These K-drama marriage proposals were meant to be romantic — and failed spectacularly

Romantic confessions in K-dramas promise swoons and butterflies, but some proposals derail spectacularly, turning heartfelt moments into public meltdowns, identity disasters, revenge-fueled chaos, and secondhand embarrassment so intense it forces a pause.

Instead of quiet romance, these scenes deliver cringe, comedy, and unforgettable messiness, wrapped in lies, family pressure, supernatural slip-ups, and emotional overload. From fake engagements to secrets revealed at the worst possible moment, they prove that in dramaland, love rarely goes smoothly - and being normal was never part of the plan.




What starts as a harmless favour quickly snowballs into one of K-drama's most unhinged proposal setups. Shin Ha-ri agrees to impersonate her wealthy friend on a blind date, fully intending to scare the guy away. Instead, she finds herself seated across from her own CEO, Kang Tae-moo - and somehow, he's the one proposing.




The twist? He wants a fake relationship and potential marriage to appease his grandfather, forcing Ha-ri into a high-stress juggling act of lies, wigs, and near-constant panic. Every step toward "engagement" is less romantic and more career-ending nightmare, making the proposal arc funny, frantic, and gloriously messy.




Vice Chairman Lee Young-joon approaches proposals the same way he approaches a business deal. After Mi-so announces she is quitting to focus on her personal life and eventually get married, a panicked and narcissistic Lee Young-joon offers her a "promotion" to wife to ensure she stays by his side forever.



He casually tells her, "Keep working. I, Lee Young-joon, will let you marry me". Mi-so is completely unimpressed. She views it as the height of his arrogance and rejects him immediately, clarifying that she wants a real life, not to be bound to him 24/7 as both a wife and an employee.



In My Demon, the chaos peaks when Do-hee, acting on desperation and Madam Ju's dying wish to secure her future at Mirae Group, bluntly proposes to Gu-won on the spot.



The moment lands with all the grace of a business transaction gone wrong. Gu-won's stunned reaction quickly turns into outright rejection, crushing Do-hee's pride and transforming what could have been a romantic turning point into a hilariously awkward power struggle that defines their dynamic.



The finale delivers a proposal that's equal parts sweet and nearly failed. Ryu Sun-jae carefully plans a romantic moment to ask Im Sol to marry him, only for things to go sideways when family interference and unexpected circumstances derail his original plan.




The turning point comes when Sun-jae learns of Sol's ambition to become a movie director and chooses to postpone rather than pressure her. Later, during a quiet walk, he finally proposes with a ring, and Sol accepts through tears - turning an almost-miss into one of the drama's most heartfelt and humorous endings.




Seung-hyo's carefully planned proposal fall apart thanks to relentless bad luck, with everything from a broken shower to a ruined cake sabotaging his efforts to create the perfect moment.




He eventually proposes with a meaningful bracelet instead of a ring, only for Seok-ryu to initially reject him, fearing her past battle with stomach cancer could make her a burden. The night ends with emotional honesty, reluctant acceptance, and a comically timed interruption by their bickering parents.