There's nothing better than hunkering down and watching incredible feel-good and lighthearted shows like It's Okay To Not Be Okay.
Ranging from beautiful romantic comedies to hilarious and fantastical period K-dramas, audiences can sink into lighthearted K-dramas which are ensured to lift moods and provide a joyful and stress-free experience. Whenever life gets too hectic and TV shows are too bleak, watching a low-stakes K-drama can always provide the perfect escape from reality into a world filled with humor and joy.
15 Our Beloved Summer
Released In 2021
Our Beloved Summer is a romantic coming-of-age K-drama following an ex-couple who reunite after the documentary they filmed in high school goes viral. While the former couple's high school romance ended badly and they vowed never to meet each other again, they're given a chance to reignite the love between them after they reunite.
The tumultuous relationship between Choi Ung (Choi Woo-shik) and Kook Yeon-soo (Kim Da-mi) is a source of constant amusement and conflict.
The simple story in Our Beloved Summer lays the ground for a relatable tale of young love, regrets, and reconciliation. The tumultuous relationship between Choi Ung (Choi Woo-shik) and Kook Yeon-soo (Kim Da-mi) is a source of constant amusement and conflict, making the show an entertaining, grounded, and lighthearted watch.
14 Be Melodramatic
Released In 2019
The romantic-comedy K-drama Be Melodramatic is a heartening exploration of life revolving around the daily lives of three best friends. The thirty-year-old friends Lim Jin-joo (Chun Woo-hee), Hwang Han-joo (Han Ji-eun), and Lee Eun-jung (Jeon Yeo-been) end up working for the same TV show. Be Melodramatic puts the friendship between the three female leads at the forefront and manages to create compelling characterizations and gripping dynamics between the friends and the potential love interests.
Be Melodramatic is a comedy slice-of-life K-drama that effortlessly bounces between hilarity and emotional and poignant messages. With a strong friendship between the trio of girls and beautiful romances, the K-drama cements itself as an incredible feel-good show.
13 Move To Heaven
Released In 2021
Move to Heaven is a uniquely heartwarming, cathartic, and thought-provoking K-drama that revolves around death. The K-drama follows Geu-ru (Tang Jun-sang) and his ex-convict uncle Sang-gu (Lee Je-hoon) as they run their trauma-cleaning business together and clean the rooms of the recently deceased so that grieving families don't have to deal with sorting out the belongings.
While sifting through the belongings of the deceased loved ones, Geu-ru and Sang-gu, are able to piece together clues about their lives and deal with their own grief over Geu-ru's father Jeong-woo's (Ji Jin-hee) sudden death. Despite the bleak premise, Move to Heaven manages to blend heavy topics revolving around grief and death with heartwarming and comforting moments of levity.
12 Yumi’s Cells
Released In 2021
Yumi's Cells is a romantic K-drama that tells the story of a woman healing from her failed relationship through an in-depth exploration of her brain cells that control her emotions, thoughts, and decisions. The defining feature of Yumi's Cells is the usage of animation to depict the distinct and entertaining brain cells that control Yumi (Kim Go-eun).
The clever use of animation to illustrate the brain cells helps provide a deeper insight into Yumi's relationships and personal growth throughout the show and is a source of levity and relatable and hilarious entertainment. With an abundance of dark and gritty K-dramas, Yumi's Cell is an entertaining and lighthearted watch that delves into the intricacies of life and romance in the modern age.
11 Mr. Queen
Released In 2020
Mr. Queen is a zany period drama and comedy series following an arrogant and womanizing chef Jang Bong-hwan (Choi Jin-hyuk) who has a near-death experience and finds himself back in the Joseon period in the body of the future Queen Cheorin, Kim So-yong (Shin Hye-sun). Shin's comedic acting chops as she plays the part of a confused arrogant modern-day man sent back to the past and living in the body of the future queen cements its status as a beloved hilarious K-drama.
