K-dramas are famous for their unique way of broadcasting romance. They completely reshape the entire definition of love and make us feel like a zoo of butterflies in our stomachs, even when there is the slightest eye contact.
No matter whether it is about high school love or office romance, rom-com dramas often take us through a series of emotions. The writers do an exceptional job by mingling a bit of everything, like romance, comedy, life lessons, and friendships.
K-drama fans never fail to express their emotions about feeling single and how watching rom-com genre K-dramas has raised their standards for finding that perfect significant other. In short, we can say it is the most popular and debated topic amongst rom-com lovers.
The Soft romantic K-drama has always been one of the most preferred genres amongst the K-drama watchers.’ Indeed, after a long and hectic day, all you need is something warm and comforting to binge upon.
The K-drama ‘Romance Is A Bonus Book’ not only suffices the meaning of the perfect romantic K-drama but also blends the essence of comedy and life lessons.
The Romance Is A Bonus Book’ was released in January 2019, starring Lee Jong Suk [Cha Eun Ho] as the male lead and Lee Na Young [Kang Dan-i] as the female lead.
This show perfectly portrayed the combination of friends to love troupe, comedy, the hidden hardships that every individual goes through, and how to have that never giving up attitude.
The drama revolves around Eun-ho, who is a genius and is the youngest chief editor in their company, and Dan-i, who once used to be a successful copywriter who is now facing difficulties in making ends meet.
Dan-i, due to her marriage, gave a pause to her professional career and started taking care of her daughter, but this poor woman had no idea about what she was going to face shortly.
Later on, Dan-i came to know how her husband lost all their money and was cheating on her. To maintain a livelihood, she started taking up odd jobs and then worked as a maid in Eun-ho’s house.
Dan-i was Eun-ho’s never-confessed childhood crush, but they both drifted apart after Dan-i’s marriage, destiny had its own game.
Just like in the typical K-drama theory, they both meet again and start working in the same company. Eun-ho starts developing his feelings again for his childhood crush, but he is reluctant to confess at first as Dan-i already has a seven-year-old daughter, and he is afraid that it might destroy their friendship.
However, this drama set the standard that age doesn’t matter in love. Viewers were driven away due to the realistic story of the drama. Moreover, many fellow females in their 30s resonated with Dan-i and appreciated how boldly she handled the tough situations.
Their chemistry outshined, their soft moments, and the words of affirmation towards each other melted the hearts of every rom-com lover.
If you crave those light-hearted K-dramas, then don’t forget to include ‘Romance Is A Bonus Book’ in your next watch list, which is available on NETFLIX.
But if you have already watched and loved ‘Romance Is A Bonus Book,’ then the following ten dramas are the perfect fit for you.
Also Read: 10 Best K-dramas Available On Netflix
10 K-dramas that will remind you of ‘Romance Is A Bonus Book’
Something In The Rain
If you still haven’t recovered from the hangover of ‘Romance Is A Bonus Book,’ then this one’s for you.
Yoon Jin-ah was a 35 y/o woman who was tired from her failed relationships, and then one day, just like sunshine in the midnight rain, she met her friend’s younger brother and unexpectedly fell in love with Jeon-hee.
Due to their age difference of four years, they had to deal with negative responses from people. On the other hand, it also showcased the way women are disrespected in their work sphere. The ending of the drama perfectly depicted the example of how love will always find a way back to you, even after they parted their ways once they reconciled and came back together.
‘Something In The Rain’ was highly praised due to the excellent performance of the actors, and their unbeatable chemistry hooked the viewer’s attention.
- Cast: Jung-Hae In [Male lead] and Son Ye Jin [Female lead]
- Released: March 2018
- Episodes:16
- Network: JTBC
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
She Would Never Know
In recent years, there has been a further increase in demand for Office Romance K-drama. Working together in the marketing department of a makeup brand, Hyun Seung fell in love with his senior colleague Jin-a. However, Jin-a beats around the bush to accept Hyun Seung’s feelings as he is younger than him, and she is already in love with her boss.
Hyun Seung was ready to give all the love to Jin-a and waited for Jin-a to accept his feelings. But soon Jin-a got to know that the love of her life was cheating on her and was left heartbroken,
Hyun Seung came to the rescue and helped Jin-a to come out of her rough phase. His love and care made Jin-a eventually fall in love with his junior colleague. When the official trailer was released, many fans expressed their excitement as they thought the latter reminded them of ‘Something In The Rain.’
