12 Korean Dramas Similar to Our Beloved Summer, Realistic Love Stories and Unexpected Reunions

Kapanlagi.com - For those of you who miss the nostalgic atmosphere and the warmth of a second chance, looking for shows with the vibe of Korean dramas similar to Our Beloved Summer is the right choice to fill your free time. Stories about unfinished love, self-growth, and the desire to correct past mistakes always hold a special place in the hearts of Indonesian viewers. This genre not only presents sweet romance but also deep reflections on how a small decision can drastically change the course of someone's life, making it very relevant for anyone who has ever harbored regrets.

Many viewers feel connected to characters who are given a rare opportunity to rewind time to rearrange their lives. If Choi Ung and Kook Yeon-soo get a second chance through a viral documentary, the characters on this list obtain it through a magical yet consequential time travel journey. From saving loved ones to mending broken family relationships, this lineup offers visual warmth and resonant emotions. Here are recommendations for Korean dramas similar to Our Beloved Summer, Wednesday (29/7/2026),

1. Lovely Runner (2024)

Lovely Runner (IMDb)

This drama has become a new phenomenon that is perfect for those looking for Korean dramas similar to our beloved summer due to its combination of aesthetic summer visuals and a sincere love story. The story centers around Im Sol, a heavy fan who is devastated by the death of her favorite idol, Ryu Sun-jae. She magically returns to her high school days in 2008 to save her idol from his tragic fate.

• Synopsis: Im Sol travels back in time to prevent Ryu Sun-jae's death. In the past, she tries to protect Sun-jae while also trying to fix her own paralyzed fate due to an accident.
• Cast: Byeon Woo-seok, Kim Hye-yoon.
• Director: Yoon Jong-ho, Kim Tae-yeop.
• Writer: Lee Si-eun.

2. Twinkling Watermelon (2023)

Twinkling Watermelon (IMDb)

Presenting a strong and warm youth vibe, this drama is perfect for the list of korean dramas similar to our beloved summer. The story follows Eun Gyeol, a CODA (child of deaf adults) student with an extraordinary musical talent. He accidentally travels back to 1995 and meets his father's younger version.

• Synopsis: Eun Gyeol tries to "fix" his father's youth so that he does not experience the accident that makes him deaf, while also ensuring that his father falls in love with his mother, not another woman.
• Cast: Ryeoun, Choi Hyun-wook, Seol In-ah, Shin Eun-soo.
• Director: Son Jeong-hyeon.
• Writer: Jin Soo-wan.

3. Go Back Couple (2017)

Go Back Couple (IMDb)

If you enjoyed the reality of relationships in Our Beloved Summer, this drama is a must-recommend. It tells the story of a married couple who have grown weary and regretful of their marriage. Right after their divorce, they wake up again as 20-year-old college students.

• Synopsis: Choi Ban-do and Ma Jin-joo decide not to fall in love again in the past to change their unhappy future. However, they end up learning to appreciate each other.
• Cast: Jang Na-ra, Son Ho-jun.
• Director: Ha Byung-hoon.
• Writer: Kwon Hye-joo.

4. 18 Again (2020)

8 Again (IMDb)

This drama is the definition of "fixing mistakes" with a very touching family twist, making it a Korean drama similar to our beloved summer in terms of emotional depth. A husband on the brink of divorce suddenly returns to his physical form at the age of 18, although his soul remains middle-aged.

• Synopsis: Hong Dae-young disguises himself as a high school student to attend school with his teenage children. He uses this opportunity to understand his children's feelings and repair his relationship with his wife from a new perspective.
• Cast: Kim Ha-neul, Yoon Sang-hyun, Lee Do-hyun.
• Director: Ha Byung-hoon.

5. Familiar Wife (2018)

Familiar Wife (IMDb)

A husband who feels his life is miserable because of his angry wife gets a chance to turn back time. He changes his choice in the past by marrying his first love, not his current wife.

• Synopsis: Cha Joo-hyuk manages to change his fate and become wealthy with a different wife. However, he slowly realizes that the "bad" nature of his first wife is a result of his own indifference.
• Cast: Ji Sung, Han Ji-min.
• Director: Lee Sang-yeob.
• Writer: Yang Hee-seung.

