15 Korean Dramas About Work Rivals Who Eventually Become a Couple, from Business Proposal to Crazy Love

Kapanlagi.com - Annyeong, KLovers! Who here loves the enemies to lovers trope? Korean dramas are truly the best at weaving stories of two people who initially have pride and bicker every day, but eventually become completely smitten. Especially when the setting is in the workplace, the tension feels incredibly real!

The romantic stories in a work environment (office romance) between two rivals always have their own charm. Just imagine, having to be professional and compete in front of the boss, but secretly your heart races when you steal glances in the pantry. From sabotaging each other's work to covering for each other when problems arise, the dynamics of their relationship are sure to make the audience feel giddy and excited.

So, for those of you who need some light, funny, yet heart-fluttering viewing, Kapanlagi has summarized the best titles for you. Get your favorite snacks ready, because we are going to dissect 15 Korean dramas about work rivals who eventually succumb to love. Let's check out the complete list below!

1. Hot Competition in the Entertainment & Media World

(Credit: Mydramalist.com/Shooting Stars)

1. Jealousy Incarnate (Don't Dare to Dream)

It tells the story of Lee Hwa Shin, an arrogant male news anchor, and Pyo Na Ri, a weather presenter who dreams of becoming a main news anchor.

Career competition at the TV station leads to a hilarious love triangle as Hwa Shin starts to get jealous seeing Na Ri being approached by his own best friend.

• Cast List: Gong Hyo Jin, Jo Jung Suk, Go Kyung Pyo.
• Broadcast Schedule: August 24 - November 10, 2016 (SBS).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: Jo Jung Suk's comedic acting while holding back jealousy is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud! This drama also bravely tackles the issue of breast cancer in men.
• Production Information: Director: Park Shin Woo | Writer: Seo Sook Hyang | Episodes: 24.

2. Shooting Stars

Drama Synopsis: Oh Han Byul is the head of the PR team at an entertainment agency responsible for cleaning up the "messes" of its artists.

Her arch-nemesis is Gong Tae Sung, a top actor who always makes Han Byul furious. However, behind their arguments lies a sweet past secret.

• Cast List: Lee Sung Kyung, Kim Young Dae, Yoon Jong Hoon.
• Broadcast Schedule: April 22 - June 11, 2022 (tvN).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: KLovers can see the reality behind the scenes of the Korean entertainment industry, how busy the agency staff is managing artist scandals!
• Production Information: Director: Lee Soo Hyun | Writer: Choi Young Woo | Episodes: 16.

3. She Was Pretty

Kim Hye Jin, who was once beautiful and wealthy, now looks messy and works as an intern at a fashion magazine.

Unfortunately, her new boss is Ji Sung Joon, her childhood friend who is now a perfectionist editor, strict, and often belittles her.

• Cast List: Hwang Jung Eum, Park Seo Joon, Choi Siwon, Go Joon Hee.
• Broadcast Schedule: September 16 - November 11, 2015 (MBC).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: The second lead syndrome in this drama is very strong thanks to the hilarious charm of Siwon from Super Junior!
• Production Information: Director: Jung Dae Yoon | Writer: Jo Sung Hee | Episodes: 16.

2. Prestige Clash in the Thriving Law Firm

Hyena. (credit: SBS)

4.Hyena

Two super competitive lawyers with opposing backgrounds. Jung Geum Ja is a lawyer who justifies any means for money, while Yoon Hee Jae is an arrogant elite lawyer. They fiercely compete for high-profile clients, but slowly become attracted to each other.

• Drama Cast: Kim Hye Soo, Ju Ji Hoon.
• Air Dates: February 21 - April 11, 2020 (SBS).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: The adult chemistry between Kim Hye Soo and Ju Ji Hoon is really hot and badass, not cheesy at all!
• Production Information: Director: Jang Tae Yoo | Writer: Kim Roo Ri | Episodes: 16.

5.Suspicious Partner

Noh Ji Wook, a perfectionist prosecutor who switches careers to become a lawyer, is forced to work with Eun Bong Hee, his former intern who is full of problems. Initially, they often clash, but they must unite to solve a serial murder case.

