What to Watch When You Want to Cry

Fated To Love You – An unconventional rom-com that stars Jang Hyuk as an over-the-top chaebol and Jang Na-ra as a cripplingly shy secretary in stand-out performances. The two are brought together by chance and end up stuck together when a drunken tryst results in an unexpected pregnancy. Jang Hyuk steals every scene as Lee Gun and Jang Na-ra is painfully meek without being frustratingly so. Both characters are disastrous together until they finally work together for a common cause: their unborn child. Easily one of the most emotional and fulfilling rom-coms I've ever seen in any language. – u/ClosetYandere

It takes a while to ramp up, but it's very emotional.  - u/neeeesan

Fated to Love You wrung more tears out of me than any drama yet. It was not sad throughout but the sad bits were really freaking sad.  - u/danuv

Fated to Love You - ordinary office worker has an unexpected (and unintended) one-night stand with a rich guy and her life changes dramatically.  - u/deviantrockstar

Shining Inheritance - It is one of my absolute fave! It’s about this girl returning from studying abroad, but then her father dies and she is kicked out (along with her autistic brother). The story really begins when she helps an elderly lady who turns out to be from a chaebol family. This drama is very intense and I yelled at the tv a lot but it’s really really worth it.  - u/seashell0322

I want to say I cried the absolute most when I watched Shining Inheritance.  That was some true melodrama.  - u/gordonshumway85

Angel Eyes - It is about a pair that meet in high school and the girl already has a tragic story behind her. It does revolve around a parent dying, but it is a bit more than that. And then things happen, and the two are separated, which has its own tragic element to it, and then they meet up again later on. - u/Kordiana

Angel Eyes did a great job of making me cry sad and happy tears and then more sad and then more happy tears. It was a real emotional rollercoaster. - u/life-finds-a-way

Angel Eyes- that show made me cry like a baby - u/MauriceChevalierEh

Angry Mom - This drama has so many feels. Mom thinks her daughter is being bullied so she decides to sneak into her highschool because ain't nobody messing with her precious baby. - u/Jiuer9

Angry Mom did a number on me. There were some very real moments that got to me.  - u/life-finds-a-way

It's a brilliant drama that managed to strike a balance between being unbelievably hilarious and distressingly real and sobering. I think most of my actual tears were from laughter, but the overall tone of the drama is still serious (mostly, kinda), and there were moments where I cried some very very not-happy tears.  - u/LostBoyOfNeverland

You who came from the stars - an absolute classic with great romance and a great combination of characters: the actress character that is just hilarious & the alien with superpowers (including teleportation and telekinesis) that you'll immediately swoon over. even if it's not right now, i would definitely keep this in the back of your mind and watch someday when you're in the mood for it! - u/Turquoise-Turmoil

I cried four times in the last episode of My Love from the Star, but I'm not sure that's necessarily a crying show...  - u/AONomad

When the couple cries, you’ll cry too - u/happydonutface

My daughter Seo Young, one of only a handful of dramas that brought tears to my eyes.

Was it a sad drama? Yes it was, with some comedic moments in between.

Did you cry throughout? Was it just the ending? No, I hardly ever cry, but I'm sure many females will cry while watching this.

Stand out characters for me, that stole the show, would have to be the two housewives best friends and the love struck girl with her puppy dog eyes. I'd recommend this to anyone who just wants to have a good cry.  - u/Enter_Text_Here

My Love Eun Dong - the two main characters meet & lose each other in their teens and twenties, and now the male lead is in his thirties and looking for his love (Eun Dong) again. - u/Turquoise-Turmoil

I can't vouch for the ending yet but My Love Eun Dong has me getting all feely. It's sad but not so much in the same tear your heart out in beat it to a pulp way as Fated to Love You and Secret Love. There are happy tears and sad tears. - u/danuv

My Love Eun Dong airing atm has made me cry many times too. And i feel like there will be even more crying to come with the next episodes. Just keeps getting more intense! - u/reyrey_a

