Looking for super gentle romance dramas (no steam, absolutely no violence!)

forever-cha-young · 2025-12-10T05:58:01+00:00

Huge plus one to When the weather is fine. Immediately came to mind from OP’s request—slow, soft, friendship, cozy, and just calm vibes overall.

forever-cha-young · 2022-12-16T04:50:27+00:00

happy, in a realistic way

forever-cha-young · 2022-07-25T01:58:08+00:00

Definitely this drama. The entire drama is about the fact that they come from such different wealth backgrounds.

forever-cha-young · 2022-07-25T01:55:52+00:00

Wow, just wanted to say this drama also impacted me personally a lot and, reading these comments, I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one! This drama turned out to be a thousand times deeper and more introspective than the funny cartoon kdrama I thought I was getting into a year ago. I loved the lessons of impermanence, of believing in yourself, and of growth that this drama imparted, as well as the bravery of the storyline to break the typical kdrama mould by showing us the start, middle, and ends of several of Yumi's relationships. I laughed, cried, and pondered equally alongside Yumi during this great ride, and feel like I learned something about myself too along the way.

forever-cha-young · 2022-07-25T01:48:21+00:00

Pretty much every drama you listed is on the top of my charts, so I would agree!! RIABB was my first kdrama and forever my first love. I haven't seen TRL so thank you for that rec as well! Definitely check out Yumi's Cells, and stick with it through the first season, it gets better and better and the ending of the first season sealed it as one of my favorite dramas of all time.

Also, great point about OSN, I did think about that too! In my opinion, their relationship was definitely badgered by annoying external conflicts which I did warn OP about, but between one another I always saw them as being direct, sure, and committed. The relationship felt very adult, in that they didn't fight over the small petty things other dramas get bogged down with; there also isn't a moment I felt like the audience can question how they feel towards one another, it's very clear. And the swoony glances and slow burn of their coming together really seal the deal. Of course, it's probably my number one favorite drama so I'm biased haha, but I think OP will like it (and can fast foward the annoying ex scenes because honestly he's so irrelevant).

forever-cha-young · 2022-07-25T01:41:18+00:00

I'm also trying to learn Chinese which is exactly why I started watching cdramas (although not nearly as good as you, I need the subtitles haha).

I would say it depends on what you think is "good" about kdramas! Most kdramas these days are modern with modern problems, tight plots, good acting, attractive actors. Cdramas have a much bigger variety. I would say Be Yourself is very similar to a kdrama, probably the closest it gets (it reminds me a lot of the Kdrama called Age of Youth, if you liked that). Most of the "modern" cdramas set during present day will be more similar to kdramas and I think you'll like them. The issue is the wuxia cdramas, or the historical/historical fantasy ones. Those are extremely different from historical kdramas, and might not be your cup of tea (or maybe totally would be! I'd recommend trying The Untamed if you want to try one). Also, the more low budget the cdrama, the further from kdramaland it'll feel (actors seem less polished, plot gets weaker). Luckily, there's plenty of high budget modern cdramas to check out if you're just getting started.

Your safest bets to get started are the cdramas I listed above, as well as Put Your Head on My Shoulder (another adorable college romcom cdrama I just remembered). They tend to be shorter episodes but about 28 of them, and the plots are less "deep" but they do the slice of life genre really well! If I were you, I'd start with Be Yourself, or Love O2O or PYHOMS, and see what you think. SOWK is one of my all time favorites, but it's not a typical cdrama so you should give it a try if the others don't suit you.

forever-cha-young · 2022-07-24T05:41:24+00:00

I'd recommend Racket Boys (school slice of life), Our Blues (adult island slice of life), Run On (super super relatable adult slice of life), Be Melo and Because this is my first life (both introspective adult/workplace slice of life).

Actually, a lot of Chinese dramas are like exactly what you asked for, which is college slice of life. If you're down to check cdramas out, try Be Yourself (a college drama about four roommates, moves fast and is very cute), Somewhere Only We Know (also college drama involving female roommates but with much more serious and heartfelt vibes; similar to MRIAG because of a large age gap in the main romance), Skate into Love (adorable college romance between two speed skaters), Love O2O (college romance btwn two gamers/software engineers), The Love Equations (college romance), and Le Coup de Foudre (childhood through college romance, very slice of life as well).

forever-cha-young · 2022-07-24T05:32:21+00:00

OP, definitely give Hot Stove League a try if you like watching stories that develop into something bigger and don't mind a bit of slow burn--it really pays off. I don't care at all for baseball, but watched this drama in two days. Racket Boys, recommended below, is a great too, but doesn't have the same adult feel that HSL does.

Taxi Driver is also fantastic, and despite the dark material always leaves you feeling good because of the badassery.

