And They Were SURPRISE Childhood Friends

A list of dramas where the main characters met or were friends as children, but one of them or both are either unaware, forgot, or were estranged. Dramas where they continue to best friends or connected(ex. Bad Buddy, Exclusive Fairytale) will not included. Dramas where they were seperated but both fully remember and recognize their past will also not be included(ex. Jun & Jun). In order to be included on this list there must be some sort of element of surprise. I will also being including instances with bigger age gaps as well. List and comments contains some SPOILERS.

I think that this is a rather funny and weird trope used to establish a notion of destined lovers or justify their connection, even though it often does little to impact the overall plot.

Pearly Oct 14, 2023

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1. 1000 Years Old

Thai Drama - 2024, 12 episodes
2. After Sundown

Thai Movie - 2023

7.5

Neither is aware. Quickly, revealed to MCs.
3. Blossoms in Adversity

Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes

10
4. Castaway Diva

Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
5. Cooking Crush: Uncut Version

Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

Neither is aware. Quickly, revealed to MCs.
Although quickly acknowledged by both, they didn't realize they met first as children at Prem's Grandmother's resturant.
6. Healer

Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes

8.0

Neither are aware. Revealed to MCs.
Main characters parents were friends and they were childhood friends. However, FL loses her memories and ML doesn't make the connection. Parent's backstory and their bond is used as a driving force for the story and romance.
7. Hotel del Luna

Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

9.0

Neither are aware. Not revealed to MCs.
Main characters met as children in their first life. Neither are aware. Used to make up for the misdirection(SPOILER, IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW) and establish "fated lovers" trope.
8. It's Okay to Not Be Okay

Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
9. Kimi wa Petto

Japanese Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

Only one is aware.
Less of childhood friends, but more of FL lead met ML when he was a child. ML realizes the connection eventually during the show.
10. La Pluie

Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

9.0

Neither are aware. Revealed to MCs.
Main characters live next to each other exchanging notes and messages of encouragement without knowing each other's identities. Used to establish more romance especially considering the soulmate concept of the show. Deeper use than most on this list as it connects to both of character's struggles and growth.
11. Lovely Writer

Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

7.5

Only one is aware. Revealed to MCs.
Main characters were childhood best friends as they get older they become estranged. When they meet again only one of them is aware. Major plotline as some deception was used and lack of communication.
12. Meeting You

Chinese Drama - 2020, 28 episodes

8.5

Neither is aware. Quickly, revealed to MCs.
13. Melody of Golden Age

Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes

8.5
14. Meow, the Secret Boy

Korean Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
15. Minato Shouji Coin Laundry

Japanese Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

Only one is aware. Revealed to MCs.
Main characters meet as teenager and child, respectively. Younger character remembers and older character does not recognize him.
16. Naughty Babe

Thai Drama - 2023, 8 episodes

8.5

Only one is aware. Revealed to MC.
Main character forgets his childhood memories and when they first met. Used to establish tension and stakes between MLs.
17. Oh! My Assistant

Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

7.5

Only one is aware. Not revealed to MC.
One of the main characters had a crush on the other in high school. Only one is aware.
18. Present, Is Present

Chinese Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
19. See You in My 19th Life

Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

8.5

Only one is aware. Revealed to MCs.
FL remembers past life where they were childhood friends. Used a driving force for the plot and is the whole motivation for romance and FL's actions
20. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

10

Neither is aware.
FL saved ML in high school. ML does't immediately recognize her and FL doesn't make the connection.
21. The King's Affection

Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes

8.5

Neither is aware. Revealed to MCs.
Main characters fall in love as children, but are seperated when FL has to pretend to be her twin brother. Served as a theme and secret throughout. Used to explain why ML falls in love with FL despite class differences and the belief that she is a man.
22. The Midnight Studio

Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
23. The Sign

Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

9.5

Neither is aware. Quickly, revealed to MCs.
Main leads met as children when Tharn saved Phaya from drowning. This is also implied as a destined meeting.
24. Tomorrow

Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

9.0

Only one is aware. Revealed to MCs.
FL and her "love interest" met as children in her first life. Love interest has no memory of their first life. One of my favorite uses of the trope. While they met as children in their first life, they proceed to get married as adults. Show is not really a romance, but their episode of their past life is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Decided to include this because the love interest lost the memory of it.
25. Triage

Thai Drama - 2022, 13 episodes

9.0

Neither is aware. Revealed to MCs.
Met as children and one male lead saved the other from drowning.
26. Watashitachi wa Douka Shiteiru

Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

9.5

Only one is aware. Revealed to MCs.
FL lead is aware, but ML is not. Trope is used to establish tension as ML has a grudge against her hidden idenity.
27. What's Wrong with Secretary Kim

Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

8.0

One is not aware. Revealed to MCs.
Major storyline is their connection in childhood as they promised to marry eachother. FL is not aware of her childhood friend's idenity. Used for dramatic effect and to drive "fated romance" trope.
28. When the Camellia Blooms

Korean Drama - 2019, 40 episodes

8.5

Neither are aware. Not revealed to MCs.
Main characters meet as babies. Used to highlight the hypocrisy of the societal standards that is the main obstacle to the romance.
29. While You Were Sleeping

Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes

8.5

Neither is aware.
Meet as children at a funeral home. Used to explain fortune telling mechanism in the story.