Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I will get a commission if you purchase anything through my links, at no extra cost to you. I choose products and services for these links that I believe in.
There is nothing like a good K-drama cry…I know we have all been there!
Korean drama writers are some of the most talented at taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster and leaving us in pure despair.
If you are looking for a good K-drama that you can cry your heart out to, here are 12 sad Korean dramas that will take you on an emotional journey you won’t soon forget.
Trigger Warning: There are dramas on this list that explore themes of sensitive subjects such as abuse or death. If this isn’t for you, please take care and do what is best for you.
Spoiler Alert: I try to avoid spoilers at all costs, however, due to the theme of this article, the following might contain minor spoilers.
1. Winter Sonata
Winter Sonata is a K-drama classic that all Korean drama fans need to add to their list. It follows the heart-wrenching story of first love and lost memories. The story follows Joon-sang, a young man who loses his memory after a tragic accident, and Yu-jin, who was once his lover.
The drama’s melancholic tone, coupled with its beautiful winter landscapes, sets the stage for a story of love, loss, and the pain of missed opportunities. Winter Sonata is often credited with kicking off the Hallyu wave and remains a beloved drama for fans who enjoy a bittersweet love story.
2. A Thousand Days’ Promise
A Thousand Days’ Promise tells the emotional story of a woman diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at a young age and the man who stands by her side despite the heartbreaking circumstances.
Soo Ae delivers a powerful performance as Seo-yeon, a woman who slowly loses her memories, while Kim Rae-won portrays Ji-hyung, the man who refuses to abandon her. This drama is a poignant exploration of love, memory, and the devastating effects of illness.
3. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
While Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is known for its beautiful cinematography and star-studded cast, it’s also one of the saddest Korean dramas ever made. The story follows a modern-day woman who is transported back to the Goryeo Dynasty, where she becomes entangled in a complex web of royal intrigue, love, and betrayal. As the story progresses, the drama takes a darker turn, leading to a series of tragic events that leave viewers heartbroken. The intense emotions and tragic fates of the characters make this drama a tearjerker from start to finish.
4. Uncontrollably Fond
Uncontrollably Fond is the story of a famous actor, Shin Joon-young, and a documentary producer, No Eul, who were once lovers but are now estranged. This drama explores the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and navigating tragedy, leaving viewers aching for the characters.
5. I’m Sorry, I Love You
I’m Sorry, I Love You is a tragic love story that centers on Cha Moo-hyuk, a man who was abandoned by his birth parents and adopted by an abusive family overseas. After returning to Korea, he seeks revenge on his birth mother, only to fall in love with a woman named Eun-chae. The drama’s exploration of abandonment, revenge, and unrequited love is heartbreaking, and its ending is one of the most devastating in Korean drama history.
6. Youth of May
This drama takes place during the Gwangju Uprising during the early 1980s. The story follows two college students as they navigate their blossoming love amidst the chaos and tragedy of the era. What makes Youth of May particularly heartbreaking is its exploration of the fleeting nature of happiness and the devastating impact of historical events on ordinary lives. The drama beautifully captures the intense emotions of love, hope, and despair, making it a must-watch for those who appreciate sad Korean dramas that are both historically significant and deeply moving.
7. Stairway to Heaven
A quintessential sad Korean drama, Stairway to Heaven is a story of childhood friends who grow up to be star-crossed lovers. Jung-suh and Song-joo share a deep bond, but their love is constantly tested by fate and the malicious actions of those around them. The drama is filled with moments of intense sorrow, including tragic accidents, terminal illness, and unfulfilled love. Stairway to Heaven is a tear-jerking tale that explores the idea that true love can transcend even the most tragic of circumstances.
8. Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)
While Goblin is known for its fantasy elements and humor, it also has its fair share of sad moments. The drama tells the story of Kim Shin, an immortal goblin cursed to live an eternal life until he finds his bride, who can remove the sword that binds him to the mortal world. As the story unfolds, the characters face heart-wrenching choices and the inevitability of fate, leading to a bittersweet conclusion that will leave viewers reaching for tissues. The drama beautifully captures the pain of immortal love and the bittersweet nature of life and death.
9. Missing You (I Miss You)
Missing You is a melodrama that follows the lives of two childhood friends, Jung-woo and Soo-yeon, who are separated after a tragic incident. Years later, they are reunited, but the trauma of their past continues to haunt them. The drama is a heartbreaking exploration of love, loss, and the lingering effects of trauma. The characters’ deep emotional scars and their struggle to find happiness despite their painful pasts make this a truly sad Korean drama.
10. 49 Days
49 Days is a unique and emotionally charged drama that follows the story of a young woman named Ji-hyun, who falls into a coma after a car accident. She is given 49 days to gather three pure tears from people who truly love her in order to return to life. As she embarks on this journey, Ji-hyun discovers the truth about her relationships and the hidden sorrows of those around her. The drama’s exploration of life, death, and the nature of true love is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, leading to an ending that will leave viewers in tears.
11. The Wind Blows
The Wind Blows tells the poignant story of a married couple, Do-hoon and Soo-jin, whose lives are turned upside down when Do-hoon is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. To spare his wife the pain of watching him deteriorate, Do-hoon decides to divorce her without revealing the true reason. The drama explores the deep love and sacrifice within a marriage, as well as the heartbreaking effects of illness on relationships. The Wind Blows is a deeply emotional drama that highlights the strength and fragility of love in the face of overwhelming adversity.
12. Mother
Mother is a heart-wrenching drama that follows the story of a substitute teacher, Soo-jin, who discovers that one of her students, Hye-na, is being abused at home. Unable to stand by and do nothing, Soo-jin decides to “kidnap” Hye-na and raise her as her own child.
The drama explores themes of motherhood, child abuse, and the lengths to which one woman will go to protect a child in need. Mother is a sad Korean drama that will leave viewers moved by its powerful portrayal of unconditional love and sacrifice.
For a lighter selection of Korean dramas, make sure to check out this list of funniest K-dramas of all time. You might need a good laugh after these heartwrenching dramas!
