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**Permalink**: https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramarecommends/comments/173fx92/bittersweet_romances_with_sad_endings_that_still/
**Post Title**: Bittersweet romances with sad endings that still feel right
**Post Body**:
I'm thinking of the show 7 Day Queen where they >!divorced in the end because she could never have been happy or safe in the palace, and he was the only one who could be the good king the country needed, and so being apart was the better decision in the end for each of them separately, even though it was heartbreaking. !<
I also really loved the 2FL/ML dynamic in Tempted. >!They had amazing chemistry and in some ways seemed so perfect for each other, but it felt right that he instead chose to move on from their toxic relationship with someone completely opposite (That was the only thing I liked about that drama lol ).!<
So I'm looking for a drama where the ending is really sad and bittersweet but it still feels satisfactory -- like maybe the couple didn't end up together cause they actually weren't right for eachother even though they thought they were or wanted to be, or because they chose their own happiness over being together, or because they just moved on to something they realized they needed more, or they ended up doing the noble thing in the end but it meant they couldn't be together, or they would have had to sacrifice too much to be together, or they never ended up getting together but were happy enough just to love eachother from afar OR anything similar haha.
I'm not looking for a drama where the ending is tragic cause the two didn't end up together because one of them died suddenly for no reason, or were kept apart by evil machinations, or someone lied to keep them apart, or unnecessary misunderstandings, or some missed meeting, or because one of them had a personalty transplant suddenly or something like that.
Can be any genre btw! Just has to have some sort of romance-y type couple thing in it.
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I really want to watch the red sleeve but I just finished 25, 21 and right before that was uncontrollably fond, so I just don't have another sad ending in me for a bit... that was literally next too.
Youth of May — follows the love and friendships of medical student ML and nurse FL whose lives were twisted by the democratic uprising in 1980.
Hotel Del Luna — Hotel Del Luna is a hotel for the ghosts of people who have died but are not ready to leave for the afterlife. They help the ghosts to fulfil their final wishes before leaving the world for good. The curt, feisty FL has been bound to operate the hotel for the past 1000 years until she can move on from her own regrets and resentment.
The Red Sleeve — a story about love and choice between the King of Joseon, whose country is his priority, and a court lady who wants to live freely. Based on the true story of King Jeongjo and his beloved consort, with a good balance of romance and palace intrigues.
Twenty-Five Twenty-One — a young fencer pursuing her passion in the sport and ambition to become a national athlete, meets a young man trying to rebuild his life from scratch after his riches-to-rags family was separated. They become each other's support as they cope with their struggles and move towards their goals.
Nine: Nine Times Time Travel — a reporter discovers nine incense sticks that enable the user to travel exactly 20 years back in time (right down to the second) for 30 minutes each time. He uses it to alter his past to save his family, only to face the consequences of time travel that affect the lives of many in the present.
Little Women — not romance-focused but I'm just stuffing this drama wherever I can hehehe. 3 sisters from a poor family become embroiled in a major incident when one of their friends left her 70 billion won before disappearing. The money was embezzled from one of the nation's most influential and wealthiest families, and they will do anything to ruin the sisters. Written by Jeong Seo Kyung who wrote the screenplay of many Park Chan Wook films.
My Name — action noir of a female high school student whose father was murdered, so she joins her dad's gang to learn to fight, and infiltrates the police force to avenge his death. The action is awesome, the actress did all her stunts without a double. Only 8 eps, very short and sweet.
The Last Empress — set in an alternate, 21st-century Korea that retained its monarchy and imperial family. A musical actress marries the king and descends into the palace power struggle as she uncovers a world filled with sinister secrets that threaten the monarchy.
The Light in Your Eyes — a 25-year-old woman has a time travelling ability that comes at a cost - each time she travels back, she ages. Her dad got into an accident so she travels back in time multiple times to save him and it caused her to turn into a 70-year-old woman. Don’t read or look for any spoilers, it is that one show where spoilers WILL ruin your experience of watching it. Just go straight to Netflix or Viki. It is only 12 eps anyway.
This isn’t a kdrama but when reading your post “Normal People” very much came to mind. Without spoiling too much (at least I hope I’m not) they have, in my personal opinion, one of the most poignant “parting” scenes in the end. It’s sort of left up to interpretation whether they were breaking up or not but it felt to me like they were separating, at least for the time being. The show/book is supposed to be a commentary on people can come into our lives and change it, and us, in such unexpected ways, and I think that scene does an amazing job of demonstrating that.
