9 Slow-Burn K-Dramas To Watch That Will Pace Your Heart
Slow and steady is sometimes the name of the game when it comes to K-drama romances. It’s that perfect pace where the two main leads come together but take their time in becoming a couple. They share their hearts and souls with each other at a slow pace, getting to know one another before taking the plunge into a full out romance. If you’re in the mood for a build up, here are nine K-dramas to check out. Don’t forget to check out part one of the slow burn K-dramas here.
1. “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo”
With dreams of becoming a college weightlifting champion, Bok Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) isn’t afraid of doing whatever it takes to achieve those goals. A strong girl with strong determination, Bok Joo isn’t easily distracted, but when she meets Jung Joon Hyung, played by Nam Joo Hyuk, life gets a little more complicated.
One of the most endearing hidden gems of the K-dramaworld, the story of Bok Joo striving for her dreams while falling in love for the first time is a series that many have fallen for. Although it is considered a slow-burn love story, it definitely does not feel that way. The two main leads go way back to when they were younger, and years later, they reunite in college. Joon Hyung is the first to realize his feelings for Bok Joo, and it isn’t until later in the series that he confesses his feelings and Bok Joo gives him a chance. The wait is definitely worthwhile, and you can’t help but cheer the two on as they continue to support each other’s dreams while dating.
Check out the drama here:
2. “Healer”
The drama stars Ji Chang Wook as Seo Jung Hoo, a man who runs errands anonymously, and Park Min Young as Chae Young Shin, a journalist. The two have parents who knew each other and were involved in a tragic mystery. They fall in love and figure out a way to solve the mystery of both their parents.
The intensity of the chemistry in “Healer” is one to be remembered. Seo Jung Hoo is clearly in love with Young Shin from very early on in the series, but he does not reveal his true feelings to her as he lives his life in secret. He so desperately wants to be with her, but does not want to expose his dark and hidden life, which would also put her life in danger. The angst and emotions that this provides to viewers only makes the two being together later on in the series that much more satisfying!
Check out the drama here:
3. “Coffee Prince”
“Coffee Prince” is about a tomboy named Go Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye) who gets a part-time job at a coffee shop owned by Choi Han Kyul (Gong Yoo). The two leads end up in a complicated relationship where Han Kyul falls in love with Eun Chan while thinking she’s a boy, and Eun Chan doesn’t want to reveal her real gender to Han Kyul. It’s a whirlwind of a romance.
Viewers of this series wanted nothing more than to see Eun Chan confess her feelings to Han Kyul and for Han Kyul to reciprocate her feelings. The desire for this was so intense that it really made the series a binge-worthy drama and is considered to be a classic today. Although the two do not end up together until the latter half of the series, seeing their relationship grow as they get to know each other more was the perfect build-up of emotions. It made them becoming a couple that much more sweet at the end.
Watch the series here:
4. “I Am Not a Robot”
Yoo Seung Ho as Kim Min Kyu and Chae Soo Bin as Jo Ji Ah are two main leads I would love to see again on the small screen. When Min Kyu gets a robot, he finds himself getting attracted to it. But later he finds out that his robot is, in fact, a human. The two engage in a heartbreaking trial of broken trust and longing to be with each other.
The relationship between Min Kyu and Ji Ah as a boss and his fake robot completely tugs at the heartstrings. Although it takes awhile before Min Kyu discovers that Ji Ah is actually not a robot, seeing her try and hide her human tendencies make for a hilarious and entertaining watch. When Min Kyu does find out the truth, it is heartbreaking to see him feel so betrayed, but the realization afterwards that he does in fact love Ji Ah gives all the butterflies.
Start watching here:
5. “My Liberation Notes”
The newest script written by Park Hae Young stars Son Suk Ku, Kim Ji Won, Lee Min Ki, and Lee El. The series focuses on the ordinary lives of three siblings who are trying to figure out their place in the world.
When “My Liberation Notes” comes to mind, swoon-worthy is one word that definitely sticks out. The love story between Mr. Gu (Son Suk Ku) and Yeom Mi Jung (Kim Ji Won) is unconventional in that they never really end up being a couple. But they love each other deeply. The heart fluttering confession scene from Mr. Gu, the kiss scene, and the reunion towards the end of the series all equate to making their love story one of the best ever.
