[Beanie Recs] Bingeworthy rom-com
by DB Staff
Ahoy, Beanies! It’s time to gather your collective genius for a recommendation series that features you and your drama knowledge. Each week we’ll drop a drama conundrum and leave it up to you to provide a drama rec, and the appropriate rationale behind it, be it long or short. Respond below!
It wasn’t until my binge of Love to Hate You that I realized how much I wanted to sit back and binge a cute rom-com that checked off all the right boxes. Do you guys have any favorite rom-coms that are light, enjoyable, and most of all: bingeworthy?
Have a very particular drama itch that needs scratching? In need of a Beanie Rec? Email us at hello @ dramabeans.com and we’ll feature your topic in a future post.
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Tags: Beanie Recs, Drama recommendations
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1 jerrykuvira
February 16, 2023 at 5:28 AM
Go Back Couple is a good one to start with.
And Business Proposal. And What's Wrong With Secretary Kim. And Crazy Love(some little major trauma in here).
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2 welh
February 16, 2023 at 5:43 AM
The one I just finished this week: DIVORCE LAWYER IN LOVE.
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OldLawyer
February 17, 2023 at 4:26 PM
Great choice.
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3 Midnight
February 16, 2023 at 6:01 AM
Wok of Love
Welcome 2 Life
My Fellow Citizens
Familiar Wife
Deserving of the Name
Switch
Strongest Deliveryman
There are so so many.
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Britney
February 16, 2023 at 6:47 AM
I liked the 2nd couple of strongest deliveryman.
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
February 16, 2023 at 10:53 AM
My Fellow Citizens and Switch are both very fun dramas that I would recommend but they are pretty light on romance.
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zk
May 19, 2023 at 12:17 PM
loved wok of love!
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4 Unaspirated
February 16, 2023 at 6:28 AM
Depends a lot on your preferred flavor of rom com, but the ones I found the most bingeable so far have been:
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?: Light and fun with a great soundtrack and no SLS in sight. Park Seo-joon is adorable and there are great side characters.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: I couldn’t look away from this drama and it remains my fastest full-length drama binge. The soundtrack is one I still listen to repeatedly, and the leads are both mesmerizingly beautiful, which certainly doesn’t hurt. Dark fairy tale vibes galore.
Once Upon a Small Town: Cute fish-out-of-water hijinks and adorable puppies! Short episodes and relatively drama-free, but with some of the best and most mature conversations in the later episodes.
Business Proposal: All the best tropes in all the best ways. Misunderstandings, contract relationships, fake boyfriends, delicious food, and lots and lots of archaeopteryx sounds.
Our Beloved Summer: Again with the soundtrack! Wistful nostalgia, current realities, fun documentary setup, actual good use of time jumps, Choi Woo-sik.
Some that are not the first ones I think of, but still quite bingeable ones might be My Holo Love, Her Private Life, and Touch Your Heart/Reach of Sincerity.
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SEDH
February 17, 2023 at 7:49 AM
Just a note for anyone not familiar with these titles (I've seen them all) - these are great romantic binges but It's Okay is not a comedy - there's quite a bit of trauma in the story. It's a great romantic/healing drama (one of my top 10) but it isn't a light romantic comedy like Business Proposal or Love to Hate you (the OP comp).
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Unaspirated
February 17, 2023 at 9:48 AM
This is fair. I was more focused on the definition of rom-com that just stipulates that the main characters end up in a state of happiness and are together at the end of the drama, but you're right that It's Okay is darker than the others I suggested. Although each of them has some level of trauma present with at least one half of the OTP.
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5 Xpressemu
February 16, 2023 at 7:04 AM
I agree with My Familiar Wife and Touch Your Heart/Reach of Sincerity. Both tout great casts and Center around couples in their late 20s/30s.
My Familiar Wife- Ji Sung and Han Ji Min (with Kang Hanna and Jang Seung Jo supporting) star as an unhappily married couple when Ji Sung’s character gets a chance to relive the day that led him to marrying Han Ji Min instead of Kang Hanna. I liked this show because it didn’t dwell in the past. He relives that day differently and wakes up back in the present married to Kang Hanna, but is the grass really greener? And can old feelings really be forgotten when he ends up working with his previous wife?
Touch Your Heart- Yoo Inna and Lee Dong Wook star as a celebrity and tsundere lawyer, respectively. Thrown together when Yoo Inna’s character starts working as Lee Dong Wook’s secretary as research for a role. Initially, they clash, but will their time together touch their hearts (wink wink)?
