K-dramas with sad endings for when you need a good cry

Cast: Lee Joon-gi, Lee Ji-eun (IU), Kang Ha-neul, Kim San-ho, Hong Jong-hyun, Yoon Sun-woo, Byun Baek-hyun, Nam Joo-hyuk, Ji Soo

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo remains one of the most discussed tragic K-dramas, particularly due to its ending. When Go Ha-jin (Lee Ji-eun) travels back in time to the Goryeo Dynasty, she becomes entangled in royal politics and falls in love with Wang So (Lee Joon-gi), the future King Gwangjong.

Don’t miss: 7 things you might not know about IU

The series concludes with Ha-jin returning to the present day, leaving behind not only her love but also the life she built in the past. The ending’s impact is amplified by the fact that even in the present, she retains her memories while Wang So never learns what happened to her.

Cast: Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy

Uncontrollably Fond follows the lives of Shin Joon-young (Kim Woo-bin), a top celebrity, and Noh Eul (Bae Suzy), a documentary producer. Their once-promising relationship was torn apart years ago, but when they reunite, old feelings resurface. However, time is not on their side—Joon-young is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Read more: Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy to reunite in ‘All the Love You Wish For’ after 7 years

Joon-young spends his remaining days by Noh Eul’s side, treasuring every moment until his inevitable passing. The final episode, where he quietly falls asleep next to her and never wakes up, is both devastating and beautiful. It’s the kind of ending that lingers, making you reflect on love, fate and the fragility of life.

Cast: Lee Ji-eun (IU) and Yeo Jin-goo

This visually stunning drama may be filled with fantasy elements, but at its heart, it’s a tragic love story about redemption and parting. Hotel Del Luna follows Jang Man-wol (Lee Ji-eun), the owner of a mystical hotel that caters to wandering spirits. Trapped by her past sins, she’s doomed to remain in the hotel for centuries until she atones for her wrongdoings.

See also: Music matters: How soundtracks help create memorable K-drama moments

Enter Goo Chan-sung (Yeo Jin-goo), the hotel’s new manager, who slowly brings warmth into Man-wol’s life. As they grow closer, it becomes clear that Man-wol must eventually move on to the afterlife. The final episodes are filled with painful yet poetic goodbyes, with Man-wol and Chan-sung parting in one of the most emotional farewells, leaving viewers with a beautiful sense of melancholy.

Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung and Byun Yo-han

Mr. Sunshine stands as a masterpiece in Korean television, set against the backdrop of early 1900s Korea. The series follows Eugene Choi (Lee Byung-hun), a former Korean slave who escapes to the US and later returns as a US Marine officer, and Go Ae-shin (Kim Tae-ri), a noble lady fighting for Korean independence.

Don’t miss: Prada welcomes actress Kim Tae-ri as new brand ambassador

Their love story is doomed from the start, torn apart by their different paths and the turmoil of the era. The final episodes see Eugene making the ultimate sacrifice to protect Ae-shin, ensuring her survival while meeting a tragic end himself. The series garnered international acclaim for its historical accuracy and emotional depth.

Cast: Seo In-guk, Jung So-min and Park Sung-woong

The Smile Has Left Your Eyes adapts a Japanese series into a complex thriller with romantic elements. The relationship between Kim Moo-young (Seo In-guk), a man with a troubled past, and Yoo Jin-kang (Jung So-min), a kind-hearted woman who sees beyond his rough exterior, develops under a shadow of suspicion and hidden connections, leading to a conclusion that feels both inevitable and heartbreaking.

Read more: 11 K-drama remakes vs originals: Which did it better?

As the past unravels, their relationship becomes more tragic. In the final episode, just as Moo-young and Jin-kang decide to live together, they’re ambushed and killed by a hired assassin. The K-drama succeeds in making viewers empathise with morally ambiguous characters, making their fate even more impactful.