6. “Itaewon Class”
Park Sae Roy (Park Seo Joon) goes through a lot in his young life. His father is tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident, he is expelled from school, and he is sentenced to jail for three years. All this tragedy happens as a result of one family that owns the biggest restaurant chain in Korea. After getting out of jail, Sae Roy swears that he will get revenge and decides to open up his own restaurant called Dan Bam.
Sae Roy’s love story is one that starts off being pretty steady, as he has his heart set on one woman. But this changes when he meets Jo Yi Seo (Kim Da Mi), and she completely turns his world upside down. Although Yi Seo’s feelings for Sae Roy is relentless and unchanging, his feelings for her do not develop until much later on in the series. After being very open and persistent about her feelings for Sae Roy, he finally realizes that she is the one.
7. “I’ll Go to You When the Weather Is Nice”
After Mok Hae Won (Park Min Young) decides to leave Seoul and temporarily move to the countryside with her aunt, she meets her old high school friend Im Eun Seob (Seo Kang Joon). Eun Seob has been in love with Hae Won since he first met her and is happy to hear that she won’t be leaving for a while. The two become friends again, and as they get to know each other more, they start to fall in love.
This drama is one of the most innocent and endearing love stories. Eun Seob’s heart for Hae Won is one that has stood the test of time. It is sweet and adorable how much he loves her. He watches Hae Won from afar and is completely content living his life that way, but when she realizes his feelings for her, she can’t help but be drawn to his warm nature. The two eventually end up being a couple, and the wait is completely worthwhile!
Start watching here:
8. “Hospital Playlist”
Jo Jung Suk, Yoo Yeon Seok, Jung Kyung Ho, Kim Dae Myung, and Jeon Mi Do star in both the first and second seasons of “Hospital Playlist,” a drama about five doctors who have been friends since medical school. The five of them all work at the same hospital, Yulje Medical Center. The story follows their friendship as well as the romance and patients that they deal with day to day. They also happen to form a band together.
This drama features one of the most ultimate slow-burn K-drama romances in that Lee Ik Joon (Jo Jung Suk) and Chae Song Hwa (Jeon Mi Do) do not even end up being a couple until well into the second season! The relationship between Ik Joon and Song Hwa is one that spans from when they were medical school students. They both have experienced dating other people, plus Ik Joon goes through a divorce, so when the two finally accept each other’s feelings, it is very squeal-worthy.
9. “Don’t Dare To Dream” (also known as “Jealousy Incarnate”)
Jung Won (Go Kyung Pyo) and Hwa Shin (Jo Jung Suk) are the bestest of friends but have the unfortunate tendency to fall for the same girl. This theory is put to the test when Jung Won ends up falling in love with Pyo Na Ri (Gong Hyo Jin). Initially, it seems as though Hwa Shin isn’t interested in Na Ri, but when he sees how Na Ri is with Jung Won, Hwa Shin slowly becomes interested.
Although the love from Jung Won is one that fans really wanted Na Ri to accept, it was Hwa Shin who really had her heart from the start. What makes this series so unique is that for a big chunk of the series, Jung Won and Na Ri are actually dating. While the two are dating, Hwa Shin realizes his feelings for Na Ri, but feels bad about betraying his best friend. Despite these complicated feelings, Na Ri and Hwa Shin do end up together, and Na Ri’s deep wishes of being with Hwa Shin come true.
Start watching here:
Hey Soompiers, which slow-burn K-drama is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
binahearts is a Soompi writer whose ultimate biases are Song Joong Ki and BIGBANG but has lately been seen obsessing over Hwang In Yeop. Make sure you follow binahearts on Instagram as she journeys through her latest Korean crazes!
Currently watching: “Yumi’s Cells 2” and “Extraordinary Attorney Woo”
All-time favorite dramas: “Secret Garden” and “Star In My Heart.”
Looking forward to: Won Bin‘s return to the small screen.
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