Top 20 Greatest Korean Drama Couples

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most swoon-worthy 21st century K-Drama couples serving major relationship goals. Beware of spoilers!

#20: Bok Gwi-ju & Do Da-hae[a]

“The Atypical Family” (2024)
We’re going back to the future with this one. Bok Gwi-ju, a single dad with the superpower to relive his best moments, is depressed and has lost his superpower. He meets Do Da-hae, a complex con woman who brings joy and purpose to his life. Soon, Gwi-ju regains his power and the life he had almost given up on…but there’s a catch. Da-hae could save him from himself only because a future version of him saved her in the past. It’s an unbreakable cycle of fate, both cruel and hopeful, that brings them together, only to tear them apart. Yet, they persevere, battling time and creating their own destiny. This couple is way too easy to root for.

#19: Lee Yeo-reum & Ahn Dae-beom[b]

“Summer Strike” (2022)
What makes the perfect romance? The steamiest kisses? Melodramatic conflicts? A rival love interest, perhaps? Well, this K-Drama has none of those. Yet, it is one of the most healing love stories you’ll ever witness. Lee Yeo-reum is a despondent city girl who relocates to the countryside to…do nothing for once. She swims in the ocean, takes walks on winding roads, and spends her time in the library. There, she meets Ahn Dae-beom, a quiet and quirky green flag factory. He looks at her with the most adoring eyes and just lets her be. Despite struggling with his own traumatic past, he steps out of his comfort zone for her because she’s so worth it. It’s so wholesome and warm — everyone deserves an Ahn Dae-beom.

#18: Sung Deok-mi[c] & Ryan Gold

“Her Private Life” (2019)
K-Pop fans assemble! If you’ve ever wished for a partner who supports and respects your passion for K-Pop, this one’s for you. Sung Deok-mi and Ryan Gold give us a realistic fairytale romance that all starts with the good old fake dating trope. A fangirl must pretend to date her boss to throw off rumors about her dating the celebrity. In true K-Drama fashion, they fall in love and he not only approves of her fangirling but also encourages it! Why? Because it makes her happy, of course! Park Min-young and Kim Jae-wook have chemistry like no other and they sure know how to make us swoon with it. This romance is truly one of a kind.

#17: Choi Seung-hyo & Bae Seok-ryu

“Love Next Door[d]” (2024)
Did someone say best friends to lovers? No one does it better than these two. Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu grew up together. Then, life happened and they went their separate ways. Years later, they reunite when she returns from abroad with nothing but secrets. Now, they must grapple with their repressed feelings while processing some heavy baggage. Thanks to their past, they can open up to each other, which brings about more than a mending of hearts. You see, they were always in love. The stars just took some time to align. From the bickering to the butterflies, every moment in this romance is heart-fluttering and will go right into your ideal relationship checklist.

#16: Sung Deok-sun & Choi Taek[e]

“Reply 1988” (2015-16)
This couple is for the K-Drama history books. “Reply 1988” is a family show at heart and the romance is just the cherry on the cake. With its classic “who’s the husband” formula, it keeps the male lead a secret until the very end. So, when we discover (spoiler alert) that it was the unassuming prodigy who got the girl, we can’t help but celebrate. It’s a win for all the introverts who make their actions speak louder than words, because that’s what Deok-sun falls for. These two care for each other like no one else can. While there are some fans who wanted to see her with Ryu Jun-yeol[f]’s character, Kim Jung-hwan, there’s no topping Lee Hye-ri and Park Bo-gum’s spark.

#15: Do Min-joon & Cheon Song-yi[g]

“My Love from the Star” (2013-14)
When this drama first debuted, it sparked international interest as thousands of eyes eagerly watched alien Do Min-Joon and international celebrity Cheon Song-Yi’s romance unfold. With the pressure of a ticking clock, the watchful eyes of the celebrity press, and the added intrigue of supernatural elements, this couple had us rooting for them against all odds. Song-Yi’s eccentric and often humorous personality combined with Min-Joon’s relaxed stoicism created an unlikely but explosive romance. With their ability to simultaneously make viewers laugh and cry with their loving relationship, it’s no wonder this couple is unforgettable.

#14: Wang So & Hae Soo

“Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo[h]” (2016)
In the mood for some waterworks? Turn on “Moon Lovers” — you can thank or blame us later. This series takes a young woman named Go Ha-jin centuries back in time to ancient Goryeo, where she is now a noblewoman called Hae Soo. Before she can even fully adjust to the new world, she finds herself as the object of multiple princes’ affections. Totally understandable. Everyone has eyes for Soo but it’s the misunderstood, emo, bad boy prince Wang So who wins her heart. It’s more than romance, too. They strike up a deep connection that transcends time and space. She makes him strong and weak at the same time and he chooses to love her, come hell or high water. We just can’t get enough.

