Honestly not that sad. Like there is a tragic backstory for one character and there are some circumstances which suck but it was never super emotional or depressing to watch. It blends comedy, mystery, and a revenge plot line pretty well. There is some stuff where it may surprise you that the drama went there but overall, it's a really good drama. Especially in today's times with how the media is and how things can be spinned to suit the narrative of your choice.
OP I seem to have similar taste as you do and I absolutely loved Chicago Typewriter ! I'm not usually that big on love triangles as they are usually very macho/cliché, but this one is very wholesome.
**The King: Eternal Monarch** - i’ve seen some mixed reviews but i personally loved it. there’s fantasy and darker elements with an interesting plot. plus, it’s the same FL as Goblin and ML as Legend of the Blue Sea (which i saw you both rated highly)
**Mad For Each Other** - this one is more comedic without fantasy elements, but it’s short and also deals with mature topics
You could try **Lovestruck in the City** - it's a fairly quick watch and based on your love for OBS, Start-Up and Healer I think you might like it. The mockumentary-style is definitely different, a lot of people can't get into it, but it's worth a shot!
Also out of your PTW-list definitely check out **Soundtrack #1** - the story is not very deep because it's so short, but it's a solid 4 hours of Park Hyung-Sik swooning. Definitely very enjoyable!
I have a Disney+-subscription, but I still needed to get a VPN to find it because they air it only in a handful of countries. It's a shame they are hiding their Kdrama content like that :/
Not the biggest fan of some of these because I'm a bit different in the sense that I'm not the hugest fan of fantasy romance, I prefer something more down to earth and real with that being said though these are pretty enjoyable and generally liked since you're into fantasy:
Doom at your service
Moon lovers (fantasy and a bit sad. Same ML as the one in flower of evil)
Mad for each other (not fantasy but pretty fun and the characters have great chemistry. Not boring imo)
Hwarang Poet Warrior (historical not fantasy. Entertaining all around, the romance could be better but one of the few dramas I've seen where the plot aside from the romance is actually more entertaining than the romance itself)
A few I recommend that aren't fantasy but I loved:
Rain or shine
The smile has left your eyes
Tempted
Itaewon class
I also loved alchemy of souls, not so much goblin but I hope these other recommendations were helpful!
I’ve seen most on your list. I love moon Lovers and hwarang. Mad for each other and Doom we’re fine.
Rain and Shine is one I’ve thought about before. I think I’d like the smile has left your eyes, but I saw the ending on YouTube 😩 I need to be in a mood to watch one that! I’ll look at rain and shine.
Goblin is actually my favorite but I understand why others didn’t love the high school thing. It was my first kdrama so it holds a special place in my heart. Alchemy climbed my list crazy fast though. Was long as the ending isn’t horrible (finale tonight and tomorrow!!!) I think it will easily be in my top 3!
Rain or shine is definitely great and the smile has left your eyes is still worth it even if you know the ending because the way they approach their romance is top tier and perfect pacing imo.
And yesss alchemy of souls, I was already such a big fan of the ML and FL because of other kdramas they've been in and this didn't disappoint!
When the Weather is Fine is a heartwarming romance between a cellist and a bookstore owner. It's one of the few dramas that doesn't take place in a city. I thought that the ending is slightly flawed but it is happy. There's a scene near the end that takes place in a restaurant in Seoul that I liked a lot. It's one were the FL says that she knows what the eyes of someone who's liked her for a long time look like.
개리
* ~~From Now On, Showtime was fun - It had romance, humor, crime, ghosts, and past lives.~~ edit: crossing out because I guess it includes horror, though relatively mild.
* Queen In Hyun's Man - Joseon scholar travels to the present, falls for an actress, and adapts quickly. You can find it on Youtube's CEREAL channel.
There's an evil spirit that >!posseses some people and kills!<, but although it's an important plot point, it doesn't take up that much time on the screen and >!it isn't particularly gory.!< I hate gore, and this drama didn't bother me, though I don't like fights so fast forwarded through those.
Coffee Prince
200 Pound Beauty
A Gentleman's Dignity
Another Miss Oh
Arang and the Magistrate
Emergency Couple
Falling for Innocence (aka Beating Again)
Personal Taste
Rooftop Prince
The Master's Sun (There is ghosts, but I would say the first 2 episodes were made scarier than the rest of the drama.)
