Since it came out in 2024, Queen of Tears has become incredibly popular. However, many other excellent K-dramas don’t get the attention they deserve. The show, starring Kim Ji-won as Hong Hae-in, tells the story of a marriage struggling until a serious diagnosis brings the couple closer. Many viewers consider it a standout K-drama because of the actors, stunning visuals, and emotionally powerful storyline.
Many viewers were sad to see Queen of Tears end, but luckily, there are lots of other great K-dramas to watch. If you loved the story, the romance, or the overall feel of Queen of Tears, you might even enjoy these other series more. These K-dramas are exceptionally well-made and definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re a fan of Queen of Tears.
Lovely Runner (2024)
A K-Pop Fan Time Travels To Save An Idol’s Life
The K-drama Lovely Runner tells the story of Im Sol, a devoted fan who gets a second chance to change the past, and Ryu Sun-jae, the K-pop star she idolizes. After Sun-jae’s untimely death, Sol travels back in time to 2008, when both were teenagers, hoping to save his life and reignite her own forgotten dream of becoming a filmmaker.
Im Sol discovers a deep connection with Rye Sun-jae – they grew up next door to each other, and she learns one of his most popular songs was actually inspired by her. Their chemistry makes them a fantastic on-screen couple, and the K-drama Lovely Runner balances humor, sadness, and genuine emotion to create a compelling and heartfelt story.
Healer (2014-2015)
A Violent Night Courier Falls For A Corruption-Exposing Journalist
Even though it first aired over ten years ago, Healer is still considered one of the best K-dramas in the thriller genre. Its enduring popularity comes from its exploration of universal themes like life, love, and the search for truth. The story follows Chae Young-shin (Park Min-young), an aspiring journalist forced to write sensational stories, until she meets Seo Jung-hoo (Ji Chang-wook), a mysterious figure known as the “Healer.”
Healer follows a skilled fighter who is hired to protect a woman named Young-shin. As they work together to solve a string of murders, they fall in love. The mystery is thrilling and suspenseful, but the show doesn’t just offer entertainment. It also encourages viewers to keep searching for truth and standing up for what they believe in, no matter the challenges.
The Red Sleeve (2021-2022)
Based On Real Events From The Joseon Dynasty
I’ve seen a lot of Korean historical dramas set in the Joseon Dynasty, but “The Red Sleeve” is quickly becoming a standout. It’s based on the true story of King Jeongjo and his royal consort, Ui-bin Seong, and honestly, the chemistry between Lee Jun-ho (as Yi San) and Lee Se-young (as Seong Deok-im) is captivating. The drama really digs into their complicated relationship, and all the intense palace intrigue that surrounded them.
The main conflict in this love story stems from the characters’ circumstances. Deok-im faced a difficult choice: a free life without Yi San, or becoming his concubine. Yi San, as a future king, believed his royal duties had to come before his personal feelings. Ultimately, The Red Sleeve is a moving tale about the sacrifices people make and the weight of responsibility.
Marry My Husband (2024)
A Miserable Woman Hand-Tailors An Alternate Reality To Escape Her Misfortune
This K-drama centers around Kang Ji-won (Park Min-young), who uses time travel to get revenge after discovering her husband’s affair while fighting cancer. Teaming up with another time traveler, Yoo Ji-hyuk (Na In-woo), she changes the past so her husband ends up marrying the woman he had an affair with.
The drama Marry My Husband cleverly explores the idea that certain events seem destined to happen. Despite attempts to change things – the husband will always be unfaithful, and the mistress will always act – Kang Ji-won finds a way to break the cycle and create a different future for herself.
My Mister (2018)
Two Mistreated Souls Cross Paths
In recent years, My Mister has gained a dedicated following, largely due to the compelling performances of Lee Ji-eun (IU) as Lee Ji-an and Lee Sun-kyun as Park Dong-hoon. The series begins with both characters feeling like outsiders, though their situations are very different. Park Dong-hoon appears successful, but he’s deeply unhappy and isolated, even facing betrayal from his wife.
