Over the past year, more romantic Korean dramas have entered the spotlight, while presenting couples with amazing off-screen chemistry. With the arrival of these highly-anticipated dramas, viewers have been given exciting behind-the-scenes videos—ones brimming with chemistry. Not only do the actors and actresses make their jobs look fun, but they also radiate a comfortable aura. From the sweet on-screen chemistry to stunning off-screen chemistry, these beloved actors and actresses surely know what they’re doing!

Adorable On-Screen Chemistry

It’s always fun to watch exciting moments through the screen, especially when there’s incredible chemistry involved. If you’re a determined K-drama fan, then you’ll understand that feeling you get when the leads ~finally~ hold hands! From the alluring eye contact between the two actors to the comforting hugs, the adorable on-screen chemistry is truly beautiful.

But in order to display adorable on-screen chemistry, the actors and actresses may have to establish good off-screen chemistry first. Sadly, not every K-drama cast has amazing chemistry—it happens! In some cases, the actors and actresses may feel a bit shy, awkward, or intimidated when they’re around their co-stars. Other times, actors and actresses want to be very respectful and formal to their seniors in the industry and will feel impolite if they act more casually. When they’re able to develop a strong friendship in real life, it’s much easier to manifest those romantic feelings on-screen. And that’s why viewers can fully appreciate the amazing on and off-screen chemistry.

Amazing Off-Screen Chemistry Behind the Scenes

Nevertheless, (2021): Song Kang and Han So Hee

Nevertheless, is a 10 episode romantic drama, which aired on JTBC and streams on Netflix. This highly-anticipated Webtoon to K-drama adaptation stars Song Kang and Han So Hee, who portray art students in university. Park Jae Eon (Song Kang) is a flirtatious and attractive guy who loves the idea of friends with benefits, yet he isn’t interested in committing to a relationship. On the other hand, Yoo Na Bi (Han So Hee) doesn’t believe in love after an unfortunate past; however, she still wants to date. When the two meet, they begin changing their beliefs about love as they spend more time together.

When it comes to Song Kang and Han So Hee on-screen, the romantic tension encourages the viewers to cheer their characters on. However, despite each of their characters’ beliefs about dating, their on-screen chemistry continues to intensify. Park Jae Eon and Yoo Na Bi demonstrate charming chemistry that—with no doubt—will make viewers swoon. Their playful teasing is just one more reason why we love to see our Jae-Bi couple together!

Song Kang and Han So Hee’s Off-Screen Chemistry

The actors were both born in 1994, so they immediately felt comfortable with each other when they began filming. Han So Hee made her acting debut in 2017 for a minor role in SBS’s romantic fantasy, Reunited Worlds. Likewise, Song Kang made his acting debut in 2017 for tvN’s romantic comedy, The Liar and His Lover, with a supporting role. Although the two stars are considered newer in the K-drama industry, they have both gained a tremendous amount of popularity over the course of a year—looks like they already have lots in common!

Similarly to their on-screen chemistry, Song Kang and Han So Hee share amazing off-screen chemistry that also seems to strengthen as the actors spend more time with each other on set. In every behind-the-scenes video, the two always hang out together, even when they’re not rehearsing. Some fans are even wondering if the actors are acting, since their chemistry seems so natural and genuine. From their cute and ever-so fitting ad-libs to their flirtatious banter, it’s hard not to cheer them on in real life!

Watch Song Kang and Han So Hee’s adorable chemistry in the behind-the-scenes video (with English subtitles) below!

Doom At Your Service (2021): Seo In Guk and Park Bo Young

Doom At Your Service is a 16 episode drama, which aired on tvN and streams on Viki with a standard subscription. Starring Seo In Guk and Park Bo Young, this romantic fantasy tells the story of Tak Dong Kyung (Park Bo Young) and Myul Mang (Seo In Guk). Although life seems decent for Tak Dong Kyung, her world instantly turns upside down when she discovers that her boyfriend has cheated on her and she only has 100 days left to live. Meanwhile, Myul Mang has the power to grant her one wish, as long as she signs a contract with him. The two begin living together—to their dismay—until a spark ignites between them.

