6 romance K-dramas with tragic endings

Romance K-dramas with tragic endings tend to draw more attention, as their emotional weight lingers with the viewers. South Korean entertainment industry offers a vast selection of such dramas.

Uncontrollably Fond is one of the popular romance K-dramas that explores a complicated love story with a sad ending. Apart from that, Twenty-Five Twenty-One is another show that leaves the audience crying.

Some of these romantic K-dramas intricately weave subplots into their main narrative, keeping audiences engaged, and their unforeseen tragic conclusions leave a strong mark.

Note: This article reflects the author's opinion and is listed in no particular order.

Snowdrop, Love Alarm, and other romance K-dramas with tragic endings

Here are some of these K-dramas with a heart-rending climax:

Uncontrollably Fond
Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Now, We are Breaking Up
Love Alarm
The Smile has left your eyes
Snowdrop

1) Uncontrollably Fond (2016)

Cast: Kim Woo-Bin, Bae Suzy, Lim Ju-hwan

Streaming on: Netflix

Uncontrollably Fond unfolds the love story of Shin Joon Young (Kim Woo Bin) and Noh Eul (Bae Suzy), who used to be deeply in love with each other in their childhood. Due to the adverse circumstances, they had to separate their paths.

However, they end up crossing paths in adulthood when Joon Young becomes an actor and singer, while Noh Eul becomes a documentary producer.

The duo tries to give a second chance at love but the plot twist reveals some hidden truths. Joon Young learns about Noh Eul's obsession with money over justice. Meanwhile, Noh Eul discovers that Joon Young has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and has a few months to live. She decides to stay by his side.

Although this romance K-drama starts on a light and cheerful note, the narrative concludes with a heartbreaking sequence when Joon Young dies.

2) Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022)

Twenty-Five Twenty-One (Image via Netflix)

Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Ji-yeon

Streaming on: Netflix

Another romance K-drama with a tragic ending is Twenty-Five Twenty-One. Set in 1998, the plot revolves around two young individuals, Na Hee-do (Kim Tae-Ri) and Baek Yi-jin (Nam Joo-Hyuk), whose lives are reshaped by a financial crisis.

Hee-do pursues fencing in high school, whereas Yi-jin deals with financial struggles after his father’s business goes bankrupt. As they support each other to reach their aspirations, their bond deepens and transitions from friendship to love. Although they are profoundly in love, the couple decides to part ways because of misunderstandings.

The series finale takes place seven years later, showing Yi-jin as a journalist and Hee-do as a professional fencer. However, the emotional twist leaves the audience in tears when it is revealed that Hee-do is married to someone else, and Yi Jin sincerely congratulates her.

3) Now, We are Breaking Up ( 2021)

Now, We are Breaking Up (Image via Viki)

Cast: Jang Ki Yong, Song Hye Kyo, Choi Hee-seo

Streaming on: Viki, Apple TV

Now, We are Breaking Up is a romance K-drama that focuses on Ha Young-eun (Song Hye-Kyo), a cold-hearted fashion professional, and Yoon Jae-guk (Jang Ki-Yong), a talented freelance fashion photographer.

Young-eun is beautiful, smart, self-disciplined, and a successful team leader. But the death of her former lover, Soo-wan (Jae-guk's brother), haunts her and leaves her with unsolved feelings and deep resentment. Therefore, she buries herself in work to compensate for the void.

Young-eun meets Jae-guk on a blind date. The K-drama unfolds the romance between the two as they move to Paris for professional commitments. Later, Young-eun learns that Jae-guk has a fiancé in Seoul, leaving her with heartbreak.

After their breakup, the timeline shifts forward two years in the final episode, where the protagonists meet again in Busan. The emotional ending scene leaves fans in tears as both still love each other but choose not to confess.

4) Love Alarm ( 2019-21)

Cast: Kim So-hyun, Jung Ga-ram, Song Kang

Streaming on: Netflix

As the name suggests, this Netflix show revolves around a social media app called Love Alarm. Kim Jo-jo (Kim So-hyun) is one of the pretty girls in the school who faces emotional turmoil after losing her parent. Subsequently, her aunt looks after her.

On the other hand, Hwang Sun-Oh (Song Kang) is a student from the same school who has feelings for Jo-jo. As the story progresses, it is revealed that Sun-oh's best friend, Lee Hye-Young (Jung Ga-ram), has secretly loved Jo-Jo for years.

This romance K-drama spans over two seasons. The second installment introduces a killer who finds and targets victims through the app. The killer, who turns out to be a random guy from Jojo's school, uses her artistic work as an inspiration to commit his crime. He eventually gets arrested and Jo-jo meets him to understand his ulterior motive and emotional turmoil.

As Jo-jo focuses on self-improvement and brings positivity into her life, she engages in a conversation with Sun-oh, and they both move on. Meanwhile, the friendship between Sun-oh and Hye-young also falls apart.

5) The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (2018)

The Smile has left your eyes( Image via Viki)

Cast: Seo In-guk, Jung So-min, Park Sung-woong, Seo Eun-soo

Streaming on: Viki, Apple TV

The Smile Has Left Your Eyes is a dark romance K-drama centered around the complex relationships of the main characters. It explores the themes of love, trauma, and redemption.

The story follows Kim Moo-young (Seo In Guk), a sociopath and a prime suspect in his ex-girlfriend's murder case. The character of Moo-young is an interesting one as he can attract women with his charismatic aura.

Meanwhile, Baek Seung-ah is a businesswoman who gets smitten by Moo young's charm. In this romance K-drama, the inclusion of a detective brings twists and turns, revealing surprising secrets.

With the development of the narrative, Seung-ah breaks up with her former boyfriend and enters into a relationship with Moo-young. The show, however, concludes on a sensitive note when Moo-young develops feelings for her but their love story is forbidden.

6) Snowdrop ( 2022)

Cast: Jisoo, Jung Hae-in, Kim Min-kyu

Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar

Snowdrop is another romance K-drama that ends with tragedy. The story is set during the political turmoil in 1987 in South Korea. Eun Yeong Ro (Jisoo) is a college student of Hosu Women's University, who lives in a dormitory.

On a group blind date, she meets Lim Soo-ho (Jung Hae In), a North Korean spy with a dangerous secret. Yeong-ro and her friend hide him in their dormitory and after recovering the wounds, the spy Soo-ho escapes. However, he returns to the dormitory again and takes Yeong-ro and her friend hostage. Amidst the political tension, Soo-ho develops feelings for Yeong-ro but never confesses.

The final episode of this romance K-drama depicts Soo-ho's efforts to ensure Yeong-ro's safety while escaping from the officers of ANSP (Agency for National Security Planning). The ending seems quite heart-wrenching when the audience watches how ANSP officers shoot him dead.

Apart from these romance K-dramas, fans can explore Hotel Del Luna, Moon Lovers, Youth of May, and Mr. Sunshine. All these dramas conclude with sad endings.

Edited by DEEPALI