• Drama Cast: Ji Chang Wook, Nam Ji Hyun, Choi Tae Joon.
• Air Dates: May 10 - July 13, 2017 (SBS).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: Ji Chang Wook's visuals wearing glasses and a lawyer's suit are sure to melt the hearts of KLovers!
• Production Information: Director: Park Sun Ho | Writer: Kwon Ki Young | Episodes: 40 (30 minutes/ep).

6.Love to Hate You

Yeo Mi Ran is a tough female lawyer who deeply hates men, while Nam Kang Ho is a top actor who has very little trust in women. Both are forced to pretend to date to save the agency's reputation, but it turns out they have genuinely fallen in love.

• Drama Cast: Kim Ok Vin, Teo Yoo, Kim Ji Hoon, Go Won Hee.
• Broadcast Schedule: February 10, 2023 (Netflix).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: The pacing of the story is fast, the comedy is fresh, and the female character is very much an alpha female!
• Production Information: Director: Kim Jung Kwon | Writer: Choi Soo Young | Episodes: 10.

3. Prestige & White Coats: Rivalry in the Medical World

Doctor Slump (credit:mydramalist)

7. Emergency Couple

Drama Synopsis: Oh Jin Hee and Oh Chang Min were once married but divorced due to mutual hatred. Years later, they accidentally meet again as interns in the same ER and must compete to become full-time doctors.

• Drama Cast: Song Ji Hyo, Choi Jin Hyuk, Lee Pil Mo.
• Broadcast Schedule: January 24 - April 5, 2014 (tvN).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: Very relatable regarding the reality of marriage and second chances in love.
• Production Information: Director: Kim Cheol Kyu | Writer: Choi Yoon Jung | Episodes: 21.

8. Doctor Slump

Drama Synopsis: Nam Ha Neul and Yeo Jeong Woo are eternal rivals who always competed for the top rank in high school.

Years later, when their medical careers are both in shambles and at their lowest point, they unexpectedly meet again.

• Drama Cast: Park Shin Hye, Park Hyung Sik.
• Broadcast Schedule: January 27 - March 17, 2024 (JTBC).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: Featuring a reunion of Park Shin Hye and Park Hyung Sik after "The Heirs", this drama is very healing and heartwarming.
• Production Information: Director: Oh Hyun Jong | Writer: Baek Sun Woo | Episodes: 16.

9. Dr. Romantic 2

Seo Woo Jin and Cha Eun Jae are college rivals who always compete fiercely. Eun Jae is smart in theory but has a phobia of the operating room, while Woo Jin is a genius in surgery but has a lot of debt. Both were taken to Doldam Hospital and slowly healed from their respective traumas.

• Drama Cast: Han Suk Kyu, Ahn Hyo Seop, Lee Sung Kyung.
• Airing Schedule: January 6 - February 25, 2020 (SBS).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: Besides the shy romance, the medical conflicts and life lessons from Kim Sa Bu will make the audience shed tears.
• Production Information: Director: Yoo In Shik | Writer: Kang Eun Kyung | Episodes: 16.

4. Corporate Clash

Crazy Love. (credit: mydramalist.com)

10. Gaus Electronics

This office drama highlights the Marketing Division 3 at Gaus Electronics. Lee Sang Sik, a clumsy employee who always causes trouble, must face Cha Na Rae, a temperamental assistant manager who is constantly angry because of Sang Sik's antics.

• Drama Cast: Kwak Dong Yeon, Ko Sung Hee, Bae Hyun Sung.
• Airing Schedule: September 30 - November 5, 2022 (ENA).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: This is one of the best comedy dramas that will make you laugh out loud in every episode!
• Production Information: Director: Park Joon Soo | Writer: Kang Go Woon | Episodes: 12.

11. Crazy Love

Noh Go Jin is a narcissistic, perfectionist CEO of a tutoring agency, who is hated by many. His secretary, Lee Shin Ah, suddenly gets diagnosed with a serious illness due to work stress. Shin Ah decides to take revenge and torment her boss while Go Jin pretends to have amnesia.

