And They Were *SURPRISE* Childhood Friends
A list of dramas where the main characters met or were friends as children, but one of them or both are either unaware, forgot, or were estranged. Dramas where they continue to best friends or connected(ex. Bad Buddy, Exclusive Fairytale) will not included. Dramas where they were seperated but both fully remember and recognize their past will also not be included(ex. Jun & Jun). In order to be included on this list there must be some sort of element of surprise. I will also being including instances with bigger age gaps as well. List and comments contains some SPOILERS.
I think that this is a rather funny and weird trope used to establish a notion of destined lovers or justify their connection, even though it often does little to impact the overall plot.
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1. 1000 Years Old
Thai Drama - 2024, 12 episodes
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2. Alien
Korean Movie - 2022
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3. Alien + People: Part 2
Korean Movie - 2024
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4. Castaway Diva
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
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5. Cooking Crush: Uncut Version
Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
Neither is aware. Quickly, revealed to MCs.
Although quickly acknowledged by both, they didn't realize they met first as children at Prem's Grandmother's resturant.
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6. Dap Saengrawi
Thai Movie - 2023
Neither is aware. Quickly, revealed to MCs.
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7. Healer
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
Neither are aware. Revealed to MCs.
Main characters parents were friends and they were childhood friends. However, FL loses her memories and ML doesn't make the connection. Parent's backstory and their bond is used as a driving force for the story and romance.
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8. Hotel del Luna
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Neither are aware. Not revealed to MCs.
Main characters met as children in their first life. Neither are aware. Used to make up for the misdirection(SPOILER, IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW) and establish "fated lovers" trope.
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9. It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
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10. Kimi Wa Petto
Japanese Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Only one is aware.
Less of childhood friends, but more of FL lead met ML when he was a child. ML realizes the connection eventually during the show.
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11. La Pluie
Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
Neither are aware. Revealed to MCs.
Main characters live next to each other exchanging notes and messages of encouragement without knowing each other's identities. Used to establish more romance especially considering the soulmate concept of the show. Deeper use than most on this list as it connects to both of character's struggles and growth.
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12. Lovely Writer
Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
Only one is aware. Revealed to MCs.
Main characters were childhood best friends as they get older they become estranged. When they meet again only one of them is aware. Major plotline as some deception was used and lack of communication.
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13. Meeting You
Chinese Drama - 2020, 28 episodes
Neither is aware. Quickly, revealed to MCs.
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14. Meow, the Secret Boy
Korean Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
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15. Minato Shouji Coin Laundry
Japanese Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
Only one is aware. Revealed to MCs.
Main characters meet as teenager and child, respectively. Younger character remembers and older character does not recognize him.
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16. Mu Ai Guo Hou
Chinese Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
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17. Naughty Babe
Thai Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
Only one is aware. Revealed to MC.
Main character forgets his childhood memories and when they first met. Used to establish tension and stakes between MLs.
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18. Nightly Photo Studio
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
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19. Oh My Assistant
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
Only one is aware. Not revealed to MC.
One of the main characters had a crush on the other in high school. Only one is aware.
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20. See You in My 19th Life
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
Only one is aware. Revealed to MCs.
FL remembers past life where they were childhood friends. Used a driving force for the plot and is the whole motivation for romance and FL's actions
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21. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Neither is aware.
FL saved ML in high school. ML does't immediately recognize her and FL doesn't make the connection.
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22. The King's Affection
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
Neither is aware. Revealed to MCs.
Main characters fall in love as children, but are seperated when FL has to pretend to be her twin brother. Served as a theme and secret throughout. Used to explain why ML falls in love with FL despite class differences and the belief that she is a man.
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23. The Sign
Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
Neither is aware. Quickly, revealed to MCs.
Main leads met as children when Tharn saved Phaya from drowning. This is also implied as a destined meeting.
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24. The Story of Hua Zhi
Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes
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25. Tomorrow
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Only one is aware. Revealed to MCs.
FL and her "love interest" met as children in her first life. Love interest has no memory of their first life. One of my favorite uses of the trope. While they met as children in their first life, they proceed to get married as adults. Show is not really a romance, but their episode of their past life is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Decided to include this because the love interest lost the memory of it.
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26. Triage
Thai Drama - 2022, 13 episodes
Neither is aware. Revealed to MCs.
Met as children and one male lead saved the other from drowning.
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27. Wat is er aan de hand met secretaresse Kim?
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
One is not aware. Revealed to MCs.
Major storyline is their connection in childhood as they promised to marry eachother. FL is not aware of her childhood friend's idenity. Used for dramatic effect and to drive "fated romance" trope.
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28. Watashitachi wa Douka Shiteiru
Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
Only one is aware. Revealed to MCs.
FL lead is aware, but ML is not. Trope is used to establish tension as ML has a grudge against her hidden idenity.
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29. When the Camellia Blooms
Korean Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
Neither are aware. Not revealed to MCs.
Main characters meet as babies. Used to highlight the hypocrisy of the societal standards that is the main obstacle to the romance.
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30. While You Were Sleeping
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
Neither is aware.
Meet as children at a funeral home. Used to explain fortune telling mechanism in the story.
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31. Yan Yu Fu
Chinese Drama - 2022, 34 episodes
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32. Zhang Le Qu
Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes