7 upcoming romantic K-dramas that will set your hearts fluttering

King the Land

Credit: Netflix

1/7

Starring: Yoona from Girls Generation, Jun-ho from 2pm

The plot: It’s a classic enemies-to-lovers romance – Gu Won (Junho) is a wealthy chaebol heir to a luxury hotel empire. One day, he crosses paths with Cheon Sa Rang (Yoona), a hotelier working in one of his family’s hotels who always has a smile on her face due to the nature of her job. Gu Won immediately dislikes her, believing she conceals her true self behind fake smiles.

Premiering: June 17, on Netflix

Durian’s Affair

Credit: Viu

2/7

Starring: Park Joo-Mi, Choi Myoung-Gil

The plot: If you love dramatic soap operas, this one’s for you. Renowned scriptwriter Phoebe (Im Sung Han), known for her previous melodrama hits like New Tales of Gisaeng and Love (Ft. Marriage And Divorce), is returning with a new fantasy romance drama.

The storyline travels through time, and follows the well-off Dan family as their lives get intertwined with two mysterious women who claim to be from the past.

Are there any actual durians involved in the plot? We’ll find out soon enough.

Premiering: June 24, on Viu

Heartbeat

Credit: KBS

3/7

Starring: Ok Taecyeon from 2PM, Won Ji-An, Yoon So-hee, Park Kang-Hyun

The plot: Half-human and half-vampire Seon Woo-hyul (Taecyeon) desires to be a human, but he missed his chance on the very one day he is able to do so every 100 years. Fate leads him to eventually move in with Joo In Hae (Won Ji-An), a seemingly heartless woman who, despite being human, is devoid of humanity.

Premiering: June 26, on Amazon Prime Video

Destined with You

Credit: Netflix

4/7

Starring: Jo Bo-ah, Ro-woon from SF9

The plot: In this classic K-romance saga, Jang Shin-yu (Korean boy band SF9’s Rowoon) is a successful and charismatic lawyer who seemingly possesses everything, and yet he finds himself plagued by a lingering family curse. The key to breaking the spell? Lee Hong-jo (Jo Bo-ah), who’s an unassuming civil servant turned saviour.

Premiering: Third quarter of 2023, on Netflix

A Time Called You

Credit: Netflix

5/7

Starring: Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, Kang Hoon

The plot: In this highly-anticipated remake of the classic Taiwanese romance Someday or One Day, Han Jun-hee (Jeon Yeo-been) is still mourning the loss of her boyfriend, a year after his passing. She manages to travel back to 1998, and wakes up as 18-year-old Kwon Min-ju. As she grapples with her new reality, she meets Nam Si-heon (Ahn Hyo-seop), a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to her late boyfriend.

Premiering: Third quarter of 2023, on Netflix

Doona!

Credit: Netflix

6/7

Starring: Bae Suzy, Yang Se-jong

The plot: Won-jun (Yang Se-jong), an unassuming college student, unexpectedly crosses paths with Doona, a former K-Pop sensation, who’s played by real-life former K-Pop star Suzy. Doona has retired from her glamorous days, and is embarking on a new chapter in life. As fate would have it, they become housemates and start growing closer – but can their connection withstand the cruel pressures of fame?

Premiering: Fourth quarter of 2023, on Netflix

Ask the Stars

Credit: tvN

7/7

Starring: Lee Min-ho, Gong Hyo-jin

The plot: This first-of-its-kind space romance drama stars actor Lee Min-ho as Gong Ryong, a Korean OB/GYN, who books a trip to the space station as a tourist. There, he meets Eve Kim (Kong Hyo-Jin), a Korean-American astronaut.

Premiering: Fourth quarter of 2023, on tvN