[Beanie Recs] Filling the King the Land void
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!
So King the Land is over, and now I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m not saying that it was that amazing or anything from a critical perspective, but it was so happy and swoony and fun, and I want to keep those feels going. So! What should I watch next? (Is there even another rom-com out there with such little drama in it?)
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.
RELATED POSTS
- [Beanie Recs] Dramas with the long-lost mom trope
- [Beanie Recs] Covering for paranormal characters
- [Beanie Recs] Just want Junho
- [Beanie Recs] Bold females that take the lead
- [Beanie Recs] A good (quality) scare
- [Beanie Recs] Agonizing love story, please
- [Beanie Recs] Time-bending mothers and daughters
- [Beanie Recs] Number crunchers
- [Beanie Recs] Dramas about manhwa artists
- [Beanie Recs] Filling the Taxi Driver void
- [Beanie Recs] Capers and heists
![[Beanie Review] Light Shop](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/LightShop_reviewb.jpg)
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
August 9, 2023 at 5:22 AM
First, a disclaimer: I dropped KTL after five eps. But I definitely understand the appeal. As far as tone, romance, and low-angst, I'd recommend 1% of Something (normal girl and chaebol contract romance turns real). Pretty fluffy, and pretty romantic. Although there's lots of manufactured angst, if you're looking for a heaping helping of cheese with your romance, I recommend Cinderella and Four Knights. If you want fluffy AND cheesy, then give Good Job a try! It's hard to access, and I'm not sure where it's currently available, but Top Star Yoo Baek also fits the bill. Good luck!
Required fields are marked *
lapislazulii
August 9, 2023 at 5:34 AM
Seconding the Cinderella and the Four Nights suggestion - my go to for cheesy, tropey romance (with a healthy dose of second lead syndrome, or at least for me!!).
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
August 9, 2023 at 5:43 AM
... and third lead syndrome, and fourth... lol 😂
Required fields are marked *
Ziziboice
August 10, 2023 at 1:56 AM
Yes I loved all 4 boys and SMH when half of the drama passed writer found another match for Ahn jeahyun and made lee jungshin the third one of love triangle and as a Cnblue fan I can't complain 😁
Required fields are marked *
lapislazulii
August 10, 2023 at 4:01 AM
HAHAH that's so fair, I found out about CNBLUE through this drama!!
1MoreDrama
August 9, 2023 at 4:58 PM
2nd lead syndrome?! Never! Jung Ilwoo is sooooooooooooooooooooo sexy and gorgeous in this. I watched this when I first started kdramas, and it turned me into a JIW fan. Although the drama was really irritating (that mopey woman character, and the fact that we lost the chairman’s mission storyline that was actually kind of cute), I rewatch just for the cuteness of Ilwoo and Park So Adam. And Ilwoo. Did I mention Ilwoo? 😂
Required fields are marked *
lapislazulii
August 9, 2023 at 5:07 PM
I mean yes he is BUT not going to lie Ahn Jae-hyun's brand of 'aloof and full of himself playboy who's actually more sensitive than he's letting on' had me going 😍 And I liked the bickering and banter between these two in the initial episodes, esp when he was making a point to keep up the engagement ruse 😂
Mopey woman was really annoying, I kind of hate how they took her character arc and tied it to Hyun-min.
Required fields are marked *
1MoreDrama
August 9, 2023 at 5:46 PM
Ahn Jae-Hyun is good with the sort of self deprecating humor. I enjoyed his role in My Love From Another Star as well. I liked him in the first episode or two but kept saying to my mom, “That motorcycle guy - there is something about him.” I’ve been lost since…😂
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
August 9, 2023 at 5:07 PM
Ilwoo is awesome❤️😊 I loved him in Bossam, and then in Good Job.
Required fields are marked *
1MoreDrama
August 9, 2023 at 5:48 PM
Bossam was so good. I now love Yuri as much as Ilwoo. I also loved his recent movie Highway Family. When it showed at The Cleveland Film Festival I bought a “streaming ticket” and got to watch it. He’s surprising in it. He’s a bit underrated in my opinion.
