Love stories that I actually enjoyed
If you look at my stats you can see that Romance is the genre that I watch the most. But do I enjoy most of them? Nope... My favorite genre is mystery/detective/philosophical (if that exist).
So I have gathered my favorite romance stories that where actually worth my time. This means that it could be interesting way to see love, just really nice love story, or a dynamic that I don't see often. I will be listing movies and series. Also the rating in that film will not matter, but I believe that the ones I have rated highest are also the love stories that I liked the most. But sometimes some other things made the film likeable and the love story itself don't have anything to do with anything.
I wish I found more stories that really focused on the concept of love. I want to find different answers to the question what is love (but this list isn't really enough to answer that...)
I have change it to be in random order!! (It was difficult to differentiate between so many different concepts)
And as always I should include some series/movies outside of Asia:
- Sex Education (it has many awesome love stories. I find the way love was written really realistic -Warning: Sex scenes)
- Vita & Virginia (2018) - It's a really odd story of a romance and maybe about finding yourself and one another.
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1. Raise de wa Chanto Shimasu
Japanese Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
I loved how they talked about love!! One of those which has many answers to the question "what is love"
I find this kind of similar to the Netflix series called Sex Education (probably because they both have many answers to the question "what is love"). SO if you enjoyed that one you might enjoy this one. But in this one instead of school they are in a office.
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2. Raise de wa Chanto Shimasu 2
Japanese Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
Kind of unfair to just but the second season here as it's own thing, but just wanted to point out that it has a second season :3!! Also feel free not to watch this second season because the first one was made well as it's own (like I was kind of surprised that it had a second season, but so happy that it was well made). This one just continues the story and deepens your bond with the characters.
(the specials where also nice if you want extra content of the major and minor characters!!)I truly recommend these because they are so chill and kind of wholesome!! :>
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3. Like in the Movies
Filipino Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
To me this is really personal one... I know what it feels like to love someone deeply, but not being ready to show it to the world. But I have also heard how hard it can be to fall in love with someone who isn't sure. It's a big pressure to try to figure yourself out but also try to help your partner with it.
This series was so great! It shows the pressure but also the liberation of accepting who you are. And I liked the message that it's ok to take your time, but also it's ok to not have to hide it.
The OST was AMAZING! -
4. Kimi wa Petto
Japanese Drama - 2003, 10 episodes
Hardly ever you actually see this dynamic.
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5. Fallen Angels
Hong Kong Movie - 1995
I love all the love stories in this movie! They are really messy and raw.
WARNING: masturbation scenes
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6. The Painter of the Wind
Korean Drama - 2008, 20 episodes
not the main ship, but just the main girl and the other girl actually had one of the most awesome love stories ;__; (if you count it as a love story...)
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7. Poison Berry in My Brain
Japanese Movie - 2015
sometimes it's all about the timing... I guess this also talks about communication?
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8. Saebit Boys' High School Council
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
One of the greatest love triangle there is
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9. Healer
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
I feel like this has one of my favorite romances of all the time. I was so calm and nice. Also this drama tries to hint into love triangle but I didn't really see that.
(SPOILER: I didn't really understand how the movie theater scene was romantic and I was just laughing about it the whole time, but oh well xD. Also I never really understood why fl liked the ml...)
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10. Moonlight Chicken
Thai Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
I love the reality in this. The pair talked about everything. There was some messy stories that showed us how painful love can be, and I even thing someone said "is it love if it dosen't hurt?", but maybe that was some other series xDD.
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11. Because This is My First Life
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
The love stories in here are really refreshing and I liked how they talked about relationships (I really loved the little story from a book about the woman who likes to have time away from her family).
(also as a person who takes recycling really seriously I find it nice that it had an important part in the story xD) -
12. Kieta Hatsukoi
Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
Not sure if the relationship is that noteworthy to me (I mean it was really nice :3), but I especially enjoyed Ida's way of seeing love. Kind of reaches the question of 'what is love?'.
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13. Zettai Kareshi
Japanese Drama - 2008, 11 episodes
I really liked who the girl ended up with. To me the romance progression felt really realistic. It felt believable (even when the story itself is really out there xD).
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14. Hyena
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Just here for the dynamic 'xD
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15. One More Happy Ending
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
I feel like also in this the love triangle was done in an interesting way.
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16. Koi Senu Futari
Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
ok... I haven't complited it yet. But If this dosen't belong here, nothing does.
Like what is love? What is the difference between love between friends and love between lovers? (okay I'm not sure if this drama answers that question, but it's an interesting question ':D I will ubdate this text once I have complited this)
I know this drama is not a romance, but it belongs here!!!!