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Curl Up On Your Couch And Binge On These TV Shows This Valentine’s Day

You’ve probably already seen the decorations and ads all over your social media – Valentine’s Day is almost here! Don’t know what to do with your significant other, simply don’t wanna deal with the crowds or just want to stay in? Well, then crash on the couch, turn on the TV and make some popcorn for these Valentine’s Day TV Shows

Now, before you click away thinking that this list is not for you because you’re not in a relationship, I shall have you know that these feature more than your usual romance dramas. Now, I’ll be honest – I’ve never been a fan of the romance genre. The ones that have won over my heart are few and far between, and usually, the love aspect isn’t the main focus. 

So to make things straightforward, the dramas presented are in order of how romantic they are. Starting with dramas where the romance is more of a side thing and doesn’t jump straight into the relationship, focusing more on character and world-building whereas the last few have romance becoming one of the main motivations that drives the story forward. Give these a chance and who knows, you might be bingeing these the whole night! 

The Double 

Getting off to a great start, The Double is a Chinese historical drama that focuses on revenge and justice. The story starts with Xue Fangfei (Wu Jinyan), a county magistrate’s daughter who loses everything and is left for dead by her husband, Shen Yurong. A series of happenings ends with her assuming the identity of Jiang Li, the disgraced prime minister’s daughter. She gets caught up with Xiao Heng (Wang Xingyue), a cold and ruthless duke investigating a smuggling case. Of course, the story doesn’t end there as she is thrust into an environment that’s hostile to her at every turn. 

I started this drama with no expectations and let me tell you – I was hooked within five minutes. While I haven’t finished the entire series, I definitely am in it for the long run. Wu Jinyan made Xue Fangfei’s character really come to life, portraying how she uses her smarts and mannerisms as a county magistrate’s daughter to counter the moves played against her by her enemies. I can’t wait to see how Xue Fangfei and Xiao Heng’s relationship develops as the story progresses.

Rather than political intrigue and chaos, this show focuses on Xue Fangfei’s journey to right the wrongs of her life as well as that of Jiang Li. Unlike many revenge period dramas, she doesn’t lose all her wits after falling in love with the male lead but rather, pushes through with her goal in mind until the end. If a historical piece filled with twists, turns and scheming served with a side of romance between two badass characters is your cup of tea, then you have to catch The Double on Netflix!

Blossoms in Adversity

As you can already tell, I’m a sucker for Chinese historical dramas. Blossoms in Adversity starts with the Hua family falling from favour, the Emperor exiling all the males to the border and stripping the family of their wealth and home. Eldest granddaughter Hua Zhi (Zhang Jingyi) emerges and takes charge of the family, starting a business from scratch. 

Like The Double, the show’s main focus is more on our female lead as she struggles and does her best to keep what’s left of her family afloat. Another aspect that I really liked from the get-go – the romance comes in the form of a potential enemies-to-friends-to-love situation with the heroine’s love interest Gu Yan Xi (Hu Yitian) the Commander of the Security Bureau, who played a part in confiscating her family’s assets. 

With the balance of romance, fight scenes and redemption being the star of many reviews I’ve seen—as well as how well done the chemistry between our main characters is on screen – safe to say that this drama is definitely going on my watchlist on Netflix. It certainly helps that the visuals and aesthetics of this drama are exceedingly beautiful as well!

No Gain No Love

Son Haeyoung (Shin Minah) and Kim Jiuk (Kim Youngdae) could not be any more different. Growing up, Haeyoung has always shared her mother’s love with others and she has never found any of her relationships satisfactory. Now, she might just lose out on a promotion without a marriage. Jiuk works part-time at a convenience store and is the type of person who can’t ignore people in need, always trying to do the right thing. He’s a smooth talker with his customers – except for one: Haeyoung. She proposes a marriage between them – a fake one, of course. And miraculously, he accepts. 

