Noona Romances with Satisfying Relationship Journeys

Fate in the form of a murderer throws them together when she is a teenage girl and he's a child. And when they meet again as strangers - and opposite personalities - surprises and extreme plot events abound. Great characters, an enticing slow burn, and humor lighten the tragedies. This is an impeccably constructed One True Pairing tested by dramatic obstacles. 

People who read together, love together! Sweet, funny, friends to lovers slow burn. Beautiful, creative workplace ensemble. All in all, a perfect romance drama. 

It's no accident that four of the dramas on this list are from director Ahn Pan Seok, whose work is more nuanced, artistic, and socially conscious than most. This extremely high chemistry, affecting romance shows two people who are both dealing with being societally disadvantaged in different ways. As long as they are able to keep their secret, their relationship is even more heightened by the thrill of being in denial of the inevitable family disapproval. This drama does a more realistic portrayal of alcohol use, and doesn't shrink from the pain and damage that results from going against society's rules, yet it still shows that love transforms and liberates.

An unmarried librarian and a single dad pharmacist meet by chance, giving her the push to start disentangling herself from a stale relationship. Her higher status boyfriend objects, though, saying he can't let her go because her new love lacks status. This drama takes a serious look at domestic abuse through supporting characters. But what transcends is the way the leads find their way despite tensions and conflicts. 

This is the second Ahn Pan Seok drama on the list, and perhaps easiest to watch. Traumatizing things happen, but the leads are more insulated from the darkness of society.

Arthouse tragedy about twin artistic souls who meet in a musical world shrouded in chaebol corruption. For retrieving your soul, there must be a price. Unforgettable. 

The third, and most tragic, Ahn Pan Seok drama on the list.

Two people survive the murky, cutthroat world of private cram academies - with their souls and love intact. This is the fourth Ahn Pan Seok drama on this list. It's less soaringly romantic than the other three, but it shares the message of love enabling people to hold their own against an oppressive society.

This adorable, cuteness overload Chinese drama features not one, but two couples, both women being three years older. There's upbeat, sincere exploration of every aspect of being just that few years out of sync, both personally and professionally. Look forward to clever, humorous moments, relationship ups and downs, and couples earning their progress, every step of the way. 

Many scenes of the leads' mutual adoration are  well balanced by their shared profession: robot combat!

Overall, this is one of the sweetest, most happy making noona romances ever.

Oddballs meet cute as he, a high school hockey player, impersonates his older business man brother in the office where she's a temp. This underrated gem is quirky and charming. Sincere, innocent people find their own, unusual path.

She's best friends with his older brother, who is closeted to everyone except her. There's lots of extremely watchable, naturalistic, understated dialogue in this intelligent, enjoyable love story.

So much awesome humor, so much charm and chemistry from the leads. This drama is ahead of its time for 2014, with an ending that gives the characters both the definite possibility of happiness and also space to be who they are. 

One particularly charming minor note, is that when he lets his father know about his interest in a significantly older woman, dad doesn't bat an eye, and immediately encourages his son to offer commitment in order to succeed!

Light, sweet, funny, and honest. For today's audience, there may be some consent issues, but this romp tells, in 2006, an insightful and sex positive story about an older woman and a younger man. Yes, there's some over the top family member pushback, but compared to the makjang spirit of the time, I found it bearable, and even silly. And for me, nothing interferes with the warm, fuzzy, adorably pink mood of the ending. 

A 39 year old hairdresser has two perfectly lovely suitors, and what stands out about her choice is not their ages, but the different ways they complement her life. This Japanese drama is funny, perceptive, and kind.

Swoony, photogenic settings, gorgeous art direction, and a classic, lyrical, melo mood. The older woman is a repressed chaebol princess, the younger man a hardworking natural. A larger than life, evil ex-mother-in-law provides many of the obstacles and negativity, letting the leads be a bit more idealized. Who doesn't love watching tender moments between perfect people?

This is a noona romance that pretends it's not a noona romance. There's an age difference between the actors, but the characters are just a year apart. Still, she's his sunbae at work, and there's a standard older woman, younger man meeting: as a student, he falls for her at first sight when she comes to his school to recruit. 

This drama has some substance, too. It stands out that both leads, and also the female lead's mother, have been on the receiving end of infidelity.

Extra amounts of cosmetics product placement, but well thought out slow burn and relationship twists.

Unusual, personable, light comedy that uses standard tropes in refreshing ways. The unique characters have silly moments, growth, and depth.