You need to binge to find out!
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ar_arguably romantic
February 16, 2023 at 5:21 PM
I was lukewarm about Touch Your Heart since I was watching it with a friend on my phone-get-togethers. I think it would have worked better as a binge so you can just ride the cute fumes without interruption. We did get laughs at how suuupper innocent they were for their 30s.
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Xpressemu
February 16, 2023 at 6:38 PM
I, admittedly, did not finish the drama, lol. I watched it as it aired and I agree with you—I think I would have gone all the way of it was a binge.
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Midnight
February 16, 2023 at 8:43 PM
I binged it, and it was extremely cringey and boring. I couldn't believe I was bored out of my mind watching two of my favorite actors.
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Elinor
February 16, 2023 at 10:37 PM
I dropped it because it was nothing but cute and sugary and that wasn't enough to hold my interest. And I really dislike the trope of characters in their 30s (or older) who are still naive and inexperienced, but even worse is when they act progressively MORE innocent and shy as their relationship supposedly develops.
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ar_arguably romantic
February 17, 2023 at 5:21 PM
I am in my mid/late 30s and my level of inexperience would definitely qualify me for the nunnery, but if the times comes for me to meet my own Lee Dong-wook, you can bet that I will all over him.
6 Blue (@mayhemf)
February 16, 2023 at 7:21 AM
I think rom-com category is such a broad stroke!
I mostly live watch, So, the last drama (prior to Love to Hate you) which I sorta binged was 'So I Married The Anti-Fan'. It was an easy watch, with likable characters and a decent enemies to friends to lovers trope. Of course, some FF was needed, But overall a very light bingeable romcom.
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7 Ally
February 16, 2023 at 8:26 AM
Fated to Love you
Love Rain
Coffee Prince
The Secret Life of My Secretary
Moonlight drawn by clouds
I binged all these and they are all highly watchable.
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8 Gikata
February 16, 2023 at 10:21 AM
Weightlifting Fairy, tho it's more like 50/50 between romcom and youth sport drama. Somehow other romcoms I can recall don't really fit the "light and cute and easy watch" bill. But I rarely search for - and even more rarely find - romance and comedy in the same show, so pls don't mind me and my weird taste)))
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9 Snow Flower
February 16, 2023 at 1:58 PM
Tamra the Island
I am Not a Robot
Weightlifting Fairy
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10 et865
February 16, 2023 at 2:27 PM
Something About 1 Percent
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11 beantown
February 16, 2023 at 2:32 PM
Marriage, not dating!
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
February 16, 2023 at 2:35 PM
Oh yes please. I'll upvote this x 100
Also INAR obvs.
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egads
February 16, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Absolutely second this recommendation.
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Midnight
February 16, 2023 at 8:40 PM
Absolutely third!
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OldLawyer
February 17, 2023 at 4:31 PM
fourth
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12 Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
February 16, 2023 at 2:34 PM
I found Jealousy incarnate/Don’t dare to dream hysterical but not everyone liked the male leads attitude in the initial stages and he has a health scare.
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egads
February 16, 2023 at 7:31 PM
I really enjoyed Jealousy Incarnate. I should rewatch and see if it holds up.
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Midnight
February 16, 2023 at 8:13 PM
The male lead is one of my most favorite characters ever. I can argue for days why I think he was NEVER a jerk, but each to their own, and save energy 😄
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PYC
February 18, 2023 at 8:46 AM
He is not a jerk but wants people to see him as a jerk. One of the best thrashed out male characters ever.
And JI is even better on rewatch. I simply love it.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
February 18, 2023 at 8:55 AM
I have never rewatched a drama but just reading through certain comments about my favourites makes me consider doing just that. My hope would be that I would re experience the joy that certain scenes evoked first time round but my worry some dramas won’t have aged well or with more awareness I won’t be able to unsee certain elements. I think I would catch things I would have missed first time round when I didn't know much about Korean culture, the use of tropes and K dramaland generally. So, I fight the urge and keep the memories but it is so hard when I read threads like these.
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Midnight
February 18, 2023 at 9:42 AM
I don't really overthink this. I love rewatching and rereading. If I'm not enjoying it as much as the first time I simply stop. It is very rare that I have disliked a show after having loved it the first time around. I usually love it even more.
But it must be noted that I usually rewatch shows in a few months. Rewathing a show for the first time after for example 8 years is probably not a very good idea. A lot could have changed in 8 years.
