Last updated on at 06:41 am
These are the best romantic Asian dramas ever made.
First, a few words…
As someone who has watched many romantic Asian dramas, I have come to realize that you can categorize romance dramas into two kinds: the rewatchables and the forgettables.
The rewatchables are those I would call the “classic” types. They age well and don’t get affected by the passage of time or personal changes in yourself (because, I believe, your feelings about a drama largely depend upon your personality). You can watch them again years from the first or last time you did and still, they hold up well; you still love them and would give them the same high rating, if not more.
The forgettables, on the other hand, are, as its name implies, the ones you tend to forget. The dramas good only for a single watch. It was okay for once, but not good enough for a second look.
Rewatchable is a catch-all term. It signifies a swoon-worthy solid romance that’s done right, an excellent and well-written plot, smart dialogue, fantastic cinematography, incredible musical score, great directing, and more. And for me, what qualifies as the best romantic drama is one that is rewatchable–worthy to while your 16 (or more) hours away. Again.
All these five dramas are rewatchables. They possess the characteristics mentioned above, making them the best romantic Asian dramas around.
Related Reading: The Most Swoon-Worthy K-Drama Couples
Secret Garden
Secret Garden is a 2010 Korean drama starring Hyun Bin (Crash Landing on You) and Ha Ji Won (Empress Ki).
It’s one of the first few dramas I watched in my early days of watching Asian Dramas. I have rewatched it numerous times since, once a year at least, because I find it still relevant even to this day.
Story
It’s the love story of Kim Joo Won and Gil Ra Im, a CEO and a stuntwoman, respectively. Joo Won, who believes only in marrying to increase his status and wealth, finds himself (and against his wishes) falling helplessly in love with simple, hardworking Ra Im. The two are the exact opposites of each other, personality-wise and other else, but the universe helps them find a way to be together when they magically switched bodies.
Why It’s One of the Best
What makes Secret Garden one of the best romantic Asian dramas is a collusion of several things:
- An interesting and well-written plot. The writer seeks to show the differences in social classes and their ramifications, and did so effectively.
- A well-structured narrative. The story flows smoothly, is well-paced, and isn’t bogged down by any superfluity.
- Smart dialogue. The back and forth between Joo Won and Ra Im are witty and would have you smiling and laughing.
- Good romantic chemistry between Joo Won and Ra Im. Their acting was excellent, too.
- Fine musical score. All moving and aptly themed songs that spoke well of what the drama is about.
- Fantastic cinematography that captured the right vibe a scene was supposed to have.
Lost Romance
Lost Romance is a drama that needs no introduction if you’ve recently explored my site. I’ve written quite a piece on why it’s a must-watch Asian drama.
At any rate, Lost Romance is a 2020 Taiwanese Drama that stars actress Vivian Sung and actor/singer Marcus Chang.
Story
The story revolves around He Tian Xing and Zheng Xiao En, a CEO and a romance book editor, respectively. Both fell in a coma and got transported into a fictional book world as characters in that book. Tian Xing became the main male character, Situ Ao Ran, while Xiao En, the female villain. Xiao En who fancied herself in love with Tian Xing in the real world, now (book world) finds herself in a bind when it comes to making Ao Ran fall for her instead.
Why It’s One of the Best
Lost Romance, I would say, is one of a kind. It has the same good points that Secret Garden has and more:
- an interesting and well-written plot;
- great narrative that doesn’t lose focus or get stuck in a rut in any part;
- meaningful dialogue;
- wonderful romantic chemistry between the leads. It has steam and shows the leads’ closeness;
- amazing musical score;
- good cinematography.
This drama, for me, is perfect in every way. For an in-depth look, read more about Lost Romance here.
Boss and Me
Boss and Me is a sweet and feel-good Chinese drama that was released in 2014. It stars Zhao Li Ying (The Story of Ming Lan) and Zhang Han.
Story
The story is that of Xue Shan Shan and Feng Teng. Shan Shan is a small-town girl who went to Shanghai to work and became an accounting assistant in Teng’s company. An unexpected good deed of Shan Shan brought her in Teng’s attention. What followed is a sweet courtship and a romance between a cold, hard boss and a warm, kindhearted employee.
