If you’re looking for lighthearted Korean dramas that offer comedy, romance, and a general feel-good atmosphere, here are some recommendations:
Romantic Comedies
Playful Kiss
- Synopsis: A high-school girl has a crush on the smartest guy in her class and tries to win his heart.
- Themes: High-school life, romance, coming-of-age
- Main Cast: Kim Hyun-joong, Jung So-min
- Trivia: The drama is based on the Japanese manga “Itazura na Kiss.”
You’re Beautiful
- Synopsis: A woman disguises herself as her twin brother to join a popular boy band.
- Themes: Identity, music, fame, romance
- Main Cast: Jang Keun-suk, Park Shin-hye
- Trivia: This drama gained a cult following and has been adapted into a manga.
My Love from the Star
- Synopsis: An alien who’s been on Earth for 400 years falls in love with a famous actress.
- Themes: Romance, fantasy, fame
- Main Cast: Jun Ji-hyun, Kim Soo-hyun
- Trivia: The drama became a massive hit in China and influenced fashion trends there.
Shopping King Louis
- Synopsis: A wealthy heir loses his memory and learns about life and love from a country girl.
- Themes: Amnesia, wealth, simplicity, love
- Main Cast: Seo In-guk, Nam Ji-hyun
- Trivia: Despite its title, the drama is not focused on shopping but rather on characters and relationships.
She Was Pretty
- Synopsis: Two childhood friends reunite as adults, but their roles in life have completely changed.
- Themes: Friendship, self-esteem, love
- Main Cast: Park Seo-joon, Hwang Jung-eum
- Trivia: The drama received positive reviews for its character development and emotional depth.
Feel-Good Dramas
Let’s Eat Series
- Synopsis: A drama that focuses on a single man whose life changes when he starts sharing meals with his neighbors.
- Themes: Food, friendship, community
- Main Cast: Yoon Doo-joon, various co-stars
- Trivia: Each episode features mouth-watering Korean dishes, making it a hit among foodies.
Because This Is My First Life
- Synopsis: A pragmatic relationship forms between a man and a woman due to housing needs, leading to unexpected outcomes.
- Themes: Love, relationships, societal norms
- Main Cast: Lee Min-ki, Jung So-min
- Trivia: The drama was praised for its thoughtful look into modern relationships.
Hospital Playlist
- Synopsis: Medical professionals balance their work lives with their personal friendships.
- Themes: Friendship, medicine, life
- Main Cast: Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho
- Trivia: From the creators of the Reply series, this drama features the same attention to character development and storytelling.
Family Dramas
Father is Strange
- Synopsis: A family’s life changes when a young actor moves in, claiming to be a distant family member.
- Themes: Family, identity, relationships
- Main Cast: Kim Yeong-cheol, Kim Hae-sook
- Trivia: The drama has 52 episodes, which is longer than most K-dramas but is standard for family dramas.
Five Enough
- Synopsis: A family-oriented drama that explores the ups and downs of marriage and raising children.
- Themes: Family, marriage, parenting
- Main Cast: Ahn Jae-wook, So Yu-jin
- Trivia: Despite its length, the drama keeps the tone light and focuses on the everyday aspects of family life.