- Cast: Won Jin-A [ Female lead], Rowoon, member of group SF9 [ Male lead], Lee Hyun Wook, Lee Joo Win
- Genre: Romantic, Slice of life
- Released: January 2021
- Episodes: 16
- Network: JTBC
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Also Read: Best K-dramas Starring Rowoon To Watch If You Love Him In Tomorrow
Because This Is My First Life
It is a drama where the female lead, Ji-ho, is a writer, but her job doesn’t support her financially. The lead Se-hee bought a house, but the burden of mortgage loans makes it difficult for him to keep up with his bills.
As the two of them suffer from a financial crisis, they agree to stay with each other, thereby having a strict relationship between landlord and tenant, but with time, they eventually fall in love.
This drama attracted a more mature audience, basically not your typical cliché romance type drama, with humor all along the show. It kept the audience fascinated and gave them a taste of witnessing different kinds of love.
Although it contains both the essence of romance and comedy, along with the main leads, the character played by the four other side leads resonates well with the audience and leaves them awestruck with the value-packed life lessons and quotes.
- Cast: Jung So Min, Lee Min Ki, Park Byung Eun, Esom, Kim Min kyu, Kim Gaeun, Kim Min Seok.
- Genre: Romantic, comedy
- Released: October 2017
- Episodes: 16
- Streaming platform: Netflix
Crash Course In Romance
Some even described this drama as a fresh breath of air. It kind of gave the same overall calming vibes and noona romance troupe, just like ‘Romance Is a Bonus Book.’
Chi Yeol [ main lead] is a math teacher who grabs everyone’s attention for his looks and perfectionism, and Nam Haeng [female lead] is a former handball player who left her dreams of being a national player to take care of her niece.
Chi Yeol was Nam Hae-yi’s [ Nam Haeng’s niece] math teacher. Impressed by Hae-yi’s knowledge, he further asked to offer her math lessons. In between teaching Nam Hae-yi, Chi Yeol slowly falls in love with his student’s aunt due to her fun and outgoing character.
The initial episodes are super fun to watch, from their quirky and fun friendship to their budding love for each other. This drama is just like a happy pill in the gloomy days for K-drama fans.
- Cast: Jung Kyung Ho, Jeon Do Yeon, Roh Yoon Seo, Lee Chae-min
- Genre: Rom-com
- Released: January 2023
- Episodes: 16
- Network: tvN
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Hometown Cha Cha Cha is a remake of the movie Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong. Sometimes, the simplest and most peaceful things take up the most room in our hearts. Well, that was the case for almost every K-drama fan when this show was released.
Tired from the busy city life of Seoul, Yoon Yhe-jin [ female lead] further set up a dental clinic in Gongjin and meets Du-sik[ male lead ], who is also known as a jack of all trades in Gongjin, one of the most popular faces of Gongjin.
Starting from the initial funny encounter to the sweet ending of the show with their marriage, this countryside rom-com drama sways the viewers with its healing energy and the fun relationship between the villagers of Gongjin.
This drama became the highest-rated drama with an overall rating of 12.655% and became Netflix’s most-watched non-English drama.
- Cast: Kim Seon-Ho, Shin Min-a, Lee Sang-Yi
- Genre: Rom-com
- Released: August 2021
- Episodes: 16
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Also Read: Shin Min A’s net worth: How Rich Is Our Blues Star?
I Can Hear Your Voice
It is another noona romance K-drama, but here, the male lead has the superpower of hearing other people’s voices. Soo-ha discovered his ability when he witnessed his father’s murder, who was killed brutally by his enemies.
Just when this incident happened, Hye-Seung [female lead] was present there and watched the whole scenario of the innocent man getting killed.
Hye-Seung testified in court to prove that the mishap wasn’t due to an accident but was a pre-planned thing, probably the only person who stood for Sooha and his poor mom. Hye-seung was young, and her fierce attitude made Soo-ha fall in love with her when he was just nine years old.
Years after, when Hye-seung became a public defender, Sooha again found her. They both remarked on their journey to punish the actual do-ers of the murder using Soo-ha’s ability to read people’s minds.