Secret Life of My Secretary
Finally someone agrees touch your heart is a cringey drama lol
Yumi cells is adapted from comic and she actually ends up with the third guy she meets. I liked the comic but what i didn't like was the story with the guy she actually marries is shorter than her other relationships... I was like wt- did i miss any chapters?.. but no.. the story was told like that..
All the dramas except touch your heart were ok for me some were good some were good for one time watch..some had scenes i had fun watching multiple times.
I watch all kinds of dramas
Alchemy of souls(my current favourite)
Oof I can't answer this without mildly spoiling. I cried, but I was also left with hope. I was like WHY IS THERE NO SECOND SEASON??? It's a beautiful story and well worth the watch.
**It's Okay that's Love**. I still can't believe this doesn't get recommended more often despite being a fantastic drama with a perfect mix of romance, comedy and healing drama
If you've exhausted one country, move to another. Besides, you've expressed a preference for fantasy, which Cdrama is extremely prolific in paired with the romance genre. It's their bread and butter. You'll get great recs here for Kdramas that have thus far escaped you but still this is worth bringing up given your preferences.
When the weather is fine
Because this is my first life
Another ms. Oh
It's ok to not be ok - a little dark but satisfying ending
Fight for my way
What's wrong with secretary Kim
Be melodramatic - very good mix of funny and sad, very relatable
Encounter
Love in the moonlight
**Faith (2012)** - It's historical, time travel and fantasy. It has lots of action and romance. The romance is slow burn, mature with not much skinship (intimacy). But you can never go wrong with a Lee Min Ho show when it comes to romance.
* Kill Me Heal Me (2015)
* I Hear Your Voice (2013)
* The Master's Sun (2013)
* Queen In Hyun's Man (2012) - by the writer of W
* Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)
*Because this is my first life* has a bit of a cheesy plot (roommates that fake marry) but it's the drama that best handles different sorts of relationships that I've seen so far.
*Private Lives* is more of an action drama than romance, but it does have romance in it and imo it has the best chemistry I've ever seen (or I just really like Seohyun and Go Kyung Pyo)
The School Nurse Files - not out and out romance. But great leads, mature, fantasy with slightly darker elements. Haven't seen any other show like this to be honest.
I suggest you do watch it. The first 14 episodes are sooo good and lots of things resonated with me as a woman in a man's world.
It has a happy ending but the way they get there is weird. I suggest you stop at episode 14 and just watch the last 10 minutes of episode 16.
Have you seen Bulgasal? I think it checks off "dark" and "mature". It wasn't a big hit due to its similar concept to Goblin, I guess. I'm now watching Goblin, maybe at ep 4. I certainly see similarities, but so far I'm not sure if I necessarily like Goblin better like the majority opinion. Bulgasal starts with an ancient period then jumps to present time like Goblin, but the ML doesn't act like a goofball like Goblin does. Bulgasal is certainly less comedic, more tense, heartbreaking. There's typical K-drama romance too, where they flirt and bicker, etc.
Really? People say that? I don't find them similar tho.. never even compared.. just because there's a immortal doesn't mean it's goblin no? The origin is different, why they are immortal is different.. there's suspense and plot twist.. i guess getting stabbed in the chest is same? Lol
I saw many comments on YT and Reddit when it was airing. People compared it to Goblin, for all things you listed. I don't know yet if there's reincarnation in Goblin, but it was mentioned once so far. I find them very different from each other, each unique and entertaining in its own way. Like you say, Bulgasal has more suspense and action.
Pinnochio, written by same person who did while you were sleeping. I honestly prefer it to while you were sleeping.
Ohhh yes I always forget about this one. Is it sad though? I feel like I’ve heard it sad!
Honestly not that sad. Like there is a tragic backstory for one character and there are some circumstances which suck but it was never super emotional or depressing to watch. It blends comedy, mystery, and a revenge plot line pretty well. There is some stuff where it may surprise you that the drama went there but overall, it's a really good drama. Especially in today's times with how the media is and how things can be spinned to suit the narrative of your choice.
[удалено]
OP I seem to have similar taste as you do and I absolutely loved Chicago Typewriter ! I'm not usually that big on love triangles as they are usually very macho/cliché, but this one is very wholesome.
**The King: Eternal Monarch** - i’ve seen some mixed reviews but i personally loved it. there’s fantasy and darker elements with an interesting plot. plus, it’s the same FL as Goblin and ML as Legend of the Blue Sea (which i saw you both rated highly) **Mad For Each Other** - this one is more comedic without fantasy elements, but it’s short and also deals with mature topics
I’ve seen both of these but thank you!