• Drama Cast: Kim Jae Wook, Krystal Jung, Ha Jun.
• Airing Schedule: March 7 - April 26, 2022 (KBS2).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: Stunning visuals of Kim Jae Wook and Krystal combined with epic dark comedy.
• Production Information: Director: Kim Jung Hyun | Writer: Kim Bo Gyeom | Episodes: 16.

12. Feel Good to Die

Baek Jin Sang is a super annoying and arrogant boss. Lee Ruda, his subordinate, hated him so much that one day he cursed his boss to death. Strangely, his boss really died, and then Ruda got trapped in a time loop that forced him to change his boss's bad attitude so he wouldn't die again.

• Drama Cast: Kang Ji Hwan, Baek Jin Hee, Gong Myung.
• Air Schedule: November 7 - December 27, 2018 (KBS2).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: A unique time loop concept combined with the struggles of a subordinate against the selfishness of a boss that is super relatable.
• Production Information: Director: Lee Eun Jin | Writer: Im Seo Ra | Episodes: 32 (duration 35 minutes/ep).

5. From Hate to Love in Other Specific Industries

Discover Korean dramas about fans dating idols (credit:mydramalist)

13.Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

Yoon Hye Jin, a materialistic dentist from Seoul, moves to the seaside village of Gongjin to open a clinic. There, she constantly argues with Hong Du Sik (Hong Banjang), a jack-of-all-trades who often takes odd jobs in the village.

• Drama Cast: Shin Min Ah, Kim Seon Ho, Lee Sang Yi.
• Air Schedule: August 28 - October 17, 2021 (tvN).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: A super healing watch with beautiful sea views, plus the legendary dimple couple!
• Production Information: Director: Yoo Je Won | Writer: Shin Ha Eun | Episodes: 16.

14.So I Married an Anti-Fan

Lee Geun Young, a magazine reporter, gets fired after a clash with Hoo Joon, a super famous K-Pop idol. Becoming the number one anti-fan, Geun Young accidentally ends up living with and filming a reality show with her arch-nemesis.

• Drama Cast: Choi Soo Young, Choi Tae Joon, Hwang Chan Sung.
• Air Schedule: April 30 - June 19, 2021 (Naver TV/iQIYI).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: Provides an exciting glimpse into the difficulties of dealing with fanatic fans and haters in the K-Pop industry.
• Production Information: Director: Kang Cheol Woo | Writer: Nam Ji Yeon | Episodes: 16.

15.Touch Your Heart

Oh Yoon Seo, an actress whose popularity has been ruined by a scandal, has to intern as a secretary at a law firm for a new role. Her boss, Kwon Jung Rok, is a stiff and workaholic lawyer who is initially very annoyed by Yoon Seo's incompetence in the office.

• Drama Cast: Lee Dong Wook, Yoo In Na, Lee Sang Woo.
• Air Schedule: February 6 - March 28, 2019 (tvN).
• Fun Fact / Why You Should Watch: A remedy for KLovers who can't move on from the tragic story of Grim Reaper and Sunny in the drama Goblin!
• Production Information: Director: Park Joon Hwa | Writer: Lee Myung Sook | Episodes: 16.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the appeal of the 'enemies to lovers' trope in K-dramas? This trope is very popular because it provides clear character development. The process of changing feelings from mutual hate, to understanding each other, and then falling in love always manages to make the audience feel excited and emotionally invested.

2. Do all the dramas above have a happy ending? Of course! Almost all dramas in the rom-com genre with this trope always promise a happy ending for their viewers, KLovers!

3. Which drama is the funniest and most hilarious? If KLovers are looking for absurd comedy that is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud, Gaus Electronics and Jealousy Incarnate are two must-watch options!

4. Are there any dramas in genres other than romantic comedy? Yes, some have mixed genres. For example, Hyena and Suspicious Partner have legal and criminal elements, while Doctor Slump has strong healing and psychological elements.

5. Where can I watch these dramas legally? Most of these dramas are available on various legal streaming platforms such as Netflix, Viu, Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video, and iQIYI. Make sure to watch on official sites, okay!

(kpl/rao)