Top 14 Best Melodrama K-Dramas To Have On Your Watchlist (2024 Update)

While it's always fun to laugh along to your favorite romantic comedies, some days require a spectrum of emotions that make you sentimental and reflective. It's important to remain strong and continue moving forward, however, some K-Dramas serve as a gentle reminder that it's okay to be vulnerable and that they'll be right there with you.

For K-Drama fans, there's an influx of melodramas that do just that. They serve as a swift-acting vehicle, able to bring you into a space of all-encompassing sadness. There, you're allowed you to bare your soul and receive some much needed healing. As you soak in the rays of cathartic comfort, you'll enter a rollercoaster ride of fluctuating emotions that feels just right.

If you're looking for a gut-wrenching K-Drama to binge through the night, then you've come to the right place. Check out these amazing melodramas that you should definitely add to your watchlist.

Note: This list was first published in 2023 and updated several times with new releases. Latest update: December 2024. This list is not a ranking.

1. "I'm Sorry, I Love You"

KBS

Cast: Lim SooJung, So JiSub, and more

Summary: With only 3 months to live, Cha MooHyuk (So JiSub) ends up traveling to Korea in search of his birth mother. Despite growing up homeless and alone, as well as discovering an influx of secrets around his family, he finds an unexpected source of happiness through Song EunChae (Lim SooJung).

Watch Because: While there's tender romance and a sprinkle of smiles, "I'm Sorry, I Love You" is a heartrending melodrama to its core. Both Lim SooJung and So JiSub deliver a breathtaking performance that will pierce through your heart and bury itself into the very crevices of your soul. As they navigate their relationship while tackling the many obstacles that stand in their path, don't be surprised if you find yourself gasping for air from the shock and heartache.

2. "Stairway To Heaven"

SBS

Cast: Choi JiWoo, Kwon SangWoo, Shin HyunJoon, Kim TaeHee, and more

Summary: Cha SongJu (Kwon SangWoo) and Han JungSeo (Choi JiWoo) are childhood sweethearts, but are inevitably separated due to an unexpected car accident. Having lost her memory and going under a different name, JungSeo reappears right in front of SongJu. Seeing her, he's overcome with feelings of yearning for his first love and tries everything possible to recover her lost memories.

Watch Because: "Stairway To Heaven" is one of the early blueprints of the K-Dramas that we know and love today. Swamped with themes of memory loss, intense yearning, and a conniving step-family, the SBS drama has all the makings of a rollercoaster ride ready to take you on the trip of your life. Within 20 episodes, you'll become fully immersed in Cha SongJu (Kwon SangWoo) and Han JungSeo's (Choi JiWoo) complicated love story. Prepare some snacks, tissues, and the emotional support pillow, because you will surely need it all.

3. "That Winter, The Wind Blows"

SBS

Cast: Zo InSung, Song HyeKyo, Kim Beom, Apink's Jeong EunJi, and more

Summary: What starts off as an attempt to steal riches from the wealthy PL Company, slowly becomes a story of heartbreaking romance. Cold and distant Oh Soo (Zo InSung) finds himself falling for the blind Oh Young. What lies ahead is a story full of heartache and tragedy, putting both main leads through a series of intense trials and hardship.

Watch Because: Zo InSung and Song HyeKyo's acting is phenomenal and will have you completely immersed in the drama from start to finish. Everything from their delivery, interactions with other characters, and electrifying chemistry will have you coming back for more. The tears will come to an end, but the feelings of sorrow will remain, making "That Winter, The Wind Blows" a true testament to the melodrama genre.

4. "Uncontrollably Fond"

KBS

Cast: Kim WooBin, Suzy, and more

Summary: Once in love during their younger years, Sin JoonYoung (Kim WooBin) and No Eul (Suzy) meet once again as adults. No Eul is tasked with filming a documentary about the celebrity, Sin JoonYoung. While their reunion is filled with bickering, another opportunity at love starts to burn bright for the two. With the remaining time Sin JoonYoung has left to live, he loves No Eul with all his heart.

