Noona RomanceAge is a significant factor in Korean society. Many different approaches, both in real life and in K-dramas, are shown regarding how a younger Korean should approach an older one that we call, Noona Romance.
In addition to employing polite and formal language, they also employ the use of honorifics, such as “hyung” (what younger men say to older men), “oppa” (what younger women say to older men), and “ahjussi,” which means “elder brother” (what both genders call middle-aged males).
There is also ahjumma, which is what younger men say to older women, unnie, which is what younger women say to older women; and noona, which is what younger men say to older women (what both genders call middle-aged females). The word “noona” is commonly used by men to address women older than themselves.
Age is nothing but a number when it comes to love, as long as both partners are of legal and consenting age. Some people, especially those who are pretty traditional and adhere to old social conventions, may look down on a woman who dates a younger man.
But there is more possibility of a dramatic depiction of such a storyline, especially if it makes for a compelling story. Throughout the years, K-dramas, in particular, have featured countless stunning couples who proved that age is irrelevant when sparks fly.
Here are 12 best noona romance korean dramas you should watch.
My Lovely Sam Soon
Synopsis
Among K-dramas, “My Name Is Kim Sam Soon” is perhaps among the most iconic noona love stories. The series’ main character, Kim Sam Soon, is a sassy baker from the past (Kim Sun Ah). Many people underestimate her because of her lack of achievements, weight, and the fact that she is still single despite being an older woman.
Sam Soon’s separation from his cheating boyfriend was witnessed by Hyun Jin Heon (Hyun Bin), the chaebol owner of an upscale French restaurant. Sam Soon replaces Jin Heon as the pastry chef at Bon Appetit, losing her job around the same time. Gradually their relationship grows, with a lot of hurdles.
Reason why to watch
This is an excellent drama to watch if you’re looking for something set before 2010 that features a daring Female lead and noona romance with fantastic chemistry between the leads despite the age disparity. It’s hilarious without ever becoming cringe-worthy.
Age Gap: 9 years
Runtime: 2005
When the Camellia Blooms
Synopsis
When the Camellia Flowers combines lightheartedness, romance, and serious societal commentary. Dong Baek (Gong Hyo-jin) is a single mother who relocates to Ongsan. Yet when people in her conservative area found out she was opening a bar, they gave her strange looks.
She attracts the attention of Hwang Yong-shik, a dogged police inspector (Kang Ha-neul). Dong Baek is wary of Yong-approaches Shik because she is bothered by the rumours and whispers surrounding her. He isn’t turned off because she works full-time as a single parent. Things get more complicated when her ex-boyfriend, baseball star Kang Jong-ryeol (Kim Ji-suk), unexpectedly arrives in her life.
Reason why to watch
“When the Camellia Blooms” is a relatively straightforward drama because it primarily concerns itself with the interactions between its characters. The mystery of the serial killer was present, but it was secondary to the main action. A straightforward narrative like this can be as riveting as any elaborate TV show or action movie.
Age Gap: 10 years
Runtime: 2019
Romance is a Bonus Book
Synopsis
Lee Jong-character, Suk’s Cha Eun-ho, is the chief editor of a publishing house and a best-selling author. Lee Na-Kang Young’s Dan-i is a mom and a former advertising copywriter.
Eun-ho is a mature, supportive lead. This drama shows how Eun-ho’s intervention helps Dan-i start over again.
Reason why to watch
It’s an adorable feel-good love story. The show’s plot and the chemistry between its leads are compelling enough to make you watch it all in one sitting. Throughout the drama, the two main characters, played by Lee Jong Suk and the female lead, go from being good friends to lovers.
Age Gap: 11 years
Runtime: 2019
Encounter
Synopsis
In Encounter, a successful but emotionally broken hotel CEO falls in love with a younger man she met in Cuba. The chance meeting was a decisive one. Cha Soo Hyun (Song Hye-Kyo) and Kim Jin Hyeok (Park Bo Gum) unexpectedly rerun into each other after going their separate ways, as Jin Hyeok gets a job at the hotel where Soo Hyun is the CEO.
As the characters’ ages are a factor throughout the show, this is a noona romance.
Reason why to watch
The cinematography was stunning, and while her ex-mother-in-law was undoubtedly irritating, the couple remained committed to each other’s happiness despite their difficulties. The drama had a soothing quality lacking the intensity of regular dramas, making it comfortable to watch even if its movement was slow.
Age Gap: 12 years
Runtime: 2018
Something in the Rain
Synopsis
Yoon Jin Ah (Son Ye Jin) is a professional lady in her 30s who often feels empty and isolated despite her outgoing demeanour and positive outlook on life. She isn’t particularly good at maintaining relationships, and she’s frequently discarded because she’s boring and predictable.
