"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

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

"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

"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

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

"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.

"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!

At Kpopmap, we list up all the dramas and web dramas based on webtoon. After 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 dramas based on webtoon, it is time to have a look at 2022!

Here are the dramas based on webtoon that aired in 2022.

Stay updated for 2023 and the following years here:

 

1. "Business Proposal" / Schedule status: From February 21

The web novel and webtoon "Business Proposal" also called "The Office Blind Date" (in Korean "사내 맞선") by HaeHwa, Perilla, and Narak is adapted into a drama. It tells the story of an ordinary office worker who disguises herself and goes on a blind date with her attractive boss in the place of her friend with the goal to end this unwanted marriage blind date after her request.

Ahn HyoSeop and Kim SeJeong are the leads. The drama airs on SBS from February 21.

To find out more about the drama and webtoon, check the cast and summary here.

Read 5 differences between the webtoon and K-Drama here.

Webtoon links: Korean / English.

 

2. "Tomorrow"/ Schedule status: From April 1st

The fantasy webtoon "Tomorrow" (in Korean "내일") by RaMa is adapted into a drama. It tells the story of the job seeker Choi JunWoong who fell into a coma due to an accident and entered the Special Crises Management Team of the underworld. The Special Crises Management Team was created because there have been too many suicides leading to an unexpected situation in the underworld. Their duty is to take care of humans with a high risk of suicide and to make them want to live.

The drama was produced by SuperMoon Pictures, who previously worked on "My Strange Hero" and "Goodbye to Goodbye", and StudioN. SF9’s RoWoon, Kim HeeSun, Lee SooHyuk, and Yoon JiOn are cast. The drama aired from April 1st on MBC.

For more information about the drama and webtoon, you can check here.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

3. "All of Us Are Dead" / Schedule status: From January 28

The webtoon named "Now at our School" (in Korean "지금 우리 학교는") by Joo DongKeun is adapted into a drama. It is a zombie related webtoon restricted to readers under 18 years old, written in 2009. It tells the story of those isolated in a high school where a zombie virus has been spread, and those who are trying to save them.

The drama is a Netflix Original Korean drama under the title "All of Us Are Dead". The PD of the drama is Lee JaeKyu who worked on dramas such as "The King 2 Hearts" and movies "Intimate Strangers", "The Fatal Encounter", and "The Influence". Yoon ChanYoung, Park JiHu, Cho YiHyun, Lomon, and Yoo InSoo are the leads.

For more information about the drama and webtoon, you can check our cast and summary here.

Read 6 differences between the "All of Us Are Dead" webtoon and K-Drama here.

Webtoon links: Korean / English.

 

4. "Island"/ Schedule status: From December 30

The manhwa (manga) and webtoon "Island" (in Korean "아일랜드") by Yoon InWan and Yang KyungIl is adapted. It is about the monsters of Jeju Island who have been looking for opportunities to get rid of the human world for a long time, and their story when they started to target a chaebol heiress who arrived in Jeju Island.

Kim NamGil, Lee DaHee, ASTRO's Cha EunWoo, and Sung Joon are the leads.

Find out more about the drama and webtoon in the cast and summary here.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

5. "Cherry Blossoms After Winter"/ Schedule status: From February 24

The BL webtoon "Cherry Blossoms After Winter" (in Korean "겨울지나벚꽃") by BamWoo is adapted into a drama. It is a romance drama about the friendship of two youths and their search for true love.

Super Five’s Ok JinWook and Kang Hui (Kang Hee) are the leads. The drama was released on February 24.

For more information about the drama and webtoon, you can check our cast and summary here. For a complete introduction to the characters, check here.

Read 6 differences between the webtoon and drama here.

Webtoon links: Korean / English.

 

6. "Again My Life"/ Schedule status: From April 8

The revenge webtoon "Again My Life" (in Korean "어게인 마이 라이프") by Lee HaeNal is adapted into a drama. It tells the story of  Kim HeeWu, a hot-blooded prosecutor who is murdered and gets to travel back in time after meeting with the Grim Reaper. He is ready to take revenge on a corrupt politician named Jo TaeSup.

Lee JoonGi, Kim JiEun, and Lee KyungYoung are the lead actors. The drama aired from April 8 on SBS.

If you want to know more about the webtoon you can have a look here.

You can check our cast and summary here for the full details about the drama.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

7. "Kiss Sixth Sense" / Schedule status: From May 19

The romance webtoon "Kiss Sixth Sense" (in Korean "키스 식스 센스") by Got W and Jocobong is adapted into a drama. It is about the story of a woman who sees the future of someone she kisses, and their love triangle.

Yoon KyeSang, Seo JiHye, Kim JiSuk, and Lee JuYeon are cast in this Disney+ drama.

