I don’t actually LOVE romance dramas! The more likely story is that I’m super picky, not a fan of the frustration they inevitably cause me, and would rather avoid them altogether. Even when I think I enjoy one at the time, I end up looking back on it like, “man, that was wack.” LOL. I’ve been burned too many times!
Usually when someone recommends a drama to me (or others), I cry a little on the inside when I come to find out it’s a romcom or heavy on the romance. I can’t help but think that there’s so much more to watch! I remember a time when I was just dipping my toes into k-dramas, and one of the best recommendations I received was to watch Vampire Prosecutor. It had exactly what I could enjoy in a drama; a compelling mystery, a great cast, and no romance. The supernatural element was a unique touch, too. That means no crazy interloping in-laws or rivals, noble idiocy, or other inane gestures that are supposed to be “sweet”. Being a jerk? Wrist grabs? Controlling or pushy behavior? Keep it!
Even when a drama is popular for supposedly doing things the right way (Because This Life Is Our First is one that immediately comes to mind), I’m just sort of like… meh. Let me tuck into a drama about cults instead. Lately I’ve also realized that I prefer my romance to be the icing on the cake rather than the whole entree. Mystery Queen had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it hint of a romance, two leads with great chemistry, and I ate that shit up haha. I love when dramas flirt around with the idea of a relationship without pushing it, because why ruin a good thing? (The Best Hit, I’m looking at you.)
So, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, here are some rare favorites of mine (’cause I’m not that heartless!)
- Queen In-hyun’s Man (2012)
- For very freaking obvious reasons (see here).
- Moonlight Drawn By Clouds (2016)
- This threw my “I like my romance subtle” credo out the window. They were laying it on SUUUUUPER thick. This drama made my heart flutter! Sometimes you just want a drama that makes you feel that way, and this did BIG TIME. At times I felt a little immature for watching it but whatever lol. If you don’t know what a “honey gaze” is, just watch Park Bogum in this drama and learn!
- Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu (2016)
- I sort of lamented that Japan didn’t have any romance dramas I could get into (despite having an aversion to them), and then THIS happened. Forced cohabitation and fake marriages aren’t anything new in romance dramas but something about NigeHaji felt so relatable, fresh, and modern. A healthy, respectful relationship in a drama? What a concept!
- PRIDE (2004)
- If NigeHaji is modern, then this is as classic as it gets. Kimutaku did a lot of romance dramas in his early days (and he should go back to doing them IMO), but this one is my favorite. If you couldn’t already tell, it’s hard for me to watch dramas revolving around topics I just don’t like, and I don’t like hockey. It took me a while before I sucked it up and watched Pride, and I’m glad I did. He and Takeuchi Yuko absolutely burn it up. Their romance, their characterizations… it was just so good. So effortless!
- Tomorrow With You (2017)
- This was actually the drama Lee Minki was supposed to do before he got embroiled in an sexual assault scandal (he later took on BTLIOF instead). I was shocked when I found out this drama wasn’t popular with a lot of people, and I can see why it wouldn’t be. Sojoon, a time traveler, initially only married Marin — who just wants to be loved — so that he could avoid a fatal future for himself. SELFISH!
- I think, on a human level, they were obviously attracted to each other (very obviously lol), and they got very swept up in dating and (suddenly) getting married. What made this drama so interesting to me was not the supernatural, but the reflective/emotionally raw nature of it and the fact that it explores the AFTER. The story of a couple doesn’t end at the altar, and I liked being able to see these two adults work through their problems and grow to truly, deeply love each other.
- Strawberry Night (2012)
- ALRIGHT KIDS. I know I’m getting a little abstract here (this drama is not even a romance), but this is exactly that chemistry I was talking about. The relationship between Himekawa and Kikuta is, to put it lightly, legendary. The respect. The fondness. The tacit understanding. Is there anything more beautiful than knowing another person’s needs without even having to ask? So the movie might have shattered Kikuta’s heart into a million pieces (and probably mine too, but who can resist Osawa Takao looking like a snack in that all black suit? WHO?), but we’ll always have the drama + SPs forever. Spoiler alert: you might come out of your Strawberry Night experience as a new Nishijima Hidetoshi fan. BEWARE.
- Unmei ni, Nita Koi (2016)
- This drama refreshed the rich man/poor woman AND younger man/older woman script in a lot of ways, and while it didn’t exactly unseat my reigning favorites in those categories it was such a strong showing from Kitagawa Eriko (who has been on my shit list since Sunao ni Narenakute). You can read more of my thoughts on it here!
- Boku no Yabai Tsuma (2016)
- Because nothing says romance like wanting to kill your wife with acqua pazza and steal her inheritance… or faking your own kidnapping/attempted murder to get back at your husband for cheating on you and plotting to steal your money. :’)