10 Saddest Korean Dramas Guaranteed to Make Anyone Cry

Mother (2009)

Guess what? Sometimes, life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Mother nails that sentiment hard. Centered around a single mother's determination to prove her intellectually-challenged son's innocence in a murder case, it's like one long, heartfelt letter to motherhood. Oh, and the soundtrack? On point. The music alone might draw a tear or two. But here's the real zinger: the son's undying love for his mom, even when the world is seemingly against him. Pass the tissues, please.

Marriage Contract (2016)

You ever think life throws you a curveball? Hye-soo is a single mom diagnosed with a brain tumor, and Ji-hoon needs a liver donor for his ailing mother. When these two meet, their answer? A contract marriage. As real as it gets, folks. The way they grow closer, understanding and sacrificing for each other, it's the kind of raw love story that'll have you holding onto your armrest. And that ending? Boy, you won't see that coming. Or maybe you will, but it won't hurt any less.

Autumn in My Heart (2000)

Look, we've all got a soft spot for childhood love stories, right? This one's a doozy. Yoon Joon-suh and Yoon Eun-suh grow up thinking they're siblings, but a DNA test says otherwise. They're not related, so they're separated. Fast forward, Eun-suh gets a terminal illness. Classic K-drama twist, huh? But here's what makes this unique: the mature handling of delicate emotions. It's the kinda story where you're shouting at the screen, "Why can't life just give them a break?!"

Stairway to Heaven (2003)

Alright, grab your blankets. This one's a tear-jerker. Childhood lovers Jung-suh and Song-joo are separated due to wicked family schemes. Years later, they reunite, but fate's got other plans. Jung-suh develops amnesia, and the rest, as they say, is history. The plot's a smidge complex, but its execution? Flawless. And you've got to love the main leads for making you feel EVERYTHING. By the way, did you know it was a massive hit in the box office? Yeah, that should tell you something about its emotional pull.

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

You think love triangles are tough? Try a love...octagon? Our protagonist, Go Ha-jin, gets transported from the modern day back to the Goryeo Dynasty. Here, she's caught in royal brotherly feuds and romantic tangles with no less than EIGHT princes. What could possibly go wrong? Spoiler: A LOT. The ending? Heart-wrenchingly beautiful in all its historical glory. Plus, who could forget Lee Joon-gi's emotional depth? That guy can act.

49 Days (2011)

If someone handed you a magic bead necklace and told you to collect three teardrops shed out of pure love in 49 days, could you? Shin Ji-hyun gets this exact task after a car accident leaves her in a coma. Her spirit, meanwhile, borrows another body. The kicker? Her closest ones aren't exactly who she thought they were. Talk about a reality check. It's a genuine "Who are your real friends?" kind of story.

Misaeng (2014)

You might wonder, how does an office drama tug at heartstrings? Here's how: relate it to the grueling, often depressing reality of the corporate world. Jang Geu-rae, a former baduk player, lands a job at a trading company, but with zero credentials. His journey? From being a misfit to...well, still somewhat a misfit. But one with a dream, ambition, and a heck load of heart. It's a story that says, "Life's tough, but so are you".

Remember: War of the Son (2015-2016)

When it comes to the justice system, the waters can get muddied real fast. Seo Jin-woo has hyperthymesia, which means he remembers every detail of his life. Pretty cool, until his father gets wrongfully convicted of murder. His race against time to prove his dad's innocence, while battling early-onset Alzheimer's, is both heartrending and frustrating. It's like one of those courtroom dramas where you're all-in, rooting for the good guys, but sometimes life doesn't play fair.

I Miss You (2012-2013)

Childhood traumas can scar, but they can also bind souls. Two teens, Soo-yeon and Jung-woo, face a tragic event. Fast forward, they're adults dealing with that past in their unique ways. Their love story, punctuated with pain and redemption, is basically like watching two broken souls trying to find solace. A shoutout to Yoon Eun-hye for portraying the emotions so darn well!

My Mister (2018)

Ever feel like life's piling on too much? Join the club. Dong-hoon is struggling with work politics and a crumbling marriage. Enter Ji-an, who's burdened with debt and caring for her sick grandma. Their unlikely friendship becomes their saving grace. Watch them trudge through life's messiness, and you'll see why this isn't just another drama. It's a reflection of life's little, painful, yet beautiful moments. Worth every tear shed.