PYC
February 18, 2023 at 7:15 PM
You can always stop but you’d love and appreciate a drama that stands the test of time more. It could be just as enjoyable as the first run.
Midnight
February 18, 2023 at 9:26 AM
THANK YOU!
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13 MikeyD signed up
February 16, 2023 at 2:40 PM
When I think 100% pure unadulterated feel good rom-com the first show that comes to mind is 'Oh My Venus'. Second is 'Fight My Way'. Third is 'The Producers'. And of course 'Marriage Not Dating'.
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Britney
February 16, 2023 at 5:16 PM
I liked Oh my venus
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Midnight
February 16, 2023 at 8:15 PM
Marriage not Dating! One of my favorite binges!
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14 aicaramba
February 16, 2023 at 3:10 PM
I might not be the best judge of bingeable shows because I generallly binge-watch (I hate having to wait every week!), but here goes...
Super duper short
-Splash Splash Love
-Love Cells
I see some of my faves already recommended by fellow beanies here
-Marriage, Not Dating
-Fight My Way
-Weightlifting Fairy
I'll add
-Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
-Witch's Romance
-100 Days My Prince
-Beautiful Gong Shim
-Flower Boy Next Door
-True Beauty
-Hometown Chachacha
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OldLawyer
February 17, 2023 at 10:39 PM
How could I have forgotten BEAUTIFUL GONG SHIM?
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15 MikeyD signed up
February 16, 2023 at 4:10 PM
Are ghost stories rom-coms? are serial killer stories rom-coms? Are lawyer shows rom-coms? Are magic fantasy stories rom-coms? Are time travel or alternate universe stories rom-coms? Are family dramas rom-coms? Just because a series has a love line for the leads doesn't necessarily make it a rom-com. I think a lot of series should be excluded from this topic because whatever they may be they weren't romantic comedies.
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16 latebloomer
February 16, 2023 at 4:44 PM
Some that haven't been mentioned yet:
Secret Life of My Secretary
The Man Living in Our House
Twentieth Century Boy and Girl
Top Star Yoo Baek
Already mentioned:
Something about One Percent
Strongest Deliveryman
Deserving of the Name
I'm Not a Robot
100 Days My Prince
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung
Dali and the Cocky Prince
Once Upon a Small Town
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parkchuna 🍉
February 16, 2023 at 5:42 PM
I love it whenever someone mentions Top Star Yoo Baek! So Min was so funny in her satoori..add to that the horrible subs (at the time) i had a good time watching it 😂
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latebloomer
February 16, 2023 at 7:50 PM
I forgot 30 But 17!
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beffels
February 16, 2023 at 8:43 PM
30 but 17 is lovely!
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zk
May 19, 2023 at 12:33 PM
loved dali and the cocky prince, one of those rom coms where you can actually feel how much the couple actually likes each other, that they delight in spending time together, if you know what i mean
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17 ar_arguably romantic
February 16, 2023 at 5:36 PM
Lots of great ones mentioned! Just want to throw in:
Romance is a Bonus Book: there are two main couples and a side couple. Takes place at a publishing house. A very warm rom-com.
Greatest Love: has-been girl group member (Gong Hyo-jin, rom-com queen) and arrogant superstar (Cha Seung-won). The song, "Dugeun Dugeun", still plays in my head.
Master's Sun: Ghost-seeing girl (Gong Hyo-jin again) and CEO of a shopping mall. The ghosts disappear when she touches him. Not an excuse for skinship at all...
My Girl: A contract...cousin! Rich guy (played by Lee Dong Wook) hires a grifter (Lee Da-hae) to pretend to be his long lost cousin. Lots of hilarity.
Because this Is my first life: Cohabitation/Contract Marriage contract because housing is expensive! There are actually 3 couples sort of figuring out what marriage means for them.
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beffels
February 16, 2023 at 8:43 PM
Greatest Love is my favourite ❤️
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18 tabong
February 16, 2023 at 5:39 PM
I haven't watched Love to Hate You but if you ask for light, fun, romantic and bingeworthy I think of:
Ho Gu's Love
1% of Something
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Shopping Wang Louie
Gaus Electronics
Fight For My Way
Top Star Yoo Baek
Jugglers
Coffee Prince
Couple or Trouble
Still 17
Waikiki
Flower Boy Next Door ❌
The Best Hit
Shows that aren't THAT light or hilarious since they are more inclined to the slice of life genre (or drama) than comedy, but they're still pretty romantic.
