A refreshing wave of romantic comedies has swept the small screen, bringing relief to the midsummer heat. With a lineup of lighthearted and charming works, viewers’ “romantic cells” have been awakened, easing the season’s intensity.
The trend began with the Genie TV original drama My Troublesome Star. Airing Mondays and Tuesdays on ENA since July 18, the series has drawn attention for the sparkling chemistry between Uhm Jung-hwa and Song Seung-heon. While My Troublesome Star kicks off the week, tvN’s new weekend drama Bon Appetit, Your Majesty, which premiered on July 23, wraps it up—creating a weeklong feast of romance.
▲ Rising Ratings and Growing Buzz
My Troublesome Star continues to gain momentum. Episode 6 achieved its highest nationwide rating yet, 3.8% (3.4% in the metropolitan area, Nielsen Korea, paid households). Bolstered by word of mouth, the drama has solidified its place as the strongest Monday–Tuesday series, with viewers captivated by the touching and humorous rapport between Uhm Jung-hwa and Song Seung-heon. Uhm shines as Bong Cheong-ja, a middle-aged woman who suddenly loses memory of her 25-year career as a top star, delivering a performance that is both heartfelt and entertaining.
Meanwhile, Bon Appetit, Your Majesty is posting even more explosive results. Starting with a solid 5.1% viewership rating for its first episode, it soared to 11.1% by episode 4, making it tvN’s highest-rated drama of 2025 so far. Its buzz is equally unmatched. According to Good Data Corporation, in the third week of August, Lim Yoo-na ranked No. 1 and Lee Chae-min No. 2 in the TV cast buzz category, while the drama itself topped the combined TV-OTT drama buzz rankings.
▲ Memory Loss vs. Time Slip — Familiar Tropes Reimagined
Though both dramas employ familiar rom-com tropes—memory loss in My Troublesome Star and time travel in Bon Appetit, Your Majesty—they distinguish themselves through fresh interpretations. These narrative devices, often dismissed as overused, have instead been revitalized with humor and lightheartedness.
Rather than dwelling on the tragic weight of losing decades of memory or falling 500 years into the past, both series transform these extreme situations into comedic setups that deliver laughter and excitement.
My Troublesome Star treats the premise of missing 25 years of memories with levity, summed up by its tagline: “A romantic comedy filled with tears and laughter in the blink of an eye.” Uhm Jung-hwa masterfully balances comedy and empathy, embodying a “sweet and salty” character who is both entertaining and relatable.
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty leans into its identity as a “survival fantasy romantic comedy,” skillfully blending tension with humor. Lim Yoo-na explained that she aimed to maintain a cheerful, confident modern sensibility in her tone and performance, even within the historical time-slip setting. With her vibrant expressiveness and playful delivery, she keeps the character lively and engaging, no matter the circumstance.
▲ Fresh Chemistry Between Older Women and Younger Men
Both dramas also explore refreshing dynamics by pairing older women with younger men.
My Troublesome Star presents a romance between Uhm Jung-hwa and Song Seung-heon that feels mature yet distinct, shaped by the unique context of skipping 25 years of life experience. Viewers have responded warmly to their dynamic, praising the chemistry with comments such as, “Middle-aged romance is thrilling,” and “This is the essence of romantic comedy.”
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty goes a step further with a bolder age-gap romance. The pairing of Lim Yoo-na (born 1990) and Lee Chae-min (born 2000) has attracted significant attention. By blending the modern charm of a seasoned chef with the youthful energy of a Joseon-era king, the series integrates the age difference seamlessly, making their chemistry one of the key drivers of its success. The romantic storyline took a dramatic turn with a surprise kiss scene in episode 4, raising anticipation for future developments.
▲ The Romantic Comedy Wave Continues
The surge of romantic comedies shows no sign of slowing down. In the second half of 2025, viewers can look forward to high-profile titles such as Can This Love Be Translated?, starring Kim Sun-ho and Go Youn-jung, and Genie, Make a Wish, featuring Kim Woo-bin and Suzy.
With My Troublesome Star and Bon Appetit, Your Majesty revitalizing familiar tropes in refreshing ways, anticipation is high for how long this new romantic comedy boom will continue to keep audiences smiling—and cooling off—throughout the year.
