What to Watch When You Want Good Chemistry
Please note that this is not limited to romantic chemistry (rom), it could be non-romantic chemistry (non-rom) between friends, family members or the whole cast of the drama (cast)
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1. Discovery of Romance
Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
I loved the chemistry between Kang Tae Ha & Han Yeo Reum in Discovery of Romance. It was palpable but despite that I was unsure of who she was going to end up with at the end of the series. I suspect it's possible that Eric could have good chemistry with a couch but yeah... they were definitely hot together. - u/danuv
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2. Healer
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
Healer was a master class in the kdrama method of wringing sensuality out of the tiniest things but also kept a realistic romantic arc. - u/danuv
Healer - Ji Chang-wook and Park Min-young had some off the charts chemistry in this show. In my opinion carried the show! - u/sfgirl00
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3. Oh My Ghost
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
Oh My Ghost had amazing chemistry. I think it's one of the best dramas of the year so year. It's about a shy girl he is possessed by a virgin ghost who is intent on losing her virginity. The ghost falls for the chef who the the shy girl works for and hijinks ensue. There also is some under mystery thrown in there. The buildup to the relationship starts a little silly but ends up sweet and romantic. The main couple played by Park Bo Young and Jo Jung Suk even improvised their kiss scenes! There was all around great acting and it looked they were actually falling in love. - u/dioscurideux
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4. The Lover
Korean Drama - 2015, 12 episodes
The Lover had great chemistry since they were all acting as realistic couples. I especially loved the main couple in their thirties and the couple with the 12 year age gap. The Lovers gives a rather accurate portrayal of how relationships work in real life and I loved how natural it all seemed. - u/TiffanyXenon
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5. Falling for Innocence
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
I also thought the chemistry in Falling for Innocence was really good. I watched it mainly because of the lead actors but I fell in love with their chemistry and the plot line. Jung Kyung Ho plays a ruthless business man who undergoes a heart transplant of a kindhearted man and it starts to change. The progression as he starts to love Kim So Yeon, who plays the kind hearted man's fiance, was very smooth. - u/TiffanyXenon
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6. Witch's Romance
Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
Witch's Romance is a drama that I felt had extremely palpable chemistry between the two main leads. It's about a 38 year old workaholic journalist who treats people around her without any kindness. Through various hijinks she meets a 25 year old part timer who is kind and giving. The two of them butt heads in an adorable way and everything about their relationship just feels so natural. - u/wilsconsin
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7. Pinocchio
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
I liked the chemistry in Pinocchio, and The girl who sees scents. Both had cute couples that complemented each other. And you could feel that the lead actors were compatible with each other and had good on screen chemistry. - u/danzr4ever
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8. The Girl Who Sees Scents
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
I liked the chemistry in Pinocchio, and The girl who sees scents. Both had cute couples that complemented each other. And you could feel that the lead actors were compatible with each other and had good on screen chemistry. - u/danzr4ever
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9. Pasta
Korean Drama - 2010, 20 episodes
Pasta had exceptional chemistry, thanks in no small part to the leads Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Sun Gyun. The couple starts off being attracted to each other right off the bat, and only mid-way through their initial impressions does the conflict arise between the two.
Beyond the exquisite acting of the two leads (honestly these two have chemistry in pretty much everything I've seen them in, regardless of who their co-leads are), the storyline is interesting because it is established that they are attracted to each other from the start, even when the conflict makes them second-guess the merits of the other throughout the beginning.
