I was literally thinking about how contract relationships/fake dating is one of my favorite dramaland tropes this morning! King2Hearts is one of my all time favorite dramas, and I love how she makes him earn her back. I love this trope so much that, even though I never watch straight melo dramas, I watched Marriage Contract when it aired. I am even contemplating watching the Thai version of Full House because of my love for this trope. (Tangent: I still can't get over how the female second lead in the original Full House literally accessorized her outfits with her bra.)

All the dramas that came to mind when I read the title is here! From Full House to Prime Minister and I (the most recent in ny memory). I absolutely adore this catnip as well.

Thanks Laica! This is not catnip of mine but I really loved Fated To Love You... and I actually thought Full House was ok! (I liked Song Hye Kyo more there than in DOTS tbh).

Of course, arranged marriages are part and parcel of historical dramas. I particularly like it when they get to know each other and fall in love after the marriage, like Three Musketeers(Seo Hyun Jin & Lee Jin Wook) and Faith (King Gongmin and his Yuan princess!)

This is my crack. I'mma watchin' pretty much anything with this plot point.

Really into this genre around 2004--I think that was when Full House broadcast, because Song Hye kyo a.k.a. melodrama queen starred rom-com. It was so refreshing to see the hilarity.
Until today the magic of marriage without dating still works for me.

awww i suddenly miss sassy girl chun hyang! One of the classic and the best k drama all time.

Not to mention king 2 heart, such a great drama, what can i say more sighh. Time to rewatch! ☺️

Awww I am guilty of this catnip. Any forced cohabitation always gets me. I have seen most of the dramas mentioned here. I remember them all fondly: Full House, Goong, Delightful Girl, Fated to Love You, Prime Minister and I.

I just finished (like last night just finished) watching The Accidental Couple. I enjoyed it but the OST for the couple (that was played roughly ever 3.9 seconds) drove me so far up the wall--the site I was watching it on translated the lyrics and whenever they popped up I pressed mute. It was really cute, though!

Although this isn't really a catnip of mine, I really enjoyed King2Hearts.

For me, rather than marriage before dating, I prefer the whole process of the two leads getting to know each other more and falling for each other first. My favorite stages in korean dramas are usually the moments when one of the leads falls for the other and starts pursuing them <3
oh and also the jealousy that ensues! :3

Oh, this one is definitely the trope that got me every time. Two completely different people are forced to be together and start to learn to accept one another with bickering and grumbling along the way. That's so entertaining to watch. I especially love this kind of relationship when it's in the rom-com department, and fortunately, it mostly is.

My favorite from Laica's list would be My little Bride. The hero always treats the heroine adorably like his own little sister but it didn't feel weird when it turns to romance.

I also like Moon Geun-Young's another contract marriage movie, 'Innocent steps', though that one is leaning on a melo side

Thanks Laica!

So true what you say...
"At heart, it’s the story of two lonely people hiding behind masks who find a family in each other, and that might be the dramaland catnip to beat them all. The ultimate fulfillment of any contract relationship trope is when each person becomes willing to open themselves up to heartbreak by admitting they’re in love for real, if it means a chance at happiness." - I believe this is the part that is catnip for me. The enforced bringing together of flawed, lonely people who do become family, and become so much more fulfilled and maybe more outward looking, generous and good as a result, ... this gives me the warmest feels.

I've been wondering if there's anything that will draw me into a drama with greater certainty (but again it's not an always thing), and it's the marriage before dating trope, with the sense of a bond even before the couple falls in love. The fact that because of the marriage, the intimacy is so right and valid, and yet because the official 'in love' part is not there yet, quite hard to get down right. I too love all the frustrations and embarrassments that ensue.

I love how the marriage suddenly gives them the right to belong to each other, (or conversely, to say he/she belongs to me), but they still have to date and get to know each other as if they are unattached strangers, but with benefits.

Now you've made me want to get hold of My Little Bride! ?

