What to Watch When You Want to Watch Adults be Adults

It's Ok, That's Love: I think the leads were in their early to mid 30's but there are some older characters and some younger. It's full of adults trying to cope with the consequences of complicated and difficult childhoods.  - u/danuv

It's Okay, That's Love. It's not okay when people have to deal with disabling mental illness. This is one of the worst-titled, and yet among the best, K-dramas ever. These adults act their age and transcend.  - unknown

I Need Romance 3: I haven't seen the others in the series yet but the third was excellent. Flips the usual 'cold emotionally unavailable' guy stereotype around a bit and the women are all having sexual relationships which are seen as normal.  - u/danuv

Cunning Single Lady and Discovery of Romance: Similar themes of older couples revisiting the crime scene of a relationship long ended. Both pretty well executed. I would say CSL is a little lighthearted and farcical,  - u/danuv

Cunning Single Lady - After the divorce, when one is successful and the other is struggling. Comedy and love story and unfairness of life. - u/the-other-otter

Cunning Single Lady and Discovery of Romance: Similar themes of older couples revisiting the crime scene of a relationship long ended. Both pretty well executed. DoR a bit more realistic. - u/danuv

The Lover: Multiple unmarried couples living with one another in an apartment building. Raunchy, hilarious and touching. All of the relationships are very different and at varying stages in their life cycles. Excellent show, not like any other kdrama I've seen.  - u/danuv

If you want adults that act like people in real relationships. Try The Lover. It's about 4 couples that are already in a relationship and their day to day lives.  But there isn't a lot of action in this drama. - u/danzr4eva

Secret Love Affair - A mature piano teacher falls for a young yet very talented student from lower classes. As it turns out her marriage is more of an agreement than a love driven communion of two souls and it feels only natural she develops feelings for him. He has namely a lot to offer, both as a capable student and a surprisingly grown up person he is. Being deeply deeply misunderstood by his closest friends he might feel his teacher is the one that gets him for whom he really is. They namely share the same, deep love of music and neither avoid discussing their feelings nor purely rely only on the physicality of their relationship growing deeper and deeper as time flies by. The story telling is not explicit or judgemental and explores different sides of their relationship in a very tasteful manner. The story ends with both her and him accepting the current events without blaming each other or the outside world and confirming that their feelings are true despite the obvious age gap. - u/imerremi

The FIRST drama I thought of is Secret Love Affair. Except for the villain, I would say all the other characters very much behave like adults and make very adult decisions, in that when they make decisions, they focus on their own happiness as the number one priority. It's really a wonderful and underrated drama.  - u/stonesoup

9 End 2 Outs - I thought this drama was pretty good. It is about 2 singles in their 30's and their quest for love.  For some reason this drama just resonated with me even though I was younger.  - u/openwatch

Fight for My Way - A relatable drama that depicts the realistic struggles of adults with not so-special credentials (or aka third-rate credentials). I empathized with the characters a lot, especially when the male lead contemplated on pursuing his dreams or continuing his stable job.   - u/jamthedestroyer

Fight for my way - really love this drama for its simplicity, slice of life theme. No petty arguments between the leads. No acting like teenagers because Both are too busy struggling to make a living.  - u/onioncube79

My Mister: Dong Hoon, respected and admired by many, deals with professional disappointment and marital issues. In the midst of his problems, through mutual self-sacrifice, he finds a soulmate who, herself, finds validation, love, redemption.  - u/Humbuhg

Pretty much all characters are dealing with life during their 40s  - u/SufficientTank

Oh Hae Young Again - Relatable characters who behave like adults in their 20s/30s and shows a look into different types of relationships. The heroine is passionate and at times immature but she seems real and the male lead is stoic but swoony. Overall a great rom-com about learning to accept yourself and to be loved for who you are. - u/kerropi-pond

It is a classic seminal kdrama of the post-50's generation written by one of their best writers and is a fact-based statement on events in the 70's and 80's shaping the current generation now in power in Korea.  It was one of the highest rated dramas ever broadcast at that time and the streets would empty of traffic while it was on-air. It documents the ebb and flow of the political activism by students and the savage reaction of the government thru the eyes of three friends as they grow up and take on life.  It has Chaebol's and Gangs, corrupt politicians and intrigue galore and follows the trio over a twenty year period. It is not for light or care-free viewing because it will shock and educate you all at the same time. The story line moves well and does not lag,  it will keep you engaged if you are interested in this type of drama.  - u/stumpy1949

