If you have been swept off your feet by the unconventional love story in Crash Landing on You, or melted at the first stirrings of connection in Extraordinary Attorney Woo and Business Proposal, then brace yourselves for a heartbeat-skipping announcement.
Audiences worldwide have been growing fonder of K-Romance, and this affection shows no signs of fading. Between 2018 to 2022, global viewership of Netflix’s K-Romance titles tripled. In 2022 alone, more than 90 per cent of this viewing came from outside South Korea.
We’re moved by the affection, and we’re eager to return it in kind. As the home for compelling K-Romance, Netflix will be introducing five new Korean romance series over the upcoming five months.
For decades, this genre has captivated audiences in Korea and throughout Asia, a testament to the storytelling prowess and production expertise of gifted Korean content creators, observes Don Kang, Vice President of Content (Korea). “We’re genuinely humbled by how our emotive Korean shows have found a home in the hearts of global audiences through Netflix, stretching from the U.S., Europe, South America, and beyond. Our stories touch on the universal aspects of life – love, heartbreak, and tenderness, while also providing a peek into the unique facets of Korean culture. Netflix’s commitment to forging this profound global connection is something we’re truly excited about.”
“Creators have dedicated themselves to painting the delicate dynamics and evolving emotions of our characters,” adds Wooyeon Yang, Director of Content (Korea). The crafting of the hallmark slow-burning intensity of K-romances, along with their wholesome appeal, shapes an undeniably “endearing genre that strikes a chord with global viewers”, she believes.
Netflix’s investment in subtitling and dubbing has been instrumental in expanding the K-Romance audiences. “The impact has been more profound than we ever imagined,” shares Yang. “Despite the diversity of languages, the common thread of understanding and accessing Korean content seems to be a key strength that has set Netflix as a trendsetter.” Yang underscores the value of dubbing, noting that “listening to dialogues in their own languages helps K-Romance resonate more deeply with viewers worldwide”.
Continuing the world’s love for this genre, Netflix’s upcoming K-Romance shows will each have their own distinct features. Here’s a sneak peek at what these new shows have to tell.
See You in My 19th Life (premiering June 17)
Enchanting Heroine Meets Heart-stirring Rom-com Saga
In this spinoff from a hit webtoon, Shin Hye-sun stars as a heroine who can remember all her past lives. As a young girl in her 18th life, she falls for a thoughtful boy next door. In her 19th life, she tries to make her way back to him, only to find he has become a cold man who doesn’t want to get close to anyone. Can love triumph across lifetimes?
Behind Your Touch
Comedy meets Suspense with a Dash of Romance
Rom-com queen Han Ji-min plays a veterinarian in a small town who has a very strange gift of psychometry. When she convinces a detective of her abilities, they team up to solve neighbourhood crimes.
Destined with You
The Most Spellbinding K-Couple meets in a Classic K-Romance
K-Romance powerhouses Cho Boa and Rowoon (also a K-Pop idol) combine their star wattage in this sweeping saga. Rowoon plays a hotshot lawyer who has it all, but is haunted by a family curse. And it turns out that the woman who is key to breaking this curse is none other than the seemingly ordinary civil servant played by Cho.
A Time Called You (Premiering in third quarter of 2023)
Stars from Business Proposal and Vincenzo in a time-slip romance
Ahn Hyo-seop (from Business Proposal) and Jeon Yeo-been (from Vincenzo) star in this remake of the classic Taiwanese romance Someday or One Day. Jeon’s character travels back in time to 1998 and meets a man played by Ahn, who bears an uncanny resemblance to her late boyfriend. In fact, each lead takes on the challenge of playing two characters who look identical, but have completely different personalities — and all the complications that create when it comes to love.
Doona! (Premiering in the fourth quarter of 2023)
K-romance meets K-pop
A college student (Yang Se-jong) navigates life and school while dealing with a unique predicament — he’s living with a former K-Pop sensation, played by real-life former K-Pop star Suzy. Their relationship starts out as one of mutual misunderstanding and dislike, and grows over time into one of love and trust. But can their connection withstand the cruel pressures of fame?