For the past few days, I feel like I’ve been living and breathing 멜로 무비. And honestly? I’m not even mad about it. This drama hit me right in the feels with how real and raw it was. But as I scrolled through endless online discussions, one thought kept popping up—are there more Kdramas like Melo Movie that bring the same level of emotional depth? The answer? Absolutely.
But before we get into the list, let’s quickly talk about Melo Movie for those who might have missed out on this gem. Directed by Oh Choong-hwan, this drama stars Choi Woo-shik as Ko Gyeom, Park Bo-young as Kim Mu-bi, Lee Jun-young as Hong Si-jun, and Jeon So-nee as Son Ju-a.
The story revolves around Ko Gyeom, a guy whose entire life revolves around movies—he dreams of being an actor but is stuck playing minor roles. Meanwhile, Kim Mu-bi grew up resenting the film world because her father was obsessed with it. Their paths cross, and we get this beautifully messy, bittersweet love story that’s full of heartbreak, growth, and self-discovery.
But Melo Movie isn’t just about romance. It is more about exploring deep friendships, sibling bonds, and the idea that some love stories don’t need a perfect ending to be meaningful. That’s what made me fall for it. The ability to feel painfully real yet oddly comforting.
So, if you loved Melo Movie and want more dramas that go beyond just romance, here are six that might just fill that void.
Kdramas Like Melo Movie
Record of Youth
If you enjoyed Melo Movie’s interpretation of dreams and attempting to become a big shot, Record of Youth is for you. This drama stars Park Bo-gum as Sa Hye-jun, a model who dreams of becoming an actor and live a life that he always wanted, and Park So-dam as Ahn Jeong-ha, a makeup artist who won’t give up on her dreams. It’s the sort of drama where you find yourself wanting to cheer for its characters but also acutely aware of how cruel the world of entertainment can be.
What I adore about this drama is that although romance is involved, it never takes away from the larger picture—success, coping with failure, and discovering what really matters in life. It’s a slow burn but every second is worth it.
Lovestruck in the City
Okay, this one’s for those who loved Melo Movie’s raw, unfiltered take on relationships. Lovestruck in the City isn’t your typical K-drama, it is shot in a documentary-style format, giving us an intimate look into the complicated love lives of its characters.
Ji Chang-wook and Kim Ji-won lead the show as ex-lovers whose past relationship still haunts them. But instead of giving us a perfect, fairytale romance, the drama digs deep into love, regret, and how timing (or the lack of it) can make or break a relationship.
Some moments in this drama hit hard. Like those times when you watch a scene and suddenly feel personally attacked? Yeah, expect plenty of those.
Run On
Run On is a drama that slowly creeps up on you and before you know it, you’re totally hooked. In this drama, Im Si-wan plays Ki Seon-gyeom, a former athlete trying to find himself outside of his life in running, and Shin Se-kyung plays Oh Mi-joo, a subtitle translator who knows exactly who she is. Their romance is sweet and mature, but what really makes the drama shine is the way it addresses personal growth.
Like Melo Movie, it’s about learning to communicate, embracing who you are, and finding love without losing yourself. Plus, the side characters? Absolutely steal the show.
Summer Strike
In a nutshell, if you missed the melodic, more introspective subtleties of Melo Movie, Summer Strike is like getting a warm hug. In this drama, Lee Yeo-reum who lives in a stressful city life with she regret, finds herself in a quiet village, where she encounters Ahn Dae-beom (played by Im Si-wan), who hardly says a word but has his own emotional baggage.
This isn’t drama about sweeping plot turns or not-a-romance melodrama, but rather healing, isolation, and discovering that doing nothing is exactly what you need. It’s slow and thats the point. Like Melo Movie, it allows you to sit with your feelings.
Our Beloved Summer
If you’re still not over Melo Movie, Our Beloved Summer is the closest thing you’ll get to reliving that emotional rollercoaster. Starring Choi Woo-shik (yes, again) and Kim Da-mi, this drama follows ex-lovers who are forced back into each other’s lives after a documentary they filmed in high school suddenly goes viral.
It’s both heartbreaking, and painfully realistic, and also humorous. Similar to Melo Movie, it does not romanticize relationships. Some people just drift apart, others misunderstand, and sometimes love doesn’t suffice. But that’s what makes this so real. And the soundtrack? Magic, pure magic.
Itaewon Class
Now, I know Itaewon Class isn’t a romance-heavy drama, but if you loved Melo Movie’s theme of chasing dreams no matter how impossible they seem, you need to watch this.
Park Seo-joon plays Park Sae-ro-yi, a man who starts his own restaurant in Itaewon after being betrayed. The draw of this show is the way it explores ambition, will, and the idea of creating your own family that is not by blood.
There is romance, yes, but that is not the gist of the story. It is about believing in what you desire, even if the odds are against you. If Hong Si-jun’s passion for music in Melo Movie moved you, Sae-ro-yi’s journey in Itaewon Class will move you as well.
K-dramas such as Melo Movie show that romance isn’t all about the fairy-tale endings—it’s about the messy, complicated, and sometimes hurtful journey of love, dreams, and self-discovery. So, if this drama left you with this huge gaping hole in your heart (same), grab a soft throw and watch one of these dramas. Just be ready for all the feels that come with them. You’ve been warned.
Also Read: Melo Movie Review: Bittersweet Realities of Love, Dreams, and Cinema
