"Like Flowers In Sand" captivated audiences with mystery and allure, an athlete's passion, and blossoming romance. With Jang DongYoon and Lee JuMyoung as its main leads, the ENA drama helped viewers get over the middle of the week with ease and arrive at the weekend with a smile on their face.

However, like many K-Dramas, "Like Flowers In Sand" must come to an end. It was amazing to follow the journey of Oh YooKyung (Lee JuMyoung) and Kim BaekDoo (Jang DongYoon) in the world of ssireum, while also uncovering the truth of of a crime. There were bouts of laughter, nail-biting mystery, and traces of love woven in between. It will certainly be hard to replace such a drama, however, we will have to try.

So with that, here are a few series you should watch if you enjoyed "Like Flowers In Sand".

1. "Love All Play"

KBS

Cast: Park JuHyun, Chae JongHyeop, and more

Summary: Diving into the world of professional badminton, it follows Park TaeJoon, an athlete who started losing passion for the sport, and Park TaeYang, a former aspiring Olympian who took time away due to a bribing scandal. Together, they meet on team Yunis, grow as professionals, and fall for one another.

Reasons To Watch: In the same vein as "Like Flowers In Sand", "Love All Play" presents athletes who are struggling with their sport. Despite the obstacles they face, both Park TaeJoon and Park TaeYang, along with the rest of their team, train well into the night to ensure that they are at their best condition. The drama expertly portrays the cutthroat nature of sports, but also the tenacity of the athletes that play it.

2. "My Lovely Boxer"

KBS

Cast: Kim SoHye, Lee SangYeob, and more

Summary: Lee KwonSook, a once genius boxer makes the decision to run away from the sport. After earning a mountain of debt in place of his friend, Kim TaeYoung looks to bring back Lee KwonSook to the world of boxing. Despite starting off on the wrong foot, the two transform into pillars of support for one another as they chase after their respective goals.

Reasons To Watch: While on the outside it may look like a simple sports drama, you'll find a mountain of depth once unpacked. Throughout the episodes of "My Lovely Boxer" you'll discover many heartwarming moments that speak to the characters' humanness and their desire to be happy. It highlights both the physical and mental struggles athletes face and how some crumble under all the weight. While it does tackle a lot of bad moments, "My Lovely Boxer" offers an undeniable warmth that anyone will love.

3. "Hot Stove League"

SBS

Cast: NamKoong Min, Park EunBin, Oh JungSe, Cho ByeongKyu, and more

Summary: Dreams is a bottom tier team of major league baseball. Despite this, Lee SeYoung is passionate as the team manager who has shown endless resilience and support for Dreams, despite their struggles. When their newest manager, Baek SeungSoo, arrives, things start to change for the team.

Reasons To Watch: The sports aspect aside, "Hot Stove League" is an inspiring underdog story that resonates on all fronts. Despite a past riddled with failure, it provides an outpouring of hope that success is just on the horizon, providing the encouragement needed to continue moving forward, even if it's one step at a time. Following the journey of Dreams and their amazing transformation will have you cheering for the team well after the drama's conclusion.

4. "Weightlifting Fairy Kim BokJoo"

MBC

Cast: Lee SungKyoung, Nam JooHyuk, Lee JaeYoon, Kyung SooJin, and more

Summary: Kim BokJoo and Jung JoonHyung are collegiate athletes who work tirelessly to rise to the top of their sport. However, while their lives were once mainly dedicated to training and improving their craft, they develop feelings of love. They embark on a story of romance, all while juggling their obligations of being an athlete.

Reasons To Watch: "Weightlifting Fairy Kim BokJoo" is an iconic series that needs little to no introduction. There's rising passion, youthful romance, and a whole lot of laughter. It's truly a coming of age story that reaches the hearts of individuals of all backgrounds. Even if you've watched it before, you won't regret reliving the utter joy that "Weightlifting Fairy Kim BokJoo" brings.

5. "Fight For My Way"

KBS

Cast: Park SeoJun, Kim JiWon, Song HaYoon, Ahn JaeHong, and more

Summary: A story of four friends who are all chasing their dreams. Despite the various obstacles that stand before them, they choose to power ahead, forging their own path in their respective fields.

Reasons To Watch: Although released in 2017, "Fight For My Way" remains legendary as it tracks four friends' journey as they pursue their dreams. It's a drama that touches upon the strength of friendship, what makes a relationship work, and the classic trope of friends to lovers. "Fight For My Way" will have you smiling widely from ear to ear, enjoying every quirky and entertaining moment that the four friends create. The innate comedy aside, you'll also find yourself cheering for their success and utmost happiness until the very end.

Which K-Drama are you watching after "Like Flowers In Sand"?

Age ain't nothing but a number. Love is boundless. These are all expressions often used to describe love when an age gap is involved. True to this, K-Dramas often include K-Drama couples with age gaps as big as 6 years and more. Today we'll take a look at the older male lead version of these couples.

Through this article, let's meet these 6 K-Drama couples from 2023 dramas that have an age gap of 6 years or more. This list only focuses on male leads who are older than the female leads. If you want to read the list of older female leads, you can read all about it here!

