Top 5 Older Woman / Younger Man Romance Drama

Noona romance is definitely my favourite subgenre of romance. Of course, it's only called that in Korea, and I have some Japanese shows to talk about as well, so I had to use a longer, more literal description with the title.

5. Gokusen 

I know, it's strange that a day has come when Gokusen isn't at the top of my list for something, but since romance wasn't a primary theme in Gokusen, fifth-place was really where it belonged. Gokusen was originally a manga series, which was later adapted itno a drama. Honestly, if you've watched Gokusen and feel unsatsified with where they left it, read the manga! There's romance in that!

  A possible romance is simply hinted in Gokusen. When new teacher Yamaguchi Kumiko is given a tutor group filled with untrusting teenage boys, she defies the odds and brings them all together. This includes the class leader, Shin, who falls for her. Obviously, Shin is a student, so nothing could have taken place while he was in school (for the worst-case scenario, watch Majo no Jouken). But the show's ending left the possibility of  areal relationship open - unless you watch the awful graduation special - and the manga ending did something even better.

4. Last Cinderella 

Before I found Last Cinderella, I was programmed to only look for cutesy, innocent romance shows. Last Cinderella came as quite a pleasant surprise - although it was sexy, gross, and sometimes even dark, it had a mind-numbingly adorable side that I never saw coming from a show with such a bold premise.

  Last Cinderella is about 24-year-old Hiroto who is forced by his younger sister Chiyoko to seduce 39-year-old Sakura, so she will never be a threat as Chiyoko chases Sakura's long-time frenemy. Sakura is initially put off by the idea of dating a man fifteen years younger than her and refuses him, but she soon warms up to him and they begin to date. What's more surprising is that Hiroto soon sees how kind Sakura is and starts to genuinely fall for her. The most wonderful part of this show is that by meeting, Sakura and Hiroto make eachother better people. Sakura rediscovers youth and romance after a long time spent alone, and Hiroto is able to find happiness he thought he would never have. It's adorable, really, so watch it.

3. What's Up, Fox? 

Ha, this show is like a house-cat pretending to be a tiger. It dresses itself up as a show that's upfront about sex and modern relationships, but really it's quite sweet and docile. What can you expect from a show about two people who grew up like brother and sister, and how a romance blooms between them in the aftermath of a drunken one-night-stand? 

  This show focuses on two couples, really (three if you count the weird, awkward pair that I skipped - watch and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about), and how people overcome age-gaps in relationships. It's far more realistic than most romantic comedies. Although it exhibits the 'love conquers all' theme like most shows do, it does so in a far messier way which is more true to real relationships.

2. I Can Hear Your Voice 

I'm full of surprises today, right? My all-time favourite show actually came second for something. Again, since this drama wasn't primarily romance (you come for the thriller and stay for the kisses) I didn't put at the top - if you weren't interested in law or suspense you wouldn't watch it, after all.

  The age-gap between these two was obviously a problem, but they had bigger problems. Way bigger. It wasn't the central conflict. Hye-sung and Soo-ha were eachother's strength, the others reason to stay true to themself. When the darkness tempted Soo-ha, Hye-sung was there to convince him he shouldn't give in. That's I Can Hear Your Voice's allure, in my opinion, and it's why I come back for more again and again and again. And again. And again. God, how many times have I watched this now?

1. Biscuit Teacher Star Candy

Despite this show's flaws, it had to go at the top of the list because it's just the best example I can give of why noona romance is so damn charming. A cute young man, a tough older woman who's oblivous to his feelings, and a thousand hurdles for them to go through. Starring Gong Hyo-jin and heartthrob Gong Yoo (who, hilariously, is actually a year older than her) star in this show about Na Bo-ri, a woman who is employed as a teacher under the condition that she control Park Tae-in, the class leader, a reckless and desperately lonely teenager. Tae-in falls for Bo-ri fast, as she's the only person who seems to honestly care about him, but Bo-ri is engaged to a man she's loved since she was his age. And so begins the most agonising one-sided love that ever existed.

Have you seen any of these? Do you have any you can recommend to me? Comment!