Boys Over Flowers is often recognized as one of the most popular K-dramas to date, but if audiences are yearning for more after the series is complete, there are a number of dramas that are similar and just as great. Released in 2009, Boys Over Flowers is a fantastic Korean drama that follows a young woman named Geum Jan-di who begins attending an elite private school and finds herself getting caught up with a group of wealthy boys who call themselves F4. Jan-di stands up to the boys, making them reflect on their behavior and on Jan-di herself.
There are many aspects of Boys Over Flowers that are particularly enjoyable for K-drama audiences. For one thing, it is amazing to see Jan-di knock F4 down a peg, especially when the rest of their peers are happy to let them rule the school. In general, Jan-di’s headstrong nature is exciting to watch and makes her a likable protagonist. On the other end of the spectrum, the behavior of characters like Jun-pyo creates an interesting tension in the series, especially when it comes to romance. Fortunately, Boys Over Flowers isn’t the only romance K-drama to put these tropes into action.
A Girl Discovers She’s Living In A Comic
Eun Dan-oh, a high school student, makes the shocking discovery that she is a character in a comic book, with her life and destiny controlled by the unseen author. Determined to break free from her scripted existence, she teams up with Number 13, a mysterious classmate who shares her awareness of their situation. Together, they embark on a quest to rewrite their fates, challenging the boundaries of their fictional world and confronting the emotional complexities of seeking autonomy in a predetermined reality.
- Cast
- Kim Hye-yoon , Rowoon , Lee Jae-wook , Lee Na-eun , Jung Gun-joo , Kim Young-dae , Lee Tae-ri
- Release Date
- October 2, 2019
- Seasons
- 1
At first glance, Extraordinary You seems nothing like Boys Over Flowers, but a deeper inspection shows that the two series are incredibly similar. Extraordinary You follows Dan-oh, a young woman who discovers that she and her peers are characters in a comic called Secret. Dan-oh is not only a minor character, but she is also destined to have a terrible relationship and to die of heart disease. Thus, Dan-oh endeavors to rewrite her story to find her one true love.
Those who loved the fierceness of Jan-di should definitely give
Extraordinary You
a try.
The main element that ties Boys Over Flowers to Extraordinary You is the K-dramas’ strong female protagonists. Jan-di and Dan-oh are very similar in that they both know what they want and are eager to get it. They will not let external forces drag them down, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to give themselves a happier ending than the world wants to give them. Those who loved the fierceness of Jan-di should definitely give Extraordinary You a try.
10 Secret Garden
A CEO & A Stuntwoman Fall In Love
Secret Garden is a 2010 South Korean television drama based on the classic 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The story revolves around Mary Lennox, a spoiled and selfish girl who discovers a neglected garden and, through her efforts to restore it, learns about friendship and the healing power of nature.
- Cast
- Hyun Bin , Ha Ji-Won , Yoon Sang-hyun , Kim Sa-rang , Lee Philip
- Release Date
- November 13, 2010
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator(s)
- Kim Eun-sook
Another K-drama with a vastly different premise than Boys Over Flowers is Secret Garden. This series follows Ra-im and Joo-won, a stuntwoman and a CEO who unexpectedly fall in love. Though they come from completely different worlds, they learn to understand each other and their respective backgrounds. However, their lives start to get more complicated when they begin magically switching bodies, forcing them to seriously come to terms with each other’s lives.
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The bond between Ra-im and Joo-won may be between adults with unique jobs, but their relationship is actually quite similar to that of Jan-di and Jun-pyo. Like in Secret Garden, Jan-di and Jun-pyo must look past their differences in order for their relationship to work. Not only that, but they must come to terms with how their upbringing made them into who they are, and decide to become better. Ultimately, Secret Garden shines a spotlight on Boys Over Flowers’ star-crossed romance.
9 You’re Beautiful
A Woman Poses As Her Pop Star Brother
You’re Beautiful is a South Korean television series that aired in 2009. It follows Go Mi-nyeo, a young woman who impersonates her twin brother in a popular boy band, A.N.JELL, to help him recover from a botched surgery. As she navigates the challenges of her disguise, she must balance the band’s rising fame with the complexities of her hidden identity and developing relationships.
- Cast
- Park Shin-Hye , Jang Keun-suk , Jung Yong-hwa , Lee Hong-gi
- Release Date
- November 26, 2009
- Seasons
- 1
- Writers
- Hong Jung-eun , Hong Mi-ran
- Directors
- Hong Sung-chang
For those who enjoyed the K-drama ensemble cast dynamic of Boys Over Flowers, this K-drama could be perfect for you. You’re Beautiful tells the story of Mi-nyeo, a young woman whose dream is to become a nun. However, when her twin brother is forced to travel to the U.S. for a month to fix his botched plastic surgery, Mi-nyeo is convinced to take his place in his new boy band. Mi-nyeo forms relationships with the band while also learning more about her estranged mother.
