Sad & Bad Endings ( 。•̀ ᴖ •́。)

Warning: Spoilers in the comments (WIP)

There are more that did not hit that I'm forgetting…

My rankings start from unhappy endings, heartbreaking deaths, and rage inducing twists, down thru irritating 3rd act temporary breaks-ups and time jumps, shoehorned plot nonsense, rushed resolutions, and dramas that just kinda petter out and end with a whimper...

To masochistically watch later: Our Movie, U & Everything Else, Mr Sunshine, Red Sleeve, Judge f Hell, Snowdrop, Even if T Luv Disappears f t World Tonight (2022), Move 2 Heaven, Eternal Love, Us & Them, 25 21, Youth of May, Crowned Clown, Light in Ur Eyes, Legends, A Journey 2 U, Smile H Left Ur Eyes, 1 & Only, Scarlet Heart, My Name, Princess Wei Young, Gu Family Book, Legend o Yun Xi, Strangers f Hell, Falling into U 2020, Yumis Cells, Memorist, Stranger, Hymn o Death, Rev o Others, Stairway 2 Heaven, Bossam:S, Rattan, Tale o Nokdu, Big Mouth, Heartbeat, Everybody Luvs M, Wolf, Atypical Fam, Way Back Love, Summertime, Scandal o Chun Hwa, Memory, Hymn o Death, Hi Bye Mama! Partners f Justice, Good Bye M Princess, 49 Days, Autumn in M Tale, T Winter t Wind Blows, W t Devil Calls Ur Name, Let M B Ur Knight, T Guest, Song o Glory, City o Streamer, King's Woman, Lost Track o Time, Before W Get Married, I'm Sorry I Hope U, Maid's Rev, Monthly Magazine Home, Supervisor Husband, Imperial Doctress, Tree o Heaven, Siege in Fog, Beauty o Resilience, Dear Liar, I Will Never Let U Go, A Luv 2 Kill, Circle o Luv, What Happened in Bali, Addicted, Homme Fatale, Now We R Breaking Up, Embrace Love, Broker, Moorim School, Method, Destiny's Luv, Buried City 2 Shut All Lights, Demon Girl, Murky Stream, Island,

A Life Time Luv Chinese dramas with bad endings (109 shows)  Cdramas with sad ending, open ending or unsatisfied ending (56 shows)  Worst Ending Ever (111 shows)  Sad/Tragic Endings (95 shows)  K-Dramas with bad or disappointing ending (10 shows)  Sad Ending/ Open ending BLs (58 shows) 

Carleigh_Barleigh Nov 21, 2025
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  • Decision to Leave

    1. Decision to Leave

    Korean Movie - 2022

    9.0
  • KPop Demon Hunters

    2. KPop Demon Hunters

    Movie - 2025

    9.5

    MCD! Oh my gawd I cannot believe Jinu got the Ben Solo treatment… I NEED stories of living redemption I am so tired! 

    *a few tremendous, soul-crushed sighs later* 

    I’m going to come back here to give my TEDtalk and share lots of video essays

  • Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

    3. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

    Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

    9.0

    MCDs and heartbreak wow what a depressing ass drama... I mean I love the cast of characters and the chemistry between them, but goddamn that tragic ending... plus it felt rushed to the point of confusion

  • Even if This Love Disappears Tonight

    4. Even if This Love Disappears Tonight

    Korean Movie - 2025

    9.0

    MCD--I literally woke up the house bawling lol 

    But I forgive it for poignantly exploring the enduring nature of love beyond loss gaaa oh no I'm gonna start crying againnnnnnn 

  • Past Lives

    5. Past Lives

    Korean Movie - 2023

    9.5

    Wonderful film. Rip my heart out sad ending. 

  • Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

    6. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

    Taiwanese Movie - 2000

    10

    I’M SO UPSET

    MCD

    AND ALSO WTF

    WHATEVER

    ITS A PERFECT FILM

    TT

  • In the Mood for Love

    7. In the Mood for Love

    Hong Kong Movie - 2000

    10

    Hauntingly beautiful film with an ending that aches. 

