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K-Dramas are well known for their dramatic love stories, extravagant plot twists, and larger-than-life characters. Whether it’s a billionaire falling in love with a struggling woman or a long-lost childhood romance being rekindled, the genre is full of classic tropes that captivate audiences. But not all K-Dramas live in a world of fantasy.
Some dive deep into the real struggles of life—relationships, family issues, financial hardships, social stigma, and personal growth. These shows are grounded in reality, telling stories that reflect the human experience in the most raw and touching ways. If you’re looking for dramas that feel real, here are the 10 most realistic K-Dramas, ranked.
10. When the Camellia Blooms (2019)
Starring: Gong Hyo-jin, Kang Ha-neul, Kim Ji-seok
“When the Camellia Blooms” is an emotional drama that portrays the struggles of a single mother trying to build a new life in a small town. Oh Dong-baek (Gong Hyo-jin) moves to the seaside village of Ongsan to start fresh, opening a bar called “The Camellia.” However, she faces prejudice and gossip from the tight-knit community, which isn’t welcoming to a single mother running a bar.
This drama is special because it portrays the societal challenges faced by single mothers in South Korea. Instead of a fairytale romance, we see a slow-burning love story between Dong-baek and Yong-sik (Kang Ha-neul), a kind-hearted policeman who respects her independence. The show also highlights strong female friendships and the importance of community support. Though there is a subplot about a serial killer, the true heart of the drama lies in Dong-baek’s journey toward self-reliance and love.
Why It’s Realistic:
- Tackles social stigma around single mothers
- Explores the reality of small-town gossip and judgment
- Shows a romance built on mutual respect, not grand gestures
9. Moment at Eighteen (2019)
Starring: Ong Seong-wu, Kim Hyang-gi, Shin Seung-ho
Teen dramas often rely on love triangles, school fights, and glamorous high school lives, but “Moment at Eighteen” offers a different take. It follows Choi Joon-woo (Ong Seong-wu), a quiet and reserved student who transfers to a new school after being falsely accused of theft at his previous school. He struggles to fit in but eventually finds comfort in a group of classmates who are also navigating their own personal battles.
The show captures the struggles of high school life in South Korea, from intense academic pressure to bullying and social exclusion. It doesn’t exaggerate teenage emotions but instead portrays them in a raw and sincere way. The friendships, first loves, and small moments of joy make this drama one of the most touching and realistic high school stories.
Why It’s Realistic:
- Shows the impact of bullying and social isolation
- Highlights the academic pressure in South Korea
- Realistic portrayals of teenage friendships and first love
8. When the Weather Is Fine (2020)
Starring: Park Min-young, Seo Kang-joon, Moon Jeong-hee
This drama is a slow and introspective story about healing and finding comfort in quiet places. Mok Hae-won (Park Min-young), a woman tired of the hustle and loneliness of city life, returns to her small hometown and reconnects with Im Eun-seob (Seo Kang-joon), a quiet bookstore owner with a warm heart.
Rather than relying on dramatic conflicts, “When the Weather Is Fine” focuses on emotions, past traumas, and the slow healing of broken hearts. It portrays the struggles of family relationships, childhood wounds, and the longing for a peaceful life. The calm, snowy setting adds to the cozy and reflective atmosphere of the drama.
Why It’s Realistic:
- A slow-paced, character-driven story
- Depicts the healing process realistically
- Shows the struggles of dealing with family trauma
7. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
Starring: Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho, Lee Sang-yi
Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a), a perfectionist dentist, moves from Seoul to a small coastal town to start a new practice. There, she meets Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho), a multi-talented handyman who is loved by the townspeople. While the romance is heartwarming, the true beauty of “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” lies in its depiction of small-town life.
Unlike typical K-Dramas that romanticize rural life, this one shows both its charm and its challenges. The drama explores themes of grief, career struggles, and personal growth. It also portrays realistic relationships, including divorced parents co-parenting and elders finding happiness in their later years.
Why It’s Realistic:
- Depicts the challenges of adjusting to a new environment
- Highlights financial struggles and job insecurities
- Features realistic relationships and family dynamics
6. Fight for My Way (2017)
Starring: Park Seo-joon, Kim Ji-won, Ahn Jae-hong, Song Ha-yoon
“Fight for My Way” is a story about young adults trying to pursue their dreams despite life’s many obstacles. Ko Dong-man (Park Seo-joon) was once a promising taekwondo athlete, but now he works in pest control. Choi Ae-ra (Kim Ji-won) dreams of being a TV announcer but works at a department store. Their struggles, along with those of their friends, reflect the realities of adulthood—financial instability, career setbacks, and lost dreams.
Unlike many dramas that focus on chaebols (rich heirs) or glamorous jobs, this show is about ordinary people trying to make ends meet. It’s a perfect drama for anyone who has ever felt lost or struggled to achieve their goals.
