Favorite Non-Rom-Com Dramas
A list of my favorite series and movies that are not explicitly Rom-Coms. While I really like series and movies without romance, not all of these series are actually romance-free, but they present relationships that I absolutely adore and whose importance does not take the center-spot in the series or movie.
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1. Prison Playbook
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
A prison dramedy. I actually like the side characters more than the main characters, overall a lot of interesting personalities and stories.
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2. Swing Kids
Korean Movie - 2018
A weird, confusing semi-musical about the Korean War
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3. Move to Heaven
Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
Heartwarming stories, I recommend this to absolutely anyone!
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4. Save Me
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Cult thriller, one of my first non-romance dramas and an absolute spine-tingler!
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5. The Bad Kids
Chinese Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
Murder mystery with kids as the main cast, best Chinese series I've seen!
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6. Mad Dog
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Action (spy) thriller! One of my absolute favorites, even if very cliché at times.
I live for Kim Min Joon and Jang Ha Ri <3
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7. Defendant
Korean Drama - 2017, 18 episodes
Very thrilling law mystery series! Ji Sung's acting abilities keep surprising me!
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8. Coin Locker Girl
Korean Movie - 2015
Action crime thriller, made me emotional!
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9. Parasite
Korean Movie - 2019
If you haven't seen this yet, you should!
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10. Imawa no Kuni no Alice
Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
Fantasy sci-fi death-game thriller! Great action and storyline!
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11. Happiness
Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
A somewhat more calm and contained look at a zombie apocalypse, with a lovely friendship between the main couple (goals!) and very down-to-earth action and fight scenes. So far one of my 2021 favorites!
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12. Sweet Home
Korean Drama - 2020, 10 episodes
Based on the webtoon by the same name, which I'm an avid fan of. Awesome characters and very interesting aesthetic, though the pacing is a bit slow, especially in the beginning.
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13. When the Weather Is Fine
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Definitely has romance in it, but I find it so uniquely charming and heartwarming, it made me fall in love with winter all over again. All of the characters are so freaking lovable and interesting!
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14. Go Ahead
Chinese Drama - 2020, 46 episodes
Very much a romance drama, but I enjoy the all-over family story just as much as the actual romance
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15. Sweet Bean
Japanese Movie - 2015
I'm a huge fan of the book, a very heatwarming movie about life and friendship at different ages
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16. Real
Korean Movie - 2017
Sci-Fi movie with amazing aesthetic!