Jump to content

EVENT: 50 Things You Learn From A Korean Drama (2021 edition)


partyon

EVENT: 50 Things You Learn From A Korean Drama (2021 edition)  

56 members have voted

  1. 1. Which of these tropes are true in 2021? (choose as many as you like)

    • 1) You're allowed to make u-turns wherever you want in Korea. And there is never traffic on the side you want to u-turn to.
    • 2) Soju must cost 1500 wons. Everyone drinks it every day all the time, especially the poor people.
    • 3) If you're rich, you're a jerk. If you're poor, you're an angel.
    • 4) You're not studying hard enough unless you get a nosebleed.
    • 5) Everyone always goes to the same hospital no matter where they are.
    • 6) If you stand out in the rain for more than five minutes, you'll end up with a fever and vertigo and people will rush you to the hospital to get some magic IV. And instead of taking an ambulance or driving they'll race you on their back.
    • 7) Truck of doom: If you're saving someone from being hit by a truck, you'll push them out of the way and wait for the truck to hit you instead. They're like a deer in headlights.
    • 8) If you're getting off a plane, you're ALWAYS wearing sunglasses. ALWAYS.
    • 9) Girls will always storm off because they're mad and the guy will stoically grab them by the arm and swing them back- and by magic, not dislocate their shoulders.
    • 10) You always get stuck in an elevator with someone who makes you feel uncomfortable. Even if there are six different elevators, you'll be stuck in the same one with that guy you hate.
    • 11) You're in-laws will hate you. Or throw water in your face. Or both.
    • 12) There are only 2 ways to kiss. You either press your lips against theirs with your mouth completely shut, and just press away for a very long and uncomfortable time. OR you devour the other person and suck out their soul.
    • 13) A guy will always get the right size ring, even if you're never held hands.
    • 14) Forget steamy bed scenes. You'll get pregnant just by holding hands or getting a back hug.
    • 15) One man can kick the butts of 6 gangstas. Especially when they all stand in a circle and attack the guy one by one. Then when each of them get their butts OWNED, they wise up and attack the guy at the same time. Then the guy will get pulverized and bleed out onto the dusty concrete floor of the empty warehouse they've found to fight in. There will be a fire in a trashcan somewhere. And the girl will have watched this the entire time, screaming in horror. Instead of calling 119, she'll just watch and cry. But it's okay. Cuz the next day the guy will be fine with a few random bandages and a few face scars. But never a black eye.
    • 16) If you study in the states (preferably Harvard), you are one of the top students and can speak perfect English (as assumed by the reactions of those around you). Why the viewers can't understand a single word uttered out of your mouth is beyond me.
    • 17) If you have a husband, he's probably a cheater. The audience will be shown lots of barf scenes of him cheating. You'll need barf bags.
    • 18) The leads knew each other as kids already. They just don't remember. Until the last episode.
    • 19) A drama isn't complete without the ML brooding in the shower
    • 20) In crime dramas, everyone is randomly killed off (preferably by a serial killer with a brain transplant)
  2. 2. Which of these tropes are true in 2021? (choose as many as you like)

    • 21) People always eat at a Subway. Or using a coffee maker, putting on facial cream or offering your colleagues donuts while the camera zooms in on the brand
    • 22) If you're being cheated on, you will throw water in the face of your hubby's mistress. Or you'll slap her. Or you'll grab her by her hair. In any case, the husband will not interfere.
    • 23) If you're not drinking soju, you're drinking iced Americano
    • 24) Ramen is the national dish of Korea. You'll be slurping away on ramen in nearly every episode. And you'll compliment how good it is.
    • 25) You will take out a cigarette but you'll never light it
    • 26) If it's winter, you never look cold even though you're not wearing winter clothes. Even if it's below zero degrees. You're always feeling warm because yeah, you're fashionable.
    • 27) Even if you're poor, you'll have the latest Samsung phone. And the rich guy will have the same model but in a different color.
    • 28) When driving, you don't need to look at the road. You gaze at the passenger while the car just drives itself. And you never need to check the mirrors because you're the best driver in the world. Oh, and no traffic jams ever.
    • 29) Someone in the drama is always a secret chaebol. Usually the ML.
    • 30) The ML is always younger than the FL. Because noonas are in fashion and apparently every man in Korea wants one. And if you're an ahjussi, then you'll prefer a super young woman. An idol actress will be cast in that role
    • 31) The wrist grab…. Nuff said
    • 32) If you're in the elevator, the elevator is the slowest in the world. You can have a 3 minute discussion in the elevator even though the building is only 4 floors in total. This is normal elevator speed in Korea.
    • 33) If you're second ML, you'll never get the girl. The 2nd ML always arrives at the scene late as the ML has already comforted/ rescued the FL.
    • 34) If you're a criminal, you always wear black clothes and a black baseball cap. Because no, you won't look suspicious at all. lol
    • 35) If a guy is a jerk, he is definitely into you. He'll have narcissistic tendencies, but he will just miraculously change for the female lead WITHOUT any kind of therapy. Because you know, the power of love.
    • 36) A taxi immediately appears every time and everywhere as long as you wave your hand and shout "taxi!"
    • 37) If you're working in a restaurant or at the fish/fruit market, you'll be an ahjumma with curly permed hair and floral clothes.
    • 38) If you travel abroad you always want to go to France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany or Spain. If you happen to speak German, French, Italian or Spanish, viewers won't understand a word of it.
    • 39) If you're playing an "ugly" character, taking off your glasses and straightening your hair will turn you into a goddess.
    • 40) If you are having coffee/juice/pizza in a cafe/restaurant, you will never finish them. You won't take a sip or bite of it, and leave the poor thing on table since something urgent always happens.
  3. 3. Which of these tropes are true in 2021? (choose as many as you like)

