Bae In Hyuk, Park Kyung Hye, Choi Woo Sung, Kim Do Yeon, Jung So Min
- Directed By: Nam Sung-Woo, Park Joon-Hwa
- Written By: Baek Sun-Woo, Choi Bo-Rim
- Streaming Platform: iQIYI, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Viki, Viu
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Full House
Full House is another series that has put the Korean drama on the global list of must-watch content. It was aired on KBS2 from July 14 to September 28, 2004.
Led by Korean sensation Rain, also known as Jung Ji Hoon, and Song Hye Kyo, Full House tackles the stories that occurred in the humble home named “Full House.” This charming abode, a cherished gift from her late father, is home to the ambitious and spirited scriptwriter Han Ji-Eun.
Han Ji-Eun’s world took an unexpected turn when her two closest friends tricked her into a fake vacation. They betrayed her trust and sold her home while she was away.
As Han Ji-Eun embarks on her “vacation,” she finds herself seated beside the charismatic actor Lee Young-Jae. Their paths intertwine through a series of comical and unexpected incidents during her vacation, leading to an unlikely friendship.
It was when Han Ji-Eun returned home that she learned the shocking revelation that her home had been sold to Lee Young-Jae.
Although they were complete opposites, like night and day, they had to agree to share the living space. Han Ji-Eun, driven by her determination to retrieve her home, initially takes on the role of Lee Young-Jae’s housemaid.
However, as the story progresses, they find themselves entangled in a contractual marriage. This is a ploy planned by Lee Young-Jae to make Kang Hye-Won, who is played by Han Eun Jung, jealous.
Meanwhile, the situation spirals into complexity as unexpected emotions start to blossom between the two lead characters. Han Ji-Eun and Lee Young-Jae began catching feelings, turning the story into a captivating tale of love, friendship, trust, and the pursuit of dreams, which was all set against the “Full House.”
- Released: July 14, 2004
- Episodes: 16
- IMDB Score: 7.8 / 10
- Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
- Cast: Rain (Jung Ji-Hoon), Song Hye-Kyo, Han Eun-Jung, Kim Sung-Soo, Jang Yong, Sunwoo Eun-Sook, Kim Ji-Young, Lee Young-Eun, Kang Do-Han, Im Ye-Jin
- Directed By: Pyo Min-Soo
- Written By: Min Hyo-Jung
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video, KBS World TV, Netflix, Viki
Romance is a Bonus Book
Next on the list is the 2019 Korean drama Romance Is A Bonus Book. This series aired from January 26 to March 17, 2019.
Spearheaded by Lee Jong Suk and Lee Na-Young, Romance Is A Bonus Book revolves around the story of Cha Eun-Ho, portrayed by Lee Jong-Suk. Cha Eun-Ho is not only an acclaimed author but also the youngest editor-in-chief of a prestigious publishing company.
Cha Eun-Ho crossed paths with Kang Dani, played by Lee Na-Young, a former advertising copywriter with an impressive knack for creativity. Their bond is a tapestry of shared memories, dating back to a fateful day in their childhood when Dani saved Cha Eun-Ho from an accident, sustaining injuries herself.
As she recovered from the injuries, Cha Eun-Ho became her literary lifeline, bringing her books that ignited his own passion for writing.
The two’s friendship, however, was not without its trials. A rift formed when Dani chose to marry another man. Cha Eun-Ho sees this man as undeserving of Dani. Despite his disapproval and her own occasional doubts, Dani stood by her decision, which only added complexity to their relationship.
In the future, Dani got divorced and was unemployed. Grappling with the challenges of being a single mother, she tried to re-enter the workforce but found herself working incognito as Cha Eun-Ho’s housekeeper. Cha Eun-Ho was unaware of her identity and the struggles she was facing.
Over time, the truth about Dani’s situation was revealed to her childhood friend. Cha Eun-Ho steps up to lend a helping hand. Dani joined his publishing company and surprised everyone with her creativity and hard work.
- Released: January 26, 2019
- Episodes: 16
- IMDB Score: 8.0 / 10
- Genre: Romance, Comedy
- Cast: Lee Jong-Suk, Lee Na-Young, Jung Yoo-Jin, Wi Ha Joon, Kim Tae-Woo, Kim Yoo-Mi, Jo Han-Chul, Kim Sun-Young, Kang Ki-Doong, Park Gyu-Young, Oh Eui-Shik, Lee Ji-Won, Noh Jong-Hyun
- Directed By: Lee Jeong-Hyo
- Written By: Jung Hyun-Jung
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Crash Landing On You
Who has not heard the amazing storyline of Crash Landing On You? Dubbed as the highest-rated tvN Korean drama with a nationwide viewership rating of 21.683%, Crash Landing On You aired on the cable network from December 14, 2019, to February 16, 2020.
Crash Landing On You proves itself as a globally acclaimed Korean drama with its enchanting narrative of literal star-crossed lovers. Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin led the series as Yoon Se-Ri and Ri Jeong-Hyuk, respectively.
Yoon Se-Ri is a South Korean heiress who accidentally entered the forbidden territories of the North Korean DMZ while paragliding. It was when she crossed paths with the North Korean army captain, Ri Jeong-Hyuk.
An unlikely romance blossoms amidst the tension as Captain Ri becomes Yoon Se-Ri’s protector and secret ally in her quest to return home without being discovered by the North Korean army.
The beautiful heiress had to adapt to the North Korean neighborhood while staying in Captain Ri’s humble home. Captain Ri’s closest soldier friends also join the secret quest, with a few of them showing huge interest in how life is going on in South Korea.
Relatively, Captain Ri and Yoon Se-Ri started to develop romantic feelings for each other, but the former was already betrothed to someone else. Seo Dan, who was portrayed by Seo Ji Hye, is a North Korean heiress who is also a talented cellist.
Although completely aware that the arranged marriage is a strategic plan for both their families, Seo Dan grows feelings towards a South Korean fugitive, Gu Seung-Jun, who was played by Kim Jung Hyun.
- Released: December 14, 2019
- Episodes: 16
- IMDB Score: 8.7 / 10
- Genre: Romance, Comedy
- Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin, Seo Ji Hye, Kim Jung Hyun, Yang Kyung Won, Yoo Su Bin, Tang Jun Sang, Lee Shin Young, Kim Sun Young, Kim Jung Nan, Cha Chung Hwa, Oh Man Seok, Kim Young Min
- Directed By: Lee Jung-Hyo
- Written By: Park Ji-Eun
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
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