Soyesterday
August 9, 2023 at 6:47 AM
1% of Something is extremely underrated.
Its the best sort of fluff
Required fields are marked *
Isa is always time travelling
August 9, 2023 at 8:17 AM
Seconding 1% of Something (2016). It practically has no plot, only two people falling in love and missing each other when they are not together. I liked it :)
Required fields are marked *
Midnight
August 9, 2023 at 9:29 AM
For me, it was only about forced marriage, and forced kisses. People's perspectives will always be different.
I have actually been thinking about 1% of Something a lot these past few weeks, being so much loved by most beanies, and King The Land getting so much hate and criticism. People's perspectives will always be different.
Required fields are marked *
Flightey Gazelles
November 10, 2023 at 2:31 PM
I wasn’t able to finish 1% of Anything. For some reason which I can’t explain, I found Hak Su Jin smarmy any time he tried to be romantic with the female lead. I find Jeon So Min so pretty and likable, would’ve kept on watching for her if my problem with the male lead was bad acting at least, but it’s a really hopeless situation for a romcom when your viewer reads the ‘rom’ situations in the ‘romcom’ as smarmy and slightly off putting.
Required fields are marked *
Midnight
November 10, 2023 at 6:54 PM
Smarmy is exactly the word that describes Ha Suk Jin in this.
OldLawyer
August 9, 2023 at 9:57 AM
1% OF SOMETHING is a favorite of mine. TOP STAR YOO BAEK and CINDERELLA AND FOUR KNIGHTS are solid recommendations.
Required fields are marked *
Babylilo
August 9, 2023 at 10:55 AM
I have yet to start KTL. I’ve seen all the negative criticism about Junho practically sleepwalking his way through the show, but—regardless—I keep feeling the magnetic pull of his seductive charms. I fear resistance is futile!
I fully endorse 1% of Something. I should disapprove of the handsy, grabby ML, but I inevitably end up wishing he would grab onto me instead!
I’m also on board with the cheesy fondue that is Cinderella and the Four Nights. Another show that I should probably hate, but don’t. I skipped the lightweight second and third leads and went right to fourth-lead syndrome.
Good Job is available on Viki. I didn’t make it through the first episode, though.
Other suggestions, with varying levels of fluffiness and cheese: Splash Splash Love, Strong Woman Bong-Soon, Fated to Love You, Coffee Prince, Oh My Ghost, Fight for My Way, Love to Hate You, My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho, Shopaholic Louis, and A Witch’s Love.
Required fields are marked *
Flightey Gazelles
November 10, 2023 at 2:33 PM
“I should disapprove of the handsy, grabby ML, but I inevitably end up wishing he would grab onto me instead!“
😂😂😂😂
Required fields are marked *
Babylilo
November 10, 2023 at 3:02 PM
My sentiments, EXACTLY. 오모 OMO… Those kissing scenes!!!🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
Required fields are marked *
1MoreDrama
August 9, 2023 at 5:08 PM
I like all of these - I loved Good Job!
Required fields are marked *
2 lapislazulii
August 9, 2023 at 5:33 AM
I'm firmly of the opinion that What's Wrong With Secretary Kim walked so Business Proposal and KTL could run. So I'd definitely recommend those two, they're funny, cute and super swoon-y (and very cliched!) but be warned that the WWWSK 'childhood trauma' does get a little 'dark'!
Non office related swoon rec would be the classics, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, Still 17, Fight For My Way! I feel like all three also have warmth and heart to them in addition to the rom-com fluff!
*none of the above dramas have as little drama as KTL though, but idk part of the fun was the drama in these shows!
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
August 9, 2023 at 5:38 AM
Great recs, Lapislazulii!! 👍 Still 17 (30 But 17) is so warm and sweet, and Business Proposal would be perfect!!
