We all have our favorite K-drama tropes from friends-to-lovers, fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, and so much more. These tropes are the reason we get so attached to characters and feel all the emotions right along with them!
If there’s one trope I will never get tired of, it’s fake dating. This trope is the true heart of rom-coms! There’s just something so funny and charming about two characters pretending to be in love when, deep inside, they don’t want to act romantic, yet they are forced to do so because of a situation. Then slowly, as they spend more time together, the walls break down, feelings grow, and suddenly they’re falling for each other without even realizing it. I could watch it again and again!
Some of our favorite dramas that feature this trope are Ahn Hyo Seop and Kim Se Jeong’s “Business Proposal,” Lee Min Ki and Jung So Min’s “Because This Is My First Life,” Song Kang and Kim You Jung’s “My Demon,” and many more! Now, let’s look at some classic and newer K-dramas that truly capture the magic of fake dating!
“The Real Has Come!“
Let’s start with Baek Jin Hee and Ahn Jae Hyun’s KBS weekend drama “The Real Has Come!“, a refreshing blend of rom-com and family melodrama. The story follows a famous language instructor who is also a single mother and a talented OB-GYN doctor who suddenly finds themselves in an unexpected contract relationship that neither of them planned.
Their fake-dating dynamic is extra fun because they aren’t just pretending to be a couple; they’re pretending to be a family. The female lead needs support as she faces pregnancy in the public eye, so they agree to act as partners. What begins as a practical arrangement full of awkward skinship, forced affection, and funny misunderstandings slowly turns into genuine feelings as they live together and grow closer.
“Full House“
Now, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to one of the most iconic early-2000s rom-coms: “Full House” starring Song Hye Kyo and Rain. The story follows a cheerful aspiring writer tricked by her friends into losing her house, only to end up living with a top actor. The two enter into a contract marriage, agreeing to pretend to be newlyweds while keeping their real situation a secret.
The fake-dating-turned-contract-marriage setup is the heart of “Full House!” Their “strictly business” deal quickly becomes chaotic with bickering, jealousy, playful teasing, and undeniable chemistry. I really enjoyed watching them pretend not to care while clearly falling for each other, and it is pure rom-com gold! From enemies under one roof to unexpected emotional moments, this drama shows exactly why fake dating is such an addictive and timeless trope.
“The Beauty Inside“
If you want a rom-com with a fantasy twist, then Lee Min Ki and Seo Hyun Jin’s “The Beauty Inside” is the perfect pick. The story follows an actress who mysteriously transforms into a different person once a month, and a chaebol executive who has facial blindness and cannot recognize faces. Despite their unusual struggles, fate brings them together in the most unexpected and heartfelt way.
Looking for the fake dating part? The two enter a pretend relationship to protect each other’s secrets. Their arrangement starts as mutual convenience, but as they support and understand each other’s vulnerabilities, they see what is within. Their love story feels extra meaningful because it isn’t about appearances; it’s about trust, acceptance, and seeing someone for who they are beyond the surface.
“My Lovely Sam Soon“
Another iconic 2000s K-drama that gave us one of the best fake-dating romances is Kim Sun Ah and Hyun Bin’s “My Lovely Sam Soon.” The drama follows a passionate and outspoken pâtissier who suddenly loses her job, and a cold yet vulnerable restaurant owner dealing with heartbreak. Their unexpected meeting leads them into a contract relationship that changes everything!
This drama has everything we love about this trope: a relationship that starts as a practical deal, constant bickering, hilarious misunderstandings, and those vulnerable moments where real feelings start to show. As they spend more time together, jealousy appears, walls come down, and their pretend romance slowly turns into something real. Their chemistry and emotional growth make this one of the most unforgettable fake-dating classics.
“Coffee Prince“
We can’t talk about fake dating without mentioning one of the most legendary rom-coms ever: Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye’s “Coffee Prince.” The story follows a hardworking woman who is often mistaken for a man and a carefree chaebol heir trying to escape blind dates and family pressure. When they start working together at a café, the male lead assumes she is a man and this leads to a hilarious and emotional journey.
The fake-dating situation begins when he hires her to pretend to be his boyfriend to get out of unwanted dates. What starts as a simple agreement turns complicated when unexpected feelings develop. Watching him question his emotions and her struggle to hide her identity creates funny, touching, and heart-fluttering moments. Their journey from confusion to undeniable love is what made “Coffee Prince” an unforgettable and timeless K-Drama.
I think we can all agree at this point that fake dating is truly a superior K-Drama trope! And the best part? All of these dramas are available to stream on KOCOWA+ with multiple subtitle options.
