We love K-Dramas for their storylines, their burns, and sometimes for their plot twist. One such twist? The relationships of couples where there is a massive age gap make viewers cringe and wonder.
From a few years to gaping decades, here are the most shocking age differences among K-Drama couples.
"Goblin" — Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun (12 years apart)
Goblin (2016), one of the most beloved K-Dramas, features Gong Yoo and Kim Go Eun in a love story that transcends time. 12-year age difference; Gong Yoo: 1979, Kim Go Eun: 1991.
While their characters have a very emotional and touching relationship, fans have been complimenting the couple on how effortlessly they execute their characters' love, considering the significant age difference.
"Squid Game" — Im Si Wan and Jo Yu Ri (age gap: 13 years)
If you look at the critically acclaimed Squid Game (2021), Im Si Wan (born 1988) and Jo Yu Ri (born 2001) play roles that keep the plot tense and focused on survival.
The pair's real-life age difference of 13 years hasn't stopped fans from subscribing to their characters' chemistry and proves that age doesn't necessarily factor into a good storyline.
"Cheeky Love" — Lim Ji Yeon and Lee Jung Jae (17 years apart)
The K-Drama Cheeky Love has been grabbing headlines even before its release.
So, with Lim Ji Yeon, born in 1991, and Lee Jung Jae, born in 1973, this 17-year age gap has received mixed reactions from netizens.
Some netizens have condemned the pairing as "unrelatable" and "gross," but others are hopeful, arguing that the actors' chops will carry them through the intricacies of that storyline.
"Mr. Sunshine" — Lee Byung Hyun and Kim Tae Ri (Age gap: 20 years)
Delivering a harrowing period drama set at the turn of the century, *Mr. Sunshine* (2018) showcases the on-screen dynamic between Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-ri.
Their complex relationship, marked by a significant age difference of two decades, is particularly compelling to watch in this arthouse film.
Their performances have been widely lauded for their depth and emotion.
"Prime Minister & I" — Lee Bum Su & Girls' Generation's Yoona (21 years apart)
In the romantic comedy Prime Minister & I (2013), Lee Bum Su (b. 1969) and Yoona of Girls' Generation (b. 1990) have a 21-year age difference in their on-screen romance.
Although the age difference did cause some raised eyebrows at first, their natural chemistry, along with the storyline's comedic elements, contributed to making the pairing more palatable for viewers.
"A Good Day for the Wind to Blow" — Kim Mi Sook and Lee Hyun Jin (26 years apart)
In the K-Drama A Good Day for the Wind to Blow (2025), there is a couple with a 26-year age gap.
Kim Mi Sook and Lee Hyun Jin (born in 1986) play a couple with a tantalizing dynamic.
Even though the characters' age gap is more extreme than it is in real life, their bond is explored using a delicate touch, demonstrating that love can transcend generations.
"Heavenly Ever After" — Kim Hye Ja and Son Suk Ku (42 years apart)
At the top of the list is Heavenly Ever After (2025), in which Kim Hye Ja, born in 1943, and Son Suk Ku, born in 1985, portray a married couple who navigate their second life in the afterlife.
Their relationship is not just an exploration of love but also one of long-term commitment, with a staggering 42-year age gap.
In one unforgettable moment, Kim Hye Ja's character decides to keep her 80-year-old self. Her husband's dying words were,
"You've never been more beautiful."
Their portrayal of love that transcends time has captivated audiences so much that it has become one of the most talked-about age-gap romances in K-drama history.
Reactions and Controversies
The significant age gaps among these pairings have drawn both praise and contention.
While some viewers are enamored with the notion that love can conquer age, others find the age differences "unrelatable"—if not cringe-inducing.
Regardless, the heavy emphasis on schoolgirl love and Ahjussi romances is a running theme amongst K-dramas, forcing both of these essential questions regarding an age gap in love and the attractiveness of an Ahjussi in different cultural views.
Whether such age gaps create a steamy romance for one person or a huge hill to climb for another, there is no doubt that KDrama couples attract, breaking age limits and audiences, no matter how old they are.
