Are you currently searching for a K-drama as romantic as Idol I? Maybe you’ve searched to no avail for something that gives you the same flutters as Idol I did when watching the two main characters on screen. Do not worry. Here are five swoon-worthy K-dramas to devour and give you the same joy Idol I did!
The Netflix drama Idol I is a perfect blend of popular tropes, without overdoing it. There’s the slow-burning, somewhat forbidden romance between defense lawyer Maeng Se-na, played by Choi Soo-young, and her K-pop superstar defendant Do Ra-ik, played by Kim Jae-young.
Compiled with the added angst of witnessing Maeng Se-na’s years-long obsession with her client, which she tries (not very well) to hide, a dash of thrill, and a lurking murderer on the loose, Idol I is the perfect K-drama, with twists, turns, and most importantly, enticing romance.
From fantasy to reality, our leading lady shows the hardships of caring deeply for someone you can’t let know why or just how much.
It is romantic perfection, really.
With the show no longer releasing new episodes, you may feel a little lost, perhaps even sad. That’s okay. Here are five K-dramas perfect for you.
Itaewon Class (2020)
Itaewon Class, the slow burn above all slow burns. A mix of thrill, romance, and a deep revenge plot line that will keep you pressing next episode.
A loner, ex-convict-turned-restaurant owner, Park Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo Joon), looking to build a life for himself in honor of his late father, grapples with the hardships life keeps throwing his way.
Insert a socially awkward (though she couldn’t care less) girl, Jo Yi-seo (Kim Da-mi), who is a bit callous, and familiar with being cold and impersonal, into his life, and the recipe is complicated.
Think ‘girl falls first’ and ‘guy doesn’t realize it’.
Park Sae-ro-yi is a character you want to protect, and Jo Yi-seo quickly realizes this, too. The found family trope, late nights sipping Soju, and emotionally compelling storyline, will leave you invested as if you’re watching your group of offbeat friends navigate through life.
The show takes place in the lively city of Seoul, South Korea, and makes for the perfect city-life, fast-paced show to match such a chill main male lead.
If you like age-gap boss-employee romances with deep, emotionally impactful storylines, morally righteous male leads, and ‘I’ll do anything to protect him’ (even if it’s somewhat illegal) female leads, Itaewon Class is for you.
Where to Watch
- Netflix
Dynamite Kiss (2025)
The definition of ‘swoon-worthy’ is Dynamite Kiss. The romance is that good.
If there has ever been a show that attempted every single romantic trope between the romantic couple, it is this show, and I can’t say I am not here for it.
The overarching trope is the forbidden-boss/employee hate-to-love trope. Though that only scratches the surface. When a young woman, Go Da-rim (Ahn Eun-jin), meets a businessman, Gong Ji-hyeok (Jang Ki-yong) on a trip, they click and share a passionate, dynamite (ha!) kiss, only for her to leave thinking she’d never see him again.
Accept when she sees him next; he’s her boss at his family company, albeit under false pretenses. To work at the company, she pretends to be both a wife and a mother. Cue complications and present the hate-to-love trope, because her new boss (aka the man she shared a dynamite kiss with) is utterly shocked and livid.
The show pushes and pulls in the most delicious way. The visuals are cinematic, and the aesthetic merges the lives of the wealthy and working class. It is a bingeable show with strong family-drama themes. In fact, the drama in the show is what throws the romance into a loop.
Watch at your own risk for experiencing both happy flutters, angry screams, and high levels of angst that make clicking the next episode that much more necessary.
Where to Watch
- Netflix
It’s Okay Not to Be Okay (2020)
Emotionally wrecking, girl falls first, guy falls harder.
It’s Okay Not to Be Okay, much like Itaweon Class, touches on mental health and the journey of letting go of perfection through the power of vulnerability.
The vulnerability makes the romantic element that much more meaningful. The romance is a force, thanks to our female lead, Go Moon-young (Seo Yea-ji). She is audacious, cold, and emotionally puzzling.
