A romance movie is always a great entertainment choice, whether it’s for a friend gathering, a date night, or just a random pick on an exhausting weekday. South Korea has produced quality romance films for the past few decades and has been at the top of the game since the birth of its film industry.

In the 2020s, South Korea continues to develop and promote its films to people around the world, including through streaming services like Netflix and internationally recognized film festivals like Cannes or TIFF. This decade has seen some of South Korea's best romance movies yet, which are heartwarming, creative, and unforgettable essentials of the genre. Below is a list that ranks 12 of the best South Korean romance movies, arranged from the least favorable to the most favorable, considering factors such as storylines, actors' performances, and more.

12 'Wish You' (2021)

Directed by Do Joon Sung

Wish You follows a shy keyboardist (Sang Lee) working for a South Korean record business as he encounters a handsome male street performer (Kang In Soo), he is charmed and falls in love immediately. The keyboardist shows the tape to his manager, presenting the singer with a chance to succeed in the business and a place in his heart.

Wish You is among a few South Korean LGBTQ+ films that are worth viewing due to its stunning photography and captivating soundtrack along with the leads’ incredible chemistry despite the underdeveloped plot. Even though it's not a perfect movie, anyone who loves romantic movies would enjoy this one. It's a sweet romance movie that won't make you cringe. Moreover, the actors delivered commendable performances, handling the given material well. Their on-screen chemistry is palpable and adds to the list of reasons why viewers should consider watching it.

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11 'Double Patty' (2021)

Directed by Seung-Hwan Paek

Double Patty is a rewatchable romance movie that follows the lives of two people: Hyun Ji (Irene), a young girl who dreams of becoming a broadcaster and now works part-time for a handmade burger shop, and Woo Ram (Shin Seung Ho), a youngster who had to give up his dreams of becoming a professional athlete after an injury. They meet when Woo Ram visits the burger restaurant and orders a Double Patty.

Irene, a member of South Korean’s all-girl pop band Red Velvet, shines in her first feature film role and has strong chemistry with her co-star. In addition, the film's excellent soundtrack and mouthwatering food scenes contribute to its graceful and delicate presentation of young people discovering their inspiration and life path. Moreover, Double Patty may offer a fresh and unique storyline that stands out from conventional romantic dramas with the strong chemistry between the lead characters, contributing to the overall charm of the story​​​​​.

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10 'Serve the People' (2022)

Directed by Cheol-soo Jang

Set in a fictional socialist country in the 1970s, Serve the People follows Moo-Kwang (Yeon Woo-jin), an exemplary soldier, who assumes the position of the Division Commander's private chef, driven by a singular life goal—to support his wife and child. However, when the Division Commander embarks on a business trip, a perilous temptation unfolds. Soo-Ryun (Ji An), the young wife of the Division Commander, initiates advances toward Moo-Kwang, enticing him and creating a conflict between his personal goals and principles.

Serve the People makes excellent use of filmmaking by telling the story with less dialogue and more color, music, and character movement. It is characterized by a sparse use of dialogue, as the filmmakers aim to convey the narrative through the language of cinema and body language, catering to discerning audiences. Serve the People also has a lot of stylistic sequences that portray the forbidden but passionate love between the leads. The film is not perfect, but one that moviegoers should explore for a unique sense of romance.

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9 'Love and Leashes' (2022)

Directed by Hyeon-jin Park

Webtoon Moral Sense by Gyeoul is the inspiration for Netflix’s Love and Leashes, a recent South Korean romantic comedy directed by Park Hyun-jin, who is widely known for her work on The Kind Wife and Natalie. The movie follows a woman (Seohyun) who has BDSM fantasies and decides to have a consensual and contractual relationship with her coworker after he learns her little secret.

One of the best Korean romance movies on Netflix, Love and Leashes stands out from its predecessors in a welcome way for its honest and nuanced depiction of BDSM that avoids salaciousness, showing that at its core, it is about consent and mutual respect. Love and Leashes is progressive in many aspects of Korea, showcasing a storyline where a submissive man desires a dominant woman as his master. Also, while Hyun-jin Park's film may not dazzle with explicit content like Fifty Shades of Grey, it stands as a robust Korean romantic comedy, elevated by a charming lead duo.

Watch on Netflix

8 'Sweet & Sour' (2021)

Directed by Kae-Byeok Lee & Kate Jopson

, based on Japanese writer Kurumi Inui’s novel Initiation Love, follows a couple as they struggle to maintain their long-distance love in the face of numerous obstacles posed by career aspirations, personal ambitions, and the inevitable changes that occur in a romantic relationship over time. Additionally, the movie includes an exciting twist, much like the majority of films in this genre do.

Sweet & Sour's plot is not particularly novel, but the rich narrative provides the audience with a wholly new experience. Sweet & Sour also delves into the realistic dynamics of modern relationships, portraying the challenges and joys that come with balancing personal and professional lives. Additionally, the film's rhythm is evenly distributed, and while there aren't many climactic moments, there are still enough to develop the details in a logical and compelling manner. The young, gifted lead actors are also able to depict the pronounced feelings of love, from intense elation to extreme anguish.

7 'New Year Blues' (2021)

Directed by Hong Ji-Young