Friends falling in love with each other is no longer an uncommon trope in Korean Dramas. Even when it has been used in numerous TV series, the viewers still enjoy watching a love story between two people who start out as friends. Let’s take a look at the sweetest friends-to-lovers couples on the Korean small screen over the years!

Here are 5 friends-to-lovers couples in Korean dramas that we can’t get enough of!

• Yoon Jae & Shi Won – Reply 1997

Yoon Jae (Seo In Guk) and Shi Won (Jung Eun Ji) are two young adults who have known each other and remained close friends since childhood. Although they often quarrel every time they meet, Yoon Jae soon develops feelings for Shi Won even without knowing it.

Of course, Yoon Jae – Shi Won eventually get together. The two have never seemed to be absent from each other’s lives since their childhood, and when they grow up, they can’t escape fate’s arrangement as they are meant to be together.

• Choi Taek & Duk Sun – Reply 1988

Similar to Yoon Jae – Shi Won, Choi Taek – Duk Sun have also spent time with one another since childhood. At the end of the drama, Choi Taek (Park Bo Gum) is revealed to be Duk Sun (Lee Hyeri)’s husband. 

Choi Taek and Duk Sun get together when they are both adults, not at the age of 17, 18. At that time, they are mature enough to know that their hearts belong to each other, not just simply the feelings of wanting to have a boyfriend or girlfriend like when they were younger. 

• Joon Hyung & Bok Joo – Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

Upon reuniting in college, Joon Hyung (Nam Joo Hyuk) always teases his childhood friend Bok Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) but ends up falling in love with her. The two have one of the sweetest moments in any coming-of-age K-drama ever. 

Their friends-to-lovers romance is soft, peaceful and beyond adorable. Not to mention that Nam Joo Hyuk and Lee Sung Kyung were dating at the time, so their on-screen chemistry is off the charts. 

• Dong Man & Ae Ra – Fight For My Way

Dong Man (Park Seo Joon) – Ae Ra (Kim Ji Won) in Fight For My Way is another ‘best friend’ couple that received huge support at the scene when they develop into lovers. After getting over difficulties in his career, Dong Man finally confesses his feelings for his best friend Ae Ra. Luckily, Ae Ra also feels the same, and they eventually become a couple.

Apart from the life stories in this drama, this special love also impressed many viewers. Facing many hardships and challenges together, the two finally have a happy ending for their love story.

• Ik Jun & Song Hwa – Hospital Playlist 2

Last but not least, it is the couple of Ik Jun (Jo Jung Suk) and Song Hwa (Jeon Mi Do) in Hospital Playlist 2, who stole the spotlight on the small screen this year. Their sweet kiss scene in episode 11 drew explosive reactions from the viewers. It was because Ik Jun and Song Hwa finally crossed the lines and developed their relationship to a new stage as lovers after 20 years of being best friends.

In addition, since their love process was depicted at a slow pace, no one expected them to have a kiss. This long-awaited happy ending for the couple definitely satisfied all fans of Hospital Playlist 2.

This friendship-turned-love topic is not often seen in Korean dramas but will surely be shown more on the small screen. As long as the story is well-written, it would still attract the viewers’ attention.

Jo Jung Suk is officially back—and fans of Hospital Playlist couldn’t be more excited.

In the preview for episode 10 of Resident Playbook, aired by tvN on May 10, Jo Jung Suk’s character Lee Ik Jun is shown walking through a dimly lit hospital, saying, “It’s been so long since I came here.”

The short scene sparked immediate buzz online, especially when he’s seen holding hands with a woman—whose face is hidden. Many viewers are now asking: Is it Chae Song Hwa?

Although her identity isn’t revealed, fans are hopeful that the woman is Jeon Mi Do, who played Chae Song Hwa in Hospital Playlist.

Earlier announcements confirmed that both Jo Jung Suk and Jeon Mi Do would make appearances in Resident Playbook, fueling speculation that the beloved duo is finally reuniting on screen.

The teaser quickly became a hot topic, helping the drama maintain its upward momentum. Resident Playbook—a spin-off of the hit series Hospital Playlist—has been gaining strong viewership, with its latest episode setting new personal ratings records.

The show has consistently ranked No. 1 in its time slot across all channels, showing that fans are deeply invested in the lives and growth of the young doctors at the center of the story.

As the series continues to mix heartwarming guest appearances with its own emotional stories, viewers are now eagerly waiting for episode 10, airing May 11 at 9:20 PM KST, to see what’s next.

Will the “99s” finally reunite? Tune in to find out!

Source: [1]