Top 10 Sibling Relationships In K-Dramas

Summary Many K-dramas showcase unforgettable sibling dynamics, from playful quarrels to deep bonds, resonating with viewers worldwide.

Long-lost siblings, rivalries, and close sibling relationships are common tropes in K-dramas, adding depth and relatability to the stories.

Whether through bickering or heartfelt support, sibling relationships in K-dramas offer a unique and authentic portrayal of love and family ties.

Though there are many that tune into K-dramas for the captivating romances, there are some brother-sister K-drama relationships and other sibling dynamics in the genre that have been equally memorable. Korea has delivered a strong output in drama series in the 21st century, and with the rise in streaming services, K-dramas have become more accessible, leading to international popularity for some of these titles. Among the things that viewers are tuning in for are the wonderful sibling relationships in some of these shows.

There's nothing like a quarrel between a brother and sister to keep things fun and entertaining which is something that many of the best K-dramas have figured out. There are a number of K-dramas that play upon a common trope of long-lost siblings, or even an aggressive rivalry. In other cases, sibling relationships have fans laughing out loud and relating to their close bond. Whatever approach these shows take, they have created unforgettable sibling relationships that have struck a chord with many people.

Related 20 Great K-Dramas With LGBTQ+ Representation While K-dramas have a ways to go in terms of catching up with LGBTQ+ representation on screen, some shows are making great headway, to fans' delight.

10 Joon-hyung & Jae-yi

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is actually a K-drama inspired by the life of Olympic gold medalist Jang Mi-ran, but the supporting cast includes a memorable sibling dynamic. Joon-hyung (Nam Joo-hyuk) was abandoned by his mother and sent to live with his aunt and uncle. His cousin, Jae-yi (Lee Jae-yoon) never rejected him and instead welcomed him with open arms. What fans came to love about this sibling relationship is that they're not actually siblings. However, that didn't stop them from developing a close bond as brothers.

They often joke with each other and are each other's support. But when Joon-hyung learns that his love interest fancies his brother, it allowed for a little bit of tension to come between the duo. He never came between them but when his brother is oblivious to how he made her feel, he's quick to put him in his place. It ended up being a storyline to cement their bond through some challenging struggles.

9 In-ho & In-ha

Cheese In The Trap (2016)

One of several K-dramas based on webtoons, Cheese in the Trap follows a group of university students dealing with the typical struggles of young adult life. While Cheese in the Trap became well known for its love triangle and "second-lead syndrome," fans also remember the sibling relationship. It's a relationship that might have rubbed people the wrong way at times.

In-ha (Lee Sung-kyung) is spoiled rotten and often uses others to support her lifestyle which is no different when it comes to her younger brother. In the drama, she begs him for money and he has no choice but to give her what he has earned. He has a hard time with her being so melodramatic but supports her regardless. However, there is something admirable about how dedicated she is to protecting him, showing that they both look out for each other.

8 Byeon Siblings

My Father Is Strange (2017)

There is a lot to love in the comical yet realistic relationship between the Byeon siblings in My Father is Strange. The show focuses on a middle-class family living outside of Seoul whose quiet and ordinary life is interrupted when a Korean celebrity arrives claiming to be part of the family. Despite the new addition, Joon-young (Min Jin-woong), Hye-young (Lee Yoo-ri), Mi-young (Jung So-min), and Ra-young (Ryu Hwa-young) encompassed what many would expect from a group of siblings.

They have deep devotion and love for each other but it didn't mean bickering didn't occur. The way in which these siblings fight offers a very relatable and authentic feel to their relationships with the love still evident no matter how loud they yell at each other. While each sibling has their own personal life to deal with, they always come together to support each other.

7 Sung Deok-sun & Sung Bo-ra; Sun-woo & Jin-joo

Reply 1988 (2015-2016)

Reply 1988 is a K-drama that excels thanks to its large and likable ensemble of characters. It revolves around a set of neighborhood families who grow up together, going through their formative teen years while supporting one another through various struggles common in the TV teen drama genre. Among the many characters are several sets of siblings that provide some of the best relationships in the series.

The Sung sisters are known for getting on each other's nerves and having small fights, including when one accidentally hits the other in the head with cardboard, leading to a full-on brawl. There's also Sun-woo (Go Kyung-pyo) who cares for his little sister, offering a more unique take on the trope of the protective older brother with him being a sensitive and caring figure rather than just a protector.

