This ‘friends to lovers’ trope is a classic for a reason: watching the slow burn of affection transform into romance is always captivating. Korean dramas (K-Dramas) have a knack for taking universal themes and spinning them into heartfelt stories. One of the most beloved tropes in the K-Drama universe is the “friends to lovers” storyline.
It’s a journey filled with nostalgia, laughter, and emotional depth, capturing how love blossoms from familiarity and shared history. Here’s a deep dive into the “friends to lovers” theme, followed by a closer look at four iconic K-Dramas that embrace this trope: Fight for My Way, Reply 1988, Love Next Door, and She Was Pretty. Let’s unwrap their storylines, where to watch them, and what makes them unforgettable.
1. Fight for My Way
Fight for My Way follows Ko Dong-Man and Choi Ae-Ra, lifelong friends stuck in the grind of adulthood. Dong-Man is a former taekwondo champion working a mundane job, while Ae-Ra dreams of becoming an announcer but settles for a department store job. Their lives take a turn when they decide to pursue their forgotten dreams. Along the way, their platonic friendship evolves into a heartfelt romance, showing that love often resides in the comfort of familiarity.
Key Episode:
Episode 12 marks a turning point when Dong-Man and Ae-Ra’s mutual feelings surface during an emotional confrontation. This is when their transition from best friends to lovers becomes undeniable.
Where to Watch: Available on Viki and Netflix.
Also Read: From Hate to Heartthrob: Must-Watch Enemy to Lovers K-Dramas
2. Reply 1988
Set in the late 1980s, Reply 1988 is a nostalgic journey through friendship, family, and young love. It centers around five childhood friends living in the same neighborhood. Among them, Deok-Sun, the cheerful protagonist, shares a particularly close bond with Jung-Hwan and Choi Taek. The series unravels who among the two wins Deok-Sun’s heart, encapsulating the beauty of growing up together.
Key Episode: Episode 18 holds the emotional climax, as the love triangle takes a decisive turn. Jung-Hwan’s silent feelings and Taek’s straightforward approach create a bittersweet revelation of love born from friendship.
Where to Watch: Stream it on Viki or Netflix.
3. Love Next Door
Love Next Door revolves around Yoo Ji-Hoon and Han Na-Eun, childhood friends who reconnect as neighbors in their late 20s. While Ji-Hoon struggles with a breakup, Na-Eun becomes his confidante. Their playful camaraderie evolves into romantic tension as they rediscover their bond in a new light.
Key Episode: Episode 6 captures a heartfelt confession during a rainstorm, symbolizing the emotional shift in their relationship.
Where to Watch: Catch it on iQIYI and YouTube (official K-Drama channels).
4. She Was Pretty
This drama tells the story of Kim Hye-Jin, a once-beautiful girl who faces hardships and reconnects with Ji Sung-Joon, her childhood best friend turned successful editor. Hye-Jin hides her identity due to insecurity about her appearance. The story is a heartwarming journey of rediscovery as Sung-Joon recognizes the person behind the facade.
Episode 9 is pivotal when Sung-Joon begins to sense Hye-Jin’s true identity, igniting a spark that rekindles their childhood connection.
Where to Watch: Available on Viki and Amazon Prime Video.
5. Soundtrack #1 (2022)
This short but impactful drama centers around Han Sun-woo, a rising photographer, and Lee Eun-soo, a witty lyricist. Best friends for nearly two decades, their bond is tested when they start living together for two weeks to work on a music project. As they collaborate, unspoken feelings come to the surface, and Sun-woo’s quiet love for Eun-soo grows harder to conceal. This story beautifully portrays the delicate balance between friendship and romance, accompanied by a touching soundtrack that mirrors their emotional journey.
- Episodes: 4 episodes
- Where to Watch: Disney+
- Release Date: March 23, 2022
6. More Than Friends (2020)
Ten years of unrequited love and missed opportunities define the relationship between Kyung Woo-yeon and Lee Soo. Woo-yeon has long admired her best friend, Lee Soo, but his aloofness and emotional baggage have always kept them apart. As fate keeps bringing them together, the story unfolds with emotional twists, misunderstandings, and moments of clarity. This drama highlights the beauty and frustration of timing and how love finds its way when the heart is truly ready.
- Episodes: 16 episodes
- Where to Watch: iQIYI, Viki
- Release Date: September 25, 2020
7. Happiness (2021)
While not a traditional friends-to-lovers story, “Happiness” stands out for its unique blend of genres. Yoon Sae-bom and Jung Yi-hyun are childhood friends who enter into a marriage of convenience to secure a new apartment. As they face a deadly virus outbreak together, their bond deepens amidst the chaos. Their partnership evolves from mutual reliance to heartfelt romance, set against the backdrop of a thrilling apocalyptic scenario.
- Episodes: 12 episodes
- Where to Watch: Viki
- Release Date: November 5, 2021
8. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (2016)
A feel-good coming-of-age drama, this story revolves around Kim Bok-joo, a weightlifting prodigy, and her childhood friend Jung Joon-hyung, a talented swimmer. As they reconnect in college, their playful camaraderie evolves into a tender romance. Bok-joo’s journey of self-discovery, coupled with Joon-hyung’s unwavering support, makes this drama a delightful watch. The series perfectly captures the innocence of young love and the importance of pursuing one’s dreams.
