- From sworn enemies to soulmates.
We're all too familiar with the ever-present trope of the main guy and main girl meeting each other and deciding upon hate at first sight. However, as the show goes on, they both realize that there's more than meets the eye, subsequently falling in love with each other. (Bonus: When the K-drama is about being forced to live together!) It's predictable, but that doesn't stop us from still getting kilig every time they finally admit their feelings for each other. ♥
- Opposites attract!
One thing we're all familiar with is the dark and brooding leading man and the quirky girl who brings love and happiness into his life, or the fierce and tough leading lady whose heart is softened by a funny guy. A jerk of a rich boy and a hardworking but poor girl? An immortal being and a mortal woman? We've got you covered! (Goblin, anyone?)
- The quirky and funny best friend/sidekick.
We're all for our strong and feisty female protagonists (#GirlPower), but we can't deny that we equally love their cute and adorable besties! Their sweet, unyielding support makes us wish we had wing(wo)men in our lives, too.
- Confession scenes.
Uhm, need we say more? Direct, straight-to-the-point, "Yes, I admit I like you" moments are the best!
- Sudden, tragic setbacks.
Everything seems to be going well at first—but then suddenly, something horrible happens. Maybe the protagonist's dad gets hospitalized. Or maybe the main guy suddenly gets sick. Or a car accident. Or anything, really! (Remember watching the dubbed version of Autumn in My Heart as a kid?) Either way, it's always heartbreaking—and what's worse, sometimes the show's writers decide to be merciless by leaving the entire situation unresolved. Come on, we need our happy ending, guys!
- Bromance!
Yeah, we like to fangirl over two guys who are unabashedly besties, too, especially when the help each other get out of sticky situations.
- Second-lead syndrome.
Although we all vie for the relationship of the two main protagonists (#OTP), K-Drama writers also work on character development for the second leads of the show. Not that we're complaining—it only gives us more people to root for! (And let's admit it, sometimes we end up shifting the second leads more.) Just look at Descendants of the Sun's Seo Dae Young and Yoon Myeong Ju!
- From love triangle…to love square?
We have to deal with not just the main guy and the main girl sorting out their feelings for one another, but also their ex-girlfriend or guy best friend. Or maybe the two start out as friends first, but the appearance of a third party make them realize their feelings for each other. Whatever, we still get kilig!
- Using great and catchy OST!
There's the quirky marching song for comedic moments, the dramatic piano-and-strings piece for a turn of tragic events, and the grand orchestral rendition for whenever it gets romantic—e.g., whenever the girl gets swept off her feet. ♥ Oh, and let's not forget the beautiful theme songs for each drama that get us all #LSS! (You were humming DOTS's theme song while watching it, weren't you?)
- Following your heart, and its true desires.
Although the main characters often have to make big decisions out of practicality—even when it means giving up on their dreams—we can't deny that when it comes to love, our faves always come through by following their heart. Sure, they may have been crushing on someone else at first, but they soon realize who truly matters to them, ultimately coming to terms with their real feelings. And that kind of self-reflection is something we as viewers can take with us in our lives. ♥
Do you agree, CandyGirls? Share this with a fellow K-Drama lover, or leave a comment down below!
From The Candy Bulletin Community
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