No Season 2 Yet? 18 Best High-School Rom-Coms K-Dramas Like True Beauty (2026 List & Where to Stream)

💡 Availability may vary by region. Most platforms offer English subtitles for international viewers.

💻Top 10 Must-Watch K-Dramas Like True Beauty: Detailed Recommendations & Key Highlights

Here are 8 must-watch K-dramas similar to True Beauty that offer high-visual casts, emotional depth, and plenty of "butterfly-inducing" moments.

1.Boys Over Flowers (2013)

2.The Heirs (2013)

3.Cheese in the Trap (2016)

5.My ID Is Gangnam Beauty (2018)

📝Viewing Guide: How to Choose the Best High-School Rom-Com K-Dramas

High-school romantic comedy K-dramas are loved for their sweet first loves, relatable youth struggles, and feel-good storytelling. With so many options available, choosing the right one comes down to a few key factors.

✅Pick Your Favorite "School Trope"

High school K-dramas usually fall into one of these four "flavors." Decide which one you're craving:

• The "Glow-Up" & Self-Discovery: Focuses on a protagonist transforming their appearance or confidence (e.g., True Beauty, My ID is Gangnam Beauty).

• The "Fantasy" Twist: Adds a supernatural element like time travel, soul-swapping, or living inside a comic book (e.g., Lovely Runner, Extraordinary You, No Tail to Tell).

• The "Enemies-to-Lovers": Features heavy banter and initial rivalry between a "bad boy/rich heir" and a spunky lead (e.g., The Heirs, School 2017).

• The "Healing" Youth: Slower-paced, nostalgic, and focuses heavily on friendship and realistic growing pains (e.g., Twinkling Watermelon, At Eighteen).

✅Check the "Vibe" and Tone

Even within "Rom-Coms," the emotional intensity varies. Look at the drama's production style:

• Light & Fluffy: High saturation, bright colors, and lots of "cartoonish" sound effects. Best for a stress-free binge.

• Melodramatic/Intense: Focuses on family secrets, bullying, or class warfare (chaebol vs. poor). If you want high stakes and "cry-worthy" moments, go for classics like Boys Over Flowers.

• Nostalgic/Retro: Often set in the 90s or early 2000s (e.g., Reply 1997, Lovely Runner). Choose these if you love retro fashion and pop culture references.

✅Use Reliable 2026 Rating Sites

Don't just trust a poster! Use these tools to see what the community thinks:

• MyDramaList (MDL): The "IMDb" of Asian dramas. Look for a score above 8.0 for a safe bet, and check the "Tags" section to see if it has tropes you hate (like "Sad Ending" or "Love Triangle").

• Viki Timed Comments: If a show has thousands of comments per episode, it's a sign of a highly engaging "addictive" plot.

• Reddit (r/KDRAMA): Search for "Year-End Awards" or "Best of" lists to see which high school dramas stood the test of time.

✅Look for "Chemistry" Proof

A Rom-Com lives or dies by the chemistry of the leads. A quick way to check this without spoilers is to:

• Watch the "Behind the Scenes" (BTS): If the actors have great natural chemistry off-camera, it almost always translates to an electric on-screen romance.

• Follow the Director: Fans of True Beauty should look for works by director Kim Sang-hyeob (who also did Extraordinary You), as he has a specific "sparkling" visual style.

✅Consider Episode Length & Pace

• Short episodes / lighter pacing: easier to binge (Love Revolution).

• Standard 16–20 episode format: deeper emotional arcs.
  If you want a quick comfort watch, shorter dramas may suit you better.

✅Pay Attention to Cast & Chemistry

Popular idols or rising actors often draw viewers in, but:

• On-screen chemistry matters more than star power.

• Look for dramas praised for natural interactions and emotional realism.

✅Subtitles & Global Availability

For international viewers:

• Check if the drama offers English subtitles.

• Prefer platforms like Netflix, Rakuten Viki, WeTV, which are globally accessible.
  Good subtitles can significantly improve your viewing experience.

📌 2026 Pro-Tip: The "First 2 Episodes" Rule

In 2026, most major platforms like Netflix and Disney+ release "S-tier" high school dramas with high production values. If the humor doesn't make you laugh or the leads don't make you smile by the end of Episode 2, it’s okay to drop it. Life is too short for a drama without "butterflies"!

The best high-school rom-com K-dramas combine romance, humor, and personal growth in a way that feels both comforting and engaging. Whether you’re chasing the charm of first love, relatable teenage struggles, or a story similar to True Beauty, choosing the right drama becomes easy once you know what elements matter most to you.