Cast: Kim Tae-hee, Lee Kyu-hyung and Go Bo-gyeol

Cha Yu-ri (Kim Tae-hee), a loving mother, dies in a tragic accident, leaving behind her husband and newborn daughter. However, she’s granted a second chance to return to the living world for 49 days. As she watches her family move on without her, she faces an agonising dilemma—should she reclaim her place in their lives or let them continue living happily?

See also: Kim Tae-hee: The most stylish looks from the South Korean actress

While some might have hoped for a miraculous ending where Yu-ri is fully revived, the drama instead delivers a heart-wrenching conclusion. Realising that her presence could disrupt her loved ones’ happiness, she chooses to say her final goodbyes and peacefully departs once more. Hi Bye, Mama! beautifully portrays a mother’s unconditional love, making it impossible to watch without shedding tears.

Cast: Lee Jun-ho, Lee Se-young and Kang Hoon

The Red Sleeve brings another historical tragedy to life. Based on true historical events, it tells the love story between King Jeongjo (Lee Jun-ho) and Royal Consort Sung Deok-im (Lee Se-young). Unlike many palace romances that promise happily-ever-afters, this K-drama stays faithful to history, portraying the painful sacrifices required of those who lived within the royal court.

Don’t miss: The best K-dramas to watch according to your personality

Deok-im, though deeply in love with Jeongjo, resists becoming his concubine for years, knowing that life in the palace is filled with restrictions and sorrow. When she finally gives in, she faces a life of loneliness and duty, and her tragic death leaves Jeongjo devastated. The final scene, where he dreams of reuniting with her in the afterlife, is both beautiful and heartbreaking, cementing this drama as an unforgettable love story of devotion and loss.

Cast: Lee Do-hyun, Go Min-si, Lee Sang-yi and Keum Sae-rok

Youth of May takes viewers to 1980 Gwangju, where medical student Hwang Hee-tae (Lee Do-hyun) and nurse Kim Myung-hee (Go Min-si) fall in love amidst political turmoil. Their love blossoms but fate is cruel to them. Despite their efforts to stay together, Myung-hee is tragically killed, and Hee-tae is left to live with the unbearable grief of losing her.

Read more: Lee Do-Hyun: 8 things to know about the Korean rising star

The final scene, where he visits her grave years later, is utterly heartbreaking, showing the lasting pain of a love that was cut short by history. Its ending, while devastating, pays respect to the real-life victims of this significant historical event.

Cast: Jung Hae-in and Jisoo

Snowdrop presents a heart-wrenching romance set in 1987, during South Korea’s democracy movement. The relationship between Im Soo-ho (Jung Hae-in), a North Korean spy, and Eun Young-ro (Jisoo), a university student, unfolds against a backdrop of political tension and deception.

See also: ‘Snowdrop’: What to know about Blackpink Jisoo’s new K-drama

Their star-crossed love story, culminating in a tragic sacrifice, reflects the complex political climate of the era while delivering powerful emotional impact. Despite initial controversies, the series earned recognition for its compelling portrayal of its lead characters’ impossible circumstances.

Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Ji-yeon, Choi Hyun-wook and Lee Joo-myung

At first glance, Twenty-Five Twenty-One appears to be a nostalgic coming-of-age romance about dreams, resilience and young love. Set in the late 1990s, it follows Na Hee-do (Kim Tae-ri), a passionate fencer, and Baek Yi-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk), a young man struggling to rebuild his life after his family’s downfall during the IMF crisis. Their love story blossoms amid personal growth, career struggles and heartfelt moments.

Don’t miss: Interview: Nam Joo-hyuk and Kim Tae-ri on Prepping for Netflix’s ‘Twenty Five, Twenty One’

However, despite their deep love and unwavering support for one another, real-life responsibilities and circumstances pull them apart. The final episodes reveal that Hee-do and Yi-jin do not end up together, leaving viewers heartbroken yet reflective about how sometimes, love alone isn’t enough.

NOW READ

18 popular K-drama title songs that will give you an earworm–or two

14 behind-the-scenes clips of popular K-dramas we love

7 memorable second leads that K-drama fans can't get enough of