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K-dramas have a reputation for having dramatic plot lines that often end in heartache. Nonetheless, they’re extremely well done and have become much more mainstream in recent years.
They’re not all so melancholy, though; in fact, there are some K-dramas that are quite cheery and end in happy endings for all involved. So if you’re looking for a K-drama without all the added heartache, keep on reading for some of the best.
15
‘Melo Movie’ (2025)
Ko Gyeom (Choi Woo-shik) was once an aspiring actor, but he has since transformed into a sharp-tongued film critic who prefers to analyze films rather than act in them. Kim Mu-bee (Park Bo-young) is a driven director looking to make her mark in the industry. Years ago, a mysterious incident separated them just as they were falling for each other. Now, when their paths cross again in the chaotic world of Korean cinema, the two must decide whether their connection was fleeting or worth revisiting.
Melo Movie, released on Netflix, is a profound meditation on timing, grief, and creative passion. Choi and Park have a natural, understated chemistry, but their happy ending is not rushed; it develops gradually over the final episodes, with both characters learning to forgive and trust again. It’s a mature romance that understands that love is more than just grand gestures. It’s about showing up when it counts the most. —Anja Djuricic
14
‘Can This Love Be Translated?’ (2026)
Joo Ho-jin (Kim Seon-ho) is a renowned polyglot interpreter who can effortlessly navigate any language; Cha Mu-hee (Go Youn-jung) is a world-renowned actress who struggles to express her true emotions. When the two begin working together on a high-profile international project, Ho-jin finds himself translating not only words but also the unspoken emotions that exist between them. As they travel through Europe, their professional relationship evolves into a personal one.
The Hong Sisters are K-drama royalty for a reason, and Can This Love Be Translated? might be their most mature work yet. Kim delivers a nuanced performance as a man who controls language but cannot control his own heart, while Go shines as a celebrity whose public persona masks deep vulnerability. The 2026 Netflix hit ends with a beautifully satisfying conclusion that bridges the distance between them, proving that the most important translation isn’t between languages, but between two people learning to be honest with each other. —Anja Djuricic
13
‘Start-Up’ (2020)
Seo Dal-mi (Bae Suzy) grew up dreaming of being Korea’s next Steve Jobs. After a series of setbacks, she is finally given a chance at Sandbox, the country’s fictional version of Silicon Valley. She reunites with Nam Do-san (Nam Joo-hyuk), the man whose childhood letters she has treasured for years, unaware that the letters were written by the successful investor Han Ji-pyeong (Kim Seon-ho). As Dal-mi builds her startup, she faces ambition, betrayal, and a love triangle that forces her to decide what and who is truly important.
Start-Up is more than just a romance; it’s a story about chasing dreams and the people who help along the way. The happy ending sees Dal-mi and Do-san married and running their company together, having grown from uncertain beginners into confident partners. But what makes this drama stand out is that it doesn’t turn the person who doesn’t get the girl into a clear villain. Han Ji-pyeong finds his own kind of happiness, investing in a foundation that gives orphans the same second chances he once received. It’s a bittersweet reminder that love comes in many forms. —Anja Djuricic
12
‘Shooting Stars’ (2022)
Shooting Stars is a unique series due to the dynamic between the main couple. It follows a famous actor, Gong Tae-sung (Kim Young-dae), and his publicist, Oh Han-byul (Lee Sung-kyung). The pair do not get along, which makes working together rather difficult. Having met back at university, Han-byul knows a different side of Tae-sung than the rest of the world.
Despite the initial disdain between the two, they begin to fall in love. They manage to overcome their issues, the main one being how Tae-sung’s fame affects their relationship, and secure themselves a happy ending that seemed nearly impossible in the beginning.
11
‘King the Land’ (2023)
King the Land follows Gu Won (Lee Jun-ho), the heir of the luxury King Hotel. He’s cold and gruff, and his personality puts off many. Cheon Sa-rang (Im Yoon-ah) is a hotelier who is known for always having a smile on her face. That is until she meets Gu Won. The issue? Gu Won finds himself infatuated with Cheon Sa-rang, even though she can’t stand him.
