8 Shows Like Glass Heart You Must See

Originally titled ‘Gurasu Haato,’ Glass Heart by Kensaku Kakimoto and Kotaro Goto is based on Mio Wakagi’s eponymous novel. It tells the story of college student and aspiring drummer Akane Saijo (Yu Miyazaki), who gets kicked out of her band out of the blue. However, she gets noticed by musical enigma Naoki Fujitani (Takeru Satoh), who invites her to join his new ensemble, Tenblank. The band also includes guitarist Sho Takaoka (Keita Machida) and Kazushi Sakamoto (Jun Shison). As a result of their electrifying performances, they quickly rise to stardom, attracting challenges and rivals along the way. Meanwhile, Akane is forced to confront her heart’s calling. If the series has left you mesmerized with its passion, music, and drama, here are shows similar to ‘Glass Heart’ that you’re sure to enjoy for your next binge.

8. My Liberation Notes (2022)

Created by Park Hae-young, ‘My Liberation Notes,’ also known as ‘My Liberation Diary’ or ‘Naui Haebangilji,’ is set around three siblings living in the fictional suburb of Danpo in Seoul. Yeom Ki-jeong (Lee El) is the eldest and works in a research factory, Yeom Chang-hee (Lee Min-ki) is employed at a convenience store franchise headquarters, while the youngest, Yeom Mi-jeong (Kim Ji-won), is a designer at a credit card company. All of them feel stuck in their jobs and desperately wish for an escape. Soon, they get a chance to fulfill their dream, but new challenges follow. The series pits the youngsters against changing personal and professional landscapes, much like Akane Saijo in ‘Glass Heart.’

7. Our Beloved Summer (2021-2022)

Helmed by Kim Yoon-jin and Lee Na-eun, ‘Our Beloved Summer’ chronicles the relationship between Choi Ung (Choi Woo-shik) and Kook Yeon-soo (Kim Da-mi). Lovers in high school, the duo parts ways, promising that they will never meet each other again. However, the documentary they film while dating goes viral ten years later. As a result, their mutual producer friend coaxes them to face the camera together again, leading to Choi and Kook having complicated feelings. Originally titled ‘Geu hae urineun,’ the coming-of-age story has second chances at its core, akin to ‘Glass Heart.’

6. Cinderella Closet (2025)

Based on Wakana Yanai’s manga series of the same name, ‘Shinderera Kurozetto’ aka ‘Cinderella Closet’ follows Haruka Fukunaga (Ichika Osaki), a plain country girl who arrives in Tokyo to start her college life. She nurses a massive crush on Keisuke Kurotaki (Rintarō Hachimura), her co-worker at her part-time job, but does not have the confidence to express her feelings in front of him. However, Haruka meets the sharp-tongued, enigmatic style icon Hikaru Kamiyama (Leo Matsumoto), who decides to take her under her wing and transform her life. The manga is adapted for the screen by Ayako Katō and Satsuki Orito, and like ‘Glass Heart,’ traces a young girl’s journey to making herself stand out.

5. True Beauty (2020-2021)

Adapted by Lee Si-eun from Yaongyi’s eponymous webtoon, ‘True Beauty’ centers around high school student Lim Ju-Kyung (Moon Ga-young). Since childhood, Lim has been bullied for her looks, leading to her being anxious about her appearance. However, when she learns about makeup from online tutorials, Lim transforms herself into her vision of perfection. While her excellent make-up skills stun her family and friends, one boy in school remains impervious to their effect. Much like Akane in ‘Glass Heart,’ Lim is forced to deal with her sudden popularity as a result of her makeover.

4. Your Lie in April (2014-2015)

Based on the manga series written and illustrated by Naoshi Arakawa, ‘Your Lie in April’ revolves around child prodigy Kousei Arima, who comes to be known as the “Human Metronome” for his skills with the piano. Under the strict tutelage of his mother, Kousei dominates every competition. However, he loses his ability to hear the sound of the piano one day and stops playing thereafter. Attending junior high school with his Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryouta Watari at present, Kousei comes across eccentric violinist Kaori Miyazono, who manages to convince him to be her accompanist and puts him back on the stage. The animated series tells the story of a young musician who gets pushed back on stage despite thinking his playing days are over, much like ‘Glass Heart.’

3. Castaway Diva (2023)

Created by Park Hye-ryun and Eun Yeol, ‘Castaway Diva’ tells the story of Seo Mok-ha (Park Eun-bin), a young girl who dreams of being a K-pop idol. After winning a UCC competition, she gets the opportunity to visit Seoul for an audition. As luck would have it, she gets stranded on an uninhabited island as a result of an unfortunate accident, and returns to civilization fifteen years later. However, she does not forget her dream and sets out to achieve it. Originally titled ‘ Muindoui diba,’ the show, like ‘Glass Heart,’ depicts a girl’s journey to musical fame.

2. Nevertheless: The Shapes of Love (2024)

Helmed by Nakagawa Ryutaro, ‘Nevertheless: The Shapes of Love’ is a Japanese adaptation of the webtoon ‘Nevertheless.’ The narrative centers around Kosaka Ren (Yokohama Ryusei), a young art prodigy who arrives in Japan to take up a special temporary lecturer position at a university in Kamakura. While he prefers maintaining a distance from the many people who clamour to meet him, he makes an exception for one woman who walks into his life. Like Naoki Fujitani in ‘Glass Heart,’ Kosaka’s decision forces him to confront his own feelings.

1. An Incurable Case of Love (2020)

Originally titled ‘Koi wa tsuzuku yo doko made mo’ based on the eponymous manga series by Maki Enjōji, ‘An Incurable Case of Love’ follows Nanase Sakura, who meets Doctor Kairi Tendo as a young girl and becomes infatuated with him. She studies hard to become a nurse and starts to work for him. However, years after their first encounter, Nanase finds Kairi a changed man, more apathetic than caring. Nevertheless, she refuses to give up on him. There are many parallels between the narratives of ‘An Incurable Case of Love’ and ‘Glass Heart,’ with both focusing on a young woman pursuing her career and her heart. The slow-burn romances make the shows endearing to watch.