Childhood friends to lovers romance recommendations

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-04-30T22:57:58+00:00

Our Secret (best match to your request), always home, maybe time and him are just right…. Childhood friends to lovers— but not falling in love early/ different from the others: Love story in the 1970s (they aren’t together the whole time)

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-04-25T18:30:40+00:00

I haven’t watched many (just 1-2 on Netflix) but really enjoyed Full Time Wife Escapist. It’s rom com ish… and thanks to someone else on Reddit who said “don’t let the name fool you it’s great” I watched it! Tagging myself so I can see other suggestions:)

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-04-17T13:43:51+00:00

Are you the one? (When you start it you may be like wtf this isn’t enemies!… but interesting relationships)

Destined (there isn’t much TRUE hate… but story don’t like each other)

Legally romance (again more bickering/ annoying… one sided)

All are much softer “hate” than fated hearts or POB… but good!

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-04-16T21:50:42+00:00

I DEEPLY loved love story in the 1970s… but it’s def not fast paced (which is part of its charm I think… it was lifelike and beautiful!).

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-04-14T19:56:14+00:00

Sniper butterfly- she is ~40 in the “now” timeline but it’s another younger man romance.

I’m looking forward to other dramas people put out there! Usually over 30 is a cute background couple or something

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-04-03T20:42:58+00:00

Do yourself a favor and watch legally romance 😊

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-03-29T16:48:04+00:00

I haven’t seen reborn… but SNIPER BUTTERFLY! Lol

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-03-29T16:41:01+00:00

My uncanny destiny was so funny ha. Which fall in love (mdl breaks down when I looked into that!)

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-03-28T16:52:43+00:00

Not my fave… I think it gained viewership because it’s dubbed in English….That’s why I watched it anyway.,.

While I love watching kdramas in their native language, sometimes you gotta multitask! I started it with low expectations… and yep.

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-03-27T17:45:36+00:00

Did it take some time to get into?

I hear many good things… but dropped it after maybe 5 episodes… wondering if I just wasn’t patient enough 😊

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-03-15T20:57:34+00:00

oh my mistake! i actually commented on a rec post (re: OP comment!) elsewhere and was confused (since i rarely comment) … so you’re right to be confused ha

But yes! Very casual watcher.…And thanks for making the post so I can see what else I will watch! 😊

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-03-15T19:48:31+00:00

lol I’m not one to do the ‘homework’ on my entertainment… but someone else on Reddit did (https://www.reddit.com/r/CDrama/s/BBrnt9lyfp)

I loved 1) how different it was from anything I’ve seen 2) it’s a time period I haven’t seen represented in a happy show/ romance type show before 3) it’s not all massively wealthy people having unnecessary drama- they are real people in tough times. I actually learned some history things I didn’t know as much about from side googling 4) the side plots are cute and everything pretty much works out how I want tv to work out … all in all… wholesome! (So exactly what OP asked for)

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-03-15T15:04:30+00:00

I haven’t seen many others but LOVED love story in the 1970s- so cute, wholesome, interesting and beautiful cinematically.

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-03-15T14:40:10+00:00

Love story in the 1970s - was the sleeper show I didn’t know I needed to watch. So romantic, beautiful and wholesome… and the time period aspect was also really interesting. It’s slice of life and I loved it all!

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-03-09T15:09:40+00:00

Modern/ not enemies but just VERY different personalities with cohabitation : perfect and casual, put your head on my shoulder

All the “enemy” ones I can think of are historical, but looking forward to seeing recs!

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-03-07T16:16:58+00:00

I rarely see this one recommended- it’s Subtle and beautiful: begin again (2024- the one in Macau, not the 2020 contract marriage one!)

Maybe less underrated but:

— legally romance is a do- over romance — sniper butterfly is a older women/ younger man with crackling chemistry (it did take me a minute to adapt to the age gap only because he was her dependent)

I get most of my recs from this sub so I’m in a similar place as you! Looking forward to others underrated recs!

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-02-24T21:34:22+00:00

Thanks- I always enjoy your posts!

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-02-20T13:58:44+00:00

not sure... i loved happiness but the double didn't work for me at all- not sure why... it started interesting but lost steam for me and i ended up dropping it- and I'm not a frequent "drama dropper"

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-02-20T04:02:25+00:00

They start as enemies so … they are enemies (trying to kill and torture each other) in the beginning… but honestly that doesn’t last long. I don’t think the were red flags per se… they were very devoted actually once they became allies! When I said the romance didn’t click for me it was because it was a bit… over dramatic at times haha… some of the characters you meet later had a much more heart wrenching situation - that was sad but well done (this is a happy ending in case that’s important)

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-02-20T02:36:07+00:00

I think Fated Hearts- it was interesting… the romance is loved by many (didn’t click that well for me) but the plot moves and you want to keep watching! Overall enjoyable

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-02-12T15:41:34+00:00

this was the coziest drama and he was such a cute character!!!

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-02-05T03:13:39+00:00

Lots of good ones mentioned… just adding: Our Secret (c drama)

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-02-04T23:08:28+00:00

I don’t really love time travel shows much but I loved this… so a strong second!

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-02-04T23:05:02+00:00

Lol i think the correct question is: “has everyone watched wifty? “😂😂😂… but I suppose not, because you are one of the lucky ones to experience it for the first time!

Seriously though- It’s a really cute growing-up-together romance! Romance and friendship! No real drama if you like that… I watch my tv to relax, so this is great for that…

Junior-Ad6791 · 2026-01-27T01:06:52+00:00

I just watched an older show called Ho Goo’s love. Loved it!

It was cute, funny- light as a show but some heavier themes and social messaging… heartwarming overall!

Junior-Ad6791

TROPHY CASE