    • 41) You'll always tell someone that the weather is nice. Even though there's a hurricane. Because yeah, you'll think that the rain and wind are refreshing
    • 42) Slaps are more effective in makjang dramas using food - seaweed, kimchi, a pork chop.
    • 43) If you're a police officer or a detective, you won't have common sense. No, all criminals will be smarter than you. The newbie in your squad will puke at the crime scene. You'll be good at fighting, but the criminal will always get away, because they will be better than you at taekwondo. So, you won't catch him until the last episode.
    • 44) You have bangs regardless if you're a man or a woman. Yup, even if you look better showing off your forehead, you'll still want to have outdated whispy bangs if you're a girl and a bowl cut if you're a boy. And this Korean trend will not fade away - it will still be the trend in 10 years. Heck 50 years. We can only dream of forehead oppas.
    • 45) If you get a head injury even if it's serious enough to cause amnesia, your hairstyle will still look the same because all you need is an IV - never a bandage.
    • 46) If you’re poor, you almost always live in a ramshackled rooftop unit with a splendid view and a private balcony.
    • 47) When people move out, they always leave with one suitcase only. And the suitcase will seem empty
    • 48) Characters with actual serious illness will not go a hospital but will resist efforts to help them till they pass out. Whereas a cold or tiny cut initiates an emergency room visit, bed side angst, porridge and layers of bandages. And IV.
    • 49) Chaebol families' interpersonal relationships are all messed up. Their fashion might be the latest trend, but most of them have personality disorders.
    • 50) When it is raining and the ML/ FL is without an umbrella, miraculously an umbrella appears. Usually the second lead being the bearer of the umbrella.
    • 51) If it is school romance, the FL is excessively sweet and dumb. Too dumb to realize the ML is not into her. But she will conquer him with her sweetness and dumbness. I mean kindness.
    • 52) Someone always has to chase a bus with their crush riding on it. Most of the time the chaser fails to stop the bus.
    • 53) You will always sleep with the lights on. You will always drive with the car's interior light on. Lights are only turned off when you're going into a warehouse or abandoned hospital trying to catch the bad guy. Conveniently the CCTV won't be working at the warehouse/hospital either.
    • 54) The FL and ML must go their separate ways before getting a happy ending. They will not have moved on during the separation of 2 years. They reconcile within 2 minutes of seeing each other again.
    • 55) You will always look flawless even if water is thrown in your face, you are standing drenched in the rain or you wake up with a bad hangover.
    • 56) Any mid level in a position of power (even if its a secretary job, or similar level) will be over the top jerky/condescending to anyone who looks poor,new or doing a blue collar job. Especially if it's an undercover job by the person who is wearing the blue collar uniform.
    • 57) Koreans are the world's best drinkers. They will drink to the point of passing out and never suffer a hangover. On those rare occasions where a Korean "claims" they have a hangover, their best friend or ahjumma simply fixes them some seaweed soup and they're fine the rest of the day ... they weren't hungover ... just hungry.
    • 58) When the FL is drunk, the ML appears miraculously by her side and ensures her safety by carrying him on his back. And it is convenient that these FL are never too heavy. What kind of sorcery is this?
    • 59) Parking is always convenient! Right in front of the hospital, restaurant, etc... and they don’t ever get fined.
    • 60) If you wanna know if someone is gossiping about you - go spend some time in toilet !

This poll is closed to new votes

  • Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.
  • Poll closed on 05/30/2021 at 10:00 AM

Recommended Posts

Meanwhile,

tip when you reach kdramaland.


