If You Read These Books…Try These K-Dramas Romance Edition Vol.4
Hello Everyone! As you know, I’m a big fan of Korean dramas and Romance novels. I’m back again to recommend more Romance novels that can be paired up with Korean Dramas and vice versa.
Each book or show centers around a romance or has romance included in the storyline. I hope you all enjoy these personal picks and come away with some new books and TV shows to watch!
To see the previous roundup of recommendations, click here.
While this is a romance, Feral Kingdom it felt like so much more, almost as if I was reading an Epic Fantasy novel. Besides the love story, there are political wars, a lost kingdom, royalty drama, and many scenes that are full of nail-biting battles. The setting and world-building were done so well that it made for a very immersive reading experience from beginning to end. Reading this book felt like watching a historical K-Drama play out before my very eyes.
Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is a time-traveling/historical drama about a woman, Go Ha-jin, who is transported back in time to Goryeo Dynasty. She wakes up in the year 941, in the body of Hae Soo. There, she encounters the many royal princes of the ruling Wang family. This drama was entertaining and very well written. While a lot of K-dramas stretch the plot to reach the episode quota, I felt that it was very well-paced. Besides the fact that it made me cry my eyes out numerous times, I would definitely re-watch it again.
Why You Should Watch/Read: Fated Lovers, Historical, Action-Packed
Sunny Disposition is a cute college romance that throws in a few steamy scenes as well. Readers follow the story of two gamers who fell in love online and have yet to meet in real life. Both characters feel embarrassed that their online personas may not match up to how they are in real life which makes the story feel real and valid. What I enjoyed the most about this novel is that I enjoyed the side characters as much as the main couple the plot focuses on. All of the characters were well-written out had great chemistry with each other.
In Growing Season, female university students are thrown together when their teacher tells them to work as a group on preparing a report about sex and love. As they begin to work on the project together, the three women eventually strike up a close bond despite all of their differences. The web drama was written well and gave a realistic portrayal of college students through a phase wanting to grow as well as having some fun romance sub-plots.
Why You Should Watch/Read: College Life, Coming-of Age, Down To Earth/Relatable Characters
The Vow is a romance novel that has a marriage of convenience trope between a hardworking student and an actor/director. Even though the main couple’s relationship starts backward by them getting married first and then having the time to learn about each other their relationship feels more realistic. Finding each helps to open up new doors and new avenues in their own lives. It’s very steamy and lighthearted.
The TV show takes more time with the characters, their pasts, and exploring the relationship between idols/celebrities and fans. With an enemies-to-lovers trope, it makes the show interesting to watch. I also like how they touch on how the lines between a person’s private and public life can blur.
Why You Should Watch/Read: Star-Studded Romance, Opposites Attract, Marriage of Convenience
Centered around the fictional K-pop group East Genesis Project, Scandalized follows the story of the group’s manager Filipina (Fi) as she helps the boys on the road and in their careers. But things become more entangled as scandals arise within the group and are linked to the group and Fi’s heart is torn due to her crush on one of the band’s members. I also appreciated that it goes through the ups and downs of the entertainment industry and the repercussions that people face.
At five, thirty-minute episodes Part-Time Idol does not disappoint and I’m glad I watched it. It’s silly, over the top, and purposely meant to not be taken too seriously which makes the viewing experience so much fun. All the lead actors are from YG Entertainment (since the show is produced by it) and it gave a glimpse into all the work put into debuting a group. I liked its positive message about never giving up and being confident.
Why You Should Watch/Read: K-Pop Stars, Music, Star-Studded Romance
The Rival Bid has a cute friends/enemies-to-lovers mashup about two rival home builders who reunite from their childhood years. When Camilla and Mekkai meet again old feelings and crushes are brought back to light. They try to reconcile for the greater good of their neighborhood as the changes have led to people leaving the community. I appreciated how the balance of discussing series topics such as gentrification while also it’s a romance about reconnecting.
Monthly Magazine Home has a good mix of comedy, romance, and friendship and it also throws in relatable life lessons into each episode. It shies away from the over-the-top comedic actions for quieter moments and it shows the work that goes into putting a magazine together (giving it a bookish spin). It’s got some life lessons that viewers can take away from the show and it also inspires you to chase your passions in life!
Why You Should Watch/Read: Enemies To Lovers, Opposites Attract, Interior Design, Slice of Life
Have you watched any of these Korean Dramas or read any of these books? What pairings would you recommend? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