Why It’s One of the Best
Boss and Me is cute, heartwarming and romantic. It’s the perfect drama to watch when you’re in the mood for something charming and feel-good, which all of us find ourselves in every now and then. And in that aspect, Boss and Me just never gets old.
Specifically, what makes it great are:
- lovely chemistry between the leads;
- a swoon-worthy romance that explores the couple’s relationship more deeply and shows their closeness;
- a lovable female lead who’s kind but strong in her own unique way, and so cute, both in looks and personality;
- a well-written plot;
- a well-executed narrative;
- a sweet secondary couple;
- beautiful cinematography;
- great acting by everyone.
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Hana Yori Dango
Hana Yori Dango is the Japanese adaptation of the shōjo manga series of the same title, or Boys Over Flowers, in English.
It consists of three installments: Hana Yori Dango (2005), Hana Yori Dango 2 (2007), and Hana Yori Dango Final (2008). The first two are TV series with 9 and 11 episodes, respectively, while the third one is a 2-hour (or so) movie. All three stars Inoue Mao and Matsumoto Jun as the main leads.
Story
It’s the enemies to lovers romance of Makino Tsukushi and Domyoji Tsukasa.
Makino is a poor girl who found herself studying at an exclusive high school for wealthy kids, while Domyoji is the wealthiest boy in the school and the leader of the much-feared boy group called F4. Makino, unfortunately, got caught in the cross hairs of Tsukasa’s wrath when she defended a girl from bullying, and got bullied herself as a consequence. What follows is the classic saga of boy and girl from different worlds falling in love amidst all oppositions.
Why It’s One of the Best
Hana Yori Dango isn’t the first adaptation of the manga. There was Meteor Garden (Taiwanese, 2001) before it, and many others that followed: Boys Over Flowers (Korean, 2009); Meteor Garden (Chinese, 2018); F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers (Thai, 2021). And while I haven’t seen the Taiwanese and Thai adaptations yet, of the three that I did, Hana Yori Dango stands out as the best.
Hana Yori Dango has a solid plot and a narrative that flows smoothly and moves at an even pace. The storytelling is focused on what’s important and isn’t dragged down by unnecessary and tedious side stories.
The romance is moving and heart-melting, on par with what “star-crossed lovers defying all odds to be together” should be. The leads fit each other to a T and share one of the best chemistries you’ll find. They suited each other so much better than the couples in the Chinese and Korean versions.
Love in the Moonlight
Love in the Moonlight (aka Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, 2016) is, without contest, one of the best romantic Asian dramas around. The romance in this Korean sageuk (historical drama) is simply top-notch.
Story
Hong Ra On is a girl disguising as a boy, while Lee Young is the Crown Prince of Joseon. By some twist of fate, Ra On finds herself working in the palace as a eunuch for Young. These two formed a bond of friendship which later led Young to fall in love with Ra On, whom he thought was a boy. Difference in status, complicated with circumstances outside of their control, made their love a forbidden one.
Why It’s One of the Best
What makes Love in the Moonlight one of the best are the following:
- Swoon-worthy romance. The build-up to Young and Ra On coming together is well executed. It showed scenes of them slowly falling in love, making the drama interesting even from the very start. They exhibited closeness when they became a couple and proved the strength of their love in tough times.
- Brilliant acting. What mainly makes this drama so heart-fluttering is the excellent acting of the leads. Actor Park Bo Gum, especially, acted convincingly as a young man in love who fought for that love. He displayed several ranges of emotions seen through his many nuanced expressions that made scenes more heart-tugging and moving.
- Best confession. The confession was meaningful and sincere, which made it heart-melting.
There are also its fantastic cinematography, excellent musical score, and more, but I guess the above is enough to show how good a romance this drama has.
As an aside, maybe I’ll write a piece devoted solely to this drama since I still have so much to say, heh. That reminds me that I made a journal spread for this couple because I wanted something to remember them by. You can see it here.
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Final Thoughts
So those are my five best romantic Asian dramas that I believe every romantic at heart should watch. They never disappoint.
If you have your own best romantic Asian dramas in mind, don’t hesitate to share in the comment section below because I’m always looking for recommendations.
Lastly, if you like this post, don’t forget to share it with others or save it for later reread. Happy watching!
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An interesting selection. All new to me.
Thank you. They’re great, so maybe give them a try and see if you like any.