Required fields are marked *
bbstl 🧹
August 9, 2023 at 2:05 PM
That’s so interesting, to think that Secy Kim “enabled” some fluffier rom coms to come to be. I can def see that! Thanks for that perspective! 🤔
Required fields are marked *
michelleoc
August 10, 2023 at 3:22 AM
I loved Business Proposal until the last couple of episodes. I read the ending re-write here at DramaBeans, and it was so much better than the actual ending. Someone needs to tap into the wonderful writing that happens here and give us better endings to some of the rom/coms.
Required fields are marked *
3 miso
August 9, 2023 at 5:37 AM
I'll bow in apology to k-dramas for this betrayal 🙇♀️ but you should fill it with c-dramas! That's where all the non-serial-killer-y, feel-good romances are at right now!
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
August 9, 2023 at 5:41 AM
Honestly, that was my first thought, too. The eps of KTL I watched reminded me of contemporary romance C-dramas. My mom enjoys those, and would recommend Hi Venus, Be My Princess, You Are My Glory, Perfect and Casual, and My Little Happiness.
Required fields are marked *
miso
August 9, 2023 at 8:21 AM
Love all these recs!
Required fields are marked *
Blue (@mayhemf)
August 9, 2023 at 9:10 AM
Day of Becoming you (minus the last 20 minutes), You are my glory, PYHOMS.
Required fields are marked *
lapislazulii
August 9, 2023 at 5:08 PM
Yes to all of these, especially Day of Becoming You - this one is so good for the swoon from ep.1 I think!!
Required fields are marked *
lapislazulii
August 9, 2023 at 5:46 AM
Actually quite true!! Lots of swoon-y c-dramas - and benefits of having more than 16 eps is that there's so much cute couple-y moments
Required fields are marked *
miso
August 9, 2023 at 8:22 AM
Yup the good c-dramas are so great at creating that push and pull leading into the most adorable couple-y moments.
Required fields are marked *
Healer’s
August 9, 2023 at 6:08 AM
C-dramas is a great idea. I recommend HERE TO HEART, starring Janie Chang and Zhang Han. 40 episodes of cheese and tropes but in quite a good way. The chemistry is off the charts. Beautiful male and female leads. Very good for passing time.
Required fields are marked *
Healer’s
August 9, 2023 at 6:09 AM
*Janine Chang
Required fields are marked *
miso
August 9, 2023 at 8:22 AM
Ooh this is among the earliest c-dramas I saw. Probably because it was available on Netflix when accessibility was limited.
Required fields are marked *
IndigoRose
August 9, 2023 at 9:03 AM
HERE TO HEART was my c-drama gateway drug. It is indeed excellent for passing time.
Required fields are marked *
Soyesterday
August 9, 2023 at 6:58 AM
Agree 100%
Cdrama rom-coms typically dont get bogged down by too much angst.
Slight downside is that they run a bit too long but thats nothing the 1.5x button cant fix.
I'd recommend:
Dine with love
Love is sweet
You are my glory
Delicious Romance
Dating in the Kitchen
Required fields are marked *
Storyenthusiast
August 9, 2023 at 7:51 AM
Despite some flaws, I LOVED Dating in the Kitchen!
Required fields are marked *
Isa is always time travelling
August 9, 2023 at 8:23 AM
I take note, and I would add “My love, enlighten me” (24 episodes). Main couple are the most clingy pair I have found in Dramaland.
Required fields are marked *
miso
August 9, 2023 at 8:23 AM
Great list! Dating in the Kitchen especially is so underrated.
Required fields are marked *
IndigoRose
August 9, 2023 at 9:09 AM
Excellent list. I especially love Delicious Romance and Dating in the Kitchen, but You Are My Glory has some next level swoon going on. Would also add Meet Yourself. It's a slow burn, but the payoff is so good.
Required fields are marked *
Storyenthusiast
August 9, 2023 at 7:52 AM
If we're talking sweet C dramas, I recommend Oath of Love as well. It's one of the best I've seen so far.