A woman dies and is given 49 days to get a chance to come back to life while having to possess another person's body.  One of the saddest shows I've ever watched. As someone who doesn't cry all that often, that show made me bawl like a baby. The epitome of a tear jerker.  - u/lucidzero

49 Days - I think I probably teared up several times throughout the drama, but that ending... man, I think I cried buckets of tears. Was not prepared for melodramas when I watched this.  - u/LostBoyOfNeverland

It was a feels-fest, and then that ending... just rip my heart out my chest, why don't you.  - unknown

The ost still makes me tear up. It's about a happy girl who dies but has a chance to get her life back with 3 tears of true love (family does not count). Stuff happens. I think this is one of the most underrated emotionally beautiful kdramas.  - u/properintroduction

I don't think any other drama or TV shows has ever made me cry as much as It's OK, Daddy's Girl. Screw the romance, family love rules.

I cried starting from the end of the first episode through the end with few interruptions. The father's love for his daughters and his performance made up for all the weak writing and plot holes.  - u/sterretje_

It's Okay, That's Love  - A novelist and a psychiatrist meet and drive each other crazy (not in the good way). The male novelist ends up having to move in with the psychiatrist who lives with a coworker and former patient. They end up helping each other through emotional scars. This one is really well acted, I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it. - u/SarahLovesCheesecake

It's Okay, That's Love is a definite tear-jerker for me.  It's a nice balance of light-hearted comedic moments and heart-wrenching pain.  I know someone who deals with mental illness, so I guess that made it hit harder for me.  - unknown

It's Okay, That's Love. Cry for the abuse of children, and the way trauma reaches into their adult lives.  - unknown

It's Okay That's Love is a drama about mental health and trauma, with really good actors. I finished it in one day and it made me cry and smile so much even though I don't usually get emotional over a drama. It openly talks about sex and psychological issues, which is quite rare in kdramas.  - u/icuisme

Kill Me Heal Me - Looks at the lives of a man who is living with different personalities and a woman who he and his personalities fell in love with but it turns out she is a doctor that would wipe out the existence of the other personalities. - u/Thundergod250

Kill Me, Heal Me had some weepy bits though way more hilarity than tears really but the same duo also did Secret (aka Secret Love) which was also pretty dark and I don't remember it being funny at all. - u/danuv

Goblin - Be prepared to ugly cry! There is no way around it! Beautiful story, beautiful characters and on-screen chemistry that is through the roof. The drama was one of my favorites of 2017 and will make you want to re-live the ugly crying again and again! ;) If you like supernatural themes that include, but are not limited to Goblins and Grim Reapers, you're in for a treat! It's hauntingly beautiful! <3 <3  - u/BookwormxBabe

Definitely brings on the tears as well as the laughter - this one runs through a whole emotional spectrum.  - u/eroverton

Goblin had me openly weeping in the first episode, and so many more times throughout the show. - u/clevahgeul

Goblin - I think I cried a few times each episode, and as others have mentioned before, you get bonus tears whenever you listen to the OST again. - u/ificantquakeit

Fantastic - A semi-melodrama (because it isn't too sad) that explores the themes of friendship, cancer awareness, overcoming difficulties, and dying and living well. Actress Kim Hyun-Joo accepted this role because she has been promoting Breast Cancer Awareness. - u/jarnumber

Story depicts the romance between a not so good actor and a popular TV drama series writer, but she has only 6 months left to live. - u/thabz2281

Just Between Lovers - two young adults try to move on from their tragic pasts. Both leads are amazing and despite a serious storyline, the drama never dragged.  - u/deviantrockstar

I always go back to this if I need a good cry.  - u/hottestelfmonbebe

Despite the melo tag, it's a healing drama about two wounded souls (and the people around them) learning to move beyond a shared tragedy and find their own happiness. This is a drama where the writing, acting, directing, and use of ost really came together to elevate cliches and make it more than just that.  - u/--NO_CHILL--

Remember War of the Son - Prepare yourself for a lot of sadness and crying with this one. It's an Alzheimer story mixed with Machiavellian power games. Lawyer fighting to prove his father not-guilty and put away the real culprit. - u/UkEuropeEarth

