Mood-o-meter: Butterflies
Getting tired of the overload of thrillers lately? Then here are some of my best recommendations for heart-fluttering titles that had me rooting for my fav couples and will be sure to give you butterflies in the stomach. Note: All of these dramas give you butterflies, so I haven't mentioned that in the comments on each.
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1. 20th Century Girl
Korean Movie - 2022
I know.. I know.. Sad ending, I get it. Before you close this list, hear me out- I haven't blushed this hard the entire year. If you're looking for sudden breath holding, smiling like crazy, wanting to be the feamle lead, and all other crazy stuff, here's your title (psst.. it's better than drugs).
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2. Business Proposal
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
It's the pitch perfect rom-com with the pitch perfect arcs for lead couple and (excessively hot) second lead couple, with a pitch perfect blend of new humour, butterflies, warm-cozy-fuzzy feelings and chaebol (and secretary) hotness. What can I say, such dramas are actually only made once a year.
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3. Adult Trainee
Korean Drama - 2021, 7 episodes
Ughhh for the tension in that Ryeoun arc in ep 3, 4 & 5. If I tell you that once you watch the trailer you WILL be excited to watch this? 100 bucks if I'm wrong. All eps bring together such real-life like teenage stories that are spot-on with the reaction they were aiming for. Such an intense mix of all the cute emotions. MUST WATCH!!
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4. Gaus Electronics
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
I wierdly didn't like the main lead arc, I preferred the second lead arc. Maybe I was expecting more from the enemies-to-lovers genre, which was prolly the first in kdramas in the office setting. But, I was in it till the end for the entertainment factor. Great characters, light drama, easy watch.
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5. 18 Again
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Oh this was a breeze. Ngl, I did skip a few parts but just Jongeui with the two guys into her, with the protective 40-something turned 18 dad - my heart just couldn't handle. Overall, there are many beautiful relationships healed. And, obviously, wouldn't you watch it for Lee DoHyun alone? I mean that man is everything.
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6. 100% Era
Korean Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
I don't remember much of this drama, but I remember how it made me feel. It made me feel a wierd sense of restraint and then breaking free from it. Its this world where students are close to and always strive for 100% in everything they do. Just this really beautiful blossoming love in the middle of all of that rigidness is immensely satisfying and releases a wierd knot in your heart you never knew you had.
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7. Dear.M
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
In my notes for this drama, I had written that I could rewatch it but only for the Haneul and Jimin plot line and not others. I guess that still remains somewhat true, because the others don't make much sense. But I included this cuz godddd Haneul and Jimin's plotline. I've never ached so much over a breakup or been happier once they're together again. Cozy college romance I never knew I needed.
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8. Before We Get Married
Taiwanese Drama - 2019, 13 episodes
Okay, this one's a bit different. Listen, I absolutely loved this to death when I first saw it (I think I was biased because Jasper Liu was trending back then), then I saw better dramas but this still holds a special place. All my friends tho, hated it. Its about infidelity, which as a theme, interests me. As compared to other asian dramas about infidelity, this one gets the crown. If you're not bothered about the theme, then there's definitely loads of steamy skinship and heart-racing moments you don't want to miss out on.
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9. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
I don't even have to say anything. Ya'll already know about this one. The flawless-summery-beachy-giddy-breezy drama of the year 2021. Like I don't know why I included this here, you should have already seen this given how good this is. No more words.
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10. Love Alarm
Korean Drama - 2019, 8 episodes
Now this one, very controversial season 2 which is not on the list because I could not get myself to watch it when I knew how badly it would end. On the brighter side, the season 1, you must watch. I'm all for Song Kang in these mysterious-cold-bad boy vibes he's been giving lately. Quite a unique plot. 2019 is old age for a drama so I've forgotten everything but I still see some edits of this drama so here.
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11. It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
If you had decided not to watch this when it came around first, now's your chance to watch it because who would not want to watch such a mushy drama with such a godly cast and such amazing direction and such a comforting lingering feeling (just like the poster). The fact that its #18 on the top shows as of now, says a lot.
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12. More Than Friends
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
I'm not sure if you'll find the butterflies here but I added this cuz it depends. Depends on if you like the plot of this girl waiting on her crush for like several years. I could relate (T - T) but the entire time I was like this fine as hell second lead is right in front of you, WAITING FOR YOU!! The male lead is also notorious for making her wait so long only to finally realize his feeling way after. But if that's your thing, go ahead. Not judging at all, because I can understand why this would be nice to watch for people who love the angst and passion of it all.
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13. Nevertheless,
Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
Do I need to say something? You get it right? Do you- you get it. I know you do. Anyways, "Nabi bureo gallae?" (Want to go see butterflies?)
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14. Romance, Talking
Korean Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
Really nice unique plot which I unfortunately don't remember but I remember thinking this was new and I remember loving it. I'm so sorry for my long term memory loss but you'll love this if you liked any of my recommendations.
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15. Shanai Marriage Honey
Japanese Drama - 2020, 7 episodes
This is very fluffy, very cute, absolutely 100% love it, almost gave it a 10. We need more of the fake marriage-to-lovers plot!!! Its one of the few japanese dramas I liked.
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16. Tempted
Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes
This was a ride, it was intense, story just like After, the english series, but you'll like it if you like a teasing-dashing-cunning male lead and dilemma romance stories. I fell in love with Woo Do Hwan after this, I think he got popular after this one, wasn't it? Don't like a lot of the acting tho but works.
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17. Todome no Kiss
Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes
What even did I watch? It had me questioning my choice at the end of every ep. Its funny to begin with then gets repetitive (cuz its a time loop drama duh), but by the end, when you understand a lot of the world building and backstory and everything, you experience a romance and plot so interesting, you will not sleep for the next few days, trust me.
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18. True Beauty
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Again should I say something? Haven't you already seen all too many edits for this one drama? TEAM SEOJUN FOREVER!!! >:P
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19. U-Prince: The Single Lawyer
Thai Drama - 2017, 4 episodes
If u haven't seen the U-Prince series, what are you doing in dramaland? Maybe its cuz you're new. Let me introduce you to the very first dramas I got into when exploring thai drama space. Back then this was like finding the holy grail. There are more dramas in the series you could explore. All have various characters, themed around different college departments and some really really cute romance.
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20. The Mermaid Prince: The Beginning
Korean Drama - 2020, 10 episodes
You would probably remember the first and last thing you saw on this list and so I kept it last- so that you would remember this is the one drama I need you to watch. It's rated a 10 by me! It's the prequel to " The Mermaid Prince', although that doesn't really matter; you can watch both seperately. Just have a look at the cast and then tell me you don't feel like watching it.