Top 12 Most Touching Sibling-Like Relationships in Korean Dramas

Something in the Rain follows the story of a sweet sibling-like bond between a beautiful woman in her 30s, Yoon Jin Ah (Son Ye Jin), and a much younger man, Seo Joon Hee (Jung Hae In). Their chemistry on-screen has captivated audiences, especially as the older woman navigates a messy breakup and career struggles, while the younger man, who is a friend of her brother, returns from overseas and brings a breath of fresh air into her life. This drama, despite its premise appealing mostly to older women, has won the hearts of millions of younger viewers.

Detailed Info:

Release Year: 2018

Genres: Romance, Drama, Comedy

Director: Ahn Pan Seok

Cast: Son Ye Jin, Jung Hae In, Jang So Yeon, Jung Yoo Jin

IMDb Rating: 8.1

Encounter tells the sweet story of a beautiful CEO, Cha Soo Hyun, and an ordinary young man, Kim Jin Hyuk. Soo Hyun is a successful, mature woman who has everything — a thriving career, financial stability, and a hotel under her ownership after a painful divorce. Despite her success, she feels isolated and lonely.

By chance, Soo Hyun meets Jin Hyuk during a trip to Cuba, where he is a carefree photographer. Their time together there sparks an unforgettable connection. After returning to Korea, Jin Hyuk applies for a job at the Donghwa Hotel, where Soo Hyun is the CEO. As they begin working together, their feelings for each other grow, but their differences in age and social status pose significant barriers. Soo Hyun, a public figure and the daughter of a mayor, faces pressure from both her colleagues, who envy her position, and her ex-husband, who seeks to tarnish her reputation and take over the hotel. Will Soo Hyun and Jin Hyuk’s romance triumph over these societal obstacles? Watch Encounter to find out how their love story unfolds.

Detailed Info:

Release Year: 2018

Genres: Romance, Drama

Director: Park Shin-Woo

Cast: Song Hye Kyo, Park Bo Gum, Ko Chang Seok, Jang Seung-Jo, Nam Gi-Ae

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Temperature of Love tells the story of the evolving relationship between Hyun Soo (Seo Hyun Jin), a passionate screenwriter, and Jung Sun (Yang Se Jong), a young man with dreams of becoming a French chef. Hyun Soo is a smart, beautiful, and independent woman, but despite her many achievements, she struggles with love and doesn't believe in love at first sight. She chats online with someone named Chakhan Seupeu, who turns out to be Jung Sun. Their story begins when they meet in person, leading to a romance that unfolds through their small, yet meaningful gestures.

Although the show has minimal physical contact, viewers are still drawn to the tenderness of their relationship, particularly the subtle yet sweet acts of love from the male lead, who is determined in his pursuit of Hyun Soo. Temperature of Love is a wonderful exploration of characters healing from emotional scars and discovering love for themselves and those around them.

Details:

Release Year: 2017
Genres: Romance, Drama

Director: Nam Gun

Cast: Kim Jae Wook, Seo Hyun Jin, Jo Bo Ah, Yang Se-jong

IMDb Rating: 7.0

The Desire for Happiness 3 is a 2014 South Korean romantic drama that follows the story of Joo Wan (Sung Joon), a 26-year-old talented musician and DJ. After living abroad for 17 years, he returns to Korea with the hope of reconnecting with Shin Joo Yeon (Kim So Yeon), the woman he fell in love with as a child. Joo Yeon, now 33, is a marketing director at a shopping channel, but after several failed relationships, she's grown disillusioned with love. Just when she’s given up, Joo Wan reappears, bringing warmth to her heart.

The Desire for Happiness 3 delves into the lives of employees at a shopping center, exploring friendship, love, and the passion of young professionals dedicated to their work. The show highlights the life of a career woman in South Korea, balancing her professional and personal life. The female lead, a marketing manager played by Kim So Yeon, becomes romantically involved with Joo Wan, a young musician portrayed by Sung Joon, in a charming, heartfelt storyline.

Details:
Release Year: 2014

Genres: Romance, Comedy, Drama

Director: Jang Young Woo

Cast: Kim So Yeon, Sung Joon, Nam Goong Min, Wang Ji Won, Park Hyo Joo

IMDb Rating: 7.4

I Can Hear Your Voice is a South Korean drama featuring Jang Hye Sun (Lee Bo Young), a bold and witty lawyer, and Park Soo Ha (Lee Jong Suk), a 19-year-old student with the extraordinary ability to hear other people's thoughts. Soo Ha has been in love with Hye Sun since he was a child, ever since she helped convict the man who killed his father. Despite knowing that Hye Sun's heart belongs to someone else, his quiet but intense affection for her brings an emotional depth to the series that resonates with viewers.

