Dramas With Little Or No Romance

sometimes we just wanna watch something that's not so romance focused, each drama in the list has a comment explaining why i put the drama in this list

INCLUDES:

  • dramas i think personally have no romance
  • dramas that only have romantic subtext but no obvious canon romantic main couple
  • dramas that have no main couple but might have romantic side couples

obviously this only includes dramas i've seen so it'll continue to be updated the more i watch

note: there may be an imbalance of what country the drama is from as a lot of the korean, thai, taiwanese, & chinese dramas i've watched have a romantic plot with  heavy focus within them, so that's why there's a lot of jdramas above anything else

Lex avril 9, 2021
196 Titles Loves
0% Watched
Signaler
Sort By: Author's Order
Lex's Rating
Your Rating
  • My Name

    101. My Name

    Korean Drama - 2021, 8 episodes

    8.0
    • romantic sideplot that really only surfaces in episode 8 it can be viewed as platonic before this episode
  • Mysterious Lotus Casebook

    102. Mysterious Lotus Casebook

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes

    9.5
    • romantic sideplot which is minor that you can ignore
  • Nakuna Kenshui

    103. Nakuna Kenshui

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    9.0
    • little romance
    • friendship / colleagues focused 
  • Nami yo Kiite Kure

    104. Nami yo Kiite Kure

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 8 episodes

    7.0
    • minor romance subplot
  • Nanba MG5

    105. Nanba MG5

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

    10
    • there is a romantic sideplot that does have a somewhat major role to the drama but i think the platonic bonds & familal bonds are stronger in this and you can view the romantic sideplot as platonic
  • Nao-chan wa Shogakusannensei

    106. Nao-chan wa Shogakusannensei

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

    6.5
    • friendship focused
    • it's a show about kids so that's why
  • Navillera

    107. Navillera

    Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

    10
    • minor romance
    • student/mentor & familial focus 
  • Neko Bukken

    108. Neko Bukken

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

    8.5
    • no romance up until ep 7 where ep 7 focuses on a romantic subplot
  • Nichiyo no Yoru Gurai wa…

    109. Nichiyo no Yoru Gurai wa…

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    • minor romance subplot
    • platonic focused
  • Night Doctor

    110. Night Doctor

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 11 episodes

    9.0
    • hints to romance & minor romantic side plots
  • Nihonchinbotsu

    111. Nihonchinbotsu

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    7.0
    • small hints to romance that can be ignored if needs be
  • Nishi Ogikubo Mitsuboshi Yoshudou

    112. Nishi Ogikubo Mitsuboshi Yoshudou

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

    8.5
    • more platonic focused
    • mentions of romance & ex relationships of side characters 
  • Nusumareta Kao: Miatari Sosahan

    113. Nusumareta Kao: Miatari Sosahan

    Japanese Drama - 2019, 5 episodes

    7.5
    • no romance i think or if there is it's really minor
  • One Thousand Dollar Lawyer

    114. One Thousand Dollar Lawyer

    Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

    8.5
    • there's barely any romance except in episodes 7-8 which are flashbacks
  • Only You

    115. Only You

    Korean Drama - 2022, 2 episodes

    7.0
    • no romance
  • Our Kogen Hotel

    116. Our Kogen Hotel

    Japanese Movie - 2013

    5.5
    • i'm pretty sure there's no romance in this it's more about the hotel & the dynamic is platonic 
  • Over Drive

    117. Over Drive

    Japanese Movie - 2018

    8.5
    • no romance i think
    • possibly there could've been romantic subtext but if there was i didn't see it
  • Pandora no Kajitsu

    118. Pandora no Kajitsu

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

    7.0
    • other than prev relationship between husband & wife that's mentioned/referenced there's barely any romance
  • Paripi Komei

    119. Paripi Komei

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    8.0
    • no romance
  • Phantom School

    120. Phantom School

    Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    7.0
    • mostly just implied/subtext but barely any other than unrequited
  • Picu: Shoni Shuchu Chiryo Shitsu

