9 romantic K-dramas where the male lead fell in love first—and fell the hardest

Tatler Asia

28-05-2025

Han Beom-woo from 'Tastefully Yours'
Above Han Beom-woo (Kang Ha-neul) has mastered the art of yearning in the romantic comedy K-drama 'Tastefully Yours'. (Photo: screencap from 'Tastefully Yours', Netflix)
He may be all business and have questionable motives in the beginning, but it doesn't take long for Han Beom-woo (Kang Ha-neul) to fall for Mo Yeon-joo (Go Min-si) in Tastefully Yours . In keeping with the enemies-to-romance trope, their playful bickering soon gives way to something more. The stolen glances, the lingering looks and an unexpected kiss reveal that, despite his efforts to stay detached, their incessant teasing has blossomed into a full-blown romance.
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Above Gu Won (Lee Jun-ho) can't help falling in love with Cheon Sa-rang (Yoona). (Photo: JTBC)
The first encounter between Gu Won (Lee Jun-ho), heir to the King Group, and Cheon Sa-rang (Yoona), the ever-smiling star employee of King Hotel, is anything but romantic. In fact, it barely qualifies as cordial. He has a deep aversion to fake smiles, while she's made a career out of perfecting hers. But in true romantic K-drama fashion, her warmth and sincerity gradually chip away at his frosty exterior. Sa-rang doesn't just get under his skin—she becomes his sole reason for smiling. Kang Tae-moo from 'Business Proposal'
Above In the K-drama 'Business Proposal', a fake blind date leads to romance. (Photo: SBS)
When Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-jeong) agrees to pose as her friend on a blind date, her only goal is to scare off a suitor. What she doesn't expect is to find herself face-to-face with her company's CEO, Kang Tae-moo (Ahn Hyo-seop). Even more shocking? He proposes marriage. It's all part of a ploy to get his matchmaking grandfather off his back—but as their ruse unfolds, it's Tae-moo who falls first, and hardest, for the intriguing, unpredictable woman who crashes into his carefully ordered world in the romantic K-drama sleeper hit Business Proposal . Yang Gwan-sik from ''When Life Gives You Tangerines'
Above There's no doubt that Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) fell first and fell harder. (Photo: IMDb)
Yang Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) has been in love with Oh Ae-sun (IU) ever since they were kids. From making sure she gets her fair share of fish at every meal to swimming an ocean to be with her, he has devoted himself to Ae-sun's comfort and happiness. Though his love initially seemed unrequited, even met with disdain, his quiet devotion, steady presence and unwavering love ultimately soften Ae-sun's resolve and win her heart.
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Above The dramatic reveal that he not only fell hard but that he also fell first had fans swooning. (Photo: MBC)
Paik Sae-on (Yoo Yeon-seok) may appear cold and unfeeling—especially to his wife, Chae Soo-bin (Hong Hee-joo)—but viewers soon discover there's far more beneath his icy exterior. Not only did he orchestrate their arranged marriage to save her from an unfortunate fate, but he's also been in love with her since childhood. A touching flashback reveals that he fell first, and hard, carrying a silent, unwavering affection for years. His love may have been hidden behind a stoic mask, but it was always steadfast and deeply sincere. Jung Hyi-yun from 'Happiness'
Above Jung Hyi-yun (Park Hyung-sik) goes from childhood friend to husband to love of Yoon Sae-beom's (Han Hyo-joo) life. (Photo: tvN)
Jung Hyi-yun (Park Hyung-sik) has been quietly carrying a torch for Yoon Sae-beom (Han Hyo-joo) since high school. Failing to return his affections, Hyi-yun is content just to be in her life, even if it's as a friend. When she proposes an arranged marriage as a means to secure an apartment, he agrees without hesitation. It's only when their lives are upended by a zombie outbreak that Sae-beom begins to truly understand the depth of his feelings—and just how much he means to her, too. Han Sun-woo from 'Soundtrack #1'
Above Yoon Sae-beom (Han Hyo-joo) makes his way out of the friend zone. (Photo: IMDb)
Yoon Sae-beom (Han Hyo-joo) may see Jung Hyi-yun (Park Hyung-sik) as just a friend, but he's been in love with her since their high school days. Afraid of making things awkward and losing her altogether, he chooses to keep his feelings to himself. Later, audiences learn that although he fell first—and fell harder—she, too, had developed feelings beyond friendship. Missed opportunities and unspoken words kept them apart, making their slow-burning romantic K-drama all the more bittersweet. Lee Su-ho from 'True Beauty'
Above Lee Su-ho (Cha Eun-woo) loved Im Ju-gyeong (Moon Ga-young) pre glow-up. (Photo: tvN)
After being bullied relentlessly for her looks, Im Ju-gyeong (Moon Ga-young) reinvents herself with the help of makeup and becomes the top beauty at her new school. When she runs into school heartthrob Lee Su-ho (Cha Eun-woo) sans makeup, she's afraid he'll expose who she really is. What she doesn't expect is that he'd fall for the real her. But a quick flashback to their past shows how Su-ho was intrigued by and drawn to her way before her glow-up, connected by a shared love for manga and a deep understanding of loneliness.