Remember - War of the Son is by far my favorite drama. It was so sadistic and tragic. Plays with your feelings.  - u/Yeolie

Remember - War of The Son, a roller-coaster of emotions about revenge with a really bad villain - u/iucisme

I highly recommend Mother! A beautiful and heart wrenching show that explores the relationship of a mother and a child. Incredibly eye opening I must say. I think this is my favorite in 2018. - u/basicberry24

I cried the entire hour of the last episode of Mother, as well as sporadically throughout the series. The show is very heartbreaking but worth it, in my opinion - u/ClassyApples

Mother. Cry for your mother. Everybody has a mother. And this drama hits every place of pain that goes with having a mother. Beautiful, frightening, rewarding.  - unknown

Man... I cried a lot. - u/baitaozi

Should We Kiss First? is really good and very mature. As it deals with two divorcees getting into a relationship out of need but later actually falling in love with each other. - u/wonderweng

Should We Kiss First? is all about past pain and surviving it, so yeah, there are two timelines. It's super well done, and it's more the slow revelation of the past filling you in on traumatized psyches, and not at all trips back to sunny memory lane. But it might not be for you if you prefer a linear structure.  - u/AgentSkipper

Should We Kiss First? - if you want something more on the substantial side, it's a beaut. Sad, lovely, funny, romantic, and it leaves you with the feeling that you should treasure every minute of life.  - unknown

That drama almost got me in hospital because of dehydration.  - u/dadias3

Uncontrollably Fond messed me up. I couldn't even look at pictures of Kim Woobin for a while afterwards because I just got emotional.  - u/rhiannawentbanananas

Uncontrollably Fond a lot of heartache all through and the final episode is a sob fest.  - u/capaldithenewblack

Uncontrollably Fond completely wrecked me. It’s been 2 years and I am still not over it. I now have to look to see how each dramas ending unfolds before I watch it, because I just can’t do that again. Having said that, if you want to hysterically cry that is the way to go.  - u/amaberc27

I'm Sorry I Love You - it's an older drama so it's kinda cringy the first two eps, but I swear on my life its the saddest/most depressing shit I've ever watched. The pain feels so good lol. It's about a Korean American guy that only has like a year to live. Anyway, it's a popular classic, and it's the drama that put So Ji Sub on the map, imo. - u/jaceydarling

Hands down, the saddest, most tragic kdrama I have seen - u/CCCri

I am sorry I love you and Stairway to Heaven will have you on your knees crying and feel like shit for a few days.  - u/knn328

I’m Sorry, I Love You Is my go to favorite drama and tearjerker deluxe - u/LiteratiTempo

Answer me 1997 there are three shows is the "answer me" saga all with different casts and completely different stories. This is the first and, in most people's opinion, the best. Slice of life drama and gives you insight into Korea during that time. Every Answer Me plays the "guess the husband game".  - u/Hiimbritarded

Reply 1997: Though filled with hijinks and jokes, Reply 1997 also manages to be a tear-jerker by portraying a variety of emotions at their rawest and most earnest moments. I cried with her when her raincoat was ripped, I cried for her when she met her idol oppa, and I cried to watch her crying her heart out in a taxi. There are happy tears and sad tears, and tears of second-hand embarrassment. Even if you didn't grow up in the same time and place, you can find a trace of your youth in this drama, and maybe that trace will bring you to tears.  - u/myweithisway

I cried buckets during Reply 1997's karaoke room confession scene.  - u/psychopathycathy

I'm a dude and that whole drama was so good. I was cutting onions in several scenes. I liked how it always kept us guessing!  - unknown

Reply 1988 - wonderful slice-of-life small neighbourhood The kids are all high school friends and move on to adulthood.  Every once in a while you see a couple in present day and you can try to guess which of the teens it is. The family relationships and friendships are the strong point. - u/LcLou02

It’s more of a mix of comedy and drama but I cried on every episode  - u/pacificghostwriter

Reply 1988. I guess I didn’t know what to expect. I had seen Reply 1997 and 1994 and their tone was more funny. 1988 had its humor but every episode I was crying (good crying, not bad cry).  - u/sfgirl00

