6 Bittersweet K-Dramas That Make You Laugh, Cry, and Feel Deeply

Some of the most unforgettable K-dramas are the ones that make you both smile and cry.

These bittersweet stories explore love, loss & life’s fleeting moments, leaving you with warmth & ache in equal measure.

When Life Gives You Tangerines – Netflix

Set in 1990s Jeju, this nostalgic tale follows Ae-sun (IU), a spirited dreamer, and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), her quiet admirer. Their love unfolds over years — tender, missed, and unspoken — like a gentle memory of youth and time.

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God – Amazon Prime Video

An immortal goblin (Gong Yoo) meets his fated bride (Kim Go-eun), the only one who can end his curse. Blending fantasy, love, and fate, Goblin is a poetic journey where joy and sorrow intertwine beautifully.

Uncontrollably Fond – Netflix

A terminally ill star (Kim Woo-bin) reunites with his first love (Bae Suzy). Their bittersweet romance reminds us that even short-lived love can leave a lasting mark.

Hi Bye, Mama! – Netflix

A deceased mother (Kim Tae-hee) gets 49 days to return to her family, learning that true love sometimes means letting go.

Move to Heaven – Netflix

A young man with Asperger’s and his uncle find healing as they sort through the belongings of the departed — a quiet, heartfelt reflection on life and memory.

Twenty-Five Twenty-One – Netflix

Set in the late ’90s, a fencer (Kim Tae-ri) and a reporter (Nam Joo-hyuk) fall in love amid changing times. Poignant and nostalgic, it captures the beauty of first love and the pain of growing apart.