7 K-Dramas That Make The Most Of The Fake Marriage Trope
Something to binge tonight.
The fake relationship trope is one of the most soap opera-like. It is hard to imagine the conditions that would make you agree to date, let alone marry, someone you feel nothing for.
But in the magical world of romantic dramas, such a trope can create a compelling love story where two people are first forced to cohabitate and then gradually realize that their feelings are real.
If you are a fan of this trope, K-dramaland has some shows that take it to new levels of storytelling.
Something About 1% (2016)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Where to stream: Viki
Jae-in is an arrogant and ruthless CEO of a hotel chain and heir to a huge fortune. When his grandfather wants to teach him a lesson in compassion, he pushes Jae-in to go on a date with a simple school teacher, a very kind woman. Under the threat of losing his inheritance, Jae-in agrees to the fake relationship, which turns out not to be what he expected.
100 Days My Prince (2018)
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Where to stream: Viki
Set in the Joseon era, the story follows a crown prince who loses his memory after an assassination attempt and is placed in the care of a commoner whose daughter is required by law to marry as soon as possible. To save the girl from physical punishment, her father takes advantage of the prince's amnesia and convinces him that he is her long-lost fiancé.
Because This Is My First Life (2017)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Viki, VIX
Se-hee is a quirky computer designer with a house he can't afford, and Ji-ho is a broke writer in desperate need of a place to live. They agree to a two-year marriage of convenience, living as landlord and tenant. But their platonic cohabitation becomes harder and harder every day.
Business Proposal (2022)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Where to stream: Netflix
Ha-ri agrees to go on a blind date instead of her friend to scare off a potential suitor. But the suitor turns out to be her boss, who desperately needs a girlfriend to please his grandfather. He is even willing to pay Ha-ri a lot of money for fake dating.
My Demon (2023)
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Where to stream: Netflix
Do-hee is a rich heiress and the strong-willed CEO of a large corporation. Gu-won is a 200-year-old demon who makes tempting soul-binding contracts with humans and has lost his powers. The situation leads to a contract marriage between the two, but will it help Gu-won get his powers back?
The Story of Park's Marriage Contract (2023)
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Where to stream: Viki
Yeon-woo is a recently widowed young woman from the 19th century who travels to the year 2023 when someone tries to kill her. In the future, she meets Tae-ha, an exact copy of her late husband, and agrees to become his fake wife.
Perfect Marriage Revenge (2023)
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Where to stream: Viki
Yi-joo is part of a dysfunctional wealthy family whose members frame her for a serious crime and order her murder. But she gets a second chance when she suddenly wakes up one year before the tragic events. Yi-joo decides to take revenge, which is only possible through a fake marriage.