  • 20th Century Girl

    8. 20th Century Girl

    Korean Movie - 2022

    8.0

    MCD & eye roll at this sadistic plot twist boo this did NOT hit for me

  • When the Phone Rings

    9. When the Phone Rings

    Korean Drama - 2024, 12 episodes

    8.0

    So unnecessary wtf?? I mean, I still recommend watching this cuz it’s an odd but exciting ride; however, geez the finale just gets ridiculous out of nowhere lmao 

  • Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart! Special Episode

    10. Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart! Special Episode

    Thai Special - 2025, 1 episode

    7.5

    WTF... MCD sike! If this never gets a sequel what a joke... I don't even recommend watching this special, unless you're morbidly curious lol

  • Tempest

    11. Tempest

    Korean Drama - 2025, 9 episodes

    8.0

    Exciting thriller ended a bit anticlimactic, and then no HEA boo! I still recommend this drama cuz the leads have superb chemistry.

  • My Dearest Assassin

    12. My Dearest Assassin

    Thai Movie - 2026

    8.0

    MCD boooo let them live happily ever after!

  • Kill Me Love Me

    13. Kill Me Love Me

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 32 episodes

    8.0

    MCD but this shit's so angsty start-to-finish that a HEA would feel out of place... but I wanted it anyway

  • Till the End of the Moon

    14. Till the End of the Moon

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes

    9.0

    Peters out and then no happily ever after booooo this was so fantastical I feel like it was just an unnecessarily mean decision to not give them a HEA… I still loved it tho

  • Mr. Queen

    15. Mr. Queen

    Korean Drama - 2020, 20 episodes

    9.0

    Let them live happily ever after boooo

  • Hotel del Luna

    16. Hotel del Luna

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    9.0

    MCDs that are sad but beautiful… I’m honestly so bratty without a HEA lol

  • What's Wrong with Secretary Kim

    17. What's Wrong with Secretary Kim

    Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

    9.0

    Starts so strong! Got so convoluted... The mystery plays out ridiculously... And all the memory bs... But gaaa the chemistry between the leads makes this a favorite rewatcher, well at least the main leads’ scenes hahaha

  • True Beauty

    18. True Beauty

    Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

    9.0

    stupid 3rd act break up and time jump, but still one of my fast-forward-to-my-favorite-parts rewatcher

  • Crash Landing on You

    19. Crash Landing on You

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    10

    Happy ending for our main leads thank gawd, but not for our 2nd couple because of MCD that felt gratuitous... it’s so freaking sad! This is my favorite drama I love to recommend to newbies& I think a trigger warning is absolutely needed, unlike the killing off of Seung Jun! Why??!?

  • Our Sticky Love

    20. Our Sticky Love

    Korean Drama - 2026, 12 episodes

    8.5

    I cannot believe he just fucking shot himself. Oh. My. God. MCD. Redemption was RIGHT THERE! BOO!

    Sweet, sappy HEA for our leads though

  • Strong Girl Nam Soon

    21. Strong Girl Nam Soon

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    7.5

    MCDs booooo I wanted living redemption for both these beautiful baddies...

  • Uncontrollably Fond

    22. Uncontrollably Fond

    Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

    8.0

    On-hold? Probs dropped

    MCD but it's like the whole plot, why did I even start this, I musta been in quite an emo mood lol one of my only dropped dramas, please let me know if you think it's worth finishing cuz I most likely will not

  • Behind Your Touch

    23. Behind Your Touch

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    8.0

    Meh do I even want them to get together??? Justice for the second male lead! Unsatisfying finale to say the least… only a meh drama… except the female lead is hilarious and so is the premise lmao

  • Still Shining

    24. Still Shining

    Korean Drama - 2026, 10 episodes

    7.5

    Not only did this drop off quickly after it’s initial cute beginning, but I stuck around thinking it would be worth seeing them get a happy ending… NOPE skippable

