Slow burn love stories are great. But when you get invested in a couple, you want to see them actually spend happy time together after they finally confess their feelings to each other.
Unfortunately, many K-dramas don't provide this satisfying development. The main couple usually starts a serious relationship in the finale and the show ends. It's almost as if the showrunners don't know what to do with the characters once they finally get romantically involved.
Fortunately, there are some happy exceptions. Here are seven K-dramas that give their lead couple's relationship enough screen time for viewers to enjoy.
Shooting Stars (2022)
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Viki
He is a top Korean actor, she is the team leader of his PR agency and his swoon enemy. While we get a glimpse of how the entertainment industry works, the couple’s growing feelings and then relationship is the focus of the series.
Her Private Life (2019)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Viki
The relationship between a museum curator and her boss begins as a fake dating when she needs his protection. But the more they get to know each other's quirks, the more they realize they are truly in love. And since they spend all their time together, we get to enjoy this affair longer than usual.
True Beauty (2020)
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Where to stream: Viki
This coming-of-age story is primarily about a girl who tries to improve her 'ugly' appearance by using makeup when she transfers to a new school. But there's a strong romantic arc that hits viewers right off the bat, and when the lead couple officially starts dating in the middle of the show, you can't help but root for them.
My Demon (2023)
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Where to stream: Netflix
The pairing of a cold conglomerate heiress and a 200-year-old evil demon is highly unlikely. But My Demon makes it impossible to turn away. And the amount of screen time the couple gets together is truly satisfying.
It's Okay, That's Love (2014)
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Where to stream: Prime Video, Viki, Kocowa+
The love story of a mystery novelist and a rookie psychiatrist begins as a bickering match between two people who can't see eye to eye. But they soon realize how compatible they are and spend a lot of time healing each other's deep-seated wounds. The drama is a bit older, but the conversations still have a refreshingly liberating feel to them.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Where to stream: Netflix
After her life goes awry, big-city dentist Yoon Hye-jin moves to an idyllic seaside village. There she meets new friends and, of course, a love interest. The relationship starts about halfway through the series, but even before that the leads do a lot of things together.
Flower of Evil (2020)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Viki
The drama revolves around the relationships and secrets of a married couple, who are also the main characters, so as you can imagine, they spend all their time together. Cha Ji-won is a detective who investigates a serial murder case and discovers that her own husband may be hiding something dark from her.