This, of course, doesn’t go according to plan, and they soon develop real feelings for each other. Being at differing stages in life, they decide to have a contract marriage instead, where they promise to keep their lives as separate as possible. The problem, however, is Yoon Jung Sook ( Han Ji Hye) is an 18-year-old high school fresh graduate, and Kwon Hyuk Joon ( Lee Dong Gun) is 10 years older and is focused on his career.

As these two offsprings carry the burden and reputation of their respective clans, they have no choice but to follow their elders’ wishes.

In “Sweet 18,” two clans arrange a marriage between their future offsprings in hopes for maintaining good relations. The chemistry in the latter one is sizzling, to say the least! If you’re looking for something more updated, you could also check out the 2016 remake, starring Ha Seok Jin and Jeon So Min. It’s been 15 years since the drama first aired, so some of the plot lines in the story may feel quite clich éd, but during its run, it was a fun and endearing watch that featured a young, kind of silly, but sweet, Kang Dong Won. Thankful for her good deed, he writes her into his will, naming her the beneficiary to all his inheritance, while also writing out his own arrogant grandson. His grandson, Lee Jae In ( Kang Dong Won), in a bid to not lose everything, decides to enter into a contract marriage with Da Hyun to placate his grandfather. “1% of Anything” is considered one of the earliest K-dramas that employed the “contract marriage” trope, and is based on a popular novel about a kind teacher named Kim Da Hyun ( Kim Jung Hwa) who saves an elderly man that turns out to be a multimillionaire and owner of one of the largest conglomerates in the country. So here are eight recommendations you should check out for K-dramas with contract marriages: 1% of Anything (2003) (Because let’s face it, most of these contract marriage dramas have the three-part act: contract marriage – divorce – real marriage.) And watching them pretend to be an actual couple while trying their best to bury any blossoming feelings (and jealousy) is always a hoot! It also makes their genuine “I do,” which happens later in the drama, all the more touching and heart-fluttering. While the general idea between the two tropes are similar - pushing two people into close proximity until they fall for each other - the addition of marriage just elevates the stakes.

What comes after the tried-and-true drama trope of reluctant cohabitation, you ask? Why, contract marriages of course!

2002 the loan arranger character