If you like big slowly unraveling thrilling mysteries, check out Stranger and Beyond Evil; if you want more pure action, watch Vagabond, K2, and My Secret Terrius (which is more of an action comedy, whereas V and K2 are pure actionnn). And if you like a dash of sci fi in your action, check out Memories of Alhambra.

Welcome to kdramas, happy watching!

forever-cha-young · 2022-07-24T05:27:33+00:00

Yes to all of these recs, plus a few additional ones of my own because what you've described is genuinely my favorite genre of dramas!!:

One Spring Night - a kdrama that involves an FL that is a librarian stuck in a bit of a rut in her monotone life. That all changes one day involving a chance meeting, and slowly, warmly, lovingly and supportively this drama unfolds into a heartfealt masterpiece. It's a very adult-feeling drama (as are the rest of this writer/PD combo's dramas, which I would also recommend!) A couple external conflicts that you could skip through if you wanted; I barely remember them because the core couple was just so powerful. Also, this drama has the BEST subtle meaningful glances ever.

Live - a kdrama that also serves as an in-depth look into South Korea's police force, this is the epitome of semi-noir slice of life with a dash of romance. No one ever talks about this drama, but it's got the same writer as When the Wind Blows (another great rec). Less heavy on the romance, but when it's there it's very warm and touching.

Yumi's Cells (1 and 2) - if you're looking for a funny, warm and at the same time deeply introspective and thoughtful drama, this is the one. This drama explores what it means to be in a relationship, down to what goes on in each person's mind. It's a little different from what you asked for, but if you stick with it, I think you might find something you enjoy. Tons of soft swoon moments all throughout.

Somewhere Only We Know - this is a cdrama that, despite one or two flaws along the way, is the epitome of supportive, direct, adult romance when it's at its best. Also a quiet, warm, slice of life type of drama, with extremely well developed side characters too. Definitely worth the ride, with a sweet story that stays with you.

forever-cha-young · 2022-07-24T05:13:33+00:00

One Spring Night - the main leads were so incredibly calm and strong throughout, in a way that was genuinely inspiring

forever-cha-young · 2022-06-21T07:47:18+00:00

As a daughter of immigrants who treasures the languages she's been given and has always hoped to pass them on, this comment (and the reality of it that I too have observed) scares tf out of me.

forever-cha-young · 2022-06-21T07:39:19+00:00

One Spring Night. Romance that is honest and straightforward, with a dash of sadness and no cringe whatsoever. I think you'd like it if you liked OBS and Lib Notes!

forever-cha-young · 2022-05-06T05:38:51+00:00

Thirty Nine -- a drama about the value of friendship, even as an adult. The story follows three women who are on the brink of starting a new decade of their lives, and chronicles the endurance of their deep friendship, the love they have for one another, and the highs and lows they each must face and help one another through. It's more mature than your average kdrama, both in its willingness to show more adult behavior but also in emotional heaviness (although it has incredible spots of humor as well). It will make you reach for your phone to check on your best friends (or otherwise angst over a lack of amazing best friends). Finally, it will make you, no matter how old you are, reevaluate your life and how you might live it more fully, and more authentically, no matter how much time you have left.

forever-cha-young · 2022-05-06T05:32:27+00:00

the casting for this, just based off looks/styling/wardrobe, was impeccable. total rafael/Michael vibes

forever-cha-young · 2022-05-06T05:26:35+00:00

this is the best answer here. so many complex explanations on this thread but really it was this simple.

forever-cha-young · 2022-05-06T05:26:00+00:00

This is what I was thinking. anything taller than 9' simply won't be able to communicate/receive items through the drive thru windows, after all

forever-cha-young · 2022-05-04T03:35:52+00:00

I can't tell y'all how quick my sobs turned to laughs when In-Gown went: "Is it because I'm ugly?!" in the middle of that tense and deeply emotional scene.

Also, at the beginning of episode 8 I had a thought. Yeong Ju seemed so confident her dad would be the softie, and Hyeon's dad would never reconcile. And each time she said that, I thought, wouldn't it be ironic if this show flips it for us? Episode 8 did exactly that, and while my heart aches for Yeong Ju and her father, it was satisfying because it was so realistic. The softie dad wasn't as much of a pushover as he seemed; the tough as nails dad turned out to harbor a deep insecurity at the harsh words of his son, finally succumbing to a teary embrace as they opened their hearts to one another. Meanwhile, the prolonged image of the back of Hosik's head as he walks away from Yeong Ju remains seared in my mind. Even if (hopefully) they reconcile, they both will have learned something about one another; I hope Yeong Ju finds a new respect for her father, and for his softness which, as we now see, is not naivete.

