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.

Actor Chun Jung Myung has opened up about a devastating betrayal by his former manager, who swindled tens of billions of won from his family. The former manager, who had been trusted like family, is now serving prison time for his actions.

In the December 8 episode of SBS’s My Little Old Boy, Chun Jung Myung shared the shocking details of his financial fraud ordeal with fellow cast members Lee Sang Min and Kim Heechul.

He explained, "I was financially defrauded by the manager I had worked with for 16 years since my debut. He forged documents to steal money and even caused huge financial losses for my parents."

A close source confirmed on December 9, "The manager mentioned on the show ultimately couldn’t repay the damages and is now serving his prison sentence for fraud."

The source also revealed that Chun Jung Myung suffered losses in the tens of billions of won. The emotional toll was severe, leading to social anxiety, and he even considered retiring from the entertainment industry due to the devastating betrayal.

Chun Jung Myung debuted in 1999 with the drama School 2 and became a household name with roles in Beijing, My Love, Fashion 70s, and What's Up Fox? However, after his role in the 2019 drama Urban Cops: KCSI, he suddenly disappeared from the spotlight, sparking concerns from fans.

An entertainment agency CEO weighed in, saying, "Celebrities, especially those with limited real-world experience, are vulnerable to scams because of their public status. Some get trapped and lose vast amounts of money after being used as figureheads."

An entertainment law expert added, "Fraud cases are tricky because proving the intent to steal is difficult. If someone makes an enticing offer, always ask, ‘Why me and not them?’ Skepticism is key."

Source: [1]