The high pressure setting of the restaurant kitchen adds spice to the romance, and the ways they demonstrate their affection towards each other can shift between cute and steamy--but for the most part, it's super duper cute. - u/ClosetYandere
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10. Smile, You
Korean Drama - 2009, 45 episodes
Smile, You. Lee min jung and Jung Kyung Ho obviously had amazing chemistry. - u/Like_a_monkey
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11. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon - Tiny woman with super strength becomes the bodyguard to a gaming CEO. Their chemistry was amazing and makes you happy. - u/eroverton
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12. Doctors
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
Doctors - I attribute most of the chemistry to Kim Rae Won here but it's definitely sparky. First time I've really felt Park Shin Hye had chemistry with her co-star. Which is interesting, considering the age difference. - u/eroverton
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13. Descendants of the Sun
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Descendants of the Sun - Serious chemistry here, to the point where I started getting mad at the girl because she kept on denying it. Woman, are you nuts?? Also a secondary couple with a good chemistry and story. - u/eroverton
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14. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo - The leads started dating during/after filming this show - u/AlluringRocketry
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15. Something about 1 Percent
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
One Percent of Something - Romance story with little filler and great interaction between the leads. It felt like you got to see all the best parts of a romantic drama and no unnecessary drama, well except for like one episode. The chemistry is so real between our two lovers here. - u/keroppi-pond
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16. My Only Love Song
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
My Only Love Song - A very light sageuk about a top star who travels back in time and meets the person her character falls in love with. It's a bit on the shorter side (30 min eps) since it's a web drama, but the main couple were on We Got Married together and they had some of the best chemistry on that show. My Only Love Song clearly lets this chemistry shine through as well as providing a ton of hilarious moments. - u/migster99
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17. Oh My Venus
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
Oh my Venus - the two leads sizzle as one tries to lose weight with the help of the other (a fitness fanatic trying to move on from a traumatic childhood illness). - u/deviantrockstar
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18. The Master's Sun
Korean Drama - 2013, 17 episodes
The Master's Sun - a girl who sees ghosts all the time finds out that she can't see them when she touches a prickly chaebol who keeps telling her to get lost. - u/deviantrockstar
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19. Secret
Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
Secret - Though an epitome of melodrama, the romantic chemistry between the leads in Secret (Ji Sung & Hwang Jung-eum) is off the charts. - u/so_just_here
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20. Her Private Life
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Her Private Life - At times funny, at times heartfelt, the romantic chemistry between the two leads was apparent in their smiles and voice. A lovely romance, slightly bogged down by childhood trauma, it is ultimately a very happy love story. - u/myweithisway
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21. The Beauty Inside
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
The Beauty Inside - From a show-window couple to a couple truly in love, this drama manages to capture the magic of a surreal relationship in all of its exciting and comforting moments. Everything about this drama was pretty. - u/myweithisway
Beauty Inside - Absurd set up but beautifully executed. Both main leads steal the show and all the side stories are entertaining. Amazing chemistry but I'm convinced both of them could have good chemistry with basically anyone - u/JuniorChip2903
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22. Jealousy Incarnate
Korean Drama - 2016, 24 episodes
Jealously Incarnate: The story is itself an rollercoaster of emotions with fantastic cast. The chemistry between the leads speaks for the storyline. - u/krutyie
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23. What's Wrong with Secretary Kim
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
What's Wrong with Secretary Kim is a drama full of clichés like rich man, boss/secretary relation, tragic past, and so much more. However, even with all the clichés it stood out really well. Out of all the dramas I have seen with all these clichés, I found WWWSK the best. Chemistry between the main leads is outstanding. - u/krutyie
Whats Wrong With Secretary Kim - One of those that'll make you yell at the screen for the two leads to kiss already, never feels like too much or too little and hits the right notes even for tropes that are super common - u/JuniorChip2903
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24. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes - A young and cheerful marketing professional. A brewery worker with an intense stare and a mind of his own. A disillusioned middle aged police officer. A mysterious death. An intense chase after the suspected murderer...