Although the relationship between Myul Mang and Tak Dong Kyung starts off as an unfriendly one, their romance quickly blooms into a beautiful flower. On-screen, Seo In Guk and Park Bo Young skillfully display adorable chemistry and romantic tension. From their witty come-backs to genuine care for each other’s well-being, viewers will naturally cheer this couple on. Despite Tak Dong Kyung’s unfortunate fate, she and Myul Mang try their best to cherish each and every moment they have together.

Seo In Guk and Park Bo Young’s Off-Screen Chemistry

In the past, Seo In Guk made cameos in two previous dramas: Oh My Ghost (2015) and Abyss (2019), which Park Bo Young starred in as the lead female characters. Even though Park Bo Young wasn’t in any of the scenes with Seo In Guk, it seems as if they were destined to meet again for Doom At Your Service!  With an age gap of less than three years, the two are very comfortable with each other. Park Bo Young even calls Seo In Guk “Oppa” (a term girls call guys older than them), which implies their closeness off-screen.

During their down time on set, they often tease each other and joke around, which makes the set lively. It seems they have also gotten used to each other in terms of behavior. Even as they’re rehearsing for scenes, Park Bo Young can sense when Seo In Guk is annoyed about something. In a behind-the-scenes video, Seo In Guk becomes jealous of Park Bo Young because her character has to eat a jelly snack, while he’s forced to read a book and isn’t allowed to eat it with her. How much cuter can they get with their amazing off-screen chemistry?

Watch Viu’s exclusive interview with Seo In Guk and Park Bo Young below (with English subtitles).

Vincenzo (2021): Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Been

Vincenzo is a 20 episode drama that aired on tvN and streams on Netflix. This dramedy stars Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Been, who work together to achieve justice. Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong Ki) is an Italian lawyer and a consigliere for the mafia, who flees from Italy to South Korea. Meanwhile, Hong Cha Young (Jeon Yeo Been) is a successful lawyer at Babel Group and often competes against her father’s own law firm. After a terrible incident occurs, Hong Cha Young leaves her job at Babel Group and begins working alongside Vincenzo. Together, the two make an attractive team, as they work to defend their clients.

While Vincenzo was lacking in the romance department, that didn’t stop Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Been’s intense chemistry both on and off-screen. Because of Vincenzo and Hong Cha Young’s successes together, they begin to develop mutual trust. They even start opening up to each other about their personal lives, which is surprising to see. Since both characters are more reserved, they don’t allow just anyone to know too much about themselves. So, it’s refreshing to see how strong their bond becomes—especially when they develop feelings for each other!

Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Been’s Off-Screen Chemistry

Courtesy of The Swoon

In 2010, Song Joong Ki’s breakout role was in KBS2’s Sungkyunkwan Scandal with a main role. This led him to other successful dramas, such as Descendants of the Sun (2017), Arthdal Chronicles (2019), and eventually Vincenzo (2021). As for Jeon Yeo Been, she gained more popularity after her role in the mystery film, After My Death (2017). She was also in the 2017 thriller drama, Save Me, alongside her Vincenzo co-star, Ok Taecyeon. With a four year age gap, Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Been act comfortably together and are both down-to-earth, which makes for amazing off-screen chemistry!  

From behind the scenes to rehearsals, Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Been are always in sync—talk about amazing off-screen chemistry. Although the director jokingly accuses them of scripting their actions, they’re truly just on the same wavelength. Because Vincenzo was a longer K-drama than most, the two actors were able to spend lots of time together on set. They would usually joke around with each other and comment on each other’s great ideas. For the kissing scene, they even surprised the director and writer because of how beautifully and effortlessly they completed the scene. Fellow actors were also cheering on Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Been together, since their characters looked so attractive together! Even though Vincenzo is over, the actors still support each other. In July, 2021, Song Joong Ki sent a coffee and frozen dessert truck to Jeon Yeo Been’s set for her upcoming Netflix film, Glitch—how sweet!

Watch Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Been in the behind-the-scenes video (with English subtitles) below!

Run On (2020-21): Yim Si Wan and Shin Se Kyung

Run On is a 16 episode romantic drama that aired on JTBC and streams on Netflix. Ki Seon Gyeom (Yim Si Wan) is a talented sprinter, who decides to retire early due to an incident he gets involved with. Meanwhile, Oh Mi Joo (Shin Se Kyung) works as a subtitle translator for movies and puts a lot of pride into her work. When Oh Mi Joo randomly meets Ki Seon Gyeom on several occasions, she’s convinced it’s fate. As the two begin spending time together, they realize they both have feelings for each other. 

