trailblaze

The King: Eternal Monarch. I'm not sure if this is already on the list.

One of the better sci-fi dramas I've watched. I wouldn't say it needs a lot of thinking because everything is fed to the viewers, so it's pretty easy to focus on the romance without getting bogged down by the sci-fi thriller aspects of the show. Personally, I adored this show when it came out a few years ago. I enjoyed the unique premise and the unfolding mystery. My opinion didn't change on my recent rewatch either. I love the relationship in this show so much that I'm ready to ignore the chicken they stuff into our face every other episode (ad placement). No breakup between the leads.

I've already watched it! I enjoyed it too. Thank you for the recommendation!

Recently finished watching Atypical Family. A very good show! The characters were so flawed yet endearing in the most unique ways. Time travel was handled perfectly too, so it was a bonus for me. There were a couple of plot holes, but it's easy to attribute it to fantasy.

I watched a couple of episodes when it was airing. It's pretty good. But waiting an entire year for another season seems dreadful.

I'm eagerly waiting for Flexcop. Also, if you haven't watched life on Mars or good detective, you should try them out. Both are amazing!

Already watched K2 and mad dog. The latter was surprisingly good! Went in with zero expectations, and got more than satisfied.

That was fast! Thanks a bunch.

Glory is something I am eyeing, but haven't gotten around watching it. Adored sisyphus. A well done time loop honestly, and that ending was just perfect for me. Abyss, come and hug me, lawless lawyer, vincenzo were decent one time watches. I have watched most on the list. Here are a few more I enjoyed (all have a tad bit of romance):

1. My Perfect Stranger: Just amazing.
2. The King Eternal Monarch: Scifi aspect was well done, but the rest was okay.
3. A Time called You: Never watched the original and never will because I loved the female lead here.
3. Train: My all time favorite. It's a thriller where romance drives the entire show without ever being explicit. Very close to what I enjoy.
4. The First Respondents: Good first season, and a decent second one.
5. K2
6. Welcome2life: Watched it for the character development. This and The Great Show have one of the best male character development I've seen.
7. Tomorrow with you: Rewatched this recently
8. The Game: Toward Zero
9. He is Psychometric
10. Life on Mars: Very very subtle romance. But the rest was very good.

Hit me up if you find more.

Any similar recommendations (thriller/crime/scifi) with romantic subplot? I don't really like it when romance takes over the plot, so it'll be nice to see it as a subplot.

Fellow mortal of culture, i see. I adored the drama too! The characters were so (flawed and) refreshing.

Falling into you is a great drama to watch on a cozy rainy day. Sports forms a major aspect of the drama, but it also explores relationship between characters very realistically. It does take some time for the ship to sail and the arduous journey of the male lead totally makes the healthy relationship worthwhile. Second male lead is a treat to watch and, though, there a very minor love triangle, it doesn't affect the progress of the relationship any way. Beware, if you aren't a fan of mentor-trainee relationship, I wouldn't recommend this drama. If you are/were an athlete, this drama hits home! The second male lead reminded me of my coach on so many occasions! There was a lot of skinship in the drama, probably the most I have ever seen.

@MKB It's already on the list and thanks for the rec again!

Thanks for this rec. Hands down one of my favorite Cdramas. I felt the entire ensemble of the cast was explored in depth, and the business side of the Drama was particularly charming. Usually, the side character arcs are often boring, but this was an exception. The romance was the perfect topping for an already excellent show. I was so happy for the female lead toward the end. She deserved everything and more!

Have finished it already (except season 3)! Didn't like the love triangle in the series, but otherwise a great watch. It's written by the same author (Ding Mo) as When a snail falls in love and Love me if you dare.

Please drop me some recs where romance is a subplot if you stumble across any. Might enjoy your recommendations as well. Of course, it'd be amazing if the relationship is healthy.

The female lead acted so well and she was gorgeous! Usually, I don't like childish acting in Cdramas so I don't watch dramas with young actors. But she was so good! Male lead was, well, unimpressive. Thanks for the rec!

The Great Show (doesn't feature a romance tag) : It's a kdrama that is more focused on characters and politics. Romance is just a side plot but very well done. If you enjoy watching an absolute pathetic excuse for a human undergoing tremendous growth, this drama is a great choice. The main characters do breakup in the past, and they don't get together until the last episode, so don't expect a fluffy romance here. A very underrated story in my opinion.

Welcome2life: Another great drama with character development at its core. The male lead is a scum in the first few episodes just like the great show, but his growth is just heartwarming to watch. Romance is really well done, but it's a scifi show. So, there is parallel universe and all.

The K2: A political action series with a romance subplot. Many didn't like the romance in the series, but I beg to differ. It starts late and takes a back seat throughout the series. They don't have a break up as far as I can remember.

Go! Goal! Fighting (doubtful about breakup part) : I watched this Cdrama a few years ago, so I can't really guarantee that they don't break up. But as far as I remember, they didn't and had a healthy relationship. It's a sports drama where romance takes the backseat again. It features Hu Ge (the reason I watched this drama) from nirvana in fire and I really enjoyed it.

Mirai e no 10 Count (doesn't feature a romance tag) : Japanese sports drama with slow burn romance and a very healthy relationship. If you are looking for a fluffy romance drama, this one isn’t. There is no dating either, but actions do convey enough often.

When a snail falls in love: Absolutely loved the book, and the drama holds its own weight without disgracing the original content. Crime, thriller, with a dash of romance which is really well done in my opinion.

If you wish upon me: A slightly dark narrative where the male lead is probably better off left to fend for himself, but the female lead begs to differ. She is steadfast in her resolve and it's a treat to watch her. It packs enough angst despite no breakup, so I wouldn't consider it an easy watch. There are enough obsessive characters here for it to be lighthearted even though it is considered to be slice of life series.

Perfect Partner: A very long drama CDrama (51eps), which is way too much investment, but it's a good watch. The business side is actually interesting, and the romance, well, not really rewarding until the later episodes. The female lead dates another character in the initial part of the series, but once the OTP get together, they have a very healthy relationship. It's a treat watching them fall for each other and support each other through the hard times. The female lead is gullible in the beginning, but she grows as a character toward the end.

Love is Phantom : I don't usually watch fluffy romance dramas, but here it goes. They don't breakup as far as I remember, but there is angst. Nothing groundbreaking here, and probably the most unimpressive drama among the list. Still a great one time watch.

All my recommendations have romance as a subplot, because I enjoy these dramas the most. So, I’m not really sure if they fit the list. Please don’t add them unless you feel they deserve to be there. I’m just helping out because I found a few great dramas here.