The Heirs, Sh**ting Stars, Tempted, and more: K-Dramas where the popular boy falls for the unpopular girl

K-dramas are packed with delightful tropes, but let’s give a shout-out to a mini trope that deserves the spotlight: the popular boy falling head over heels for the not-so-popular girl. There’s something oh-so-sweet about a guy who dotes on his girl, making viewers swoon and sigh in envy. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of a love story that proves popularity doesn’t matter when it comes to matters of the heart, you’re in for a treat. Here are some drama recommendations that will have you rooting for these unexpected romances. After all, who wouldn’t want to daydream about a love story where the hottest guy in school picks the girl who trips over her own feet? Let the swooning begin!

In ‘Love Alarm’, a groundbreaking app alerts users if someone nearby has feelings for them, sounding an alarm when within 10 meters. Kim Jo Jo (Kim So Hyun), a smart and attractive high school student, carries a cheerful facade despite the hardships of losing her parents at a young age and living with her challenging aunt’s family. Without a modern phone, she doesn’t use the app. Meanwhile, Hwang Sun Oh (Song Kang), a popular student from a wealthy but emotionally distant family, becomes intrigued by Kim Jo Jo. Noticing his best friend, Lee Hye Yeong (Jung Ga Ram), has feelings for her, Sun Oh impulsively kisses Jo Jo, sparking a complicated love triangle.

In this drama, Gong Tae Sung (Kim Young Dae), one of the nation’s most cherished stars, manages life under constant scrutiny. Though he projects an image of charm and kindness to the public, those in his management company, particularly Oh Han Byeol (Lee Sung Kyung), see a different side. As the head of the PR team, Han Byeol is all too familiar with Tae Sung’s competitive nature and fiery temper. Her adept crisis management skills often come into play to maintain his pristine reputation. Their relationship is fueled by constant bickering, marking them as natural adversaries. Yet, as circumstances force them to spend more time together, could their intense rivalry give way to unexpected feelings, or are they destined to remain enemies forever?

In this K-drama, a group of wealthy twenty-somethings reveal their darker sides while engaging in a deceitful game fueled by revenge. Kwon Shi Hyun (Woo Do Hwan), a popular player, wagers with his two best friends that he can seduce Eun Tae Hee (Joy), an innocent girl who views love as a folly. As they spend time together, Tae Hee begins to reconsider her beliefs about love, while Shi Hyun’s feelings for her grow more intense, complicating his initial intentions. With secrets lurking beneath the surface, the stakes rise, and both scandal and heartache seem inevitable as their lives become entangled in a web of deception and desire.

In the drama ‘The Heirs’, Kim Tan (Lee Min-ho), the privileged heir of the powerful Jeguk Group, finds his life turned upside down. Sent to the U.S. by his scheming half-brother, who aims to seize control of their family's empire, Kim Tan unexpectedly encounters Cha Eun-sang (Park Shin-hye), who is searching for her sister. Despite being engaged to the equally wealthy Yoo Rachel (Kim Ji-won), Tan develops deep feelings for Eun-sang. Upon his return to Korea, tension escalates as his former best friend, now rival, Choi Young-do (Kim Woo-bin), targets Eun-sang to provoke him. Caught between familial duties and his newfound love, Kim Tan faces a heart-wrenching dilemma.

Shin Jun Yeong (Kim Woo Bin) and Noh Eul (Bae Suzy) once shared a deep love, but fate intervened, tearing them apart. Years later, Jun Yeong has risen to fame as a celebrated actor and singer, while Noh Eul has transformed into a determined documentary producer-director. When they unexpectedly reunite, Jun Yeong is taken aback by Noh Eul's drastic change; she now appears materialistic and driven to succeed at any cost. As old feelings resurface, Jun Yeong grapples with the question: can love endure amidst such transformation? Their encounter ignites a journey of rediscovery, leaving them to ponder whether their once-cherished bond can be revived.