Reply 1988. Man, I cried in every episodes. Family stories really gets me I can’t ????????  - u/Satchmoodle

My Mister is a story about the gradual relationship between a man and a woman who are very drained with life. It is a “healing” drama. The first few episodes might be very depressing as they are both very sad people and are living sad lives. But eventually (as it is a “healing” drama), things get better gradually. This drama essentially covers a lot of things: you get some office politics, there’s some family drama, friendships etc etc. Honestly, whatever I mentioned about this drama just doesn’t bring this drama justice. You just have to watch the first few episodes to get an idea of it ? but it is my most favourite drama of all-time just cause it just “gets” people really well.  - u/starlighttt396

My Mister is the greatest tear jerker ever. A story so realistic that it feels like it's your own life and you feel the pain that each characters felt. 10/10 would recommend. - u/yayangoldiee

My Mister. Literally pick any episode and I will cry buckets of tears. Still one of my favorite dramas though. - u/Wanna-be-your-puppy

I do cry at some dramas, films, books even, but My Mister was ridiculous, the greatest tear jerker ever produced.  And perhaps as good a television serial drama as has ever been produced as well.  - u/BazzaChileBoy

Go Back Couple A couple in their thirties is on the brink of divorce due to the pressures of mundane life but are mysteriously transported back to their college days where they now have a chance to re-do their life, but armed with the knowledge and wisdom of their later days. At first both of them are engrossed in their second youth but as time goes on, they both begin to appreciate their lives and what they have gained and now lost as a result of their second youth. A lovely story of growth and love, this couple shows that sometimes true love, between a couple and between families, is more real and closer than you think. A great show to watch when you want a gentle reminder that life is not so bad after all and that love does exist, even if it isn't shouting its lungs out at the top of the world. - u/myweithisway

Only twelve episodes long, but I cried in each and every one of them. - u/sianiam

Go Back Couple is a masterpiece. ❤️ made me cry a river (even though i barely cry watching shows), and made me realize a ton of life lessons while delivering it in such a wholesome but not snowflake manner. I LOVE IT!!! ❤️ - u/eluindaeyooo

Go Back Couple! I pretty much cried or at least wanted to cry in almost every episode. - u/syd723

I Miss You / Missing You  - this is about two teenagers (who are on the cusp of a young love) being kidnapped.  The boy manages to escape but he ends up leaving the girl behind. The real story starts years later with the boy as a cop trying to find his missing love. - u/seashell0322

Missing You - Get ready for a feels trip because this drama DELIVERS. This drama was depressingly tragic yet emotionally beautiful at the same time. The acting was amazing, Kim So Hyun and Yeo Jin Goo were especially impressive. Bring tissues for the ride.  - u/flowerlatte

If you'd like to try a really sad/suspenseful/serious drama 'I Miss You' is really good, it made me bawl like a baby but it still has a solid love story.  - u/majekmistake

I Miss You - you will literally never feel happiness again. - unknown

The Light in Your Eyes -  Kim Hye Ja (the actress) did an exceptional job portraying Kim Hye Ja (the character), a 26 year old gal who finds a watch that allows her to rewind time, but at a cost.  When she wakes up one morning having aged 44 years overnight, she tries to remain upbeat about her situation, but her family and friends struggle with the reality of it.  The painfully sad looks on Hye Ja's dad's face as he's trying to deal are enough to bring you to tears.  - u/pvtshame

The Light In Your Eyes totally ruined me! - u/speedysoprano

The Light in Your Eyes - The drama is one thing then another then bam your crying for 3 hours straight. I watched it on air and every time my husband would have to console me. - u/chazzlefrazzle

Misaeng / Incomplete Life - no secret identities here, or romance actually (which is normally what I want) just a super solid show about a duck out of water. He's a former baduk prodigy trying to make it in the real world and connecting with people for the first time (like Healer and City Hunter). The show looks great and manages to make you feel really invested in the lives of the young interns. This show knows how to bring the feels. Hard. - u/SpinThePickle