    121. Picu: Shoni Shuchu Chiryo Shitsu

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 11 episodes

    8.5
    • no romance from what i remember
  • Project S The Series: SPIKE

    122. Project S The Series: SPIKE

    Thai Drama - 2017, 8 episodes

    9.0
    • friendship/team focused
    • minor unrequited love storyline
    • mentions of a past relationship of side characters
  • Remember You

    123. Remember You

    Thai Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

    9.5
    • slow burn romance as a side plot 
  • Reversal Orchestra

    124. Reversal Orchestra

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    10
    • romance sideplots but the main focus is the orchestra
  • Rinsho Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri

    125. Rinsho Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri

    Japanese Drama - 2016, 10 episodes

    8.5
    • possible romantic subtext
  • Rinsho Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri Special

    126. Rinsho Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri Special

    Japanese Special - 2019, 1 episode

    8.0
    • romance mention between side characters
    • romantic subtext 
  • Rinsho Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri: Another Story

    127. Rinsho Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri: Another Story

    Japanese Special - 2016, 3 episodes

    8.5
    • possible romantic subtext
    • romance mention between side characters
  • Road To HiGH&LOW

    128. Road To HiGH&LOW

    Japanese Movie - 2016

    7.0
    • platonic relationships are the main focus
    • minor mentions of a romance
  • Rokuhodo Yotsuiro Biyori

    129. Rokuhodo Yotsuiro Biyori

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

    9.0
    • very minor romantic sideplot
    • platonic & familial focused
  • Romance on the Farm

    130. Romance on the Farm

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 26 episodes

    7.5
    • don't let the title fool you the romance in this drama is a sideplot and it doesn't get that much screen time compared to literally everything else
  • Running Like a Shooting Star

    131. Running Like a Shooting Star

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes

    8.5
  • Saboriman Kantarou

    132. Saboriman Kantarou

    Japanese Drama - 2017, 12 episodes

    7.0
    • food focused
    • i don't think i noticed any romance at all tbh
  • Sacred Divorce

    133. Sacred Divorce

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    7.0
    • drama is mostly about divorce so there's that
    • romance sideplots
  • Sagideka

    134. Sagideka

    Japanese Drama - 2019, 5 episodes

    8.5
    • no romance
    • maybe lowkey hints towards romance but not really 
  • Saiko no Kyoshi 1 Nen Go, Watashi wa Seito ni Sareta

    135. Saiko no Kyoshi 1 Nen Go, Watashi wa Seito ni Sareta

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    8.0
    • student/mentor focused
    • revenge focused
    • minor romantic subplots
  • Saitama no Host

    136. Saitama no Host

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 8 episodes

    6.0
    • minor romantic sideplot that doesn't really go anywhere
    • more platonic & boss/employee focused
  • Sajangdol Mart

    137. Sajangdol Mart

    Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    7.0
    • small romance sideplots
  • Sayonara Maestro: Chichi to Watashi no Appassionato

    138. Sayonara Maestro: Chichi to Watashi no Appassionato

    Japanese Drama - 2024, 10 episodes

    8.5
    • minor romantic subplots but the main focus is familial & music
  • Sekai Wa 3 de Dekite iru

    139. Sekai Wa 3 de Dekite iru

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 1 episode

    9.0
    • mentions of a romance but that's it
  • Sennyuu Sousa Idol Deka Dance

    140. Sennyuu Sousa Idol Deka Dance

    Japanese Drama - 2016, 12 episodes

    9.0
    • friendship focused
    • minor references to romance / relationships 
  • Sensei no Otoriyose

    141. Sensei no Otoriyose

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

    8.0
    • definitely romantic subtext and mentions of romance/crushes but there is none
  • Sensei wo kesu hōteishiki.

    142. Sensei wo kesu hōteishiki.

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    8.5

    let me explain why I put this in here because there IS a main romance in this:

    • the life lessons taught by the teacher to his students is the main focus for majority of the drama
    • the kids try and kill him so many times you forget that he's there for a purpose (revenge)
    • it's so batshit crazy you kinda forget that there's a romance plot among it 
    • the lover is unconscious 95% of the series so you really only see the romance in flashbacks, in brief mentions, and really the last episode
    • what i'm saying is you could replace the lover with a family member or a friend and still get the exact same drama out of it 
  • Serment d'allégeance

    143. Serment d'allégeance

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes

    8.5
    • bromance focus
    • romantic sideplots that you can ignore (i felt nothing for them)
  • Shall I Have a Cup of Coffee?

