Romance is one of the most popular genre of K-dramas. However, recently, fans have been enjoying the more slow-burn love stories. Such shows tend to pack more depth, intensity and emotions about the lead couple’s relationship. Over the course of the series, the viewers wait in anticipation as the characters navigate different dynamics such as friendships, and personal issues. When the storyline finally witnesses the couple cross every obstacle to be together, it is a celebration amongst the fans.
There has been a surge in slow burn romance K-dramas in recent times. These shows also include multiple relationship dynamics, such as friendships, professional relationships, or even enemies to lovers, that eventually blossom into love. Some of the popular ones include Something in the Rain, The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, Coffee Prince, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo, and more.
Something in the Rain
Something in the Rain premiered on March 30, 2018. It follows the story of Yoon Jin-Ah (Son Ye-Jin), a woman in her mid-30s. She hasn’t had any luck with dating, but her life starts to change when she meets Seo Joon-He (Jung Hae-In). The latter is her childhood friend’s younger brother, who returns from abroad. The two gradually fall in love, while restoring her belief in the same. Meanwhile, viewers can stream the K-drama on Netflix.
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is a recently concluded tvN K-drama that follows the journey of popular instructor Seo Hye-Jin (Jung Ryeo-Won), who reunites with her former student Lee Joon-Ho (Wi Ha-Joon). The latter leaves a high-paying job to become an instructor in the same academy as hers, wanting to pursue Hye-Jin, his first love. The two navigate challenges and rivalry inside and outside the academy, while forming a deep relationship. The drama premiered on May 11, 2024, and is available to stream on Viki.
Coffee Prince
Coffee Prince is a popular K-drama that premiered on July 2, 2007. The series follows the story of a man named Choi Han-Gyul (Gong Yoo), who is hung up on his first love. To escape from his grandmother’s blind dates, he hires Go Eun-Chan (Yoon Eun-Hye) at his cafe, thinking that the latter is a man. Meanwhile, Eun-Chan keeps being mistaken for a man. To make ends meet, Eun-Chan continues to work at the cafe. Things get chaotic when Han-Gyul starts to fall for Eun-Chan and questions his identity. Fans can watch the drama on Netflix and Viki.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo is a slow-burn romance K-drama that documents weightlifter Kim Bok-Joo’s (Lee Sung-Kyung) journey of achieving personal growth and finding love. She meets her childhood friend Jung Joon-Hyeong (Nam Joo-Hyuk), who gradually falls in love with her. The two go from being enemies to being friends. Eventually, when Joon-Hyeong helps Bok-Joo through a slump, the two develop a deeper connection and fall in love. The drama premiered on November 16, 2016, and is available on Viki, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.
Crash Landing on You
Crash Landing on You is a highly popular K-drama that premiered on December 14, 2019. It follows the story of chaebol heiress, Yoon Se-Ri (Son Ye-Jin), who lands in North Korea due to a paragliding mishap. North Korean soldier, Ri Jeong-Hyeok (Hyun Bin), rescues her and keeps her safe. He helps her hide and also sends her back to South Korea. Initially, the two don’t see eye to eye but gradually fall deeper in love with each other. Meanwhile, viewers can stream the series on Netflix.
Several other K-dramas use slow-burn romance as their theme. These include Itaewon Class, When The Weather is Fine, Do You Like Brahms?, One Spring Night, My Liberation Notes, and more. All of these dramas are available to stream on major streaming platforms like Netflix, Viki, and Amazon Prime Video.