Run On
It's Okay to Not Be Okay❌
Yu Mi's Cells (only season 1)
Mad For Each Other ❌
Be Melodramatic ❌
Because This Is My First Life
Go Back Couple
I would also recommend family dramas even if they're not bingeworthy for most people because of their length. BUT I think these shows have such nice couples and they're so cute and warm. Family dramas can be really good tbh. And I've watched some of these shows in just two or three days tbh (so yeah, for me they are bingeworthy).
What's Wrong With My Family
Smile You
Once Again
Reply 88
Five Children
With ❌ are the shows that deal with heavy stuff that could trigger some people. So if you really want something completely light maybe you should skip them.
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19 LaurenSophie
February 16, 2023 at 5:51 PM
Fight My Way. I wish I could go back in time and binge that one for the first time again. So good.
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20 technicat
February 16, 2023 at 6:02 PM
My Girl
Fantasy Couple
Oh Hae Young
Fight My Way
Risky Romance
Heart to Heart
Mystery Queen
What's Wrong With Secretary Kim
Marriage, Not Dating
Gaus Electronics
Lie to Me
Haeundae Lovers
Let's Eat
Father Is Strange
Wild Romance
Her Private Life
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Midnight
February 16, 2023 at 8:23 PM
Forst time I have seen someone other than myself recommending Wild Romance! I love it and have rewatched it hundreds of times, though I wouldn't count it as light romcom.
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technicat
February 16, 2023 at 8:29 PM
Yeah, I feel it is so underrated! Although I have to admit I find the last few episodes drag a bit.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
February 16, 2023 at 9:23 PM
It was so good in the beginning but the end was draggy and boring and finally stupid.
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21 MikeyD signed up
February 16, 2023 at 10:04 PM
So many of the dramas being mentioned are of the 'Watch 3/4 the way through then just quit' variety. More precisely, at the point where the noble idiocy/forced separation trope kicks in. Its always in the same spot, as though everyone's following the same scriptwriting template.
The one series I did like the forced separation trope was in the delightful but little-seen Shin Ye-eun rom-com 'More Than Friends', because it was made into a genuine integral part of the story, not just a trope to follow.
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22 jillian
February 16, 2023 at 11:49 PM
In no particular order: Touch Your Heart, Mr Queen, Our Beloved Summer, You Are Beautiful (oldie but still a goodie), Whats Wrong With Sec Kim, Weightlifting Fairy KBJ, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Love In the Moonlight
Short Dramas: Splish Splash Love, Wednesday 3pm, To.Jenny
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23 Isa is always time travelling
February 17, 2023 at 12:18 AM
I usually binge-watch every kind of k-dramas, so I'll recommend my favorite rom-coms, the ones that some days made me lose hours of sleep.
- Flower Boy Next Door (16 episodes).
- To. Jenny (2 episodes).
- Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (16 episodes).
- The best hit (16/32 episodes).
- Go Back Couple (12 episodes).
- Yumi's cells 1 (14 episodes).
- My Holo Love (12 episodes).
- Secret Garden (20 episodes).
- Shopping King Louie (16 episodes).
- The Happy Loner (2 episodes).
- Vivid romance (20 really short episodes).
Honorable mentions: Because this is my first life, The Package, Business Proposal, My first first love, 30 but 17.
I have seen that some beanies have suggested Live Up to your name (Deserving of the name), one of my favorite dramas ever. I'm not sure if it's a rom-com, even though it has comedy, romance and I definitely binge-watched it in two days. Of course I recommend it if you don't mind having to go through some painful situations.
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24 lillamy
February 17, 2023 at 12:06 PM
I Am Not A Robot is quite possibly my favorite rom-com.
But there is also Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon, The Day of Becoming You and Jealousy Incarnate who are great swoony and fun dramas.
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25 too_much_tv
February 17, 2023 at 2:06 PM
These are the ones I've watched more than once:
Because This is My First Life
Our Beloved Summer
Hogu's Love
Touch Your Heart
30 But 17 (but is that a rom/com? I guess the beginning is really funny!)
Some of the favorites others have listed didn't do anything for me, or I didn't think they were rom-coms. Or I like part of the show and other parts are really uncomfortable--for instance, Another Miss Oh has so much to recommend it but also some really out there stuff. I think this is one of those de gustibus non disputandum things.
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