Required fields are marked *
miso
August 9, 2023 at 8:24 AM
It was! I loved the little couple vignettes they had at the end of each episode.
Required fields are marked *
et865
August 9, 2023 at 5:17 PM
I should try this one again. I started this a while ago because I've read good reviews about it but couldn't get past episode 4.
Required fields are marked *
icelandsoon
August 9, 2023 at 8:24 AM
It's true! I started with kdramas for the happy endings, then moved to cdramas for the even happier and more feel good!
My two strong favorites:
Hidden Love (bonus for KTL withdrawal, it's on netflix)
Meet Yourself (the cdrama answer to Hometown Cha Cha, available on viki)
Also enjoyed: You are my glory, Put your head on my shoulder, falling into your smile, day of becoming you
Required fields are marked *
miso
August 9, 2023 at 8:25 AM
Meet Yourself is honestly gold standard! Love all the rest too!
Required fields are marked *
IndigoRose
August 9, 2023 at 9:11 AM
Meet Yourself is so good that I just sometimes randomly think about it. Such a great show from start to finish.
Required fields are marked *
miso
August 9, 2023 at 8:30 AM
Realised I didn't actually give any recs 🤣. Won't repeat the ones already mentioned but to add some other sweet, feel-good romances -
- A Little Thing Called First Love
- Perfect and Casual
- Le Coup de Foudre
- Legally Romance
- Nothing But You
- Here We Meet Again
- Taiwanese dramas - The Perfect Match and Lost Romance
Required fields are marked *
Babylilo
August 9, 2023 at 10:59 AM
But what’s a good romcom without a little serial-killer spice? 😉
Required fields are marked *
miso
August 9, 2023 at 11:41 AM
Lol that's true! Just recommending for when people might have serial killer fatigue 😅.
Required fields are marked *
et865
August 9, 2023 at 5:15 PM
Many c-dramas that I'd recommend have been mentioned already so I'll just add Lucky's First Love and My Fated Boy to the list.
Required fields are marked *
michelleoc
August 10, 2023 at 3:18 AM
I have recently been enjoying C-dramas, things like My Little Happiness, You Are My Glory, Dating in the Kitchen, Hidden Love, but I must say, that with AI being what it is today, I truly wish they would do something about the awful dubbing. Every female character has the high, breathy, childlike voice that 1) makes her sound immature; and 2) is like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.
Required fields are marked *
miso
August 10, 2023 at 3:38 AM
Yes that baby voice can be a bit much. You should definitely try Meet Yourself - Liu Yifei has an incredibly soft, soothing voice.
Required fields are marked *
michelleoc
August 10, 2023 at 9:15 AM
But 40 episodes? One thing about C-dramas for me, there is a LOT of filler and I become good friends with my FF button. I will put it on my list and give it a try! Thanks for the recommendation.
Required fields are marked *
skirt
August 11, 2023 at 10:02 PM
I really love her voice! Also, there is firmness in the lilt of her soft-spoken words. She makes a very convincing hotelier too. Her whole body languages are professional, placating, and soothing, which I think are important qualities in service workers. Unfortunately, I could not see these attributes in Yoona, or I might be biased against her.
Required fields are marked *
4 Seon-ha
August 9, 2023 at 5:52 AM
Let's see. Rom-com with a minimum of angst. That's the brief, correct?
I'm going to offer Once Upon a Small Town as my recommendation. If you've not seen it, run over and do so quickly! It's incredibly sweet and pretty gosh-darned tropey. It is also shorter than average, which suited the depth of its plot very well.
Required fields are marked *
5 StacyA
August 9, 2023 at 6:33 AM
For Kdramas, I second the recommendations for What's Wrong with Secretary Kim and Business Proposal and add Her Private Life.
For Cdramas, I also second You Are My Glory, Hi Venus, Perfect and Casual, and My Little Happiness (haven't seen Be My Princess...will check it out).
