Sounds | Catherina Jiang

Rom-coms: from one hopeless romantic to another

Calling all the hopeless romantics! As Valentine’s Day approaches, the atmosphere is filled with the sweet essence of romance—a source of fulfillment for the firm believers in love, yet tormenting for those dealing with the loveless void in their hearts.

As such, I’ve compiled a small list of my favourite rom-coms, with both films and K-dramas, hoping you might find one that fits your circumstances and desires. These films may be the epitome of cheesy and corny, but the warmth, laughter, and tears they bring for me serve as a great reminder of the everlasting possibility of love, and I hope that they do the same for you.

1. 13 going on 30

You can never go wrong with this rom-com classic! 13 Going on 30 encapsulates every child’s dream of growing up, romanticizing the adult experience until the harsh reality forces all of that youthful innocence to be lost. Both lead actors are equally endearing: Jennifer Garner does an amazing job of playing a teenager in a grown-up’s body, and meeting Matt Flamhaff helped me understand the craze about Mark Ruffalo in rom-coms. So. Dreamy. They don’t make men like Matty anymore.

2. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

Speaking of Mark Ruffalo, Noah Centineo, a known lookalike of his, takes the lead in the film adaptation of Jenny Han’s book series of the same name. I vividly remember watching it after the initial release, and the obsession that took hold of me then is still intact six years later. From the classic pocket spin to the heartfelt confession on the football field, the high-school romance of Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky was so real to me that I felt like I was a part of their moment too.

3. Sleepless in Seattle

An oldie but a classic, Sleepless in Seattle features rom-com icon Meg Ryan (and Tom Hanks) - the pair also appear in You’ve Got Mail (another great rom-com!!). Meg’s character, Annie Reed, mirrors us hopeless romantics when she spends her evenings watching movies, yearning for a love story equivalent to those on the big screen. Her interactions with Tom Hanks’ character, Sam Baldwin, are borderline stalker behaviour, but we’ll overlook it for the sake of the plot. I should also add that Meg’s hair is to die for and that in itself is a good reason to watch this film.

4. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo

Contrasting the past film recommendations, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is a K-drama depicting the relationship between two college athletes, a weightlifter and a swimmer. Lee Sung-kyung and Nam Joo-hyuk deliver a performance that blends humour, cuteness, and comfort, all while facing the hardships of infatuation, insecurities, and dreams. A special note to the amusement park scene where the male lead tries so hard to win the girl’s heart. Their journey from friends to lovers is so wholesome that you’ll have yourself wishing you were them.

5. Notting Hill

A rom-com staple, Notting Hill portrays young Hugh Grant, as a bookshop owner, and Julia Roberts, as a famous actress, who let their contrasting lifestyles stand in the way of their romance and happiness. To me, this film was truly ethereal because of the plot, cinematography, and characters—it really is iconic for a reason. The side characters are also worth paying attention to if you want a good laugh.

6. Serendipity

A film focused on the idea of fate and destiny? Serendipity is a great match for the romantic. Despite the minimal on-screen time between leads John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, which results from their characters’ constant pursuit of each other, you will find yourself rooting for their endgame because of the fleeting moments and the chemistry they have together. Their whimsical journey to finding each other drove me mad, but in the end, it was so worth it.

7. Our Beloved Summer

Our Beloved Summer is another K-drama that is genuinely a favourite of mine. The drama follows Kim Da-mi and Choi Wooshik, who play two former classmates that reunite, years later, to film a documentary; but, their unresolved conflict poses an obstacle. Their love story connects the themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery, all captured through a nostalgic lens with vibrant cinematography that warms my heart (and hopefully yours too). I could go on for days about how their soundtrack single-handedly sent me into a hole of despair for romance, but we’ll save that for another time. Also, a fun fact is that the episode titles make references to popular rom-coms!

8. When Harry met Sally

THE rom-com of all rom-coms. Another Meg Ryan feature, this time with Billy Crystal, When Harry Met Sally is a timeless film that poses the question of the conditions for the friendship between men and women. However, this is the very question that sparks the connection between Sally Albright and Harry Burns. As they navigate the complexities of friendship and love, their own friendship itself begins to evolve into love, showcasing the power of their on-screen chemistry and witty dialogue. That, along with the endearing short moments of elderly couples recalling their love stories, makes this movie the ultimate comfort film for the hopeless romantic.

Romcoms from one hopeless romantic to another