    144. Shall I Have a Cup of Coffee?

    Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

    8.5
    • no romance
    • maybe a hint of romance between the owner of the coffee shop & his friend
  • Sherlock

    145. Sherlock

    Japanese Drama - 2019, 11 episodes

    8.5
    • very little romance side storylines that have very little relevance on the overall plot 
  • Shimobee

    146. Shimobee

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    8.5
    • minor romance
    • main focus is on a familial relationship
  • Shin Shinchou Kouki

    147. Shin Shinchou Kouki

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

    7.5
    • i'd say there's no romance or if there is it's more subtext than anything else
  • Shinhannin Flag

    148. Shinhannin Flag

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    8.5
    • the romance is very minor
    • the most major relationship is established (married couple) but other than a husband trying to find his wife there's not much to it
  • Shinhannin Flag 2

    149. Shinhannin Flag 2

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

    8.5
    • romance side plots
  • Shojiki Fudosan

    150. Shojiki Fudosan

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

    7.0
    • no romance other than a side character with a crush that can be ignored
  • Shori no Hoteishiki

    151. Shori no Hoteishiki

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    8.0
    • no romance from what i remember
  • Shotengai no Pianist

    152. Shotengai no Pianist

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 13 episodes

    8.0
    • this drama is tagged with romance but i literally barely saw any
  • Si bien chez soi

    153. Si bien chez soi

    Korean Drama - 2020, 10 episodes

    9.0
    • romantic subtext / hints to romance
  • Sign

    154. Sign

    Japanese Drama - 2019, 9 episodes

    8.0
    • there's barely any romance in this
  • Song Ci Shao Hua Lu

    155. Song Ci Shao Hua Lu

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 25 episodes

    7.0
    • no romance as of the episodes i've seen so far
  • Squid Game

    156. Squid Game

    Korean Drama - 2021, 9 episodes

    9.0
    • it's a death game there's no time for romance
    • i guess you could say there's a very minor romance subplot but it's easily ignorable because of the death game
    • idk if you could really class it as a romance more of a "we're gonna die so let's fuck" side plot 
  • Stand By Me

    157. Stand By Me

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes

    8.0
    • i'd say there was no romance in this but it could've been implied but the mangotv subs were so bad idk wtf was going on half the time
  • Stand By Me

    158. Stand By Me

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 20 episodes

    8.0
    • no romance from what i remember
  • Stand Up Start

    159. Stand Up Start

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 11 episodes

    7.0
    • really no romance other than i think side plots related to guest characters
  • Stove League

    160. Stove League

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    9.5
    • no romance
    • maybe some subtext between female lead & second male lead 
  • Sugarless

    161. Sugarless

    Japanese Drama - 2012, 12 episodes

    8.5
    • the romance was really minor if i remember correctly 
    • more platonic focused 
  • Surgery Live Room

    162. Surgery Live Room

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 28 episodes

    8.5
  • Sword and Fairy 4

    163. Sword and Fairy 4

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes

    8.5
    • romance sideplots that do get a bit of focus from time to time but the main relationship that has the focus are the platonic, familial, student/master relationships
  • Tengu no Daidokoro

    164. Tengu no Daidokoro

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    8.0
    • no romance
  • Tenshoku no Mao-sama

    165. Tenshoku no Mao-sama

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 11 episodes

    7.0
    • kinda implied romance but it's so minor that you could see it platonically
  • The Bionic Life

    166. The Bionic Life

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    8.0
    • subtle romantic sideplot that you can honestly just view platonically if you wanted
  • The Blood of Youth

    167. The Blood of Youth

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 40 episodes

    9.5
    • romantic sideplots that can be ignored
    • platonic focus
  • The Ingenuity of the House Husband

    168. The Ingenuity of the House Husband

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    8.0
    • no romance (mostly because there's only 1 character) 
  • The Killing Vote

    169. The Killing Vote

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    7.5
    • romance subplot between secondary characters
  • The Miracle Brothers

