Korean dramas are wildly addicting. They're also sometimes wildly cliched. From a business standpoint, this makes a little bit of sense -- if one type of plot line is immensely popular, why not try to replicate its success? Unfortunately, this also means that you can predict what's going to happen most of the time, which can sometimes be pretty hilarious.
Recently, dramas have begun to revamp their typical story lines, but there are still certain cliches that never really go away. Although the list of overused Korean drama cliches could truly be endless, here are 14 of my favorite (in no particular order).
1. Disapproving matriarch who tries to ruin EVERYTHING
2. Totally or partially orphaned
For real, though. You're more likely to see a character with both parents in a Disney movie than you are in a Korean drama.
3. Saving somone from being hit by a car/bike/bus, etc.
This literally happens all the time -- with most of the time being because the show really wanted to go the extra mile to give the "end couple" that extra PUSH they needed to take off.
4. Love Triangles/Squares
What drama wouldn't be complete without some type of love triangle? And if that's not enough to drive you crazy already, wait for the dramas that take it up a notch and have more than three characters entangled in a love situation. And if, for whatever reason, that's not enough....
5. First Love returns to make EVERYTHING awkward
Unless the first love is also the second male lead, this character typically doesn't do anything. He or she is there solely to remind the "end couple" that they love each other -- because after 16 hour-long episodes, that's what the audience needed, to be reminded that the "end couple" is the "end couple."
6. Piggyback ride because shoes broke/leg injury/character is drunk, etc.
Seems like every guy is able to carry a 130 lb girl on his back like she's nothing more than a slightly heavier backpack. Way to give me unrealistic expectations for the men in my life, South Korea. Thanks for that.
7. Almost drowning
This is one that not only happens in multiple dramas, but multiple times within the same drama. Life lesson from Korean dramas: stay out of the water.
8. Main Male Lead is CEO or Heir of Family Company (Chaebol)
Yes, "thrilling" is the right word for that.
9. Rich, super-attractive, jerky male lead is ONLY interested in poor, supposedly-ugly, sweet females
Oh, that Male Lead Charm...
10. ...whom he occassionally gives a makeover to...
You learn in Kdramas that the rich guy is only interested in the poor girl because he really just wants someone to dress up. He probably wouldn't be as interested in her if his evil mom had just bought him a Barbie growing up.
11. ...But only to distract himself from his REAL problem: his father.
12. Meanwhile, our main girl is just there to eat large amounts of food ALL THE TIME.
Which isn't bad, per se. But can we spend more time on her relationship with her future other half? It's episode 14, and she still has better chemistry with her rice bowl than the main guy.
13. Switching bodies or pretending to be a boy
This look would not be complete without the standard "I'm a girl pretending to be a boy" haircut that every Kdrama gives our female leads.
14. Accidental kiss
Don't know about anyone else, but I don't remember the last time I tripped, fell, and landed squarely on top of the lips of the person the storyline says I'm fated to be with forever. But that might just be me.
Bonus Cliche: Shower Scene
(Yeah. You're welcome.)
There are many Korean dramas out there, each with their own unique story lines, characters, actors, and settings. But when it comes down to it, there are some elements that just have to be present to make them a real drama.
