7 Feel-Good K-Dramas To Watch If You Liked 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'

K-dramas have a special way of turning the ordinary into something magical, especially the feel-good ones like When Life Gives You Tangerines, starring IU and Park Bo Gum. Set between 1950s Jeju Island and 2000s Seoul, the Netflix series spans four seasons, following Oh Ae Sun, an aspiring poet, and her partner Yang Gwan Sik as they face the ups and downs of life to build a better future for their kids. 

If that kind of storytelling pulled at your heartstrings, here is a list of similar slice-of-life K-dramas that offer comfort, warmth, and a beautiful reminder that life’s quiet moments are often the most meaningful.

1. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a heartwarming rom-com that follows Yoon Hye Jin (Shin Min Ah), a dentist from Seoul who relocates to the peaceful seaside village of Gongjin, where she meets Hong Du Sik (Kim Seon Ho), a charming local with a carefree attitude—her complete opposite.

The story beautifully captures their evolving romance while also shining light on the lives of Gongjin’s quirky and lovable residents.

2. Twenty-Five Twenty-One

One of the highest-rated K-dramas of all time, Twenty-Five Twenty-One beautifully portrays the bittersweet romance between Na Hee Do (Kim Tae Ri), a passionate fencing prodigy, and Baek Yi Jin (Nam Joo Hyuk), a determined young man trying to rebuild his life after the 1997 IMF crisis turns his world upside down.

3. Something in the Rain

This beautiful rom-com follows the tender and complicated romance between Yoon Jin Ah (Son Ye Jin), a coffee franchise supervisor in her mid-30s, and Seo Jun Hui (Jung Hae In), her best friend’s younger brother in his late 20s. As their friendship evolves into something deeper, the couple must navigate the hurdles of age-gap relationships and societal judgment.

The drama also highlights the several challenges that women have to face in the corporate world, adding layers of realism and emotional depth to the story.

4. Reply 1988

Set in the nostalgic late 1980s, Reply 1988 captures the warmth of friendship, family, and community through the lives of five childhood friends who grow up together on the same street. As they face the ups and downs of their teenage life, their parents, close-knit and supportive, tackle their own challenges side by side.

5. Our Blues

Set on the scenic Jeju Island, this coming-of-age series unfolds in an omnibus format, capturing the everyday joys and sorrows of its residents. With its tender storytelling and relatable characters, it paints a beautiful portrait of life’s small yet meaningful moments. 

6. Daily Dose of Sunshine

This heartfelt K-drama is adapted from a Kakao webtoon by former nurse Lee Ra Ha, drawing from her real-life experiences.

The story centres on Jung Da Eun, a compassionate nurse working in the Psychiatry Department at Myungshin University Hospital. While juggling her own personal struggles, she tirelessly supports her patients, offering a moving glimpse into the emotional world of mental health care and the everyday heroes behind it.

7. When the Camellia Blooms

This Korean mini-series tells the heartwarming tale of Oh Dong Baek (Gong Hyo Jin), a resilient single mother who relocates to the quiet town of Ongsan to begin anew. Life throws her a curveball when Yong Sik (Kang Ha Neul), a sincere police officer, walks into her world and openly expresses his love for her.

As their relationship blossoms, the story beautifully explores themes of acceptance, second chances, and finding love and romance in unexpected places.