Oof, I love a good fake marriage trope. After all, it’s always inevitable for our main leads to end up together – the best part is watching how! Many reviews of No Gain No Love on Amazon Prime certainly raved about the performance of Shin Minah as Son Haeyoung as she brought the character to life and gave her so much depth. 

However, the show might have bit off more than it could chew, with the introduction of so many plotlines that it could not wrap up and address neatly by the end of the 12 episodes. I have never thought I would say this but 12 episodes just aren’t enough! 

The Princess Royal

Another Chinese historical drama, The Princess Royal on Netflix presents us with Li Rong (Zhao Jinmai) and Pei Wenxuan (Zhang Linghe) in a loveless marriage. Having solidified their union when they were 18 for their own reasons, their relationship has since fallen apart, with LI Rong falling in excess while Pei Wenxuan found love elsewhere. Manipulated into turning on each other before their deaths, they wake up when they are 18 again, facing their darkest times before the marriage. This time, Pei Wenxuan seeks Li Rong out again, but with divorce in mind. 

Reading the reviews for this one was sure a wild ride. While some absolutely tore this drama to shreds, many others commended its performance and execution. I think many just expected the show to be exactly like its novel, and gave it flak for missing a couple of scenes and happenings. 

However, what caught my eye in the reviews is how the female lead is characterised. Rather than the usual “fell in love but got betrayed” backstory, the trope of the strong female lead has been woven into her since the start, with conflicting personality traits and plenty of flaws. This one aspect was enough for me to get hooked, wondering how this couple’s relationship will develop and progress in this second chance that they have been given. 

Marry My Husband 

If you were given a second chance to live your life, what would you do? One of my favourite Korean dramas, Marry My Husband weaves romance and revenge into a beautiful drama. The story starts with Kang Jiwon (Park Minyoung), a cancer-ridden patient trapped in an unhappy marriage with her good-for-nothing husband. On the verge of getting kicked out of the hospital due to unpaid bills, Kang Jiwon returns home only to find her best friend in bed with her husband. When her husband accidentally kills her, she finds herself 10 years back in the past, giving her a chance to change her life. 

My favourite part of her development is the way she realises that as easy as it is to just run away from everything, nothing will be resolved. And of course, love comes from the most unexpected corner – Yu Jihyuk (Na Inwoo), the grandson of the company’s CEO and the manager of her marketing team, but there’s more to him than it seems as well. 

I’m not one for romance dramas but this one… this one is one of the few exceptions. The time-travelling factor is not a one-off thing but rather drives the foundation of the story – though in a more passive way. We see Kang Jiwon make use of the mechanics and knowledge she has been granted in this second life to start standing up for herself, carving the life she wants, and making everyone see that there’s more to our protagonist than they’ve already seen. 

One of the few dramas I binge-watched on Amazon Prime last year, Marry My Husband displays how Kang Jiwon grows as a person beautifully, noticing all the precious people around her as she prioritises her happiness. As the romance slowly builds, get ready for toothachingly sweet scenes that make you swoon as well as infuriating scenes between our main protagonists and antagonists. And if you can’t get enough of this series, read the webtoon as well!

Amidst A Snowstorm Of Love

A classic romance drama, Amidst A Snowstorm Of Love intrigued me right from its meet-cute between our main leads. Taking place in Helsinki, Finland, our protagonists happen upon each other in a nearby bar. There for a billiards tournament in Hel, professional billiards player Yin Guo (Zhao Jinmai) and her brother are stranded when the snowstorm hits, however, Lin Yiyang (Wu Lei) helps in getting them to their hotel. Watch along as Lin Yiyang takes an interest in Yin Guo and her passion for billiards, yet is too awkward to showcase it directly, leading to a lot of subtle mannerisms and body language. Will Yin Guo inspire Lin Yiyang to make a comeback? 

Ah… what better series to cosy up to than a wintry love story? This slice-of-life romantic drama includes elements of professional billiards, self-discovery and character development, perfect for a feel-good show to binge on. I’ve only watched the first episode and honestly, I’m surprised that I haven’t clicked away yet! The first episode had me captivated for the entire 45 minutes and I was ready to continue watching. 