My Wife's Having an Affair this Week - Husband learns that his wife is having an affair and doesn't know what to do. Tries to protect his marriage, talks with anonymous people through online social networks. - u/thabz2281

My Wife's Having an Affair this Week - A husband who is generally content with his life and marriage is blindsided when he discovers a text on his devoted wife's phone about a hotel reservation for that weekend. Utterly confused and desperate, he turns to the internet for advice and help on his situation. As the story unfolds, we see how he grapples with his wife's affair and its consequences, including how it affects everyone around them, including the people following their story on the internet. This drama, a remake of the Japanese original, does a great job at exploring how the pressures everyday life strains relationships and how often people take the effort of others for granted. As we witness the growth and maturity of the husband into someone who appreciates the efforts of others, we also come to appreciate the effort of everyone in the story. And as a lovely bonus, the drama shows how in this age of the internet, it's possible for people to bond together and help others out, even if they are complete strangers in real life.  - u/myweithisway

Jealousy Incarnate - A weather forecaster has a one-sided love for a reporter for three years, during which he coldly ignores her. A few years later, she meets his best friend, who falls for her. Then the reporter starts to realize he has feelings for her after all. She has to decide who she really loves, all while trying to advance her career in newscasting and maintaining a big secret. - u/eroverton

Doctors - A wayward teen is inspired by a teacher (and a need to find out the truth about an operation that killed her loved one) to turn her life around and become a doctor. Years later as an adult she meets the teacher again and it's love. It's a medical/career romance. - u/eroverton

Because This Is My First Life: Two young professionals each deal with resolving issues in the workplace, romance, finances, and domineering parents.  - u/Humbuhg

Because This Is My First Life - healthy relationship between the leads and no miscommunication (except for one in the very last episodes)  - u/surreal_strawberry

Go Back Couple A couple in their thirties is on the brink of divorce due to the pressures of mundane life but are mysteriously transported back to their college days where they now have a chance to re-do their life, but armed with the knowledge and wisdom of their later days. At first both of them are engrossed in their second youth but as time goes on, they both begin to appreciate their lives and what they have gained and now lost as a result of their second youth. A lovely story of growth and love, this couple shows that sometimes true love, between a couple and between families, is more real and closer than you think. A great show to watch when you want a gentle reminder that life is not so bad after all and that love does exist, even if it isn't shouting its lungs out at the top of the world.  - u/myweithisway

This is specially for people about to go or going through adulthood. Lots of life lessons. Maturity wise, can even take their dialogues/script as advice to urself haha. It mostly revolves around family, friends, loved ones, and how you should handle your relationship with them. Worth watching.  - u/derpicore

Should We Kiss First? is about two divorcees looking for love in their 40s and 50s. - unknown

Should We Kiss First? Only adults have this many regrets.  - unknown

Love Rain has a number of older people in it, whose stories are interesting and characters really well written.  - u/ThisFatGirlRuns

A Gentleman's Dignity - relatively older kdrama 2012 from the writer of Goblin, Secret Garden, Descendants of the Sun. It is one of my all time faves. It's about 4 men in their 40s and each of their stories.  Male version of Sex and the City. Highly recommend it for the comedy, more mature romance, friendship/bromance story - u/onioncube79

Oh My Venus - sizzling chemistry plus the healthiest communication I've ever seen in a kdrama. Doesn't shy away from real issues and has adults acting like adults in adult situations. - u/surreal_strawberry

I adore Melo too! It is the best drama this year and one of my favorites—ever. Another reason why this drama is exceptional is the way it doesn’t shy away from difficult or taboo issues while avoiding making them overly dramatic. Individual narratives unfold and interact in exciting and unpredictable ways and the seemingly inane conversations, the ones we all have with those closest to us, miraculously integrate into each episode’s overarching theme. This drama is contemporary and smart and, in my opinion, worth your time. - u/thehousefinch

Be Melodramatic - a bunch of ppl in their 30's facing different emotional issues.  - u/hunylicious96

Romance is a Bonus Book - Dan-i struggles finding work again after her divorce and years of being a stay at home mum, she has to pretend to be younger and less qualified to get an entry level job in a publishing house. The drama is as much about friends discovering their feelings for each other as the love of books and literature and characters learning their self-worth. The show will also give you serious coat and office envy.  - u/GSV_Zero_Gravitas

