No K-Drama is complete without a heartbreaking love triangle that forces us to pick sides and yell at the TV.
K-Drama is a brilliant and zestful world that can make you ride a rollercoaster of emotions with every riveting scene. One moment we find ourselves laughing at their witty banter, and the next moment, they’ve got us sitting in a puddle of our own tears.
K-Dramas drive us crazy, but let’s face it, that’s why we love them the way we do.
For this list of fictional love triangles, we advise that you prepare your hearts, as they are about to be set aflutter. Be warned though, because after giving you butterflies, we’re going to break your hearts into little pieces by making you choose sides in true K-Drama style!
#1 Boys Over Flowers
Let’s hop onto a time machine and travel back to 2009 to kick off with the most timeless K-Drama of all time! Boys Over Flowers immerses us in the world of Geum Jan Di and Shinhwa High’s notorious F4. When the group’s ruthless leader, Gu Jun Pyo (Lee Min Ho) has his heart set on Geum Jan Di, he goes to extreme lengths just to win her over.
Their synergy is undeniable, but everyone who have watched this modern fairytale must have been rooting for Yoon Ji Hoo (Kim Hyun Joong) to have his happy-ever-after with Jan Di (Gu Hye Sun). The lighthearted chemistry between the two is that beautiful dreamy kind of love. Don’t even speak to us if you don’t glare at the TV every time their love story gets interrupted. In general, Boys Over Flowers conveys a positive message of how people can change for the better. All it takes is a little love and a lot of perseverance. (Are you on team Ji Hoo or team Jun Pyo?)
#2 Baker King
Baker King sky-rocketed through the roof by becoming one of the highest-rating and most-watched K-Dramas in history. Its storyline is packed with heavy drama and shocking twists and turns that taught lessons of love, dreams, and the power of resilience. In between all the heart-wrenching dramas, the series gives us a dose of a hybrid love triangle, or a love square, rather.
The plot follows the life of Kim Tak Gu (Yoon Shi Yun), who has been searching for his mother for 14 years. Along the journey, he discovers his dream of becoming a baker, and even finds himself reuniting with his childhood best friend, Yu Kyung (Eugene). Not long after, his half brother, Gu Ma Jun (Joo Won) joins the mix alongside his quirky colleague, Yang Mi Sun (Lee Young Ah). Long story short, we are glad Kim Tak Gu ended up Yang Mi Sun, because we could not have accepted it any other way!
#3 Crash Landing On You
Traveling back to the present time, we have the most spectacular power couple the world has ever seen, Yoon Se Ri (Son Ye Jin) and Captain Ri Jeong Hyuk (Hyun Bin). Once upon a time, there is a high profile entrepreneur with an attitude and an elite special forces captain who live on opposite sides of the Korean border.
By the works of serendipity, these two beautiful souls manage to find each other in the midst of all the hardships and turmoil. Based on their bizarre encounter, you would not expect this unlikely pair to be each other’s soulmates, but they definitely are. Throughout the enthralling run of the series, our lovable leads wind up in love triangles of their own courtesy of Seo Dan (Seo Ji Hye) and Goo Seung Jun (Kim Jung Hyun). Despite their interference, we’ve got to admit that it is impossible to hate them. (On a side note, we ship Seo Dan and Goo Seung Jun as a couple! *Cue the ugly crying.)
Crash Landing On You is solid proof that it’s true what they say: not every storm comes to wreak havoc, some come to clear your path to lead you in the right direction.
#4 Hwarang
Watching Hwarang is a historical journey that centers around the lives of young warriors who build strength and brotherly bonds to protect the Kingdom of Silla. All the seriousness and drama aside, watching Hwarang is just one colossal visual explosion! A standing ovation for this group of equally talented and gorgeous cast members.
The love triangle we have grown to cherish in this TV series is composed of Ji Dwi/King Jinheung (Park Hyung Sik), Dogbird/Seonu (Park Seo Joon), and Ah Ro (Go Ara). Aside from the magnificent plot and exquisite performances, we know that sometimes you secretly watched this period drama just to see Han Sung’s (Kim Taehyung) adorable smile. Blink if you’re guilty.
#5 Strong Girl Bong Soon
Strong Girl Bong Soon flies its way into our hearts with its endearing leading lady who could cripple villains with the flick of her wrist. Bong Soon’s (Park Bo Young) captivating cuteness fused with her cosmic strength undoubtedly renders the most unconventional superheroine of this generation.
While navigating through life’s scapes, the series’ protagonist gets tossed into a love triangle with the two loves of her life; her childhood friend, In Kook Doo (Ji Soo), and her new boss, Ahn Min Hyuk (Park Hyung Sik). In all honesty, we would be happy with whoever she picks. Watch this K-Drama if you love a strong girl with an even more headstrong mind!