If you wanna know if someone is  gossiping about you - go spend some time in toilet !

:smort:

You get to hear people gossiping about you when you are in toilet  !

 

“Toilet” - the place where you could see the “true colours” of your colleagues 

 

:joy:

 

  • Like 3
  • LOL 11
  • Awesome 1
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Chaebols are shite clueless parents with no emotional empathy who emotionally and mentally damage their children 

 

... or if they are good, loving, ETC  they die in a car accident and leave their young children filthy rich but emotionally and mentally damaged.

 

Or they spoil and scheme and indulge and excuse their children till they become entitled delusional monsters.  

 

Chaebols who are sane and loving  parents and have non toxic abusive family dynamics are the true unicorn in Korean dramas. 

  • Like 1
  • LOL 5
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh this is an interesting topic. Sharing my two cents here. 

 

1. The poor FL always works in a coffee shop or at a convenience store. :tears:

2. The ML, sometimes FL has the most uncommon of health issues. Thanks to K-drama, I know of many rare conditions, especially the difficulty in recognizing faces/ facial blindness. :rolleyes:

3. The ML/ FL is either an alien, robot, gumiho, angel, goblin, doom itself etc. :crazy: Sci-fi at its best.:D

4. FL is an accomplished high-kicker who leaves her opponents/ enemies/ bullies gasping for breath after just one high kick aimed at them. #secretninja. :ph34r:

5. When it is raining and the ML/ FL is always without an umbrella, miraculously an umbrella appears, the other lead/ second leads being the bearer of the umbrella. :phew:

6. Ml and FL must separate and break up before finding their happily ever after. :angry::tears:

7. Back hugs are a rage. :wub: Better than a kiss.:lol:

8. If it's a love triangle with a SFL, the SFL is always evil. :crazy:

9. If it is a love triangle with a SML, he always arrives at the scene late and ML has already comforted/ rescued the FL. :D

10. If it is School romance, then FL is excessively sweet and dumb. Too dumb to realize the ML is not into her. But she will conquer him with her sweetness and dumbness. I mean kindness. :unsure:

  • Like 3
  • LOL 12
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I really do think the Sweet, innocent and loving=Dumb, helpless and weak heroine 

 

Vs Gorgeous ,Smart, sophisticated and rich =Scheming, manipulative, selfish and EVIL!! Rival!! 
 

Is thankfully not so prevalent in Modern Prime time Dramas anymore. Women can be sweet, sexy, and innocent and experienced and  smart in some things, and dumb about others at the same time. They  can even rescue the hero instead of being rescued :)

 


 

  • Like 4
  • Wiggle 1
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, rocat said:

If you’re poor, you almost always live in a ramshackled rooftop unit with a splendid view and a private balcony. 

I agree! Master's Sun, Black, Shopping King Louis, Black, Fight for My Way etc. So many nice rooftops~

 

 

3 hours ago, partyon said:

@nrllee @maribella Talking about being drenched in the rain....

 

I don't watch sageuks normally. But if there's one thing I have learnt from sageuks, it's that IF there gonna show off the ML's abs, it will be down by the river or the lake.

 

Back in 2006 I believe sageuks had no abs at all...

 

Ooooh. If that's the case, is it possible that it's 2010's Chuno that started ab-fests in sageuks? :fun:

 

2 hours ago, lovehuche said:

I haven't watched Kdramas in the last 5 years.  I got tired of 2 guys fighting for one girl or 2 girls fighting for ML.  I like Chinese dramas more because their are second leads couple.  

I recently just got back to kdramas after years of not watching and it has changed a lot. Love triangles aren't as common, quite a bunch have two couples as focus or even lots of minor characters with their own pairings. Descendants of the Sun, Touch Your Heart, Goblin, Dr. Romantic, Waikiki, Suits, The Producers, When the Camellia Blooms, Life and many more.

 

 

Teehee. Okay let me add some more that I noticed:

  • In mysteries, revenge and/or thrillers, the leads are a bunch of steps behind the main villain until the last two episodes.
  • When visiting deceased loved ones, the remains at the columbarium are always at eye level of the main character. Never awkwardly placed in the upper or lower slots.
  • Someone always has to chase another (who's usually oblivious to it) while riding a bus. Most of the time the chaser doesn't succeed.
  • Someone shy/cold/quiet will get paired with someone bubbly/warm/chatty. 
  • For sageuks, someone always has to die by murder. I can't remember a proper sageuk where no one got poisoned or stabbed or executed.

 

 

 

  • Like 4
  • Awesome 2
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Koreans use the bed as a dining table. It miraculously never leaves crumbs, attract ants and what have you ... 

