Lovestruck in the City: A Modern Romance that Feels Real
What happens when two hearts collide in a city that never stops moving? Lovestruck in the City takes a sharp turn from your typical fairy-tale K-drama, diving deep into the messy, complicated, and painfully honest side of love. If you’ve ever loved and lost—or simply tried to date in a big city—this one’s going to hit different.
Streaming on Netflix, this 17-episode gem feels like a documentary meets romance drama. With a unique storytelling format and realistic characters, it’s a K-drama that speaks to millennials, Gen Z, and basically anyone who’s been through the emotional rollercoaster called love.
The Story: Raw, Real, and Relatable
Set against the backdrop of Seoul’s fast-paced life, Lovestruck in the City follows six individuals as they open up about their love lives through candid “interviews.” Think of it like reality TV meets scripted drama. Each episode gives us snippets of their romantic pasts—full of misunderstandings, heartbreaks, and the magic of fleeting connections.
At the center of the story is Park Jae-won (played by Ji Chang-Wook), an architect who falls hard for a mysterious woman he meets while vacationing by the beach. Her name? Yoon Seon-a (played by Kim Ji-Won). She’s free-spirited, wild, and nothing like the women Jae-won is used to.
But here’s the twist—Seon-a isn’t even her real name. She’s actually Lee Eun-oh, a woman escaping her old life and pretending to be someone else just for a little while. When she disappears without a trace, Jae-won becomes obsessed with finding her in the city, not knowing he’s already unknowingly met her again.
It’s messy, it’s modern, and it’s oh-so-relatable.
The Characters You’ll Fall For
Park Jae-won (Ji Chang-Wook)
An emotional, hopeless romantic who believes in deep, meaningful love. Jae-won’s heartbreak feels personal, and Ji Chang-Wook brings a vulnerability to the role that’s hard to forget.
Lee Eun-oh / Yoon Seon-a (Kim Ji-Won)
A woman running from her own reality. She wears her freedom like armor but hides a heart full of regrets. Kim Ji-Won portrays her with the perfect mix of mystery and emotion.
Choi Kyeong-jun (Kim Min-seok)
Jae-won’s cousin and colleague, more logical in love but still deeply caring. His steady relationship is a nice contrast to the stormy Jae-won–Eun-oh arc.
Seo Rin-yi (So Joo-yeon)
A quirky, passionate free spirit who lives in the moment. Her on-screen chemistry with Kyeong-jun is low-key adorable.
What Makes It Stand Out?
The Mockumentary Style: This isn’t just traditional drama. The characters speak directly to the camera, creating a documentary-like vibe that makes you feel like you’re part of their friend group. The interviews give raw insights into their feelings—sometimes funny, sometimes gut-wrenching.
Honest Take on Modern Love: Lovestruck in the City doesn’t sugarcoat relationships. It shows ghosting, miscommunication, long-distance issues, and the anxiety of seeing an ex. It’s not always glamorous, and that’s exactly why it works.
Bite-Sized Episodes: Each episode is around 30 minutes, perfect for binge-watching without burning out. It’s like snacking on a K-drama instead of committing to a full-course meal.
The Chemistry: Ji Chang-Wook x Kim Ji-Won
The leads have undeniable chemistry. Their beach scenes feel like a dream, and their later confrontations are so charged, you can practically feel the tension through the screen. Ji Chang-Wook’s heartbreak is so convincing, and Kim Ji-Won’s emotional conflict is deeply relatable. They both shine individually, but together—they’re electric.
Reason to Watch
Absolutely, yes—especially if:
You’re tired of cliché love triangles.
You crave character-driven stories.
You’ve been through a situationship and need to feel seen.
You want something light but meaningful.
This drama might not have dramatic chaebol twists or evil mother-in-laws, but it has heart—and sometimes, that’s enough.
Final Thoughts
Lovestruck in the City is a refreshing breath of air in the K-drama world. It’s a love letter to urban romantics—those who’ve been heartbroken, healed, and still believe in love. With a relatable storyline, realistic characters, and a unique storytelling format, it deserves a spot on your watchlist.
Don’t expect fairy tales. Expect truth, raw emotion, and characters who feel a lot like you and me.
Have you watched Lovestruck in the City?Let us know your favorite moment in the comments or on our socials @cravingfordrama. And for more heartfelt K-drama recaps, stay tuned to Craving for Drama!
Featured Image by: @kdramadiary