Later, the younger brother of her best friend, Seo Joon Hee (Jung Hae In), enters her life. Initially, she only regarded him as her younger brother, but his charming nature quickly won her over.
Reason why to watch
Thanks to the sizzling chemistry between the two stars, you’ll believe they’re a real-life pair. Even though there were some grating and unpleasant characters, the drama was grounded in reality because it dealt with a genuine social problem.
Age Gap: 6 years
Runtime: 2018
A Witch’s Romance
Synopsis
Uhm Jung Hwa plays Ban Ji Yeon, a single, highly driven reporter in her late thirties. They called her a witch behind her back since her extreme emotion makes her seem unlikable. Meanwhile, Yoon Dong Ha (Park Seo Joon) and his pal run an errand service where they help customers with various tasks in exchange for payment.
They eventually meet, but an incident prevents an instant connection between them. But with time, they begin to develop an attraction for one another.
Reason why to watch
Dong-Ha has feelings for Ji-yeon, but Ji-Yeon is concerned about their age difference. This is my favourite Noona romance of all time. The connection between Park Seo Joon and Uhm Jung Hwa is enough to light a forest on fire.
Age Gap: 19 years
Runtime: 2014
Secret Love Affair
Synopsis
Unlike the other noona romance series we’ve discussed, “Secret Love Affair” focuses on a forbidden romance between a mature woman and a young musical prodigy. 40-year-old Oh Hye Won (Kim Hee Ae) learns about love from 20-year-old Lee Sun Jae (Yoo Ah In).
The series has a severe and dark plot, yet it’s still incredible to watch, mainly when the key actors perform fantastically.
Reason why to watch
This drama centres on the arts, but it is also a work of art in and of itself. Secret Love Affair depicts a more mature and morally dubious kind of love than is typical in dramas. This play shows that love is not always roses and butterflies.
Age Gap: 19 years
Runtime: 2014
Temperature of Love
Synopsis
Lee Hyun Soo (Seo Hyun Jin), a young aspiring dramatist who worked as an assistant writer for ten years, the lead of “Temperature of Love,” a love melodrama. Jane meets Good Soup, whose young chef-owner is On Jung Seon (Yang Se Jong), through an online site where she goes by “Jane.” Good Soup is On Jung Seon’s (Yang Se Jong) Michelin-starred restaurant.
After finally meeting, they realized they had much in common, personally and professionally. Even though they fall in love, Hyun Soo prefers to focus on her career.
Reason why to watch
The chemistry and on-screen chemistry between Seo Hyun-jin and Yang Se-jong is instant and undeniable, making the plot contrivances that keep them apart all the more aggravating. If you try it out and get bored, don’t feel bad about giving up.
Age Gap: 8 years
Runtime: 2017
Melancholia
Synopsis
A math instructor and a student at an elite high school have a sexual encounter that turns tragic. They reunite four years later as adults to expose school corruption and restore one of their respective professional reputations.
Reason why to watch
I hoped to find a drama with a particular atmosphere, and “Melancholia” delivers in spades. Most importantly, it has a lot of souls. In the future, there will be more dramas like this one.
We Enjoy watching dramas because they have something unique that sets them apart from other types of television and can cause viewers to become emotionally invested in the story.
Age Gap: 16 years
Runtime: 2021
Now, We Are Breaking Up
Synopsis
Ha Young Eun is a well-known figure in the fashion business, having risen to the position of team head in the design department at one of the country’s most prestigious fashion houses. On other side, Yoon Jae Kook, a well-known freelance fashion photographer, changes everything.
Young Eun and Jae Kook begin to develop romantic feelings for one another. Nevertheless, not every fairy tale ends happily. Will their story end in tragedy, or will they discover their happy ending?
Reason why to watch
We enjoyed the drama because of the many wise choices made by the characters. Characters deliberate over each step because they understand the significance of even a small change.
Without seeking permission from anybody, Young-eun abandoned her comfortable job, steady paycheck, and capable team to create a successful brand based on her unique vision. It’s the best choice, and seeing this drama’s characters develop satisfyingly is good.
Age Gap: 11 years
Runtime: 2021
Why Her?
Synopsis
Oh Soo Jae has already proved she has what it takes to be one of the top lawyers in the country, despite being the youngest partner at one of the most prominent legal firms in the country.
The only thing that helps is when Soo Jae meets Gong Chan, a college student whose path frequently intersects with his. Gong Chan’s warm heart remains strong despite the weight of his sad background, mainly when his love for Soo Jae develops.
Reason why to watch
Why Her was more enjoyable than anticipated, despite our concerns about its execution and character design in the ML, Seo Hyun Jin, who played the lead role, is mainly responsible for the success of this drama, which could have been less compelling without her.
