Healthy Relationships in KDramas
Since my previous article was on how popular media glamorises abusive relationships, for this post I thought I will list some Kdramas that depict healthy, and somewhat (because let’s face it, Kdrama people exist in Kdramaland and not in real world!!) realistic relationships. And although I am not particularly a fan of listicles, but given that I am listing Kdramas, I will try my best to explain why each drama mentioned below is worth watching to take notes on the green flags for a healthy romantic relationship! So in no particular order, here it goes:
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo- This drama is a personal favourite of mine and in my Top 5 list to watch Kdramas as well. I often go back to it when I am feeling low or watch certain episodes that make me giggle to no end. The romantic OTP (One True Pair) start off as friends and supporting each other’s athletic goals. The female lead is training to be a wrestler and the male lead to be a swimmer. The drama is quite refreshing in the sense that it is the girl who is more ‘manly’ and ‘aggressive’. Whereas the guy is empathetic and following the girl around for most of the drama. As viewers we all get to see the female lead deal with the insecurity of her looks and how she acutely realises that she does not conform to societal beauty standards. Importantly though, her friend and later her boyfriend not only understands it, but also comes through in alleviating her self-esteem and cherishing her for her strengths. Some of their romantic scenes are so cute and believable for friends turned into lovers, you almost wish you get to live their love story as well. The romantic lead ended up dating each other in real as well, but broke up later on :( Either ways, adding this to your watch list is a MUST.
Run On- I stumbled onto this show while randomly browsing what to watch next. I don’t know what exactly it was that pulled me in, because many people have found the drama slow, but I think the guy not acting entitled was what probably kept me hooked! I have already mentioned this show in a previous post about interesting professions, the guy is a sports agent and the girl is a subtitle translator. As the relationship between the two progresses, we see both trying to understand each other’s career and ambitions. The two also realise that despite the initial mutual attraction, much work needs to be done in order to fully understand each other, which is why there are several scenes with the two just conversing and communicating. I personally felt that their relationship was quite close to real life healthy relationships that develop over time. And once both are completely in love with each other, uff, my heart went awww.
Do You Like Brahms- The relationship between the two romantic leads also develops overtime similar to Run On. But in this drama it is the girl who first starts liking the guy, and importantly is honest about it and tells the guy as well. I usually detest depictions of unnecessary mindgames in dating and beating around the bush when there is attraction in popular media. Such behaviour only leads to toxic behaviour patterns. So yes, I always do a little yes with a punch in the air when the romantic leads clearly spell out their attraction for each other. Another aspect I liked in the show is that even though the guy does not fall for the girl immediately, neither does he refuse, but requests the girl to wait for him to come to her if she is willing to wait. Again, there is no overt force or domination of personalities happening between the two. Just stating of true feelings at the moment, and I found it wonderful and sincere.
When the Camellia Blooms- After watching this Kdrama I honestly feel like Kang Na-Heul is not given enough dramas!! what a brilliant actor. Excellent acting aside from the cast, the show is also a noona romance (older woman, younger guy) and add to that, the girl happens to be a single mother as well. Now imagine the love story between a man and a single mother in a small town, you can imagine the tongues talking far and wide about their relationship. It is heartening to see Na-Heul’s character give space and distance to the woman he loves so that she is able to overcome her past and accepts not only herself for the strong woman she is, but also his love. Poignantly, we see through the episodes how Na-Heul tries to simultaneously also win over her son because he knows that is important. He is aware that her son is and will always be an important part of her life and he accepts it. On the girl’s side, observing Na-Heul’s persistent, yet respectful overtures, she finally allows her heart to open up to him. I do highly recommend this heartwarming drama as well.
Hometown Cha Cha Cha- From 2021 releases I had to include this! Kim Seon-Ho and Shin Min-a are so cute together, the interaction between them had me smiling ear to ear!! They weren’t a dimple couple for no reason. In this drama we see a role reversal, it is the girl who is more professionally successful and earns more than the guy. And the good news is, the guy is anything but insecure about his girlfriend buying expensive gifts for herself or him. Further, once the two get together, they do not hesitate in cheesy gestures and showing their love for each other whenever they get the opportunity. Not to forget, it was Min-a who confessed first about her feelings and popped the marriage question. I also want to add that in the drama her best friend also took the lead in pursuing the guy she liked. I completely ship two strong independent girlfriends taking the first step and owing up to their actions. (P.S. Pity Kim Seon-Ho’s personal love life had to make the headlines in 2021 :( )
One Spring Night and Nevertheless- Now you might wonder why I am mentioning these two Kdramas, when infact both come waving bright red flags. But I do want to make a note of these two for particular reasons. In One Spring Night, both the leads are flawed and they are not immediately likeable characters. Often as a viewer you find yourself getting frustrated at their behaviour. But what stands out is as the relationship progresses, you see both of them communicate more and becoming better, behaving better for each other. A relationship that could have become unhealthy develops into a sincere love owing to the two characters’ desire to make things work with each other.
Coming to Nevertheless, a Kdrama which most people disliked or hated, but I loved it. I liked this drama because I felt it came closest to mirroring modern dating where people constantly swipe on each other. No, I am not saying the lead couple are in a healthy relationship, infact the relationship is quite toxic. And since it takes two to tango, both the girl and the guy’s problematic behaviours surface around each other, which is why no matter what, their relationship is always going to be unhealthy. Adding to this, they are young graduates, still figuring out life and I feel like at that stage most of us do not have the maturity to fully understand the scale of efforts required in a romantic relationship. I would go on to say that such relationships at a certain stage are often required to ascertain what is wrong and what is right. If Nevertheless were to happen in real, the two will in future break up, but not before having become wiser. Both the leads are kinds of people whom we might have come across either in dating, or amongst friends or a version of ourselves as well. So although the show is not to everyone’s palette, I would still urge people to watch it. It does have beautiful cinematography and music score!
Honorary mention- I want to write about one other show before I sign off, it is not a Kdrama, but a Chinese one. But I love the show so much and constantly telling people about it, that I had to mention it! The show is called You Are My Glory and a rarity in Cdramaland because the drama has no vile second lead and no scheming. In summary, the story is of an actress who has long been in love with a guy from her high school and the two meet a decade later after their graduation and that is when the attraction becomes mutual. There’s a role reversal here too and it is the girl who earns more and is a public face, whereas the guy is an aeronautical engineer employed at a government post. Despite the girl’s decade’s old love, she is aware of her self-respect and doesn’t go running into the guy’s arm at the drop of a hat. Once the lead couple are finally together, what follows are aww inducing scenes as they both manage a long distance relationship while ensuring they move ahead in their careers. And neither try to dominate or manipulate each other, so no mind games, just a depiction of a couple trying to go on with their lives while keeping each other a priority. The proposal scene is my favourite, watch the show on Youtube to know why :D Or if nothing else, watch it for Yang Yang’s beauty.
Some other shows that you might want to include in your list are Her Private Life, Reply 1997, My ID is Gangnam Beauty, Oh My Venus, Just Between Lovers, Melo is My Nature and Strong Girl Bong-Soon, Start-Up.