Watch Because: Despite being a source of never-ending tears, "Uncontrollably Fond" will do its best to minimize the pain as much as possible. As they grow to love one another once more, you'll be enamored by Sin JoonYoung and No Eul. Kim WooBin and Suzy's chemistry is nothing short of amazing, and you'll be applauding their performance with a stack of tissues in hand.

5. "Just Between Lovers"

JTBC

Cast: 2PM's Lee JunHo, Won JinA, and more

Summary: "Just Between Lovers" is a tale of two survivors of a tragic accident. Lee KangDoo (JunHo) and Ha MoonSoo (Won JinA) face the ghosts of their past together, all while making great strides to a brighter and happier future.

Watch Because: "Just Between Lovers" serves as a stark reminder of the fleetingness of life and that every moment is special. It tackles heavy topics like the aftermath of trauma and the idea of moving on while still honoring the lives of the deceased. Lee JunHo and Won JinA do a magnificent job in portraying their characters and the amount of loss they continue to feel. They show that grief is a never-ending process, however, that should not prevent us from living our life to the fullest.

6. "Do You Like Brahms?"

SBS

Cast: Kim MinJae, Park EunBin, and more

Summary: While pursuing her dreams of classical music, Chae SongAh (Park EunBin) arrives at a crossroads: to continue on her path or give it all up for something else. She meets Park JoonYoung (Kim MinJae), a famous pianist who suddenly decides to take a break. They form a relationship of heartfelt support and tender romance that tugs on all of your heartstrings.

Watch Because: Romance seems like an afterthought in "Do You Like Brahms?". The drama does extremely well in tackling the pursuit of dreams, the harsh reality of it, and the necessity of a support system. All throughout, you find yourself silently cheering for both Chae SongAh and Park JoonYoung as they discover what's best for them. No matter the choice, despite the two being fictional characters, you'll feel an overwhelming sense of pride in witnessing their growth.

7. "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes"

tvN

Cast: Seo InGuk, Jung SoMin, Park SungWoong, and more

Summary: Kim MooYoung (Seo InGuk) has no recollection of his past and is considered a suspect in a murder case. The detective in charge, Yoo JinGook (Park SungWoong), has a younger sister named Yoo JinKang (Jung SoMin) whom he desperately wants to protect. However, she meets Kim MooYoung and their tragic love story begins as the two discover their lives are intricately intertwined.

Watch Because: Among recent melodramas, "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" has left a sizeable impact that has not left since its original showing. It is ripe with dizzying twists and turns that raise all sorts of questions. However, the drama provides all the answers necessary to fully make sense of the emotion-filled series. As the sorrow of Kim MooYoung and Yoo JinKang's lives unfold, you start to feel for them and wish nothing more than their eternal happiness. While tragedy is so apparently on the horizon, you'll want to remain to know its extent and the happy moments that are sprinkled in between.

8. "Mr. Sunshine"

tvN

Cast: Lee ByungHun, Kim TaeRi, Yoo YeonSeok, Byun YoHan, Kim MinJung, and more

Summary: Choi YooJin (Lee ByungHun) was originally born into a servant family. However, as a child, he becomes a stowaway and ends up in the United States. He becomes a respected U.S. marine officer and finds himself back in Korea. He meets and starts to fall for an aristocrat's daughter, Go AeSin (Kim TaeRi) while simultaneously discovering a plot by foreign forces to colonize Korea. He is faced with the heavy task of choosing between duty and love.

Watch Because: "Mr. Sunshine" is an extremely moving period piece filled with poignant scenes of intense yearning. While separated by their national duties, Choi YooJin and Go AeSin find solace within each other. They become a source of comfort and an escape from the looming dread of their responsibilities to both themselves and the people around them.

9. "When The Weather is Fine"

JTBC

Cast: Park MinYoung, Seo KangJoon, Lee JaeWook, Kim HwanHee, Im SeMi, and more

Summary: It tells the heartwarming romance of Mok HaeWon (Park MinYoung) and Im EunSeob (Seo KangJoon). When HaeWon goes down to her hometown, a village called BukHyeonRi, she finds out that EunSeob runs an independent bookstore. They meet again, providing feelings of comfort and romance.