If you think that's all to the story, you'll get pleasantly surprised. With the sizzling chemistry between the main leads and an atmospheric OST you're bound to enjoy this touching history of dear childhood friends becoming lovers in the most romantic...and tragic of ways. A must if you're a Seo In Guk fan, the official master of kissing in Kdrama world. - u/imerremi
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes - It's a melodrama romance crime thriller, it's also pretty dark and gritty. But the chemistry between Seo In-Guk and Jung So-Min was mind blowing, one of the best things about the drama! They'll give you all the feels from the very first episode. It's got a very tragic vibe so keep your tissues ready when watching this drama. - u/Fatooz
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25. It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
It's Okay to Not be Okay - ML and FL have great chemistry and makes you root for their love story. A lot of the usual kdrama tropes like cohabitation and secret tragic dark past but everything manages to seem new and interesting. Amazing clothes and settings too. - u/JuniorChip2903
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26. 9 End 2 Outs
Korean Drama - 2007, 16 episodes
9 Ends 2 Outs - such a low key amazing romance, the chemistry builds and their friendship is everything. fl has hilarious inner monologues often - u/JuniorChip2903
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27. My Girl
Korean Drama - 2005, 16 episodes
My Girl - 2000s drama amazing chemistry and hilarious set up. Second leads are both a little annoying but main leads particularly fl steals the show - u/JuniorChip2903
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28. A Piece of Your Mind
Korean Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
A Piece of Your Mind - It's a melodrama romance but it's more of a healing drama. The chemistry between the main leads is excellent throughout the drama, it's obvious from the very first episode. There may not be enough of skinship but the hugs were so warm, you could actually feel it. I would recommend it not only for the chemistry but also the soothing and therapeutic cinematography and soundtrack. - u/Fatooz
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29. Doom at Your Service
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Doom at Your Service - It's a fantasy romance drama where FL has a limited time remaining but comes across "doom" who makes a deal with her. The chemistry between Seo In-Guk and Park Bo-Young was amazing and probably the one thing that made me finish the drama. It's also really aesthetic and the soundtrack is a bonus too! - u/Fatooz
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30. Run On
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Run On - It's a rom-com where two completely opposite people end up falling for each other and become each other's comfort. The chemistry between the ML-FL and SML-SFL was great and worth the watch. They will have you fall for them from the very first episode. I loved the concept of the drama and the cinematography and the soundtrack was mind blowing as well. - u/Fatooz
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31. Tomorrow with You
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Tomorrow with You - It's a sci-fi romance drama where the ML is a time traveler and finds a harsh truth about himself and FL and ends up marrying her to change the future. The chemistry between the ML and FL was so good, very natural and you'll feel the spark from the very first episode. It's also a really good drama even though it will take you a few episodes to get invested in the drama. - u/Fatooz
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32. Youth of May
Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
Youth of May - It's a historical melodrama romance where the story is based on the Gwangju Uprising. The chemistry between the ML and FL is so beautiful, you'll fall in love with them instantly and you'll wish for the drama to be more than 12 episodes. It's also highly recommended for great acting by both Lee Do-Hyun and Go Min-Si. - u/Fatooz
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33. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
Scarlet heart ryeo: Moon lovers: Again an amazing cast with intense chemistry. Give it a try for IU. - u/krutyie
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo - It's a fantasy historical drama where the FL ends up time traveling to the Goryeo period in the body of someone else and ends up having an encounter with the princes. The chemistry between the entire cast was great especially the ML and FL. I would recommend the drama for it's ensemble cast, soundtrack and the chemistry. - u/Fatooz
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34. 20th Century Boy and Girl
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
20th Century Boy & Girl: Four childhood friends in their 30s learn how to love friends, family and themselves through thick and thin. A sweet, slightly fluffy story that will make you root for each and every character.
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35. While You Were Sleeping
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
While you were Sleeping - I was pleasantly surprised at the chemistry shared by all three leads. - u/deviantrockstar
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36. Drama Special Series Season 1: White Christmas
Korean Special - 2011, 8 episodes
"White Christmas" is a less popular drama (I don't see it mentioned a lot but it's one of my favorite dramas), but the cast worked really well together! Most of my favorite Korean male actors now (Kim Woo Bin, Baek Sung Hyun, Sung Joon, Hong Jong Hyun, Kim Young Kwang, Lee Soo Hyuk) are in this drama together, and I actually took notice of them because of this drama. I believe most of them are friends in real life too. - u/Haruberry
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37. It's Okay, That's Love
Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
In non romantic chemistry, It's Ok That's Love had a fantastic cast that just sparkled off one another. They were all so good. - u/danuv
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38. Reply 1997
Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes
