Over the years, K-dramas have evolved to include a variety of genres and themes. One of the more popular and sought-after themes is where the lead cast goes from enemies to lovers. Rom-coms are some of the most popular genres in K-dramas. However, an interesting subset is the love story that emerges out of an initial rivalry or dislike in a pair. Although they initially argue, bicker, and fight, it all culminates into a beautiful love story.
The most recent enemies to lovers K-drama is the ongoing JTBC series Doctor Slump. Starring Park Hyung-Sik and Park Shin-Hye, the drama documents two high school rivals who reunite to fall in love. Many other K-dramas that experiment with this theme include Boys Over Flowers, Crash Landing on You, Hometown Cha Cha Cha, and others.
Check out our recommendations for best enemies to lovers K-dramas.
Doctor Slump
Doctor Slump is the newest addition to the enemies to lovers genre. The new JTBC K-drama follows two high school rivals—Yeo Jeong-Woo (Park Hyung-Sik) and Nam Ha-Neul (Park Shin-Hye). They reunite 14 years later during the worst moments of their professional and personal lives. From reflecting on their rivalry to becoming friends, the two ultimately fall in love.
The drama premiered on January 27, 2024, and is available to stream on Netflix.
Boys Over Flowers
Boys Over Flowers is a classic K-drama that premiered on January 5, 2009. The series follows the story of a young transfer student, Geum Jan-Di (Ko Hye-Sun), who crosses paths with F4, a group of rich boys in an elite school. One of the members, Go Jun-Pyo (Lee Min-Ho), bullies her, making her life difficult. Although they initially hate each other, the two gradually understand each other and fall in love.
The drama is available to stream on Netflix and Viki.
Crash Landing on You
Crash Landing on You is a popular K-drama that follows the story of chaebol CEO Yoon Se-Ri (Son Ye-Jin), who accidentally lands in North Korea due to a paragliding accident. A North Korean soldier, Ri Jeong-Hyeok, rescues her and brings her to his home. Although the two bicker around and Se-Ri keeps trying to escape in the beginning, the two eventually fall deeply in love.
The drama premiered on February 16, 2020, and is available to stream on Netflix.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is one of the popular enemies to lovers-themed K-dramas. It premiered on August 28, 2021. The series follows the story of a big city dentist Yoon Hye-Jin (Shin Min-A), who leaves the city to open a clinic in a seaside village. She crosses paths with localite Hong Du-Sik (Kim Seon-Ho). Initially, the two get on each other’s nerves and are constantly at odds. However, as they begin to understand each other, they fall deeply in love.
The drama is available to stream on Netflix.
Love to Hate You
Love to Hate You is a popular K-drama that premiered on February 10, 2023. The series follows the story of two individuals—Nam Kang-Ho (Teo Yoo) and Yeo Mi-Ran (Kim Ok-Vin). Kang-Ho is an actor who doesn’t trust women. Meanwhile, Mi-Ran is a lawyer isn’t fond of most men. Circumstances force the two to pretend as if they are dating each other. While they bicker initially to express their opinions, they eventually fall in love.
The drama is available to stream on Netflix.
Suspicious Partner
Suspicious Partner follows the story of two individuals—Eun Bong-Hee (Nam Ji-Hyun) and Noh Ji-Wook (Ji Chang-Wook). The former becomes a trainee in the same office as senior prosecutor Noh Ji-Wook (Ji Chang-Wook). However, she soon gets entangled in a murder case and collaborates with Ji-Wook to catch the criminal. Initially, the two don’t see eye to eye owing to their first tumultuous interaction. However, they gradually grow to fall in love with each other.
The drama premiered on May 10, 2017, and is available to stream on Netflix and Viki.
Many other K-dramas that showcase enemies to lovers themes include Touch Your Heart, Emergency Couple, Cheese in the Trap, Crash Course in Romance, Doom at Your Service, Mad for Each Other, and many others.