I love seeing the characters slowly but surely fall in love with each other-- and sometimes, this love, because of their circumstances, it seems like it becomes stronger than your typical 'fall in love as the story progresses' kind of love, it emphasizes and heightens their emotions all the more and makes their love all the more rare. "Wonderful Life" was a really good one that's probably the closest to a real life situation of how 2 people would fall in love after getting married but it's due to a very realistic situation. "Full House" was the most wacky or unrealistic one of all (because, really, can someone really sell your own house, that's under your own name, without your consent?) but I would think that it would be the one that all fangirls would want to happen in their own lives: for a Hallyu star to fall in love with us LOL Finally, "Marriage Contract" is the one that hits home the most for me, despite it being a very rare situation that any person would probably encounter (though, I don't doubt that situations of "organ selling" do happen under the table like this besides the black market); Uee really did put her all into this performance and it was all the more complemented by Lee Seo Jin's acting with such gravitas (but who are we kidding? Lee Seo Jin always brings it in all of his roles) and with such raw emotions--by episode 6, I started to question whether or not Uee and Lee Seo Jin were acting anymore heh-- when Lee Seo Jin cried, I also felt like crying, and whenever Uee cried, I cried along with her T.T

Accidental Couple / That Fool is one of my favorite rarely-mentioned dramas. I fell hard for several of those characters, and Hwang Jung Min just killed it with his performance. Also, approximately a hundred years ago, Han Sang Chul (the main woman's younger brother) totally ranked as #10 on my Drama Boyfriend list. (I have proof!: http://insipid-paragon.livejournal.com/252473.html Oh, LiveJournal.)

I love ones like these. They're some of my favorites to watch.

I loooove this trope. Forced/secret marriages are hilarious to watch because of all the bickering (they normally can't stand each other, I wonder why?) and I love watching them slowly realize how cute and endearing the other person is. And then it gets awesomely awkward as they struggle to deal with their new feels.

It's such a fairytale-like story, but I'm a total sucker for it. ?

Awesome write-up!!! You have a way with words. My kdrama first love happens to be Delightful Girl Chun-hyang. ? Loved King2Hearts as well. Even though Fated to love you was cheesy, I was invested. Lol.

This is my second favorite catnip. Marriage before dating has sucked me into innumerable bad (and a few great) dramas, films, and books.

Marriage, Not Dating.
That's my favorite in this genre. (And it's catnip for me, too. I don't know why. I would be really ticked if my parents had picked out my husband. Especially since they didn't like my "intended" until we'd been married for about 5 years.
Great Catnip pick, Laica.

Huzzah! This trope is my bread and butter ??. I love it because it gives our leads opportunity for lots of skinship with each other while providing a basis for an honest connection, which is simply because they're not trying to impress each other, as they normally would in non-contract relationships. It's why I loved Mask so much, despite the last four episodes. Same for Tomorrow With You, which I count because it feels like it wasn't real for the hero until after they got married, and they then had to work through real problems and figure how to stay together. It's why I sat through Mary Stayed Out All Night. No, wait, it was because of Kim Jae-wook's face, haha oops. But in my defense that show sucked.

That last line though! There's an irresistable magic to me of everyone in the show believing the leads are together but they really weren't and then they actually are. It's kind of like a 'Gotcha!' moment where the universe already pointed out to them where they were gonna end up and it's just that it takes them a while to get on with the program. I'm basically rewording what Laica's said, but yeah haha.

Bonus when they're actually married and have to go through the fun process of getting to know each other then. Because just imagine the natural mutual uncertainty over liking the other but knowing if the other likes them, except, they're married so ?

Sweet 18 was one of my favorite dramas back then! I fell in love with Lee Dong Gun! It was very well done, everything including the music fitted so well together. It was just such a sweet drama! I remember loving Lee Dong Gun's character because he always ended up doing the right thing for his sometimes immature crybaby wife. He was I guess righteous like the prosecutor that he was. Whenever you thought something would go wrong, it didn't and actually brought them closer. And Han Ji Hye was so cute!
It is definitely a cute catnip! And I did watch most of the shows mentioned! Full House had great music too! I remember thinking about these contract marriages that really, maybe it's all about being stuck together! The other person just grows on you as you have no choice but to endure them. The thing about marriage before dating is that usually they can't walk away, at least at first, so they learn to co-habit and deal with/face their situation. Unlike dating where you can just break up anytime, walk away when it gets too hard or you are bored, and maybe you never get to the point where you can actually learn be together, forever! So yes, I too love it when there is more to consider than just the main couple, it does create a fuller picture and, yes, truer, deeper love! Wasn't there a saying or comparison that said that in Western cultures, you love first and then you get married, while in Asian cultures, you get married first and then fall in love?! I can't remember where it's from. Anyways, it's an old saying as times have changed! But still cute in Kdramas!

