6 Contract Marriage K-Dramas That Will Hit You Right in the Feels!
- Anwaya Mane
- 21 minutes ago
- 4 min read
In recent years, contract dating and contract marriage K-dramas have made a major comeback—and we couldn’t be happier. This is easily one of our favorite romance tropes, and for good reason. It has everything: leads thrown together unwillingly, a relationship bound by a deal or marriage contract, and that irresistible undercurrent of tension. As they navigate their new dynamic, love begins to blossom—hesitant at first, then undeniable—until it bursts into a big, dramatic confession.
The beauty of this trope lies in how it showcases chemistry: the stolen glances, the little gestures that ooze passion, the reluctant tenderness that slowly builds into explosive romance. Contract dating is not just a fan favorite; it’s also a true test of the actors’ charisma, their on-screen spark, and the strength of the story itself. With that in mind, here are six must-watch contract K-dramas that will hit you right in the feels.
1. When the Phone Rings (2024)
From the very first episode, this drama sets the tone with an undercurrent of romantic tension and an almost haunting allure. Korea’s presidential spokesperson Baek Sa-eon (Yoo Yeon-seok) appears cold and detached when his sign-language interpreter wife, Hong Hee-joo (Chae Soo-bin), is kidnapped—brushing it off with the chilling remark, “Call me when there’s a dead body.” On the surface, their relationship is nothing more than a contract marriage, a fragile arrangement that makes it seem as though they are merely tolerating each other. But as the layers peel back, what emerges is an undeniable chemistry and a love that, despite everything, refuses to die.
2. A Business Proposal (2022)
This drama takes the contract dating trope and gives it a delightful, playful spin. Kang Tae-moo (Ahn Hyo-seop), eager to dodge the endless blind dates arranged by his grandfather, strikes a deal with Shin Geum-hee (Kim Se-jeong) to be his pretend girlfriend—unaware that she’s his employee, Shin Ha-ri, hiding behind the alias. What begins as a charade quickly spirals into something real, as sparks fly and pretense turns into genuine affection. But when the truth threatens to come out, their budding romance hangs in the balance. At just 12 episodes, A Business Proposal is light, breezy, and utterly binge-worthy.
3. Perfect Marriage Revenge (2023)
If there’s one place where the contract marriage trope thrives, it’s in the world of makjang K-dramas—and Perfect Marriage Revenge serves it up in the most deliciously dramatic way. Han Yi-joo (Jung Yoo-min), a sweet and submissive woman, has been mistreated her whole life by her family and betrayed by a husband who openly prefers her sister. When she finally uncovers her mother and sister’s manipulative schemes, Yi-joo decides it’s time for payback. Enter Seo Do-guk (Sung-hoon), the wealthy, charismatic man her sister has her eye on. Yi-joo boldly proposes a marriage contract with him, and not only do they tie the knot, but a fiery romance soon blossoms. As Do-guk helps Yi-joo regain her confidence and self-respect, their chemistry sizzles, making Perfect Marriage Revenge as cliché as it is addictive—and guaranteed to hit you right in the feels.
4. Love in Contract (2022)
No list of contract marriage dramas would be complete without Park Min-young, the queen of romantic K-dramas. Here, she stars as Choi Sang-eun, a professional “contract wife” who poses as an interim spouse for clients in need of a partner to keep up appearances. Though she has no desire for marriage in real life and dreams of retiring from the job, her long-time loyal client Jung Ji-ho (Go Kyung-pyo) convinces her to continue their arrangement. Just as things get complicated, Sang-eun also catches the eye of superstar Kang Hae-jin (Kim Jae-young), who wants her to play the role of his wife as well. With a love triangle, intriguing backstories, and Park Min-young’s signature charm, Love in Contract is a must-watch blend of romance, drama, and irresistible chemistry.
5. The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract (2023)
The title says it all, but the plot gives this contract marriage drama a refreshing twist. Park Yeon-woo (Lee Se-young), a woman from the Joseon era, suddenly finds herself transported to modern-day Seoul, where she crosses paths with Kang Tae-ha (Bae In-hyuk), a cold and standoffish chaebol heir. After saving her, Tae-ha proposes a deal: become his contract wife to appease his traditional grandfather and secure his share of the family inheritance. But Yeon-woo’s mysterious past from Joseon is far more connected to the present than anyone expects. With its mix of time-slip fantasy, contract marriage hijinks, and sparkling romance, The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract is quirky, heartfelt, and thoroughly entertaining.
6. Full House (2004)
A true blast from the past, this classic stars two of Korea’s biggest icons, Song Hye-kyo and Rain. Han Ji-eun (Song Hye-kyo), an aspiring writer, lives in a house called Full House, built by her late father. Tricked by her so-called friends into thinking she’s won a free vacation, she returns home to discover they’ve sold her house. On her trip, she meets the famous actor Lee Young-jae (Rain), and after a rocky first encounter, fate throws them together again—when she learns he is the new owner of her beloved home. What starts as a reluctant housemate arrangement soon turns into a contract relationship, and before long, blossoms into something real. A cornerstone of the contract marriage trope, Full House is charming, funny, and simply unmissable!
Which of these contract K-dramas is your go-to watch? Let us know in the comments below!
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