Cover Lee Dong-Wook and Gong Yoo’s friendship began on the set of the 2016 K-drama 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God' (Photo: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins/Getty Images)
Lee Dong-Wook and Gong Yoo’s friendship began on the set of the 2016 K-drama 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God' (Photo: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins/Getty Images)
1 / 1
Here are seven of the most celebrated K-drama off-screen friendships
In the world of K-drama, unforgettable chemistry isn’t always confined to the screen. Some of the most beloved pairings and ensembles have formed genuine bonds behind the scenes, turning co-stars into lifelong friends. From tight-knit squads to enduring duos, these K-drama off-screen friendships continue to delight fans through variety show appearances, social media interactions and public reunions.
Whether it’s the playful banter of long-time collaborators or the quiet support between industry peers, these relationships offer a rare glimpse into the real connections that power some of Korea’s biggest hits. Here, we take a closer look at seven of the most celebrated K-drama off-screen friendships.
In case you missed it: 10 of the biggest K-dramas to watch, from ‘Squid Game’ to ‘World of the Married’
Gong Yoo and Lee Dong-wook
Above From ‘Goblin’ to ‘Because I Want to Talk’ to an MLB Seoul Series game, Gong Yoo and Lee Dong-wook’s K-drama off-screen friendship is going strong
This beloved K-drama off-screen friendship began on the set of the megahit 2016 series Goblin. Fans were charmed by their old-married-couple dynamic—and even more so to discover that the chemistry extended well beyond the screen.
A decade on, that deep connection remains. In 2019, Gong Yoo appeared as the first guest on Lee Dong-wook’s talk show Because I Want to Talk. The pair later reunited for an SK Enmove campaign that ran from 2023 to 2024, where they channelled the same playful banter.
In 2024, they were spotted at an MLB Seoul Series game—seated just behind Crash Landing on You leads Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin in a moment that quickly set the Internet abuzz. And most recently, the duo were seen attending a concert together with Goblin co-star Kim Go-eun.
Wooga Squad: Park Seo-joon, Park Hyung-sik, Choi Woo-shik, V and Peakboy
Above ‘In the Soop: Friendcation’ gave fans a glimpse on the K-drama off-screen friendship of the famous Wooga Squad
“Wooga” roughly translates to “Are we family?”—a fitting name for the Wooga Squad, composed of Park Seo-joon, Park Hyung-sik, Choi Woo-shik, BTS’ V and Peakboy, who embody the very essence of a chosen family.
Park Seo-joon, Park Hyung-sik and V starred in the K-drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth in 2016, and the onscreen camaraderie quickly translated to one of the most iconic K-drama off-screen friendships. Meanwhile, Park Seo-joon’s connection with Peakboy and Choi Woo-shik predates Hwarang.
Beyond sending coffee trucks to show their support, the squad also often makes cameos or lends their talents to one another’s projects. Park Seo-joon famously made a brief appearance in the movie Parasite, which stars Choi Woo-shik, while V sang “Christmas Tree” on the OST of Woo-shik’s K-drama Our Beloved Summer. Park Seo-joon, Choi Woo-shik and, eventually, V also worked together on Jinny’s Kitchen. Elsewhere, Peakboy and V have collaborated on music.
They share casual glimpses of their friendship on Instagram, leave playful comments on each other’s feeds and appeared together in In the Soop: Friendcation, where they offered fans a glimpse into what makes their friendship iconic.
See more: Inside BTS V’s biggest brand collaborations in 2026, from Celine to Compose Coffee
IU and Yoo In-na
Above IU and Yoo In-na’s off-screen friendship is one of the most enduring, spanning 16 years
Having first met in 2010 on the variety show Heroes and co-starred in You Are the Best! in 2013, IU and Yoo In-na have had one of the longest-lasting K-drama off-screen friendships. In 2017, on an episode of Hyori’s Bed and Breakfast, IU revealed that she and her bestie even live in the same apartment building.
Despite an 11-year age gap, their bond remains unshakable. On IU’s Palette, IU shared that one of the secrets to their friendship is a personal rule that only applies to Yoo In-na: she would never do anything to upset her best friend. Meanwhile, Yoo In-na says their friendship works because, although they’re opposites, they complement each other.
Their closeness has inspired real-life gestures of affection. While filming the K-drama Scarlet Heart Ryeo, IU missed Yoo In-na so much that she wrote the song “You” for her friend. Yoo In-na, in turn, has jokingly said that she agreed not to get married when IU said they shouldn’t—and will only reconsider when IU gives the go-ahead.
