6 K-Drama Couples We All Shipped, But Never Got Their Happy Ending

Anwaya Mane
Jul 16
5 min read

The official poster for Twenty-Five Twenty-One (Image via tvN). — The official poster for *Twenty-Five Twenty-One* (Image via tvN).

K-dramas have a unique way of pulling fans into their world, making you care deeply about the characters, their friendships, families, and, above all, their love stories. As the romance unfolds on screen, fans don’t just watch; they feel it. They create fan edits, post emotional tributes on social media, and root passionately for their favorite couples to overcome every obstacle and find their happily ever after. But sometimes, despite all the chemistry and hope, the love story doesn’t go the way fans dreamed.

Whether the couple part ways, one falls for someone else, or tragedy strikes, the ending can leave a lasting ache. Here are six K-drama on-screen couples fans rooted for with all their hearts - but who ultimately didn’t end up together.

Baek Yi-jin and Na Hee-do – Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022)

Nam Joo-hyuk and Kim Tae-ri in a still from Twenty-Five Twenty-One (Image via tvN).

No prizes for guessing that our ace reporter Baek Yi-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk) and fencing prodigy Na Hee-do (Kim Tae-ri) top the list. Twenty-Five Twenty-One is one of the most loved and celebrated K-dramas of all time, and fans were angry and devastated when the show's lead couple didn’t end up together, despite being unanimously adored.

Fans cherished their journey, from being acquaintances to friends and eventually lovers. However, the couple chose to go their separate ways to pursue their individual careers, in a very La La Land-style ending. The finale was so unpopular that many fans demanded a second season, hoping for a different outcome for Baek Yi-jin and Na Hee-do.

Yang Geum-myeong and Park Yeong-beom – When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025)

Lee Jun-young and IU in a still from When Life Gives You Tangerines (Image via Instagram/@real_2junyoung)

Yang Geum-myeong (played by IU), the daughter of Oh Ae-sun (also IU) and Yang Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), believed she had found her soulmate in Park Yeong-beom (Lee Jun-young) - a kind-hearted, sensitive man who reminded her of her father. The couple weathered many storms together: a long-distance relationship, his mother’s constant disapproval and harsh treatment of Geum-myeong, and the quiet struggles that come with being in a long-term relationship.

Despite their deep connection, the relationship ultimately crumbled. Geum-myeong eventually married Park Chung-seob (Kim Seon-ho). While fans adored the chemistry between IU and Kim Seon-ho, many sympathized with Yeong-beom, noting that he wasn’t a bad person, just someone who failed to stand up for the woman he loved when it mattered most. In the end, it was a case of 'what could have been,' a reminder that sometimes love alone isn’t enough.

Han Seo-jun and Lim Ju-kyung – True Beauty (2020)

Hwang In-youp and Moon Ga-young in a still from True Beauty (Image via tvN).

If you’ve ever experienced second lead syndrome, chances are Han Seo-jun was the reason why. Played by Hwang In-youp, Seo-jun had it all - model-esque looks, bad boy charm, and a soft heart, especially when it came to Lim Ju-kyung (Moon Ga-young), his best friend’s girlfriend. Though he kept his feelings hidden, Seo-jun was always there for Ju-kyung - comforting her, protecting her, and quietly loving her from the sidelines. His unwavering loyalty and unspoken affection earned him the fans' wholehearted support, as they believed he deserved to be by her side in the end.

But Ju-kyung ultimately followed her heart and chose her first love, Lee Soo-ho (Cha Eun-woo), leaving Seo-jun and countless viewers heartbroken. Still, in some alternate universe, we like to believe Han Seo-jun got the girl he loved so deeply.

Han Ji-pyeong and Seo Dal-mi – Start-Up (2020)

Kim Seon-ho and Suzy in a still from Start-Up (Image via tvN).

From one Han to another - Start-Up gave viewers one of the most intense cases of second lead syndrome in recent K-drama history. Han Ji-pyeong (Kim Seon-ho) captured hearts with his quiet strength and emotional depth, especially in the show's Cyrano de Bergerac-style twist, where he secretly wrote heartfelt letters to Seo Dal-mi (Suzy), pretending to be Nam Do-san (Nam Joo-hyuk). What began as a favor turned into something much deeper, as Ji-pyeong unexpectedly fell in love with Dal-mi. But by the time the truth surfaced, her heart already belonged to Do-san.

Despite the chemistry between Kim Seon-ho and b, their characters never had a real shot at love, much to the disappointment of fans who were rooting hard for them. Now, with Suzy and Kim Seon-ho confirmed to reunite in a new project, fans are hopeful that this time, their on-screen romance might finally come to fruition.

Jang Man-wol and Goo Chan-sung – Hotel Del Luna (2019)

IU and Yeo Jin-goo in a still from Hotel Del Luna (Image via tvN).

Another IU pairing makes the list—this time in the dark fantasy tragi-comedy Hotel Del Luna. IU plays the stylish yet ill-tempered Jang Man-wol, the centuries-old owner of a hotel that caters exclusively to the dead with unfinished business. Her world is turned upside down when she crosses paths with Goo Chan-sung (Yeo Jin-goo), the hotel’s new general manager - a rational and sincere man. What begins as a tense, antagonistic relationship slowly blossoms into a deep and poignant love. But fate has other plans. To atone for her past sins, Man-wol must move on to the afterlife, leaving behind the man she’s finally learned to love. Before she goes, she promises Chan-sung that they’ll find each other again in their next life.

The emotional ending left viewers heartbroken, with many hoping for a second season where this otherworldly love story could finally get the closure it deserves.

Sung Deok-sun and Kim Jung-hwan – Reply 1988 (2015)

Ryu Jun-yeol and Hyeri in a still from Reply 1988 (Image via tvN).

Few K-drama endings have left fans as heartbroken as Reply 1988. Kim Jung-hwan (Ryu Jun-yeol), the quietly devoted and ever-reserved friend, carried a torch for Sung Deok-sun (Hyeri) for years. Just when he mustered the courage to confess his love, it was too late - Deok-sun was already in a relationship with Choi Taek (Park Bo-gum), his best friend. What made it all the more tragic was that Deok-sun never realized Jung-hwan had feelings for her. He had silently stepped aside, sacrificing his happiness for the sake of friendship.

In a bittersweet twist, fans found comfort in knowing that Hyeri and Ryu Jun-yeol were dating in real life. But even that love story ended in a very public breakup, reinforcing the idea that some romances, on-screen and off, just aren’t meant to be.