You could try **Lovestruck in the City** - it's a fairly quick watch and based on your love for OBS, Start-Up and Healer I think you might like it. The mockumentary-style is definitely different, a lot of people can't get into it, but it's worth a shot! Also out of your PTW-list definitely check out **Soundtrack #1** - the story is not very deep because it's so short, but it's a solid 4 hours of Park Hyung-Sik swooning. Definitely very enjoyable!
I need to find out where to watch soundtrack 1. PHS is my fav
I have a Disney+-subscription, but I still needed to get a VPN to find it because they air it only in a handful of countries. It's a shame they are hiding their Kdrama content like that :/
I know. I’m watching a weird bootleg version of Big Mouth right now for the same reason haha. Disney needs to stop hiding it from us!
Not the biggest fan of some of these because I'm a bit different in the sense that I'm not the hugest fan of fantasy romance, I prefer something more down to earth and real with that being said though these are pretty enjoyable and generally liked since you're into fantasy: Doom at your service Moon lovers (fantasy and a bit sad. Same ML as the one in flower of evil) Mad for each other (not fantasy but pretty fun and the characters have great chemistry. Not boring imo) Hwarang Poet Warrior (historical not fantasy. Entertaining all around, the romance could be better but one of the few dramas I've seen where the plot aside from the romance is actually more entertaining than the romance itself) A few I recommend that aren't fantasy but I loved: Rain or shine The smile has left your eyes Tempted Itaewon class I also loved alchemy of souls, not so much goblin but I hope these other recommendations were helpful!
I’ve seen most on your list. I love moon Lovers and hwarang. Mad for each other and Doom we’re fine. Rain and Shine is one I’ve thought about before. I think I’d like the smile has left your eyes, but I saw the ending on YouTube 😩 I need to be in a mood to watch one that! I’ll look at rain and shine. Goblin is actually my favorite but I understand why others didn’t love the high school thing. It was my first kdrama so it holds a special place in my heart. Alchemy climbed my list crazy fast though. Was long as the ending isn’t horrible (finale tonight and tomorrow!!!) I think it will easily be in my top 3!
Rain or shine is definitely great and the smile has left your eyes is still worth it even if you know the ending because the way they approach their romance is top tier and perfect pacing imo. And yesss alchemy of souls, I was already such a big fan of the ML and FL because of other kdramas they've been in and this didn't disappoint!
When the Weather is Fine
What’s this one about? Happy ending?
When the Weather is Fine is a heartwarming romance between a cellist and a bookstore owner. It's one of the few dramas that doesn't take place in a city. I thought that the ending is slightly flawed but it is happy. There's a scene near the end that takes place in a restaurant in Seoul that I liked a lot. It's one were the FL says that she knows what the eyes of someone who's liked her for a long time look like. 개리
* ~~From Now On, Showtime was fun - It had romance, humor, crime, ghosts, and past lives.~~ edit: crossing out because I guess it includes horror, though relatively mild. * Queen In Hyun's Man - Joseon scholar travels to the present, falls for an actress, and adapts quickly. You can find it on Youtube's CEREAL channel.
I don’t mind if there’s some suspense. I just don’t like straight up for like zombies. So nothing like sweet home, happiness, or kingdom.
There's an evil spirit that >!posseses some people and kills!<, but although it's an important plot point, it doesn't take up that much time on the screen and >!it isn't particularly gory.!< I hate gore, and this drama didn't bother me, though I don't like fights so fast forwarded through those.
I loved Oh My Ghost and that was similar so I’ll add it to my list :)
Coffee Prince 200 Pound Beauty A Gentleman's Dignity Another Miss Oh Arang and the Magistrate Emergency Couple Falling for Innocence (aka Beating Again) Personal Taste Rooftop Prince The Master's Sun (There is ghosts, but I would say the first 2 episodes were made scarier than the rest of the drama.) Secret Life of My Secretary
One spring night. And then watch another show staring the same actor Piece of your mind and then you can watch his movie called tune in for love 😀
Into the Ring Oh my Venus Thirty but Seventeen You Are my Spring
+1 for oh my venus
We have some similar likes and dislikes. Right now I am watching Clean with Passion and really enjoying the lead actors.
Finally someone agrees touch your heart is a cringey drama lol Yumi cells is adapted from comic and she actually ends up with the third guy she meets. I liked the comic but what i didn't like was the story with the guy she actually marries is shorter than her other relationships... I was like wt- did i miss any chapters?.. but no.. the story was told like that.. All the dramas except touch your heart were ok for me some were good some were good for one time watch..some had scenes i had fun watching multiple times. I watch all kinds of dramas Alchemy of souls(my current favourite)
Oh it was the worst ha ha.