To know more about the webtoon, its plot, and its characters, click here.

For more information about the drama and webtoon, you can check our cast and summary here.

Webtoon links: Korean / English.

 

8. "The Sound of Magic"/ Schedule status: From May 6

The webtoon "Annarasumanara" (in Korean "안나라수마나라") by Ha IlKwon was adapted into the Netflix drama "The Sound of Magic". It tells the story of Yun Ai who lost her dream of becoming a magician and is living in difficult circumstances. She meets a magician and gradually starts to want to realize her dream.

The director Kim SungYoon who worked on "Love in the Moonlight" and "Itaewon Class" was in charge of the Netflix adaptation. Ji ChangWook, Hwang InYoup, and Choi SungEun are the lead actors.

Have a look at the webtoon and the main characters here.

For more information about the drama and webtoon, you can check our cast and summary here.

Webtoon links: Korean / English.

 

9. "Semantic Error" / Schedule status: From February 16

The BL web drama "Semantic Error" is the adaptation of the web novel "Semantic Error" (in Korean "시맨틱 에러") written by Jeosuri in 2018. The web novel was adapted into a webtoon in July 2020 (still ongoing with the illustrations from Enji). The campus BL "Semantic Error" tells the campus romance about the inflexible SangWoo and his encounter with the campus’ most popular student, JaeYoung.

Former KNK member Park SeoHam and DKZ’s JaeChan are the lead cast. The drama was released on February 16 on WATCHA.

For more information about the webtoon, check here.

You can check the cast and summary here for more information about the drama.

Read about 6 differences between the webtoon and the drama here.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

10. "Jinxed At First" / Schedule status: From June 15

The fantasy romance webtoon "The Jinx’s Lover" (in Korean "징크스의 연인") by Han JiHye and KooSeul is adapted into the drama "Jinxed At First". It is a story about a man who adapts himself to his life full of misfortune, and the goddess, who jumps into the unknown world to lift the curse.

For the drama, the director Yoon SangHo is in charge. Na InWoo, SeoHyun, and Ki DoHun are the least cast. The drama started on June 15 on KBS.

Check out more about the webtoon here.

You can check the cast and summary here for more information about the drama.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

11. "Internal Medicine Director Park" / Schedule status: From January 14

The comedy webtoon "Internal Medicine Director Park" (in Korean "내과 박원장") by Jang BongSoo is adapted into a drama. It tells the life of a doctor who dreamed being acknowledged but his life turns out different.

Lee SeoJin and Ra MiRan are cast in this TVing drama which started on January 14th.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

12. "The Golden Spoon" / Schedule status: From September 23

The webtoon named "The Golden Spoon" (in Korean "금수저") is adapted into a drama. It tells the adventures of a kid that became a golden spoon (meaning from a rich family in Korean or a silver spoon for English speakers).

The drama was announced to be produced back in 2019 and was finally aired in 2022. BTOB's SungJae, DIA's Jung ChaeYeon, Lee JongWon, YeonWoo, and more was casted.

To find out more about the drama and webtoon, check the cast and summary here.

Read more about the characters and the plot in this introduction.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

13. "Superior Day" / Schedule status: From March 13

The webtoon "Superior Day" (in Korean "우월한하루") by Team GetNam is adapted into a drama. It is a thriller about an ordinary father facing a situation where he has to kill a serial killer living next door to save his kidnapped daughter.

The OCN drama stars Jin Goo, Ha DoKwon, and Lee WonKeun.

You can check the cast and summary for more information about the drama here.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

14. "The Forbidden Mariage" / Schedule status: From December 9

The historical romance webtoon named "Joseon’s Ban on Marriage" (in Korean "금혼령-조선혼인금지령") by Cheon JiHye and SanChaek is adapted into the drama "The Forbidden Mariage". It tells the story of King Lee Heon, who lost the crown princess 7 years ago and issued a marriage ban, and Ye SoRang, a marriage scammer who appears and says she can be possessed by the spirit of the deceased crown princess.

Kim YoungDae, Park JuHyun, and Kim WooSeok are cast for this MBC historical drama.

You can check the cast and summary for more information about the drama here.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

15. "Spring of Crush" / Schedule status: From May 18

The BL historical webtoon "Spring of Crush" (in Korean "‘춘정지란") by Noh MyoungHyi is adapted into a web drama. It is the BL historical romance drama of three men that takes place when the lead character pretends to be a woman and marries to take off his status of slave.

Yoo YoungJae and Kim Sung are the lead roles.

You can check the cast and summary here.

Webtoon links: Korean / English.

 

16. "Gaus Electronics" / Schedule status: From September 30

The webtoon "Gaus Electronics" (in Korean "가우스전자") by Kwak BaekSoo is adapted into a drama. It tells the joys and sorrows of office workers at the multinational Gaus Electronics.

