8 Swoon-worthy Korean Romance Novels for K-pop and K-drama Fans

In this steamy reverse harem, Holly, an unexpected heir to a K-pop production company, is entrusted by her half-brother with revitalizing the fading career of the K-pop band H3R0.

As she takes on the role of their manager, Holly finds herself not only navigating the challenges of managing the career of the six-member boy band — Tae, Dante, Minhyuk, Nate, Kyun, and Jun — but also forming passionate relationships with each of them.

This romantic comedy follows Aubrey as her bakery business faces a tragic fate when Landon, a restaurant critic, receives a cake intended for a child thanks to a mix-up by Aubrey’s assistant.

Landon meets Aubrey at a bar, where afterward, they share a one-night stand but still unaware of the situation. Then Landon publishes a scathing review in a magazine that damages the bakery’s reputation. Later on, he learns of the truth and the consequences of this mistake, and though he regrets it, he realizes that he can’t undo the damage caused. To compensate, he offers Aubrey an opportunity to be featured in a cooking show he produces, entangling business with romance.

In this slow-burn romance, Jessica seeks refuge in her hometown of Nashville to contemplate her next move after being fired from her job as an investment banker. During this period, she sets up a business featuring Korean meal preps and creates a YouTube channel. Surprisingly, her childhood rival, Daniel, offers help along the way.

As her business thrives, her former company expresses interest in acquiring it, only to discover that Daniel is the counsel representing the said company.

In this “meta” romance, Hana and Bryan, the leading actors of a K-drama series, fake a relationship to create hype for their show, despite Hana’s lack of interest in Bryan. To add more intrigue, the showrunners introduce Minjee, Hana’s former audition rival.

Things take an unexpected turn, however, when both Hana and Minjee begin to develop feelings for each other.

In this young adult romance set against the backdrop of the K-pop industry, Rachel, a Korean American young woman, joins DB, a prominent K-pop production company. Unfortunately, she faces animosity from everyone in there, particularly Mina, who consistently bullies her.

When she meets Jason, a member of a boy band managed by DB, she quickly falls in love. But this newfound romance sparks a fierce battle between her and Mina as they both strive for stardom alongside Jason.

In this YA romance set in Seoul, the story follows Gu Miyoung, a teenage gumiho or a mythical nine-tailed fox from Korean folklore. Known for seducing and killing men, Miyoung meets Jihoon, a human, when he’s attacked in the forest. Miyoung saves him, deviating from the usual. But in the process, she loses her gumiho abilities and becomes human.

A deep bond forms between the two as they fall in love. But when a shaman attempts to restore Miyoung’s gumiho nature, she finds herself torn between her past and her newfound humanity.

In the historical backdrop of the Joseon Dynasty around late 1800s, Yi Jin, a court dancer, catches the eye of Victor, a French diplomat visiting the Korean Emperor. Their unexpected romance blossoms, leading Victor to whisk Yi Jin away to France for marriage.

While infused with romance and K-drama allure, the book also delves into the intricate history and politics of Korea and of the world at the time, exploring themes of colonization and identity.

Set in South Korea, this one follows Jaehee, a gay man, from adolescence to adulthood. The novel’s divided into four sections, and each represent a chapter in his life. In all of them, Jaehee discovers various forms of love, including platonic, familial, and above all, romantic.

Love in the Big City has been longlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2022.