17 Recommendations for Sad Dramas That Will Make You Cry, Prepare Tissues Before Watching

Kapanlagi.com - Korean dramas, or drakor, have become a popular viewing choice lately. The interesting and often touching stories are one of the reasons why drakor is so loved. Among the many types or genres, recommendations for sad drakor are among the most frequently searched.

There’s no doubt why sad drakor is so popular. Most sad drakor have truly touching stories that can make you feel emotional. Additionally, there are times when watching sad drakor can be a way to express pent-up emotions. So, what are some recommendations for sad drakor that are exciting to watch?

Summarized from various sources, let’s take a look at the following reviews.

1. MR. SUNSHINE

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MR. SUNSHINE is often referred to as one of the best K-dramas. This historical drama produced in 2018 is still frequently discussed and praised by fans of Korean dramas. Its strong storytelling will sweep the audience's heart away. Moreover, the long list of famous stars in the South Korean entertainment industry certainly adds to its appeal.

However, it's not just the charm of the actors and actresses; the well-crafted production is also a reason why this drama is truly deserving of being called one of the best. Every detail in the production elements is meticulously considered. For example, the costumes genuinely represent the cultures of various nations like Korea, Japan, and America, set in the era of the drama's backdrop.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and watch this sad K-drama recommendation to prove its quality!

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2. HI, BYE MAMA!

Another sad drama recommendation is titled HI, BYE MAMA! This drama tells the story of a mother's sincere love for her child. It is told that a pregnant woman named Cha Yoori experiences a tragic accident. As a result of the accident, Cha Yoori has to lose her life. Fortunately, the baby in her womb can still be saved.

After many years, Cha Yoori reincarnates in 49 days. She transforms into a woman. In her new form, Yoori approaches her child and husband, who has been with another woman, who happens to be her junior from her lifetime. By this point, it's already quite sad, isn't it? So, don't forget to prepare tissues before watching it!

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3. MOVE TO HEAVEN

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MOVE TO HEAVEN is the third sad drama recommendation that you must watch. This drama, starring Tan Joonsang and Lee Jehoon, is guaranteed to drain the audience's tears. The story follows Han Geuru, a teenage boy with Asperger's syndrome, who must continue his father's business as a death cleaner. Han Geuru takes on this responsibility after his father suddenly passes away.

Han Geuru is then assisted by his uncle, who has just been released from prison. However, their characters are clearly different. The interaction between the uncle and the nephew, who have never met before, is quite awkward, sometimes funny, and sometimes sad.

Additional sadness is also presented through the background stories of Han Geuru's clients and his uncle. So sad, MOVE TO HEAVEN will make viewers flood with tears in every episode.

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4. SNOWDROP

Next on the list of sad K-dramas is still relatively new. SNOWDROP just concluded last January. Although a few months have passed, the sadness in the K-drama SNOWDROP still lingers for its viewers.

This K-drama is set against the backdrop of the 1987 demonstration movement in Korea. It tells the story of a graduate student and activist named Im Sooho, who is discovered by a female student named Eun Youngro. Im Sooho is found in a dire condition and is then hidden in a women's dormitory.

From that dramatic encounter, the story unfolds, filled with romance and sorrow. One of the best K-dramas at the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022 that is certainly a shame to miss.

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5. THIRTY NINE

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The next recommendation for a sad K-drama is currently airing, namely THIRTY NINE. Even though there are only 6 episodes so far, THIRTY NINE has already succeeded in bringing tears to the eyes of its viewers in every episode.

THIRTY NINE tells the story of the sincere friendship of three women at the age of 39. The many experiences they go through make them as close as siblings. They do many silly things together, until one day one of them is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and her life will not last much longer.

Sorrow looms over the three friends who are reluctant to be separated by death. However, instead of being consumed by sadness, one of them takes the initiative to make her sick friend the happiest dying person in the world. Curious? Follow their story in the K-drama THIRTY NINE!