Director Park JoonSoo was in charge of the adaptation. Kwak DongYeon, Ko SungHee, Bae HyeonSeong, and Kang MinAh are casted for the drama.

To find out more about the drama and webtoon, check the cast and summary here.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

17. "Summer Strike" / Schedule status: From November 21

The webtoon "I Don't Want To Do Anything" (in Korean "아무것도 하고 싶지 않아") by Joo YoungHyun is adapted into the drama called "Summer Strike". The webtoon tells the growing pains experienced by a 26-year-old girl named YeoReum. The drama will tell the story of YeoReum who declares she will lead a strict life at the age of 28.

GT:st (a subsidiary of Studio Dragon) and director Lee YoonJung ("Coffee Prince", "Cheese in The Trap") are in charge of the adaptation. Yim SiWan and SeolHyun are the leads of the drama.

To find out more about the drama and webtoon, check the cast and summary here.

Webtoon links: Korean / English.

 

18. "Unlock The Boss" / Schedule status: From December 7

The comic webtoon "Unlock The Boss" (in Korean "사장님을 잠금해제") by Park SungHyun is adapted into a drama. It tells the story of a boss trapped into a smartphone, and his new employee who found the phone. The story revolves as they dig to find the truth.

It is a KT Studio Genie original series. Chae JongHyeop and Seo EunSoo are cast into drama.

To find out more about the drama and webtoon, check the cast and summary here.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

19. "Weak Hero Class 1"  / Schedule status: From November 18

The webtoon "Weak Hero" (in Korean "약한영웅") by Seopass and Razen was announced to be adapted into a drama. It tells the story of an ordinary-looking high school boy who becomes the best fighter in a high school full of bullies.

Jaedam Media signed a co-production contract with PLAYLIST. It is a Wavve Original drama. Park JiHoon and Choi HyunWook are cast among others.

Find out the cast and summary here.

Check out more about the characters and vote for your dream cast here.

Webtoon links: Korean / English.

 

20. "Oh! Boarding House” / Schedule status: From February 22

The BL webtoon named “The Fifth Boarding House”  (in Korean “하숙집 오!번지” ) written by Penguin is adapted into a web drama. It tells the romantic relationships of the tenants who are living in a boarding house together.

Im SungKyun and Shin YongSeok are the lead actors of this drama.

Find out more about the drama and webtoon check the cast and summary here.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

21. "Blue of Winter” / Schedule status: From March 15

"Blue of Winter" (also known as "Judo Boys") is not based on a webtoon but a webtoon is released along with the web drama. It tells the story of three protagonists who meet at a judo competition in high school and become intertwined in an interesting fate as they build their respective futures.

Jeon YuBin, Min InGi, Lee JeongMin, and Yoo YoungMo are the leads of this BL web drama.

For more about the web drama, check our cast and summary here. For more about the webtoon "Blue of Winter", have a look here at its introduction.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

22. "Blueming” / Schedule status: From March 31

The BL webtoon "Who Can Define Popularity?" (in Korean "인기는 무언가 잘못되었다?") by Tak Bon is adapted into the web drama "Blueming". It is a campus romance between two film department students, which started when SiWon, the student who tries hard to gain popularity, meets DaWoon, who is naturally popular around everyone.

Kang EunBin and Cho HyukJun are the leads.

Check out the cast and summary here, for more about the drama and teaser.

Webtoon links: Korean / English.

 

23. "The Director Who Buys Me Dinner" / Schedule status: From December 15

The webtoon "The Director Who Buys Me Dinner" (in Korean "밥만잘사주는이상한이사님") by Toesa and Yang EunJi will be adapted in a drama. It tells the story of a new employee of a company thinks his director is crazy because he said he has lived 3 lives and that they must date or they will die.

Park YoungWoon, Park JeongWoo, and W.O.W's YooSung are cast in this web drama to be released in 2022.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

24. "The Law Cafe" / Schedule status: From September 5

The webtoon "Love According To Law" (in Korean "법대로 사랑하라") by IlLi and No SeunGa is adapted into a drama. It tells the story of former Miss Korea and lawyer Kim YuRi quit the big law firm she was working at and set up her own "Law cafe". She thought her dreams were brilliant until she met the owner of her cafe's building for her rent contract - her old friend from high school JungHo. What could be the true feelings of this person who sways her heart?

Lee SeungGi and Lee SeYoung are cast in this KBS drama.

Check out the cast and summary here, for more about the drama and teaser.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

25. "Connect" / Schedule Status: From December 7

The thriller webtoon "Connect" by Sin DaeSung is produced as a drama by Disney+. It tells the story of a man  who lost his eyes to a organ hunters. He gets connected to the person who received a transplant.

