They say that age is just a number and with two consenting adults, it is never an issue in real-life romance or between two onscreen couples. In the world of Korean dramas, a number of famous stars have shown that age gaps do not matter as long as they professionally portray their characters and put life into the narrative. In fact, some of these K-dramas achieved the highest TV ratings and most awards of all time.
Here are 20+ K-drama pairs with huge age gaps but undeniable onscreen chemistry:
20 years | Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-ri
Lee Byung-hun was born in 1970 while Kim Tae-ri was born in 1990, a 20-year age gap between the onscreen couple in the award-winning drama, Mr. Sunshine (2018). The historical-romance drama tells the story of Eugene Choi (Lee Byung-hun), a Joseon-born becoming a captain of the United States Marine Corps who returns to Joseon on a diplomatic mission and falls in love with a noblewoman named Go Ae-shin (Kim Tae-ri). It achieved its highest nationwide viewership rating of 18.129% on tvN cable channel. It also won the “Drama of the Year” at the 2018 APAN Star Awards.
19 years | Uhm Jung-hwa and Park Seo-joon
Uhm Jung-hwa was born in 1969 while Park Seo-joon was born in 1988, a 19-year age gap between the onscreen couple for tvN’s A Witch’s Love (2014). The rom-com drama follows Ban Ji-yeon (Uhm Jung-hwa), a passionate news reporter in her late 30s dubbed “witch” who was abandoned by her groom-to-be and an errand man in his mid-20s named Yoon Dong-ha (Park Seo-joon) who lost a girlfriend. As the two meet, they find common interests that develop into mutual attraction despite age differences.
18 years | Lee Sun-kyun and IU
Lee Sun-kyun was born in 1975 while Lee Ji-eun (IU) was born in 1993, an 18-year age gap between the onscreen couple in tvN’s My Mister (2018). The psychological drama tells the story about two miserable individuals in a world that is less than kind who come together and develop a sense of kinship, healing one another. It won the “Best Drama” at the 2019 Baeksang Arts Awards and “Grand Prize (Daesang) Drama” at the 2nd The Seoul Awards.
17 years | Lee Seo-jin and Uee
Lee Seo-jin was born in 1971 while Kim Yu-jin (Uee) was born in 1988, a 17-year age gap between the onscreen couple in MBC’s Marriage Contract (2016). The melodrama tells the story of a struggling single mother who agrees to a contract marriage with the son of a chaebol. It achieved its highest nationwide viewership rating of 20.3% on MBC channel.
17 years | Kim Ha-neul and Lee Do-hyun
Kim Ha-neul was born in 1978 while Lee Do-hyun was born in 1995, a 17-year age gap between the onscreen couple in JTBC’s 18 Again (2020). The fantasy-romance drama tells the story of a marriage couple on the brink of divorce who starts a new chapter in their relationship when the husband suddenly morphs into the body of his 18-year-old self played by Lee Do-hyun, bonding and resolving issues with the family members.
14 years | Lee Byung-hun and Shin Mina
Lee Byung-hun was born in 1970 while Shin Mina was born in 1984, a 14-year age gap between the onscreen couple in tvN’s Our Blues (2022). The two top stars played childhood friends who reunite after several years when Min Seonah (Shin Mina), a struggling single mother returns to Jeju and Lee Dong-seok (Lee Byung-hun) tries to resolve their issue in the past and build a family with her. The drama achieved its highest nationwide viewership rating of 14.597% on tvN cable channel.
14 years | Song Hye-kyo and Lee Do-hyun
Song Hye-kyo was born in 1981 while Lee Do-hyun was born in 1995, a 14-year age gap between the onscreen couple in Netflix’s The Glory (2022-23). In the quest of Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) to take a perfect revenge against her high school bullies, she meets Doctor Joo Yeo-jeong (Lee Do-hyun) who becomes her headsman to achieve a poetic justice. The drama became one of the most viewed Korean content on Netflix of all time. It also won the “Best Drama” at the 2023 Baeksang Arts Awards and “Best Picture” at the 2023 Seoul International Drama Awards.
13 years | So Ji-sub and Im Soo-hyang
So Ji-sub was born in 1977 while Im Soo-hyang was born in 1990, a 13-year age gap between the onscreen couple in MBC’s Doctor Lawyer (2022). The legal-medical drama tells the story of a genius surgeon (So Ji-sub) who becomes a lawyer for medical litigation and a prosecutor (Im Soo-hyang) for medical crimes. They work together to help victims of medical negligence.
13 years | Kim Dong-wook and Moon Ga-young
Kim Dong-wook was born in 1983 while Moon Ga-young was born in 1996, a 13-year age gap between the onscreen couple in MBC’s Find Me In Your Memory (2020). The mystery-romance drama tells the romance between an anchorman who remembers every moment in his life and a top actress who has forgotten her painful past. Kim Dong-wook and Moon Ga-young won the “Best Couple” at the 2020 MBC Drama Awards.
13 years | Park Byung-eun and Seo Yea-ji
Park Byung-eun was born in 1977 while Seo Yea-ji was born in 1990, a 13-year age gap between the onscreen couple in tvN’s Eve (2022). It tells the story of a chaebol daughter who seeks revenge against those who shattered her happy family only to fall in love with one of the culprits.