Even though the drama was packed with emotions and shocking plots, many viewers expressed their views that they found the 10-year-long age between the leads a bit weird and unnecessary.
- Cast: Lee Jong Suk, Lee Bo Young
- Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Comedy
- Released: June 2013
- Episodes: 18
- Network: SBS TV
- Streaming Platform: Viki
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?
This drama has officially set the bar high for the rom-com genre. Some fans still express how this drama made them laugh during their worst days, and fans keep referring back to the indisputable chemistry between Park Seo Joon and Park Min Young.
The plot revolves around a rich CEO, Lee Young Joon, who is the perfect example of a narcissist. He cares for no one except for himself and makes it difficult for Kim Mi-so, who has to handle all the tantrums of Young Joon for a whopping nine years.
Finally, Mi-so expresses her consent to Young Joon to resign from being a secretary and pursue her dreams. Mr. Perfectionist can’t digest the fact and slowly realizes that he’s in love with his secretary. And does every possible thing to bring her back.
The transition from overcoming their childhood trauma together to their relationship as a secretary and boss, to being each other’s lovers, and finally marrying each other made the fans fall head over heels for this drama.
- Cast: Park Seo Joon, Park Min Young
- Genre: Rom-com
- Released: June-2018
- Episodes: 16
- Network: tvN
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Also Read: ‘Park Min Young’ K-dramas And Movies That Prove She Is A Versatile Queen
Weight-Lifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo
Although it might not completely resonate with ‘ Romance Is A Bonus Book,’ it serves in the same genre and vibes.
It is an enchanting story between a fresh college student, Kim Bok-Joo, who is a promising weightlifter, and a young swimmer, Joon Hyung. In the process of bickering and teasing each other, they didn’t realize they found their first love in each other.
It is best to binge for those who are tired of watching K-dramas where the male lead appears to be tough and masculine.
In ‘Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo,’ the male lead, Joon Hyung, appears to be the most fun to be around. His playful nature and the bickering between the main leads captivated the audience and even became a favorite among the non-drama watchers.
- Cast: Lee Sung-Kyung, Nam Joo Hyuk
- Genre: Rom-com, Sports
- Released: November 2016
- Episodes: 16
- Network: MBC
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
One Night Spring
Contrary to what we usually see in movies/dramas, the male lead appears to be a single dad. There prevails a taboo in Korea towards single dads and moms, and they are often considered an outcast.
Jung-In [female lead] works in a library and is currently in a four-year relationship with Gi-Seok. Both Jung-in and Gi-seok are being pressured by their parents to marry each other. After meeting Ji-ho, who is a pharmacist and a single dad, Jung-In feels a connection with him and starts doubting her love for Gi-Seok.
Despite being like others, she doesn’t see a problem with Ji-ho being a single dad and happily accepts him for who he is as a person. Together, they fight every odds of society and go against their parents will to stay with each other. In short, we can say it is kind of the opposite version of ‘ Romance Is A Bonus Book.’
- Cast: Jung Hae-in, Han Ji-min
- Genre: Romance
- Released: May 2019
- Episodes: 32
- Network: MBC TV
- Streaming platform: Netflix
Also Read: 30 K-dramas Like Fated To Love You
Forecasting Love And Weather
And the last one on the list!
Forecasting Love and Weather is about two opposite characters falling in love and trying to seek a balance between their work and love life.
Jin Ha-kyung [female lead] is quite serious about her job in the metrological department and often tries to separate her personal and professional life. On the other hand, Shi-woo is an outgoing and free person. He recently joined the head office and never hesitates to share his opinion.
His character, in the beginning, doesn’t seem to please Ha-Kyung, who even tries to avoid him in every possible way, but they both get involved in a romantic relationship. Life surely has its way of dealing with things.
Although some fans were a bit disappointed due to the lack of plot, the show got an appreciation for providing the value of relationships in our life, the entertainment factor, and the electrifying chemistry between the leads.
- Cast: Park Min Young, Song Kang, Park Yoon, Yura
- Genre: Rom-Com
- Released: February 2022
- Episodes: 16
- Network: JTBC
- Streaming platform: Netflix
Also Read: 13 Dramas Like Descendants of the Sun