You’re Beautiful
premiered in the same year as
Boys Over Flowers.
In the same way that Jan-di grows closer to the boys of F4, Mi-nyeo becomes a genuine member of her brother’s boy band. Her bonds with each man create interesting problems in the story, especially when each band mate begins falling in love with her. Mi-nyeo must not only hold onto her identity, but she must also figure out her complicated relationships with these men, all while searching for her mother. In this way, You’re Beautiful has a very similar dynamic as Boys Over Flowers.
8 Princess Hours
A Commoner Marries A Prince
K-drama fans who thrive on drama will definitely be eager to watch Princess Hours. This series is set in an alternate Korea where the imperial family continues to reign in the 21st century. As the Crown Prince gets closer to becoming the Emperor, he is pushed to marry. Ultimately, he weds a commoner due to a long-ago deal between the Emperor and the woman’s grandfather. Though the two are seemingly incompatible at first, they eventually learn to love each other.
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Based on this premise, Princess Hours may seem pretty straightforward, but it actually gets a lot more complicated. This is actually why it is a perfect follow-up to Boys Over Flowers. Not only are the prince and the commoner very similar to Jan-di and Jun-pyo, but their messy lives are also reminiscent of the many complex dynamics between Jan-di and others at her school. Just like in Boys Over Flowers, Princess Hours presents romances and relationships that are never as obvious as they initially seem.
7 Playful Kiss
A Girl Begins Living With Her Crush
Another drama-filled K-drama is Playful Kiss. This series follows Ha-ni, a silly young woman who is obsessed with Seung-jo, the smartest and most popular boy at school. Ha-ni has no chance to be with Seung-jo, yet their dynamic quickly changes when Ha-ni and her father have to move in with Seung-jo’s family in a time of need. From there, Ha-ni’s crush becomes far more tricky.
The relationship between Ha-ni and Seung-jo seems doomed from the start, yet the two begin to see that they are more alike than they originally thought.
Although Playful Kiss lacks the many moving parts of Boys Over Flowers, this series still evokes some of the same feelings. The relationship between Ha-ni and Seung-jo seems doomed from the start, yet the two begin to see that they are more alike than they originally thought. Furthermore, the unexpected proximity of Ha-ni and Seung-jo makes their budding romance even more enticing. This K-drama is straightforward and sure to give audiences some butterflies.
6 To The Beautiful You
A High Schooler Pretends To Be A Boy To Meet Her Crush
A K-drama with a premise that is similar to You’re Beautiful is To The Beautiful You. In this series, Jae-hee is a high schooler who is often bullied for her looks. One day, she sees a track and field athlete, Tae-joon, on TV and immediately falls in love with him. From there, Jae-hee decides to pretend to be a boy in order to transfer to Tae-joon’s all-boys school and get close to him.
To the Beautiful You has a premise that leans on the unrealistic side, but that doesn’t detract from how entertaining the series is. Jae-hee’s story may be strange, but her commitment to her scheme is admirable, and it certainly leads to some interesting moments. This is yet another series which sees a young woman forming bonds with a larger group of boys, like in Boys Over Flowers, but it also has elements of She’s The Man, which makes it more unique.
5 Something About 1%
An Heir Forms A Fake Relationship With A School Teacher
For those who love a fake-dating trope, Something About 1% is a great option. This K-drama, which originated in 2003 and has a 2016 remake, is about Jae-in, an heir who must marry in order to inherit his grandfather’s fortune. Thus, he begins a fake relationship with a school teacher, who is suspicious of his intentions. Slowly but surely, the two begin to develop real feelings for each other.
Ha Seok-jin, who plays Jae-in in
Something About 1%
recently starred in the Korean game show,
The Devil’s Plan,
which streamed on Netflix.
Despite relying on different tropes, Something About 1% is similar to Boys Over Flowers because of the bond between Jae-in and Da-hyun. The pair are supposed to be having a relationship, but they don’t really like each other at the start. This leads into a sort of enemies-to-lovers storyline, which is also prevalent in Boys Over Flowers. In both shows, it is exciting to see how the couple grows from complete hatred to understanding to true love.
4 Cinderella With Four Knights
A Girl Moves In With Four Wealthy Young Men
An optimistic girl is thrown into the lives of three wealthy, handsome cousins and their aloof bodyguards when she’s hired to live in their grand mansion. Tasked with enforcing rules, she begins to influence their lives and heal their emotional wounds. Amidst the luxury and tension, romance blooms as they all vie for her affections.
- Cast
- Lee Sung-kyung , Nam Joo-hyuk , Lee Jae-yoon , Kyung Soo-jin
- Release Date
- November 16, 2016
- Seasons
- 1
- Writers
- Yang Hee-seung
- Directors
- Oh Hyun-jong
- Creator(s)
- Yang Hee-seung
One K-drama that is often compared to Boys Over Flowers is Cinderella WIth Four Knights. This show follows Ha-won, a young woman who is in dire straits after her mother dies and her step-mother steals her college tuition money. Ha-won’s only hope comes when a rich heir offers to take her in, leading her to move into his mansion with his three grandsons and their handsome bodyguard. Ha-won suddenly finds herself in the middle of a messy love quadrangle.
