If you’re a fan of K-dramas with a “rich guy, poor girl” trope, these 15 dramas are a must-watch! This genre, known for blending romance, drama, and sometimes a dash of comedy, explores the contrasts between wealth and simplicity, privilege and hard work. Each story brings its own unique twists—whether through unexpected encounters, heartwarming relationships, or complicated family dynamics. From classic tales of high school love to stories set in luxurious mansions or corporate offices, these dramas showcase how love transcends social boundaries, often with a touch of humor and a generous helping of drama. Dive in to discover heart-stopping romances, dramatic confessions, and emotional journeys in these unforgettable Korean dramas that perfectly capture the allure of star-crossed lovers.
15. Me Too, Flower!
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Episodes: 17
- Starring: Yoon Shi-Yoon as Seo Jae-hee, Lee Ji-ah as Cha Bong-sun
This series follows Bong-sun, a resilient police officer battling depression, who unexpectedly finds love with Jae-hee, a young multimillionaire. Initially mistaking him for a parking attendant, she discovers his true status, yet their feelings remain strong despite their differences in wealth.
14. My Girl (2005)
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Episodes: 20
- Starring: Lee Da-Hae as Joo Yoo-rin, Lee Dong-Wook as Seol Gong-chan, Lee Joon-gi as Seo Jung-woo, Park Si-Yeon as Kim Se-Hyun
Set against a rich backdrop, this drama centers on Yoo-rin, a Jeju Island native with a difficult life due to her father’s gambling debts. When her father flees from creditors, Yoo-rin takes on the challenge of clearing his debts. She then crosses paths with Gong-chan, heir to a hotel fortune, igniting a unique connection.
13. Secret Garden (2010)
- Genre: Comedy Romance, Drama, Workplace Drama
- Episodes: 20
- Starring: Ha Ji-won as Gil Ra-im, Hyun Bin as Kim Joo-won, Yoon Sang-Hyun as Choi Woo-young (Oska), Kim Sa-rang as Yoon Seul
Gil Ra-im is a determined stuntwoman who works tirelessly after her father’s death, refusing to rely on others. She encounters Joo-won, a wealthy man, and despite initial tensions, their worlds intertwine. His mother opposes their relationship, yet they marry, while Oska reconnects with his past love, Yoon Seul, who is now interested in Joo-won.
12. High Society (2015)
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Episodes: 16
- Starring: Uee as Jang Yoon-ha, Sung Joon as Choi Joon-ki, Park Hyung-Sik as Yoo Chang-soo, Lim Ji-Yeon as Lee Ji-Yi
Yoon-ha, the youngest daughter of a wealthy family, desires a normal life, concealing her identity to work as a saleswoman. Her best friend, Ji-Yi, dreams of marrying a rich man, unaware of Yoon-ha’s true background. Joon-ki, who grew up poor, initially pursues Yoon-ha for status but eventually develops genuine feelings, while Chang-soo, Joon-ki’s boss, falls for Ji-Yi for her disregard of his wealth.
11. She Was Pretty (2015)
- Genre: Comedy Romance, Drama, Workplace Drama
- Episodes: 16
- Starring: Hwang Jung-Eum as Kim Hye-jin, Park Seo-Joon as Ji Sung-Joon, Go Joon-hee as Min Ha-ri
Once wealthy and beautiful, Kim Hye-jin’s life changes drastically after her family’s company goes bankrupt. Ji Sung-Joon, her first love and once an insecure boy, is now a successful editor. Their reunion leads to unexpected challenges as they navigate their changing appearances and lives.
10. Uncontrollably Fond (2016)
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Episodes: 20
- Starring: Kim Woo-bin as Shin Joon-young, Bae Suzy as Noh Eul, Lim Yu-hwan as Choi Ji-Tae, Lim Ju-Eun as Yoon Jeong-Eun
Joon-young and Noh Eul, once close high school classmates, went their separate ways after a traumatic event. Fate brings them together again as adults. Joon-young, now a famous actor-singer, faces pressure from his family to follow his father’s path as a prosecutor, while Noh Eul, after losing her father in a hit-and-run accident, struggles to support her family.
09. Cheese in the Trap (2016)
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Episodes: 16
- Starring: Park Hae-Jin as Yoo Jung, Kim Go-Eun as Hong Seol, Seo Kang-Joon as Baek In-ho, Lee Sung-Kyung as Baek In-ha
Based on a popular Naver webtoon, this drama explores the lives and relationships of university students, particularly Yoo Jung and Hong Seol. Yoo Jung, heir to the powerful Taerang Group, appears to have a flawless life, but his hidden psychopathic tendencies bring complications to Seol and those around her. Their relationship starts off awkward and grows more intense, especially when childhood friends Baek In-ho and In-ha re-enter the picture, bringing Yoo Jung’s wealth into focus.
08. Full House (2014)
- Genre: Romance Comedy, Drama
- Episodes: 16
- Starring: Song Hye-Kyo as Han Ji-Eun, Rain as Lee Young-Jae, Han Eun-Jung as Kang Hye-Won, Kim Sung-Soo as Yoo Min-Hyuk
This classic romance tells the story of Ji Eun, a scriptwriter who unexpectedly loses her family home, “Full House,” after her friends trick her into leaving for a trip. Upon her return, she finds that her home has been sold to Young-Jae, a famous actor. Forced to live with him, they enter a marriage contract to make Young-Jae’s crush jealous, only to find themselves falling in love for real as their unusual cohabitation unfolds.
