I love this. Especially the part about Dream High. I love love love Sam Dong's sincerity and devotion, and years later, remained to be one of my favorite male drama characters. And no matter how cliche running-after-the-bus/car-your-beloved-is, Sam Dong's scene always gets me emotional. And then when he realized Hyemi was chasing after him and wasn't actually on the bus made me laugh and cry.

Thank you for your writing, @yjgclone!

Queen In-hyung's Man is one of my all-time favorite dramas. I find the romance so compelling that when they were separated and he was starting to lose all hopes to ever return to her, I experienced my first and only K-drama ugly bawl, with actual sobbing noise like one may see in dramas. So in the end I cared very little about the absurd way that they were brought back together. I was just overflowed with joy that they were in each other's embrace again.

Kim Boong-Do is still one of the swooniest male lead for me -intelligent therefore adorably nerdy, steadfast therefore constant in his affection, fastidious therefore attentive as a lover, serious but flirty as heck. Also he can yield a sword, ride a horse, and writes the best letters.

QIHM is one of my all time favs... they were so cute (and REAL) together, they just broke my heart -- and thanks for pointing out that they did not have that third party backstabbing/conniving to be a wedge or worm his/her way in between them. i didn't even realize that as i just enjoyed their romantic journey...
; )

@yjgclone,

QUEEN IN-HYUN'S MAN is the only one of the shows I've seen, and I'm glad you included it. I love the soundtrack, and the delicious absurdities of Kim Boong-do materializing in the middle of Hanyang on his horse owing to a talisman. Thanks for including that photo of the queen in her Joseon regalia -- although I'm still not quite sure how she actually could sit in the driver's seat with her towering wig. LOL! This cable drama not only delivered many smooches, but the first believable ones in my Kdrama watching career. There were no dead fish in this show! ;-)

Dream high has a special place in my heart ❤

QIHM is my all time fave OTP. They were sizzling because their chemistry was real. It was also such a fantastic drama although the ending is debatable. It got me in the heart and soul. It’s just sad they broke up. They are a benchmark for otp that no one has topped— maybe only Bong Bong and Min Min.

Bong and Min were also swoony together. Haven’t felt that way for a otp since QIHM. I love that he loves her for who she is and didn’t feel he gets emasculated by her. They were so cute together. I’m shipping them so bad.

Queen In-Hyun's Man is one of my all time favorite dramas. I agree that it has a great OTP.

QIHM has a top spot in my heart as far as OTPs go. Great chemistry and, of course, great kisses. As you mentioned, I especially liked that they weren't ever driven part by other meddling characters (second leads, parents, etc.). That was super refreshing to see.

Gah I love Dream High. There hasn't been a high school drama since that could ever replace it in my heart.

What I absolutely adore about it was that it was it just a love story. It wasn't just about who Hye-mi would choose and who'd end up with who. It was about these young kids chasing their dreams, faltering numerous times along the way, even travelling the wrong road and how in the end, they find their way back to what they truly love - music.

But back to the OTP - oh my god I shipped Sam-dong and Hye-mi like I've never shipped any other. Maybe it's simply because I've never indulged myself in any other drama that could potentially have a different end game than what I'd expect. I didn't see any of the Reply series live, and in School 2015, I thought it was dead obvious who'll get the girl.

Sam-dong and Hye-mi were just so perfectly right for each other. She was the brash, brave and popular one. He was the innocent, naive and honest one. Yet in her there's a girl who was a bit afraid. And in him, there's a guy who wanted to save her despite it coming across as she saved him. It's such a beautiful relationship and one that truly encompasses what it means to be equal despite it looking so lopsided.

I'll always love these two. And since it's 2018, I'm sure they're getting engaged somewhere. They probably had ups and downs and probably broke up once or twice. But there was something about these kids that convinced me they were each other's end game right till the very end ❤️

Suzy and Kim Soo-hyun really shined as Hye-mi and Sam-dong, really a OTP

...and now I really want to rewatch Queen In-hyun's Man

I’ve only seen QIHM of the ones you’ve mentioned, but loved that OTP to pieces. Or maybe I just loved the premise of a love spanning hundreds of years and Kim Boong-Do slaying it in hanbok on horseback.

now this wanna make me rewatch dream high! love sam dong

This post brought so much memories. I particularly loved QHIM more than dream high, but both the shows has something which made me go back down the memory lane.

aaaawwww late reaction but I admittedly teared up a bit reading this especially around the Full House part.it is still in my personal Top 10 list, in my Top 10 kdramas to rewatch it. This OTP still works for me,until now even if it is too dated by our current kdrama standards.

And Queen In-Hyun's Man will always be ONE OF THE MOST ROMANTIC KDRAMAS for me, that I sometimes felt I was taking a peak at our OTP's private time.

thank you for sharing and great writing!

Yes, the OTP of KIM SOO-HYUN and SUZY in DREAM HIGH was really one of the most unforgettable pairings I’ve ever watched. Their chemistry also made their scenes together as well as the songs they sung so heartbreakingly memorable 😎

My only otp in this article was Samdong and Hyemi. I feel like my otps are never about the chemistry between actors, but how their characters treated each other and what they mean to each other.