Traumatized by Reply 1988? Here Are 7 Comforting K-Dramas to Watch Next

Shin Won-ho and Lee Woo-jung's Reply 1988 was incredibly comforting as a whole, but the series ended on a rather melancholic note. As the profound story of the characters growing up and coming to terms with their friends and family came to a close, everyone was ready to move on to find their own place in life, leaving the Ssangmun neighborhood behind.

But K-dramas don't have to be so gloomy! Here are seven Korean series that are equally enjoyable but also more uplifting than Reply 1988.

7. King the Land (2023, 1 season)

This lighthearted romance show tells the story of a wealthy heir to a hotel conglomerate as he meets an employee who's worked her way up to a prestigious position in the hotel. With a unique combination of character chemistry and brilliant humor, King the Land is sure to win the heart of any K-drama fan.

6. Welcome to Waikiki (2018, 2 seasons)

This hilarious series follows three young filmmakers — an aspiring director, an actor, and a writer — who dream of producing their own movie. To raise money, they open a guesthouse in Itaewon, Seoul, which they have no idea how to run.

5. Hospital Playlist (2020, 2 seasons)

Also produced by Lee Woo-jung and Shin Won-ho, Hospital Playlist has a warmer tone than Reply 1988, as it focuses on the friendship story of five adult doctors. Despite some of their patients dying in the show occasionally, the doctors have fun, joke around, sing songs, and support each other no matter what.

4. Prison Playbook (2017, 1 season)

Another K-drama by Lee Woo-jung and Shin Won-ho follows the daily life of convicts and officers in prison. Some of their backstories are tragic, but the series is still full of light humor, cozy vibes, and shows compassion between the characters.

3. Gaus Electronics (2022, 1 season)

This comedy series revolves around the wacky employees of the multinational corporation Gaus Electronics. The workplace environment is so chaotic and disorganized, it offers lots of room for incredible humor, and it's too bad the show only has one season yet.

2. True Beauty (2020, 1 season)

True Beauty follows a highschool student who has honed her makeup skills to become the local beauty queen. However, two boys learn that there's actually a reserved introvert hiding behind the femme-fatale persona.

1. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021, 1 season)

Probably one of the best slice-of-life K-dramas in recent years, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha conveys a sense of warmth and comfort of a close-knit community, just like Reply 1988. The plot follows a Seoul dentist as she opens a clinic in the quiet seaside village of Gongjin. She meets a handyman there who's always happy to help the locals.