Romances are a staple of K-dramas, and many of the best series of 2024 have featured incredible couples that will be hard to forget. Between classic clichés and original twists, this year’s K-dramas offered love stories that were as beautiful as they were heartbreaking, capable of making people laugh, cry, or sometimes both at the same time. Although some of these romances play a bigger role than others in their respective series, they all contribute to their shows’ success as the best K-dramas of 2024.
The 2024 K-drama lineup is filled with incredible shows that continue to impress. “Pyramid Game” was a worthy successor to the legendary “Squid Game”, while “Sweet Home” concluded its dramatic tale of humanity and monsters in style. The best K-dramas often offer dramatic storylines and addictive subplots that make streaming watching almost necessary. This is especially true for romance fans, as 2024 has delivered some of the most beautiful tales of star-crossed lovers and fairy tale love stories.
8- Do Da-hae and Bok Gwi-ju
“The Atypical Family” addresses the problems of modern society and their impact on a family whose unique powers are held back by social problems. The story revolves around Bok Gwi-ju (Jang Ki-yong), whose depression prevents him from reliving the happiest moments of his life. Everything changes when he meets the crook Do Da-hae (Chun Woo-hee), who becomes an unexpected variable and allows him to alter the past as he always dreamed of.
Unlike many other K-dramas on this list, “The Atypical Family” favors romantic melodrama rather than a traditional rom-com romance. This gives the unconventional relationship between Da-hae and Gwi-ju a much greater sincerity, especially as they confront their demons. Although this romance doesn’t have the same impact as other 2024 romances, the slow but deep relationship between Da-hae and Gwi-ju is a real bright spot in “The Atypical Family.” Their relationship brings the characters a newfound hope that is fascinating to watch develop on screen.
7- King Yi-in and Kang Hee-soo
A captivating historical K-drama with an alluring concept, “Captivating the King” offers an incredible romance full of complications. This K-drama successfully uses many popular elements of the genre and delivers a series that remains fascinating throughout its run. At the heart of the series, actors Jo Jung-suk and Shin Se-kyung bring to life the complexities of the relationship between King Yi-in and Kang Hee-soo with passionate and profound performances, propelling the K-drama to new heights. summits.
While the dynamic that “Captivating the King” depicts is not unique to the genre, it deserves credit for the quality of its treatment. Obstacles in the couple’s power dynamic make the budding romance between Yi-in and Hee-soo all the more intense, especially as political tensions within the court begin to come to a head. Although the ending of “Captivating the King” doesn’t quite live up to expectations, this historical romance makes a strong impression and delivers a breathtaking romance.
6- Nam Han-eul and Yeo Jung-woo
“Doctor Slump” marks the comeback of comedy masters Park Shin-hye and Park Hyung-sik to the romantic comedy genre. This K-drama focuses on a story of the transformation of enemies into lovers, showcasing the slapstick comedy skills of the two actors as their characters try to regain their balance after professional and personal crises. The series is naturally funny, but it also takes an in-depth look at the topic of mental health and well-being. This gives more depth to the main couple’s relationship as they support each other in their darkest times.
The comedy of “Doctor Slump” never takes precedence over its more serious message, allowing the character developments of Nam Han-eul and Yeo Jung-woo to stay front and center. Although Han-eul and Jung-woo don’t mind getting back together, they also respect each other’s space. This makes for some heartbreaking moments as they push each other away for their own well-being, but makes their time together even more precious. The romance of “Doctor Slump” may not have the same deep intensity as other 2024 K-dramas, but it’s a heartwarming story that Park Shin-hye and Park Hyung-sik perform to perfection.
5- Cho Sam-dal and Cho Yong-pil
There’s something particularly refreshing about a K-drama that explores life in a small town. This also provides a great opportunity for a romance-focused plot. “Welcome to Samdal-ri” illustrates this perfectly with the story of three sisters who return to their hometown on Jeju Island to find respite from getting into trouble in the city. Each sister finds love and new meaning in their lives in the K-drama, but the most captivating and meaningful storyline concerns the middle sister, Cho Sam-dal (Shin Hye-sun), and her relationship with her childhood best friend, Cho Yong-pil (Ji Chang-wook).
