Korean dramas create many different feelings in viewers. Some K-dramas make you fall in love or laugh out loud, while some leave you heartbroken with a mixed bag of emotions. The shows that focus on sad stories will have you reaching for the tissue boxes and weeping uncontrollably, just like many viewers experience.
These emotional K-dramas explore deep themes like love, loss, family relationships, and mental health. They tell stories that stay with you long after the final episode ends. Here are five of the saddest Korean dramas you can watch on streaming platforms right now.
Saddest Korean Dramas to Stream on OTT
Mr Plankton (Netflix)
Don't let the "rom-com" tag of Mr Plankton fool you, because by the time you reach the finish line, you'll be having a major meltdown. The Netflix series starts as fun and games in the beginning, but it does a complete 360 with its deep take on life and death through its rebellious characters.
The show follows Hae Jo, played by Woo Do Hwan, who has always felt lost in life. His relationship with Jo Jaemi, played by Lee Yoo Mi, changes everything for him. The fact that the ever-lost Hae Jo eventually wished to live because of Jo Jaemi and their chosen family creates one of the most moving stories in recent K-drama history.
What makes Mr Plankton so sad is how it shows people finding meaning in their lives just when they might lose everything. The characters become like family to each other, and watching their journey together will continue to haunt viewers long after the show ends.
When Life Gives You Tangerines (Netflix)
When Life Gives You Tangerines is a more recent addition to the list of K-dramas that completely wreck viewers emotionally, and it deserves this reputation. While the Netflix show has its comic relief moments, by the end, you're guaranteed to have run out of tissue boxes.
The series focuses on the relationship between Yang Gwansik, played by Park Hae Joon, and his daughter Yang Geummyeong, played by IU. Their father-daughter bond feels so real and relatable that it moves viewers to tears. The show explores how families deal with difficult situations and how parents and children support each other through hard times.
What makes this drama especially powerful is how it shows ordinary family moments that feel completely genuine. The emotional scenes between father and daughter hit harder because they remind viewers of their own family relationships.
Thirty-Nine (Netflix)
Grief, when it hits you, feels like a silent storm. No other K-drama has tackled the loss of a loved one as hard-hitting as Thirty-Nine does. The show takes viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions throughout the entire series.
The most devastating moment comes when Cha Mijo, played by Son Ye Jin, learns of Jeong Chanyoung's death. Jeon Mi Do plays Chanyoung with such warmth that her loss feels personal to viewers. When this moment arrives, the teardrops just won't stop falling for most people watching.
Thirty-Nine shows how friendships can be just as important as family relationships. The three main characters support each other through life's biggest challenges, making their story both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.
Our Blues (Netflix)
There hasn't been a more accurate description of how lonely depression can get than Our Blues, particularly with the character of Min Seonah played by Shin Min Ah. The show doesn't shy away from realistically showing mental health struggles.
The most unforgettable scene takes place inside a restaurant, where Seonah explains to her young son about her depression. Her son is bearing the brunt of his parents' separation, and Seonah tells him that he's the only source of light in her life. The conversation is simple but deeply impactful because it shows how depression affects not just the person who has it, but their entire family.
Our Blues succeeds in showing how real people deal with mental health challenges. The show doesn't make depression seem glamorous or easy to fix. Instead, it shows the daily struggle and how important family support can be during difficult times.
It's Okay, That's Love (Amazon Prime Video)
It's Okay, That's Love is not an easy watch because its lead characte,r Jang Jaeyeol, played by Jo In Sung, battles with undiagnosed schizophrenia. The show approaches mental health topics with care and understanding, making it both educational and emotional.
The drama doesn't just showcase how mental struggles impact the person who has them, but also shows how these challenges affect loved ones and well-wishers as well. This complete picture makes the story more realistic and helps viewers understand mental health issues better.
By the end of the series, Jaeyeol must bid an emotional farewell to his illusion, Han Kangwoo, played by EXO member D.O. This goodbye scene provides viewers with both catharsis and plenty of hope. The show proves that with proper support and treatment, people can overcome mental health challenges.
These five Korean dramas stand out because they handle difficult topics with honesty and respect. They don't use sad stories just to make viewers cry. Instead, they explore real human experiences like family relationships, mental health, friendship, and loss in ways that help viewers understand these topics better.
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