8 K-Dramas With Iconic Winter Moments To Watch This Season

Winter snuggles, snowy kisses, or warm embraces – the cold frigid winter months get a romantic twist in K-dramas. Winter is often a metaphor in drama narratives, from bittersweet endings to new beginnings, and it is a time for introspection as well as bonding for some. Here are some heartwarming moments from the winter wonderland of K-dramas!

“Healer”

“Healer” served us not only a classic romantic moment of all time, but one of the most iconic onscreen kisses as well. The drama tells the story of a night courier named Seo Jung Hoo (Ji Chang Wook), who takes on dangerous assignments for a hefty price. Little does he realize that chasing a journalist named Chae Young Shin (Park Min Young) will turn his life over.

“Healer” is a great drama to watch during the winter season. When Jung Hoo hides his true identity and encounters Chae Young Shin on the terrace, snow begins to fall. Young Shin, who is infatuated with Jung Hoo as “Healer,” stands still with her woolly cap pulled over her eyes and nose. In this moment, Jung Hoo embraces her, uncovers her nose, and initially hesitant, plants an intensely passionate kiss on her lips. With the soulful “Eternally Yours” OST playing in the background, this moment is enshrined in the memory of many K-drama fans. “Healer” remains an all-time favorite as it packs in romance, action, as well as thrilling plot which will keep you riveted.

“Goblin”

Kim Shin aka the Goblin (Gong Yoo) is cursed to a life of immortality and has roamed the earth for a thousand years. He has seen centuries and the world change as he awaits for his bride, the one woman who can remove the sword that is embedded in his heart. The ageless handsome man finally meets an orphan named Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun), who has this innate ability to call upon him mystically.

As he takes her on a magical discovery of the world, we get to see the amber hues of fall and the maple dappled landscape of Quebec to the winter and snow scapes of South Korea. In episode nine when he follows her to the Yongpyong Ski Resort where she is working, he confesses being scared to love her. Picturesque, romantic, and bittersweet “Goblin” is a drama that tugs your heart.

“Boys Over Flowers”

A drama that was the rite of passage for many K-drama fans across the world and is also credited with leading the Hallyu wave, “Boys Over Flowers” is another fan favorite. The classic tale of the rich arrogant boy who falls hopelessly in love with a poor girl has been immortalized by Lee Min Ho‘s Gu Jun Pyo.

One of the many moments is in episode 12, when Jun Pyo, along with the F4 and Jan Di (Ku Hye Sun), is enjoying the snow at a resort. Jan Di, who cannot ski, it is endearing to see as Jun Pyo walks slowly by her side. The same evening, when he reaches out to kiss her and give her a necklace, a sneeze ruins the moment. There’s another great moment being when our hot-headed Jun Pyo waits patiently for Jan Di in the freezing cold at Seoul Tower. It has somewhat become a symbol for lovers, from break-ups to make-ups!

“The Legend of the Blue Sea”

A fairytale romance between a conman Heo Jun Jae (Lee Min Ho) and mermaid Shim Chung (Jun Ji Hyun), “The legend of the Blue Sea” is one of the most picturesque K-dramas. From the sunny tropical scapes of Spain to Seoul, it captures the seasons along with the mood of the characters.

Jun Jae and Shim Chung, who have been denied a happily ever after in their previous life, dream of a life together, far way from the intrigues of the present. Knowing her love for the sea, he sets up their dream house by the beach, and one of the memorable moments is of the two together nestled in an embrace in the snow covered Deungmyeong beach. Plus Jun Ji Hyun’s comic timing and Lee Min Ho’s charm makes this one a good watch.

“That Winter, The Wind Blows”

A bittersweet love story between a conman named Oh Soo (Jo In Sung) and a blind heiress named Oh Young (Song Hye Kyo), the title describes the mood of the drama best. Oh Young is dealing not only with the darkness around her, but the weight of the world as well. With conniving relatives and her own emotional burdens, she is a lonely soul. Oh Soo, who is a cynical man, is cold and calculating. Can the warmth between these two unlikely souls thaw the ice which has frozen their world?

Though the show has a winter setting, there are a few heartwarming moments in the cold. A memorable scene is when both have child-like fun sliding on the snow and just enjoy the moment and their conversation. It is perhaps the one moment when the two forget their many burdens, to just savor each other’s company. Jo In Sung puts the good into playing bad, and Song Hye Kyo enchants with her screen presence.

“Winter Sonata”

Kang Joon Sang (Bae Yong Joon) and Jung Yoo Jin (Choi Ji Woo) have been inseparable since high school and are madly in love. But a tragic incident involving Joon Sang results in them being forced to go their separate ways.

Winter is the underlying theme of the drama, and the season is an important character in the narrative. From meeting in the freezing cold to making cute snow dolls together, and the long wait and yearning desire to reunite,” Winter Sonata” is an ode to the season. Its appeal also lies in its simplicity, and it has all the cliches and tropes romance buffs thrive on. A K-drama classic, “Winter Sonata” is a sentimental watch and goes perfect with a cup of hot cocoa and some tissues on the side.

“My Love From the Star”

Chun Song Yi (Jun Ji Hyun) is a popular and temperamental actor. Her opportunistic mother and the professional scrutiny get to her, when all she craves is being by herself. Little does she realize that life has an unusual script planned for her, and she falls for a handsome man who has literally descended from the stars. Do Min Joon (Kim Soo Hyun) is a 400-year-old transient resident on earth and keeps himself away from humans and their many dramas.

In episode 11, we find the vivacious actress and the rather reticent alien, who are obviously attracted to each other, going on a date. Setting up a tent in the cold of the night as they fish together, she walks away from him due to a misunderstanding, only to be enveloped in a kiss. It’s a moment where you cannot help but to squeal in delight. “My Love From the Star” is another popular drama and remains high in its recall value, thanks to the chemistry between Jun Ji Hyun and Kim Soo Hyun.

“Queen of the Game”

Lee Shin Jeon (Joo Jin Mo) wants revenge, and he is willing to go to any lengths for it. He masterfully charms Eun Seol (Lee Bo Young), the daughter of the man he wants to ruin. His tactic works and Eun Seol is hopelessly in love with him, but what was not part of the plan was him falling deeply and madly in love with her as well.

The drama has been shot across New Zealand as well as South Korea, and winter plays an interesting character in the narrative. From the moment they meet, he serenades her on the snowcapped mountains of Queenstown, and he comes seeking her in Seoul. As the first snow gently falls, she takes him for a midnight car ride, and his heartfelt confession to her is so poignant that even the icy winds of Jeju island stand still. It is also a cold winter day when their lives change forever. This golden oldie ticks all the boxes, giving us an intense romance, revenge, and retribution.

cr: Soompi