If you're a book lover new to k-dramas, start here

Let’s be real—if you’re not already deep into the K-drama craze, you might be wondering, “What’s all the fuss about?” Well, let me paint a picture for you: it’s a quiet evening, you’ve got your coziest blanket wrapped around you, and instead of cracking open a novel, you’re diving headfirst into a K-drama that pulls you in just like a good book. Imagine the plot twists, the emotional depth, the witty banter—you know, the stuff that makes you lose track of time. These aren’t just any shows. They’ve got the kind of storytelling that’ll make you question, “Wait, how have I not been watching this my whole life?”

So, picture this: you're nestled under a cozy blanket with your favorite mug of something warm, but instead of turning the page of a novel, you're about to press play on a K-drama that feels just like reading a book. But here’s the twist—these aren’t just any K-dramas. They're filled with the emotional complexity, witty banter, and ah-ha moments you crave in your favorite reads. Oh, and because I love you, I’ve paired each drama with a book and a cozy drink to make your binge-watching even more literary. Ready? Let’s dive into these dramas that are basically the Netflix-and-chill version of your bookshelf.

3. My Love from the Star: Aliens, time, and writing the ultimate human memoir

Let’s kick things off with My Love from the Star, where an alien who’s been stuck on Earth for 400 years is basically over humanity—but in the most philosophical way possible. Do Min-joon has been observing humans like it’s his full-time job (and honestly, with all that drama, it kinda is), but here’s the plot twist: he’s writing a book. That’s right, after centuries of witnessing all the wildness that is human love and suffering, he’s decided to put pen to paper and figure us out. It’s like Eat, Pray, Love, but with a lot more immortality and, you know, existential crises.

But Min-joon’s manuscript isn’t all intellectual musings on time and love. He’s living that out, too, thanks to Cheon Song-yi, an A-list actress who brings chaos, laughter, and a splash of romance into his perfectly organized world. Song-yi is loud, unapologetic, and completely human—which is exactly what Min-joon didn’t want, but exactly what he needs. Their love story is like watching a rom-com where the stakes are literally cosmic. Every snarky comment, every stolen glance, builds up this tension that makes you question whether an alien can truly fall in love, and if time can ever really be on their side.

Now, let’s talk about the real star of the show—Min-joon’s internal battle. You see, he’s not just an alien hanging out on Earth for fun. His time here is ticking, and he’s got to decide whether love (with all its messy, fleeting joy) is worth the risk of heartbreak when you’re, well, immortal. Writing his book is how Min-joon processes all of this. Through his writing, he’s not just cataloging human behavior; he’s questioning whether living is worth it if it means watching everyone you love grow old and disappear while you remain unchanged.

Book Match: The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Like Min-joon’s journey, this novel dives into a love that’s constantly battling the forces of time, with all the heartbreak and beauty that comes with it.

Hot Drink Pairing: Earl Grey tea with a hint of lavender. Classy, comforting, and just a little bit cosmic—perfect for sipping while you ponder the mysteries of life and love with Min-joon.

Before we dive into the K-drama magic, let me hit you with a fun fact: Do Min-joon, the alien from My Love from the Star? He’s back—but this time, the same actor, Kim Soo-hyun, is serving up a totally different vibe in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. From a swoon-worthy alien to a mental health caregiver with a soft heart, he’s making sure your K-drama marathon is full of both cosmic and emotional feels. Now, let's get cozy and jump into the best of both worlds.

2. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: fairy tales are darker than you think (and witches deserve better PR)

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is where fairy tales get a much-needed upgrade—think less Disney, more Grimm Brothers with a therapist on speed dial. Our leading lady, Ko Moon-young, writes children’s books that are as dark as your deepest fears. Her stories (The Zombie Child, The Boy Who Fed on Nightmares, The Cheerful Dog, and more) aren’t the kind you read to help kids fall asleep—they’re the kind that helps people confront their nightmares. Moon-young herself is the modern-day witch of this fairy tale, but instead of casting spells, she’s weaving tales that force people (including herself) to face their deepest emotional wounds.

Moon-young’s fairy tales aren’t just props—they’re central to the plot. Every story she writes is an emotional metaphor for trauma, healing, and the messy process of moving forward. Her tale The Cheerful Dog deals with the burden of hiding pain behind a smile, while The Zombie Child explores abandonment and emotional numbness. The beauty of these stories is that they’re not just for kids; they’re tools for grown-ups to unpack years of emotional baggage. What makes It’s Okay to Not Be Okay even more captivating is how Ko Moon-young, the emotionally distant writer, finds a surprising partner in Sang-tae, the autistic illustrator. Together, they breathe life into her dark and intricate fairy tales. His magical illustrations go beyond just enhancing her stories—they transform them, adding emotional layers that reflect their personal healing journeys. As their collaboration deepens, the connection between art and storytelling grows stronger, evolving into a shared path of self-discovery and growth. Their work isn't just about creating fairy tales; it's about forging a narrative where trauma, connection, and hope all come together, drawing us, the viewers, into their world of transformation.

