The Line Between Love & Hate: 7 Fake Dating And Marriage K-Dramas To Watch

If you’re an avid K-drama watcher, you know those fake dating or marriage storylines can get very steamy very quick. Seeing the couples go from being forced into playing lovey-dovey lovers and then starting to actually develop genuine feelings for each other is a trope that people just never get sick of. Lucky for us, there are a lot of them out there. Here are seven of the ones that are definitely worth watching if you haven’t already.

1. “Her Private Life”

“Her Private Life” is the hit K-drama rom-com starring Park Min Young and Kim Jae Wook. The series involves an artist by the name of Ryan Gold (Kim Jae Wook), who falls in love with an art curator named Sung Duk Mi (Park Min Young), who is also a fangirl of the idol group member Cha Si An (ONE).

When Duk Mi and Ryan Gold agree to start fake dating, no one could have anticipated that they would become such a hot and heavy couple by the end. Their chemistry is so on fire that it was difficult not to re-watch the kiss scenes! Ryan Gold even went on to be one of the most doting K-drama boyfriends of all time, courtesy of all the sweet things he does for Duk Mi. Despite his baggage, he emulates being the perfect boyfriend that anyone would be lucky to have!

 

2. “1% Of Something”

Lee Jae In (Ha Seok Jin) is forced to be in a relationship with Kim Da Hyun (Jun So Min) in hopes of attaining his grandfather’s inheritance. The two are total opposites in character, but they decide to go through with a six month contract relationship with some added requests. They bicker, fight, and can’t see eye to eye on most things but they somehow manage to find a way into each other’s hearts.

If you want a sizzling romance with some of the best K-drama kiss scenes of all time, look no further. “1% of Something” featuring Ha Seok Jin and Jun So Min is the epitome of perfect chemistry. When they are forced to date each other as a result of a deal that Jae In has with his grandfather, Da Hyun is very reluctant, but she agrees. Seeing their relationship evolve slowly throughout the series provides the perfect anticipation of their eventual full blown romance. It is so worth the wait!

 

3. “Love In Contract”

Choi Sang Eun (Park Min Young) has the job of being a professional fake wife. She marries men to fulfill the duties of being their dates to various functions and to help alleviate the pressures they get from family members. She has been “married” to Jung Ji Ho (Go Kyung Pyo) for five years, and when she is about to retire, she finds it difficult to break off the marriage. Meanwhile, Kang Hae Jin (Kim Jae Young) enters into the picture and requests for Sang Eun to be his contract girlfriend.

A newer addition to the list and one that definitely fits the description, “Love in Contract” is an adorable series that brings the butterflies and anticipation. Seeing Sang Eun trying to break away from a job that she doesn’t particularly enjoy anymore and discovering her self-identity is a journey that many can appreciate. The fact that she is also sorting through her emotions and coming to terms with her past makes it a healing series that many will relate to. Gotta love Park Min Young in rom-coms!

 

4. “Because This Is My First Life”

In “Because This Is My First Life,” Lee Min Ki stars as Nam Sae Hee, an awkward computer designer who is house poor, while Jung So Min stars as Yoon Ji Ho, an aspiring drama writer who is on the brink of giving up on her dreams because she can’t afford to live in the city. The two meet and decide to have a contract marriage so that Sae Hee’s parents will stop setting him up on blind dates and so that Ji Ho can look for a job.

The lovely and adorable duo of Lee Min Ki and Jung So Min is exactly why fake marriage and dating trope K-dramas are the best. Seeing how they start off their relationship being so distant from each other to falling head over heels in love is the journey that many couldn’t help but get butterflies from. It was especially romantic to see Nam Sae Hee go from being a robotic machine to a guy who is helplessly lovestruck.

 

5. “Full House”

“Full House” stars Song Hye Kyo and Rain as two opposite personalities who by chance end up having to be roommates. Despite their deep hate for each other, they develop a relationship that becomes more love-hate and then eventually full of love.

Quite possibly the OG when it comes to fake dating K-dramas, “Full House” is a classic romantic comedy that brought a Hallyu wave of international fans. With Song Hye Kyo’s aegyo along with the fiery charisma of Rain, this unstoppable duo was the perfect OTP. They embodied the definition of the thin line between love and hate. When their hate eventually blossoms into love, the passion they have for each other is so epically romantic!

 

6. “Marriage Contract”

Lee Seo Jin plays Han Ji Hoon, a guy who only cares about money, and Uee plays Kang Hye Soo, a woman who needs money and is ill. The two agree on a contract marriage all in the name of money. While they get to know each other, they realize that they have a lot more in common than they thought, and their hearts eventually open up to each other.

Bring on the tissues because this one is a tearjerker, especially when you see how much Kang Hye Soo struggles in life and wants the best for her and her daughter. Many viewers will find themselves sympathizing and feeling for her character, but when Ji Hoon comes in and starts to have feelings for Hye Soo, your hearts will be filled. Their love for each other is so uplifting as well as heartwarming that you’ll find healing!

7. “Princess Hours”

Yoon Eun Hye plays a normal high school girl named Shin Chae Kyung, who is forced into an arranged marriage with the wealthy and handsome royalty, Lee Shin (Joo Ji Hoon). Shin is not very fond of Chae Kyung at first and makes her feel pretty self-conscious, but when he starts to realize his feelings for her, this series really gives you the feels.

This modern and historical mash-up is considered to be a classic. The romantic story between Chae Kyung and Lee Shin has everything you would want in a K-drama OTP. Although their relationship starts off rather rocky, their slow realization of being in love with each other is so sweet to watch. There is also the added bonus of seeing some current Hallyu stars as rookies.

 

Source: Soompi