K-Drama 
T_T sad endings – bittersweet endings T_T
I'll also include dramas I haven't watched
I'm a fan of happy endings but I thought I'd make this list anyways and maybe to warn me what not to watch if I don't want to be depressed :)
someone might be into sad endings though..
these are mostly romance dramas
marguerite blakeney Jun 8, 2025
Sort By: Author's Order
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![One Liter of Tears]()
1. One Liter of Tears
Japanese Drama - 2005, 11 episodes
it is based on a real person
sad, bittersweet, but worth it!
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![The Princess's Man]()
2. The Princess's Man
Korean Drama - 2011, 24 episodes
partially based on history. creative liberty taken. however, the second couple have a bittersweet ending. their romance was short lived. the characters are based on real people.
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![Princess Ja Myung]()
3. Princess Ja Myung
Korean Drama - 2009, 39 episodes
main couple dies together
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![I'm Sorry, I Love You]()
4. I'm Sorry, I Love You
Korean Drama - 2004, 16 episodes
main couple dies
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![Mulan]()
5. Mulan
Chinese Movie - 2009
bittersweet.
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![The Story of Pearl Girl]()
6. The Story of Pearl Girl
Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes
male lead dies
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![Jumong]()
7. Jumong
Korean Drama - 2006, 81 episodes
is based on history.. main couple split up in the end although they're married.
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![Ballad of Seo Dong]()
8. Ballad of Seo Dong
Korean Drama - 2005, 55 episodes
female lead dies in the end, but the leads are married in the end.
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![Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo]()
9. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
i dropped this.
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![Stairway to Heaven]()
10. Stairway to Heaven
Korean Drama - 2003, 20 episodes
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![Autumn in My Heart]()
11. Autumn in My Heart
Korean Drama - 2000, 16 episodes
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![Uncontrollably Fond]()
12. Uncontrollably Fond
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
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![Mr. Sunshine]()
13. Mr. Sunshine
Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
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![Twenty Five Twenty One]()
14. Twenty Five Twenty One
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
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![Queen for Seven Days]()
15. Queen for Seven Days
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
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![Youth of May]()
16. Youth of May
Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
bittersweet.
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![Snowdrop]()
17. Snowdrop
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
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![A Thousand Days' Promise]()
18. A Thousand Days' Promise
Korean Drama - 2011, 20 episodes
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![Marriage Contract]()
19. Marriage Contract
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
although the female lead doesn't die in the end, it is hinted that she will die.
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![Tears of Happiness]()
20. Tears of Happiness
Chinese Drama - 2008, 28 episodes
chinese adaptation of one litre of tears. lots of creative liberty. romance. bittersweet.
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![Hymn of Death]()
21. Hymn of Death
Korean Drama - 2018, 6 episodes
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![Capital Scandal]()
22. Capital Scandal
Korean Drama - 2007, 16 episodes
sad ending for second couple.
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![The Red Sleeve]()
23. The Red Sleeve
Korean Drama - 2021, 17 episodes
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![Good Bye, My Princess]()
24. Good Bye, My Princess
Chinese Drama - 2019, 52 episodes
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![Empress Ki]()
25. Empress Ki
Korean Drama - 2013, 51 episodes
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![The Light in Your Eyes]()
26. The Light in Your Eyes
Korean Drama - 2019, 12 episodes
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![Iris]()
27. Iris
Korean Drama - 2009, 20 episodes
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![A Love to Kill]()
28. A Love to Kill
Korean Drama - 2005, 16 episodes
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![Goodbye My Love]()
29. Goodbye My Love
Korean Drama - 1999, 16 episodes
according to chat gpt lol
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![Scarlet Heart]()
30. Scarlet Heart
Chinese Drama - 2011, 35 episodes
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![The Princess Wei Young]()
31. The Princess Wei Young
Chinese Drama - 2016, 54 episodes
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![Prince of Lan Ling]()
32. Prince of Lan Ling
Chinese Drama - 2013, 46 episodes
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![I'm Sorry, I Love You]()
33. I'm Sorry, I Love You
Japanese Drama - 2017, 10 episodes
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![Orange Days]()
34. Orange Days
Japanese Drama - 2004, 11 episodes
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![Beautiful Life]()
35. Beautiful Life
Japanese Drama - 2000, 11 episodes
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![Sky of Love]()
36. Sky of Love
Japanese Movie - 2007
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![Snow Prince]()
37. Snow Prince
Japanese Movie - 2009
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![Tokyo Love Story]()
38. Tokyo Love Story
Japanese Drama - 1991, 11 episodes
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![I Give My First Love to You]()
39. I Give My First Love to You
Japanese Movie - 2009
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![Drawing Closer]()
40. Drawing Closer
Japanese Movie - 2024
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![You Shine in the Moonlit Night]()
41. You Shine in the Moonlit Night
Japanese Movie - 2019
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![Let Me Eat Your Pancreas]()
42. Let Me Eat Your Pancreas
Japanese Movie - 2017
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![Your Lie in April]()
43. Your Lie in April
Japanese Movie - 2016
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![Be With You]()
44. Be With You
Japanese Movie - 2004
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![My Love from the Star]()
45. My Love from the Star
Korean Drama - 2013, 21 episodes
a bit of a happy open ending..does it belong in this list?
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![Crash Landing on You]()
46. Crash Landing on You
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
does it belong in this list? well although the ending for the main couple is happy it's a bit open and bittersweet..
also the second couple don't end up together T_T
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![When Life Gives You Tangerines]()
47. When Life Gives You Tangerines
Korean Drama - 2025, 16 episodes
bittersweet ending. but leads are married with kids early on. this drama is about life.
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