The year 2025 has been a dream come true for romance lovers. Korean dramas this year explored love in all its forms — first love, mature relationships, destiny-driven romances, fantasy love stories, and deeply emotional connections shaped by time and circumstance. Whether you enjoy lighthearted rom-coms or soulful melodramas, 2025 delivered unforgettable romantic stories with powerful chemistry and meaningful storytelling.

Here’s a complete and detailed list of 10 romantic Korean drama series from 2025 that truly stood out.

1. When Life Gives You Tangerines

• Genre: Romance, Slice of Life, Melodrama
• Episodes: 16

Set against the breathtaking landscapes of Jeju Island, this drama tells a lifelong love story that unfolds across decades. The narrative follows Ae-sun, a free-spirited and ambitious woman, and Gwan-sik, a quiet but deeply devoted man. From youthful dreams to adulthood struggles, their relationship evolves through separation, hardship, marriage, and emotional growth.

What makes this drama special is its raw realism — love isn’t always dramatic or flashy here, but gentle, enduring, and painfully human. The performances are heartfelt, and the storytelling beautifully captures how love matures with time.

Why watch:

• Deep emotional storytelling
• Strong character development
• Realistic portrayal of lifelong love

2. The Nice Guy

• Genre: Romance, Drama, Family
• Episodes: 14

This drama explores romance through the lens of family expectations, personal responsibility, and emotional healing. The male lead is a man raised with strict values who constantly sacrifices his happiness for his family, while the female lead is a confident woman trying to break free from her own emotional baggage.

Their romance develops slowly, grounded in trust and emotional understanding rather than instant attraction. The drama beautifully balances love with family conflicts, making it relatable and mature.

Why watch:

• Slow-burn romance
• Strong emotional conflicts
• Mature relationship dynamics

3. The Scandal of Chunhwa

• Genre: Historical Romance
• Episodes: 10

A bold and refreshing sageuk romance, this series centers on Princess Hwa-ri, who refuses to follow royal traditions when it comes to marriage. Determined to choose love over duty, she becomes entangled in a romantic scandal involving two very different men.

With elegant costumes, palace politics, and intense emotional tension, this drama delivers a powerful story about female agency, desire, and forbidden love in a historical setting.

Why watch:

• Strong female lead
• Love triangle with emotional depth
• Visually stunning historical setting

4. Love for Love’s Sake

• Genre: Fantasy Romance, BL
• Episodes: 8

A unique fantasy romance that blurs the line between reality and fiction. The story follows a man who suddenly finds himself inside a virtual world where love, identity, and fate are deeply intertwined. What starts as confusion slowly turns into an emotional journey of self-discovery and romantic awakening.

This drama stands out for its emotional sincerity, soft storytelling, and meaningful exploration of love beyond boundaries.

Why watch:

• Unique fantasy concept
• Emotional Boys’ Love storyline
• Short but impactful episodes

5. You and Everything Else

• Genre: Romance, Slice of Life
• Episodes: 12

This drama explores the complicated emotions between two lifelong friends whose relationship is tested by love, jealousy, and personal dreams. When life throws unexpected challenges their way, buried feelings resurface, forcing them to confront what they truly mean to each other.

It’s a beautifully written story about friendship turning into love, emotional vulnerability, and learning to choose happiness.

Why watch:

• Friends-to-lovers trope
• Strong emotional performances
• Realistic and heartfelt storytelling

6. The First Night with the Duke

• Genre: Fantasy Romance, Historical
• Episodes: 12

A modern woman suddenly wakes up inside the body of a minor character in a historical novel — and after a single night, she accidentally changes the entire story by capturing the heart of the cold and powerful duke.

This drama is packed with romantic tension, humor, fantasy elements, and swoon-worthy moments. It’s playful yet emotional, making it a perfect comfort romance.

Why watch:

• Fun fantasy premise
• Strong romantic chemistry
• Popular novel-to-drama adaptation

7. Tastefully Yours

• Genre: Romantic Comedy
• Episodes: 10

A delightful rom-com where food becomes the language of love. The male lead is a perfectionist executive, while the female lead is a passionate chef who believes cooking should come from the heart. Their clashing personalities lead to hilarious misunderstandings, slowly turning into affection.

The drama beautifully combines romance, comedy, and mouth-watering food scenes, making it a feel-good watch.

Why watch:

• Lighthearted romance
• Food-centric storytelling
• Enemies-to-lovers trope

8. The 4th Love Revolution

• Genre: Youth Romance, Romantic Comedy
• Episodes: 12

Set in a university campus, this drama follows a popular influencer and a socially awkward engineering student who cross paths due to an unexpected incident. As they navigate online fame, academic pressure, and emotional confusion, love slowly blossoms.

The drama captures modern dating culture, digital identity, and young love with humor and warmth.

Why watch:

• Campus romance
• Modern, relatable themes
• Fun and energetic storytelling

9. Head Over Heels

• Genre: Fantasy Romance
• Episodes: 12

Blending romance with destiny and supernatural elements, this drama tells the story of a young woman who discovers she can see fragments of the future. When she meets a man whose fate is tragically sealed, she becomes determined to change destiny — even if it means risking her heart.

It’s emotional, intense, and filled with romantic longing.

Why watch:

• Supernatural romance
• Emotional storytelling
• High-stakes love story

10. Motel California

• Genre: Coming-of-Age Romance
• Episodes: 12

Set in a quiet rural town, this drama follows a woman who returns to her hometown after years away and reconnects with her first love. The motel owned by her family becomes a place where memories, regrets, and unresolved emotions resurface.

The romance here is gentle, nostalgic, and deeply emotional, focusing on healing, forgiveness, and second chances.

Why watch:

• Nostalgic first-love story
• Calm, emotional pacing
• Strong atmosphere and character depth

Romantic Korean dramas in 2025 proved that love stories don’t need clichés to be powerful. From fantasy worlds to realistic slice-of-life narratives, these dramas captured the beauty of love in all its complexities. Whether you’re craving emotional depth, lighthearted romance, or something uniquely magical, this year’s lineup had something special for every drama lover.

If you’re planning your next binge, these 10 romantic K-dramas from 2025 are absolutely worth your time.