Top 5 K-Drama Couples with the Best On-Screen Chemistry

Discover the best K-drama couples with unforgettable on-screen chemistry.
From Lovely Runner to Bon Appétit Your Majesty, these pairings captivate fans worldwide.
A timeless list of iconic romances you shouldn’t miss.

K-dramas are synonymous with love stories that make viewers’ hearts flutter. A lineup of new couples has successfully captured audiences’ attention, with many fans staying up late just to catch every episode. Strong chemistry is the key to making fictional stories feel real, just as it was with legendary drama couples from the past. This article highlights five of the hottest new pairings: Lovely Runner, When Life Gives You Tangerines, Love Scout, Our Unwritten Seoul, and Bon Appétit Your Majesty, and compares them with iconic couples of earlier years. Through this analysis, readers can see why their chemistry is worth noticing in the must-watch list of the year.

Lovely Runner – Kim Hye-Yoon and Byeon Woo-Seok

IMDb rating: 8.6/10

Lovely Runner became a hit from its very first episode by blending romance with a time-slip concept. The story follows Im Sol, who goes back in time to save her idol, Ryu Seon-Jae. Kim Hye-Yoon and Byeon Woo-Seok’s on-screen closeness creates the illusion of love growing from youth into adulthood. Byeon Woo-Seok admitted in an interview that their chemistry was “indescribable,” adding that he felt comfortable because Hye-Yoon was already experienced in rom-coms. Iconic scenes, like sharing an umbrella on a bridge or swimming during school days, show tender emotions that won fans over.

Their chemistry recalls Song Joong-Ki and Song Hye-Kyo in Descendants of the Sun (2016), where the balance of wartime danger and tender romance captivated viewers. As Avocadu noted, the drama remains praised for “seamlessly combining action, medical drama, and romance,” while the Song-Song couple’s closeness even carried into real life. Similarly, Kim Hye-Yoon and Byeon Woo-Seok deliver a natural warmth that convinces audiences they’re destined for each other.

When Life Gives You Tangerines – IU and Park Bo-Gum

IMDb rating: 9.1/10

This slice-of-life drama follows Ae-sun and Gwan-sik over five decades, beginning in Jeju’s tangerine orchards and unfolding against the backdrop of natural disasters, poverty, and politics. According to Korea Herald, Park Bo-Gum “perfectly embodies Gwan-sik’s loyal and gentle charm,” creating “undeniable chemistry with IU.” Entertainment Weekly reported the series quickly broke into Netflix’s global Top 10, with audiences deeply moved by the enduring love story shaped by changing social realities.

Their bond echoes Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin in Crash Landing on You. As Avocadu highlighted, the drama’s mix of humor, tension, and romance succeeded largely thanks to their “undeniable chemistry.” Just like Ri Jeong-Hyeok and Yoon Se-Ri, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik face immense social and geographic barriers. Yet IU’s warmth and Park Bo-Gum’s steadiness make their love story feel realistic and consistent, evolving from adolescence into maturity, a rarity in most K-dramas.

Love Scout – Han Ji-Min and Lee Jun-Hyuk

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Love Scout offers a refreshing adult romance amid the usual teen-driven series. Han Ji-Min plays Kang Ji-Yoon, a decisive recruitment CEO, while Lee Jun-Hyuk stars as Yoo Eun-ho, a patient secretary and single dad. According to India Forums, viewers gave it a “thumbs up” because their emotional connection felt “incredibly charming,” with Eun-ho’s calming nature becoming the standout appeal. The reversal of gender roles, where the male secretary embodies sensitivity often given to female characters adds uniqueness to their dynamic.

Their charm contrasts with Hyun Bin and Ha Ji-Won in Secret Garden (2010). Avocadu emphasized how the couple stood out for “a mix of humor and emotional moments” with interactions that felt “natural and genuine.” Han Ji-Min and Lee Jun-Hyuk similarly balance light humor with maturity, avoiding over-the-top drama and instead focusing on trust and openness. Their off-screen age and career differences also enrich the pairing, proving that love doesn’t need to follow conventions.

Our Unwritten Seoul – Park Bo-Young and Jinyoung

IMDb rating: 8.0/10

This drama tells the story of twin sisters taking different paths in Seoul, with one crossing paths with handsome songwriter Ho Su (Jinyoung). Behind-the-scenes videos reported by Soompi showed how Park Bo-Young and Jinyoung often stayed side-by-side even after the director yelled “cut,” hinting at their strong chemistry off camera. Their kiss scene was filmed playfully, with lighthearted chats beforehand and smiles afterward, leaving viewers charmed by their natural closeness.

Their interactions resemble Gong Yoo and Kim Go-Eun in Goblin. Avocadu explained that fans continue to rave over the “tender moments” between them, as the show blended humor, heartbreak, and deep romance. Park Bo-Young and Jinyoung recreate this magic in a modern setting, merging warmth and lightheartedness. This effortless blend makes Our Unwritten Seoul stand out as one of the sweetest romances of 2025.

Bon Appétit Your Majesty – Yoona and Chaemin

IMDb rating: 8.2/10

Bon Appétit Your Majesty uniquely combines modern cooking with the Joseon palace setting. Yeon Ji-young, a chef from the present, is transported back to Joseon and wins King Yi Heon’s heart through food. Fan comments on AsianWiki repeatedly praised it as “the best drama of 2025,” saying “the acting and chemistry are top-notch.” Others wrote, “Yoona is so adorable, and their chemistry is amazing.” Some compared it to Mr. Queen due to its comedic time-slip elements, with Chaemin’s performance helping audiences overlook their age gap. The flood of spontaneous fan praise shows just how well their chemistry landed.

This success recalls Crash Landing on You and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. Avocadu pointed out how audiences still talk about the emotional chemistry between Lee Joon-Gi and IU in Moon Lovers, despite its bittersweet ending. Similarly, Yoona and Chaemin’s pairing proves that even a new drama can deliver the kind of on-screen magic that makes fans nostalgic for legendary love stories.

Comparison with Legendary Couples

Each of these five couples shines in their own way, but they all share one quality: the ability to build relationships that feel real. Kim Hye-Yoon and Byeon Woo-Seok blend nostalgia and humor, much like Song Joong-Ki and Song Hye-Kyo in Descendants of the Sun. IU and Park Bo-Gum deliver a love story that grows through time, reminiscent of Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin in Crash Landing on You. Han Ji-Min and Lee Jun-Hyuk bring maturity and trust to their romance, echoing the natural bond of Hyun Bin and Ha Ji-Won in Secret Garden. Park Bo-Young and Jinyoung bring lighthearted magic, similar to Gong Yoo and Kim Go-Eun in Goblin. Meanwhile, Yoona and Chaemin in Bon Appétit Your Majesty resonate with fans just like couples from sageuk and fantasy classics, proving once again that authentic chemistry always resonates with audiences.

In conclusion, 2025 introduces a new generation of K-drama couples ready to inherit the spotlight from their legendary predecessors. Each pairing offers something distinct, time travel, lifelong love, adult romance, or the blend of fantasy and reality, but all succeed thanks to their warmth and ability to make viewers feel their emotions. If you’re searching for dramas with powerful chemistry, these five titles deserve a spot on your watchlist.

Sources: Yahoo Entertainment, Entertainment Weekly, India Forums, Soompi, AsianWiki, Namaste Hallyu, Avocadu