"Grumpy x Sunshine" is one of the most popular tropes in romance fiction and BL. One character, who is serious and essentially grumpy all the time, falls for another who just couldn't be brighter and bubblier. The dynamic is to die for and almost always leaves us blushing and kicking our feet.
If you're looking for some BL K-Dramas with the "grumpy x sunshine" trope, you've come to the right place!
Check out the top 5 grumpy x sunshine BL K-Dramas that you just don't want to miss!
Must-Watch Grumpy X Sunshine BL K-Dramas
1. "Semantic Error" - Campus BL
Watcha
The most popular and representative "grumpy x sunshine" BL K-Drama is undoubtedly "Semantic Error". The BL that became a phenomenon and took over the world, "Semantic Error" tells the story of Choo SangWoo (DKZ's JaeChan), a rigid and uptight student and the "grumpy one" in this equation, and his sunshine, Jang JaeYoung (Park SeoHam), the popular guy. Forced proximity for a group project leads to understanding, which slowly and steadily brings us the most heart-fluttering romance you will ever see! The chemistry is electrifying in this one.
Watch here.
2. "Love For Love's Sake" - Fantasy BL
Heavenly
"Love For Love's Sake" is a wonderful blend of isegye and romance. Our protagonist, Tae MyungHa (played by Lee TaeVin) gets transported into the world of a video game, back in his 19-year-old body, where he is tasked with making a particularly gloomy kid, Cha YeoWoon (played by Cha JooWan) happy. The "grumpy x sunshine" trope is spelled out right from the get-go and makes for a particularly adorable watch as MyungHa does whatever it takes to bring a little sunshine into YeoWoon's life. The story is also incredibly well-written and developed in a mature way, with depth and conviction, which adds to its quality.
Watch here.
3. "A Shoulder To Cry On" - Campus BL
Picturesque
"A Shoulder To Cry On" is a youth romance "grumpy x sunshine" BL drama about two high school students who go from butting heads to embracing each other in all their flawed glory. OMEGA X's JaeHan and YeChan play the leading roles of Lee DaYeol and Jo TaeHyun, the eponymous grumpy and sunshine, respectively. DaYeol is an archer, and TaeHyun is his seemingly carefree, troublesome classmate. When DaYeol unwittingly gets involved with TaeHyun in a mess, he stands the risk of losing it all. Their relationship, which starts with hate and resentment, turns into gentle empathy and comfort as the two open up and become each other's shoulder to cry on.
Watch here.
4. "Mr. Heart" - Sports BL
W Story
Go SangHa (Han SeJin) is a track athlete who smiles his way through life no matter what. Jin Won (THE MAN BLK's Cheon SeungHo) is a serious marathon runner and only cares about running. When Jin Won starts having trouble keeping up his performance, his coach brings in SangHa to help. Unwilling to accept this, Jin Won is constantly at odds with SangHa until he realizes that they have much more in common than he'd thought. Their friendship slowly evolves into something more, and they must now navigate these new feelings without jeopardizing everything they have worked hard for. "Mr. Heart" is a must-watch "grumpy x sunshine" BL.
Watch here.
5. "Boys Be Brave" - BL Comedy
EL Media Company / H&ENT
"Boys Be Brave" is an upcoming BL K-Drama with 2 "grumpy x sunshine" couples! The drama revolves around the story of Kim JinWoo (played by Kim SungHyen), a meticulous young man who finds himself living with his crush, Jung KiSub (played by Nam SiAn), who entered his home uninvited and crashed on his couch for a little too long.
JinWoo is a perfectionist and has an ideal type checklist, and KiSub is the popular guy, constantly receiving love confessions. However, intrigued by JinWoo, who likes him but hasn't confessed, he impulsively invades his house and starts living with him, determined to make him confess. Evidently, JinWoo is the grumpy one, and KiSub is the sunshine in this couple.
Jung YeoJun / fantagio
"Boys Be Brave" will also tell the story of Choi Sunny (Jung YeoJun), a bright and optimistic part-timer, and the serious and straightforward Ji InHo (Ahn SeMin). They are both holding onto a secret from their high school days. InHo suddenly appears in front of Sunny and asks him to go on just 3 dates with him.
We cannot wait to see how their romance will bloom in "Boys Be Brave", which is slated to air soon!
