How can we describe the beauty that comes from K-dramas filled with melancholy and romance? “Way Back Love” has joined a select list of shows that are able to mix fantasy, nostalgia, and the reality of life in a unique way that makes you both love them and cry for them. Even if stories like this one don’t have a fairytale-like ending, they are able to pull the strings of viewers’ hearts and leave us with a meaningful lesson. If you are a die-hard fan of shows that make you tear down and also make a long-lasting impression, here are some K-dramas that you’ll definitely love.
1. “Radiant”
This 2019 K-drama, also known as “The Light In Your Eyes,” tells the story of Kim Hye Ja (Han Ji Min), a young woman who struggles to make her dream of becoming a news anchor come true. However, as typical as this topic might be, Hye Ja isn’t an ordinary person, since she has the ability to go back in time with a magical watch. Nonetheless, playing with time always comes with a price, so she tries her best to never use the watch again. That is, until her father gets into an accident and she has no other choice but to turn back time to save him. And in consequence, she finds herself turned into an old woman overnight.
Aside from the struggle of losing her youth, Hye Ja (Kim Hye Ja) has to fight to save the life of Lee Joon Ha (Nam Joo Hyuk), the man she falls in love with and who gets involved in a complicated situation after losing his family. In a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected plot twists, this story helps you realize the weight of the decisions we make in life, the importance of living without regrets, and the power of family love. With the wide talent and experience of Kim Hye Ja and Han Ji Min, you will get to explore the marvelous and realistic story of this K-drama, turning it into an unskippable show.
Watch “Radiant” here:
2. “Uncontrollably Fond”
If we are talking about star-crossed lovers, then there are no others like Shin Joon Young (Kim Woo Bin) and No Eul (Suzy). After losing her father in a tragic and unfair hit-and-run accident, No Eul makes it her life’s mission to uncover the corruption behind the people who handled the case, without even wondering how this will affect their lives. Years later, she meets Joon Young again, this time in very different circumstances. Though they appear to be living in two different worlds, one being a famous actor and singer while the other is a videographer barely making ends meet, their fates are more intertwined than they ever thought.
As if that weren’t complicated enough, Joon Young hides a big secret from No Eul: he has a brain tumor and will die very soon. However, before dying, he wishes to fulfill No Eul’s wish to bring justice to her family. And by doing so, they find a way to love, even if it is doomed to end too soon. Although you might know that this show will break your heart, the thick plot, fantastic acting, and undeniable chemistry between the cast will make you keep watching throughout the 20 episodes of this show. Furthermore, watching this is the perfect way to wait for Suzy and Kim Woo Bin’s upcoming K-drama “Genie, Make A Wish“!
Watch “Uncontrollably Fond” here:
3. “Youth of May”
Sometimes tragedy can present itself in the form of an accident, a disease, or even life itself. But in this K-drama, it comes from the heavy political situation of the time. Set in one of the most complicated historical moments during the ’80s in South Korea, “Youth of May” presents Hwan Hee Tae (Lee Do Hyun), a young medical student who tries to live peacefully and out of political conflicts until he meets and falls in love with Kim Myung Hee (Go Min Si), a hardworking nurse who carries a painful past on her shoulders. Together, they find the happiness they always dreamed about. However, fate takes them into an unfortunate ending.
From the very beginning, the plot is charged with a tense and melodramatic tone, which could make it a difficult watch for some people. Nonetheless, the romance between Hee Tae and Myung Hee gives it a strong feeling of optimism that reminds us that even when everything seems to be going against you, hope and faith can be enough to make us get through it. By the end of this K-drama, you will realize that apart from the tears, this show has given you a way to believe in the power of love, friendship, and kindness.
Watch “Youth of May” here:
Also binge-watch “Way Back Love” on Viki:
Hey Soompiers! Have you watched any of these shows? Let us know which is your favorite melancholic K-drama in the comments below!
Andy zar is an avid drama watcher, from K-dramas to C-dramas, she believes any weekend is a good weekend to enjoy 12 hours of binge-watching dramas. She loves romance, web comics, and K-pop. She is a declared “Subeom” and “Hyeppyending.” Her favorite groups are EXO, TWICE, and BOL4.
Currently watching: “Crushology 101”
Plans to watch: “Filter“
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