13 years | Namgoong Min and Ahn Eun-jin
Namgoong Min was born in 1978 while Ahn Eun-jin was born in 1991, 13-year age gap between the onscreen couple in MBC’s My Dearest (2023). The ongoing epic historical romance drama is set in the period of Joseon dynasty about two star-crossed lovers who get swept up in the chaos of a terrifying war, fighting for their lives and loves. So far, it has achieved its highest nationwide viewership rating of 12.2% on MBC channel. The Part 2 is scheduled to be broadcast on October 13.
12 years | Ji Chang-wook and Kim You-jung
Ji Chang-wook was born in 1987 while Kim You-jung was born in 1999, a 12-year age gap between the onscreen couple in the SBS rom-com drama, Backstreet Rookie (2020). It tells the romantic story between a convenience store manager and a high school student who becomes the store’s audacious part-timer.
12 years | Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun
Gong Yoo was born in 1979 while Kim Go-eun was born in 1991, a 12-year age gap between the onscreen couple in tvN’s Guardian: The Lonely And Great God (2017), also known as “Goblin”. The fantasy-romance drama follows a lonely 900-year-old goblin who goes on a desperate search for the woman who can remove the curse of painful immortality. It achieved its highest nationwide viewership rating of 18.680% on tvN cable channel. It also won several awards including “Best Drama” in various ceremonies while Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun won the “Best Couple” at the 5th Annual DramaFever Awards.
12 years | Rain and Krystal Jung
Rain was born in 1982 while Krystal Jung was born in 1994, a 12-year age gap between the onscreen couple in the SBS drama, My Lovely Girl (2014). It tells the romantic story between two individuals from the music industry who find healing together from life’s pain.
12 years | Song Hye-kyo and Park Bogum
Song Hye-kyo was born in 1981 while Park Bogum was born in 1993, a 12-year age gap between the onscreen couple in tvN’s Encounter (2018-19). It tells the story of a politician’s daughter who lives a pathetic life controlled by others in the family until she meets an ordinary, free-spirited guy during her business trip in Cuba.
12 years | Yoo Yeon-seok and Moon Ga-young
Yoo Yeon-seok was born in 1984 while Moon Ga-young was born in 1996, a 12-year age gap between the onscreen couple in JTBC’s The Interest Of Love (2022-23). The romance drama tells the romantic story between two bank workers who face challenges and misunderstandings in life and love.
11 years | Lee Joon-gi and IU
Lee Joon-gi was born in 1982 while Lee Ji-eun (IU) was born in 1993, an 11-year age gap between the onscreen couple in the SBS drama, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016). It follows a cruel but misunderstood prince from the 10th century who begins to change when he meets an optimistic woman from the 21st century who understands his pain. The drama achieved its highest nationwide viewership rating of 11.3% on SBS channel. Lee Joon-gi and IU also won the “Best Couple” at the 2016 SBS Drama Awards.
11 years | Kim Jae-wook and Krystal Jung
Kim Jae-wook was born in 1983 while Krystal Jung was born in 1994, an 11-year age gap between the onscreen couple in the KBS drama, Crazy Love (2022). It tells the romantic story between a top math instructor and his secretary.
10 years | Lee Bo-young and Lee Jong-suk
Lee Bo-young was born in 1979 while Lee Jong-suk was born in 1989, a 10-year age gap between the onscreen couple in the SBS drama, I Can Hear Your Voice (2013). It follows a self-preserving lawyer whose life transforms after encountering a young man who has the supernatural ability of reading people’s minds and nurses a crush on her for a long time. The drama achieved its highest nationwide viewership rating of 24.1% on SBS channel and received several awards. Park Bo-young and Lee Jong-suk also won “Best Couple” at the 6th Korea Drama Awards and APAN Star Awards.
10 years | Gong Hyo-jin and Kang Ha-neul
Gong Hyo-jin was born in 1980 while Kang Ha-neul was born in 1990, a 10-year age gap between the onscreen couple in the KBS drama, When The Camellia Blooms (2019). The countryside drama follows a single mother who faces many challenges in a small town until she meets a kind police officer who protects her and falls in love with her. The drama achieved its highest nationwide viewership rating of 23.8% on KBS channel and received several awards including “Grand Prize (Daesang) Drama” at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards. Gong Hyo-jin and Kang Ha-neul also won “Best Couple” at the 2019 KBS Drama Awards.
10 years | Kim Seonho and Moon Ga-young
Kim Seonho was born in 1986 while Moon Ga-young was born in 1996, a 10-year age gap between the onscreen couple in JTBC’s Welcome To Waikiki 2 (2019). The two famous stars played highschool friends and unexpectedly reunited as guesthouse mates, trying to survive life with friends as they navigate long-time feelings for each other.
9 years | Son Sukku and Kim Ji-won
Son Sukku was born in 1983 while Kim Ji-won was born in 1992, a 9-year age gap between the onscreen couple in JTBC’s My Liberation Notes (2022). The countryside drama explores the meaning of life with Yeom Mi-jeong (Kim Jiwl-won), the youngest daughter of a family who is quiet and Mr. Gu, a quiet stranger who works at the factory of Mijeong’s family. They develop mutual attraction after spending time together.
By KORB Blog
KORB 