My Most Highly Recommended
Bored? In a drama slump? See if there's any on this list you haven't seen. This list includes my favorite dramas of all time, and if you ask for recommendations I'll likely pull titles off of this list.
These are dramas that: I loved as I binged it, I was entranced enough with that I watched it every week as it was airing, I've seen more than once - or a combination of all three. I've given each title a quick comment on why it's good in my opinion and possibly which of the three above means it's included on this list. All of these dramas will have romance in them.
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1. Crash Landing on You
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
This is my favorite drama of all time. I've seen it completely more than 3 times. The romance is breathtaking, and if I could pick any drama to forget and experience for the first time again, it'd be this one. It covers a lot of tropes: romance, chaebol, military, star-crossed lovers / forbidden love. It has both comedic and melo parts, and the romance was mature but not too mature. The OST is also worth mentioning, it was amazing. Please try this one if you haven't - I'd give it more than a 10/10 if I could!
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2. Princesa Wei Young
Chinese Drama - 2016, 54 episodes
A palace drama with a capable female lead. In fact, capable characters all around. The court intrigue is a lot of fun and the romance is even better. The male lead didn't make me mad once (out of a 54 episode drama, which is a feat). If you can handle the sub-par CGI, this is a 10/10.
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3. O Rio Onde a Lua Nasce
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
Despite all the controversy, I watched this drama every week without fail - even during finals. The new actor did a fantastic job and I really enjoyed the show as a whole. The second leads really stole the show as it was airing, and the ending was definitely re-written, but I enjoyed watching every second of River Where the Moon Rises. Definitely worth the watch if you like sageuks with capable leads.
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4. Vincenzo
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
A hard-hitting drama with a star-studded cast. I know people either love or hate it, but I think the writer did a good job of touching on the topic of real-world villains, as opposed to the cartoonish, hand-wringing ones we usually get. Plus, the protagonist is an anti-hero which we don't get much of. I waited to binge watch this one and it was 3 days spent on the edge of my seat, heart pounding. The chemistry is out of this world, but typical "romance" is scarce. One of the best of 2021.
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5. A Princesa Coroada
Thai Drama - 2018, 12 episodes
I don't usually like Thailand dramas, just because the romance seems aggressive to me, but The Crown Princess was the opposite of that! Plus, I don't really get to see much of the bodyguard trope believe it or not, so it was a really nice switch for me. Anytime someone asks for a lakorn recommendation, I tell them The Crown Princess. It's a modern palace drama. Give it a try!
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6. Rebelde: Ladrão que Roubou o Povo
Korean Drama - 2017, 30 episodes
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7. O Palhaço Coroado
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
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8. O Homem da Princesa
Korean Drama - 2011, 24 episodes
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9. Splash Splash Love
Korean Special - 2015, 2 episodes
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10. Destinado a Te Amar
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
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11. Solteira Astuta
Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
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12. O Que Houve Com a Secretária Kim?
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
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13. Mulher Forte, Do Bong Soon
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
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14. Perfume
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
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15. Meu Marido Oh Jak Doo
Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
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16. Enquanto Você Dormia
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
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17. Uma Noite de Primavera
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
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18. O Primeiro Ministro está Namorando
Korean Drama - 2013, 17 episodes
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19. W
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
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20. Imperatriz Ki
Korean Drama - 2013, 51 episodes
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21. Casa Cheia
Thai Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
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22. Rainha: Amor e Guerra
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
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23. Meu Príncipe Por 100 Dias
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
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24. Porque Esta é a Minha Primeira Vida
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
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25. Sol do Mestre
Korean Drama - 2013, 17 episodes
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26. Batendo Novamente
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
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27. 7 Primeiros Beijos
Korean Special - 2016, 8 episodes
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28. Máscara
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
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29. Bossam — Roubar o Destino
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
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30. Eu Peguei Uma Celebridade na Rua
Korean Drama - 2018, 10 episodes
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31. A Outra Oh Hae Young
Korean Drama - 2016, 18 episodes
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32. O Mundo do Drama
Korean Drama - 2016, 10 episodes
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33. Encarnação da Inveja
Korean Drama - 2016, 24 episodes
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34. O Nascimento de Uma Beleza
Korean Drama - 2014, 21 episodes
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35. Chuva de Amor
Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes
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36. Pessoa Atualizada
Taiwanese Drama - 2016, 17 episodes