Best Underrated K-Dramas To Watch This Valentine’s Day
- Disha Paul
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
Every Valentine’s Day, the same iconic K-dramas dominate watchlists. While those stories are timeless, there are many romantic Korean dramas that quietly delivered emotional depth, mature relationships, and unforgettable chemistry — yet remain underrated.
If you’re looking to watch something different this Valentine’s Day, these K-dramas offer love stories that feel intimate, realistic, and deeply human.
Lovestruck in the City (2020)
Lovestruck in the City follows Park Jae-won (Ji Chang-wook), a passionate architect who cannot forget a woman he met during a summer romance. That woman, Lee Eun-oh, also known as Yoon Seon-ah (Kim Ji-won), is navigating her own emotional confusion and fear of commitment. Told in an interview-style format, the drama explores modern love through multiple perspectives.
Why watch this on Valentine’s Day: This drama captures the raw, unfiltered side of love, longing, heartbreak, and vulnerability. It’s perfect if you want romance that feels realistic rather than idealised, especially for viewers who relate to complicated relationships.
Aired: 2020–2021
No. of Episodes: 17
Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Kim Ji-won
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Still 17 (Thirty But Seventeen) (2018)
Woo Seo-ri (Shin Hye-sun) wakes up from a 13-year coma, physically thirty but emotionally still seventeen. She crosses paths with Gong Woo-jin (Yang Se-jong), a quiet and emotionally withdrawn set designer. Together, they slowly learn how to heal from past trauma and rediscover joy.
Why watch this on Valentine’s Day: This is a soft, comforting romance that treats love with patience and kindness. It’s ideal for Valentine’s Day if you want a healing story about second chances, emotional growth, and gentle affection.
Aired: 2018
No. of Episodes: 16
Cast: Shin Hye-sun, Yang Se-jong
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
Dentist Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-ah) moves to a seaside village where she meets Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho), a jack-of-all-trades beloved by everyone in town. As they grow closer, their romance unfolds through everyday moments and shared community life.
Why watch this on Valentine’s Day: This drama romanticizes ordinary life, shared meals, walks by the sea, and quiet understanding. It’s perfect for viewers who believe love is built in small, consistent moments rather than grand gestures.
Aired: 2021
No. of Episodes: 16
Cast: Shin Min-ah, Kim Seon-ho
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Shooting Stars (2022)
Oh Han-byul (Lee Sung-kyung) works as a PR team leader at an entertainment agency, constantly cleaning up scandals created by top actor Gong Tae-sung (Kim Young-dae). Beneath their bickering lies a slow-burning romance shaped by shared history and mutual understanding.
Why watch this on Valentine’s Day: Lighthearted yet emotionally aware, this drama balances humor with romance. It’s a great Valentine’s pick if you want something fun, flirty, and easy to binge without losing emotional depth.
Aired: 2022
No. of Episodes: 16
Cast: Lee Sung-kyung, Kim Young-dae
Streaming Platform: Viki
Her Private Life (2019)
Sung Deok-mi (Park Min-young) lives a double life as a professional art curator and a devoted idol fangirl. Her world collides with Ryan Gold (Kim Jae-wook), her museum director, who slowly learns to love every part of who she is.
Why watch this on Valentine’s Day: This drama portrays one of the healthiest romantic relationships in K-dramas. It celebrates acceptance, communication, and loving someone without judgment — perfect themes for Valentine’s Day.
Aired: 2019
No. of Episodes: 16
Cast: Park Min-young, Kim Jae-wook
Streaming Platform: Netflix, Viki
Nevertheless (2021)
Yoo Na-bi (Han So-hee), a disillusioned art student, becomes entangled with Park Jae-aeon (Song Kang), a charming man who doesn’t believe in commitment. Their relationship blurs the line between attraction and emotional pain.
Why watch this on Valentine’s Day: This drama explores the kind of love that isn’t perfect or healthy but feels painfully real. It’s ideal for viewers who prefer honest, emotionally complex stories over fairy-tale romance.
Aired: 2021
No. of Episodes: 10
Cast: Han So-hee, Song Kang
Streaming Platform: Netflix
My Sweet Mobster (2024)
Seo Ji-hwan (Uhm Tae-goo), a former gangster trying to live a normal life, meets Go Eun-ha (Han Sun-hwa), a warm and optimistic woman who sees him beyond his past. Their unexpected romance blends humour, tenderness, and emotional sincerity.
Why watch this on Valentine’s Day: This underrated drama proves that love can grow in the most unexpected places. It’s a refreshing Valentine’s watch if you want romance that’s sweet, slightly unconventional, and quietly heartfelt.
Aired: 2024
No. of Episodes: 16
Cast: Uhm Tae-goo, Han Sun-hwa
Streaming Platform: Viki
Final Thoughts
Valentine’s Day doesn’t always need the most talked-about love stories. Sometimes, the most meaningful romances are found in dramas that went unnoticed.
These underrated K-dramas offer comfort, realism, passion, and healing — making them perfect companions for Valentine’s Day, whether you’re watching alone or with someone special.
Are you watching alone or planning a Valentine’s binge with someone special? Let us know in the comments!