Terrifying romantic K-dramas that will touch your heart

From classic genre tearjerkers to modern heartbreakers, these dramas delve into the love, pain and complexity of relationships that bring viewers to their knees through intense storylines and unforgettable characters.

Here’s a roundup of terrifying romantic K-dramas to send you into a crazy frenzy

Goblin (2016)
Undeniably one of the most favorite and popular, Goblin, also known as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, is a supernatural romance series that brings out fate, love and redemption. The show focuses on Kim Shin, a goblin who has lived for centuries and has the curse to live forever, and Ji Eun-tak, a high school student with the ability to see ghosts and holds the key to ending his curse . Besides these two, there is also a Grim Reaper who is looking for his lost memories.

That’s what makes Goblin a classic: it’s fantasy served with genuine romance. The love between Kim Shin and Ji Eun-tak is magical and tragic at the same time as they struggle with the cruel twists of fate that keep them apart. The drama is full of moments of deep emotional intensity, and the chemistry between Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun is magnetic. Beautifully written soundtrack, stunning cinematography and philosophical musings on life and death make Goblin a classic tearjerker.

Watch the trailer here.

Reply 1988 (2015)

Reply 1988 is the sequel to Reply 1997, a nostalgic coming-of-age story about family, friendship and love set in the late 1980s. The life stories of five friends, their families, and the deeply intertwined lives of their families, all living in a neighborhood in Seoul, are present in this drama. In Reply 1988, the romance may come very slowly, but it is full of tender and anxious moments as the characters navigate their feelings for each other.

One of the most poignant love stories is the one between Deok-sun and two of her childhood friends who are unknowingly in love with her. The drama delves into unspoken love, missed opportunities and the painful reality of growing up. All this really tugs at the heartstrings. Reply 1988 has no trouble showing something close to real life, making it very emotional for many viewers.

Watch the trailer here.

A crash landing on you (2019)
Crash Landing on You was one of those shows that shook the world because of its unique plot, romance and main characters and their devious regimes. The storyline features the character Yoon Se-ri, a wealthy South Korean heiress, who accidentally floated into North Korea and was discovered by North Korean army officer Ri Jeong-hyeok, who is stoic and formal. This pushes Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok onto the unforgiving ground of danger to fall in love with each other, but in many ways seems destined for doom as this happens in two countries with extreme differences.

This drama is the ultimate mix of romance, suspense and humor. The stakes are high as this couple must cross both personal and national boundaries to be together. The love Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok share is tender yet heartbreaking; Which is why Crash Landing on You naturally turned out to be one of the most memorable K-drama romances in recent years.

Watch the trailer.

Residence Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
Residence Cha-Cha-Cha was filmed in the beautiful coastal town of Gongjin. Yoon Hye-jin is the dentist who moved to a small town hoping to start over. Hong Du-sik is an all-round man who does everything for most members of this community. The drama series captured its audience with a light-hearted, escapist charm as the romance slowly develops between Hye-jin and Du-sik, emotionally deep and full of angst, given the way both characters battle their pasts and insecurities.

Amid heartwarming moments, the drama successfully conveys tension in emotional conflict, especially as Du-sik’s traumatic past unfolds. The perfect blend of feel-good romance and emotional complexity, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a must-see for lovers of slow-burn love stories.

Watch the trailer here.

Vincenzo (2021)

Vincenzo may not really be into a typical romance drama, but it has a very distinct mix of dark comedy, action and romance that makes the series stand out in its genre. The series centers on Vincenzo Cassano, an Italian man and Korean lawyer who was appointed consigliere by his mafia family. He returns to South Korea in his mother’s country to find hidden gold. There he comes into contact with Hong Cha-young, the hot-tempered lawyer who can really take down those corrupt companies.

This romance between Vincenzo and Cha-young develops slowly but unmistakably. It’s about trust, loyalty and love in the most unexpected places, beneath the slick action scenes and sharp humor of a drama. While it’s angsty and uncertain at points, it’s amazingly rewarding for viewers to see a relationship built on shared struggle.

Watch the trailer here.

Nevertheless (2021)

For viewers who can accept the less sweet and more realistic take on romance, Nevertheless is the better choice. Park Jae-eon and Yoo Na-bi are two students who have different opinions on love, and the series unfolds around them. Jae-eon is flirty; he doesn’t believe in relationships that lead to serious commitment. Na-bi is still healing from a heartbreak so painful that she fears trusting a man again. This article will utilize the complicated emotional bond that the two characters form.

What makes this stand out, however, is its raw portrayal of modern romance, which tackles unrequited love, emotional vulnerability, and the confusion of wanting someone who might not be right for you. The show’s moody atmosphere, haunting romance, and delightful acting make it a must-watch for viewers with an affinity for emotionally charged dramas.

Watch the trailer here.

Behind the Scenes (2023)

Behind the Scenes is a romantic drama thriller that takes viewers into the fast-paced world of entertainment production. In the film, a young production assistant, Ji-eun, works for a famous and popular variety show. She becomes involved with charismatic star Yoon Woo-jin, but this romance really puts her under fire as she must balance her ambitions with her personal life, amid Woo-jin’s pressure and pain with fame.

The drama is a great premise for the entertainment industry and will aim to tell some themes such as love, sacrifice and ambition. The highs and lows of emotions in the drama will leave audience members on the edge, praying that the characters will triumph over their looming obstacle.

Watch the trailer here.

The Glory (2022)
Glory is an intense revenge drama with a strong undercurrent of emotional tension and tragedy. Moon Dong-eun is the female protagonist of this film who was brutally bullied in high school and spent years preparing for revenge. It brings together a dark past about Dong-eun with the calm and gentle nature of Joo Yeo-jeong, a man who falls for her despite it all.

The core of emotional drama comes from Dong-eun: her inner struggle between seeking revenge and finding redemption with love. It’s a heartbreaking, raw drama about pain, healing and the complexity of human emotions.

Watch the trailer here.

Our Beloved Summer (2021)

Our Beloved Summer tells the story of former high school sweetheart Choi Woong, who is forced to rejoin years after breaking up to film a documentary. As the couple works together, unresolved feelings and painful memories return, all creating a heartbreaking journey of reconciliation and self-discovery.

Our Beloved Summer, with its nostalgic tone and emotional depth, captures the longing and regret of lost love. The characters in this gripping and heartfelt drama are palpably complex, and the second chances they offer each other make it a thrilling watch.

Watch the trailer here