The show's charm lies in its blend of supernatural elements, thrilling action, romance, humor, and moments of heart-wrenching drama. It explores real-life issues such as law, love, friendship, workplace dynamics, family, and revenge. Although the cast was not widely known at the time, the show became a huge success, earning numerous prestigious awards for its powerful storytelling and performances.

Details:

Release Year: 2013

Genres: Romance, Thriller

Director: Jo Soo-won

Cast: Yoon Sang Hyun, Lee Bo Young, Lee Jong Suk

IMDb Rating: 8.1

The Flower Boy Ramen Shop kicks off with the clash between intern teacher Yang Eun Bi (Lee Chung Ah) and the handsome, wealthy, and arrogant Cha Chi Soo (Sung Il Woo). However, this isn't their first encounter, as the two had previously crossed paths in an awkward situation that Eun Bi desperately wanted to forget. After a series of attempts to sabotage each other, Eun Bi quits her job to help run her father’s ramen shop with the appearance of her father's new student assistant. Meanwhile, the ‘prince’ Chi Soo, caught in a whirlwind of confusing emotions, ends up working at the ramen shop to heal his “heartache” over Eun Bi.

Alongside two other attractive men, the ramen shop begins its operations, setting the stage for a humorous and light-hearted love triangle.

Although following the classic “Cinderella meets prince” trope, The Flower Boy Ramen Shop captivated a young audience with its clever mix of amusing and charming moments. When the series first aired, the romance between Chi Soo and Eun Bi created a buzz across social media.

Details:

Release Year: 2011

Genres: Romance, Comedy

Director: Jung Jung Hwa

Cast: Jung Il Woo, Lee Chung Ah, Lee Ki Woo, Hwang Hyun Hee, Jo Yoon Woo

IMDb Rating: 6.9

My Name is Kim Sam Soon helped spark a trend of older woman-younger man romances on Korean television in the early 2000s. With an intriguing storyline, despite not being entirely original, the show garnered a record-breaking 50% viewership, setting a milestone in Korean TV history. This success brought Hyun Bin closer to audiences in Korea and across Asia.

The drama centers on Kim Sam Soon (Kim Sun Ah), a 30-year-old woman who may not be conventionally beautiful and has a bit of extra weight, but she’s an excellent baker. After losing both her job and her boyfriend on Christmas Eve, Sam Soon decides to rebuild her career and find a new boyfriend to lead a happy life. She gets a job at a restaurant called "Bon Appetite" where she meets its charming yet cold owner, Hyun Jin Heon (Hyun Bin). Jin Heon, a 27-year-old man with good looks and a mysterious demeanor, agrees to enter a fake love contract with Sam Soon to help her pay off her debts, while also avoiding his mother's pressure to go on arranged dates. But when Jin Heon's real girlfriend returns from the U.S., the love contract becomes a tangled mess as their fake feelings start to turn real.

Details:

Release Year: 2005

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Director: Kim Yun Cheol

Cast: Kim Sun Ah, Hyun Bin, Jung Ryeo Won, Daniel Henney, Kim Hyun Jun

IMDb Rating: 8.1

The Teacher and the Cotton Candy follows Na Bori (Gong Hyo Jin), a 25-year-old woman who longs to return to her alma mater as a teacher. However, after a misunderstanding led to her expulsion in her youth, she’s determined to come back. Na Bori turns down other teaching offers to specifically request a position at her former school, where she also has the opportunity to work alongside her high school crush, art teacher Ji Hyun Woo (Kim Da Hyun). To get the job, she agrees to a deal as a nanny for Park Tae In (Gong Yoo), a rebellious student known for causing trouble.

This drama marks Gong Yoo's first leading role, showcasing his growth as an actor. It also marks the beginning of a strong friendship between Gong Yoo and Gong Hyo Jin, despite the fans’ hopes for their onscreen chemistry to turn into real-life romance.

Details:

Release Year: 2005

Genres: Romance, Drama

Directors: Kim Hyung Shik, Oh Jong Rok

Cast: Choi Yeon Jin, Gong Hyo Jin, Gong Yoo, Kim Da Hyun

IMDb Rating: 7.0

The Key to Love is a South Korean romantic drama that explores the lives of modern, successful women in today’s fast-paced world. The film features top stars such as Im Soo Jung, Jung Hae In, Han Ji Min, and Jeon Hye Jin.

