7 K-Dramas That Flip The Script & Rock the Popular Girl/Average Boy Trope
Gender-swapped Cinderella stories for your must-watch list.
Popular Cinderella-esque stories like Twilight have taught us to enjoy a romance in which an average girl suddenly becomes the object of desire for a unique, rich, handsome, and sometimes even sparkling boy (or century-old vampire).
However, when the script is flipped, the romance can be just as relatable, gripping, and exciting. The successful woman/average guy trope shifts the power dynamic in the relationship, and when done right, it's a chef's kiss. Here are seven examples from K-dramaland.
High Society (2015)
IMDb rating: 6.7/10
Where to stream: Prime Video, Viki, Kocowa, SBS World, SBS VOD
Jang Yoon-ha, the youngest daughter of a wealthy chaebol family, seeks refuge from her privileged life by going incognito to work at a supermarket. There she meets Choi Joon-gi, who is determined to climb the social ladder despite his impoverished upbringing.
My Fair Lady (2009)
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Where to stream: Viki, Kocowa
Kang Hye-na, an entitled heiress accustomed to a life of luxury and self-importance, believes no man is worthy of her affection. But when the new, charismatic butler Seo Dong-chan arrives at her castle, Hye-na is forced to rethink her attitude towards love. Little does she know that Dong-chan has a dark secret of his own.
Be My Boyfriend (2021)
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
Where to stream: Viki, KOK TV
Lee Seung-min is your average high school student who blends in with the crowd. He has a secret crush on Oh Ji-na, the school's most popular girl and idol trainee, and never imagined that one day she would ask him to play the role of her fake boyfriend.
Doona! (2023)
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IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Where to stream: Netflix
Lee Doo-na is not just a popular girl, she is a superstar. When she retires from a pop idol group and moves into a college dorm, everyone is shocked. Everyone except Doo-na's new neighbor, Lee Won-jun, a kind-hearted freshman who doesn't even recognize the girl at first.
Ho Goo's Love (2015)
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IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Where to stream: Prime Video, AsianCrush, Tubi
Do Do-hee has always been out of Kang Ho-gu's league. She is a silver medalist swimmer with modeling gigs and a tough exterior, and he is her former classmate with a somewhat 'nobody' vibe. But when the two meet at a school reunion, it turns out that Do-hee could use Ho-gu's help.
Encounter (2018)
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IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Hulu, Viki, iQIYI
Born into wealth and married into more, Cha Soo-hyun feels trapped in her golden cage. Her journey to reclaim her independence begins unexpectedly on a trip to Cuba, where she meets a carefree, poor young man who ignites a newfound sense of freedom and adventure in her life.
The Accidental Couple (2009)
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Where to stream: Kocowa
Han Ji-soo, a renowned actress, faces a crisis when her secret boyfriend, the son of a politician, causes a car accident. To protect both of their reputations, she coerces Gu Dong-baek, an unsuspecting post office clerk and innocent bystander, into posing as the driver, which leads to a six-month contract marriage.