7 Most Popular K-Dramas that Gave Us Unrealistic Expectations and We Are Okay With Them

Let’s be real. K-dramas have a way of making the impossible feel possible. Whether it’s bumping into your soulmate at a convenience store or falling in love across enemy lines, these stories make us believe in a world where the stars align — every single time.

Sure, some plotlines are far from reality. But even when they set us up with wild expectations, we keep watching, keep hoping, and most importantly — keep swooning.

Here are the most-loved K-dramas that gave us unrealistic expectations (and why we’re okay living in that fantasy world).

1. Crash Landing on You – Love That Literally Crosses Borders

A South Korean heiress lands in North Korea? Totally implausible. But somehow, Crash Landing on You made it feel natural.

Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok doesn’t just protect Yoon Se-ri — he listens, cares, and shows love in the quietest ways. He doesn’t grandstand. He remembers her scented candle.

In real life, people can barely text back. But this man risked his life for noodle soup. No wonder expectations are ruined.

2. When Life Gives You Tangerines – Partners Who Cheer You On, Not Hold You Back

This period drama might feel slow and quiet, but its characters hit different. When Life Gives You Tangerines gave us not one, but two perfect men, each written with deep care by screenwriter Lim Sang-choon.

Yang Gwan-sik  and Park Chung-seob are patient, emotionally available, and never try to shrink the women they love. They stand beside them, not in front. They support, they don’t overshadow.

Where else do you find men who’d swim across the ocean for you — but also give you the space to swim alone when you need to?

3. Goblin – Eternal Love Feels Way Too Real

Imagine meeting someone who’s waited centuries just for you. In Goblin, Kim Shin’s story of love, regret, and destiny gave us all the chills — and not just from the Canadian winter scenes.

Even the sad parts feel romantic. He ties her shoelaces, buys her fried chicken, and remembers every little thing. Most of us can’t get our dates to remember our birthdays.

Now we’re out here looking for soulmates who’ve loved us in their past lives. Unrealistic? Maybe. But the way Goblin makes it feel real? That’s the magic.

4. Descendants of the Sun – War Zones Can’t Kill Romance

Descendants of the Sun basically told us that love can survive explosions, near-death experiences, and government orders.

Captain Yoo Si-jin is cool under pressure, but melts every time Kang Mo-yeon walks into the room. He’s funny, loyal, and always gets the last word — without being toxic.

It’s pure escapism, and we love it. Because in the real world, relationships end over Netflix password sharing. Here, they survive air raids.

5. Business Proposal – Your CEO Might Just Be Prince Charming

Fake dating your best friend’s boss? Check. Accidentally catching feelings? Check. Having your billionaire boss fall for your true personality, quirks and all? Yup.

In Business Proposal, Kang Tae-moo falls hard for Shin Ha-ri — not just because of looks, but because she’s honest, goofy, and down-to-earth.

Now we're all wondering if the next HR email might turn into a rom-com. It probably won’t, but hey — a girl can dream.

6. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay – Healing Can Be Romantic

This one hit differently. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay reminded us that love doesn’t fix everything, but it can help you grow.

Ko Moon-young and Moon Gang-tae are flawed, guarded, and slowly open up to each other. Their relationship isn’t about fixing — it’s about understanding.

In a world full of quick judgments and shallow dating apps, this drama taught us that emotional safety is sexy. And yeah, it kind of ruined our patience for surface-level small talk.

7. Reply 1988 – Where Are These K-Drama Neighbors in Real Life?

Not every unrealistic expectation is about romance. Sometimes it’s about something even harder to find: a sense of community.

Reply 1988 gave us alleyways full of warmth, shared meals, and doors that were always open. In real life, we don’t even know who lives two floors down.

But this drama made us wish for noisy dinners, childhood friends who turn into soulmates, and parents who still pack you lunch when you're 25.

We don’t expect life to play out like a K-drama. We know that chaebols aren’t lining up outside coffee shops. We know people don’t show up with umbrellas every time it rains.

But for 16 episodes, K-dramas let us believe. And that belief — in love, in growth, in kindness — sticks around even after the credits roll.

So yes, these dramas gave us unrealistic expectations. But honestly? We’re not giving them up anytime soon.