Love Next Door and 7 other heartfelt friends-to-lovers K-dramas on Netflix that are must-watch for hopeless romantics (2024)

So far, K-dramas in 2024 have been dominated by the romance genre, asQueen of TearsandLovely Runnerbecame global phenomenons. A recent entry to this list isJung Hae InandJung So Min’sstarrerLove Next Door, which managed to win hearts across the globe. The quirky treatment of the “friends-to-lovers” trope in the TVN series was particularly appreciated. We’ve curated a list of friends-to-lovers K-dramas that are the perfect binge-watch picks for hopeless romantics…

1. Love Next Door

Love Next Door is a rom-com K-drama centred on two childhood best friends who reunite as adults. One quits their high-profile job in the US and returns to Seoul, while the other is a well-known architect. The pair’s reunion kickstarts on a bickering note, but one harbours an unrequited crush for years. As they navigate adulthood together, the feelings eventually become mutual between the BFFs. Jung Hae In and Jung So Min’s captivating chemistry — with fans already shipping them as an IRL couple — helped elevate the “friends-turned-lovers” storyline in the heartwarming series. Love Next Door also stars Kim Ji Eun and Yoon Ji On.

2. Fight for My Way

Fight for My Way follows two lifelong friends — an unknown MMA fighter and an aspiring announcer — striving to achieve their professional dreams. While one gets into several failed relationships, the other fiercely protects the former from horrible ex-boyfriends. Their friendship eventually makes way for love. Fight for My Way stars Park Seo Joon, Kim Ji Won, Ahn Jae Hong and Song Ha Yoon.

3. Reply 1988

Reply 1988 follows five best friends and their families, who all live in the same neighbourhood of Ssangmun-dong. The love triangle between three friends is integral to the Shin Won Ho classic. Despite the heartbreaking second lead syndrome, watching the progression from a close friendship to true love is endearing. Reply 1988 stars Girls’ Day member Hyeri, Ryu Jun Yeol, Go Kyung Pyo, Park Bo Gum and Lee Dong Hwi. P.S. The first twoinstalments in the Reply series—Reply 1997(on Viki) andReply 1994 — feature intriguing story arcs for friends-to-lovers.

4. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is centred on a gifted weightlifter and a talented swimmer who trains hard to attain their Olympic dreams. As the duo become friends, the latter aids the former in pursuing her crush, who happens to be the swimmer’s older brother. However, he also starts falling for his friend, making way for a love triangle. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo stars Lee Sung Kyung, Nam Joo Hyuk, Lee Jae Yoon, Kyung Soo Jin, Cho Hye Jung, Lee Joo Young and Ji Il Joo.

5. Welcome to Samdalri

Welcome to Samdalri tells the rekindled love story of childhood best friends who get into a relationship but break up on a bad note. One of them is a hot-shot photographer who returns to her hometown after a public scandal and reluctantly reunites with her former flame, a popular weather forecaster. As the exes reconnect, their supposedly forgotten feelings come blazing through. Welcome to Samdalri stars Ji Chang Wook, Shin Hye Sun, Kang Young Seok, Lee Jae Won and Bae Myung Jin.

6. She Was Pretty

She Was Pretty is another rom-com K-drama that earnestly showcases an endearing friends-to-lovers storyline. The series tells the love story of two childhood friends who were each other’s first love but got separated. Years later, the two are set to reunite as adults, but one of them gets her friend to pretend to be her because she doesn’t think she’s pretty enough. What makes matters worse is that the childhood pals have a reunion, but as a strict boss and a struggling intern at a fashion magazine. Cue the hilarious case of mistaken identities as the pair eventually find their way to each other. She Was Pretty stars Hwang Jung Eum, Park Seo Joon, Go Joon Hee and Super Junior member Choi Siwon.

7. Doctor Slump

Doctor Slump follows two doctors who were frenemies in high school and rivalled academically. The bickering duo reunite as adults at the worst phase of their lives, professionally and personally, as one moves into the other’s makeshift rooftop home. The pair navigates their life slumps together and are eventually hit by Cupid’s arrow. Doctor Slump stars Park Hyung Sik, Park Shin Hye, Yoon Park, Gong Seong Ha and Oh Dong Min.

8. Romance Is a Bonus Book

Romance Is a Bonus Book follows two lifelong friends — a struggling divorced single mother and the youngest editor-in-chief at a publishing house — who become something more when they start working together. They steadily find a home in each other. Romance Is a Bonus Book stars Lee Na Young, Lee Jong Suk, Jung Yoo Jin and Wi Ha Joon.