6 Emotional K-Dramas Perfect for a Cathartic Cry

Everyone has a different definition of healing. For some, it’s laughing until their stomachs hurt and involuntary tears threaten to spill from their eyes. For others, it’s sitting in silence—meditating, soaking in the warmth of the sun, the chill of winter mornings, the rain-drenched evenings, or the gentle quiet of somber nights. And for many, healing means crying.

Tears can be an emotional catharsis for the soul, and for the skincare enthusiasts, they even leave behind a natural glow and a soft blush across the face. That’s why we’ve rounded up six K-dramas that are perfect for a good cry—because once in a while, we all need to let it out.

1. When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025)

Undoubtedly the best drama of the year so far, When Life Gives You Tangerines fits the bill of a perfect K-drama: a talented cast, a compelling story, emotionally resonant world-building, and moments that not only tug at your heartstrings but will also leave you in tears (trust us, keep tissues handy). This is the kind of drama that makes you want to rush to your parents’ room in the middle of the night, curl up between them, and feel lucky to have them in your life—grateful for all the sacrifices they’ve made.

2. Pachinko (2022)

A sweeping saga chronicling the life of Sunja (played by Kim Min-ha and Youn Yuh-jung) during the era of Japanese rule in Korea. Pachinko is as much about Sunja’s journey—from her youth to her old age—as it is about a nation’s history of strength, grace, and resilience. It’s the kind of drama that lingers with you long after the final episode, moving you to tears at regular intervals and leaving you grateful for the life you live today, and for the sacrifices your ancestors and older generations made to give it to you.

3. Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022)

Set in the vibrant backdrop of the 90s, Twenty-Five Twenty-One is a mixtape of unforgettable firsts—youth, friendship, sports, first love, and first heartbreak—all woven into a heartfelt drama. It follows the story of five friends as they navigate high school dilemmas, peer pressure, big dreams, crushing heartbreaks, and love that once felt destined to last forever.

The ending may have broken many hearts, but at Dojeon Media, we see it as a reminder that sometimes things don’t go the way we wish—and that’s okay. What matters are the beautiful memories that last a lifetime. Twenty-Five Twenty-One is both cathartic and healing—a must-watch!

4. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)

Sometimes catharsis comes in the form of a well-packaged rom-com. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a sweet, heartwarming, and healing drama disguised as a fun, frothy romantic comedy, starring the effortlessly charming Kim Seon-ho and Shin Min-ah. The story follows two complete opposites who clash from the very first moment they meet, but over time, they begin to see the emotional complexities and vulnerabilities in each other. As they fall in love, they also help one another heal. This drama is a gentle reminder that we should never judge a book by its cover—because we never truly know the battles someone else is fighting.

5. Moment at Eighteen (At Eighteen) (2019)

Eighteen is an age that’s both thrilling and terrifying. It’s the first step toward adulthood—leaving behind the comfort of childhood and the rebelliousness of the teenage years—to step into a world of responsibility, growth, and maturity. At Eighteen beautifully captures this transitional phase, following a group of students as they navigate school life, explore their identities, form friendships, deal with grades and career pressures, experience crushes, and face the daunting reality of growing up. With a talented cast including Ong Seong-wu, Kim Hyang-gi, Shin Seung-ho, and the late Moonbin, At Eighteen is relatable, cathartic, and deeply moving. And if the story doesn’t bring tears to your eyes, the OST certainly will.

6. Reply 1988 (2015)

Often considered the sister drama to Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Reply 1988 explores similar themes of friendship, love, and growing up—but set against the quieter, evolving backdrop of the 1980s, rather than the nostalgic 1990s. The series follows a close-knit group of childhood friends, who have known each other since they were in diapers and grow together from kids into adults, all through the perspective of Sung Deok-sun (Hyeri). Through their interpersonal dynamics, shared dreams, romances, and unbreakable friendships, Reply 1988 creates a world so warm and familiar that you’ll wish you had a time machine just to spend a day in the lively neighborhood of Ssangmun-dong, Dobong district, Seoul. It’s a drama that will leave you in tears—in the most bittersweet, heartwarming way.

Which of these dramas is your go-to for a good cry? Let us know in the comments below.

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