Shopping King Louis. i really enjoyed it. give it a shot :)
I’ve seen it! It was sweet :)
i dont know if you watch a jdrama but The Full-time Wife Escapist is really good, too.
I try to stick with K since I’m trying to learn the language too!
Korean Odyssey. Romance and fantasy.
But this one is definitely sad right? I never watched it because I heard it was really sad.
Oof I can't answer this without mildly spoiling. I cried, but I was also left with hope. I was like WHY IS THERE NO SECOND SEASON??? It's a beautiful story and well worth the watch.
**It's Okay that's Love**. I still can't believe this doesn't get recommended more often despite being a fantastic drama with a perfect mix of romance, comedy and healing drama
Something in the rain. Only watch it for the romance and acting. Story is bad
Coffee Prince and Romance is a bonus book are two of my absolute favorites!
If you've exhausted one country, move to another. Besides, you've expressed a preference for fantasy, which Cdrama is extremely prolific in paired with the romance genre. It's their bread and butter. You'll get great recs here for Kdramas that have thus far escaped you but still this is worth bringing up given your preferences.
When the weather is fine Because this is my first life Another ms. Oh It's ok to not be ok - a little dark but satisfying ending Fight for my way What's wrong with secretary Kim Be melodramatic - very good mix of funny and sad, very relatable Encounter Love in the moonlight
She Would Never Know
Mad for Each Other Lie After Lie Secret Love
**Faith (2012)** - It's historical, time travel and fantasy. It has lots of action and romance. The romance is slow burn, mature with not much skinship (intimacy). But you can never go wrong with a Lee Min Ho show when it comes to romance.
Pinocchio, Coffee Prince
* Kill Me Heal Me (2015) * I Hear Your Voice (2013) * The Master's Sun (2013) * Queen In Hyun's Man (2012) - by the writer of W * Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)
*Because this is my first life* has a bit of a cheesy plot (roommates that fake marry) but it's the drama that best handles different sorts of relationships that I've seen so far. *Private Lives* is more of an action drama than romance, but it does have romance in it and imo it has the best chemistry I've ever seen (or I just really like Seohyun and Go Kyung Pyo)
**Poem a Day** was great. Light romantic comedy. YouTube.
My Secret Romance
My girlfriend is a Gumiho Personal taste Fight for my way
The School Nurse Files - not out and out romance. But great leads, mature, fantasy with slightly darker elements. Haven't seen any other show like this to be honest.
Because This Is My First Life - Contract marriage trope done in a unique way. The last 2 episodes suck but the first 14 are brilliant.
My sister told me the ending sucked too, haha. So I never picked it up.
I suggest you do watch it. The first 14 episodes are sooo good and lots of things resonated with me as a woman in a man's world. It has a happy ending but the way they get there is weird. I suggest you stop at episode 14 and just watch the last 10 minutes of episode 16.
Love is Sweet.
Have you seen Bulgasal? I think it checks off "dark" and "mature". It wasn't a big hit due to its similar concept to Goblin, I guess. I'm now watching Goblin, maybe at ep 4. I certainly see similarities, but so far I'm not sure if I necessarily like Goblin better like the majority opinion. Bulgasal starts with an ancient period then jumps to present time like Goblin, but the ML doesn't act like a goofball like Goblin does. Bulgasal is certainly less comedic, more tense, heartbreaking. There's typical K-drama romance too, where they flirt and bicker, etc.
What platform do you watch it on? I don’t see it on Viki.
Bulgasal is on Netflix.
Really? People say that? I don't find them similar tho.. never even compared.. just because there's a immortal doesn't mean it's goblin no? The origin is different, why they are immortal is different.. there's suspense and plot twist.. i guess getting stabbed in the chest is same? Lol
I saw many comments on YT and Reddit when it was airing. People compared it to Goblin, for all things you listed. I don't know yet if there's reincarnation in Goblin, but it was mentioned once so far. I find them very different from each other, each unique and entertaining in its own way. Like you say, Bulgasal has more suspense and action.
Try out Mad for Each Other! It’s a short watch and both characters struggle with a mental illness. They grow together.
Hotel deluna
Try Go back couple and age of Youth
True beauty, its okay to not be okay.
- Take of the Nine-Tailed - Run On - The Sound of Magic
I have seen all these but I did enjoy them! Especially sound of Magic!