Note: This article uses the actors' real-life age and not the age of their characters. Dramas included in this list ended in 2023.

1. "My Lovely Boxer" - Age Gap: 16 years

KBS

Kim SoHye born in 1999

Lee SangYeob born in 1983

2. "My Dearest" - Age Gap: 13 years

MBC

Ahn EunJin born in 1991

NamKoong Min born in 1978

3. "The Interest of Love " - Age Gap: 12 years

JTBC

Mun KaYoung born in 1996

Yoo YeonSeok born in 1984

4. "Heartbeat" - Age Gap: 11 years

KBS

Won JiAn born in 1999

2PM's Ok TaecYeon born in 1988

5. "Strangers Again" - Age Gap: 9 years

ENA

Kang SoRa born in 1990

Jang SeungJo born in 1981

6. "My Perfect Stranger" - Age Gap: 6 years

KBS

Jin KiJoo born in 1989

Kim DongWook born in 1983

There might be more K-Drama couples announced later this year. Stay tuned to this article for updates!

Over the past few weeks, KBS' "My Lovely Boxer" has been sending out a flurry of punches that reawaken our souls on various levels. The drama sees Lee SangYeob and Kim SoHye as its central main leads. They are also joined by the likes of Park JiHwan, Ha SeungRi, WINNER's Jinu, and Chae WonBin.

"My Lovely Boxer" follows Lee KwonSook (Kim SoHye), a genius boxer who runs away from the sport. After earning a mountain of debt in place of his friend, Kim TaeYoung (Lee SangYeob) looks to bring back Lee KwonSook to the world of boxing. Despite starting off on the wrong foot, the two transform into pillars of support for one another as they chase after their respective goals.

While "My Lovely Boxer" might look like a thrilling sports series on the outside, it holds such incredible depth that causes you to ponder on the intricacies of life. The drama makes you feel everything from uplifting joy to heartrending sadness. While navigating a competitive sea where there seems to be no other option than sink or swim, "My Lovely Boxer" employs thought-provoking themes that are sure to cause a tidal wave of emotions to rise in your chest.

Here are some themes "My Lovely Boxer" explores throughout the series.

1. Bonds That Never Break

Kim TaeYoung shows incredible loyalty and love towards long-time friend, Kim HeeWon (Choi JaeWoong). Despite HeeWon falling into the world of match rigging, TaeYoung doesn't leave his friend's side and instead walks down a path to shoulder the burden.

With a relationship that has lasted since their adolescence, they show that true friendship perseveres and doesn't give up no matter what. Their brotherhood and comradery is apparent for all audiences, providing a warmth that makes you reflect on your own friendships, new and old.

2. Going Against Societal Perceptions

KBS

Early on we learn that despite being a genius boxer, Lee KwonSook grew up hating the sport. Then, she also reveals her overall fear of boxing. Hearing this from a renowned boxer might sound baffling at first, but finding out more about KwonSook as a person and how she was raised, all the pieces of the puzzle slowly start to fit in place.

Despite her innate talent, she wishes to break free from the image society has given her. Wanting to live a regular life, many can relate to KwonSook on various levels. Individuals everywhere hope to live as their own person, instead of fitting into the shell other people have made for them. No matter the country or age, this desire springs up in everyone at any point of their lives.

3. Standing Up For Your Beliefs

KBS

The passing of her mother took an enormous toll on KwonSook. But in a lot of ways, it also freed her from the boxing world she so intently despised. After fulfilling her duty at the funeral hall, KwonSook quickly took her leave and disappeared without a trace. Although many might not agree with running away, it was the first step of many that the athlete took in order to stand up for what she believed in: a life without boxing.

While she decided to momentarily return to the sport and earned praise for maintaining her skills, she stood firm on her stance. Even after the prodding of her romantic interest, Han JaeMin (Jinu), to continue boxing, KwonSook didn't back down. Seeing her remain steadfast serves as inspiration that we can do the same.

4. Forgiveness Towards Yourself And Others

While the world of sports is ruled by the competitive drive of athletes and the people that train them, through "My Lovely Boxer", we witness a humanness in even the best. While they might come out victorious, many characters harbor a an unbelievable amount of burden that weighs on their mind.

However, "My Lovely Boxer" shows audiences the importance of forgiveness towards others and yourself. From TaeYoung coming to terms with reality to KwonSook finally going back home, there are multiple instances that show the power of forgiveness. While it might be difficult at first, this act can have the most empowering impact on a person, propelling them towards a happier future.

5. Grieving And The Acceptance Of Loss

There are multiple instances of loss that occurs throughout the sports drama. They explore various stages of the grieving process that are heartbreaking to watch. Although there's pain, they also share ways to cope with it and what comes afterwards.

The tears shed from the characters are cathartic, becoming a source of healing for all those in despair. "My Lovely Boxer" does an excellent job in showcasing that there's hope in tomorrow, despite the losses we incur. Without realizing it, you'll find yourself reaching for the tissue box, crying along with the characters on screen.

"My Lovely Boxer" makes viewers think in unexpected ways, making one introspective on their life.

Are you currently watching the KBS drama? What do you think of "My Lovely Boxer"? Let us know in the comments!