I was completely engrossed in the story of Lee Ji-an, a woman driven to a life of crime simply to care for her grandmother. Both she and Park Dong-hoon are clearly struggling, facing hardships both emotional and physical. What’s fascinating is how Ji-an’s assignment to watch over Dong-hoon unexpectedly ends up saving them both. And honestly, My Mister is one of those rare K-dramas that actually sticks the landing with a truly perfect ending, though the journey to get there is just as compelling.
Vincenzo (2021)
A Mafia Consigliere Unravels A Massive Conspiracy
Despite being known for its thrilling revenge plot and intense violence, the drama Vincenzo explores surprisingly complex themes. Beyond the action, the story delves into important social issues such as sexual harassment, the lack of affordable housing, and the problems caused by powerful, wealthy corporations. The main character, Vincenzo (played by Song Joong-ki), is also far more layered and complicated than he initially appears.
Even though Vincenzo often acts like a villain himself, he uses violence and crime to battle corruption, specifically targeting the truly evil Babel Group. He’s not a hero, but his actions often feel like those of a vigilante, blurring the line between mafia boss and crime fighter. This moral ambiguity is what makes the show so interesting, but also sometimes difficult to watch.
Hotel del Luna (2019)
A Purgatorial Hotel Run By Ghosts, An Immortal Owner, & A Human GM
Don’t let the fact that Hotel del Luna is a K-drama with a popular singer as the lead fool you – Lee Ji-eun, also known as IU, gives an amazing performance as Jang Man-wol. The story centers around Man-wol, who is cursed to manage the Hotel del Luna for spirits because of mistakes she made in the past, and has been doing so for over a thousand years. It’s a captivating supernatural romance.
As Koo Chan-sung (Yeo Jin-goo) becomes the new manager of the hotel, a romance blossoms between him and Man-wol. However, their love story presents a difficult choice: for Man-wol to move on to the afterlife, she must eventually let Chan-sung go. Despite the sad farewell, the impact of their love remains even after the series ends.
Flower of Evil (2020)
A Detective Spirals After A Murder Case Gets Too Close For Comfort
Flower of Evil is a unique K-drama that expertly blends mystery and romance. The story follows Cha Ji-won (Moon Chae-won), a skilled detective, as she investigates a murder and discovers her husband has been living a lie. She learns that Baek Hee-sung (Lee Joon-gi), the man she thought she knew, is actually Do Hyun-soo, who has been hiding his true identity for years.
When the real Baek Hee-sung (Kim Ji-hoon) wakes up from his coma, he begins a violent rampage, while Do Hyun-soo continues to fight his inner demons and try to be a better man for his loved ones. The series Flower of Evil cleverly employs the trope of amnesia, ultimately delivering a bittersweet but satisfying conclusion for Ji-won.
Twinkling Watermelon (2023)
A Time-Traveling Guitarist Tries To Change His Father’s Fate
I recently started watching Twinkling Watermelon, and while it initially feels like a really sweet, feel-good K-drama, it quickly takes some unexpectedly sad turns, dealing with family issues and how different generations see the world. The story centers around Ha Eun-gyeol, played by Ryeoun, who’s a musician. When his dad shuts down his musical dreams, he somehow ends up traveling back in time to 1995. There, he forms a band – and gets this – with his father and a group of other teens he meets!
I was completely captivated watching Eun-gyeol desperately try to save his father’s hearing, but it was heartbreaking to see some things just couldn’t be changed. Then, when he came back to his own time, I was so moved to discover that their band, despite everything, had kept his father’s passion for music burning. It meant Eun-gyeol could finally chase his own dream of becoming a guitarist, and it was just…beautiful.
Doom At Your Service (2021)
A Young Editor Curses The World After Being Diagnosed With Brain Cancer
If you loved Queen of Tears, Doom at Your Service is a must-watch. The story centers around Tak Dong-kyung (Park Bo-young), who receives a devastating cancer diagnosis and impulsively wishes for the end of the world. Surprisingly, her wish is answered by Myeolmang (Seo In-guk), a unique and intriguing grim reaper.
Despite focusing on characters at their most desperate and troubled, Doom at Your Service delivers a surprisingly satisfying and emotional ending. The connection between these characters, even including the personification of doom itself, is ultimately heartwarming. It shares a similar emotional core and succeeds as well as its companion drama, Queen of Tears.
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2025-11-09 22:32