Misaeng Initially, Jang Geurae is overworked, under appreciated, and disrespected by everyone, but finds family and purpose in this workplace drama. - u/thehousefinch

Incomplete Life made me cry several times.  I highly, highly recommend it, it's one of my favorites, but it can be depressing. I needed to watch fluff along with it.  - u/pvtshame

Misaeng (Incomplete Life), very intense office drama, no romance, but one of the best dramas I've watched. - u/113avocado

The Smile Has Left Your Eyes This drama is tragic and dark and haunted me for days. If you want to be upset, this one should work. - u/thehousefinch

The Smile Has Left Your Eyes - Very tragic love story. If you like Shakespeare or Wuthering Heights this is perfect. - u/fabwatercolours

A melodrama about a single unwedded mother with a HIV infected kid and a grandfather suffering from dementia. Great roles played by gong hyon Jin and jang Hyuk.  - u/dustyroseinsand

Not sure if this is just because it's an older drama, but one of my all time favourites is Thank You (2007) which stars Gong Hyo-Jin and Jang Hyuk. Not only because of the stellar acting, but also because of the attempts to deal with some heavier themes that relate to societal issues (i.e. single motherhood, HIV, disability)  while also combining a romance that was built between two deeply wounded individuals who dealt with their pain in different ways. With a heavy-hitting and tightly-written script, as well as its heavy emphasis on hitting your emotions all at once, it's still one of my top dramas despite having been aired over ten years ago.  - u/floweringyouth

Chicago Typewriter is a really good drama with historical elements (it's a fantasy drama where past lives & ghosts are a thing). It features a present day writer and journalism in a dire time for the historic setting. - u/Turqoise-Turmoil

One thing this drama was unique in was that although the first 4 episodes were a drag for me, it got better and better and less draggy as it neared the end. Normally dramas tend to drag in the middle and the ending is pretty expected/frustrating, but in this the ending really felt worth it. It was interesting and addictive right up to the end even though the mystery was something we'd been trying to figure out from basically the beginning of the series. Not many dramas achieve this. - u/Elena233

I have watched it 4-5 times but the  OST still evokes a visceral reaction every time I hear it. I also become a sobbing mess when during episode 15. - u/moomoomian

Chicago Typewriter is one of my absolute favorites, but it's not light and fluffy, it made me cry for days. - u/dskyec

CHICAGO TYPEWRITER - I SOBBED FOR HOURS - u/razzy233

While You Were Sleeping is about a woman who has premonitions of bad things happening in her dreams and meets two others (a cop and a lawyer) who have the same ability, they work together to try and prevent things happening. - u/sianiam

the ost made me cry so much - u/i-stike-a-strike

While You Were Sleeping - it's the first show that has taken emotional toll on me. - u/temporubat0

While you were Sleeping - the combination of story and romance was really good neither was neglected for one another. The story was unique as far as I've seen and was told well and chemistry was very good. - u/Jsgjs

I'm Not A Robot is about a girl who pretends to be a robot and a man with psychological trauma that causes him to be allergic to human contact. Obviously, he falls for the "robot" that he can touch. - u/benevanuto

Surprisingly enough this is the drama that has taken the most tears from me. I binge watched it while on a holiday with my family and spent hours sobbing my eyes out in bed, so I was fabulous company as always. Good times.  - u/sianiam

I am not a Robot - Although the plot of a human falling in love with a robot is unbelievable, I think the balance was perfect. The dramatic part was extremely emotional but there was also the right amount of comedy. I think it also helps that the actor Yoo Seung Ho is a really great actor. - u/onioncube79

Hotel Del Luna - The story is about a hotel for the dead where the dead souls rest before going to heaven. It is a great mixture of romance and comedy. - u/LastSlayer28

Hotel Del Luna: it’s about spirits, so we have a lot of sad side stories. Dogs, lovers, families and their beloved ones being apart. - u/KoalaAgassi

Hotel del Luna - I cried the same amount as I did throughout Goblin, but it was all concentrated at the end, oof. - u/ificantquakeit

