On days when it seems like nothing is going your way and discouragement takes hold, remember that it's merely a temporary setback. Keep pushing forward, as brighter days are on the horizon. Take some time off, and watch these 8 encouraging K-Dramas about following your dreams.

Record of Youth

The drama tells the story of three young people in the fashion industry, where they strive to achieve their dreams while juggling love, life, and friendship all at the same time. 

Starring: Park Bo-gum, Park So-dam, Byeon Woo-seok, and Kwon Soo-hyun.

Fight My Way

The male lead is an aspiring professional boxer from a young age, but due to familial issues, his career path takes a left turn, while the female lead wants to become a presenter/TV host. Watch how these two 'fight' to achieve their dream. 

Starring: Park Seo-Joon and Kim Ji-won

Start-Up

Set in South Korea's fictional Silicon Valley, watch how a group of friends and the female lead achieve their dream of making it big in the industry and being South Korea's Steve Jobs. 

Starring: Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Seon-ho, and Kang Han-na.

Romance is a Bonus Book

The female lead used to be a popular copywriter, but she is not anymore. After taking time off from her career, she finds it hard to land a job. The male lead, however, is a genius writer and the youngest chief editor ever at his publishing company. It's not only a drama of how these two fall in love but how the female lead gets back on her feet and pursues her dream again!

Starring: Lee Na-young and Lee Jong-suk.

Run On

This sports-themed drama is about them running toward their dream. The female lead, who is a subtitle translator, dreams of making it big in her career, while a former sprinter needs to find a new destination after veering off his path.

Starring: Im Si-wan, Shin Se-kyung, Choi Soo-young, and Kang Tae-oh.

18 Again

After years and years of hard work, patience, and endurance, the female lead is finally able to pursue success at her dream job of being a reporter, while the male lead's initial inability to pursue his dream and his second chance to decide between his lifetime dream and his family. It's a tear-jerker. 

Starring: Kim Ha-neul, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Lee Do-hyun.

Twenty-Five Twenty-One

Another tear-jerker, this drama is about the female lead pursuing her dream of fencing and joining the national team after a slump; although the road there is not the easiest, she is very persistent and determined.

Starring: Kim Tae-ri and Nam Joo-hyuk.

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

Why is this the third drama with Nam Joo Hyuk? Is he the epitome of never giving up? 

Anyway, this coming-of-age story is about a group of college athletes who are fighting for their dreams, experiencing and finding love in the process, and growing every step of the way.

Starring: Lee Sung-Kyung and Nam Joo-hyuk.