However, I know many people weren’t the biggest fan of this show and I understand why. If you’re more into fast-paced, angst-filled dramas, then maybe give this a skip. But if you’re into fluffy slow burns with awkward characters? Then, you have to add this to your list on Netflix!

Everyone Loves Me

In an uncommon setting for romance dramas, newly graduated classmates Gu Xun (Lin Yi) and Qian Ling (Zhou Ye) reunite, working together at the same gaming company. At graduation, Qian Ling, who long harboured a crush on Gu Xun, confessed but was cruelly rejected. Gu Xun, however, is in love with a tough-talking, no-nonsense female gamer known as Nuo Mi Xiao Ma Hua online. Unbeknownst to him, they are both one and the same person!

I’ll admit it, the only reason this show is on my list on Netflix is due to the main leads. I’ve become a fan of Lin Yi and Zhou Ye in separate dramas in the past so I got intrigued mostly by what would happen if they starred in one together. However, the reviews I’ve seen do not make me very hopeful… The first few episodes certainly paint Gu Xun pretty unlikeable, though he does get his karma eventually – so watchers, hang in there!

Overall, it’s simple and easy to watch if you’re here for a lighthearted rom-com that doesn’t have too much drama and plot. Everyone Loves Me is filled with banter and bickering between our main characters, though many watchers stayed for the cast and not for the storyline. 

Cinderella at 2 AM

What happens when a girlfriend accepts the money given to her by her boyfriend’s rich mother? Shaped by her difficult past, Ha Yunseo (Shin Hyunbeen) is extremely pragmatic when it comes to her relationships. Seo Juwon (Moon Sangmin), on the other hand, is a hopeless romantic and only has eyes on her. 

A confident and respected team leader, Yunseo works at a large company alongside Juwon, her boyfriend. What she doesn’t know is that her boyfriend is the son of the chaebol family running the company. When his mother offers her a huge sum of money to leave her son, she takes it, not believing in true love. Juwon, refusing to back down, tries his best to win her back.

In an interesting turn of events, Cinderella at 2 AM on Viu subverts the usual tropes of a romance K-drama, placing the female lead as the more distant and down-to-earth character while the male lead is a hopeless romantic. With a premise like that, Cinderella at 2 AM caught my eye immediately. 

While the reviews online are a tad bit scary, with many saying that the story gets lost and the female lead’s motivation isn’t strong enough, Cinderella at 2 AM is just a simple romance drama trying to create a fresh twist. All in all, it’s an easy watch, playing on the classic office rom-com with a new concept. 

Love Next Door

Bae Seok Ryu (Jung Somin)’s life has always been smooth sailing, so why did she suddenly return to Seoul after quitting her job? Choi Seung Hyo (Jung Haein) is now not only a prominent architect in Seoul but also handsome and has a great personality. These two have been childhood friends since they were young, with their mothers being close. Now that Seok Ryu has returned as an adult, what happens when they meet again?

Now, before you dismiss this drama as a typical childhood friends-to-lovers drama, pause because it is so much more than that. I, too, had written it off as a simple romance drama but after listening to a brief overview of the series from a friend who has watched it… whew, this one is angsty. 

Beyond just love and romance, Love Next Door on Netflix focuses on growing up and self-discovery, especially on the mistakes that you make. Filled with grief, pain and imperfect choices, this drama reflects the more painful aspects of opening up to love again. So, if you’re in an emo mood and looking for a cry-sesh? Love Next Door will definitely break open those floodgates. Just be sure to avoid this if you’re in a fluffy, romantic mood. 

Bridgerton

Ah… it’s hard to talk about romance shows without mentioning Bridgerton. Set in the Regency era, the eight siblings of the noble Bridgerton family wade and navigate through London high society in search of love and romance. Simple enough right? Wait for all the shenanigans that happen. 