A Korean Odyssey/Hwayugi - It’s about a human female and a monster male who’s relationship changes multiple times, but they fall in love and it’s really fun to watch because there’s action and drama. It hit me in just the right places: laughed and smiled, but I also cried like a baby. - u/fabwatercolors

IMAGINE GIVING EVERYTHING YOU GOT JUST TO REALIZE THAT YOU UR OWN LOVER HAS TO KILL YOU SINCE IF U DONT DO U WILL BE KILLED . ALSO, the ending is so sad, i bawl the shit of my eyes. 10/10 a tear jerker! All the tragedies and misfortunes - u/i-strike-a-strike

A Korean Odyssey has a heartbreaking final two episodes - u/PAHi-LyVisible

Gu Family Book - half human half gumiho boy starts living a double life when he discovers his powers.  - u/deviantrockstar

Gu Family Book made me cry a bit. Some tragic love up in there.  - u/life-finds-a-way

Gu Family Book made me cry so much from about episode 20 onwards. I don't want to spoil it but it is one of the most tragic love stories I have ever seen. I'm sure those who have seen it will agree. Also this drama has THE BEST ost song, There's a stone for the things forgotten...  - I can get tearful listening to it!  - u/rosecoconut

I hardly ever cry while watching dramas but I do remember tearing up to the "egg scene" from Chuno. I was 100% into the drama/characters and Jang Hyuk did a excellent job here so it was sad as fuck (although it's hilarious as hell now after I watched the parody by Shin Dong Yup @ SNL Korea). - u/lupin88

Chuno - so freaking tragic but so well done - u/elynwen

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo: A time travel drama based loosely off the original Chinese work, Moon Lovers depicts an epic love story. Filled with characters good and bad engaged in an intense fight for power, the drama suffers a bit from trying to do too much without having enough time. The cinematography of this drama may be a deal-breaker for some viewers since it can be very distracting. (My favorite part about this drama is arguably the fantastic behind the scenes content that came out of it.)  - u/myweithisway

It's a beautiful drama, but you will definitely get a bad case of The Feels at some point. It's great!  - u/eroverton

Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo -  Literally gave me all the feels. - u/kdrama_mama

Moon lovers is like the best drama for me despite the ending. I cried like a little baby watching it. The things people do for power and love sigh - u/single_pringle12

I had a pretty good cry watching it. It’s definitely a good choice if you like Historical dramas. I loved the storyline, the acting, the costumes. Kim Soo Hyun really outdid himself, when he cried it felt so real. The love story is beautiful and satisfying at the end.  - u/hallyubae

Mr. Sunshine - will tear your heart out, throw it on the ground and stomp on it.  - u/CCCri

it's been a year, i am still not over it - u/Egg-mont

Mr. Sunshine - There are so many tragic stories in this drama especially with the Japanese Occupation background added to it. I think all the main characters have a heavy backstory and you'll find yourself crying from the very first episode. Make sure you also are watching a light drama side-by-side because this one really impacts you in some deep ways.  - u/Fatooz

Ja Myung Go - Historical drama about a prince and princess from different kingdoms. - u/fduniho

If you really want an epic tragedy, Ja Myung Go would hit that on the head. Great story, characters, and it will get you right in the feels. Be sure to have a light fun romcom lined up to help in the recovery.  - u/Kordiana

Ja Myung Go totally killed me. That for me is tops. I thought Always would be at the top then Uncontrollably Fond then I watched Ja Myung Go and Jung Kyung Ho had to make me bawl.  - u/Haleiwababygirl

Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People - Drama series depicts the life of Hong Gil-Dong who is the the first revolutionist and dissident activist in Joseon. (Korea's version of Robin Hood) 

I'll admit that I cry pretty easily too at tear jerker moments in dramas...but Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People made me cry for at least the half of the whole drama, watch the whole drama in a week..it's great if you're into historical genre.  - u/ryuhisa

Ugly Alert - after a single father with a son and a single mother with two children who got married (and eventually had a child together) both die, the father's son decides to raise and protect his 3 siblings. He even goes as far as confessing for a murder his younger brother committed. After getting out of jail, he starts working in a fashion store (love!) and tries to reconcile with his siblings. 133 episodes. Not always lighthearted, but the male lead is such a positive force that it doesn't matter. - u/ AlohaAlex