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6. YOUTH OF MAY

Similar to SNOWDROP, YOUTH OF MAY also raises the backdrop of conflict events. The difference is, YOUTH OF MAY is set in May 1980 when, in Gwangju, there were student demonstrations criticizing a corrupt government.

The two characters in this drama are a couple, a medical student and a nurse who strive with all their might to be together. Unfortunately, fate seems to never be on their side. If you want to watch a drama about the struggle of sincere love, YOUTH OF MAY might be the answer.

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7. UNCONTROLLABLY FOND

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The next recommendation for a tear-jerking drama is UNCONTROLLABLY FOND. This drama was released in 2016 and features the genres of comedy, drama, and romance. Starring Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy, UNCONTROLLABLY FOND tells the story of a romance involving an actor named Joon-young who finds his first love again from high school.

Noh Eul, Joon-young's friend from high school, is now a producer of a documentary film. The two meet again to work on a documentary about the life of the artist. Seeds of love begin to grow again as they frequently interact to complete the project.

However, behind the artist's seemingly happy life, he harbors a wound. Moreover, Joon-young is suffering from a chronic illness that means his life will not last much longer. He spends his final moments with loved ones, including Noh Eul. Interested in watching?

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8. MOON LOVERS: SCARLET HEART RYEO

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The next sad drama recommendation is MOON LOVERS: SCARLET HEART RYEO. This drama is one of the best that managed to achieve quite a high rating. Released in 2016, MOON LOVERS: SCARLET HEART RYEO stars IU and Lee Joon-Gi and tells the story of a woman from the future who enters a time dimension of the past during the Goryeo era.

Go Ha Jin, a girl from the future, eventually adopts a new identity with the name Hae Soo. She falls in love with the 8th prince, Wang Wook. His good nature manages to win her heart. However, Wang Wook's ambition to become king slowly dims Hae Soo's feelings.

She also becomes close friends with the mysterious prince Wang So, who always wears a mask due to facial scars. What starts as a friendship eventually develops into a romantic relationship that ends very tragically. Interested in watching?

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9. 18 AGAIN

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A recommendation for a sad drama that also contains many touching stories is 18 AGAIN. This drama was released in 2020 and stars Kim Ha-Neul and Yoon Sang-Hyun. The synopsis of 18 AGAIN tells the story of an adult man named Hong Dae-young who relives his youth.

Hong Dae-young returns to the age of 18 and uses that time to change his future life. He had previously chosen to bury his dream of becoming a basketball player because his girlfriend was pregnant. As a result, young Hong Dae-young decided to marry Da-jung and have twin children.

His life at that time was quite difficult, as his two children had to live modestly. The touching story of Hong Dae-young changing his fate to become the best parent and husband will surely move you. Additionally, this drama also contains wise messages that can serve as valuable lessons.

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10. THAT WINTER, THE WIND BLOWS

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THAT WINTER, THE WIND BLOWS is among the recommended sad K-dramas starring Song Hye-Kyo, released in 2013. In the drama THAT WINTER, THE WIND BLOWS , the beautiful actress Song Hye-Kyo plays Oh Young, a blind girl who is known to be the heir to her parents' company.

However, Oh Young decides to live her own life away from her family. Meanwhile, she tries to find her older brother named Oh Soo. Unfortunately, the man she thinks is her brother turns out to be someone else using Oh Soo's identity. Oh Young's brother is known to have passed away, so the fake Oh Soo tries to take advantage of the situation for personal gain. Oh Young's bitter life actually touches the fake Oh Soo, making him fall in love with her. This drama will make you emotional as you witness the life of Oh Young, a blind girl with many limitations and loneliness.

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11. LITTLE WOMAN

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LITTLE WOMAN was released in 2022 and is recommended as a sad drama. The story follows the struggles of three sisters with limited lives as they strive to achieve their dreams. They are close siblings who support each other during difficult times.