6. A Time Called You (2023)

A Time Called You (IMDb)

With a poetic back-and-forth storyline, this title is a Korean drama similar to our beloved summer in terms of beautiful cinematography and an eternal love story. A grieving woman returns to 1998 and enters the body of a high school student who resembles her.

• Synopsis: Han Jun-hee tries to solve the mystery of her lover's death while living as Kwon Min-ju in the past. She meets a man who looks very much like her late boyfriend.
• Cast: Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, Kang Hoon.
• Director: Kim Jin-won.

7. Tomorrow With You (2017)

Tomorrow With You (IMDb)

This drama highlights the realistic aspects of marriage and slice of life. Yoo So-joon is a time traveler who marries Song Ma-rin to avoid his own death in the future.

• Synopsis: Initially married without love, So-joon gradually falls sincerely in love with his wife and struggles desperately back and forth through time to save her from a bad fate.
• Cast: Lee Je-hoon, Shin Min-a.
• Director: Yoo Je-won.

8. Blue Birthday (2021)

Blue Birthday (IMDb)

For fans of the school genre, this drama is worth mentioning as a Korean drama similar to our beloved summer in a light thriller version. Oh Ha-rin discovers mysterious photos left by her first love who committed suicide 10 years ago.

• Synopsis: By burning those photos, Ha-rin can return to the past on the exact day the photo was taken to prevent the death of her loved one.
• Cast: Kim Ye-rim (Yeri Red Velvet), Yang Hong-seok.
• Director: Park Dan-hee.

9. Marry My Husband (2024)

Marry My Husband (IMDb)

Although more intense with a touch of revenge, the core of the story is very strong about correcting life's mistakes. Kang Ji-won, who is seriously ill, is killed by her husband, then returns 10 years earlier.

• Synopsis: Ji-won is determined to change her fate by not marrying her wicked husband and matchmaking him with her betraying best friend, while finding true love.
• Cast: Park Min-young, Na In-woo.
• Director: Park Won-gook.

10. Longing Heart (My First Love) (2018)

Longing Heart (My First Love) (IMDb)

A math teacher who cannot move on from her first love for 10 years gets the chance to go back to her high school days. This nostalgic premise makes it a Korean drama similar to our beloved summer that is sweet.

• Synopsis: Kang Shin-woo returns to the past and becomes the homeroom teacher for his younger self. He tries to help his younger self win the first love that he failed to achieve before.
• Cast: Lee Jung-shin, Seo Ji-hoon, Lee Yul-eum.
• Director: Min Yeon-hong.

11. Splash Splash Love (2015)

Splash Splash Love (IMDb)

This short two-episode drama is very light and sweet. A high school girl who hates math escapes to the Joseon era during the rain and lands right in the king's palace.

• Synopsis: Dan-bi teaches modern math and science to King Lee Do, correcting the ignorance of the past while finding her own confidence.
• Cast: Kim Seul-gi, Yoon Doo-joon.
• Director: Kim Ji-hyun.

12. The Best Hit (2017)

The Best Hit (IMDb)

Combining documentary and entertainment elements, this drama has a relaxed vibe. A top idol from 1993 is accidentally thrown into 2017.

• Synopsis: Yoo Hyun-jae meets his grown-up son in the future. He learns about his past mistakes and the mystery of his disappearance while mending relationships with the people he left behind.
• Cast: Yoon Shi-yoon, Lee Se-young, Kim Min-jae.
• Director: Yoo Ho-jin, Cha Tae-hyun.

13. Questions and Answers About the Theme (FAQ)

Do all Korean dramas similar to our beloved summer have to have a documentary theme?
Not necessarily. The main similarity lies in the healing storytelling vibe, focusing on character development, warm cinematography, and the dynamics of realistic and emotional romantic relationships, even though the main plot involves fantasy elements like time travel.

Why is the theme of going back to the past popular among fans of Our Beloved Summer?
This theme is highly sought after because it offers emotional catharsis. Just like Choi Ung and Yeon-soo who "returned" to meet again to resolve past feelings, time-traveling characters literally go back to fix regrets, providing hope that mistakes can be redeemed.

What are the best recommendations for beginners looking for light dramas?
For beginners seeking Korean dramas similar to our beloved summer but with a short duration and light story, Splash Splash Love is the best choice as it has only 2 episodes. If you want a complete series that is very sweet and popular, Lovely Runner or Twinkling Watermelon are the easiest options to enjoy.

(kpl/ibr)