Top 5 Noona Romance K-Dramas Similar to No Gain No Love That You’ll Enjoy

K-dramas like “No Gain No Love” (Amazon Prime)

A good romantic story always manages to captivate fans all around the world, and Amazon Prime’s new series “No Gain No Love” has already become a new favorite for rom-com lovers with its intriguing plot, fun tone, and a couple that shares incredible chemistry.

As a perfect example of a noona-romance (where the female lead is older than the male lead), the show tells the story of a woman in her 30s who works in an office and a young, mysterious part-time worker at a local market. Due to certain circumstances, they end up in a fake marriage, and from then on, everything starts to change.

Each episode leaves rom-com fans hooked to their screens, making it hard to wait for the next one!

If you’re one of the many fans eagerly awaiting the next episode of “No Gain No Love” and are craving more noona romances with exciting dynamics and captivating plots, I’ve got you covered.

Here are 5 noona romance K-dramas that will keep you entertained while you wait!

K-dramas similar to No Gain No Love

Cindirella at 2 AM

Episodes: 10   Air Date: August 24, 2024 – September 22, 2024

A typical romcom usually starts with the couple’s first meeting, and over the course of the show, their romantic relationship blossoms. However, the new noona romance “Cinderella at 2 AM”, which has managed to captivate viewers this September, breaks the rules by starting where most relationships end with, a breakup.

Ha YunSeo (Shin HyunBin) is a cheerful and beautiful woman working as a team leader at a major education company. Due to events from her childhood, YunSeo has developed a pragmatic personality, but she deeply cares about the people in her life.

The most important to her are her younger brother and her boyfriend, Seo JuWon (Moon SangMin), a young man who works under her on the same team and shares a loving relationship with her. However, one day YunSeo discovers that Seo JuWon is actually the youngest son of the family that owns the company she works for, and from that moment, everything changes.

YunSeo promises Seo JuWon’s mother that she will break up with him, but breaking up turns out to be harder than she anticipated.

While “Cinderella at 2 AM” has a slightly more melodramatic tone compared to “No Gain No Love”, its compelling storyline, lovable supporting characters, and a male lead who’s head over heels in love with the female lead make it one of the best Korean dramas in 2024 for fans of kdrama romance. If you're seeking an engaging noona romance, you might enjoy this drama.

Romance is a Bonus Book

Episodes: 16  Release Year: 2019

With its star-studded cast, Lee NaYoung’s much-anticipated return to the small screen after a long hiatus, and a heartwarming story, “Romance is a Bonus Book”—which follows a group of people working at a publishing company—left a lasting mark on viewers during its airing and is now one of the best kdramas on Netflix.

Kang DanYi (Lee NaYoung), once a highly successful and promising copywriter, takes a long break from her career due to marriage and having a child. Years later, her marriage suddenly ends, and DanYi finds herself back in the job market. Despite her talent and past achievements, finding a job isn’t easy, as her age and the years she spent away from work follow her wherever she goes.

Eventually, DanYi manages to land a job at a publishing company, where Cha EunHo (Lee JongSuk), a young man she has known for many years and who is now the company’s chief editor, also works. As DanYi works to rebuild her life from scratch, an unexpected romantic relationship slowly develops between her and EunHo.

With Lee JongSuk and Lee NaYoung portraying a soothing yet heart-fluttering couple, “Romance is a Bonus Book” offers a delightful and touching noona romance.

It presents the story of a passionate, mature couple and a woman striving to survive in the professional world, with a deep and realistic perspective. If you enjoy meaningful dialogue, refreshing relationships, and all things related to books and poetry, “Romance is a Bonus Book” is one of the best romantic Kdramas to watch.

Temperature of Love

Episodoes: 40 (30 minutes each)  Release Year: 2017

When dreams and passions are pursued but the timing isn’t right, paths may diverge at the beginning. However, if fate has its way, they will eventually cross again.

“Temperature of Love” tells the story of four passionate individuals with different dreams, focusing on a couple whose paths separate due to their age difference and life circumstances, only to reunite years later.

HyunSoo (Seo HyunJin) is an aspiring writer, while Jung Sun (Yang SeJong) is a young man passionate about becoming a great chef. The two start chatting on an internet page under different nicknames and eventually meet in person. Although they are deeply moved by each other from the start, their significant age gap and current situations prevent anything from developing. Five years later, HyunSoo and Jung Sun’s paths accidentally cross again, marking the beginning of a new chapter for both, though problems are sure to follow.

Featuring the queen of romantic K-dramas, Seo HyunJin (Another Miss Oh), Yang SeJong (Doona, Duel), Kim JaeWook (Her Private Life), and Jo BoAh (Destined With You), “Temperature of Love” offers a slower pace but is highly enjoyable for fans of melodrama and romance.

If you enjoy K-dramas similar to No Gain No Love, with young male characters who are mature and unafraid to show their emotions, you’ll likely appreciate this series as well.

Above all, you might find yourself watching it for one reason: the one and only sweet Yang SeJong.

Search WWW

Episodes: 16 Release Year: 2019

“Search WWW”, featuring a star-studded cast, focuses on the work and love lives of three women striving to secure their places in the modern business world.

Bae TaMi (Lim SooJung) is a woman in her 30s who prioritizes her career over personal relationships and everything else. She serves as the director of a major web portal company and has a highly competitive personality. On the other hand, Park MoGun (Jang KiYoung) is a composer in his 20s who values his emotions and relationships. When their paths cross unexpectedly, they embark on a new journey together.

“Search WWW” offers a realistic portrayal of modern life and pragmatic, fast-paced relationships, providing a blend of comedy and romance that keeps the audience thoroughly entertained.

The dynamics between the workaholic and idealistic female character and the more charming and endearing male character in “Search WWW” might remind you of romantic K-dramas like “No Gain No Love”, but with a twist—there are not just one but two such couples!

Alongside Lim SooJung and Jang KiYoung, the iconic couple of Lee DaHee and Lee JaeWook will have you laughing uncontrollably.

If you’re looking for noona romances with a realistic yet humorous tone, “Search WWW” is a great choice. It’s one of the best romantic Korean dramas to watch, especially if you enjoy female-focused series.

Something in the Rain

Episodes: 16 Release Year: 2018

Even though “Something in the Rain” is already a well-known K-drama that many fans might have seen, it's a must-include on any list of noona romances, and this list wouldn't be complete without it. With Jung HaeIn's portrayal of a charming young lover and the couple's remarkable chemistry, this series has left a lasting impression.

Yoo JinAh (Son YeJin) is a 30-something office worker whose romantic life never seems to go as planned. Despite having had several serious relationships in the past, her nature, which is often perceived as odd and clumsy by men, leads to frequent breakups, including the most recent one that ended her path to marriage.

Just as JinAh is losing hope for a happy relationship, JoonHee (Jung HaeIn), the younger brother of her childhood friend, unexpectedly reenters her life. JoonHee, whom she always remembered as a little boy, has returned from his time abroad as a completely charming man. As JinAh and JoonHee grow closer, they embark on a challenging and emotional journey.

Despite receiving some criticism for the female lead's indecisive behavior and a rushed finale, “Something in the Rain” remains a standout among good Korean dramas.

Featuring one of the cutest male leads and an engaging dynamic where the couple’s ups and downs keep you hooked, it's definitely worth watching for fans of romantic K-dramas.

Have you watched any of the dramas on this list? What is your favorite noona romance K-drama? Let’s discuss this in the comments!

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