The cross-border reality dating show on Netflix wrapped up its course of journey on December 26, thereby announcing the much-awaited Love Like a Kdrama final couples that sealed their heartfelt confessions with a kiss. The Japanese-Korean reality series (韓国ドラマな恋がしたい) stars a total of 8 main cast members, with 4 Japanese actresses flying to Korea for this experimental reality TV format that entailed them coming together with 4 Korean actors as they all auditioned in pairs to bag acting parts for episodes of several mini K-dramas, boosting their professional capabilities as actors.
However, offering these roles to the rookie actors isn’t the sole aim of the series. As they’re all expected to engage in intimate and romantically intense scenes that require them to share kisses, Love Like a Kdrama Netflix series circled around the idea if sparks would fly among these contestants in reality as they pose to be in love for the reel. Over the course of 12 episodes, the series has made room for heartbreaking drama off-the-camera, as many love triangles evolved between cast members.
The main cast includes four Japanese actresses and four Korean actors. The former group has Nozomi Bando, Honoka Kitahara, Ayano Kudo and Rio Yamashita, whereas the latter quartet brings forward Kim Won-shik, known for his supporting roles in Alchemy of Souls and True Beauty, K-pop group Supernova member Song Ji-hyuk, model/rookie actors Lee Tae-gyun and Kim Dong-kyu.
Additionally, the cast also includes Yuko Fueki aka Yumin steps as the host, with studio members, Haruna Kondo, Aa-Chan, Shusuke Fukutoku, Hayato Komori (GENERATIONS), and Maria Tani, offering live commentary. Directed by Yoshiaki Suzuki, the series consists of 12 episodes, and has been produced under the banner of TV Man Union. The series commenced streaming on Netflix in November, and concluded its run with the twelfth episode releasing on December 26, 2023.
Love Like a Kdrama Final Couples
Prominent Love Triangles and Their Resolution: Love Like a Kdrama Couples Explained
In the premiere episode, when the Love Like a Kdrama contestants first met each other, the initial pairs looked like this: Kim Won-shik and Honoka Kitahara, Song Ji-hyuk and Rio Yamashita, Lee Tae-gyun and Ayano Kudo, and Kim Dong-kyu and Nozomi Bando. The last pairing of Dong-kyu and Nozomi stuck it out together for quite some time and even developed a deep bond, but soon after that, a love triangle between the duo and Rio started taking shape.
Rio had never considered her feelings to shape romantically while professionally engaging with acting. However, before she knew it, she and Dong-kyu kept getting pulled together and a wholesome bond blossomed between them. Nozomi felt left out, and she tried her all to gain Dong-kyu’s attention again. Ultimately, Dong-kyu and Rio stuck by each other till the end.
As their feelings for each other became more obvious, Won-shik, who initially felt drawn to his first partner, Honoka, realised that she’d reserved a soft spot for Tae-gyun in her heart. He, on the other hand, remained indifferent to Honoka’s feelings, but Won-shik respectfully backed away after talking it out with Honoka.
Over the next few episodes, he felt inclined to getting to know Nozomi better, who was still hung up on Dong-kyu at the time. He even opened his heart to her and hoped that she would consider his feelings for her.
In the meantime, Tae-gyun again got the chance to pair up with Ayano for a mini episode’s shoot, and before he knew it, he was swept off his feet by her undeniable charm exuding warmth that equally made her fun to be around. In the last episode of the season, Ayano comes forth with a heart-fluttering confession as she gifts Tae-gyun a Beatles LP with a request listed on its back for him to kiss her so that they can seal their bond.
As time passed, Honoka, too, got the chance to reunite with Won-shik for an audition, but she quickly noticed his divided attention falling towards Nozomi. Yet another love triangle brewed up between Honoka, Won-shik and Nozomi, which ultimately led to both Honoka and Won-shik fully realising their feelings for each other, owing to how at ease they felt in each other’s company. When it came to picking whom he had true feelings for, Won-shik directly met with Honoka at the airport and confessed that despite him thinking he had feelings for Nozomi, he ultimately felt more strongly moved by Honoka’s admiration for him.
Was Anyone Left Unpaired?
As per the final confessions featured in the last episode of the season, Ji-hyuk’s identity was circumscribed by the “big brother” label. He initially got pulled towards Rio in the first few episodes, but that connection didn’t pan out well, in addition to Ji-hyuk even worsening the situation between him and Rio at one point while speaking under the influence of alcohol.
He wasn’t the only one not to have been paired up with anyone. After being turned down by Dong-kyu, Nozomi evidently gave up on forming any such romantic connections towards the end. She merely did her best to win over the last audition, which she did with Won-shik. However, once he realised his feelings for Honoka, Nozomi was again left alone as Won-shik too could see through her and how she was barely responding to him because of the character she was supposed to play opposite to him.
Love Like a Kdrama Cast Instagram Accounts
Rio Yamashita
Ayano Kudo
Nozomi Bando
Honoka Kitahara
Kim Won-shik
Lee Tae-gyun
Kim Dong-kyu
Song Ji-hyuk
Host: Yuko Fueki
Have you watched the Love Like a Kdrama finale yet? Did your favourite pairs find love in the end? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Also read: Love Like a Kdrama Episode 12 Review: Expected Final Confessions Will Get You Smiling