The Best Onscreen Couples of 2023 to Swoon Over
From King the Land to See You in My 19th Life, we’ve rounded up couples from seven 2023 dramas who share the best onscreen chemistry.
Ever feel like you can never get to the end of your watchlist? With countless new TV shows and web series coming out every year, it’s hard to tell from the get-go which ones will hit the spot. And if you’re head-over-heels romantic, you would know that it’s even harder to find onscreen couples who just click.
Here, we’ve rounded up seven of the best onscreen romances this year, so you can get your fill of sweet, innocent love before 2023 ends. From historical dramas to time-travelling affairs, these seven couples will give you all the feels as you’re snuggled up in bed this December.
Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu in Hidden Love
Starring Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan, this Chinese drama follows the story of a teenage girl experiencing the tender emotions of her first love, when she falls head over heels for her brother’s friend. The relatable, feel-good script from Hidden Love allows the two leading characters’ budding romance to blossom into a healthy, loving relationship. Through Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu’s love, the actors’ real-life chemistry was palpable, leaving fans of the show wanting more, even after 25 episodes.
Yoo Gil-chae and Lee Jang-hyun in My Dearest
Raking in high viewership numbers week after week during its premiere was MBC period drama My Dearest, and it’s not hard to see why. The historical melodrama brings together elements of love and war, set in 1630s Joseon. Yoo Gil-chae, portrayed by Ahn Eun-jin, is a seductive young woman on the hunt for love, only for her world to be overturned by the arrival of Lee Jang-hyun, a nobleman who has vowed to stay single for life. As the plot thickens, the main characters’ bond grows deeper after a long, delicate ‘will-they-won’t-they’ act.
Lee Doona and Lee Won-joon in Doona!
When you think of opposites attracting, do you think of a former K-pop idol and an introverted university student falling in love? In Netflix’s romance series of the fall season, Bae Suzy and Yang Se-jong’s magical love story develops slowly but surely over nine episodes, stemming from a platonic relationship into something more. The undeniable connection between the two lead actors led Doona! to be one of the year’s most beloved dramas.
Ban Ji-eum and Moon Seo-ha in See You in My 19th Life
Ban Ji-eum, played by Shin Hye-sun, is able to recall the experiences of all her past lives, and now that she is in her 19th life, she is searching for her lost love from her previous life. The female lead’s confidence and strength are greatly juxtaposed by Moon Seo-ha, portrayed by Ahn Bo-hyun, who struggles with trauma from his past experiences. This dynamic creates an endearing and warm relationship, brought to life by the actors’ outstanding performance.
Han Hae-na and Jin Seo-won in A Good Day to Be a Dog
One of the most highly-anticipated K-dramas of 2023, A Good Day to be A Dog, starring Cha Eun-woo and Park Gyu-young, is a fantasy-driven rom-com series that stole all our hearts. Given the innocent title and plotline, this drama exceeded expectations by refusing to adhere to typical K-drama tropes and overexaggerations. Though the drama is ongoing, Han Hae-na and Jin Seo-won’s poignant, thoughtful relationship is already swoon-worthy enough to be added to this list.
Han Jun-hui and Koo Yeon-jun in A Time Called You
Ahn Hyo-seop and Jeon Yeo-been star in this time-travelling K-drama. After the death of her boyfriend, Han Jun-hui finds herself going back in time, only to wind up as a high school student. She eventually meets another student, who somehow appears identical to her deceased boyfriend. The actors play two couples of different ages, yet their bond and electricity only seem to grow as the series develops. The pair naturally share a bond that can be seen onscreen, and it’s this very bond that pushes the plot of A Time Called You forward.
Cheon Sa-rang and Gu Won in King the Land
When King the Land first aired in June this year, everyone was excited for Im Yoon-a and Lee Jun-ho’s first drama together. After all, they are both second-generation K-pop idols who delved into their acting careers. The storyline, with a rich male lead and a working-class female lead, takes us back to the OG K-dramas of the past. The duo’s comedic timing and unadulterated relationship made the sweetest summertime watch.
