Strategic Reserve For Rainy Days: 7 K-Dramas Sure To Turn Your Frown Upside Down

Sometimes life throws you lemons that are hard to squeeze into a tasty lemonade. In the midst of stress and hardship, it can be difficult to shift your focus and mood to get in the right frame of mind for future accomplishments.

That's when taking a break to watch a relaxing comedy comes in handy. While binging a well-crafted story that puts a smile on your face, you forget what made you frown in the first place.

Here are seven K-dramas that have never failed to lift the spirits of hundreds of fans worldwide.

Touch Your Heart (2019)

IMDb rating: 7.6/10

Where to stream: Prime Video, Viki

Follow a former top actress who suffers a career setback and finds a chance at redemption by starring in a new legal project. To get the role, she needs to get field experience and goes to work as a secretary of a top lawyer, triggering a heartwarming uplifting romance.

Her Private Life (2019)

IMDb rating: 7.7/10

Where to stream: Netflix, Viki

Join the journey of a gallery curator and her secret life as an idol fan. Targeted by other fans, she is forced to pretend to date her boss, which suddenly turns out to be quite enjoyable, giving K-drama fans plenty of cozy and electric moments to drool over.

Fight For My Way (2017)

IMDb rating: 8.1/10

Where to stream: Netflix, Prime Video, Viki, Aha, Kocowa

Embark on a heartwarming romcom adventure with four best friends as they navigate the ups and downs of their 30s. This drama guarantees plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and powerful motivation as the protagonists go from dead-end jobs to dream careers and from friends to lovers.

Welcome to Waikiki (2018)

IMDb rating: 8.2/10

Where to stream: Netflix, Prime Video, Viki, Kocowa

Laugh with three struggling young filmmakers as they try to revive a failing guesthouse in hopes of earning money for their first film. The protagonists are real role models who do everything wrong but never stop, no matter what, and win in the long run. Don't miss the sequel, Welcome to Waikiki 2 (2019).

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016)

IMDb rating: 8.3/10

Where to stream: Prime Video, Viki

Indulge in the charming romance of a young weightlifting prodigy torn between two potential love interests. One is her best friend, the other his older brother. Fans say the refreshingly escapist story with lovable characters, adorable friendships, and feel-good vibes is guaranteed to lift your spirits.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)

IMDb rating: 8.4/10

Where to stream: Netflix

Experience the serene charm of a journey to a quaint seaside village. The lead is a big city professional who one day changes her life in the blink of an eye and moves to a tiny town where she finds breathtaking scenery, new friends and, of course, love.

Mr. Queen (2020)

IMDb rating: 8.6/10

Where to stream: Netflix, Viki

Enter the fantastical world of the Joseon era with a modern-day chef who time-travels to the past and finds himself trapped in the body of a queen. This is undoubtedly the comedic gem of K-dramaland, which has gained a small army of fans thanks to its brilliant exploration of the gender-swapping trope from a new, surprising perspective.