When she sets eyes on the male lead, Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun), who wants nothing to do with her, it becomes a roller coaster ride. Our male lead is quiet, steadfast, and sacrificial (but appears to need to let go), and is shocked and annoyed when a beautifully cold, somewhat mean woman refuses to leave him alone.
He finds himself helping her, much to his dismay. This combination is perfect, because what do you mean she’s interested and he is not? She’s selfish, and he’s not?
It means the romance is epic, and the slow burn is magical. It also has pockets of humor and lighthearted fun.
This show is for you if you like rooting for two people who have no business matching, and yet are so clearly perfect for each other.
Where to Watch
- Netflix
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (2025)
Joseon era, time travel, mouthwatering food, romance, and an enemies-to-lovers trope, does it really get any better?
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, is another swoon-worthy K-drama.
The romance follows a chef, Yeon Ji-yeong (Lim Yoona), who accidentally time-travels to the Joseon era of Korea (early 1500s) and encounters an entitled king, Lee Heon (Lee Chae-min). In an effort to save her life, she manages to cook for the king, who has a special obsession with quality, delicious food. She becomes his personal chef, and the romance becomes as slow-cooked and sizzling as the quality roast she serves the king.
She does not belong in this time, and when feelings creep in, they only complicate their lives further. He is the last person a girl like her would give the time of day to, but, out of fear of execution, she does what she has to do, not expecting to see beyond the king’s facade. It is forced proximity at its best, forcing romance in a place and time zone that should not exist.
The camera work in this series is astounding; every dish looks good enough to eat through the screen. Seriously, I had to find a way to get bibimbap while watching the show.
Take my advice, do not watch it hungry!
This series is for anyone who loves Regency- and Joseon-era shows, with a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance and an overbearing government that needs to be challenged. Thank me later!
Where to Watch
- Netflix
Business Proposal (2022)
Every girl wants to help her friend, but what about standing in her place, pretending to be her, for a date that the friend does not want to go on? Then you show up on the date only to see your boss, who doesn’t realize it’s you? Then he offers you a proposal you can’t refuse. Welcome to Business Proposal.
Our main characters, Kang Tae-moo (Ahn Hyo-seop) and Shin Ha-ri (Kim Sejeong) couldn’t be more opposite on paper: rich and poor, boss and employee. Yet the saying “opposites attract” fits these two. They are an unlikely pairing, each with different reasons for being with the other and each holding false impressions of the other.
The woman he’s dating is not the woman he thinks he’s dating. The fake dating trope is when lines start to blur, and both parties must reassess their intentions and feelings for the other. Also, whether her identity is discovered or not creates significant angst.
A Business Proposal is perfect for people who enjoy office romances, fake dating, mistaken identity, and slow-burning romances.
Where to Watch
- Netflix
Coming Soon
Let’s face it, one can never watch too many K-dramas.
So even with five recommendations, k-drama lovers are always waiting for the next best one to come out. Coming soon to Netflix is Boyfriend on Demand, featuring BLACKPINK’s superstar Jisoo and K-pop singer-songwriter Seo In-guk. The drama is set to air on March 6th only on Netflix.
The show follows a woman who wants romance without the problems, so she uses a virtual dating service to test out perfect boyfriends. Accept maybe a little too perfect. Check out the trailer to see more!
What Now?
Now that you have quietly said your goodbyes to Idol I and have five new K-drama recommendations (which were very hard to give just five, btw), take time this weekend or week (if you’re feeling festive) to binge one of these shows, from the more emotionally compelling shows like It’s Okay Not to Be Okay, Itaewon Class and the romantic comedies like Business Proposal and Dynamite Kiss.
I can assure you, you won’t regret it.
Winner Boniface
February 24, 2026 at 2:21 am
What stood out is how the article gives you a range of romantic tones, from light and playful to deeply emotional, so you can pick based on your mood. It’s the kind of guide that feels like a friend telling you “trust me, you’ll love this one.” Thanks for the recommendation 💛