‘Enemies to lovers’ trope fuels K-romance boom
Actors Yook Sung-jae, left, as Kang Cheol, a mythical serpent, and Kim Ji-yeon as shaman Yeo-ri appear in the SBS fantasy historical drama "The Haunted Palace." Courtesy of SBS
Viewers drawn to tension-driven 'hostile relationship' love stories
In the SBS fantasy historical drama "The Haunted Palace," shaman Yeo-ri (played by Kim Ji-yeon) harbors deep resentment toward Kang Cheol, the spirit of an "imugi" (a mythical serpent or proto-dragon) possessing her first love, Yun Gap (played by Yook Sung-jae).
Believing the spirit caused her grandmother's death, Yeo-ri initially views him with hatred. But as the two face off against supernatural threats together, their animosity transforms into understanding — and ultimately, love.
The storyline reflects what has become a defining theme in many popular Korean dramas: the “enemies-to-lovers” romance, or what Korean viewers call "hyumgwan" — short for "hyumo gwangye" meaning “hostile relationship."
Though the term is relatively new, hymgwan is quickly emerging as a genre of its own, with viewers flocking to dramas that feature leads who start off disliking — or even despising — each other. "The Haunted Palace" is leading weekend drama ratings, nearing the high 9 percent range, and continues to rank among Netflix Korea's Top 10 titles.
Kang Ji-yoon (Han Ji-min), right, a headhunting firm CEO, and Yoo Eun-ho (Lee Jun-hyuk), a corporate HR manager, clash over recruitment in the SBS drama "Love Scout." Courtesy of SBS
Hate before love
Romantic tension between combative leads has long been a staple of drama storytelling, but recently, this dynamic has been dominating among Korea’s most-watched series. Last year’s hit drama "When the Phone Rings," which soared up Netflix’s global rankings, and "Love Scout," which pulled in ratings over 12 percent earlier this year, both centered on reluctant couples who slowly fall for each other.
In MBC's "When the Phone Rings," a loveless couple bound in a strategic marriage begin to discover genuine feelings for each other after a life-altering event. The SBS drama "Love Scout" follows the CEO of a headhunting firm (played by Han Ji-min) and a corporate HR executive (played by Lee Jun-hyuk) who butt heads professionally before developing a romantic relationship.
Other recent titles, such as tvN's "Love Your Enemy," starring Jung Yu-mi and Ju Ji-hoon, and Netflix's "The Trunk," starring Seo Hyun-jin and Gong Yoo, also explore similar enemies-to-lovers relationships.
Baek Sa-eon (Yoo Yeon-seok), left, and Hong Hee-joo (Chae Soo-bin) portray a loveless married couple in the MBC drama "When the Phone Rings." Courtesy of MBC
Why is it so popular?
What keeps hyumgwan romances so popular is their layered emotional payoff. The tension and banter between initially antagonistic characters provides humor and suspense early in a series, while the emotional arc of overcoming conflicts to reach intimacy adds depth.
“Hyumgwan narratives captivate viewers by focusing on conflict between the main characters,” said Yoon Seok-jin, a professor of Korean literature at Chungnam National University. “They intensify audience engagement through emotional transformation.”
These stories also resonate in the broader cultural moment. In many of these dramas, the characters begin with misunderstandings or premature judgments, only to grow by recognizing and accepting each other's differences.
As face-to-face interaction becomes less common in a postpandemic, digitally connected world, viewers increasingly identify with the struggles involved in building meaningful relationships.
“Since the pandemic, remote communication has become the norm, and more people are experiencing difficulty in forming interpersonal connections,” Yoon said. “Hyumgwan dramas reflect this social trend, while also presenting a cathartic narrative of resolving misunderstandings through direct, personal engagement.”
As long as modern viewers continue to seek both emotional complexity and escapist drama, it seems hyumgwan romance will remain a compelling formula on Korean screens.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.