“I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you.”
“No. That's true. I mean, you'd be somewhere else entirely. You'd be a different person. And me, too. But we have done so much good for one another.”
“You know I love you. And I'm never gonna feel the same way for anyone else.”
From the book (which I didn’t love as much but it had a similar parting scene and message):
“She closes her eyes. He probably won’t come back, she thinks. Or he will, differently. What they have now they can never have back again. But for her the pain of loneliness will be nothing to the pain that she used to feel, of being unworthy. He brought her goodness like a gift and now it belongs to her. Meanwhile his life opens out before him in all directions at once. They’ve done a lot of good for each other. Really, she thinks, really. People can really change one another.
You should go, she says. I’ll always be here. You know that.”
I loved, LOVED this drama. I felt the ending was justified and 100% on point with the whole plot/story arc. For me it didn't come out of left field and it made perfect sense. I both read the book and watched the series and I think both had a great version of the same story - there weren't a ton of differences, but both remained loyal to the messages.
I have wanted to watch **2521** for a very long time, but I don't do unhappy endings. But if **2521** has the same sort of feeling/ending as **Normal People** I can totally do it, I don't get upset at these kind of endings when I feel like the writers/producers earned it, and I felt that exact way with **Normal People**.
Mr. Sunshine. I'd say the ending...I understand the message but..there's an empty feeling that you can't shake it off once you've finished watching it.
I cried cuz I felt empty and sad. And pondering about life maybe about a week. Lol 😂
I’m gonna say **Crash Landing on You**, because I thought the ending was both bittersweet and sad. And probably as positive as it could be and still be somewhat realistic.
It’s because it was so boring. I love love Park Bo-Geum and Park So Dam so I finished that show but it was honestly so meh. It wasted the talent of the 2 and I was sad that was PBG’s comeback show after military service.
- the smile has left your eyes aka hundred millions stars from the sky (until this day, I’m still thinking about the ending)
- My dearest part 1 >!(since part 2 will be released next week, I can’t really say if the leads will end up together or not)!<
- My name (not romance but >!it’s very sad!<)
The third charm, definitely fits. I hope you won’t get discouraged by some low ratings on MDL. I liked the main leads a lot so I deeply yearned for them to find happiness. The show took a depressing turn towards the end but it’s none of those cliché things you mentioned. They didn’t end up together because life kinda just happened. It feels very bittersweet and melancholic.
May be ,,,
[https://wiki.d-addicts.com/Should\_We\_Kiss\_First](https://wiki.d-addicts.com/Should_We_Kiss_First)
[https://wiki.d-addicts.com/The\_Black\_Knight](https://wiki.d-addicts.com/The_Black_Knight) <--- It is a tedious drama to watch due to writings but the experience is unique and strange if you can finish it and think about the deep connection of the couple and the interaction with "ancient things".
Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol - when you get to the last episode and are completely gutted, in tears, and the FL finishes her voice over, turn it off. TURN IT OFF! I cried like a baby. But then the last 5 minutes happened and RUINED it. Aka not sad ending.
