7 Heart Wrenching Korean Dramas With a Happy Ending

Crying a river isn't always a bad thing. It can be healing, even cathartic, especially when it's a controlled process ending with relief and release.

Here are some recommendations if you're in the mood to let your emotions flow in a controlled environment. Each of these South Korean series guarantees to tie a heavy knot in your chest, only to later help you release it in a flood of healing tears.

Go Back Couple (2017)

A 38-year-old couple, weary of their mundane family life and struggling to find meaning, reach a breaking point in their relationship. That's when they find themselves back in the past. Suddenly, they're 20 years old and in university. They have their entire lives ahead of them. Will they make the same mistakes?

Move to Heaven (2021)

A young man with Asperger's Syndrome and his uncle, an ex-convict with a tragic past, come together after the death of their father/brother to continue the family business: a trauma cleaning service that reveals untold stories of the deceased. Through their work and shared experiences, they learn more about each other and themselves.

It's Okay, That's Love (2014)

A renowned writer with a traumatic past, overwhelming guilt, and psychological issues meets an ambitious psychiatrist trying to keep her romantic relationships separate from her job. What starts as a character clash evolves into mutual attraction and healing. Some heavy-duty tear-jerking moments are in ample supply towards the end of the series, so be prepared to reconnect with some deep and powerful emotions.

The Good Bad Mother (2023)

A tragic accident leaves a once ruthless prosecutor mentally regressed to a childlike state. This twist of fate prompts him and his mother to go on a journey to reconnect, bond, and reconstruct their relationship. Emotional moments and a heartwarming conclusion are guaranteed.

Rain or Shine (2017)

Two individuals, profoundly affected by life-altering accidents and the loss of loved ones, attempt to cope with their profound grief by acting as if it doesn't exist. Their new-found friendship helps them confront their pain and find comfort in one another.

Tomorrow (2022)

An unemployed young man unexpectedly joins the Grim Reapers' crisis management team to thwart suicides. Naturally, the drama is replete with poignant life stories that will induce tears in almost every episode. By the end, it could easily top your list of favorites.

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016)

The absolute best in this niche genre is the tale of an immortal goblin, cursed with eternal life and yearning more than anything to transition to the afterlife for eternal rest. His glimmer of hope comes in the form of a spirited high school student with a sorrowful history, gifted with the ability to see spirits. Their story also features the Grim Reaper and a chicken store owner, who add layers of intertwined destinies and profound bonds.