Want to get into the K-Drama hype but can't commit to an hour-long series? How about trying your hand at web dramas instead? With plotlines just as compelling as your usual Korean shows, these online shorts won't take up much of your time, plus they mostly feature fresh faces that you'll surely fall in love with too.
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Check out these romantic web dramas with episodes that only take minutes to finish:
Love Playlist (2017)
Known to be one of the most famous web dramas there is, Love Playlist has reportedly accumulated 300 million views across its four seasons. The plot is simple yet engaging for viewers in search of a character-driven story set in college. With episodes running for at least five to eight minutes each, the story mainly revolves around five university students as they navigate love and friendship while trying to keep their group together. It stars Kim Hyun Suk, Jung Shin Hye, Lee Yoo Jin, Park Jung Woo, and Choi Hee Seung and you can stream it on YouTube.
A-Teen (2018)
Much like Love Playlist, the show starring Shin Ye Eun, Kim Dong Hee, and Lee Na Eun is centered on a group of friends and the everyday trials and tribulations that they have to face as teenagers in high school. It’s also garnered over 300 million views over two seasons and has, according to Soompi, “set fashion and beauty trends” amongst the South Korean youth at the height of its run. An episode runs from nine to 16 minutes.
One Fine Week (2019)
Vicariously live out your K-Pop fantasies through One Fine Week. The romantic web drama—with an episode running at 13 minutes—tells the story of Jung Da Eun (Seo Ji Soo), a part-time worker who just so happens to look a lot like K-Pop idol Kim Byul. When the latter suffers through bouts of paralyzing social anxiety, her manager seeks out Da Eun and convinces her to take Kim Byul’s place for a week. You can catch this show on Viki.
More Than or Equal to 75 Celsius (2019)
While we’ve yet to come across a full-length K-Drama with a queer storyline at its center, Korean web dramas have thankfully marched on ahead with content to feed the LGBT community. One noteworthy short but sweet series comes from the production company Red Q, with More than or Equal to 75 Celsius. The lesbian web show starring Lee Yu Ri and Hyeonjin is available on YouTube and runs for two to three minutes per episode. It focuses on the story between two working women—a tea master and her tea bar’s chief manager—and their blossoming relationship. All this while a third character egging them on together provides a much welcome comedic relief for the show.
Where Your Eyes Linger (2020)
Another gay web drama recently making waves this year is the romantic teen show Where Your Eyes Linger. Starring Han Gi Chan, Jang Eui Su, and Choi Kyu Ri, this Boys’ Love series’ main focus is on two childhood best friends who are forced to confront their true feelings for each other when a new female student shows interest in dating one of them. You can stream this show on Viki.
Maybe, Maybe Not? (2019)
With only 10 minutes per episode, this show will give you a peek into the life of a girl (Gong Yoo Rim) who can read minds. She has always been an outsider in her university because of this. Everything changes one day when she meets and slowly falls in love with an upperclassman (Kim Kang Min) whose mind she can’t read.
7 First Kisses (2016)
Sure, 7 First Kisses is essentially a glorified ad for Lotte Duty Free Mall, but honestly, who cares when you’ve got stars like Lee Min Ho, Ji Chang Wook, and Lee Jong Suk making guest appearances every episode. The eight-episode fantasy web drama on YouTube centers on Min Soo Jin, a receptionist at Lotte Duty Free who’s never had a boyfriend. She finds luck on her 25th birthday when a mysterious customer repays her kindness with a wish: she’ll finally be granted a boyfriend. The only catch? She must choose between seven different handsome men. Park Hae Jin, Lee Joon Gi, and EXO’s Kai also guest star in the series.
Page Turner (2016)
Page Turner may run for an hour an episode much like most K-Dramas, but fret not because the entire web series only lasts for three episodes. Starring Kim So Hyun, Ji Soo, and Shin Jae Ha, it tells a poignant story following a love triangle between a promising pianist who goes blind after a tragic accident, and the two boys who help her start a new life. You can catch all episodes on Viu.
this strange new world.