  • Forecasting Love and Weather

    25. Forecasting Love and Weather

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    7.0

    That I finished this stinker shows my love for Park Min-Young lmao

  • Sold Out on You

    26. Sold Out on You

    Korean Drama - 2026, 12 episodes

    7.5

    Petered out pretty quick and was hard to finish… plus an annoying break up n make, this drama didn’t hit for me

  • A Good Day to Be a Dog

    27. A Good Day to Be a Dog

    Korean Drama - 2023, 14 episodes

    8.0

    Petered out bad before it’s HEA that I don’t really even remember how the mystery got wrapped up oops… meh drama but I must watch every Cha Eun-woo is in so… lol

  • Best Choice Ever

    28. Best Choice Ever

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 37 episodes

    8.0

    Peters out and drags on… skippable drama unless you love the main actors like me

  • Ancient Love Poetry

    29. Ancient Love Poetry

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 49 episodes

    8.0

    Get on with it! And then so anticlimactic! What’s hilarious is I already know I have more mediocre dramas in my future cuz I MUST watch everything Xu Kai stars in lmao

  • Train to Busan

    30. Train to Busan

    Korean Movie - 2016

    9.5

    Zombies so MCDs obviously 

    so sad so good

  • Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

    31. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

    Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

    9.0

    MCDs galore, but then HEAs for all. Goblin lives up to the hype, the angst is so worth it! 

  • Bon Appetit, Your Majesty

    32. Bon Appetit, Your Majesty

    Korean Drama - 2025, 12 episodes

    8.5

    Boo forced separation time skip! Especially cuz we didn't get to watch our hilarious male lead traveling to the future, freaking people out, and figuring out modern shit! Where's the classic makeover montage?? So much wasted potential and a blink 'n miss it reunion...

  • Can This Love Be Translated?

    33. Can This Love Be Translated?

    Korean Drama - 2026, 12 episodes

    8.5

    Really feels like we skip over the climax... And jumped straight to a quick get back together.

    Seemed very… 

    “Bye!”

    *Blink*

    “Hi!” 

    I would have loved to spend more time with our female lead’s final arc character growth… 

    Plus, unsatisfying endings bug me extra because I’m a sappy sucker who can easily overlook a clumsy wrap up and be appeased with just a big ol’ kiss!

  • Meteor Garden

    34. Meteor Garden

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 50 episodes

    8.5

    Starts so strong so fun. I love it, but lmao wow does it get silly and it has an annoying forced-separation time jump

  • Boys over Flowers

    35. Boys over Flowers

    Korean Drama - 2009, 25 episodes

    8.0

    Every version of this gets better... F4 is amazing! Excited to see where its adapted next ><

  • Boys over Flowers

    36. Boys over Flowers

    Japanese Drama - 2005, 9 episodes

    8.0

    Got weird. I kinda blocked it out lol there’s a talent show right?

  • A Korean Odyssey

    37. A Korean Odyssey

    Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes

    8.5

    Petered a bit and please just let them ride off into the sunset happily ever after! TT

  • Doona!

    38. Doona!

    Korean Drama - 2023, 9 episodes

    8.0

    Boo! I prefer unambiguous happy endings! Gimme a HEA…

  • Alice in Borderland Season 2

    39. Alice in Borderland Season 2

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    8.0

    WTF cliffhanger 

  • Alchemy of Souls

    40. Alchemy of Souls

    Korean Drama - 2022, 20 episodes

    9.0

    MCD & cliffhanger…

  • Destined with You

    41. Destined with You

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    8.0

    Petered out, meh resolution to the mystery

  • Weak Hero Class 1

    42. Weak Hero Class 1

    Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    8.5

    su hooooo TT what a cliffhanger... Season 3 when??