The relationship between Sam-dal and Yong-pil is beautifully developed throughout “Welcome to Samdal-ri”. Their intertwined stories are well established, but their initially tense encounter makes for excellent conflict in the series. As their feelings for each other begin to soften, it’s hard not to root for Sam-dal and Yong-pil as they try to repair their romantic relationship. The playful dynamic between Shin Hye-sun and Ji Chang-wook is chaotic but sensitive, giving “Welcome to Samdal-ri” the emotional charge and stability necessary for its success.
4- Kang Ji-won and Yoo Ji-hyeok
“Marry My Husband” is one of the big hits of the year, adding time travel elements to a revenge story where Kang Ji-won (Park Min-young) returns to the past to convince her husband to ‘marry someone else. The plot is rife with marital politics, intense rivalries, and devious intrigues, making it seem like romance for Park Min-young’s character is out of reach. However, his love story with Yoo Ji-hyeok (Na In-woo) brings a welcome breath of fresh air to a K-drama that seems determined to destroy everything in its path.
The relationship between Ji-won and Ji-hyeok reflects the message that “Marry My Husband” seeks to convey. Both characters are deeply unhappy in their current situations, and Ji-won’s second chance allows them to rewrite their futures and find happiness together at the end of “Marry My Husband.” Although their romance is not the main focus of the K-drama, Park Min-young and Na In-woo make their characters endearing and their love story shines through the darkness.
3- Jeong Gu-won and Do Do-hee
“My Demon” demonstrates that Song Kang and Kim Yoo-jung are giants in the world of K-dramas, their epic fantasy romance being totally captivating. Although “My Demon” is full of classic K-drama elements and clichés, it stands out as one of Song Kang’s best pairings and illustrates why Kim Yoo-jung and Song Kang make such a powerful duo. Their chemistry is exceptional and difficult to replicate, making their return in another headlining K-drama highly anticipated.
“My Demon” uses its grandiose fantasy elements to take off its romance, and does so with great success. The unconventional love story between the icy heiress and a demon brings an original spark, thanks to the incredible performances of Song Kang and Kim Yoo-jung, who anchor this improbable story in a more than believable romance. Although “My Demon” loses momentum in its final episodes, the passion for romance never dies, making Gu-won and Do-hee’s relationship a must-see for fans of romance in K-dramas .
2- Im Sol and Ryu Sun-jae
The success of “Lovely Runner” is one of the biggest surprises of 2024. Based on the webtoon “Tomorrow’s Best” by Doong Doong, this fanfiction-like K-drama’s time travel concept has led to major problems during production. However, the series, true to its depiction of a romance across time and with remarkably well-cast lead actors, has become an online sensation that’s hard to ignore.
The relationship between Im Sol and Ryu Sun-jae is firmly rooted in the romantic comedy genre, and both lead actors execute it to perfection. Kim Hye-yoon, with her experience as a romantic comedy heroine, and debutant Byeon Woo-seok, who surprises with his charisma, form an ideal duo, perfectly complementing Kim Hye-yoon’s explosive acting. Together, they manage to give unexpected depth to a superficial story. Sol and Sun-jae’s relationship develops naturally and brings a unique twist to a very popular genre, making this duo one of the most memorable K-drama couples of 2024.
1- Hong Hae-in and Baek Hyun-woo
No romantic K-drama in 2024 matches the intensity of “Queen of Tears” starring Hong Hae-in and Baek Hyun-woo. As a couple on the verge of divorce, Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s relationship strays from the dynamics often seen in K-dramas. This allows Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun to deliver career-best performances through a heartbreaking plot that makes “Queen of Tears” a K-drama classic in the making.
The relationship between Hae-in and Hyun-woo is the mainstay of “Queen of Tears.” Their evolution from a couple who hates each other to one willing to sacrifice everything for each other is both devastating and beautiful, and Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun deliver these performances to perfection. . The two actors are at their best when paired together, and their chemistry makes Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s relationship magnetic as they slowly find their way back to each other. So it’s hard not to understand why Hae-in and Hyun-woo from “Queen of Tears” are the best K-drama romantic couple of 2024.
Who would you add to this list?