There's nothing that'll satisfy your inner romantic quite like movies about love. Even if you're a major romance movie buff and have seen every love story cliché play out on screen, there will always be those rom-coms and romantic dramas that never fail to give you butterflies—no matter how cheesy they might be. And in our humble option, this is especially true for Korean romantic movies. Romantic K-dramas and Korean rom-coms have a certain indescribable charm that we simply cannot resist, and while part of it is in the storytelling, there's always the beauty of South Korea in the backdrop, which will get ya every time. And let's not forget about all the handsome oppas. What's not to love??
The next time you're looking for a cute picker-upper or a heavy drama that'll make you cry your eyeballs out, we suggest checking out a few of the best Korean romantic movies of all time. These lovey-dovey romance flicks from South Korea will have even the most cynical viewer believing in true love again, trust—and if you're in the mood for something a lil' less sappy, then we've got our top picks for Korean thriller movies for you to peruse as well.
Must-watch romantic Korean movies on Netflix:
1. 20th Century Girl
Set in 1999, this rom-com revolves around a teen who agrees to keep tabs on her bestie's crush...never expecting that she'll end up falling for that crush herself.
2. Sweet And Sour
Based on the novel Initiation Love by Kurumi Inui, this sweet rom-com follows a couple as they attempt to make their long-distance relationship work despite several challenges—and while that sounds totally predictable, it comes with a VERY unexpected plot twist.
3. Love And Leashes
In this ~risqué~ rom-com, a woman with BDSM fantasies decides to enter into a consensual, contractual relationship with her co-worker after he finds out her secret, and it's a lot more playful and lighthearted than it sounds, promise.
4. Tune In For Love
In this swoon-worthy romance set in the '90s, a student and a teenager have a chance to meet at a bakery, where they discover an instant connection—and yet, from that moment, fate seems determined to keep them apart.
5. Be With You
In this K-drama, a man becomes a single father after tragically losing his wife—though before she dies, she promises to come back on a rainy day one year later. And by some miracle, she does come back...only she's lost all of her memories.
6. On Your Wedding Day
In this sweet flick, a man receives an invitation to his ex's wedding 10 years after their breakup, which causes him to revisit all the ups and downs of their epic romance to figure out where they went wrong.
7. Always
Always tells the story of a hardened ex-boxer working as a parking lot attendant and the blind young telemarketer who wanders into his booth one day and manages to open up his heart. Just trust us—it's adorable.
8. The Beauty Inside
This unique drama revolves around Woo Jin, who wakes up every day as a different person—but no matter how he changes physically, one thing never changes: He's in love with Yi Soo. Luckily, she has feelings for him, too (despite the whole body-changing ordeal).
9. The Last Princess
Part action flick, part romantic drama, The Last Princess retells the true story of Princess Deok Hye, the last princess of the Joseon Dynasty who was forced to move to Japan under colonial rule, and Kim Jang Han, the (somewhat fictional) Korean independence fighter who planned her rescue.
10. Untold Scandal
This very racy romance is set in 18th-century Korea during the Joseon dynasty, following a manipulative noblewoman as she makes a bet with her womanizer cousin that he can't bed an innocent young woman. Cruel Intentions walked so this movie could run.
11. Empire Of Lust
Set in 1398, this period romance revolves around the supreme commander of the recently-established Joseon Dynasty, who decides to risk everything he's earned after falling in love for the very first time.
12. The Princess And The Matchmaker
In this comedy, a princess refuses to marry any of the four men that her family has deemed suitable for her, instead deciding to escape the palace in search of true love. Ofc, things don't exactly go according to plan.
13. Crazy Romance
This little indie gem follows two co-workers embittered by love—a man who recently called off his engagement and a woman who was cheated on by her ex—as they decide to start something new with each other.
CHECK OUT THESE K-DRAMA REVIEWS:
'Vincenzo' Is Probably The Best K-Drama I've Ever Seen, Here Are All My *Feelings*
'Our Beloved Summer' Is A Sweet Reminder That Nothing Is More Important Than The People You Love
Trust Us, 'All Of Us Are Dead' Is The *Must-Watch* Zombie K-Drama You Shouldn't Miss
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This article originally appeared on Cosmopolitan. Minor edits have been made by Cosmo.ph editors.