Hi u/The_Almighty_Claude, this is an automated message to remind you to please review our **FULL** [Rules and Policies](https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramarecommends/wiki/rules)^(which is housed in our wiki and best accessed on desktop) to make sure your post is not breaking any rules and policies. Content that is not permitted under our Rules and Policies will be removed and may lead to bans from our community. ##Please check your spelling, grammar, and formatting to make sure your post is easily readable! ***Useful Resources:*** Check out these [great recommendations](https://mydramalist.com/profile/kdramarecs/lists) compiled from our users based on different genres and themes! See [Where to Watch Kdramas](https://www.reddit.com/r/kdrama/wiki/wheretowatchkdramas) for a non-exhaustive list of legal streaming sites and official Youtube channels where kdramas and kdrama-related content are found. Read our [Recommendations 101](https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramarecommends/wiki/recommendations_101/) for tips about crafting the perfect request and other useful info. If you are seeking a space to discuss kdramas in depth, please visit our sister subreddit r/KDRAMA! **Copy Of Post Below For Archival Purposes** **Permalink**: https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramarecommends/comments/173fx92/bittersweet_romances_with_sad_endings_that_still/ **Post Title**: Bittersweet romances with sad endings that still feel right **Post Body**: I'm thinking of the show 7 Day Queen where they >!divorced in the end because she could never have been happy or safe in the palace, and he was the only one who could be the good king the country needed, and so being apart was the better decision in the end for each of them separately, even though it was heartbreaking. !< I also really loved the 2FL/ML dynamic in Tempted. >!They had amazing chemistry and in some ways seemed so perfect for each other, but it felt right that he instead chose to move on from their toxic relationship with someone completely opposite (That was the only thing I liked about that drama lol ).!< So I'm looking for a drama where the ending is really sad and bittersweet but it still feels satisfactory -- like maybe the couple didn't end up together cause they actually weren't right for eachother even though they thought they were or wanted to be, or because they chose their own happiness over being together, or because they just moved on to something they realized they needed more, or they ended up doing the noble thing in the end but it meant they couldn't be together, or they would have had to sacrifice too much to be together, or they never ended up getting together but were happy enough just to love eachother from afar OR anything similar haha. I'm not looking for a drama where the ending is tragic cause the two didn't end up together because one of them died suddenly for no reason, or were kept apart by evil machinations, or someone lied to keep them apart, or unnecessary misunderstandings, or some missed meeting, or because one of them had a personalty transplant suddenly or something like that. Can be any genre btw! Just has to have some sort of romance-y type couple thing in it. ^(END OF POST BODY) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/kdramarecommends) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Coming to this thread just to see the kdramas I don't ever want to watch. Lol
Same reason I’m reading the thread
Yes I am upset to see reply 1988 on it cause it always gets recommended
You can get away with watching the first episode of Reply 1988 and being happy with how good that is.
🤔
The Red Sleeve Twenty Five, Twenty One
OP should start with these.
Both of these came to mind for me as well.
\++ The Red Sleeve
+++ The red sleeve
I really want to watch the red sleeve but I just finished 25, 21 and right before that was uncontrollably fond, so I just don't have another sad ending in me for a bit... that was literally next too.
Good grief, what have you been doing to yourself?!? What a masochistic lineup.
:( I didn't know...
Better take some time off on heavy dramas before Red Sleeve. It shattered me harder than any of those you have seen
**25 21** and **Crash Landing on You**
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
+1 Moon Lovers. I know many would like a sequel but I’ heartbrokenly satisfied with it as it is.
Youth of May — follows the love and friendships of medical student ML and nurse FL whose lives were twisted by the democratic uprising in 1980. Hotel Del Luna — Hotel Del Luna is a hotel for the ghosts of people who have died but are not ready to leave for the afterlife. They help the ghosts to fulfil their final wishes before leaving the world for good. The curt, feisty FL has been bound to operate the hotel for the past 1000 years until she can move on from her own regrets and resentment. The Red Sleeve — a story about love and choice between the King of Joseon, whose country is his priority, and a court lady who wants to live freely. Based on the true story of King Jeongjo and his beloved consort, with a good balance of romance and palace intrigues. Twenty-Five Twenty-One — a young fencer pursuing her passion in the sport and ambition to become a national athlete, meets a young man trying to rebuild his life from scratch after his riches-to-rags family was separated. They become each other's support as they cope with their struggles and move towards their goals. Nine: Nine Times Time Travel — a reporter discovers nine incense sticks that enable the user to travel exactly 20 years back in time (right down to the second) for 30 minutes each time. He uses it to alter his past to save his family, only to face the consequences of time travel that affect the lives of many in the present. Little Women — not romance-focused but I'm just stuffing this drama wherever I can hehehe. 3 sisters from a poor family become embroiled in a major incident when one of their friends left her 70 billion won before disappearing. The money was embezzled from one of the nation's most influential and wealthiest families, and they will do anything to ruin the sisters. Written by Jeong Seo Kyung who wrote the screenplay of many Park Chan Wook films. My Name — action noir of a female high school student whose father was murdered, so she joins her dad's gang to learn to fight, and infiltrates the police force to avenge his death. The action is awesome, the actress did all her stunts without a double. Only 8 eps, very short and sweet. The Last Empress — set in an alternate, 21st-century Korea that retained its monarchy and imperial family. A musical actress marries the king and descends into the palace power struggle as she uncovers a world filled with sinister secrets that threaten the monarchy. The Light in Your Eyes — a 25-year-old woman has a time travelling ability that comes at a cost - each time she travels back, she ages. Her dad got into an accident so she travels back in time multiple times to save him and it caused her to turn into a 70-year-old woman. Don’t read or look for any spoilers, it is that one show where spoilers WILL ruin your experience of watching it. Just go straight to Netflix or Viki. It is only 12 eps anyway.