Watch Because: "When The Weather Is Fine" will provide the perfect amount of wholesome comfort in any season. Despite its snowy backdrop, you'll be filled with an abundance of warmth that will spread all throughout your body. Mok HaeWon and Im EunSeob's relationship is filled with a sincere and tenderhearted sincerity that will tinge every part of your soul. Park MinYoung and Seo KangJoon do an excellent job in portraying their story, immersing viewers in a world of relief and reassurance.

10. "Tempted"

MBC

Cast: Woo DoHwan, Red Velvet's Joy, Mun KaYoung, Kim MinJae, and more

Summary: Kwon ShiHyun (Woo DoHwan) made a promise to the woman he wants to marry Choi SooJi, he will take revenge for her. He bets his life to seduce Eun TaeHee (Joy), a cold-hearted girl that does not believe in love. In those games of seduction and revenge, every character ends up in serious situations, such as discovering what is love.

Watch Because: "Tempted" is a rollercoaster ride that you must make sure you buckle in beforehand. While it starts off as a bet, Kwon ShiHyun finds himself slowly falling for Eun TaeHee and desires to be by her side. This sudden shift will have you pleading at your screen for their happy ending. Keep the popcorn and tissues close, because with this drama you'll surely need both.

11. "My Liberation Notes"

JTBC

Cast: Lee MinKi, Kim JiWon, Son SukKu, EL, and more

Summary: “My Liberation Notes” set in Sanpo Village, depicts the lonely life of three unbearably rustic siblings and the mysterious man who moves into their neighborhood.

Watch Because: Upon its premiere, "My Liberation Notes" arrived at the hearts of millions and broke them upon entry. A mixture of slice-of-life, slow-burn, and melodrama, the JTBC series is extremely cathartic right down to the very last episode. It slowly pulls you into the daily life of the three siblings, shining a bright light to the mundane and the beauty in the little things. By the end of the drama, even you will feel a sense of freedom and liberation as you enter into tomorrow with a new perspective and appreciation on life.

12. "Call It Love"

Disney+

Cast: Lee SungKyoung, Kim YoungKwang, Sung Jun, EXID's HaNi (Ahn HeeYeon), Kim YeWon, and more

Summary: “Call It Love” tells the story of a man and a woman who are tired of their harsh reality and grow to understand each other with new emotions that cause them to change.

Watch Because: "Call It Love" does not hold back its punches and presents a cast that is beautifully flawed. Despite all their faults, they continue to put one step in front of the other in order to live out lives of fulfillment and joy. While based on plans for revenge, the progression of Shim WooJoo (Lee SungKyoung) and and Han DongJin's (Kim YoungKwang) relationship is oddly mystifying, causing viewers to excitedly anticipate how their relationship will progress. There's romance, sure, however, "Call It Love" is filled with soul-crushing emotion that might have you heaving in tears. After a good cathartic cry, you'll end up back on your seat, ready to continue the rest of this enthralling drama.

13. "What Comes After Love"

Coupang Play

Cast: Lee SeYoung, Sakaguchi Kentaro, and more

Summary: "What Comes After Love" is a story of two people who fall in love and eventually break up, only to meet again years later.

Watch Because: Like many melodramas before, "What Comes After Love" is a rollercoaster of emotions, ready to bring you through a gripping journey in just 6 episodes. The main couple in Choi Hong (Lee SeYoung) and Jung Aoki (Sakaguchi Kentaro) faces a whole wave of difficulties from language barriers to cultural differences. Despite this, however, they fall in love and even after a hard breakup, are unable to move from one another. It's a fairly easy binge that will have you yearning for more in the end.

14. "Dear Hyeri"

ENA

Cast: Shin HaeSun, Lee JinWook, and more

Summary: Explores the relationship of Joo EunHo (Shin HaeSun) and Jung HyunOh (Lee JinWook), as they navigate various traumas and reconcile with their past selves. Through the series, they also repair their broken relationship and allow themselves to love once again.

Watch Because: "Dear Hyeri" is an absolute whirlwind that will make your head spin every few seconds. But as you settle in, you'll find that it's a heartfelt and touching drama that explores the depths of depression, mental health, and allowing ourselves to be loved. The characters are in no way perfect, but it is in their flaws and the casts portrayal of this that draws viewers in. At times it can be hard to watch due to the raw emotion, but you won't regret it one bit.

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