If you enjoy intricate stories with intricate plots and complex dynamics, you should watch this kind of show.
Age Gap: 6 years
Runtime: 2022
Alchemy of Souls
Synopsis
A forbidden magic trick called the “alchemy of souls” permits souls to transfer bodies, and this novel takes place in a made-up country named Daeho that doesn’t exist in history or on maps. It’s the story of the love and progress of young mages as they confront their twisted fates.
This show combines elements from various types of high fantasy. Which, yes, comes with a hefty price tag. The performance is spellbinding. The amount of work that went into this show drives me insane. The show has beautiful visuals and excellent Music, serving romance, action, comedy, and mystery.
Reason why to watch
For these reasons, We believe Alchemy of Souls deserves to be recognized as an instant masterpiece. Beauty and disruption of the habituated mind are two of its strongest suits. It provides fun for the whole family and sparks heated debates. The show is lighthearted overall, although it does have some dark subject content.
Age Gap: 10 years
Runtime: 2022
Bonus: More Noona Romance K-dramas
- The Glory
- Crash Course in Romance
- I Hear Your Voice
- Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy
- Personal Taste
- 18 Again
- Descendants of the Sun
- Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung
- Search: WWW
- Lost
- Wok of Love
Final Thoughts
“Noona romances” are no exception to Korean dramas’ ability to win our hearts and transport us to a realm of love and passion. The beautiful and complicated relationships between younger men and older women are explored and portrayed in these dramas that examine the concept of love that transcends age and societal expectations. Noona romances have a unique way of touching our hearts and filling us with hope and inspiration, whether the story is funny or sad.
The characters’ maturation throughout a noona romance is one of the most endearing parts of Korean dramas. Younger male leads are typically naive and unsure of themselves at the story’s beginning, but they gain confidence and experience as they develop relationships with their more seasoned female counterparts. On the other side, the protagonists beyond the age of thirty-five are shown to be strong, self-reliant, and confident women who aren’t afraid to go against the grain to get what they want.
Which of these dramas do you like best? If you’re a fan of K-dramas, what other Noona romance series do you repeatedly recommend to others?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Noona romance?
“Noona romance” is a term used in Korean dramas and movies to describe a romantic relationship between a younger man and an older woman. The word “noona” is a term of respect used by younger men to address older women who are either their sisters or acquaintances. In the context of a romantic relationship, “noona” is used to refer to an older woman who is dating or in love with a younger man.
This type of romance has become popular in recent years in Korean dramas and movies, where the plot often revolves around the relationship between the younger man and the older woman, as well as the social and cultural barriers they may face due to the age difference. Some examples of popular noona romance dramas include “Secret Love Affair,” “Something in the Rain,” and “Encounter.”
What is the age gap in Noona romance?
“Noona romance” is a term used in Korean dramas and pop culture to refer to a romantic relationship between a younger man and an older woman. The age gap in noona romances can vary, but typically the woman is at least a few years older than the man, usually in her thirties or forties, while the man is in his twenties or thirties.
Why is Noona romance popular?
The term “Noona romance” refers to a popular Korean drama genre that centers around a romantic relationship between an older woman and a younger man. This genre has gained popularity over the years for several reasons.
Firstly, Noona romances offer a refreshing change from the typical gender roles in romantic relationships. In many cultures, it is traditionally expected for men to be older than their female partners, but in Noona romances, the dynamic is reversed. This subversion of traditional gender roles can be exciting for viewers who are looking for something different.
Secondly, Noona romances often explore themes of empowerment and self-discovery for the female lead. The older woman in the relationship is often portrayed as confident and successful, which can be empowering for female viewers. Additionally, the relationship can serve as a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery for both parties involved.
Lastly, the chemistry between the lead actors is a major factor in the popularity of Noona romances. Many viewers find the dynamic between an older woman and younger man to be inherently intriguing and romantic, and when the chemistry between the actors is strong, it can be especially compelling.
Overall, Noona romances offer a unique and refreshing take on the traditional romantic narrative, exploring themes of empowerment, personal growth, and unconventional relationships.
What is Oppa vs Noona?
“Oppa” and “Noona” are Korean terms used to address older siblings or older acquaintances of the opposite gender. In the context of Korean dramas and popular culture, “Oppa” is often used by younger women to address an older brother or an older male friend. On the other hand, “Noona” is used by younger men to address an older sister or an older female friend.
In the context of Korean dramas, “Oppa” and “Noona” have taken on a romantic connotation. “Oppa romance” refers to a genre where the female lead is younger than the male lead and addresses him as “Oppa” in a romantic context. In contrast, “Noona romance” refers to a genre where the male lead is younger than the female lead and addresses her as “Noona” in a romantic context.