I also recommend the recent Hidden Love (still not over it), Love is Sweet, Meet Yourself, and Le Coup de Foudre. If you're not averse to dramas with natural disaster-type drama, there's You Are My Hero where the ML is a police officer and the FL is a doctor. So the drama in the drama has more to do with their respective jobs; the romance is pretty much drama-free.
Required fields are marked *
dramamad
August 9, 2023 at 7:05 AM
Le coupe de foudre ❤️😍😍😍😍
Required fields are marked *
6 imzadi
August 9, 2023 at 6:59 AM
I started watching "Crazy Love" with Kim Jae-wook on a whim. I and I absolutely loved the first two episodes. Surprisingly the first episode had flashes of "Good Will Hunting" and episode 2 now "While you where sleeping". Which movie is next?
Required fields are marked *
imzadi
August 9, 2023 at 11:57 AM
An no, it probably doesn't really fit the theme of this thread :)
Required fields are marked *
7 dramamad
August 9, 2023 at 7:08 AM
Chinese drama- a date with the future
K drama- my secret hotel (I know most didn’t think much of it but I enjoyed it!)
Required fields are marked *
8 Storyenthusiast
August 9, 2023 at 8:01 AM
Although its' not an exceptional show, I really enjoyed the short Fanletter, Please.
Required fields are marked *
9 Qingdao: likes scented candles
August 9, 2023 at 8:04 AM
Such a clever title! Some of my feel-good favs, low on angst, full of tropes and romance in no particular order:
-What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?
-Business Proposal
-Hometown Cha Cha Cha
-Weightlifting Fairy
-Touch Your Heart
-Romance is a Bonus Book
-Fight for My Way
-Thirty But Still Seventeen
-1% of Something
-Bride of the Century
-Shopaholic Louis
-Gogh's Starry Night
-My Secret Romance
-True Beauty
-My Girlfriend is a Gumiho
-Queen In-Hyun's Man
-To.Jenny
Required fields are marked *
Isa is always time travelling
August 9, 2023 at 8:27 AM
Good list! Strongly seconding Weightlifting Fairy, Something about 1%, Shopaholic Louis (Shopping King Louis) and To.Jenny.
Required fields are marked *
10 pohonphee
August 9, 2023 at 8:50 AM
What void? If thing doesn't have substance, if it's gone, what is left?
*runaway*......... 🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️
Required fields are marked *
Cay_sbtgoG
August 10, 2023 at 11:10 AM
I've been contemplating whether to reply or no. It's too great of a temptation; but you got me! You're hilarious.
Required fields are marked *
11 jerrykuvira
August 9, 2023 at 9:23 AM
What's Wrong with Secretary Kim takes the top of the list. Follow it up with Business Proposal. I don't know if Crazy Love fits in here though.
For a saguek that is similar to this in terms of Junho sweetness, try out Our Blooming Youth for the Park Hyung-shik overdose.
Try Pretty Boy, the one with the ML going by the name Dog-ko Ma-te.
Alchemy of Souls, for the romance.
Required fields are marked *
Babylilo
August 9, 2023 at 11:56 AM
Sungkyunkwan Scandal is another great sageuk romcom.
Required fields are marked *
12 Bunny Sonaki
August 9, 2023 at 9:57 AM
If you are into old school romance
You are beautiful
Secret Garden
Cindrella and the four knights
There is also
Touch your heart
Businesd Proposal
Required fields are marked *
13 Abbie67
August 9, 2023 at 11:22 AM
Hidden Love (C-Drama). I paused watching KTL for this drama and picked KTL back after I've rewatched Hidden Love 3x.