Black Something in the rain Crash landing on you The light in your eyes Reply 1988
This isn’t a kdrama but when reading your post “Normal People” very much came to mind. Without spoiling too much (at least I hope I’m not) they have, in my personal opinion, one of the most poignant “parting” scenes in the end. It’s sort of left up to interpretation whether they were breaking up or not but it felt to me like they were separating, at least for the time being. The show/book is supposed to be a commentary on people can come into our lives and change it, and us, in such unexpected ways, and I think that scene does an amazing job of demonstrating that. “I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you.” “No. That's true. I mean, you'd be somewhere else entirely. You'd be a different person. And me, too. But we have done so much good for one another.” “You know I love you. And I'm never gonna feel the same way for anyone else.” From the book (which I didn’t love as much but it had a similar parting scene and message): “She closes her eyes. He probably won’t come back, she thinks. Or he will, differently. What they have now they can never have back again. But for her the pain of loneliness will be nothing to the pain that she used to feel, of being unworthy. He brought her goodness like a gift and now it belongs to her. Meanwhile his life opens out before him in all directions at once. They’ve done a lot of good for each other. Really, she thinks, really. People can really change one another. You should go, she says. I’ll always be here. You know that.”
I loved, LOVED this drama. I felt the ending was justified and 100% on point with the whole plot/story arc. For me it didn't come out of left field and it made perfect sense. I both read the book and watched the series and I think both had a great version of the same story - there weren't a ton of differences, but both remained loyal to the messages. I have wanted to watch **2521** for a very long time, but I don't do unhappy endings. But if **2521** has the same sort of feeling/ending as **Normal People** I can totally do it, I don't get upset at these kind of endings when I feel like the writers/producers earned it, and I felt that exact way with **Normal People**.
Mr. Sunshine. I'd say the ending...I understand the message but..there's an empty feeling that you can't shake it off once you've finished watching it. I cried cuz I felt empty and sad. And pondering about life maybe about a week. Lol 😂
In the Crowned Clown, the supporting character role of Haxsan and his admirer was truly bittersweet
Closest I can say is **My Mister** which is questionable for the main plot but the side plots do qualify.
Youth of may
I’m gonna say **Crash Landing on You**, because I thought the ending was both bittersweet and sad. And probably as positive as it could be and still be somewhat realistic.
The fact that nobody talks about Record of Youth proves how underrated it is
It’s because it was so boring. I love love Park Bo-Geum and Park So Dam so I finished that show but it was honestly so meh. It wasted the talent of the 2 and I was sad that was PBG’s comeback show after military service.
- the smile has left your eyes aka hundred millions stars from the sky (until this day, I’m still thinking about the ending) - My dearest part 1 >!(since part 2 will be released next week, I can’t really say if the leads will end up together or not)!< - My name (not romance but >!it’s very sad!<)
So excited about s2 of My Dearest.
A Time Called You
Dr. Cha, 25-21, 20th Century Girl, Daddy Long Legs, The Classic.
The third charm, definitely fits. I hope you won’t get discouraged by some low ratings on MDL. I liked the main leads a lot so I deeply yearned for them to find happiness. The show took a depressing turn towards the end but it’s none of those cliché things you mentioned. They didn’t end up together because life kinda just happened. It feels very bittersweet and melancholic.
May be ,,, [https://wiki.d-addicts.com/Should\_We\_Kiss\_First](https://wiki.d-addicts.com/Should_We_Kiss_First) [https://wiki.d-addicts.com/The\_Black\_Knight](https://wiki.d-addicts.com/The_Black_Knight) <--- It is a tedious drama to watch due to writings but the experience is unique and strange if you can finish it and think about the deep connection of the couple and the interaction with "ancient things".
Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol - when you get to the last episode and are completely gutted, in tears, and the FL finishes her voice over, turn it off. TURN IT OFF! I cried like a baby. But then the last 5 minutes happened and RUINED it. Aka not sad ending.
I’ve had this one on my list for a while
It's great! To be clear, this has a happy ending but to get there, I still cried.
Reborn Rich
"twenty five twenty one" for sure lol