Sad and/or Bad Endings ( ｡•̀ ᴖ •́｡)

Warning: Spoilers in the comments

(WIP) I know there are more I'm forgetting to add where the endings didn’t hit for me

These rankings start from unhappy endings, heartbreaking deaths, and rage inducing twists, down through irritating 3rd act temporary breaks-ups and time jumps, shoehorned plot nonsense, rushed resolutions, and dramas that kinda just petter out and end with a whimper...

To masochistically watch later: Mr Sunshine, Snowdrop, Red Sleeve, Eternal Love, Us & Them, 25 21, Even if This Love Disappears from the World Tonight (2022), Move 2 Heaven, Youth of May, Crowned Clown, Light in Ur Eyes, Legends, A Journey 2 U, Smile Has Left Ur Eyes, 1 & Only, Scarlet Heart, My Name, Princess Wei Young, Gu Family Book, Legend o Yun Xi, Strangers from Hell, Falling into U 2020, Yumis Cells, Memorist, Stranger, The Hymn o Death, Revenge of Others, Stairway 2 Heaven, Bossam: Steal t Fate, Rattan, Tale of Nokdu, Heartbeat, Everybody Luvs M, Wolf, Scandal of Chun Hwa, Memory, Hymn o Death, Hi Bye Mama! Partners for Justice Season 2, Good Bye M Princess, 49 Days, Autumn Tale, T Winter t Wind Blows, When t Devil Calls Your Name, Let Me Be Ur Knight, Song o Glory, City o Streamer, King's Woman, Lost Track o Time, Before W Get Married, I'm Sorry I Hope U, Maid's Revenge, Monthly Magazine Home, Supervisor Husband, Imperial Doctress, Siege in Fog, Beauty o Resilience, Dear Liar, I Will Never Let U Go, A Luv 2 Kill, Circle o Luv, What Happened in Bali, Addicted, Homme Fatale, Now We R Breaking Up, Embrace Love, Broker, Moorim School, Method, Destiny's Luv, Buried City 2 Shut All Lights, Demon Girl, A Life Time Luv

Chinese dramas with bad endings (109 shows)

Cdramas with sad ending, open ending or unsatisfied ending (56 shows)

Worst Ending Ever (111 shows)

Sad/Tragic Endings (95 shows)

K-Dramas with bad or disappointing ending (10 shows)

Sad Ending/ Open ending BLs (58 shows)

bad ending (9 shows)

Bad ending (9 shows)

Carleigh_Barleigh Nov 21, 2025

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1. Decision to Leave

Korean Movie - 2022

9.0
2. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

9.0

MCDs and heartbreak wow what a depressing ass drama... I mean I love the cast of characters and the chemistry between them, but goddamn that tragic ending... plus it felt rushed to the point of confusion
3. KPop Demon Hunters

Movie - 2025

9.5

MCD! Oh my gawd I cannot believe Jinu got the Ben Solo treatment… I NEED stories of living redemption I am so tired!
*a few tremendous, soul-crushed sighs later*
I’m going to come back here to give my TEDtalk and share lots of video essays
4. Even if This Love Disappears Tonight

Korean Movie - 2025

8.5

MCD--I literally woke up the house bawling lol
But I forgive it for poignantly exploring the enduring nature of love beyond loss gaaa oh no I'm gonna start crying againnnnnnn
5. Past Lives

Korean Movie - 2023

9.5

Wonderful film. Rip my heart out sad ending.
6. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Taiwanese Movie - 2000

10

I’M SO UPSET
MCD
AND ALSO WTF
TT
7. 20th Century Girl

Korean Movie - 2022

8.5

MCD & eye roll at this sadistic plot twist boo this did NOT hit for me
8. In the Mood for Love

Hong Kong Movie - 2000

10

Hauntingly beautiful film with an ending that aches.
9. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

9.0

MCDs galore, but then HEAs for all. Goblin lives up to the hype, the angst is so worth it!
10. Crash Landing on You

Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

10

Happy ending for our main leads thank gawd, but not for our 2nd couple because of MCD that felt gratuitous... it’s so freaking sad! This is my favorite drama I love to recommend to newbies& I think a trigger warning is absolutely needed, unlike the killing off of Seung Jun! Why??!?
11. When the Phone Rings

Korean Drama - 2024, 12 episodes

8.0

So unnecessary wtf?? I mean, I still recommend watching this cuz it’s an odd but exciting ride; however, geez the finale just gets ridiculous out of nowhere lmao
12. Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart! Special Episode

Thai Special - 2025, 1 episode

7.5

WTF... MCD sike! If this never gets a sequel what a joke... I don't even recommend watching this special, unless you're morbidly curious lol
13. Still Shining

Korean Drama - 2026, 10 episodes

7.5

Not only did this drop off quickly after it’s initial cute beginning, but I stuck around thinking it would be worth seeing them get a happy ending… NOPE
14. Hotel del Luna

Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

9.0

MCDs that are sad but beautiful
15. Train to Busan

Korean Movie - 2016

9.5

Zombies so MCDs obviously
so sad so good
16. Mr. Queen

Korean Drama - 2020, 20 episodes

9.0

Let them live happily ever after boooo
17. What's Wrong with Secretary Kim

Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

9.0

Starts so strong! Got so convoluted... The mystery plays out ridiculously... And all the memory bs... But gaaa the chemistry between the leads makes this a favorite rewatcher, well at least the main leads’ scenes hahaha
18. Bon Appetit, Your Majesty

Korean Drama - 2025, 12 episodes

8.5

Boo forced separation time skip! Especially cuz we didn't get to watch our hilarious male lead traveling to the future, freaking people out, and figuring out modern shit! Where's the classic makeover montage?? So much wasted potential and a blink 'n miss it reunion...
19. Kill Me Love Me

Chinese Drama - 2024, 32 episodes

8.0

MCD but this shit's so angsty start to finish that a HEA would feel out of place...
20. Strong Girl Nam Soon

Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

7.5

MCDs booooo I wanted living redemption for both these beautiful baddies...
21. Alice in Borderland Season 2

Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

8.5

WTF cliffhanger
22. Alchemy of Souls

Korean Drama - 2022, 20 episodes

9.0

MCD...? cliffhanger
23. Weak Hero Class 1

Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

8.5

su hooooo TT what a cliffhanger... Season 3 when??
24. Boys over Flowers

Japanese Drama - 2005, 9 episodes

8.0

Got weird. I kinda blocked it out lol there’s a talent show right?
25. Boys over Flowers

Korean Drama - 2009, 25 episodes

8.0

Every version of this gets better... F4 is amazing! Excited to see where its adapted next ><
26. Meteor Garden

Chinese Drama - 2018, 50 episodes

8.5

Starts so strong so fun. I love it, but lmao wow does it get silly and it has an annoying forced-separation time jump
27. Can This Love Be Translated?

Korean Drama - 2026, 12 episodes

8.5

Really feels like we skip over the climax... And jumped straight to a quick get back together.
Seemed very…
“Bye!”
*Blink*
“Hi!”
I would have loved to spend more time with our female lead’s final arc character growth…
Plus, unsatisfying endings bug me extra because I’m a sappy sucker who can easily overlook a clumsy wrap up and be appeased with just a big ol’ kiss!
28. She and Her Perfect Husband

Chinese Drama - 2022, 40 episodes

8.0

Totally unnecessary, last minute, break up ’n make up with a unsatisfactory reunion...
29. Behind Your Touch

Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

8.0

Meh do I even want them to get together
30. True Beauty

Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

8.5

stupid 3rd act break up and time jump, but still one of my rewatchable favorites
31. Ancient Love Poetry

Chinese Drama - 2021, 49 episodes

8.5

Get on with it!
32. Love in Contract

Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

8.0

Love it’s tropeness so much but it really drops off…
33. Splash Splash Love

Korean Drama - 2015, 2 episodes

8.0

Boo...
34. Doona!

Korean Drama - 2023, 9 episodes

8.0

Boo!
35. A Korean Odyssey

Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes

8.5

Petered a bit and please just let them ride off into the sunset happily ever after! TT
36. A Good Day to Be a Dog

Korean Drama - 2023, 14 episodes

8.0

Petered out
37. Her Private Life

Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

9.0

Such a bummer the ending gets boring…
38. Doctor Slump

Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes

8.0

Petered out
39. Love Game in Eastern Fantasy

Chinese Drama - 2024, 32 episodes

8.5

Petered out
40. Destined with You

Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

8.0

Petered out
41. Bad Buddy

Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

8.5

Just let them live happily ever after!
42. Secret Garden

Korean Drama - 2010, 20 episodes

8.5

Petered and fuck that mom so bad
43. Forecasting Love and Weather

Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

7.0

Really drops off…
44. Best Choice Ever

Chinese Drama - 2024, 37 episodes

8.0

Peters out and drags on…
45. Till the End of the Moon

Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes

Petered out
46. My Love from the Star

Korean Drama - 2013, 21 episodes

8.0

Petered out
47. Ashes of Love

Chinese Drama - 2018, 63 episodes

9.0

Petered out
48. King the Land

Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

8.0

Petered out
49. Dynamite Kiss

Korean Drama - 2025, 14 episodes

8.5

Petered out
50. Lost You Forever

Chinese Drama - 2023, 39 episodes

Petered…
I got bored, started other dramas, and haven’t gotten around to finishing this one yet
51. Uncontrollably Fond

Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

8.0

MCD but it's like the whole plot, why did I even start this, I musta been in quite an emo mood lol one of my only dropped dramas, please let me know if you think it's worth finishing