Things take an unexpected turn when they have to deal with an incident that forces the Oh sisters to pay a significant amount of compensation. Not to mention, they also have to confront a powerful wealthy family. The touching story of these three sisters will surely make you emotional. Moreover, LITTLE WOMAN achieved a high rating of 8.1 according to IMDb.

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12. IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY

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IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY is also a recommendation for a sad drama that has achieved quite high ratings. This Korean drama was released in 2020 and features the genres of romance and drama. The synopsis of IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY tells the story of a woman named Ko Moon-young, who is known as a fairy tale book author.

Her childhood was filled with trauma due to her mother's behavior, which influenced her life as an adult. Like a twist of fate, Ko Moon-young meets Moon Gang-tae, who is a nurse at a psychiatric hospital. From their first meeting, Ko Moon-young was immediately attracted to Gang-tae.

Additionally, it is known that Gang-tae has an older brother named Moon Sang-tae, who is autistic. Sang-tae enjoys the works of Ko Moon-young and asks his brother to accompany him to an event organized by the author. This is where their closeness begins to develop like friends. Eventually, Ko Moon-young discovers the fact that her mother is one of the causes of the death and trauma of Moon Gang-tae and Moon Sang-tae. This drama also addresses issues related to mental health, interested in watching?

13. HOPE (2013)

The story begins with a traumatic event experienced by So Won on her way to school when she is attacked by a drunken stranger. This incident causes serious physical injuries that force her to undergo major surgery.

The emotional impact develops afterward, as her previously happy family begins to fracture under pain and anger. Her father, Dong Hoon, chooses to accompany So Won in a unique way as a "guardian angel" in order to restore their broken relationship.

14. MY MISTER (2018)

The story continues with the life of Park Dong Hun, a middle-aged engineer who appears stable but is filled with family and work pressures. Two unemployed siblings and a troubled marriage become the initial burdens that keep piling up.

The situation becomes more complex when he gets involved with Lee Ji An, a young coworker who is entangled in debt and loneliness. Their relationship develops amidst office intrigue and conflicts of interest that gradually erode Dong Hun's peace of life.

15. TWENTY-FIVE TWENTY-ONE (2022)

The backdrop of the financial crisis in South Korea becomes the starting point for the life changes of Na Hee Do and Baek Yi Jin. The school fencing team is disbanded, forcing Hee Do to fight harder for her dreams.

On the other hand, Yi Jin must adapt from a stable life to economic hardship. Their journey evolves over time, showcasing growth, sacrifice, and the emotional distance that gradually emerges.

16. TOMORROW (2022)

The story moves from the life of Choi Joon Woong, who struggles to find a job, to his encounter with a suicide event that changes the direction of his life. A spontaneous decision to help connects him with the world of grim reapers.

After being in a state of half human and half spirit, Joon Woong takes on a new role in the suicide prevention team. Each mission reveals stories of people filled with regret and deep sorrow.

17. 20TH CENTURY GIRL (2022)

The story begins in 1999, when Bo Ra helps her friend observe the person she secretly likes. That simple observation slowly transforms into a deeper emotional involvement.

Over time, the relationships between the characters develop amidst distance and secrets. The memories of their teenage years become a series of sweet yet sad moments that linger into adulthood.

18. Questions Related to Sad Tear-Jerking K-Dramas Recommendations

Q: What makes these K-dramas feel so sad?
A: Each story is built around traumatic events or life crises that have a long-lasting impact on character development.

Q: Are all the K-dramas on this list themed around loss?
A: Most highlight loss, whether physical, emotional, or shattered dreams.

Q: Is the plot heavy from start to finish?
A: The sadness develops gradually, starting from initial conflicts and layering over time.

Q: Which K-drama focuses most on psychological trauma?
A: HOPE (2013) and TOMORROW (2022) place psychological trauma at the center of their stories.

Among these are a series of recommendations for sad K-dramas that can drain your tears. Don't forget to prepare tissues before watching!

(kpl/gen/psp)