Crash Course In Romance is one of my favorite K-dramas as of late. While it's not entirely a light-hearted drama, I loved how it was such an easy watch. I loved the relationships within the Crash Course In Romance ~universe~ because they were all just feel-good ones. I wished it went on for longer.
In case you are like me and missing this show so much, here are a couple of dramas that give off the same vibe as Crash Course In Romance. Hopefully, watching (or rewatching) these dramas can tide us through until our next great K-drama find!
K-dramas like Crash Course In Romance
1. At Eighteen (2019)
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu
At Eighteen follows the story of Jun Woo (Ong Seong Wu), Soo Bin (Kim Hyang Gi), Hwi Young (Shin Seung Ho), and their classmates at Cheongbong High School. The drama depicts the struggles of every high school student but, just like in Crash Course In Romance, it does so in a gentle way. Sure there are still the overbearing moms (Soo Bin's mom in At Eighteen and Su Ah's mom in Crash Course In Romance are both played by Kim Sun Young) who expect their kids to do well in school, but the show puts more of the spotlight on the strength of each student in standing up for themselves. Jun Woo's mom also reminds me of Haeng Son. Their parenting styles are more carefree than the All Care moms, but they're both ready to fight tooth and nail for the welfare of their own kids.
2. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016)
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu
While this drama is in a university setting, I get reminded of the kind of fluffy love Bok Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) and Joon Hyung (Nam Joo Hyuk) have when I see Hae Yi, Sun Jae, and Geon Hu. Theirs is not the toxic kind of love triangle. I love how Geon Hu never forces his feelings on Hae Yi, or even fiercely competes with Sun Jae for her attention (though tbh, I'm #TeamGeonHu lol). I also love how Sun Jae supports Hae Yi in his own ways, even if that sometimes means butting heads with his mom. But outside of this love triangle, I also see Hae Yi, Sun Jae, and Da In's bff-ery in Bok Joo, Sun Ok, and Nan Hee. They're all loyal to each other, fun, quirky, and never afraid to call each other out.
3. Oh My Venus (2015)
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu
I remember watching Oh My Venus and loving the insane chemistry between Joo Eun (Shin Min Ah) and Young Ho (So Ji Sub). But what I love most about this drama is how they portray a mature kind of love. It's the same kind of romance that I feel with Haeng Son and Chi Yeol. They're at that age where playing around no longer makes sense. They are both decisive in what they want and expect from each other, and that's the charm of their relationship, IMO. Sure there are pa-tweetums moments here and there, but it doesn't make it overbearing. If anything, I think it's to make up for the lost time since Haeng Son was busy raising Hae Yi and Chi Yeol was busy building a career.
4. When The Camellia Blooms
Where you can watch it: Netflix
Set in the town of Ongsan, When The Camellia Blooms follows the story of bar owner Dong Baek (Gong Hyo Jin). As a single mother, she is often the talk of the ahjummas in town. It doesn't seem like she has any friends or allies in Ongsan, until police officer Yong Shik (Kang Ha Neul) comes along. He falls head over heels for her and he tries his best to win her over. Dong Baek also shares similarities with Haeng Son in that they are both single moms running their own businesses to give their children a good future. Just like in Crash Course In Romance, When The Camellia Blooms also has a killer on the prowl. Both killers are targeting our female leads. In both cases, Yong Shik and Chi Yeol can successfully keep their damsels safe from harm's way.