Required fields are marked *
14 1MoreDrama
August 9, 2023 at 5:41 PM
For older shows, I liked The Undateables and My Beautiful Gong Shim. My Girl (with baby Lee Jun-ki and Lee Dong Wook.) Oh and what about Still 17 ❤️. Because this is my first life! Cinderella and 4 knights, Good Job! Flower Boy Ramen Shop/Shut up Flower Boy Band (cute) and Flower Boy Next Door (older characters). The Greatest Love! Find me in your memory! Shopaholic Louis! Kiss sixth Sense! Wok of Love (Junho), Scholar who walks the night! Fight My Way! Weightlifting Fairy! Legend of the Blue Seas! Alchemy of Souls! Siro ce Attorney Shin (not exactly a romance but one of the best shows I have seen at depicting long term male friendship).
Required fields are marked *
1MoreDrama
August 9, 2023 at 5:42 PM
Divorce Attorney Shin - sorry there! Also — Heartbeat! ❤️❤️❤️
Required fields are marked *
Gikata
August 10, 2023 at 6:43 AM
MY GIRL only works as a feel-good romcom if you ship main OTP and not root for LJG's character to get the girl. In that case it's a full steam hate-watch because man gets ZERO respect whatsoever there))) I still love his two introduction scenes tho, they're hilarious, esp the pantsless one... *coughs*
Required fields are marked *
1MoreDrama
August 11, 2023 at 12:39 PM
True! I was rooting for baby Jun-ki all along. His outfits - and non outfits - made me giggle. All his pants were too long so maybe that’s why he had to flee in underwear - I mean, he could have tripped at a crucial moment 😂. I love the older dramas that infuse so much melancholy in their rom coms…but I did like how KTL actually emphasized romance vs pathos.
Required fields are marked *
Gikata
August 11, 2023 at 1:09 PM
Yeah, tripping is a no-no - imagine the injury risks from falling at that speed OR being caught by her clearly in no mood for diplomacy husband))) Plus it made perfect sense for him to be undressed below the waist given the situation...
I never liked MUCH melancholy in my romcoms, but if I had to choose between this and murder mysteries... Nah, I hate both when they get inserted into genres they do not belong in)))
Required fields are marked *
technicat
August 10, 2023 at 7:27 AM
Early Hong Sisters are all good (up til Big). Even when they have angst, it's hard to take seriously.
Required fields are marked *
15 technicat
August 9, 2023 at 7:48 PM
I'm watching the first episode of King the Land right now in order to better answer the question, and so far I'm bored out of my mind waiting for the rom-com part to happen. In the meantime, based on the other recommendations which already include my favorites (one Lee Da-hae and two Park Min-youngs), I'll add Marriage, Not Dating.
Required fields are marked *
Linarrick
August 9, 2023 at 11:17 PM
It remains boring even with the romance imo
Required fields are marked *
16 et865
August 9, 2023 at 9:35 PM
Adding Oh My Venus and She Was Pretty to the list of slightly older shows.
Required fields are marked *
17 Linarrick
August 9, 2023 at 11:16 PM
In terms of the PPL game, nothing comes close other than KING: THE ETERNAL MONARCH.
Required fields are marked *
Healer’s
August 10, 2023 at 1:38 AM
Is "KING" a bad omen to a show?
Required fields are marked *
Linarrick
August 10, 2023 at 1:51 AM
For modern Kdramas, yes definitely!
Required fields are marked *
DancingEmma
August 10, 2023 at 11:43 PM
But at least, in K:TEM, Woo Doohwan was such a bright dual- presence (mostly as Eunseob) that I didn’t mind fast-forwarding through the remaining PPL-laden hours.
Required fields are marked *
18 Ziziboice
August 10, 2023 at 2:07 AM
"Warm &cozy" guys I know that was a terrible drama but it made me love YYS so I think there was something in it that wasn't THAT bad 😄 you can check it for beauty of kang sora and the cuteness (overload) of yoo yeonsuk
Required fields are marked *
19 Chubbysocks
August 10, 2023 at 9:33 AM
I think Business Proposal is kind of same feel drama, the male lead is very swoon worthy
Required fields are marked *
20 DancingEmma
August 10, 2023 at 6:56 PM
What void? It was so lightweight it hardly left a mark.
Required fields are marked *