But don’t let the dark fairy-tale vibes fool you—this drama also has a strong beating heart. It’s about how confronting your pain, no matter how deep, can lead to healing. Moon-young is not just helping others through her stories; she’s healing herself, too. Every fairy tale she writes is like another piece of her own emotional puzzle falling into place. And while the themes of trauma and mental health are heavy, there’s plenty of romance and humor to keep things light, like the sweet, slow-burn chemistry between Moon-young and Moon Kang-tae. This show is proof that fairy tales aren’t just for children—they’re for anyone brave enough to face their own fears.

Book Match: The Zombie Child, The Boy Who Fed on Nightmares, and The Cheerful Dog (from It’s Okay to Not Be Okay series). These fairy tales are as deep and dark as the emotional journeys of the characters, offering readers (and viewers) a way to navigate their own inner worlds.

Hot Drink Pairing: Hot chocolate with marshmallows. Warm, sweet, and comforting, with just a hint of the bittersweet—kind of like a fairy tale that leaves you thinking long after the final chapter.

1. Romance is a Bonus Book: a love letter to stories, second chances, and rom-com couples

Here we are—the crown jewel for any book lover. Romance is a Bonus Book isn’t just a drama—it’s basically a warm hug wrapped in the smell of freshly printed pages. Set in the world of a publishing house, this drama is a literal love letter to books, storytelling, and second chances. Cha Eun-ho is our dashing yet nerdy chief editor, who is also an acclaimed author with multiple books to his name. He’s got the whole "serious writer" vibe down, but underneath it all, he’s got unresolved feelings for his childhood friend Kang Dani, who has fallen on hard times.

Dani’s life feels like a novel that took a sharp left turn. After dedicating years to her family, she finds herself jobless, divorced, and struggling to get back into a workforce that treats her like an outdated edition. But here’s where the magic happens—Dani is the kind of protagonist you root for. She’s determined to rewrite her story, even when the odds are stacked against her. And in a world that feels like it’s left her behind, she finds solace in the publishing house that becomes her second home. Books aren’t just a backdrop in this drama—they’re the heart of it. From designing covers to editing manuscripts, every moment in Romance is a Bonus Book feels like stepping into a bibliophile’s dream.

And it’s not just Dani and Eun-ho who steal the show. Every couple in this drama brings that rom-com gold. Whether it’s the fiery back-and-forth banter, the sweet, stolen moments, or the slow-burn love stories unfolding in the background, this drama serves up love in all its delicious forms. It’s got every flavor of rom-com you could ask for, and each romance is wrapped up in the warm, bookish charm of the publishing world. By the end of it, you’ll want to binge-read your favorite novels and wonder if your own life is just a few plot twists away from a perfect rom-com ending.

Oh, and don’t forget the way this drama treats books like characters in their own right. There’s a reverence for the written word here that makes every scene in the publishing house feel like a celebration of stories. Watching Eun-ho and Dani’s relationship unfold is like reading the perfect slow-burn romance where every chapter gets better than the last. It’s not just about the books they edit—it’s about how those stories shape their lives, and how their own story is still being written.

Book Match: The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa. Like Romance is a Bonus Book, this novel is about how stories can change lives, with whimsical, heartwarming moments that make you fall in love with reading all over again.

Hot Drink Pairing: Vanilla chai latte. Sweet, spiced, and warm—just like this drama’s gentle, comforting romance that unfolds between book-filled moments.

K-Dramas: A new kind of literary magic

So, whether you’re ready to fall for an existential alien, get lost in dark fairy tales that heal, or swoon over rom-com couples in the world of books, these K-dramas have it all. They aren’t just shows—they’re whole universes that pull you into, whether you’re ready to fall for an existential alien, dive deep into dark fairy tales that heal, or swoon over rom-com couples in the world of books, these K-dramas have it all. They aren’t just shows—they’re entire universes that pull you in, flipping the emotional pages as you laugh, cry, and possibly shout at your screen. Furthermore, they hit like your favorite books, the kind that you can’t stop thinking about long after you’ve turned the last page. So grab your favorite drink, get cozy, and let these K-dramas remind you why we fall in love with stories over and over again.