NOW THIS IS WHAT I LIVE FOR. My love of contract relationships and arranged marriages extends into American shows as well as fan fiction. There's something oddly satisfying as seeing two people who hate each other build a friendship and then fall in love. BONUS POINTS FOR SLOW BURN

Could I include My Daughter Seo Young in this catnip? It happens to the other couple though, not main couple.
So, there's this guy named Lee Sang Woo (Park Haejin) who has to marry anyone but his ex, because this ex girlfriend is actually his sister in law (his sister marry her brother). His sister doesn't want her secret revealed that they are actually sibling, or twin to be exact. To protect his sister he then breaks up with the girl and marries another girl who has loved him since long ago. He doesn't love her but he thinks that they can be friends at least.
The marriage they are going through feels so real for me. The girl who harbours crush to him but well aware that he doesn't marry her out of love try her best to keep safe distance and not to disturb him. While he tries his best to make their marriage work. The process is funny, heart fluttering and yet heartbreaking. Until now it becomes my no 1 favourite family drama.

My new watch list! Thanks Laica. ?

This one isn't really a catnip of mine, but I love Marriage Contract a lot. It was such a heartwarming and lovely story, nothing like the tearjerker I thought it would be. And watching precious Shin Ri-na wormed her way to Lee Seo-jin's life and heart was so satisfying.

I also really like Prime Minister and I, until they decided to use the ex-wife trope in he latter half, which I think is unnecessary and ruined an otherwise good, sweet drama.

Although this category isn't necessarily drama catnip for me, I love Goong beyond reason (still best kdrama kiss!) and That Fool is one of my favorite underrated dramas (especially for how much I loathed-to-loved the lead female character). (And falling in love with Hwang Jung Min.) Great job, Laica!

I'm guilty of this too. Now I need to rewatch King 2 Hearts

I'm crying! I LOOOOVE this trope! Thank you for your wonderful article, Laica! I am such a sucker for all forms of the fake marriage. There are several shows I haven't seen here which I need to check out now. I definitely liked King2Hearts and Prime Minister and I. I adored Mask which was part arranged/contract marriage. I also love royal arranged marriages - like in The Great Doctor, The Princess' Man, and The Three Musketeers. :D

I will admit this was my catnip until I grew up and realized the apparent reality of arranged marriage ! Lol !
Never has anything freaked me out so much as that concept that I had to give a break to kdramas! ?
And also grew up more and learnt to differentiate between fiction and reality ??

I like this trope, too, but...alas, have I only watched Full House and bits and pieces of Marriage Contract? I watched the entire Taiwanese Fated to Love You, but when I sit down to count, it seems like I haven't watched very many at all..

Definitely my favourite catnip ❤
Thank you, Laica for writing this wonderful reviews. I now have more shows to add on my watchlist. The King 2 Hearts is ❤ and I love Goong because of the main couple hilarious antics to each other. I don't know how much I rewatched that drama ?

YASSS! My ultimate catnip! Thanks for all the references @lacia !!! Imma watch all these now!!

My fave contract marriage drama is Full House. It was the first drama that really made me into a k-drama fan. And once I watched MNKSS, I was a goner. The plot was so refreshing coz I think that was the first drama on contract marriage. Although the plot went downhill really fast, especially with the ridiculous rejection because of his first love.....It was not a compelling reason for noble idiocy. Yes, bad fashion, bad writing, bad acting (too much yelling from Rain), but somehow it was so addictive. I blame the OTP.

While some of the catnips discussed before were surprise catnips for me, this one -contract relationships/fake dating- is an acknowledged favorite. I always seem tp look forward to the ensuing hijinks and how one or bothe fall in love. While Laica isnt brave enoughto rewatch Full House, I on the otherhand re-watch it from time to time, and still feel happy satisfied even after watching itfor the nth time

so surprised to see Can Love Become Money is mentioned. haha, another rather unknown drama that i watched. i was looking for a Yeon Jung Hoon drama after finishing Vampire Prosecutor, craving for more Yeon Jung Hoon kekeke. so i found this drama where he's the lead & jumped right into it.

i can only vaguely remember that it wasn't really a pleasant experience, maybe because i was unfamiliar with the female lead, Eom Ji Won, even until now, other than the fact that she's close friends with Gong Hyo Jin, Lee Min Jung, Son Ye Jin & more LOL ?

amteun, i usually avoid contract marriage/relationship dramas coz i dont like seeing people getting forced to do things they dont want to. if im watching one, it's mainly due of the cast most of the time, like Mary Stayed Out All Night & Marriage Contract, which may result in disappointments or surprised delights. i watched Goong due to the hype though haha

this trope is widely used & greatly loved. hope more dramas of this element with quality writing are produced & we can savour them with great joy!