Their relationship is complex due to their initial animosity, and it’s difficult for them to navigate their warring personalities. By the time they get their happy ending, Gu Won has warmed his heart and become a much more outgoing and friendly person. Meanwhile, Cheon Sa-rang begins to understand why he is the way he is, while finding her own personal and professional happiness.
10
‘Love to Hate You’ (2023)
Love to Hate You was released on Netflix just ahead of Valentine’s Day in 2023, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a perfect binge-watch for the lovey-dovey holiday. The series follows Yeo Mi-ran (Kim Ok-vin), a successful lawyer, who is offered a job at a male-dominated law firm that specializes in celebrity scandals. One of the celebrity clients is Nam Kang-ho (Teo Yoo), an actor who seems to have very little respect for women outside the occasional date.
Love to Hate You doesn’t sound like it should work. After all, how could Yeo Mi-ran end up falling for someone who makes such cruel comments about women when she so fiercely fights for women’s rights? But as the series unfolds, we get to know Nam Kang-ho better and see how both he and Yeo Mi-ran have been hurt by relationships in the past. Making their inevitable coupling all the sweeter as they learn to trust again with one another.
9
‘Because This is My First Life’ (2017)
Because This is My First Life’s main relationship begins due to a marriage of convenience between Nam Se-hee (Lee Min-ki) and Yoon Ji-ho (Jung So-min). The two decide to marry since both are struggling financially and sharing a home would be cheaper. Things start out well for the pair as they get to know one another and become close. Living together also allows them to heal from past relationships and generally become a better, happier version of themselves.
By the time they fall in love, both Nam Se-hee and Yoon Ji-ho are in a much better place than they were in the beginning of the series, and are emotionally available to take on a relationship. This is proven time and time again as past events and family issues are thrown at them, and they show they can work through it and come out the other side even better. It’s a quirky way to find love, but it’s fascinating to watch unfold.
8
‘Our Beloved Summer’ (2021–2022)
Our Beloved Summer is a coming-of-age story about two exes who promised to never see one another again when they broke up. This doesn’t go to plan, of course, and the pair are forced to face each other after a documentary they filmed in high school goes viral. It’s a classic tale of forced proximity, and we get to see how the former lovers react.
While the past love between Choi Ung (Choi Woo-shik) and Kook Yeon-soo (Kim Da-mi) is the main plot of Our Beloved Summer, we actually spend more time getting to know both characters now that they’re older. We get to see them make amends and form a friendship that eventually blossoms into rekindled love.
7
‘Fight For My Way’ (2017)
Fight For My Way is an ensemble series about a group of four friends who are all trying to achieve their dreams and find their way in their careers. Among the group are Ko Dong-man (Park Seo-joon) and Choi Ae-ra (Kim Ji-won), who begin to form a romance. The pair have known each other since they were children, and haven’t lost the playful dynamic they’ve always had, which often lends itself to some very sweet scenes between them.
Despite their familiarity with one another, it isn’t so easy for Ko Dong-man and Choi Ae-ra at first; it takes a little bit for them to find the right balance, but they eventually figure it out, giving us a very charming K-romance. The romance is also equally balanced with the moments of friendship in the group, so there’s never a shortage of entertainment in Fight For My Way.
6
‘Touch Your Heart’ (2019)
Touch Your Heart follows an actress named Oh Jin-shim (Yoo In-na), who faces a scandal that ruins her career. She’s out of the spotlight for two years until an opportunity for a role in a brand-new drama comes along. First, she must clear her name and fix her image. To do so, she takes a job as a secretary for lawyer Kwon Jung-rok (Lee Dong-wook). Naturally, they end up falling in love, and both learn that there is more to life than work.
Touch Your Heart is similar to the previous entry Love To Hate You, due to the lawyer/celebrity dynamic of the main couple. Both shows see their characters navigate their personal and professional lives, and find their happy endings out of unlikely circumstances.
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Samantha Graves
Almontather Rassoul