Jung HaeIn, Go KyungPyo, and Kim HyeJun are casted into the drama.

For more information about the drama and webtoon, you can check here.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

26. "Seasons of Blossom" / Schedule status: From September 21

The high school romance webtoon "Seasons of Blossom" (in Korean: "청춘 블라썸") by HongDuck and Nemone is adapted into a drama. It tells the love and friendship of 18-year-old high school students who are just starting their youth.

So JuYeon and Seo JiHoon are casted into the drama. The production company Playlist is in charge of the adaptation. The webtoon is popular in and out of Korea with more than eight languages available.

For more information about the drama and webtoon, you can check here.

Webtoon links: Korean / English.

 

27. "The New Employee" / Schedule status: From December 21

The BL webtoon "The New Employee" or "The New Recruit" (in Korean "신입사원") by Jake (first published as a web novel by Moskareto) is adapted into a web drama. It tells the love story of a company team leader and an intern at an advertising company.

Kwon Hyuk, Moon JiYong, and Choi SiHun are the lead actors. The drama is a Watcha original.

For more information about the drama and webtoon, you can check here.

Webtoon links: Korean (need to over 19 years old) / English.

 

 Season 2

28. "Work Later, Drink Now 2" / Schedule status: From December 9

The season 2 of the drama "Work Later, Drink Now" based on the webtoon "Drinker City Girls" (in Korean "술꾼도시 처녀들") by MiKkang is confirmed. It tells the stories of 3 women of 30-year-old who drink alcohol as their life religion.

Apink’s EunJi, Han SunHwa, Lee SunBin, and Super Junior’s Siwon who were cast for the first season, are also cast for the 2nd season.

Check our cast and summary here for more about the drama and the characters.

Check out the 4 differences between the webtoon and the drama here.

Webtoon links: Korean / Not officially available in English.

 

29. "No, Thank You 2" /  Schedule status: From January 8

The webtoon "Daughter-in-Law" (in Korean "며느라기") by Soo ShinJi was adapted in 2020 into the web drama "No, Thank You". A season 2 is released in 2022. It tells the episodes that happen to the ordinary daughter-in-law Min SaRin after she got to meet her in-laws.

Park HaSun, Kwon Yul, Moon HeeKyung, and Kim JongGoo are the lead actors of this Kakao TV web drama.

For more information, pictures, and teaser of the drama and webtoon, you can check our cast and summary here.

Webtoon links: Korean / English Instagram

 

Stay updated for 2023 and the following years here:

 

Gear up for an incredible start to the new year with thrill of meeting well-loved Korean actors and actresses through fanmeeting that are happening on the 1st half of 2023! This guide will be compiling all the Korean actor fanmeeting from January to June. Stay updated and don't miss out on the hottest events, venues, and dates that promises promise to create indelible memories for every fan!

Note: This list is in chronological order.

We are constantly adding concert/fanmeetings to this list upon their announcement, so make sure to bookmark this article to keep up with the updates!

 

Girls' Generation YoonA "YOONITE" In Seoul Fanmeeting Tour

Date / Venue

January 6-7 (Seoul, BLUE SQUARE MasterCard Hall)

Tickets

Offline / Online

 

SHINee's MinHo "BEST CHOI's MULTI CHASE" Fan Concert

Date / Venue

January 6-7 (Seoul, Jangchung Arena)

Tickets

Offline

 

Park EunBin "EunBin Note: DIVA" Fan Concert

Date / Venue

January 6 (Seoul, Olympic Park Olympic Hall)

Tickets

Offline

 

Park SeoHam "POSTBOXHAM : Each other, Together" Fanmeeting

Date / Venue

January 6-7 (Seoul, Donghae Arts Center)

Tickets

Offline

 

2024 2PM's Lee JunHo "The Day We Meet Again" Concert

Date / Venue

January 13-14 (Seoul, Jamsil Indoor Stadium)

Tickets

Offline / Online

 

2024 Kang HyeWon "Hyem's Diary" Fanmeeting Tour

Date / Venue 

February 3 (Seoul, Sungshin University Woonjung Green Campus Grand Hall)

Tickets

Offline

 

ASTRO's Cha EunWoo "Just One 10 Minute Mystery Elevator" Fan Con Tour

Date / Venue

February 17 (Seoul, Jamsil Indoor Stadium)

Tickets

Offline

 

CNBLUE's Jung YongHwa "Your City" Live In Seoul

Date / Venue

March 1-2 (Seoul, KBS Arena)

Tickets

Offline

 

RoWoon "An Ordinary Day" Fan Meeting

Date / Venue

March 23-24 (Seoul, Kwangwoon University Donghae Arts Center Grand Theater)

Tickets

(Ticket link to be updated upon announcement.)