Why It’s Realistic:
- Accurately portrays career struggles in young adulthood
- Shows how friendships evolve as people grow up
- Highlights the financial realities of middle-class life
5. My Mister (2018)
Starring: Lee Sun-kyun, IU (Lee Ji-eun), Go Doo-shim
“My Mister” is one of the most heart-wrenching and realistic K-Dramas ever made. It tells the story of Park Dong-hoon (Lee Sun-kyun), a middle-aged man burdened by financial and family responsibilities, and Lee Ji-an (IU), a young woman drowning in debt and struggling to care for her grandmother.
Unlike most K-Dramas, “My Mister” doesn’t have a typical romance—it’s a story about human connection, survival, and emotional healing. It explores themes of loneliness, workplace harassment, and social class struggles in South Korea. The drama is heavy, but it’s also deeply moving and rewarding.
Why It’s Realistic:
- Deals with real-life hardships such as debt and job struggles
- Highlights the emotional toll of workplace stress
- Focuses on deep human connections rather than romance
4. Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014)
Starring: Im Si-wan, Lee Sung-min, Kang So-ra, Kang Ha-neul
If there’s one drama that perfectly captures the struggles of corporate life, it’s Misaeng. Unlike most workplace dramas that focus on office romance, this show highlights the brutal realities of working in a competitive company.
The story follows Jang Geu-rae (Im Si-wan), a young man who dreamed of becoming a professional baduk (Go) player but failed to achieve his goal. Without a college degree or experience, he gets an internship at a big company, where he struggles to prove himself. He faces constant pressure, office politics, and the emotional toll of corporate culture.
What makes Misaeng so relatable is its depiction of workplace hierarchy, favoritism, and the harsh reality that hard work doesn’t always lead to success. If you’ve ever had a tough job or struggled to fit into an office environment, this drama will hit home.
Why It’s Realistic:
- Shows the pressure of working in a large company
- Highlights the struggles of unpaid interns and contract workers
- No exaggerated romance—just real office life
3. Because This Is My First Life (2017)
Starring: Lee Min-ki, Jung So-min, Esom, Park Byung-eun
Marriage isn’t always about love, and this drama explores that idea in the most realistic way. Because This Is My First Life follows Nam Se-hee (Lee Min-ki), a logical, introverted man who doesn’t believe in love, and Yoon Ji-ho (Jung So-min), a struggling screenwriter who is homeless due to financial difficulties. They decide to enter a contract marriage—not for love, but because it’s the most practical solution to their problems.
What makes this drama stand out is how it tackles modern relationship struggles, including financial pressures, gender roles, and personal ambitions. Instead of idealizing love, it asks tough questions: Is love enough for marriage? Should financial stability come before emotions? Can two people with different life goals find happiness together?
Why It’s Realistic:
- Explores financial struggles in marriage
- Shows modern-day dating pressures in South Korea
- Addresses societal expectations of women in relationships
2. My Liberation Notes (2022)
Starring: Kim Ji-won, Son Seok-koo, Lee Min-ki, Lee El
Life is repetitive, tiring, and sometimes painfully dull—and My Liberation Notes captures that perfectly. This slow-burning drama follows three siblings who feel trapped in their monotonous lives. Yeom Mi-jeong (Kim Ji-won) longs to escape her dull existence but doesn’t know how. Her brother, Yeom Chang-hee (Lee Min-ki), feels stuck in a cycle of failure, while their older sister, Yeom Ki-jeong (Lee El), is frustrated with her unfulfilling love life.
The show beautifully portrays the feeling of being lost, disconnected, and exhausted by life’s endless routines. It doesn’t offer quick solutions or dramatic twists—just quiet, introspective moments of self-discovery. My Liberation Notes resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt emotionally drained or stuck in life.
Why It’s Realistic:
- Depicts the exhaustion of adult life and responsibilities
- No over-the-top romance, just deep human emotions
- Explores the struggles of self-worth and personal growth
1. Reply 1988 (2015)
Starring: Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Ryu Jun-yeol, Go Kyung-pyo, Lee Dong-hwi
At the top of the list is Reply 1988, a drama that isn’t just about one person’s story but about an entire neighborhood’s life. Set in 1988, the drama follows five childhood friends and their families as they navigate school, love, family problems, and growing up.
What makes this drama so incredibly realistic is its focus on family dynamics, lifelong friendships, and everyday struggles. Parents worry about money, kids stress about grades, and families support each other through good and bad times. There are no villains, no dramatic betrayals—just life as it is.
Every character feels real, from the hardworking dads to the gossiping moms and the kids struggling to find their path. It’s a drama that makes you laugh, cry, and reminisce about the past. Reply 1988 is not just a K-Drama—it’s an emotional journey that anyone can relate to.
Why It’s Realistic:
- Depicts family love, struggles, and generational gaps
- Shows friendships evolving over time
- No exaggerated drama—just real, heartfelt storytelling
K-Dramas are often associated with fantasy and escapism
K-Dramas are often associated with fantasy and escapism, but some shows capture the raw realities of life in a deeply moving way. Whether it’s the struggles of single mothers, financial hardships, or emotional healing, these 10 dramas offer a glimpse into real-life struggles that many viewers can relate to.
If you’re looking for a K-Drama that feels like real life, these are some of the best ones to start with. Have you watched any of them? Let us know which realistic K-Drama is your favorite!
