We’ve all done it. You press play on a K-drama “just to see the first episode,” and suddenly it’s 3 a.m. and you’re sixteen episodes deep. Sometimes you want the opposite: romance, angst and a proper ending, all before bedtime. These six shorter picks, recommended by Soompi, are made for exactly that.

Six K-Dramas Overview

Drama	Stars	The Vibe
Splash Splash Love	Yoon Doojoon, Kim Seul Gi	Time-travel romance (2 episodes)
Soundtrack #1	Park Hyung Sik, Han So Hee	Friends-to-lovers slow burn (4 episodes)
My Secret Romance	Sung Hoon, Song Ji Eun	Fast-burn rom-com
Cinderella at 2AM	Shin Hyun Been, Moon Sang Min	Chaebol romance, younger man
Doona!	Suzy, Yang Se Jong	Idol-meets-student angst
Serendipity’s Embrace	Kim So Hyun, Chae Jong Hyeop	Second-chance first love

1. Splash Splash Love: A High Schooler Meets a Joseon King

Dan Bi (Kim Seul Gi), a high school student, is magically transported to the Joseon era, where she meets King Lee Do (HIGHLIGHT’s Yoon Doojoon). They find comfort in each other, then fall into a wild romance. It’s only two episodes, yet it leaves a lasting impression. Kim Seul Gi is hilarious and adorable, and her chemistry with Yoon Doojoon is the show’s highlight. Watching them go from weirded out to head over heels is the cross-world romance you didn’t know you needed.

2. Soundtrack #1: Twenty Years of Friendship, Two Weeks Under One Roof

Han Sun Woo (Park Hyung Sik), a quiet, warm-hearted photographer, has been best friends with lyricist Lee Eun Soo (Han So Hee) for 20 years. When they end up living together for two weeks, their friendship starts to shift into something more. In just four episodes, it delivers plenty of romantic angst, and Park Hyung Sik’s puppy-dog eyes make his quiet yearning impossible not to root for. If you love a sweet slow burn, this is your pick.

3. My Secret Romance: One Night, One Office, Zero Chill

Wealthy Cha Jin Wook (Sung Hoon) and job seeker Lee Yoo Mi (Song Ji Eun) meet after a one-night stand. They reunite when Yoo Mi is hired as a nutritionist at his family’s company. He’s not very nice to her at first, but they gradually fall for each other. It’s packed with classic rom-com clichés, flirty moments and cheesy romantic scenes, and it’s a fast burn, so you won’t wait long for the heat. It’s perfect for unwinding.

4. Cinderella at 2AM: When the Chaebol Heir Refuses to Let Go

Ha Yun Seo (Shin Hyun Been), a confident team leader, secretly dates her younger coworker Seo Ju Won (Moon Sang Min). She doesn’t know he’s the youngest son of the chaebol family that owns their company. When his mother offers her money to end things, she accepts, believing their backgrounds make the romance unrealistic. Ju Won, however, is determined to win her back. Expect banter, romantic tension and quick pacing that makes the episodes fly by.

5. Doona!: A Former Idol and a Very Confused Roommate

Lee Doo Na (Suzy), a former member of the girl group Dream Sweet, steps away from the spotlight and moves into a shared house with college student Lee Won Jun (Yang Se Jong). She mistakes him for a sasaeng fan, and he has no idea who she is. As they spend more time together, curiosity turns into feelings. It’s full of angst, with an addictive emotional build-up and swoon-worthy kiss scenes, and the chemistry between the leads is a big draw.

6. Serendipity’s Embrace: First Love, Second Chance

Lee Hong Joo (Kim So Hyun) had her heart broken by her first love and has been skeptical of romance ever since. Ten years later, she runs into Kang Hoo Young (Chae Jong Hyeop), now a financial planner, at a cafe. He may be the last person she wants to see, but the reunion could give them a second chance. It has a nostalgic, feel-good quality, and the episodes fly by. As Soompi puts it, you can’t go wrong with Kim So Hyun.

Want more drama picks? Browse Technosports and keep an eye on our K-drama coverage for new binge-worthy lists.