6 Eun-chan & Eun-sae

Coffee Prince (2007)

The K-drama Coffee Prince mixes elements of rom-com while also telling a similar story to movies like Tootsie and She's the Man. It follows Eun-chan (Yoon Eun-hye) as a tomboyish girl who is mistaken for a man that lands her her dream job. While there are a lot of hijinks that ensue from this bit of deception, one of the most memorable aspects of the show is the sister bond, with Eun-chan and her sister and Eun-sae (Han Ye-in) spending the majority of the Coffee Prince fighting.

It's not an odd thing to see between sister relationships, but there are moments when sisters are there for each other when needed most. They spend their time talking about Eun-chan's first crush and Eun-sae needing a shoulder to cry on over not passing her audition. The relationship is highly relatable, with these sisters seeming to have very little in common but coming together in much-needed moments simply out of love.

5 Ju-kyung, Ju-young & Hee-kyung

True Beauty (2020-2021)

True Beauty is another K-drama with a high school setting. The show follows Ju-kyung, a girl who is constantly picked on for her looks only for her to master the art of makeup which transforms her into a perceived beauty. What is great about the show is that Ju-kyung's transformation earns her the attention and affection of her classmates, but she is still humbled by her combative siblings, Ju-young and Hee-kyung.

The dynamic between the siblings is a lot of fun as it shows the older perfect child, the disgruntled middle child, and the mischievous younger sibling. Whenever they fight, their mother forces them to cut each other's toenails while saying "I love you." The siblings become even closer when they band together to protect Ju-kyung (Moon Ga-young) from her classmate's ridicule over what she looks like without makeup.

4 Dong-hoon, Ki-hoon & Sang-hoon

My Mister (2018)

My Mister is an emotional story that follows various characters dealing with hard times in their lives but finding support in others. It is another show in which the sibling relationship is a side plot from the main story, but that does not make it any less effective. The siblings in question are Dong-hoon, Sang-hoon, and Ki-hoon. Despite each brother being different, they all hit a rough patch. Even in middle age, they still act like children and are there to help each other.

When Dong-hoon (Lee Sun-kyun) loses approximately a small fortune, the first person he calls is his younger brother, who, in return, ropes in their older brother for help. The situations are comical as the brothers bicker, joke about the other's stupidity, and even try to beat each other up. However, they do this while offering the kind of support and stability they could not find anywhere else.

3 Gang-tae & Sang-tae

It's Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)

Like My Mister., It's Okay To Not Be Okay is an emotional K-drama about characters struggling but finding support in loving relationships. While there are a lot of powerful elements to the show, the most impactful is the sibling relationship between Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun) and Sang-tae (Oh Jung-se). Gang-tae works at a psychiatric hospital but was forced to grow up fast at a young age when his mother was murdered, leaving him the only one to take care of his autistic older brother, Sang-tae.

The show is an interesting TV depiction of mental illness and the challenges of those carrying for people dealing with these issues. There are many heartwrenching moments, like when Gan-tae breaks down and asks for a hug from his brother. Despite their difficulties and trauma, they are the only family they have and protect each other from the bad in the world.

2 Ri-ohn & Ri-jin

Kill Me, Heal Me (2015)

Kill Me, Heal Me is another K-drama with a main character dealing with mental illness. It follows Cha Do-hyun (Ji Sung), an heir to a business empire who has developed dissociative identity disorder with several identities emerging. He finds solace in his relationship with Oh Ri-jin (Hwang Jung-eum), his young psychiatrist. However, Ri-jin's brother, Ri-on (Park Seo-joon), is a mystery novelist who begins swooping into Do-hyu.

Despite the intriguing elements of the story, the brother-sister relationship is one of the best aspects of Kill Me, Heal Me. They care deeply for each other and offer each other stability when things get overwhelming. There is one particularly memorable scene in which Ri-jin assures her brother by reenacting the Team Rocket motto from Pokemon. It's later revealed that these siblings aren't blood-related, but it didn't change their relationship.

1 Mi-ran & Nam-tae

Melting Me Softly (2019)

Mi-ran (Won Jin-ah) and Nam-tae's (Park Min-soo) bond in the K-drama Melting Me Softly is another loving bond that shows how unbreakable these sibling relationships can be. Nam-tae is developmentally disabled and Mi-ran is there to be his protector. He often waits for her outside their home and she is there to rescue him from bullies. In one scene after saving him and giving him red bean bread, she carries him on her back.

Fans learn that Mi-ran entered the cryo freeze project hoping it would one day lead to a cure for people like her brother. It was heartbreaking when she didn't return and Nam-tae used the whistle she gave him so she could find him. When she wakes 20 years later, he uses the whistle and they reunite. Seeing how these two characters are separated by decades yet connect in such a loving way is an emotional journey to witness.