5 “Red Flag” Romance K-Dramas With Toxic Love Stories 

If you like messy couples, these shows are for you.
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K-Dramas regularly sweep viewers off their feet with their heart-fluttering depiction of romance. Many K-Dramas focus on exploring healthy, loving relationships, but some lean into more “toxic” depictions of romance that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. If you like watching messy relationships unfold on screen, these series might be for you.

1. So I Married An Anti-Fan

So I Married An Anti-Fan tells the love story of Hoo Joon (Choi Tae Joon), a globally famous celebrity, and Geun Young (Girls’ Generation‘s Sooyoung), a magazine reporter and Hoo Joon’s “anti-fan.” Although their relationship starts as an “enemies to lovers” trope, some viewers actually don’t think their relationship is toxic.

“So I Married An Anti-Fan” main couple

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That label is reserved for the secondary couple, Jae Joon (2PM‘s Chansung) and In Hyung (Han Ji An). Unlike the main couple’s relationship, which evolves through the series, their “love” is all about jealousy and possessiveness.

“So I Married An Anti-Fan” secondary couple

2. Tempted

Tempted has every essential piece for a dramatic, toxic, and captivating drama. Kwon Shi Hyun (Woo Do Hwan) is the cliche playboy who feels no emotion for the women he sleeps with. He then takes a bet to seduce Eun Tae Hee (Red Velvet‘s Joy), who doesn’t focus on dating and leads a virtuous life. Although they inevitably fall in love, their relationship is established on lies, deceit, and a bet.

A scene from “Tempted”

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3. Young Lady And Gentleman

Although many K-dramas have been criticized for the age gaps between characters, some viewers found Young Lady And Gentleman especially problematic after one flashback scene. The show depicts the love story between Lee Young Kook (Ji Hyun Woo), a single father in his 40s, and Park Dan Dan (Lee Se Hee), an independent woman in her 20s.

Scene from “Young Lady And Gentleman”

Fans tolerated the age gap, as the characters were both adults. However, when the drama showed one flashback scene of their first meeting, Park Dan Dan (played by Kim Min Seo in the scene) was only 13 years old. Thus many viewers found the relationship “creepy” and toxic.

Their first meeting 

 

4. True Beauty

Many K-Dramas focus on love triangles, and viewers tend to enthusiastically root for their favorites. Such was the case for True Beauty, where fans of the series voiced their strong opinions about each character. The K-Drama follows the journey of high school student Im Ju Kyung (Moon Ga Young), who struggles with insecurities about her appearance, managing them with expert make-up skills. During high school, rich Lee Su Ho (ASTRO‘s Cha Eunwoo) and “bad boy” Han Seo Jun (Hwang In Youp) both fall for Ju Kyung’s charms.

The love triangle in “True Beauty”

Although Su Ho was Ju Kyung’s main love interest, some viewers found his behavior problematic. They saw his character as being too controlling or possessive of Ju Kyung.

And while many rooted for the “underdog” second male lead, Seo Jun, viewers also criticized his behavior toward Ju Kyung, mainly focusing on his jealousy and treatment of his friends.

Even Ju Kyung herself had her toxic moments, according to these viewers.

5. Nevertheless

Nevertheless frequently pops up when K-Drama viewers discuss toxic romances. After all, that’s the entire point of this series. Nevertheless follows university students Park Jae Eon (Song Kang) and Yoo Na Bi (Han So Hee). Their relationship is tumultuous, to say the least, and driven more by lust than love.

A scene from “Nevertheless”

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If messy love stories aren’t your thing, no worries! We have recommendations for you too.

7 K-Dramas With The Healthiest Romantic Relationships, According To Fans

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