Romance is a Bonus Book - every character is written as a real, normal person. All of the romances (not just the main couple) are mature and realistic, and face normal problems rather than dramatic tropes as conflicts. The characters try to understand and support each other, even when they wouldn't make the same choices themselves or when the outcome isn't in their favor. Plus the drama as a whole has a warm, cozy vibe that adds to the drama-less drama feel. - u/adelaide797

Misty - Go Hye Ran is a no nonsense, career driven news announcer. With nerves of steel we watch her deal with younger competition at work, and we watch her struggle with being framed for murder. Her marriage with a rich lawyer is on shaky ground, but he defends her, even when an old lover comes back to stir up trouble. It's a nail biter, the cast is exceptional, and I was completely awestruck by Go Hye Ran's strength. - u/pvtshame

Avenger's Social Club - Three women from various backgrounds and a high schooler become unlikely best friends as they unite to seek revenge against common enemies. You have a fishmonger mama bear, fighting to protect her cubs, a meek woman in a crappy marriage with a high profile and abusive jerk, a woman also in a crappy marriage with a money grubbing blowhard, and the surprise son of that blowhard. It's hilarious, it's sismance, it's people tired of putting up with crap, and you root for them hard.  - u/pvtshame

Search: WWW - revolves around current day professional women facing different issues in life.  - u/hunylicious96

Something In The Rain - a struggling office worker falls in love with her friend’s younger brother, minor themes include a sexual harassment scandal at the office.  - u/thefluffypoodle

Something in the Rain, probably the best adult romance kdrama I've seen too date - u/boogiebogey

One Spring Night revolves around a single dad chemist falling in love with a friend’s girlfriend. Both  [One Spring Night and Something in the Rain] were very mature in their approach, with very understated acting and the leads have incredible chemistry! - u/thefluffypoodle

One Spring Night - The characters aren’t perfect, but they are the most mature I’ve seen in many, many dramas.  - u/elynwen

Beethoven Virus - shall you choose the boring job that gives money for your family, or take a chance at your hobby, music? The usual messy-young-woman-meets-succesful-selfish-man, but we also get to know many side stories about completely different people who only have the love of music in common. - u/the-other-otter

Feel Good to Die - Can an adult man change? What will happen if you stand up to your boss? Do the people watching on the sideline have a responsibility? You will fall of your chair laughing at some of the happenings, while crying because it is so familiar.  - u/the-other-otter

The Man Who Can't Get Married - Adult romance. There is a reason for why some people are not married. Will they be able to overcome their differences? - u/the-other-otter

The Suspicious Housekeeper - A father reluctantly filling the hole after his wife died. Adult relationships can be messy and wrong and more pragmatic. Jennifer from Thirty but Seventeen comes from the Japanese original of this drama, and the Korean is also good. The drama is only likeable for people who can accept flawed children and parents.  - u/the-other-otter

SKY Castle - Wealthy parents who live through their children, pressing them to be best at school, so that the family can keep being on top. Willing to do everything in the fight for status.  - u/the-other-otter

While You Were Sleeping - It is a show that focuses on three characters: Jae-chan, an upcoming prosecutor. Woo Tak, a patrolman. Hang-joo, the reporter than connects them. The drama focus on our three main characters as they try to make sense of the visions they get when they're sleeping.  - u/natsucule

Encounter - this drama is just beautiful and deep... Every characters action is justified and helps them for their own personal growth ... And I think that's what makes us grow . Doing stuff for us even though it may have a indirect negative consequence in others life..  - u/mjavedansari

Lovestruck in the City - Might appear goofy at times but that's just how some people are. Stellar cast with amazing acting. Really loved all the couple pairings that were going on. Not to mention, its really short with only 8/9 30ish minute episodes! - u/daundaundaundaunview

Hospital Playlist - All the five main characters are 40+ and are extremely matured, though they become childish when they're around each other. It's a slice-of-life drama where every episode these five main characters are dealing with an issue. They handle their problems maturely while sometimes like every adult they feel tired, but the best part is how these five are always there for each other no matter what!  - u/Fatooz

multiple seasons

Love, Marriage and Divorce - showcasing three couples in their 30;40;50 , how they find new love, split and marry again ( some of them..)  - u/DesperateGuarantee91

multiple seasons