10 Delightfully Wholesome Korean Doramas to Binge-watch

1. Reply 1988 (2015-2016)

In the bustling streets of Seoul, in the year of sequin gloves and big hair, unfolds the story of Reply 1988. This series brilliantly navigates the tight-knit lives of five childhood friends and their families living in the same neighborhood. If you're a sucker for a good love triangle, this one's got a doozy – you know, a triangle where it's almost impossible to root for just one person to "win".

Deok-sun, our quirky, relatable protagonist, is caught in a love triangle with her two best friends, the sensitive bad boy Jung-hwan and the sweet, nerdy Taek. The show's 1988 setting was chosen to capitalize on nostalgia for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and the '80s atmosphere's in full swing in Reply 1988, adding to its charm.

2. Hospital Playlist (2020-2021)

Imagine Grey's Anatomy, but with fewer tears, less convoluted relationship drama and more laughs. Hospital Playlist spins the tale of five doctors who have been close friends since med school and now work together at Yulje Medical Center. But it's not all about heart transplants and defibrillators; these docs have their own band! Yeah, you heard it right. They unwind by jamming out to their favorite songs.

It's a delightful and wholesome series that cleverly balances the drama of a medical series with the light-hearted humor of a friendship saga; too bad it had so few episodes, cause trust me: you'd want to keep watching Hospital Playlist pretty much forever.

3. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (2016-2017)

Bend it like Beckham meets Korean Doramas in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo. Inspired by the life of Olympic gold-medalist Jang Mi-ran, this series tells the story of Bok-Joo, a young woman chasing her dreams in the world of competitive weightlifting – not your average pursuit in a light-hearted TV series, right? Along the way, she falls for Joon-Hyung, a swimmer battling his own demons.

Don't be fooled by the sporting backdrop; the show is a heartwarming tale of self-discovery, love, and the pains of growing up, with enough wholesomeness to serve you like a warm blanket.

4. Fight For My Way (2017)

Who said childhood dreams should actually stay in childhood? Fight For My Way follows the lives of four friends struggling with the realities of adulting while trying to hold onto their childhood dreams. We have Ko Dong-Man, a former taekwondo champ turned pest control guy, and Choi Ae-ra, a department store worker dreaming of becoming a TV announcer.

They, along with their two best friends, navigate the rough seas of life, love, and job satisfaction in this delightful series. And, spoiler alert: Dong-Man and Ae-ra's journey from friends to lovers will give you all the feels; it's impossible not to root for these two.

5. It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)

This series takes on mental health with a warm, understanding approach rarely seen in TV shows – something you'll definitely appreciate in these stressful times. Moon Gang-tae, a caregiver in a psychiatric ward, crosses paths with Ko Moon-young, a successful children's book author with antisocial personality disorder.

Their lives intertwine in a tale of healing, self-discovery, and yes, love. This series won a Korean Popular Culture and Arts Award in 2020 for its superb writing and empathetic portrayal of mental health issues – quite deservingly so.

6. Crash Landing on You (2019-2020)

In Crash Landing on You, romance blossoms amidst unlikely backdrop of political tensions. This series introduces us to Yoon Se-ri, a South Korean heiress who, due to an unfortunate paragliding accident, finds herself crash-landed in North Korea. Enter Ri Jeong-Hyeok, a North Korean army officer who decides to hide and protect her, and sparks fly.

This series ingeniously combines political schemes, forbidden romance, and cultural differences into a well-crafted and engaging story. Without spoiling anything, let's just say that by the end, you might find yourself researching paragliding lessons (for love, of course).

7. Hello, My Twenties! (2016-2017)

Take a dive into the chaotic yet joyful lives of five university students sharing a house in "Hello, My Twenties!" Each girl has a distinct personality, from the seemingly perfect yet secretive Yoo Eun-jae to the outgoing, loveable party animal Kang Yi-na. They face life's trials and challenges together, dealing with love, friendship, and the pressure of academic life. Despite the mishmash of personalities, the bond they share grows deeper and stronger as they navigate the rollercoaster ride of their twenties.

The refreshing thing about this series is how realistically it depicts female friendships, personal growth, and the power of letting people in. It's not every time you'll get to see this level of wholesomeness in female friendships' portrayal, and that's quite a shame, to be honest.

8. My Mister (2018)

This one is the slightly more serious but wholly heart-touching. My Mister paints a poignant picture of life through the story of Park Dong-hoon, a middle-aged engineer leading an unremarkable life, and Lee Ji-an, a young woman struggling with poverty and life's cruel circumstances. When Ji-an is assigned to spy on Dong-hoon, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways.

Despite its somber undertones, this dorama offers a heartfelt exploration of empathy, compassion, and healing, leaving you with an overarching feeling of warmth and humanity – and isn't it what all of us are here for?

9. Welcome to Waikiki (2018-2019)

Welcome to Waikiki is basically a slapstick comedy that tells the tale of three aspiring filmmakers running a guesthouse to fund their movie. If that doesn't already scream chaos, throw in a single mother and her baby, and you've got a recipe for disaster. The series is a wacky ride, filled with hilarious misadventures, budding romances, and more than a few facepalm moments. The show was such a hit that it spawned a second season, so there's plenty of wholesome laughter to go around.

10. Because This is My First Life (2017)

The unconventional romance of Because This is My First Life is definitely worth checking it out. This series explores the story of Yoon Ji-ho, a struggling writer, and Nam Se-hee, a man who owns a house but is saddled with a burdensome mortgage. In a purely business agreement, they decide to live together, navigating societal expectations, personal dreams, and love. Plus, who doesn't love a contract-based romance? That's a whole other source of (maybe just a bit cringey) romantic tension.