If you’re looking for something new to watch while we #stayhomestaysafe…
By Khushi Shah
Tired of binge-watching the usual American sitcoms? Look no further, because we’ve put together a list of the best international shows available to watch right now, all with a side of romance. Be ready to immerse yourself in the world of love, with the added bonus of unique cultures and a roller coaster of emotions.
Turkish Rom-Coms
Turkish rom-coms have recently gained prominence and millions of fans around the world purely because of their unique plots, actors’ performances, high-quality production, and mind-blowing fashion sense. I personally find them extremely addictive because of their cultural norms that we desis can relate to, contrary to most Western series.
Erkenci Kuş: Daydreamer (2018)
Erkenci Kuş follows the journey of a beautiful girl named Sanem who works in her father’s local grocery store. Forced by her parents to choose between an arranged marriage and securing a proper job, she lands a new position at an advertising company. There, she falls for her boss, Can. He’s extremely charismatic, rich, and a classic polymath. The show has become a dream love story for many, and no wonder, as the sizzling chemistry between these two is undeniable. I truly want a love life like theirs, and I’m sure many others do as well! You won’t regret watching this show.
7.3/10 – IMDb
Sen Çal Kapımı: You Knock On My Door (2020)
This hit Turkish rom-com, which follows the popular ‘fake relationship’ trope with protagonists Serkan and Eda, has been ruling the hearts of many across a multitude of social media platforms. Serkan is a Type A individual who doesn’t bend his rules for anyone, turning him into what fans affectionately consider a ‘beloved robot’. He’s also in charge of scholarships for a private university and has just enacted a series of scholarship budget cuts, the latest victim of whom is Eda, an elegant, strong, and self-made character who entertains us with her mishaps and humour. Serkan, who wants a fake relationship to make his ex jealous, promises to give Eda her scholarship back on the condition that she pretends to be his fake fiancée for two months. While pretending to be engaged, they embark on an insanely passionate yet rocky relationship that will leave viewers awestruck. Before you begin this show, be prepared for sleepless nights!
7.5/10 – IMDb
Desi Romances
Indian rom-coms depict certain aspects of our reality like companionship, family, love, and societal values. Hence, they’re evergreen, especially due to the depth of acting, character dialogue, structured storylines, and experimental trends. Not to mention, the overly dramatic scenes, deceptive villains, and songs, all of which add a tad bit of masala and dimension to their work.
Mismatched (2020)
Mismatched is a fantastic Hindi-language rom-com based on Sandhya Menon’s best-selling book, ‘When Dimple Met Rishi.’ Dimple yearns to be an unconventional tech wizard, while Rishi is a young man who trusts the old school way of finding your partner. He believes in traditional dates, meeting in person, and being obsessed with love, and he’s just arrived at Aravali institute, where Dimple is studying, to find his future wife. Both stars did phenomenal justice to the characters they played, whose personalities are completely opposite and a mismatch for each other. The only question on your mind when you watch this will be, will they tie the knot?
3/5 – IMDb
Currently available to stream on Netflix.
K-Dramas
Korean dramas are universally popular, thanks to their style, depiction of Korean culture, and power to create a strong emotional connection with viewers. The characters are brought to life in such a way that makes the audience feel as if they’re part of the story. Moreover, there’s just something special about the coveted way that Koreans dress that looks straight out of a magazine front cover or runway show.
Crash Landing On You (2019)
This K-Drama has been wildly popular since its debut, and has found acclaim as one of the highest-rated South Korean shows. It’s about a South Korean chaebol heiress who crash-lands in North Korea while paragliding, and encounters a captain in the North Korean People’s Army. Over time, they fall in love, despite the ongoing issues and tension between both regions; a modern day Romeo and Juliet.
8.7/10 – IMDb
Currently available to stream on Netflix.
It’s Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)
This was one of the first-ever K-Dramas I watched, and I instantly became addicted to it. It does have a western feel to it as the show sheds light on several concepts that are viewed as taboo in the Asian realm. The drama follows the story of Moon Gang-tae, who works at a psychiatric hospital and has no time for love, and Ko Moon-young, a renowned author who suffers from antisocial personality disorder and never experienced love. Once they meet, everything changes overnight. Watch to find out where life takes them!
8.8/10 – IMDb
Currently available to stream on Netflix.