I thought the whole cast of "Reply 1997" had amazing chemistry. They were all so fun to watch and it really seemed like they were a group of best friends in real life. The leading couple were great together and the side couple were hilarious and cute too. This drama also had one of my favorite bromances in Korean dramas. - u/Haruberry
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39. Dr. Romantic
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
Dr. Romantic S1 - It's a slice of life medical drama. The chemistry between the entire cast especially the main leads was fabulous. Be it bromance or romance, both chemistries were great. It's also a well acted and written drama and the main villain will definitely get on your nerves. A must watch if you love ensemble cast and medical dramas. - u/Fatooz
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40. Fight for My Way
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Fight for My Way - It's a slice of life rom-com where four friends are struggling to either fulfill their dreams or maintain their relationships. The chemistry between all four of them is great and worth the watch. It's also an extremely motivating drama especially if you're going through a tough time finding motivation to do something. - u/Fatooz
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41. Move to Heaven
Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
Move to Heaven - It's a short episodic drama which is mostly slice of life. The chemistry between the three main leads was so wholesome and lovely, it will definitely touch your heart. I would also recommend this for it's lessons that it teaches at the end of every episode. The character and relationship growth is worth the watch as well. - u/Fatooz
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42. Stranger
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Stranger - The relationship between the main leads(a detective and a prosecutor) has no romantic overtones in S1 but they work so well together that it makes for great viewing. - u/so_just_here
Stranger all the way!! The characterization is strong in this one. Characters behave in line with their own convictions, and the eventual collisions of their worldviews make for delectable tension. The cast ensemble is amazing, and Cho Seungwoo has off the charts chemistry with all his F/M costars. Tense mentorship, nurturing partnership, precarious subordination, dubious alliance - it's all there! The leads' relationship develop organically, and the acting is so natural. The epitome of strong screenplay meet strong acting. So satisfying! Who said chemistry is only reserved for romance? - u/Xocobo
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43. 18 Again
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
18 Again - It's a slice of life high school drama, more of a family drama. The chemistry between the entire cast was great but the chemistry between Lee Do-Hyun & Roh Jeong-Eui and Lee Do-Hyun & Ryeoun is mindblowing, it's more of a father-daughter and father-son chemistry and it's great! This drama is also recommended to watch for it's story, acting and family-vibe. - u/Fatooz
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44. My Mister
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
My Mister - No romance but the strange kinship shown between the main leads (a young 20s woman and a man in his 40s) is pretty special. - u/so_just_here
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45. Search: WWW
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Search: WWW - The somewhat twisted friendship between the three female leads was absolutely fantastic to watch. From friends to frenemies and back to friends, you can't help but root for all three to bond together and kick some serious ass, which they do! - u/myweithisway
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46. Goblin
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Goblin Has there been a better love-hate story than that between the Goblin and the Grim Reaper? Between their runway walks and silly hijinks, their deeply-rooted fate is an epic story of trust and friendship that spans centuries. While the 'sad love' between the goblin and his bride may be titular love story in the promotional materials, it is the love between the goblin and the grim reaper that remains everlasting! - u/myweithisway
Goblin - It's a fantasy romance drama where the main lead is both punished and given a reward and is made into a Goblin after an event that takes place. The bromantic chemistry between Lee Dong-Wook and Gong Yoo is just so hilarious and amazing, probably the BEST part about the drama. The romantic chemistry between Lee Dong-Wook and Yoo In-Na is also great. I would also recommend it for it's soothing cinematography and soundtrack. - u/Fatooz
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47. Chicago Typewriter
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Chicago Typewriter - It's a fantasy romance drama, where the story keep shifting from the past to the present. I would recommend this for the amazing chemistry between Go Kyung-Pyo and Yoo Ah-In. The bromance was amazing and I personally loved it for the story in the past time. Although it takes time to make place in your heart but by the 4th episode you'll find a reason for it being a good drama that keeps you entertained. - u/Fatooz
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48. The King: Eternal Monarch
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
The King: Eternal Monarch - It's a sci-fi romance about parallel universes where the ML ends up traveling to a parallel universe and ends up meeting the FL. The chemistry between Lee Min-Ho and Woo Do-Hwan was amazing, one of my favorite bromantic chemistries. Their comic timing was hilarious. I personally also loved Lee Min-Ho and Kim Go-Eun's chemistry and found them to be quite natural but not many have the same opinion. I would also recommend it for the story, cinematography and soundtrack. - u/Fatooz
non-rom
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49. The Legend of the Blue Sea
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
The Legend of the Blue Sea - It's a fantasy romance where the FL is a mermaid and ends up having a chance encounter with the ML but immediately falls in love with him. I would recommend this for the underrated bromantic chemistry between the three guys, their bromance is so powerful. It's also really hilarious and feel good, the comic timing between Lee Min-Ho and Jun Ji-Hyun is fantastic! - u/Fatooz
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