- Episodes: 16 episodes
- Where to Watch: Netflix
- Release Date: November 16, 2016
9. Hospital Playlist
The story revolves around five friends who met in medical school and have maintained a close-knit bond over 20 years. They all work at Yulje Medical Center and share a passion for music, playing in a band together after work. The show highlights their daily lives, friendships, romantic developments, and struggles as doctors. One of the central friends-to-lovers arcs is between Dr. Chae Song-hwa and Dr. Lee Ik-jun. Their slow-burn relationship evolves beautifully as Ik-jun, harboring feelings for years, finally confesses. Song-hwa, initially unsure due to their deep friendship, gradually reciprocates his feelings.
- Episodes:
2 seasons, each with 12 episodes. Episodes were released weekly on tvN from March 12, 2020, to September 16, 2021. - Where to Watch:
Streaming on Netflix globally.
10. Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Set between 1998 and 2021, this drama explores the lives of Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin, who meet during the IMF crisis. Hee-do is an ambitious fencing prodigy, and Yi-jin is a young man rebuilding his life after his family goes bankrupt. Their friendship grows through shared dreams and struggles. While the show portrays their individual growth, it also beautifully captures the moment their friendship blossoms into love. Their bond is deeply emotional, bittersweet, and realistic, reflecting the challenges of timing and circumstances.
- Episodes:
16 episodes, aired on tvN from February 12 to April 3, 2022. - Where to Watch:
Streaming on Netflix globally.
11. Romance is a Bonus Book
This drama is a delightful mix of romance and career growth. Cha Eun-ho, a successful writer and editor, has been friends with Kang Dan-i since childhood. Dan-i, a former copywriter struggling to find work after a divorce, secretly takes a low-level job at Eun-ho’s publishing company. As they work together, Eun-ho realizes his feelings for Dan-i are more than friendship. Their journey from being supportive friends to navigating their romantic feelings is heartfelt and relatable, with the backdrop of the publishing industry adding charm.
- Episodes:
16 episodes, aired on tvN from January 26 to March 17, 2019. - Where to Watch:
Streaming on Netflix globally.
12. Welcome to Samdalri
Set in the picturesque fictional town of Samdri, this heartwarming drama focuses on two lifelong friends, Jin Yeon-joo and Park Hyun-jae. Yeon-joo is a coffee shop owner with a passion for art, while Hyun-jae is a reserved fisherman who secretly dreams of becoming a writer. Their friendship faces a turning point when Yeon-joo starts dating someone else, forcing Hyun-jae to confront his hidden feelings. A series of town events and small-town charm bring them closer, making them realize that their deep connection was always love disguised as friendship.
- Episodes:
12 episodes, aired on KBS2 from May 5 to July 21, 2023. - Where to Watch:
Available on Viki with subtitles.
13. Reply 1997
Set in the nostalgic 1990s, “Reply 1997” revolves around Shi-won, a headstrong and energetic fangirl of a boy band, and her group of high school friends in Busan. The drama intertwines their teenage years with their adult lives, focusing on their growth, relationships, and love stories.
The central romance is between Shi-won and Yoon-jae, her childhood friend. As they navigate their high school years, Yoon-jae harbors feelings for Shi-won but hesitates to confess. Their friendship is tested when a love triangle involving another friend, Tae-woong, complicates matters. Through heartwarming flashbacks, the story explores how friendships evolve into something more meaningful.
Episode Count: 16 episodes
Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki
14. A Love So Beautiful
This heartwarming tale follows Shin Sol-i, a cheerful and persistent high school girl, as she openly expresses her love for her childhood friend Cha Heon, a reserved and academically brilliant boy. Despite Cha Heon’s aloof demeanor, their bond deepens over time as he begins to reciprocate her feelings.
The drama also introduces Woo Dae-sung, a talented swimmer who becomes a part of their lives and develops feelings for Sol-i, creating a classic love triangle. The story spans their high school and adult lives, showing how their relationships and dreams evolve.
Episode Count: 24 short episodes (approx. 20 minutes each)
Where to Watch: Netflix
15. Run On
Ki Seon-gyeom, a retired track athlete, meets Oh Mi-joo, a witty and independent subtitle translator. Despite their different worlds, they form an unlikely friendship that gradually blossoms into love.
Seon-gyeom struggles with societal expectations and his past, while Mi-joo helps him discover his own identity. Meanwhile, their friends, Seo Dan-ah (a cold but vulnerable CEO) and Lee Young-hwa (a free-spirited artist), have their own compelling romance. The drama beautifully portrays the challenges of love, communication, and self-discovery.
Episode Count: 16 episodes
Where to Watch: Netflix
16. Because This Is My First Life
Nam Se-hee, a stoic and logical IT professional, ends up sharing his house with Yoon Ji-ho, an aspiring screenwriter, due to unexpected circumstances. Though initially strangers, their pragmatic decision to enter a contract marriage sets the stage for a unique relationship.
As they navigate their unconventional arrangement, they develop a genuine connection, questioning their beliefs about love and life. The show also explores the relationships of their friends, touching on themes like gender roles, societal expectations, and personal dreams.
Episode Count: 16 episodes
Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki
Conclusion
“Friends to lovers” K-Dramas strike a chord because they resonate with our deep-seated desire for love rooted in trust and companionship. These dramas remind us that sometimes, the love of our life is closer than we think—perhaps just a friend away. Whether you’re a seasoned K-Drama enthusiast or new to the genre, these stories are perfect for binge-watching sessions filled with laughter, tears, and heart-fluttering moments.
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.