Despite being a period drama filled with conflict, court drama, and secrecy, Mr. Queen manages to lighten the mood with comedic hijinks and entertaining character dynamics. Despite the outlandish premise, the acting and compelling plot make Mr. Queen an enjoyable and hilarious K-drama to watch.
10 What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim
Releasde In 2018
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim is a popular romantic comedy K-drama series with the classic falling in love with the boss trope. After Kim Mi-so (Park Min-young), the highly skilled secretary who has worked for the narcissistic vice-chairman of a large corporation, Lee Young-joon (Park Seo-joon) for nine years suddenly quits her job, Young-joon embarks on a mission to win her back and stop her from quitting.
10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim 6 Years Later
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? is well-loved for its great romance and boundless humor, yet that does not mean it’s without its faults.
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim doesn't need an intense plot to hook viewers, as the chemistry between Min-young and Seo-joon is enough to make the series a compelling and entertaining watch. In addition, Seo-joon manages to make Young-joon's narcissism and selfishness endearing and charming rather than frustrating. The hilarious rom-com cements itself as one of the best entertaining feel-good K-dramas with the incredible dynamic between Mi-so and Young-joon.
9 Because This Is My First Life
Released In 2017
Because This Is My First Life is an ensemble K-drama that explores love, marriage, and careers in the modern day. The K-drama follows IT employee Nam Se-hee (Lee Min-ki) and writer Yoon Ji-ho (Jung So-min) after they enter a marriage of convenience and begin living together. Se-hee, Ji-ho, and their friends struggle with building meaningful romantic relationships while juggling their familial obligations and careers.
Because This Is My First Life is an incredible feel-good K-drama that effortlessly balances the stories of three different couples, providing different perspectives on love and marriage.
Because This Is My First Life sets itself apart from other K-dramas with its exploration of social issues like the housing crisis, sexism, and workplace discrimination.
8 Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Released In 2010
The period drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal is set during a time when it was socially unacceptable for women to get educated and be employed. The K-drama follows Kim Yoon-hee (Park Min-young) as she disguises herself as her brother to undertake jobs and help her family. Yoon-hee navigates keeping her identity secret while enrolling in classes and developing feelings for the uptight and high-strung Lee Sun-joon (Park Yoo-chun).
Sungkyunwan Scandal flawlessly blends genres and it is an easy-to-watch K-drama filled with humor, heartwarming friendships, and sweet romances. Despite some minor pacing issues, Sungkyunkwan Scandal remains an entertaining and comforting K-drama due to its compelling characters and relationships.
7 Reply 1988
Released In 2015
Reply 1988 is a nostalgic coming-of-age K-drama following five close-knit friends living in the same neighborhood. The K-drama is the third and final installment of the beloved anthology series Reply. The slice-of-life K-drama is well known for being an authentic and grounded exploration of Korea in the 1980s.
The depiction of growth and complexities of starting adulthood solidifies Reply 1988 as a meaningful and heartening K-drama.
Reply 1988 is a character-focused show where five friends learn to grow and learn throughout the series. With emphasis placed on friendship and familial bonds, Reply 1988 is a lighthearted blend of drama, romance, and friendship. The depiction of growth and complexities of starting adulthood solidifies Reply 1988 as a meaningful and heartening K-drama.
6 Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo
Released In 2016
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is a college coming-of-age K-drama inspired by the real life of Jang Mi-ran, an Olympic gold medalist. The K-drama revolves around badass female lead Kim Bok-joo (Lee Sung-kyung), an ambitious and talented weightlifter following in the footsteps of her father and her friends.
The poignant and beautiful K-drama Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo takes a look at young love, confidence in the face of insecurities, friendships, and the confusing transition to adulthood. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo shines with its ordinariness, with the characters and the conflicts they face being relatable and grounded. With its charming leads, adorable friendships and romances, and strong female characters, the K-drama is a touching and funny feel-good show that never gets old.