The story revolves around three women working in the tech industry: Ga Kyeong, Bae Ta Mi, and Cha Hyeon. At 30 years old, Bae Ta Mi has it all—except love. With her talent, creativity, and passion, she’s built a successful and stable career at a young age. However, she has sacrificed a lot to reach this point, especially in her personal life. She never seems to have time for relaxation or to search for true love. Park Mo Gun (Chang Ki Yong) is a young, talented musician who dreams of becoming a famous composer. Despite being only in his twenties, he’s already made a name for himself by composing music for video games. While working at a gaming company, he meets Ta Mi and is instantly drawn to her personality. Despite their ten-year age gap, Mo Gun is determined to win her heart. Can love bloom between this unlikely pair?

Details:

Release Year: 2019

Genres: Romance, Drama

Director: Jung Ji Hyun

Cast: Kwon Hae Hyo, Lee Da Hee, Jeon Hye Jin, Han Ji Min, Jang Ki Yong

IMDb Rating: 7.8

Why Oh Soo Jae? is a romantic mystery series about Oh Soo Jae (Seo Hyun Jin), a cold-hearted lawyer who begins to feel empty as she relentlessly pursues success, and Gong Chan (Hwang In Yeop), a law student who will go to any lengths to protect her.

Oh Soo Jae’s life has been marked by skepticism ever since a painful past. As the youngest associate at TK Law Firm, she’s highly respected for her talent. Her ambition to win is so strong that she forces her competitors to bow before her. However, after an unexpected incident, she’s demoted, loses everything, and ends up as a teaching assistant at a local law school. It’s there that she meets Gong Chan, a warm-hearted student who bears his own painful past. Gong Chan falls deeply in love with Soo Jae and is willing to do anything to protect her. Although the pain of her demotion lingers, Soo Jae hides it and attempts to stabilize herself in her new role, while secretly trying to reclaim her position. But everything changes when she meets Gong Chan and starts falling for him. Thanks to him, she begins to learn how to love herself. Will this age-gap romance flourish? Tune in to Why Oh Soo Jae? to find out!

Details:

Release Year: 2019

Genres: Drama, Mystery, Romance

Director: Jung Ji Hyun

Cast: Seo Hyun Jin, Hwang In Yeop

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Based on the popular novel of the same name, Senior, Don't Wear That Lipstick follows the romantic relationship between Yoon Song Ah (Won Jin Ah) and Chae Hyun Seung (Ro Woon), a younger man who falls for her at first sight. Yoon Song Ah is a determined and ambitious woman, dreaming of one day launching her own cosmetics brand. Despite her delicate appearance, she is strong-willed and decisive, qualities that attract the attention of Hyun Seung, a younger man surrounded by admirers due to his perfect looks. How will Hyun Seung manage to win Song Ah's heart? What will happen to their office romance?

Ro Woon delivers an excellent performance in this romantic office drama, showcasing his acting skills despite playing a younger character in a sister-brother type love story. His heartfelt declarations of love towards Song Ah will melt the hearts of viewers.

Details:
Release Year: 2021
Genres: Drama, Mystery, Romance
Director: Lee Dong Young
Cast: Ro Woon, Won Jin Ah
IMDb Rating: 7.5

Love Appendix is a charming and romantic comedy about the love story between childhood friends Cha Eun Ho (Lee Jong Suk) and Kang Dani (Lee Nayoung), who once missed their chance at love in the past. However, fate brings them back together despite the age gap, forming a modern-day fairytale filled with both comedic and romantic twists.

In addition to exploring the theme of love, the series also delves into meaningful life choices, such as balancing career and family, and the conflict between wealth and passion. These elements portray the complexities of modern life, highlighting the struggles and decisions faced by individuals. Love Appendix features beautiful scenes that seamlessly weave between the present and past, offering a thoughtful narrative structure. The transitions between time periods are clever, especially when looking into the past, where Dani reflects on her failed marriage, and Eun Ho contemplates his position in the life of the woman he loves.

Details:
Release Year: 2019
Director: Lee Jung Hyo
Genres: Romance, Comedy
Cast: Jung Yoo Jin, Wi Ha Joon, Lee Na Young, Lee Jong Suk
IMDb Rating: 8.0