#13: Seo Jung-hoo & Chae Young-shin[i]

“Healer” (2014-15)
This love story gives sunshine and sunshine protector energy. Our hero, Seo Jung-hoo — a.k.a the titular Healer — is an outwardly cold and indifferent “night courier” dealing in anything but death. In walks reporter Chae Young-shin, living breathing vitamin D, who takes the moody clouds around him and turns them into rainbows. Officially, Young-shin is Healer’s target but she’s the one aiming for his heart. When they do fall in love, it’s an ‘us against the world’ situation. Yet the duo have to fight way more than just their enemies. They must also come to terms with the past. The process strips them of their masks and forces them to be vulnerable, which results in an everlasting bond.

#12: Woo Young-woo & Lee Jun-ho[j]

“Extraordinary Attorney Woo” (2022)
This couple can do it all: kick butt in the courtroom, crush stereotypes, and look unbelievably cool in the process. Our genius attorney Woo is an autistic woman, and her dream man is her colleague, Jun-ho. Rather than focusing on their differences, this drama zooms in on everything they have in common. The way they put sincere effort into their relationship, communicate, and try to understand each other’s love languages is awe-inspiring to say the least. Jun-ho is walking proof that chivalry is very much alive and well whereas Young-woo shows how true love can be transformative. Society scrambles for space to interfere in their relationship but these two are so deeply and unconditionally in love that everything else is irrelevant.

#11: Yoon Hye-jin & Hong Du-sik[k]

“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” (2021)
These lovebirds have us in a chokehold like no other. Hye-jin is an uppity dentist and Du-sik is a simple country boy. Sure, they’re polar opposites — but in a yin and yang kind of way. Each has exactly what the other needs. She imbues color into his gray life and he makes her want to live a little. They tear each other’s walls down with conviction, knowing that if they’re together, it’s all going to be okay. Plus, our lead actors, Shin Min-a and Kim Seon-ho, with their bright eyes and dimpled smiles, are effortlessly enchanting. You’re definitely going to have a hard time letting go of this couple once you’re done binge-watching.

#10: Kim Bok-joo & Jung Joon-hyung[l]

“Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bokjoo” (2016-17)
This heartwarming coming of age college romance brings headstrong weightlifter Bok-Joo together with competitive swimmer Joon-Hyung. Bok Joo has spent her whole life focused on one thing: weightlifting. However, while attending Hanwool College of Physical Education, an elite athletic college, she soon begins to realize that there might be more to life than just barbells as she develops romantic feelings for Joon-Hyung. Bok-Joo’s independent nature makes her relationship with Joon-Hyung incredibly entertaining as the two bicker and banter good-naturedly. Their wholesome relationship and chemistry never fail to evoke warm feelings.

#9: Vincenzo Cassano & Hong Cha-young[m]

“Vincenzo” (2021)
If tantalizing slow burns sound like your cup of tea, look no further. Song Joong-ki and Jeon Yeo-been have got your back with this dramedy thriller. A Korean-born Italian Mafia consigliere, Vincenzo, joins hands with Hong Cha-young, a morally…flexible lawyer, to root out corruption. With their twisted sense of justice and thirst for revenge in common, these two unleash chaos to put things in order. Plus, they do this while brewing up some electric chemistry that will leave you breathless. With how they act like a married couple before even sharing their first kiss, these two will be your next obsession.

#8: Im Sol & Ryu Sun-jae[n]

“Lovely Runner” (2024)
The only drawback to watching this K-Drama is realizing that real life romance will never compare. The story begins in a dark place, with the untimely passing of Sun-jae, a K-Pop idol. It’s suspected that he took his life, and his biggest fan Sol will do whatever it takes to bring him back. Soon, she finds herself transported in time to her high school days, where she meets Sun-jae anew. Plot twist. He has loved her all along! Sun-jae in love is a vision to behold and Sol’s self-sacrificing devotion to protecting him is even more noble. Evidently, they’re much more than lovers. They’re soulmates. Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon create magic on screen and this just might be their magnum opus.

#7: Lee Young-joon & Kim Mi-so[o]

“What's Wrong with Secretary Kim” (2018)
This K-Drama is the epitome of Korean rom-com. From the childhood sweethearts cliché to the workplace setting, everything is simply adorable. Young-joon is a successful young man who takes self-love a little too seriously. Mi-so is his diligent assistant for whom perfectionism isn’t a choice. He can’t lift a finger without her and she has just about had enough. When she decides to quit, his world comes crashing down. His solution? A marriage proposal! From trying to impress her with grand gestures to learning to love her in the smallest ways, Young-joon goes from a spoiled brat to a man. Still, he’s the cutest when he gets childishly jealous. By the end, you’ll wish you had a boss like that.

