There’s just something about fake dating and contract marriages in K-dramas that makes them feel extra swoony and happy. These shows are a mix of awkward tension and heartfelt moments. There’s also lots of slow-burning kind of chemistry in one irresistible package. The stakes are high, the pretending is full of cute mishaps, and you know deep down that somewhere between all the bickering and awkward “oops, we kissed” moments, real love is bound to bloom.
And let’s be honest — that’s exactly why we love them. Whether it’s a fake marriage born out of necessity or two people agreeing to pretend-date to get their families off their backs, these dramas are a whole serotonin boost wrapped in 16 or fewer episodes.
Here’s a look at some of Netflix’s best K-dramas featuring fake dating and contract relationships, each bringing its own twist to this fan-favorite trope.
7. Because This Is My First Life (2017)
When life hands you a housing crisis, why not get married? Because This Is My First Life is equal parts heartfelt and funny. The K-drama follows Yoon Ji Ho (Jung So-min) and Nam Se Hee (Lee Min-ki ). Ji Ho is an aspiring screenwriter who was suddenly left without a place to live. On the other hand, Se Hee is a socially awkward, rule-following homeowner in desperate need of a roommate.
What starts as a purely practical arrangement soon snowballs into a full-fledged contract marriage. The whole thing is complete with all the hilariously stiff “we’re just doing this for convenience” moments you could hope for.
But here comes the real twist. This series doesn’t just stick to rom-com’s usual fluff. It digs deeper and touches your heart. The drama touches on real issues like workplace harassment and gender inequality. It also shows what marriage means in modern Korean society.
Ji Ho and Se Hee’s slow-burn romance proved that love sometimes shows up quietly. Or maybe it shows up right after you’ve drawn up a rental contract. It’s a drama that manages to be swoony while also making you think. And this is no small feat. Nothing says “true love” like splitting the rent and falling for your landlord.
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6. Love in Contract (2022)
If fake dating were a profession, Choi Sang Eun (Park Min-young) would be CEO. Love in Contract takes this trope and runs with it, following Sang Eun, a professional “contract wife” who’s been fake-marrying clients for years to save them from awkward social situations and family drama. Her longest-running “husband” is Jung Ji Ho (Go Kyung-pyo), a man she’s been married to on paper for five years. The problem? Sang Eun is ready to retire, but walking away from Ji Ho suddenly feels like a lot more than just ending a job.
Enter Kang Hae Jin. He is a popular actor who also needs a fake girlfriend. And just like that, Sang Eun’s personal and professional lives get hilariously complicated. This series is part rom-com, part journey of self-discovery. Sang Eun learns what she actually wants for herself beyond all the contracts and client lists. The drama is lighthearted and a little messy. It is packed with the kind of sweet tension that makes fake dating stories so addictive. Who knew “freelance wife” was a job description that could lead to real romance, right?
5. Her Private Life (2019)
Nothing brings two people closer than fake dating to avoid angry fans with pitchforks. If you love K-dramas where one little misunderstanding snowballs into a full-on fake relationship, Her Private Life
Her double life gets messy when rumors swirl that she’s dating said idol, and to clear her name, her new boss, Ryan Gold (Kim Jae-wook), suggests they pretend to date each other.
What follows is an absolute rom-com delight, with fake couple antics that slowly turn into something very real. Watching Deok-mi and Ryan go from awkward coworkers to swoon-worthy partners is a pure serotonin rush. The series also explores Deok-mi’s love for her fangirl community. It further celebrates her passion instead of mocking it, making this show as heartwarming as it is funny.
4. Love to Hate You (2023)
Sometimes the best way to fall in love is to start with a little mutual annoyance. Love to Hate You is a sharp, fun rom-com about Yeo Mi-ran (Kim Ok-vin), a tough-as-nails lawyer who refuses to lose to any man, and Nam Kang-ho (Teo Yoo), a top actor who’s sworn off romance thanks to deep trust issues. The two end up in a contract dating situation, mostly to save face and avoid scandals, but sparks fly despite their best efforts to stay “fake.”
This series leans into the enemies-to-lovers energy. It has plenty of funny bickering going on from the beginning. There’s also some witty banter and amazing sizzling chemistry to make you swoon. It’s witty, modern, and refreshingly direct about its characters’ feelings once they start to drop their walls. For viewers who love their fake dating stories with a bit of fire and sass, this one is a must-watch. Nothing says “we’re totally not in love” like arguing your way right into a kiss.