Ugly Alert - you'll cry ugly tears in the beginning but it's one of those shows that just goes from strength to strength and about family finding each other and healing and justice and all the good stuff. Fantastic.  - u/ferengi

Ugly Alert was one of the few dramas that made me cry - u/1033149 

Ugly Alert will have you ugly sob. - u/knn328

* 

Come And Hug Me is really stinking good. You'll laugh, cry and smile all at the same time!! - u/kdramaaddicts

Come and Hug Me - I was tearing up in the first episode (and pretty much every other subsequent episode), and full on cried at times. Maybe I’m just emo, but I cannot stress enough how much this actually made me cry and affect emotionally. PLUS has a good ending. Beautifully shot. Good acting. Underrated. - u/fabwatercolors

Come and Hug Me - Romance with an enormous dash of melodrama and angst. It will make you cry but if you enjoy a good romance, then this is a good one to watch. - u/paipette

If you wanna cry: Queen for Seven Days - beautiful sageuk about a queen whose reign was tragically super short  - u/keroppi-pond

Queen for Seven Days - This drama is tragic in the most amazing, emotional and I-just-want-to-give-every-character-a-hug kind of way. The layers of complexity that each actor brings to their characters really brings this drama out on top. QFSD is absolutely brilliant, one of my favourite dramas for sure. - u/flowerlatte

Queen for Seven Days - a historical during Joseon dynasty. It's really sweet in the beginning but gets really sad at the end. Good acting all around too. - u/jaceydarling

Secret: She goes to prison for her boyfriend in order to ensure his successful future. He mistakenly believes she's the who who killed his first love. Determined to make her pay, he torments her even after she has served her prison time. But the more time he spends around her, the more he begins to doubt her guilt and thus both of them embark together on a quest for truth and revenge. Though they end up with a happy love, their journey was tragic and heart wrenching.  - u/myweithisway

I cried the most I’ve ever cried watching this. It was gut wrenching yet so beautiful. Think I’ll rewatch it to torture myself!  - u/Farahsway

Hymn of Death - takes place during Japanese colonization, and as you can see from the title, it's tragic lol. Also the main characters are real historical people, which is really interesting; you can look it up on wikipedia. It gives you that depressing, impending doom kinda feels. - u/jaceydarling

Hymn of Death Inspired by a real-life tragedy, the lead characters make the ultimate sacrifice to stay together. - u/thehousefinch

Age of Youth is about 5 college girls living together and of the girls is crazy and hilarious but the show is a slice of life so it deals with some depressing and triggering subjects such as abusive boyfriend and pedophile elementary school teacher - u/batsybatsybatsy14

Age of Youth: it's one of those dramas that make you so emotionally attached to all the characters (esp when you watch them grow as people) that it makes you cry, yell, and scream injustice at your screen whenever something happens to them.  - u/MikasaMilkTea

Age of Youth / Hello My Twenties 1&2. Self-aware, fun and sunny but could also get dark. Zero cheese IIRC. Roommates who have nothing in common but living under 1 roof somehow find comfort in one another. One of the best kdramas in existence. - u/tingkagol

multiple seasons

Prison Playbook - a humourous + serious drama about a pro baseball player who ends up in prison, all the people he meets and how he adjusts. - u/LcLou02

Prison Playbook: at first look, looks incredibly boring. "Unnattractive", middle aged men in prison (except Joon Ho ????) - sounds boring right? Their hardships and character development make you get so attached and this is one of my favourite kdramas because of it. Also, the OST is amazing (esp if you love korean rnb/hip hop) - Those Days Without You and Bravo my Life are my favourites (':  - u/MikasaMilkTea

It does evoke tears here and there but it's more in the category "feel-good" than a dark drama/tearjerker. - u/imerremi

The Beauty Inside tells the love story of a girl who changes her body every month and a man with facial blindness. Really good message and the secondary couple are scene stealers.  - u/benevanuto