#6 The Best Hit
Imagine getting swept up in the effects of a twin cyclone and mysteriously time traveling from the ’90s to the year 2017, only to discover that you disappeared without a trace in 1993, were robbed of your music, and have a son in the future who happens to be in love with the same girl that you are. That seems impossible, right? Well, not if you’re Yoo Hyun Jae (Yoon Shi Yun) from The Best Hit!
Although we kind of feel bad that Lee Ji Hoon (Kim Min Jae) doesn’t get the girl, we’re glad that his K-pop idol dreams come true. Plus, Choi Woo Seung (Lee Se Young) and Yoo Hyun Jae look too good together, so it is humanly impossible to root for any other duo. Their unconventional fairytale just proves that love can come from the most unexpected places (or times!). (Thank you twin cyclone.)
The Best Hit is a heartwarming TV series that can make you cry, make you laugh, and maybe even make you scoff with a little side-eye; but its most beautiful feature is that it will make you believe in love, dreams, and magic more than ever!
#7 Heirs
In the world of K-Dramas, Heirs is one of the most revolutionary ones. Boasting of a highly impressive cast, the drama features all the handsome oppas such as Lee Min Ho, Kim Woo Bin, Choi Jin Hyuk, Kang Ha Neul, Kang Min Hyuk and Park Hyun Sik. Moreover, the ladies in the drama are no less, especially when it includes Hallyu goddesses Park Shin Hye, Krystal and Kim Ji Won.
Set in the world of the rich high school kids, Heirs depicts their not-so-regular lives. Even if on the surface it looks like the rich has it all, in reality, they have to bear the burden of the crown. The main protagonist of the drama is Kim Tan (Lee Min Ho), a young heir destined for many great things but also with a deeply seeded secret. After an encounter with Cha Eun Sang (Park Shin Hye), a girl from a poor family, he starts pursuing her strongly.
But it is not only Kim Tan, who has been bewitched by Cha Eun Sang as he faces a rivalry from his best friend-turned-enemy Choi Young Do (Kim Woo Bin). Quite the tsundere, Choi Young Do completely transforms as he watches over Cha Eun Sang with his puppy eyes from the distance. Meanwhile, Kim Tan is not willing to give up easily either.
It is a heart-wrenching ride to watch Kim Tan and Choi Young Do battle each other for Cha Eun Sang’s affections. Regardless, both of them do their absolute best for the happiness of their favorite girl. Hence, it becomes even more difficult to choose between the parties. Though Kim Tan and Cha Eun Sang are endgame, Choi Young Do fights well too, making viewers wish for his happy ending.
#8 Reply 1988
While all the dramas from the Reply series gave viewers a hard time with the love triangles, Reply 1988 took it to the next level with its heart-wrenching romance story. Set in the year 1988, the drama is about the daily lives of the families living in a neighborhood called Ssangmundong in Seoul.
The core characters of the series are the group of five friends who grew up together. As they turn teenagers, new feelings emerge among these friends. Initially, Sung Deok Sun (Lee Hyeri), the only female of the squad has a one-sided crush on Sung Sun Woo (Go Kyung Pyo) but is heartbroken after she learns that he likes her older sister. On the other hand, Kim Jung Hwan (Ryu Jun Ryeol) starts developing a liking towards Sung Deok Sun.
Later, Choi Taek (Park Bo Gum) too starts making advances towards Deok Sun. With Deok Sun’s feelings not being clear throughout the series, viewers may struggle to guess on whom among the two men end up with her. While, Choi Taek is the sweet genius boy whom everyone love, Kim Jung Hwan too has manly charms.
#9 Princess Hours
In an alternate world where monarchy is still prevalent in South Korea, Crown Prince Lee Shin (Ju Ji Hoon) and Shin commoner girl Chae Gyung (Yoo Eun Hye) get married to fulfill their grandparents’ wishes. Unfortunately, the prince likes another girl, Min Hyo Rin (Song Ji Hyo). Though she also returns his feelings but chooses to live independently and hence rejects the prince’s proposal.
Meanwhile, making things worse, Prince Yul (Kim Jeong Hoon), the cousin of the Crown Prince and the black sheep of the royal family returns. Originally, he was supposed to be the heir and if that is the case, everyone’s fates would have been different. Raising a pandemonium in the love picture, he starts developing feelings for his sister-in-law.
It is difficult to not feel Yul’s agony as he has to endure his unrequited love for Chae Gyung. Contrary to Lee Shin who appears uncaring towards his wife, Yul is the friend who made sure that she did not feel lonely. But as Lee Shin starts falling for Chae Kyung and we get to see his real self behind his tough facade, we could not help but root for him.
Image Credit: KBS, tvN, Netflix, JTBC, MBC