Cinderella With Four Knights is yet another K-drama with a pretty fantastical premise, yet it is successful in being fun, flirtatious, and entertaining. Once again, this is a show that sees a young woman stuck between several men, while also trying to pursue her own desires in life. Though Cinderella With Four Knights may lack more serious topics, it definitely evokes the same drama and romantic issues as Boys Over Flowers.
3 What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?
A CEO Tries To Keep His Secretary From Quitting
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? (2018) is a South Korean television series that follows the life of Lee Young-joon, a narcissistic vice-chairman of a major corporation, and his highly capable secretary, Kim Mi-so. After nine years of dedicated service, Kim Mi-so decides to resign from her position, prompting Lee Young-joon to uncover the reasons behind her decision while discovering more about their intertwined pasts.
- Cast
- Park Seo-joon , Park Min-young , Lee Tae-hwan , Kim Beyong-ok , Baek Eun-hye , Heo Sun-mi , Jo Deok-hyun
- Release Date
- June 6, 2018
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator(s)
- Jung Kyung-yoon , Park Joon-hwa
One of the most recent series that draws parallels to Boys Over Flowers is the K-drama, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? The K-drama follows Young-joon, a vice-chairman who is astonished when his highly capable and loyal secretary, Mi-so, suddenly quits. Lost without her help, Young-joon decides he will do anything to get her back, leading him and Mi-so to discover his secret feelings and his dark past.
Young-joon has the same wealthy and arrogant personality as Jun-pyo, while Mi-so is just as headstrong and capable as Jan-di.
If there was ever a K-drama couple that was like Boys Over Flowers’ Jan-di and Jun-pyo, it is the main couple of What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? Young-joon has the same wealthy and arrogant personality as Jun-pyo, while Mi-so is just as headstrong and capable as Jan-di. Though the setting and premise is quite different, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim follows many of the same patterns as Boys Over Flowers, just in a more modern package.
2 The Heirs
Wealthy High Schoolers Struggle With Love & Responsibility
The Heirs: This South Korean drama follows the lives of privileged high school students as they navigate love, friendship, and familial expectations. The series intertwines personal and social conflicts, highlighting the distinction between wealth and true happiness in a world where power and inheritance dictate their futures.
- Cast
- Park Shin-Hye , Lee Min-ho , Kim Woo-bin , Kim Ji-won , Kang Min-hyuk , Choi Jin-hyuk , Krystal Jung , Kang Ha-neul , Park Hyung-sik , Choi Tae-hwan , Jeon Soo-jin , Hwang Bo-Mi , Jo Yoon-woo , Yang Seung-Pil , Jeong Dong-hwan , Kim Mi-kyeong , Choi Jin-ho , Choi Won-young , Im Joo-eun , Kim Sung-ryung , Park Joon-geum , Seo Yi-sook , Lee Yeon-kyung , Jung Won-joong , Ra Mi-ran , Choi Eun-kyeong , Baek Seung-hyeon , Kim Seung-wook , Yoon Son-ha , Moon Ah-ram , Jung Ga-ram , Chanwoo
- Release Date
- October 9, 2013
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Amazon Freevee , Netflix
- Writers
- Kim Eun-sook
- Directors
- Kang Shin-hyo , Boo Sung-chul
- Creator(s)
- Kim Eun-sook
Finally, there is The Heirs. The series follows Tan, a rich heir who is engaged to be married and preparing to take over the family business. However, his whole life plan is disrupted when he meets Eun-sang, a beautiful young woman seeking out her sister. Suddenly, Tan must figure out if his love for Eun-sang is strong enough to change the entire course of his life, especially when other suitors start vying for her as well.
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The Heirs has a very similar tone and style as Boys Over Flowers. There are rich teenagers, love triangles, and characters who must choose between love and responsibility. The struggles of Tan have commonalities with those of Jun-pyo and the other boys of F4. Though the lives of these wealthy characters may not be super relatable, they are incredibly intriguing to watch. Of course, like Boys Over Flowers, audiences will find themselves rooting for this K-drama’s happily ever after.
Boys Over Flowers is a 2009 South Korean television series based on the Japanese manga of the same name. The show follows Geum Jan-di, a courageous but impoverished girl who receives a scholarship to attend a prestigious high school. There, she encounters the infamous F4, a group of wealthy and influential boys, leading to complex relationships and social conflicts. The series stars Koo Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum, and Kim Joon.
- Cast
- Kyo Hye-sun , Lee Min-ho , Kim Hyun-joong , Kim Bum , Kim Joon
- Release Date
- January 5, 2009
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator(s)
- Jeon Ki-sang , Yoon Ji-ryun , Yoko Kamio
