23-04-2025
10 K-drama friendships that define ultimate loyalty and unbreakable bonds
'Hospital Playlist'
Above Friendship goals (Photo: tvN)
The story revolves around the tight-knit friendship of the 99s—five doctors who entered medical school together in 1999. Practically inseparable since day one, Lee Ik-jun (Jo Jung-suk), Chae Song-hwa (Jeon Mi-do), Kim Jun-wan (Jung Kyung-ho), Ahn Jeong-won (Yoo Yeon-seok) and Yang Seok-hyeong (Kim Dae-myung) spend their days working together at Yulje Medical Centre and their nights jamming as a band in Ahn Jeong-won's basement. Their friendship is defined by the kind of familiarity that comes from decades of shared history, struggles, triumphs, love and loss…everything but Jun-wan's snacks.
Don't miss: 8 slice-of-life K-dramas with no villains—just love, growth and healing 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo'
Above They've got 'swag.' (Photo: MBC)
Lee Sun-ok (Lee Joo-young), Kim Bok-joo (Lee Sung-kyung) and Jung Nan-hee's (Cho Hye-jung) endearing friendship transcends their shared love for weightlifting. Through laughter, tears and literal sweat, they've proven that they are more than just teammates, they're also each other's biggest cheerleaders. And whether they're cheering each other on in a competition, encouraging one another to finish a bowl of naengmyeon or navigating love, their friendship goes beyond lifting weights—it's about lifting each other up. 'Study Group'
Above School buddies (Photo: IMDb)
When Yoon Ga-min (Minhyun) set out to start a study group, his goal was simple: improve his academic standing to secure a spot in his dream university. What he didn't expect, however, was to find a group of fiercely loyal friends who would change his life far beyond the classroom.
Each member of their study group started as a loner, quietly navigating the challenges of high school life on their own. But what their friendship teaches them is that burdens are much lighter when shared, and school bullies are easier to face when you've got someone in your corner.
Don't miss: 6 cliffhangers that make K-drama viewers impatient for the second season of 'Study Group' 'Lovely Runner'
Above The very definition of bromance (Photo: tvN)
More than just someone who's around to provide comic relief, Bae In-hyeok (Lee Seung-hyub) is a constant in Ryu Sun-jae's (Byeon Woo-seok) life, no matter the timeline. Whether he's mercilessly teasing him, serving as Sun-jae's hypeman, accidentally ruining a romantic moment or even butting heads with him as a fellow Eclipse bandmate, they share a bromance tested by time—and time travel.
See also: 9 of the most memorable K-drama weddings 'Itaweon Class'
Above The DanBam Squad (Photo: JTBC)
Itaewon Class ' DanBam Squad is a group of oddballs and misfits who find strength in their differences and come together to chase a shared dream. At the heart of their unconventional crew is Park Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo-joon), who's less of a boss and more like the head of their found family.
Their workplace friendship goes beyond sales and profits. More than just coworkers, they become the kind of family you fight for—and the kind that fights for you. Together, they weather hardship, personal growth and the uphill battle of building something meaningful in a cutthroat world. 'King the Land'
Above Friends and roomies (Photo: JTBC)
Beyond the swoon-worthy love story, another standout element of the drama is the friendship between roomies Cheon Sa-rang (Im Yoon-ah), Oh Pyeong-hwa (Go Won-hee) and Kang Da-eul (Kim Ga-eun). The trio faces career struggles and relationship drama with humour and heart. From living room karaoke sessions to public bathhouse visits and trampoline park misadventures, their camaraderie is instantly familiar to anyone who's ever been part of a close-knit group of girlfriends. 'Thirty-Nine'
Above Celebrating female friendships (Photo: JTBC)
The K-drama celebrates the decades-long friendship of three women on the cusp of turning 40. Cha Mi-jo (Son Ye-jin), Jung Chan-young (Jeon Mi-do) and Jang Joo-hee's (Kim Ji-hyun) deep love for each other illustrates how vital it is to have female friends you can grow old with—someone you can walk into the next chapter of your life with and who shares the same struggles and fears. Their relationship is tested in the many ways old friendships usually are, but they get through with honesty, a lot of heart and not a small amount of humour. 'Reply 1988'
Above Childhood friends (Photo: IMDb)
Set in the small neighborhood of Ssangmun-dong in the late '80s, the K-drama revolves around the friendship of Sung Duk-sun (Lee Hye-ri), Kim Jung-hwan (Ryu Jun-yeol), Sung Sun-woo (Go Kyung-pyo), Ryu Dong-ryong (Lee Dong-hwi) and Choi Taek (Park Bo-gum), examining the deep bonds these childhood friends have formed as they try to navigate adolescence and early adulthood.
It takes viewers on a nostalgic trip back to simpler days when afternoons were spent with friends. It's a tribute to the lifelong bonds formed in youth that stay with you into adulthood, even when life pulls you in different directions.
See also: 7 memorable roles played by Park Bo-gum in dramas and films 'Business Proposal'
Above The ultimate besties (Photo: SBS)
True friendship is agreeing to your friend's harebrained ideas even though you know they'll probably get you in trouble. And that's exactly what Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-jeong) does for her bestfriend Jin Young-seo (Seol In-ah). That alone tells you the kind of friendship they have is built on deep trust and unconditional support. Their connection is effortless and genuine, free from jealousy and judgment.
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