Kdramas with mature romance

I'm a fan of rom-coms but lately I felt like I'd want to watch something different. 

What I'm looking for is:

- a mature take on romance/relationship

- no fantasy/horror subplots

- no unnecessary and dragging misunderstandings

- healthy communication between leads

- preferably calm setting/vibe

- it will make my heart feel warm

Hit me up with your faves!

 Indie Art Girl:

This title came to mind right away.

I Know I Love You

Nice OST too

thank you, added to my list!

That's great you've started Love Scout. It's upbeat and mature and was what first came to mind when I read your request.

What really fits the letter of your request is Chinese drama Road Home. It's intensely focused on a yearning, loving, unassailable emotional bond between two people who are meant to be together, but were separated in the past. Like a lot of cdramas, the ideology is quite present: men in uniform sacrifice for the greater good, a flawed older generation has impacted the characters in their youth. There's a big emphasis on conduct of life. Watching it felt hypnotic, because of the intensity of the core messages and the sustained mood and pace.

From your Plan to Watch, I have to mention Something in the Rain, even though it has a more stressful, high stakes emotional vibe than what you describe in your request. But I really think you should see it, because you don't give a lot of dramas 10s, but you did give a 10 to It's Okay, That's Love, another searing, intelligent, mature drama in which characters are complex and hard to predict, and face transformative challenges. While Something in the Rain is centered more on the female lead's liberation, the male lead holds his own in terms of emotional bravery. I found the crisis to be utterly necessary and it didn't drag at all for me, but be advised that the conflicts are serious, and not easily resolved. However, since you say you want to watch something different, well, Something in the Rain is unusually real and hard-hitting, and its romance soars.

For something even more different, Should We Kiss First?, about two people in midlife who've experienced some trauma, is definitely a melodrama, but it has a carpe diem ending. The couple certainly don't start out as role models of healthy relating. There's a lot of curmudgeonly conflict when they meet. But once they start actually communicating, what they have to tell each other is deep and meaningful. 

 A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You, a very sweet story of two people in an arranged marriage whose main obstacle is overthinking in trying to be considerate of one another. Simple and heartwarming.

Amidst a Snowstorm of Love, exceptionally low-key, low-angst. Almost too sugary, but I am romance impaired.  

Dating in the Kitchen, a romcom with a May/December romance. I enjoy Zhao Lu Si. There were some "villains" but very mild in comparison to most conflicts in dramas.

  Hi Venus, sweet, comforting once the couple understood one another.

My Sweet Mobster, a romcom with an ex-mobster and a children's entertainer. It's silly and cheesy, but I enjoyed watching the tough guy become smitten.

Road Home, a gentle love story between two people whose friends and family were against their relationship. 

 Shine on Me, another calm love story. There is an annoying second love interest, but once the couple is established, they shut him down. 

Still 17, a romcom about overcoming trauma, accepting yourself where you are, and being open to love. 

Touch Your Heart, a romcom that encompasses most K-drama cliches, but Lee Dong Wook and Yoo In Na made them endearing.

You Are My Hero, an action/love story. The draw of the drama was the sweet and mature romance between the leads.

The Undateables, a romcom with no noble idiocy. Instead, the couple held hands and said they'd get through things together. I liked it much more than other MDLers. 

You Are My Glory, a love story between a celebrity and an aerospace engineer. A very healthy relationship was depicted. 

You Are My Secret, a romance drama I found about 10 episodes too long. There were two love triangles, but they weren't too annoying. I could watch because I find Miles Wei's onscreen presence very relaxing, like watching a puppy at play.

 mint_chip:

Thank you so much for a thoughtful answer!

You're welcome! I'm  hoping you'll DM me with your reactions to Something in the Rain, if you end up watching it!