Hyung Squad: Jo In-sung, Kim Woo-bin, Do Kyung-soo, Lee Kwang-soo, Song Joong-ki, Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Ki-bang and Im Joo-hwan
Above Members of the Hyung Squad reunited in Jo In-sung and Cha Tae-hyun’s variety show ‘Unexpected Business’
While Park Seo-joon seems to be the common denominator in the Wooga Squad, here it’s Jo In-sung who anchors the Hyung Squad. The Hyung Squad members often show their support by sending food trucks, posting on social media, attending each other’s premieres, making guest appearances in each other’s projects and working in variety shows together.
One permutation of this large K-drama off-screen friend group appeared on the variety show Unexpected Business. Jo In-sung and Cha Tae-hyun serve as the main cast members, but their friends Kim Woo-bin, Lee Kwang-soo and Im Joo-hwan have also made guest appearances. Do Kyung-soo’s (DO from Exo) song “Rose” was even featured in one of the episodes. Jo In-sung and Cha Tae-hyun also co-star in the massive Disney+ K-drama Moving.
Recently, Kim Woo-bin, Do Kyung-soo and Lee Kwang-soo appeared in their own variety show, Green Bean, Red Bean—where friends Jo In-sung and Cha Tae-hyun dropped in—and its travel spin-off GBRB: Joy Pops Laugh Pops. Anyone who has ever seen them together onscreen knows that whatever the project or member combination, one thing is certain: when the Hyung Squad gets together, chaos and laughter always follow.
Rowoon, Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jae-wook
Above The young cast of the K-drama ‘Extraordinary You’ share an extraordinary off-screen friendship
After starring in the K-drama Extraordinary You together, Rowoon, Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jae-wook stayed in touch and developed a close off-screen friendship. Fans got a peek into their bond when the three reunited on the variety show House on Wheels 4, where they reminisced about their time on set, shared funny anecdotes and showcased their natural chemistry (Kim Hye-yoon, the only girl, is teased and doted on by the two boys in equal measure).
Recently, Kim Hye-yoon delighted fans by making a guest appearance on the variety show Fresh off the Sea 2, where Lee Jae-wook was a regular cast member. Beyond on-screen reunions, they often leave supportive messages on each other’s social media, proving that their off-screen friendship is alive and well.
Cinderella Seven: Son Ye-jin, Gong Hyo-jin, Lee Min-jung, Uhm Ji-won, Oh Yoon-ah, Song Yoon-ah and Lee Jung-hyun
Here’s one K-drama off-screen friendship made up entirely of leading ladies. The name “Cinderella Seven” stems from a simple rule: no past-midnight hangs. In a 2015 interview on Section TV, Son Ye-jin shared that their gatherings are more low-key—think home-cooked meals, board games and long conversations—adding that, over time, they’ve stopped drinking and hanging out past midnight (hence the squad’s name).
The group is comprised of K-drama actresses who entered show business around the same time and are roughly the same age. If the Wooga Squad has Park Seo-joon and the Hyung Squad has Jo In-sung, the Cinderella Seven has Son Ye-jin. The members frequently appear on one another’s social media and are a constant presence at each other’s milestones, from birthdays to weddings. In fact, Gong Hyo-jin reportedly caught the bouquet at Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin’s wedding.
Their bond is as playful as it is enduring. On You Quiz on the Block, Lee Min-jung revealed that the group even has a private cheer to celebrate one another’s wins—“Boom boom boom boom bru boom boom!”
99ers: Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung and Jeon Mi-do
Above Naturally, a K-drama about close friendships gives birth to a tight K-drama off-screen friendship
Here’s one K-drama off-screen friendship fans simply can’t get enough of. Formed on the set of Hospital Playlist, the so-called “99ers” (named after their characters’ class year in medical school) quickly became beloved for their easy chemistry—both on and off screen.
Their bond extends far beyond the series. The group showcased their natural camaraderie on the YouTube channel The Game Caterers, where their playful competitiveness and chaotic energy made for endlessly entertaining viewing. They later reunited for their own spin-off variety show, Mountain Village Playlist, trading hospital scrubs for a quieter countryside setting that highlighted their more relaxed, slice-of-life dynamic.
Even after the series wrapped, the friendship endured. The cast made special appearances in the Hospital Playlist spin-off Resident Playbook and continue to support one another’s projects—from attending musicals and plays to cheering each other on behind the scenes.
These K-drama off-screen friendships go beyond scripted chemistry, offering a glimpse into the genuine connections that keep fans invested. From surprise reunions to behind-the-scenes moments, these real-life bonds make every interaction feel just as compelling as the dramas themselves.
Maggie Adan is a content writer, editor, and strategist with extensive experience across print, digital, and social media publishing. Formerly editor-in-chief at K-Zone Philippines, Summit Books and Content Lab, she has written lifestyle stories covering everything from entertainment and travel to beauty and wellness. A storyteller at heart with a keen editorial eye and a passion for narrative, she contributes to various publications and helps brands create and curate content for their social media platforms.