I cried multiple times in "The Beauty Inside (TV Series)". There were a few tragic and beautiful scenes that were really good.  - u/B3njamink_

I thought Doctors was super sad especially during the scene where an important character dies. Even though it's a medical drama I highly recommend it.  - u/mwei307

Beyond the Clouds was a really emotional revenge drama with interesting twists.  - u/gordonshumway85

Beyond the Clouds - INCREDIBLE tear jerker - u/xliterati

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Marriage Contract brought out all the feels in me.  - u/xxwalkerxx0804

I love Marriage Contract and I cried a lot! ??  - u/kasinka1

That Winter, the Wind Blows - A con man poses as a blind girls lost brother to try and get her money. But ends up falling for her instead and helping her fight against others who are manipulating her. Mostly a melodrama.  - u/Kordiana

That Winter, The Wind Blows- this is a beautiful melodrama.  It is one of my favorites. - u/gordonshumway85

Defendant is an excellent crime drama with a great cast. A prosecutor wakes up on death row with amnesia. He is accused of murdering his family and must recover his memory and clear his name. - u/sianiam

Defendant - I cried like mad when the husband was holding his dying wife and realised he has to take the blame for her death to survive, which caused him to suffer repeatedly from memory loss. A little bit of law, a little bit of action but a true tear jerker. - u/imerrimi

Defendant - BEAUTIFUL — Ji Sung was phenomenal honestly and the plot broke my heart a million times over but it was so worth it that i watched this probably 3 times - u/roastpeach

Hi Bye Mama - I don't think there's an episode in this where I didn't cry and I honestly think it's worth the tears. It's the story of a mother who, after death, has become a ghost, longing to be with her daughter and husband again. One day, she suddenly comes back to life, and must return to her place beside her husband within 49 days in order to become human again. The only caveat, however, is that her husband has remarried. How can a woman, who was once dead, find her place again in a world that has seemingly moved on? The drama takes us on a heartfelt journey about death and acceptance, as we see the various characters struggle and come to terms with the new unnatural reality.  - u/TotoroTheGreat

Navillera — What a wholesome and beautiful show! Navillera tells the story of Shim Deok Cheol, an older man who is retired and has decided that he wants to pursue his lifelong dream of learning ballet. He meets Lee Chae Rok, a young ballerino who has a strained relationship with his father.  As you learn more about each character’s life, a beautiful story of family, loss, and healing emerges. I typically don’t cry much watching most k-dramas, even ones that are often discussed as “tear-jerkers”, but watching this drama there were a LOT of tears. This show is touching, wholesome, and inspirational, and I can’t recommend it enough! - u/coolcat338

18 Again - This one's a family drama and most of the side stories will leave you crying. I personally loved the bond between the ML and his father. I think all the flashback moments and moments where you'll see the family grow closer are some of the extremely precious moments to look out for. It's definitely a tearjerker and one of the most wholesome dramas. The acting is spot on and the cinematography is so comforting.  - u/Fatooz

Hospital Playlist - This one's a drama with 2 seasons and since there are so many different side stories with so many patients and each one having some story, it's definitely a drama that will make you cry a lot. Even the individual stories of the five main leads has many moments and elements where you'll find yourself crying. Make sure to take them tissues with you! It's one wholesome and lovely drama.  - u/Fatooz 

multiple seasons

Move to Heaven - This is another episodic drama with 10 episodes and every episode will make you cry. The two main leads are so precious!  - u/Fatooz

Mystic Pop-Up Bar - This one's a short 12 episodes drama with every episode having some new story along with a little bit of the main story. I personally found the main story to be extremely heart touching and the last episode will have you in tears. If you cried watching Goblin and Hotel Del Luna then you're definitely going to cry watching this.  - u/Fatooz

Youth of May - This is a romantic melodrama and I was in awe of it. It definitely gets a little cliched but despite that there are so many moments where you'll find yourself crying and the cinematography and the main leads' chemistry and backstory are going to touch your heart. Lee Do-Hyun really knows how to cry!  - u/Fatooz