15 best enemies-to-lovers k-dramas that will steal your heart

There's something undeniably captivating about watching two characters who can't stand each other slowly fall in love.

The enemies-to-lovers trope is a beloved staple in K-dramas, offering a delightful mix of tension, banter, and heartfelt moments. If you're a fan of this dynamic, here are 15 K-dramas that masterfully execute the enemies-to-lovers storyline:

1. Crash Course in Romance (2023)

A top math instructor and a banchan shop owner clash over educational philosophies, leading to a series of misunderstandings and comedic encounters. As they navigate their differences, a heartfelt romance blossoms amidst the chaos of the competitive academic world.

2. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)

A pragmatic dentist moves to a seaside village and frequently butts heads with the laid-back jack-of-all-trades. Their constant bickering masks a growing affection, leading to a charming and heartwarming romance.

3. Our Beloved Summer (2021)

Former high school sweethearts reunite years after a messy breakup to film a documentary. However, when they're forced to work together as adults, something lost long ago may rekindle. Their rekindled interactions are filled with witty banter and unresolved feelings.

4. Shooting Stars (2022)

Oh Han-byul, a PR team leader, and Gong Tae-sung, a top star actor, have a love-hate relationship fueled by misunderstandings and media chaos. Though their constant bickering initially puts them at odds, they find themselves softening up over time as they understand each other on a deeper level.

5. Suspicious Partner (2017)

What happens when the person who hates you with a passion is your only hope for escaping a murder charge? A prosecutor and a trainee lawyer find themselves entangled in a murder case. Suspicious Partner is set around a highly talented and straightforward prosecutor, Noh Ji-wook (Ji Chang-wook), and his amateur intern, Eun Bong-hee (Nam Ji-hyun). After Eun Bong-hee is arrested for murder, Noh Ji-wook steps up to fight for her, only to face significant opposition along the way.

6. My Love From the Star (2013)

An alien stranded on Earth for centuries meets a haughty actress. Their initial disdain transforms into a love that defies time and space, blending sci-fi elements with heartfelt emotion. The energy between the two is explosive, with Do Min-joon coming off as a snob and Cheon Song-yi as a vain artist. My Love From the Star gives our beloved alien a chance at love, but his relationship comes with an expiration date.

7. Her Private Life (2019)

Art curator Sung Deok-mi hides her fangirl life from her new boss, Ryan Gold. When they fake a relationship to quell rumours, their pretend romance starts feeling all too real. When Ryan Gold (Kim Jae-wook) enters her orbit, their electric clashes lead to them forming negative impressions of one another. Things only get worse when he finds out about Sung Deok Mi’s secret obsession.

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8. Boys Over Flowers (2009)

Ordinary girl Geum Jan-di enters an elite school and clashes with the arrogant leader of F4, Goo Jun-pyo. In the series, she ends up being bullied by some of the most popular kids in school, including Jun-pyo and his friends. Over time, both of the characters grow, learn more about one another, and even fall for each other. It really is one of the best Kdramas of all time.

9. Doom At Your Service (2021)

Tak Dong-kyung, facing a terminal illness, wishes for the world to end. Her wish summons Myul Mang, a supernatural being. Their contract-bound relationship evolves into a poignant romance that questions fate and desire. Although the duo's love story begins as an attempt by both parties to get their way via the other's destruction, real feelings emerge.

10. Mad For Each Other (2021)

Two neighbours with emotional baggage and anger issues clash repeatedly. Their shared therapy sessions and confrontations lead to unexpected understanding and affection. The two characters want to stay away, but circumstances and their attraction to one another just keep throwing them together.

11. Love To Hate You (2023)

Yeo Mi-ran, a fierce lawyer, and Nam Kang-ho, a top actor with trust issues, enter a contract relationship to salvage reputations. Their staged romance turns genuine as they confront personal demons and societal expectations. Mi-ran believes Kang-ho is a misogynist and up to no good, so she naturally sets out to prove it.

12. It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)

A caregiver at a psychiatric hospital and a children's book author with antisocial personality disorder form a bond that heals deep-seated traumas. Their initial clashes give way to a profound connection. This psychological drama showcases a subtle enemies-to-lovers relationship.

13. Vincenzo (2021)

Vincenzo introduces us to a Korean-Italian lawyer who returns to Korea to retrieve a hidden fortune. His ruthless demeanour is soon softened by a passionate and tenacious lawyer who challenges him at every turn. This enemies-to-lovers relationship is filled with wit and fiery exchanges, and as they team up against corrupt forces, their mutual respect and affection grow.

14. Alchemy of Souls (2022)

Alchemy of Souls follows two characters who are bound by fate and haunted by past mistakes. Their journey begins with a rivalry, as they come from different backgrounds and are initially wary of one another. Assassin Mu-deok becomes the servant of nobleman Jang Uk. Their master-servant dynamic evolves into a deep bond as they challenge destiny together.

15. Doctor Slump (2024)

Former academic rivals Ha-neul and Jeong-woo reunite during personal crises. Their shared struggles lead to a heartwarming journey of rediscovery, healing, and unexpected love. The duo starts as reluctant allies, but as they work together to pick up the pieces of their lives, a subtle transformation from enemies to lovers takes place.

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