    170. The Miracle Brothers

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    7.0
    • no romance
    • bromance focused
    • ehhh could be a very very minor subplot of romance if you squint between side characters
  • The Outcast

    171. The Outcast

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 27 episodes

    8.0
    • small romance sideplot
  • The Society of Four Leaves

    172. The Society of Four Leaves

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 29 episodes

    9.0
    • bromance focused
    • no romance
  • The Sound of Magic

    173. The Sound of Magic

    Korean Drama - 2022, 6 episodes

    8.5
    • minor romantic sideplot that doesn't go anywhere
    • focuses more on platonic relationships & mentor/student relationships
  • The Travel Nurse

    174. The Travel Nurse

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    8.0
    • hmm can't really remember but if there was a romance sideplot it was minor
  • Three-Body

    175. Three-Body

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes

    8.0
    • very very minor romance (married couple)
  • Tiger and Crane

    176. Tiger and Crane

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 36 episodes

    8.5
    • romance sideplot that's minor & can be ignored/viewed platonically
  • Today's Webtoon

    177. Today's Webtoon

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    9.0
    • very minor romance (which is unrequited)
  • Tokumei! Keishicho Tokubetsu Kaikeigakari

    178. Tokumei! Keishicho Tokubetsu Kaikeigakari

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 11 episodes

    7.0
    • no romance
  • TOKYO MER

    179. TOKYO MER

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 11 episodes

    9.0
    • hints to romance that don't go anywhere
    • mentions of a prev relationship
  • Trillion Game

    180. Trillion Game

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    8.0
    • platonic focused
    • mostly just sexual tension and chemistry between ren & mio's characters
  • Two or Three Things About My Bathtub

    181. Two or Three Things About My Bathtub

    Taiwanese Drama - 2022, 14 episodes

    8.5
    • romantic side plot that i think can be easily ignored
      (tbh you could view it as platonic if you ignore like a few lines)
    • focuses more on the bromance
  • Unlock the Boss

    182. Unlock the Boss

    Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

    6.5
    • romantic sideplot but you can ignore it for the most part
  • Unmei Keisatsu

    183. Unmei Keisatsu

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    8.5
    • no romance
  • Vincenzo

    184. Vincenzo

    Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes

    10
    • minor romance but it can easily be ignored imo
  • War of Faith

    185. War of Faith

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 38 episodes

    8.5
    • minor romance sideplots
  • Weak Hero Class 1

    186. Weak Hero Class 1

    Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    7.5
    • no romance from what i remember
  • White Cat Legend

    187. White Cat Legend

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes

    9.5
    • minor romantic sideplot between supporting characters
  • Wonderhatch: Soratobu Ryu no Shima

    188. Wonderhatch: Soratobu Ryu no Shima

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 8 episodes

    7.0
    • barely any romance if there is any it's subtext and i'm missing it
  • Wu Shen Zhu Zai

    189. Wu Shen Zhu Zai

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes

    8.0
    • very very minor romantic subplot but imo it was unrequited most of the time
  • You Never Eat Alone

    190. You Never Eat Alone

    Thai Drama - 2020, 12 episodes

    9.0
    • very heavy friendship focused
    • definitely heavy romantic subtext but it stays platonic 
  • Yowamushi Pedal

    191. Yowamushi Pedal

    Japanese Movie - 2020

    9.0
    • no romance
  • Yume de Mita Ano Ko no Tame ni

    192. Yume de Mita Ano Ko no Tame ni

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    7.0
    • if there was an implied romance i didn't notice it
  • Zeicho: "Haraenai" ni wa Wake ga Aru

    193. Zeicho: "Haraenai" ni wa Wake ga Aru

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    • no romance
  • Zenryoku! Cleaners

    194. Zenryoku! Cleaners

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

    6.5
    • no romance
  • Zi Chuan

    195. Zi Chuan

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes

    8.0
    • romantic sideplots but the main focus is on the 3 MLs as a unit and separately as characters
  • Zombie 100

    196. Zombie 100

    Japanese Movie - 2023

    8.5
    • 1 minor romantic subplot that ends quite early in the movie
    • the rest is just your typical end of the world type "let's have sex" nonsense

En vogue