#6: Kang Mo-yeon & Yoo Si-jin[p]

“Descendants of the Sun” (2016)
Amidst the turbulent, war-torn setting, surgeon Kang Mo-Yeon and army captain Yoo Si-Jin manage to fall in love. Despite their initial attraction to each other, they are torn by their differences. As a captain, Si-Jin must kill to protect his country while Mo-Yeon works endlessly every day to save lives. Additionally, they are constantly separated as they are forced to relocate to different areas of the war-torn country. The pair struggles to reconcile their feelings for each other with the uncertainty caused by the war. Their persistence and strong individual personalities make them a dynamic pairing that’s enthralling to watch. We can’t help but root for their love as they endure endless hardships in order to be together.

#5: Baek Hyun-woo & Hong Hae-in [q]

“Queen of Tears” (2024)
If you think you’re too tough to cry, prepare to be proven wrong. When Hae-in, who's as rich as they come, falls for Hyun-woo, an ordinary man, she promises him the world. However, marriage takes its toll on them and they drift apart until Hyun-woo wants out. As if on cue, Hae-in is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Suddenly faced with an end so grim, their once-cold relationship thaws and they rediscover what made them fall in love in the first place. There are no damsels in distress or knights in shining armor here. Both Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in stand strong for each other in their own ways. So, no matter how ruthless the K-Drama gods get, this power couple will always emerge unscathed.

#4: Shim Cheong & Heo Joon-jae[r]

“The Legend of the Blue Sea” (2016-17)
Con men and mermaids and murders, oh my! This show has everything. A lonely young boy finds love with a mermaid but kismet says nope! In another life, they meet again. But long distance gets hard between land and water — especially since there’s a bloodthirsty maniac to worry about. No worries, though! Our Korean Ariel is a fighter and she can save her prince. The plot requires some mental gymnastics but Lee Min-ho and Jun Ji-hyun make it all worthwhile. They deliver the cheesiest moments with such fluffy whimsy that we’re always left wanting more. Jun has the comedic timing of a genius and Lee has the timeless charm of a classic heartthrob. Together, it’s pure fireworks.

#3: Do Bong-soon & Ahn Min-hyuk[s]

“Strong Girl Bong-soon” [aka “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon”] (2017)
On the surface, Bong Soon and Min Hyuk appear to be a perfect, happy-go-lucky couple. However, before getting involved romantically, their individual hang-ups made pursuing a relationship difficult. Bong Soon is a bodyguard tormented by insecurity due to her supernatural strength and Min Hyuk is the CEO of a video game company who struggles to reconcile himself with his family. Despite the fact that they do not experience an immediate attraction, they eventually become pillars of support for each other. Their relationship isn’t immature, but rather one built upon mutual trust as they lean on each other during trying times.

#2: Ji Eun-tak & Kim Shin [t]

“Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” [aka “Goblin”] (2016-17)
Have you ever had to wait 900 years for something? After a battle, Kim Shin is cursed with immortal life and as a result, he has waited for about this amount of time for a human bride to bring an end to his immortality. He meets Ji Eun-Tak, a young woman who possesses the ability to see ghosts, and soon learns that she is his fated bride. Eun-Tak’s bubbly optimism starkly contrasts Shin’s loneliness and cold demeanor. The contrast of their personalities results in a dynamic romance that transcends both time and space. While their love is bittersweet, it is evident that despite their limited time together, Eun-Tak is rightfully Shin’s first and last love.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Lee Young-jae & Han Ji-eun[u], “Full House” (2004)

Because We Have to Give It up for the OGs

Geum Jan-di & Gu Jun-pyo, “Boys Over Flowers[v]” (2009)

Sweet like Candy, This Duo Is Unforgettable

Choi Han-gyeol & Go Eun-chan[w], “Coffee Prince” (2007)

Love Knows No Bounds in This Gender-Bending Romance

Kang Cheol & Oh Yeon-joo[x], “W” (2016)

This Couple Writes Their Own Happy Ending

Ha Yi-chan & Yoon Chung-ah[y], “Twinkling Watermelon” (2023)

They Fall Hard

#1: Ri Jeong-hyeok & Yoon Se-ri[z]

“Crash Landing on You” (2019-20)
This right here, is the couple of the century. Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri created a cultural reset in K-Dramaland with their romance. Then, stars Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin took it a step further and got hitched in real life. There’s simply no beating that! “CLOY[aa]” follows a South Korean heiress who falls into the lap of a North Korean army captain. The actors have such stunning chemistry playing off of each other’s brilliance, it’s no wonder they got together. Their characters go through such high-stakes trials and tribulations, catching bullets for one another, it’s impossible not to have heart eyes watching them. We’ll just take the actors’ actual wedding as the season two we deserved.

Which of these K-Drama characters would you want to date? Let us know in the comments!

[a]poke-gwee-joo

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heh soo
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cheh young shin https://translate.google.ca/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=%EC%B1%84%EC%98%81%EC%8B%A0&op=translate
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hahn-EUL https://translate.google.ca/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=%ED%95%9C%EC%96%BC%0A&op=translate
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HAHN jee yeun
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[aa]Crash Landing on You