We’re introducing classic and popular Korean romance films! Whether you’re already into K-culture or not, we’ve lined up must-see masterpieces.
From romantic comedies to more mature vibes, there are plenty of heart-fluttering and tear-jerking titles.
Pay attention to the uniquely Korean passion, sweet mood, and rich expressiveness.
Discovering Korean culture through films is fun—and by the time the credits roll, you might just feel like falling in love yourself! It’s also great to dive deeper by following works from directors you loved or actors who caught your eye.
Use this as a starting point to find moving Korean love stories.
- K-pop and Korean love songs: Love songs that really capture the Korean view of romance
- An emotional Korean song. A gently moving, sensitive masterpiece.
- The theme song of a romantic film that gives you a heart-fluttering, moving feeling.
- [Korean Drama OSTs] Classic Popular Songs That Color the Story: Best Masterpieces
- [Exquisite Ballad Songs] K-pop that touches the soul. Korean Ballads
- A compilation of film music played on the piano / that I want to play on the piano
- K-pop that touches the heart: iconic ballads by Korean female artists
- [Carefully Selected] Popular Love Songs: Recommended Romance Tracks
- Mutual-love K-pop songs that make romance bloom
- K-pop unrequited love songs you’ll totally relate to! Tracks that won’t let the heartache and excitement stop
- K-POP and Korean tear-jerker songs: tracks that deeply resonate and bring you to tears
- Tickling your tear ducts! A collection of emotional and heartwarming K-pop tearjerker songs
- A Classic of Korean City Pop [KOREAN CITY POP]
A roundup of classic Korean romance films: moving love stories (1–10)
The Beauty Inside
For a fantasy-tinged romance film, I also recommend The Beauty Inside.
The story follows a man whose appearance changes every morning and the heroine who falls in love with him.
His changes aren’t limited to body type—his nationality and even his gender can change as well.
As a result, one of the film’s key points is that appearance doesn’t affect the romance.
It’s a work that makes you reflect on what true beauty really is.
By the way, Juri Ueno also appears in the film.
Love story
Director Kwak Jae-yong, who has brought numerous masterpieces to the world, depicted a love that transcends time in The Classic.
The protagonist is Ji-hye, played by Son Ye-jin.
The film portrays how she reconnects and shares a deep bond with the man she had feelings for during her student days, 35 years later.
While it is a romance, it also offers enjoyable mystery elements, including the appearance of ciphers.
In addition, classic masterpieces are used effectively throughout the film, so keep an ear out for that as well.
My Sassy Girl
A defining film of 2000s Korean cinema is My Sassy Girl.
Not only was it a huge hit in Japan, it also won various awards.
The story follows a heroine who repeatedly behaves in bizarre ways and the man who is tossed around by her.
The heroine is played by Jun Ji-hyun.
It’s a bittersweet love story, but it has many laugh-out-loud moments, so it’s also recommended if you’re looking for something to lift your mood.
It might be interesting to compare it with the Japanese remake as well.
Romance Without Love
I’d like to introduce Nothing Serious (2021), starring Son Suk-ku and Jeon Jong-seo.
It’s the perfect film for anyone who wants to fall in love but finds themselves hesitating.
The two leads build a relationship to fill their loneliness, yet there’s a palpable sense of distance between them.
The film prompts reflection on issues and connections born from modern society—such as loneliness and human relationships.
It’s especially recommended for people in their 20s and 30s who are struggling with both work and romance.
oasis
You know how sometimes you’re so moved by a film that you start following the actors who were in it? I’m sure that once you finish this movie, you’ll be looking up other films starring Sol Kyung-gu! It’s an emotional work that portrays the romance between a young man who can’t fit back into society after being released from prison and a woman with a severe illness that limits her mobility.
Feelings that can’t be summed up by the phrase “pure love” will surge through your whole body! It’s a certified gem that won Best Picture and six other awards at the MBC Film Awards, which is like the Korean equivalent of the Academy Awards.