K-drama tropes are the heart and soul of rom-coms! They’re what make every watch exciting, hilarious, and unforgettable. One of the most beloved rom-com tropes we can’t get enough of? Fake dating and contractual relationships!
It’s always fun when two characters—whether they’re total strangers, enemies, or one secretly crushing on the other—end up in a relationship where they have to pretend they’re dating for mutual benefit. And the best part? Watching them go from pretending to slowly, but surely, falling for each other!
“Full House“
The OG of fake dating K-dramas is none other than “Full House” starring Song Hye Kyo and Rain! This classic rom-com follows Han Ji Eun, an aspiring writer who lives in a beautiful home (Full House) built by her late father. But things take a wild turn when her so-called friends trick her into thinking she won a vacation, only for her to discover they sold her house to top actor Lee Young Jae.
When discussing contractual relationships these two really come to mind first as the fake dating is the center of this drama. Ji Eun and Young Jae strike up a contract marriage for mutual benefit—Ji Eun wants her house back, and Young Jae wants to make his crush jealous. The chaos that ensues inside the house is comedy gold, with endless bickering behind closed doors and forced sweet moments when they’re around others. As they spend more time together, their pretend love turns into something real, and the two begin to develop real feelings.
“Sassy Girl, Chun Hyang“
Next up, we have one of the highest-rated rom-coms, “Sassy Girl, Chun Hyang!” Starring Han Chae Young as Chun-hyang and Jae Hee as Mong Ryong, this drama takes the fake relationship trope to the next level with a mix of romance, comedy, and action—all with a modern twist on traditional folklore.
The story kicks off when Chun-hyang and Mong Ryong, two schoolmates with totally opposite personalities, find themselves in an awkward situation after spending a night in the same room. When everyone hears about it, they’re forced into a contract marriage to save their families’ reputation! Although the two can’t stand each other at first, living together brings out their true sides and their love story blossoms from enemies to lovers. The push and pull of their fake marriage, from two people who hated each other to two people willing to do everything, is what makes this drama so thrilling and fun to watch.
“Fated to Love You“
Jang Na Ra and Jang Hyuk brought us one of the most iconic pairings in “Fated to Love You.” This is their second time starring together, and they shine as Kim Mi Young and Lee Gun in this unforgettable rom-com. The story revolves around two strangers: a wealthy heir and an ordinary secretary, who end up spending the night together after a series of misunderstandings. When Mi Young becomes pregnant after their accidental one-night stand, the two are forced into a sudden marriage to protect their reputations.
Their story is the perfect example of the contractual relationship trope! At first, it’s hilarious to watch these awkward strangers interact in their purely transactional marriage. But as time goes on, things take a turn, and we see them open up to each other, transforming their marriage of convenience into something real. Plus, Jang Na Ra and Jang Hyuk’s chemistry is so insane, making their pairing one of the best!
“Coffee Prince“
“Coffee Prince” is a beloved classic rom-com starring Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye. The drama follows Go Eun Chan, a tomboyish woman who pretends to be a man to land a job, and Choi Han Gyeol, the grandson of a successful coffee business chairwoman. Unaware of Eun Chan’s real gender, Han Gyeol hires her to pose as his gay lover to avoid the pressure of his grandmother trying to set him up.
This is where the fake dating fun begins! Watching Han Gyeol and Eun Chan fake their relationship for others while growing closer is pure rom-com magic. Han Gyeol’s confusion as he starts developing feelings for Eun Chan (whom he thinks is a man!) adds an extra layer of heart to the story. Once the truth about Eun Chan’s identity is revealed, their fake romance blossoms into a genuine love that makes “Coffee Prince” such a timeless favorite.
“Princess Hours“
Another K-drama classic is “Princess Hours” starring Ju Ji Hoon and Yoon Eun Hye. Set in a fictional modern-day Korea where the monarchy still exists, the story follows Chae Kyung, a lively art student, and Lee Shin, the cold and reserved crown prince. Due to a long-standing promise between their grandfathers, they’re forced into an arranged marriage despite barely knowing anything about each other.
The arranged marriage + royalty trope never gets old! Though Lee Shin has his eyes on someone else, he and Chae Kyung must pretend to be a happy couple in front of the public. Their relationship is full of awkward moments, heartfelt encounters, and even some hilarious situations. Despite their differences, as they navigate royal life together, they realize they suit each other perfectly, and what starts as a marriage of duty slowly evolves into true love.
At this point, I think we can all agree that fake dating and contractual relationships are the ultimate rom-com trope! So, if you’re ready for a binge-watch, all these dramas are now streaming on KOCOWA+ with multiple subtitles.
