I am a huge KDrama fan... I've watched so many over the years and honestly, I've ran out of them. So, that is why I'm going to try JDramas. The only JDrama I've watched is Good Morning Call, and I liked it when I was watching it but when I think about it, it was kind of cringey lol. I do remember watching a few episodes of Sukina Hito Ga Iru Koto, but I honestly forget most of it. But I do really need some good romance recommendations. 

For reference, my favorite top 2 KDramas are Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo and Because This is My First Life.

Also, if you have a school drama it's a plus

I've seen neither of those K-dramas yet, but TiMFL is often compared with NigeHaji --- you might try that out?

I personally don't watch a lot of J-romcoms/romances, but I can at least list some titles for you:

Some of these I've seen, some I haven't. I've seen all get their names tossed around quite a bit, though, when it comes to recs.


Hana kimi (From what I remember that is the name) is very good. I recommend it. 

Some additional recs:

  • Asuko March (school, romance)
  • Zenkai Girl (romcom, my personal favorite)
  • Love That Makes You Cry (drama, romance, haven't watched it myself but a lot of people seem to like it)
  • Shitsuren Chocolatier (drama, not really a romance; dysfunctional relationships abound but I loved it; think of it as a makjang with a more realistic approach)
  • Hotaru no Hikari (romcom)
  • Gomen ne Seishun (comedy, school)
  • Family's Form (family, drama, the romance is kinda light but if you like Because This is the First Time you might like this; it talked about what is family, what does being a family mean, if marriage means loss of individuality--that kinda thing, but not in a in-your-face way)
  • Bara no nai Hanaya (drama, family, romance)
  • Lunch Queen (drama, romance; reverse harem, sort of)

Try Pride and Buzzer Beat :)
Maybe 1 Pound No Fukuin and Nodame Cantabile too, although they are more silly / funny than romantic (in my opinion).

As for school dramas, I remember Life being really good, but it's not a romance  (actually quite dark and twisted)
Gokusen was good too!

Here are my recommendations, some of them have already been mentioned:

  • Hana yori dango – It’s a must see it’s the classical Cinderella story but one of the bests ever done (2 seasons and 1 movie). (Boys over flowers is the kversion of this drama)
  • Buzzer Beat – Good romance drama about 2 people that meet and fall in love but first they have to find the perfect timing for them to be together
  • Love Shuffle – It’s a story involving 4 couples and how they learn what love is
  • Pride – A classic romance drama with a mature couple who grow and learn from each other and also heal each others wounds
  • Tatta Hitotsu no koi – A very good romance and it’s a Cinderella story but inverse (rich girl, poor boy)
  • Hotaru no Hikari – This has 2 seasons and a movie, and it’s a bout a couple that has to live together due to some circumstances and gradually fall in love
  • We married as a job - As mentioned above this one is compared to Because this is my first life. I liked both of them but I'll have to say I liked better how they managed the "contract relationship" at the final episodes here. 
  • Soratobu Kouhoushitsu - I like this one, because is also about 2 individuals who had their dreams broken about their ideal jobs but with the help of each other discover a new passion in life. 
  • Kahogo no Kahoko - This one is pretty sweet and lighthearted, the OTP is very cute and it centers alot on family.
  • Boku unmei no hito desu - This one is also pretty lighthearted, the male lead is very sweet and kind and it's totally focused on romance.

Try Mare. Its an asadora, so it has around 150 eps but each ep only last for 15 minutes. 

Another asadora: Ama-chan and Gegege no Nyobo 

Asadora is very popular in Japan for a good reason (Most of them get ratings around 20% or more. Other J-drama does not reach this level). The story usually about the journey of a female character to pursue her dream or based on true life story. 

Romance genre j-drama:

Q-10 (Takeru Satoh's drama. Love with robot)

Long Vacation (this is a classic old j-drama but pretty nice)

Cain and Abel

Kanna-san 

Dame na Watashi koishite kudasai

Nodame Cantabile

Tenno no Ryoriban

Fake Couple (this is kind of interesting. There is a topic about gay relationship and couple)

Enjoy watching J-drama!

Thank you everyone for your recommendations! Now I have a whole list to choose from haha.

Try watching (some they already listed.)


Classic Ones: Long Vacation and Love Generation

Newer Ones: Pride, Change and Mr. Brain

-all with the same lead actor


From 5 to 9 is also nice - they use English quite often in this series.

Zettai Kareshi -a little on the fantasy side very nice and cute as well