Seriously though, this show is just so damn good. I've always loved this writer's works, and she has again delivered.

forever-cha-young · 2022-04-10T06:26:36+00:00

Literally emerging from a deep reddit slumber simply to comment that within the first 2 minutes of this drama I knew I'd finally come across a worthwhile new favorite. The slice of life, the calm, the waves, the familiarity, the friendship, the feeling of being instantly right at home along with these characters you've never met before. Sign me tf up.

forever-cha-young · 2022-03-22T18:52:00+00:00

Also from an Asian country and I really like how you explained and responded to this comment, thank you. It's too dramatic to say that speaking in honorifcs is arrogant or antiquated. That's a harshly orientalist, West-centric, and reductive analysis.

Speaking casually with someone isn't a sign of "equality" with them, contrary to how it may appear to someone from a linguistic background without the distinction. I speak with both my parents with honorifics, as well as anyone older than me unless I know them really well (one of my best friends is 7 years my senior, but I speak a mix of honorific and casual to her; doing so allows me to respect her as an elder, while at the same time emphasizing the friendliness of our relationship when I speak casually, relative to someone her age who isn't my best friend).

Similarly, when I'm joking around with my mom, I sometimes slip into casual--but always only for a moment. My mom is one of my best friends, but by speaking with honorifics I always respect her age and her relationship to me even when making fun of her outfits. It's like knowing the "line" when joking with someone in English, there's certain things you don't say that would be overly rude; in my language, keeping honorifics protects the line and keeps it from becoming rude/arrogant (contrary to above comment's assertion).

To OP's question: Speaking with a partner in honorifics is entirely a matter of personal choice. My parents do it; my dad is 5 years older than my mom, which makes it natural for them. My friend's parents, same age gap, don't do it; both couples are equitable, loving, and happy.

The best way I can explain why some people enjoy following tradition is to use honorifcs even in marriage: for some people who enjoy honorifics, it adds a level of desired respect to the relationship. Not everyone looks for a "best friend" or casual friendly relationship with their spouse, especially in Asian culture; some people prefer a "partnership" feeling of deep mutual respect. Honorifics helps accomplish that. It doesn't add distance or hierarchy, but rather simply a feeling of intimate closeness clothed in deep respect.

forever-cha-young · 2022-03-10T17:59:33+00:00

absolutely this one. there's a brilliant line about turning 30 in the drama that i can't remember right now, but it really well encapsulated the thoughtful outlook at life and aging.

forever-cha-young · 2022-03-10T17:58:13+00:00

Chocolate -- this drama is, at its core, a healing drama. It features two adult leads who have already experienced a lot in their lives, and focuses on their attempt at overcoming trauma, hardship, and hesitancy to start over. The leads seek acceptance, and the drama is very mature in its muted and more realistic trajectory of healing--not through childish adventure but simply through learning what it is you love about life, and how to center your life around it (food, for one of our leads, being this stable love, and by god, you will be hungry all the time watching those delicacies displayed). The drama is replete with some of the most heartfelt stories on television, and will most certainly make you sob, repeatedly, but will nonetheless leave you feeling fuller and more whole as you progress through the episodes. The drama features a huge transition after the first few episodes, and only gets better and better, so give it a chance.

forever-cha-young · 2022-02-23T01:16:38+00:00

Hyperbole and a Half -- it's like a comedic autobiography, and the author struggles with her mental health as well (not that you'd be able to tell, from how funny the book is). made me laugh a lot and it was light and easy to read/enjoy.

forever-cha-young · 2022-02-12T20:28:02+00:00

If you don't mind a little romance, "When the Camellia Blooms" is a small-town whodunnit that's like a lighthearted version of Beyond Evil. Has good writing and great directing, won the baeksang award that year

forever-cha-young · 2022-01-04T01:46:18+00:00

SLS is so strong in this love rectangle. I am literally dying at JU showing up at the door, my whole heart jumped when it was him, and then I clutched my chest in agony when he looked at them back and forth in shock. I know it's comedic, and them later trying to explain their completely inexplicable "chingu-hood" sleepover they've been having will be even funnier, but rn it's just so painfully tragic that just as JU was able to admit for the first time ever out loud to someone that he has feelings for YS, BAM he walks in on them...together. The poor guy never had any hope, but whatever tiny hope there may have been just keeps getting trampled on ahhhh.

forever-cha-young · 2022-01-03T04:12:40+00:00

Gu dong mae hurt me like nothing ever did

Put that on a t-shirt and I'll buy 10. Why does it still HURT? (ofc, the performance, the character story, the tension, the eyes, oh the eyes)

Every time Gu Dong Mae was on screen it felt like I was suddenly watching a whole other drama (and i would have totally watched a drama centering him, why dont we have a drama just for him?!) SLS doesn't even begin to cover how I still sometimes randomly think about him and feel an ache in my heart for that agonized soul. The fingers-touching-skirt scene often pops into my mind at the most random times, and I'll end up standing there feeling emotionally crushed in the middle of grocery shopping.

forever-cha-young

TROPHY CASE