3. Marriage Contract (2016)
Few dramas tug at the heart quite like Marriage Contract. Lee Seo Jin steps into the shoes of Han Ji Hoon, a man whose life is fueled by money and business deals, while Uee brings to life Kang Hye Soo, a struggling single mother who is battling illness and desperately needs financial security for her daughter. The two strike up a contract marriage, thinking it will solve their problems — but of course, feelings have other plans.
What makes this drama so unforgettable is the emotional depth it has. Hye Soo’s fight to secure her daughter’s future is very raw and heartbreaking at the same time. It’s hard not to shed a bucket load of tears while watching her carry the weight of the world on her shoulders all alone.
Ji Hoon initially seems like someone who has it all together. But slowly, he transforms. This transformation happens as he opens his heart to her and her little girl. Their journey from strangers bound by necessity to partners who genuinely love and support each other is beautifully done. Who knew a legal contract would actually turn into their first love letter?
This isn’t just a drama; it’s a full-blown emotional rollercoaster with plenty of tear-stained tissues along the way. But the reward is that it leaves you feeling oddly healed by the time it ends. And if there’s one thing to take away — fake marriages may not last forever in real life, but in dramaland, they’re the ultimate recipe for true love.
2. Full House (2004)
If fake relationship K-dramas had a hall of fame, Full House would have its own shining corner. Starring Song Hye Kyo and Rain, this series is often credited with popularizing the contract relationship trope back in the day. The story follows two completely opposite personalities who end up living under the same roof by sheer accident. She’s sweet and bubbly, he’s moody and temperamental — basically a classic setup for endless bickering.
That’s exactly where the magic of the show Full House lies. There’s just something so satisfying about watching two people who can’t stand each other slowly let their guards down. It’s not just romance. It is a rollercoaster of sass, bickering, and those little moments. In these moments, you can see their hearts start to shift and go softer.
And then there’s Rain and Song Hye Kyo. Their chemistry is so natural and does not feel forced at all. No wonder this drama became such a huge part of the early Hallyu wave. Fans were gushing over this duo. Even years later, the show’s fake-dating storyline still feels fun and relatable. This drama reminds you why enemies-to-lovers will always hit just right and is always a fan favorite trope.
Sometimes the person who annoys you most can end up being the one you can’t live without at all. And this drama makes that journey feel downright addictive and pure. And, apparently, sharing a house is the fastest way to go from ‘I hate you’ to ‘I do.’
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1. Business Proposal (2022)
Business Proposal is the ultimate modern take on the fake dating trope. It is full of humor, romance, and chaotic situations that keep viewers glued to the screen. The story kicks off with Young-seo (Seol In-ah). She is a chaebol heiress who is trying to dodge yet another blind date arranged by her father. Her solution is to convince her best friend Shin Ha-ri (played by the ever-charming Kim Se-jeong) to go in her place. Why? Well, to scare the guy off. What could ever go wrong, right?
Except Ha-ri’s plan backfires spectacularly when her date turns out to be Kang Tae-moo (Ahn Hyo-seop), none other than the CEO of the company where she works. Talk about awkward. Instead of running away, Tae-moo decides he actually likes the idea of a fake relationship — mostly to stop his grandfather from nagging him about marriage. Soon, Ha-ri is balancing her fake girlfriend duties while hiding her real identity from her boss. And the situation gets messier by the minute.
But what starts as a sham quickly turns into something deeper. Tae-moo and Ha-ri’s connection starts to grow stronger with every fake date. The drama strikes a perfect balance between laugh-out-loud moments, sweet romantic gestures, and enough swoon-worthy chemistry. It has all the ingredients to make you rewatch certain scenes more than once for sure. It’s easy to see why this series became one of Netflix’s most-watched K-rom-coms — it has all the ingredients of a perfect binge. Only in K-dramas can lying on a blind date lead to an actual wedding proposal.
Netflix has no shortage of swoon-worthy contract relationships and fake dating dramas. But each of these stands out for how they balance humor, emotional depth, and a satisfying dose of romance. These shows remind us why the trope works so well. Because watching two people faking their way into love never gets old. And it always leaves you with that goofy grin when they finally realize what we’ve known all along: The two leads were perfect for each other from the start.
So, what about you? Are fake dating and contract marriage K-dramas totally your jam? Because honestly, they’re such a guilty pleasure for so many of us. And if you’re already a fan, have you seen any of the dramas we mentioned? Which one had you grinning like an idiot or screaming at the screen for them to confess already? Drop your favorite in the comments. We would love to know which one stole your heart!