This has to be one of my favorite dramaland catnips, too. The King 2 Hearts is one of my all-time favorite dramas. It's probably the only drama I watched both raw and subbed episodes because I couldn't wait for the subs to come out. I also have a soft spot for Wonderful Life as it's 1st drama I watched from start to end. Marriage, not Dating is also another good one.

Yes, my catnip as well <3 <3 .... though I see it more as a special case of my general catnip "contract relationship"...

...and I suddenly have urge to watch the fridge kiss.... 8--)))

Full House ??? definitely catnip for me and well the larger genre of contract/agreement before love: like My Name is Kim Sam Soon and Marriage, Not Dating. Heroines who are endearingly messy and relatable. Oooooo is someone going to post about Cohabitation Catnip like 9 ends 2 outs?

Yeeeees! You hit it out of the park, chingu!

All I can say is Goong! Goong! Goong!!!!!!!
I LOVED that drama! Yoon Eun hye was mwah (when is she coming back to dramaland?....) Full house was my first too! It was being shown on a local tv station and I looked forward to it every week. The premise was more than weird - granted. But full house is still the grand papa of contract marriages.
Absolutely love your catnip *thumbs up

God bless you for including wonderful life, i love it to pieces. but why???? no marriage without dating.....

God bless you for including wonderful life i love every bit of it but i did not marriage without dating, that was the second kdrama i ever watched, i so much love it...

Two of my all-time favorites, Goong and Full House, fall under this catnip. ?❤️ This is a dramaland favorite as well, I think. Makes me wonder why there are too many failed marriages in real life when almost all forced marriages in dramaland ends up really well ???

this would be my catnip above all the other ones!

I love that catnip! I've kept fond memories of Full House, Goong and Wonderful Life which are my first kdramas

thanks for this article, i too love these types of dramas. i added a bunch of them to my watchlist that i maintain on mydramalist.com but i noticed many of them have remakes (korean) so i took a stab at which ones you meant. would be helpful to have the year of the drama referenced in your article since some of them are very old. Or the names of the actors in the couple role.

This article gave me some great drama recommendations to watch next! Thank You!!!!

Ah! I love this catnip :-) I thoroughly enjoyed King2Hearts & Goong even though our heroines got their hearts & trust broken over & over again, shattered to pieces and stomped on till it turned to dust, I was amazed at hoe they preserved.
Fated To love you was also fun to watch, in the first half of the drama at least, then it dragged & I skipped to the end.
And finally, My little bride, I still have it in my laptop, & I watch it sometimes. I never got over the age difference, or the way their parents forced them to marry (nobody was particularly running away or dying, what was the rush? they could've waited until the heroine was of legal age.) nor did I ever understand their parent's concern after forcing them to marry (especially the heroine's mother acting over-the-top protective, & the hero's dad advising him to treat his new wife "properly"; like what do you expect from a newly wed? & if everyone is so concerned about the girl being a minor why force them in the first place???!!! aagh!!) But anyway, the lead actors' acting is what I enjoy all the time, that is the reason I watch it so many times.

Even if I dislike some dramas above and haven't watched the others, I know this is my catnip! I LOVE Full House... it's the first Korean drama that made an impression on me, my younger, teenager-self who didn't know anything about Korea at that time except Song Hye Kyo because her Endless Love (Autumn In My Heart) drama was the first K-drama aired in my country and Rain due to his singing and dancing. I also love Fated to Love You despite its mopey 2nd half, Prime Minister and I despite the ending (the handshake!!) and My Little Bride. Probably just my preference but when you watch married couple doing sweet things it just seems so sweet and adorable, esp when they're strangers (or enemies) at first. Having boyfriend/girlfriend is common, but the idea of marriage, with more commitment, burden and responsibilities adds weight to the romance and the One True Pairing. The viewers become some sort of supporter to their marriage and we just want them to be happy because we know deep down the characters love each other despite many problems/conflicts they have.

One drama I recommend to add to the list is Mask.. I really love the OTP and their hijinks! From strangers, to reluctant lovers, to sweet lovers, they're the best thing Mask ever have alongside Yeon Jung Hoon. (Spoiler warning) Love the scenes when Joo Ji Hoon tears their contract and when they kiss on the courthouse steps. Joo Ji Hoon & Soo Ae remains on the top of my OTP list (among others, of course).