07. Cinderella and Four Knights (2016)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Episodes: 16
- Starring: Park So-dam as Eun Ha-won, Jung Il-Woo as Kang Ji-Woon, Ahn Jae-Hyun as Kang Hyun-min, Lee Jung-Shin as Kang Seo-Woo, Choi Min as Lee Yoon-Sung
Ha Won, a hardworking college student with dreams of becoming a teacher, finds herself struggling financially after her mother’s passing. When she helps an elderly man, she receives an unexpected offer to work as a live-in assistant and bodyguard at the luxurious Sky House, home to three wealthy and spoiled cousins. Tasked with keeping the peace, Ha Won brings both humor and heart to her new household, where she quickly becomes more than just an employee.
06. Princess Hours (2006)
- Genre: Romance Comedy, Drama
- Episodes: 24
- Starring: Yoon Eun-Hye as Shin Chae-Kyeong, Ju Ji-Hoon as Crown Prince Lee Shin, Kim Jeong-Hoon as Prince Lee Yul
Set in an alternate present where Korea retains a royal family, this drama tells the story of Chae-Kyeong, an ordinary girl who becomes Crown Princess when she marries Prince Lee Shin. Their arranged marriage, full of misunderstandings and growing affection, brings them closer amid palace intrigue, political tensions, and hidden secrets. It’s a modern fairy tale with all the enchantment and drama of royal life.
05. Flower Boy Next Door (2013)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Episodes: 16
- Starring: Park Shin-Hye as Go Dok-mi, Yoon Shi-Yoon as Enrique Geum, Kim Ji-Hoon as Oh Jin-Rak
Dok-mi, a reclusive freelance editor, spends her days avoiding contact with the outside world, occasionally spying on her crush, Tae-Joon, through her window. Meanwhile, her neighbor, Jin-Rak, a webtoon artist, has been secretly in love with her and leaves her small gifts. When Enrique Geum, a quirky video game designer from Spain, moves in next door, he shakes up Dok-mi’s quiet life, forcing her to confront her fears and step out of her comfort zone.
04. Playful Kiss (2010)
- Genre: Romance Comedy
- Episodes: 16 + 7 (YouTube Special Edition)
- Starring: Kim Hyun-Joong as Baek Seung-Jo, Jung So-Min as Oh Ha-Ni
Adapted from the Japanese manga by Tada Koura, Playful Kiss, also known as Mischievous Kiss, follows the story of Oh Ha-Ni, a clumsy, unpopular girl who boldly confesses her love to Baek Seung-Jo, the smartest and most popular boy in school. Seung-Jo dismisses her feelings, returning her letter with corrections and annotations. Heartbroken, Ha-Ni returns home, only to find herself moving in with Seung-Jo’s family after her own house collapses. Their forced proximity leads to new emotions and an unexpected journey of love.
03. Boys Over Flowers (2009)
- Genre: Comedy Romance, Drama
- Episodes: 25
- Starring: Ku Hye-Sun as Geum Jan-di, Lee Min-ho as Gu Jun-Pyo, Kim Hyun-Joong as Yoon Ji-Hu, Kim Bum as So Yi-Jung, Kim Joon as Song Woo-Bin
This iconic drama centers around Geum Jan-di, a girl from a modest family who saves a bullied student, earning a scholarship to the elite Shinhwa High School, where she encounters F4—a group of wealthy, powerful boys led by Gu Jun-Pyo. Despite their privileged backgrounds and intimidating ways, Jan-di’s resilient spirit slowly changes their lives. Though F4 initially looks down on Jan-di, Jun-Pyo’s feelings for her grow, creating friction within the group and leading to a classic “rich boy, poor girl” romance that has captivated viewers worldwide.
02. The Heirs (2013)
- Genre: Romance, Drama, Teen
- Episodes: 20
- Starring: Lee Min-Ho as Kim Tan, Park Shin-Hye as Cha Eun-Sang, Kim Woo-Bin as Choi Young-Do
The Heirs tells the story of Kim Tan, heir to the Empire Group, who meets Eun-Sang, a hardworking girl searching for her estranged sister in the United States. Their chance encounter grows complicated when Eun-Sang, after discovering her sister’s reality, is left with nowhere to go, and Tan helps her. Back in Korea, they discover that Eun-Sang’s mother is a housekeeper in Tan’s household. As their love develops, they face challenges rooted in social class differences, creating a rollercoaster of emotions and drama that resonated deeply with viewers.
01. What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy, Workplace Drama
- Episodes: 16
- Starring: Park Seo-Joon as Lee Young-Joon, Park Min-young as Kim Mi-So
After working as the diligent secretary to Lee Young-Joon, a charismatic yet self-centered vice president, for nine years, Kim Mi-So decides to resign and pursue her own happiness. Young-Joon, unused to rejection and baffled by her sudden decision, goes to extreme lengths to keep her by his side. As he delves into the reasons behind her resignation, the two uncover buried emotions and a romantic history, leading to a charming love story with humor and heartwarming moments.
Dev King is a passionate fan of manga, manhwa, and webtoons, with a love for Korean, Japanese, and Chinese cartoons. Always exploring new worlds and stories, he finds joy in every unique style and plot twist.
