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There are a lot of important factors that make or break a Korean drama. One of such factors is the lead couple and their synergies with each other. The lead couple is often the focal point, and how they use their characters to tell the love story will determine, to a large extent, the success or entertainment value of that drama. So, let’s take a look at some of our favorite Kdrama couples from the last few years.
So Ji Sub & Shin Min Ah
Shin Min Ah is known for her innocent, fairy-like charm, and her ability to infuse this charm in the roles that she plays. Even wearing a body suit, with subpar visuals, and having to wobble round, she matches So Ji Sub’s hilariously stoic persona with some girl power of her own. From their workout sessions to their couple fights, from emotionally vulnerable scenes to their sweet romantic moments, they are one of the cutest Kdrama couples ever.
Ji Sung & Hwang Jung Eum
There is no doubt that these two have amazing screen chemistry, all you have to do is watch them within two feet of each other. Whether he’s a wealthy, disturbed egomaniac, or a gentle soul with six personalities, Ji Sung always manages to bring such life and realness to any character he plays. Hwang Jung Eum matches his skill with some amazing acting of her own, as she completely immerses herself into the characters she plays, be it in a comic or a tragic scene. This couple always makes it very easy to fall in love with the people that they portray.
Park Yoo Chun & Shin Se Kyung
The Girl Who Sees Smells (2015)
Park Yoo Chun is known for being a whiz at playing sensitive romantic characters, and singing sensitive romantic songs. However, in the drama, The Girl Who Sees Smells, he carried his role of closet gagman and crime fighter perfectly. His portrayal of this character was the perfect complement to Shin Se Kyung’s character who had a wide range of emotions and quirks that needed balance. This couple is one of my favorite Kdrama couples to date.
Park Seo Joon & Hwang Jung Eum
If there is any actress that deserves to be mentioned more than twice on this list, it’s Hwang Jung Eum. With every role, she has proven herself to be a skilled actress with a very wide emotional range. Falling for your first love all over again is always cliche, except when it’s delivered by Park Seo Joon and Hwang Jung Eum with a mega dose of humor. Park Seo Joon makes hating and subsequently loving the same person seem like a joy ride. I especially love this pairing because the real age difference between them is not obvious at all.
Kim Soo Hyun & Jeon Ji Hyun
My Love From the Star (2014)
For the average viewer, it would take just seconds to fall in love with the amazing combination that is Jeon Ji Hyun and Kim Soo Hyun. Whether he’s a 400-year-old alien and she’s a superstar or he’s an intern in the association of thieves and she’s his superior, this two can bring out every emotion – romantic or otherwise – in the characters that they play for maximum impact. It’s always an enjoyable treat to watch these two exchange everything from stares to kisses.
So Ji Sub & Gong Hyo Jin
Master’s Sun (2013)
It is no surprise that So Ji Sub appears twice on this list. He’s a master of both stone faces and hands on romance. Gong Hyo Jin on the other hand owns quirky like it’s a piece of jewelry. At first, it seems highly unlikely that this pairing will produce any romance, but they end up fostering a very connected couple with undeniable chemistry. In usual manner, So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin light up the screen with their unique charisma, and horror never looked so fun until these two. Even when he’s resisting her, there is no denying that they make a lovely couple.
Park Yoo Chun & Han Ji Min
Rooftop Prince (2012)
If you’ve seen any sageuk plus modern day fusion drama, you know that it’s hard to create one without any faults. And maybe Rooftop Prince had a number of shortcomings, but one thing it did right was pairing Park Yoo Chun and Han Ji Min together. With her character having a no-nonsense, workaholic personality, and his having a noble, stately carriage, it’s a wonder how this pairing even worked in the first place. But it did, and fabulously so, l to wish for the second season of the drama with the same set of actors.
Ji Hyun Woo & Yoo In Na
Queen In Hyun’s Man (2012)
This is yet another Kdrama couple in a similar sageuk and modern day fusion drama that blew my mind with their on screen chemistry. Yoo In Na and Ji Hyun Woo were so connected in Queen In Hyun’s Man that they had to continue the relationship in reality. Although the couple is now broken up, I still remember vividly all the emotions that were shared and felt in the drama between them. A scholar and an actress is not a very likely combination, but this two make it seem possible — even real.
Lee Min Ho & Park Min Young
City Hunter (2011)
Anyone who has seen Lee Min Ho in anything will know that he is a superb actor. He has either won or been nominated for the “Best Couple” award in every drama he has played a lead in, and this drama just happens to be my personal favorite. Lee Min Ho’s artistic skills are once again brought to life in City Hunter as he plays a character that transitions from a rough childhood to adulthood with a single mission of revenge. And who better to make that transition more complete than Park Min Young as Kim Nana? This couple as coworkers, friends, or even enemies is very entertaining to watch. At one point, I even hoped for a romantic relationship between them outside of the dramaverse.
Song Seung Heon & Kim Tae Hee
My Princess (2011)
Cohabitation hijinks have always brought out the fun in a drama or any other love story, and the best in a couple. But for this duo, cohabitation aside, they have an intense connection that comes through the screen to burn you. Everything from Kim Tae Hee’s pettiness to Song Seung Heon’s even greater pettiness and their antics back and forth is extremely fun to watch. This Kdrama couple makes the best of a bad situation to create the romantic masterpiece that is My Princess.
There are so many wonderful Kdrama couples with unbelievable screen dynamics that we can’t possibly include every pair. But if you name your favorites in the comment section, we might just include them in a follow up article!
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