On-screen, Yim Si Wan and Shin Se Kyung first display platonic emotions towards each other. However, once their characters begin liking each other, their on-screen chemistry instantly becomes adorable. Because the two actors are so compatible with their own characters, they easily complement each other’s characters. From the supportive hugs to the cute hand-holding, this couple’s on-screen chemistry is absolutely charming. Although Ki Seon Gyeom and Oh Mi Joo are considered opposites, Yim Si Wan and Shin Se Kyung know exactly how to win over their viewers’ hearts!

Yim Si Wan and Shin Se Kyung’s Off-Screen Chemistry

Before becoming an actor, Yim Si Wan was a member of the Korean boy group, ZE:A. In 2012, he starred in MBC’s Moon Embracing the Sun, which allowed him to rise to fame. On the other hand, Shin Se Kyung debuted as a child actress beginning in 1998, at eight years old. She started rising to fame in 2009, when she starred in High Kick! Season 2. With only a two year age gap, Yim Si Wan and Shin Se Kyung are quite comfortable with each other. From the beginning of filming, they also developed natural chemistry that’s totally adorable to watch in the behind-the-scenes videos! 

Off-screen, Yim Si Wan and Shin Se Kyung are cheerful together, even up until they have to film sad scenes. Although Shin Se Kyung is known to be a bit shy, Yim Si Wan’s playfulness always makes her feel comfortable. In between shoots, they also make sure to take care of each other and share a few jokes to make the set lively. During a behind-the-scenes video, the director complains that the couple look too cute together. The actors were asked to act less lovey-dovey, which was actually more of a challenge for them. Yim Si Wan and Shin Se Kyung’s natural off-screen chemistry is so charming, even the director can’t handle it!

Watch more of Yim Si Wan and Shin Se Kyung’s adorable bond in the video below (with English subtitles)!

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020): Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Yea Ji

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is a 16 episode romantic drama, which aired on tvN and streams on Netflix. Starring Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Yea Ji, the drama offers a unique and fantasy-like feature. Moon Gang Tae (Kim Soo Hyun) works as a caretaker at a psychiatric hospital. Although he’s a selfless person, the job can be quite exhausting—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Meanwhile, Ko Moon Young (Seo Yea Ji) is an antisocial children’s book author and does whatever she pleases. However, when she crosses paths with Moon Gang Tae, they go through a rollercoaster of emotions before accepting each other’s personal traumas.

Because of the differences between Moon Gang Tae and Ko Moon Young, they find it difficult to get along at first. Even when the two characters argue, the romantic tension between them makes their on-screen chemistry more stunning. The way Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Yea Ji thoughtfully display their characters’ love for each other also makes viewers cheer them on. From the very first time they meet until the end, the actors’ on-screen chemistry is always seemingly perfect.

Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Yea Ji’s Off-Screen Chemistry

Ever since the 2010s, Kim Soo Hyun has gained so much popularity, starting from Dream High (2011) and eventually Moon Embracing the Sun (2012). In January, 2020, he left his previous agency to join the newly-formed agency, Gold Medalist. In 2013, Seo Yea Ji made her acting debut in tvN’s sitcom, Potato Star 2013QR3. She also began rising to fame in tvN’s Lawless Lawyer in 2018. After about seven years with her previous agency, Seo Yea Ji joined Gold Medalist alongside Kim Soo Hyun in January, 2020. Surprisingly in 2014, the two actors portrayed lovers in a pudding commercial. So, it’s amazing to see how they have reunited six years later for It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.

Whether it’s behind the scenes or in between takes, Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Yea Ji are always playful. The two are also extremely caring towards each other, especially when there’s an action scene. Being only two years apart, the actors are very comfortable with each other and displayed natural off-screen chemistry since the beginning. In a cute behind-the-scenes video, the two actors are directed to take selfies together. However, Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Yea Ji have so much fun taking pictures, they don’t even hear the director’s signal to cut! 

Which K-drama couple with amazing off-screen chemistry is your favorite? Check out our blog on Nevertheless. If you want to see more cute Korean couples in Kdrama, check out the video below!