Comforting Asian Dramas That Stuck with Me

While this drama does have a bit of angst, some misunderstandings, and an incredibly annoying antagonist (seriously—if you're an elder daughter, you’ve probably met someone like this and it can be triggering), once the leads get together, there’s no turning back. It's one of the most beautiful dramas I’ve watched to date. From the chemistry to the aesthetics, every scene feels like a nostalgic journey through time. And the outfits? Don’t even get me started—I wish I were born back then just for the fashion and the cars.

There’s no perfect way to explain the pure wholesomeness you feel while watching this drama. If I had to sum it up? “He’s my boyfriend. He doesn’t know it yet, but we have two kids and a dog in my delusion.” For anyone who’s ever had a one-sided crush, you’ll vibe hard with Kurosawa. It’s the perfect drama to watch during dinner—because trust me, you won’t want to (or need to) skip a single scene.

The chaos. The love square (kind of?). The denial. The eventual acceptance. (Insert the meme: “Why are you gay?”)
This drama makes everyone fall in love with Ida, including Aoki. The fluff is next-level, and the (second) female lead, Mio, is the ultimate girls’ girl ( to the guys)—an absolute bonus. I could watch this every single day and never get tired of it. Hands down, the best school drama ever.

Now, while this drama isn’t purely comfort or intensely angsty, it’s what I’d call a skip rope drama—constant emotional ups and downs with recurring hurt/comfort moments, and the perfect arranged marriage trope.
Does the male lead make me want to pour a little water on his head for the endless “will he, won’t he” nonsense? (I love you, Mark, really.) Yes. But that’s the beauty of this drama.
I’ve watched a lot of shows where male characters treat the female leads like doormats—this is not one of them. This is a slow burn, but make it slightly AO3.
The chemistry, the plot, and the characters? They keep you hooked—and make you want to hit replay the moment it ends.

Revolutionary. That’s the word.
In an industry where most dramas are either all about romance or completely void of it (usually in a comedy or thriller setting), this show flips the script.
It’s the peak of found family—showing how a couple doesn’t have to be romantic to be everything.
It’s beautiful, peaceful, and so nuanced in a way I didn’t expect from an Asian drama, or honestly, any drama.
This feels like one of those indie films that can either be a hit or a miss... and this one is definitely a hit.
They’ll make you fall in love, but the characters? They won’t fall in love.

This drama is what you’d call everything done right—the tropes, the chemistry, the acting, the dialogue, the essence of a perfect rom-com.
By the end, all you’re left thinking is: “I don’t know if I want to be her or be with her.”
From the very first episode, the show feels like a warm hug. The sweet teen first love, the heartbreak that inevitably comes with it… and falling in love all over again, it’s all so beautifully told.
As Sang Zhi grows, she blossoms into one of the best-written characters. And Jia Xu? Man, I wish my big brother had a best friend like him. (Sadly, I’m the elder sister—so that dream is dead.)
One word? Complete.

If Sang Zhi is one of the best-written girlfriends on screen, her older brother is easily one of the finest boyfriends I’ve ever seen on television.
Sang Yan is not just fine to look at—he’s a genuinely well-crafted character. Throughout my teens and now into my early 20s, I’ve read countless books, but Sang Yan is one of the very few fictional boyfriends I’ve desperately wished were real.
This is another skip-rope drama—when the angst hits, it hurts. But not everything in life is sunshine and peaches, and that’s what makes it so meaningful.
Watching Yifan grow through her trauma, learn to love, and build the life she always dreamed of? That makes it all worth it. The insane chemistry is just the cherry on top. 

Man, do I love this show.
The whole concept that not all unnatural deaths are truly unnatural is one of the most brilliant ideas I’ve ever seen.
This drama dives deep into the idea that not all murders involve knives or guns—some murderers are just way too smart for that.
It also highlights how it takes more than just detectives to solve a crime, which makes it incredibly watchable.
By the end, you’ll want to study forensics (seriously, if I hadn’t already chosen my major, this drama would’ve definitely had me reconsidering).

A second chance at love—done oh so beautifully right.
Watching a toxic, emotionally draining relationship come to an end, only to make way for one of the most emotionally mature relationships I’ve ever seen on screen, is exactly what we all hope for.
The best part? This drama doesn’t feel overly fictional. It feels real—relatable, like a slice-of-life romance you and I could actually manifest.
The male lead’s emotional availability is his most attractive trait (and let’s be honest, Linghe is a fine specimen all on his own).
It’s the kind of show that quietly touches your heart and lingers in your thoughts long after the credits roll.

Asian dramas have a serious tendency to disappoint when it comes to serving satisfying endings to antagonists in romance.
They either let them walk away unscathed, give them a redemption arc they didn’t earn, or have them dramatically leave to “start over” (why though? After nearly ruining the leads’ lives?).
But this drama? It makes up for all of that.
You’ll probably end up hating the female antagonist even more than the male (I’d gladly serve her one plate of “white truck accident,” no regrets).
The way she gains everything and then loses it all? Utterly satisfying.
“Take out my trash,” she said—but the person who takes out the trash also ends up in the dumpster.
Poetic cinema.

Opposites attract, but in a slightly different way.
The whole premise revolves around a minimalist falling for someone who lives in high extravagance. While, in my opinion, it’s a bit of a hoop (you know, the typical back-and-forth), it still pulls you in.
You’ll root for one couple the whole time, but by the end, you'll want to lock them in a room together so they can finally get together.
The lingering path to an uncertain ambiguity—of course, ending happily—is what makes this drama worth a second watch.

While not entirely a romance (though trust me, there’s no shortage of love in this one), this drama is a no-skip masterpiece.
The friendships? Impeccable. The chemistry between the group? Off the charts.
A medical drama done right—unlike a certain 21-season juggernaut (yes, Grey’s Anatomy, I’m looking directly at you—you could join the Marvel franchise at this point).
I just love love this drama. Every episode is like comfort food for the soul.

Another medical drama on this list—this one with zero romance. But oh boy, does it make up for it in comedy.
Every single actor could moonlight as a comedian at this point. The frenemies-to-found-family energy, the chaotic energy of the ER, and the perfectly timed dialogue delivery all wrapped in the male lead’s eccentric brilliance? It gives you life.
If you’re craving a doctor drama that’s good, hilarious, and just the right amount of brain rot (yes, Grey’s Anatomy, I’m STILL looking at you), this one’s for you.

This is fantasy done right.
Asian fantasy dramas—or honestly, any fantasy with mythical or godlike elements—usually leave you shattered by the end. But not this one.
This drama heals what other fantasy series broke in you.
 The plot is compelling, and the second lead couple? They give you everything to root for (yes, I’m talking about my beautiful walking Duolingo, Lee Soo Hyuk).
This has just enough magic to feel otherworldly and just enough heart to feel real.

The mother of all comfort dramas. The father of all comfort dramas.
Truly the best of the best—healing, nurturing, slice-of-life at its absolute peak.
It feels like a warm hug (with just a tiny bit of angst—the kind that’s more like adjusting into a cuddle than actual pain).
The chemistry, the cinematography, the atmosphere... it makes you want to leave everything behind and move to a quiet coastal town.
(Good for me—I already do.)

Not exactly a romance drama (though there are definitely moments where you're like, hello?—the tension is real).
But the whole underground secret service working to destroy all the evil around them? Chef’s kiss. It’s the perfect setting for an intense plot.
The story is gripping, and the acting is top-notch. You’ll be hooked from start to finish.