The first two seasons are extremely strong plotwise, featuring incredible acting and believable yet frustrating conflicts. And of course, we cannot miss out on the incredible styling of the entire cast. Filled with beautiful dresses and beautiful jewellery, the outfits of the show are to die for. So, you’re essentially set for plot, characters and aesthetics – well, sounds like the perfect recipe! And if this has piqued your interest, be sure to search it up on Netflix.

Heartstopper

Another series that everyone knows, Heartstopper is a romantic coming-of-age series filled with self-discovery based on the books with the same name. Watch along as Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) falls in love with Nick Nelson (Kit Conner) as well as the other stories of their friends. Join them as they find out what it’s like to love, and what friendship and loyalty mean to them in this youth drama on Netflix. 

A classic and simple series perfect for casual watching, Heartstopper has warmed the hearts of many fans and watchers alike. I had originally heard of this series long before news of it turning into a drama, though I never thought to pick it up. Cute and straightforward, it’s easy to see why many became fans of the series of books and drama. Interested to find out for yourself? Be sure to check it out on Netflix!

Queen Of Tears 

An extremely well-known K-drama with a star-studded cast, Queen of Tears on Netflix presents the story of a couple from drastically different worlds who are now on the verge of divorce. Hong Haein (Kin Jiwon), a chaebol heiress of the Queen’s Group, is an extreme workaholic and Baek Hyunwoo (Kim Soohyun), a man with a humble background, feels trapped in this world of the elite. The couple’s once-passionate romance has since deteriorated but a single diagnosis changes everything, forcing them to see into themselves and their future. 

While the plot is nothing spectacular, the cast is the talk of the town. With Queen of Tears marking Kim Soohyun’s first drama since 2021, everyone was eager to see him on screen again. Kim Jiwon also caught the eye of many K-drama fans, having starred in previous well-known dramas like Descendants of the Sun, Fight For My Way, and My Liberation Notes. Safe to say the acting, chemistry, angst and humour are ones to be awestruck by. 

With a staggering 4.9 stars on Google reviews and 8.2 on IMDb, Queen Of Tears is certainly filled with mindblowing acting that will bring you to tears in every rewatch. However, with the cast carrying the drama, the plot definitely went a little bit sideways after the first half of the show. With the focus being derailed from our main protagonists into family drama and side characters, many watchers ended up just staying for the cast but not for the storyline. 

Lovely Runner

Brought to you by the director of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Lovely Runner on Netflix and Viu will have you on the edge of your seat as Im Sol (Kim Hyeyoon) races to save her beloved idol Ryu Seon Jae (Byeon Wooseok). Having found solace in his music after a tragic accident, Im Sol is heartbroken at the news of his untimely demise. As fate would have it, she is suddenly transported back in time to before her accident and confronts Seonjae’s 19-year-old self. 

Yet another time-travel romance drama, Lovely Runner plays most heavily into the aspect, with Im Sol making use of it multiple times. With its extremely high rating of 4.9 stars on Google reviews and 8.6 on IMDb, I had my hopes up, as time-travelling is difficult to execute well, especially when it comes to plot holes and the consequences of time travelling. 

The reviews, however, are extremely mixed and change depending on who you ask and where you search. Many praise the chemistry of the main leads while criticising the plot and execution. On one hand, this drama turned Byeon Wooseok into everyone’s ideal type after watching it but on the other hand, the scathing reviews were… very scathing. I will say that whatever clips I’ve seen of the drama are quite promising, though if you’re looking for a realistic love story, this isn’t for you. 

Valentine’s Day TV Shows

Valentine’s Day: the day of big gestures and bigger promises. Personally, I do not find a problem with staying in and just curling up with your partner for a nice cuddle session and an intriguing show. After all, as long as you’re with your partner, any time is special. 

So, if you’re just like me and are staying in this coming Valentine’s season, be sure to check out these dramas! Whether you’re in the mood for something fluffy and light-hearted or something angsty and full of plot, there’s something for you on this list. So, turn on the TV, grab some snacks and get comfortable to binge the day away!


Cover photo courtesy of tvN.

Jolyn Goh

Yapping about food or K-pop 24/7

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