  • Speed and Love

    43. Speed and Love

    Chinese Drama - 2025, 29 episodes

    8.0

    Ridiculously long break up and time jump then drags on with misunderstandings and petters out a bit before wrapping up into nice little HEA bow

  • She and Her Perfect Husband

    44. She and Her Perfect Husband

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 40 episodes

    8.0

    Totally unnecessary, last second break up ’n make up with a unsatisfactory reunion...

  • Love Game in Eastern Fantasy

    45. Love Game in Eastern Fantasy

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 32 episodes

    8.5

    Petered out and the long awaited explanation is meh

  • Master's Sun

    46. Master's Sun

    Korean Drama - 2013, 17 episodes

    8.5

    MULTIPLE break ups and time jumps… their get together is preposterously dragged out (◔_◔)

  • Doctor Slump

    47. Doctor Slump

    Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes

    8.0

    Drags and petters… anticlimactic, but HEA

  • King the Land

    48. King the Land

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    8.5

    Adorable start but loses steam and peters out… PLUS a stupid, unnecessary last minute separation

  • Suspicious Partner

    49. Suspicious Partner

    Korean Drama - 2017, 40 episodes

    8.5

    Multiple adorable couples with HEAs, but kinda anticlimactically petered out… plus stupid break up n make up and time jumps, before lackluster HEA sorry to sound harsh… this is a cute drama!

  • Secret Garden

    50. Secret Garden

    Korean Drama - 2010, 20 episodes

    8.5

    Petered and fuck that mom so bad, still love this drama tho

  • Bad Buddy

    51. Bad Buddy

    Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

    8.5

    Just let them live happily ever after!

  • Sh**ting Stars

    52. Sh**ting Stars

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    8.5

    Peters out, meh second half, but HEA

  • Ashes of Love

    53. Ashes of Love

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 63 episodes

    9.0

    Love this drama so much cuz it’s an early one for me, but petered out and got frustrating before the cute HEA

  • Dynamite Kiss

    54. Dynamite Kiss

    Korean Drama - 2025, 14 episodes

    8.0

    Petered out and gets silly with last minute fun, tropey shenanigans but cute stuff

  • Love in Contract

    55. Love in Contract

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    8.0

    Love it’s tropeness so much but it really drops off… still a  cute HEA tho

  • In Your Radiant Season

    56. In Your Radiant Season

    Korean Drama - 2026, 12 episodes

    8.5

    Drawn out angsty, misunderstanding overreactions lead to an infuriating, separation and time jump before HEA, but of course that’s how this trope-filled melodrama would wrap up lol Great drama!

  • Love between Lines

    57. Love between Lines

    Chinese Drama - 2026, 28 episodes

    9.0

    Meh just kinda anticlimactic but cute HEA

  • Her Private Life

    58. Her Private Life

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    9.0

    Such a bummer the ending gets kinda boring… this is still a favorite rewatcher for me, skipping more and more as I get towards the end

  • Witch's Romance

    59. Witch's Romance

    Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes

    8.0

    Cliche break n make-up before HEA. Meh. Cute.

  • My Royal Nemesis

    60. My Royal Nemesis

    Korean Drama - 2026, 14 episodes

    8.0

    Petered out with meh resolution to crazy set up…

  • Healer

    61. Healer

    Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes

    9.0

    a bit meh cuz it’s such a great drama that I’d really gotten invested in the intrigue, nice HEA though

  • Splash Splash Love

    62. Splash Splash Love

    Korean Drama - 2015, 2 episodes

    8.0

    Sad then sike! Potential for a HEA with reincarnated ML. I prefer unambiguous happy endings lol

  • Moonlit Reunion

    63. Moonlit Reunion

    Chinese Drama - 2025, 38 episodes

    8.5

    Meh, underwhelming but still a cute HEA

  • My Love from the Star

    64. My Love from the Star

    Korean Drama - 2013, 21 episodes

    8.5

    Petered out but cute HEA

  • Doom at Your Service

    65. Doom at Your Service

    Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

    8.5

    Petters out and drags but cut happy ending

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