 

Even if you live in a mansion & have more rooms than you need, you will bring the visitor to your bedroom - for a discussion. Even if there's no-one else at home! When both of you exit the room you will either find someone standing by the door eavesdropping on your conversation. Or you look guilty as hell and make the person wonder what you and visitor were up to behind closed doors. 

  • Like 3
  • LOL 5
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Question: Why do K drama characters not only sleep with the lights on but most of the time just lay down to sleep in their clothes with not even brushing their teeth? Why does no one own pajamas?

  • Like 3
  • LOL 5
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There would never be cctv / voice recorder when the villain spilled the tea. Even when the hero/heroin had planned the encounter.

 

Villains are hard to kill yet an angelic mother could die just because he head hit the cupboard/wall

 

Guys like to kneel down and tie the shoelace of the girl that he likes.

 

Notice how they always drive at night with their cabin lamp turned on?

Edited by Rumaizah Muhammed
Adding comment
  • Like 7
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, RobinM said:

Question: Why do K drama characters not only sleep with the lights on but most of the time just lay down to sleep in their clothes with not even brushing their teeth? Why does no one own pajamas?

That is a very good question. I've been wondering the same why they always sleep with the lights on - would drive me nuts...:D

 

Maybe there are monsters under the bed in Korea....?

tenor.gif?itemid=11012103

 

3 hours ago, confusedheart326 said:

10. If it is School romance, then FL is excessively sweet and dumb. Too dumb to realize the ML is not into her. But she will conquer him with her sweetness and dumbness. I mean kindness.

 

@confusedheart326 So true. :D Too many of these types of FLs.


We EOs talked about organizing event called "Too dumb to live" focusing on these types of characters :loolz:

  • Like 1
  • LOL 6
  • Awesome 1
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. Taxi immediately appear everytime and everywhere as long as you wave your hand and shout "taxi!".

2. All supernatural being start with all black clothing. Normally a black long coat with slick hair.

3. Couple forms immediately after their first kiss.

4. Everyone seems to be able to ride motorcycle in every action drama and navigate like a pro even though they are nerd.

5. There must be at least a drunk scene where the lead do stupid thing that will embarrassed them later

6. If there is time jump, OTP will never move on and miraculously found each other and together again as if there is no time jump.

  • Like 5
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for such a fun list :hooray2:and the extras added by all the Chingus!

 

My two cents

 

1. As long as you are the lead you can be a swordsman, marksman or archer - or all of the above

 

attack on titan spin GIF

 

 

2. Makeup that stays on whether you wash your face, have water thrown on you or get caught in the rain

So Good Beauty GIF by Urban Decay

 

3. Its actually okay to get caught in the rain - someone will appear with an umbrella - as long as it is destiny

 

4. Bus stops are surprisingly romantic

  • Like 2
  • LOL 6
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@morganian guns are illegal, and gang members are complying with the law. :coolshades: They are said to be difficult to find, although lately I've seen them more often. Maybe there are also regulations regarding their use on TV (just like they are not allowed to show them smoking) or production companies have an understanding with the government.

 

@Rumaizah MuhammedI assume the light (be it in the cabin or in the room) is left on for the camera. It bothered me a few times, bu then I thought about technical limitations and I've easily accepted it. Although I have to admit to the fact that the same did not happen with the pyjamas, as @RobinMmentioned. I cannot get used with them sleeping in their daily clothes even though I am aware of the fact that not wearing pyjamas saves them time.

 

I am grateful that they are no longer able to take the phone battery out when they don't want to answer the phone, but Romantic comedies still have over the top FLs. For the first few episodes I always feel like dropping the dramas because of the female leads (some actresses are more prone than others to be cast as these characters - Hwang Jung Eum, Choi Kang Hee, Jang Na Ra, Oh Yeon Seo).

 

Leads still don't get to confess their "sins" themselves. There is always someone/ something revealing what they are hiding (this hasn't changed from the 2000s, although there are fewer MLs who tie shoelaces for the FL).

 

I feel like, while in the 2000s they were leaving for the good of the other, now they are often leaving for their own good (personal development). 

  • Like 4
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, Hannahmiriam said:

I am grateful that they are no longer able to take the phone battery out when they don't want to answer the phone, but Romantic comedies still have over the top FLs. For the first few episodes I always feel like dropping the dramas because of the female leads (some actresses are more prone than others to be cast as these characters - Hwang Jung Eum, Choi Kang Hee, Jang Na Ra, Oh Yeon Seo).

 

Honestly this is why I was on kdrama sabbatical for a couple of years. I don't like the whining or overly exaggerated things. 8 times out of 10 I actually do end up dropping the drama due to female lead being overly quirky, because mostly it's a sign of a weak character/storyline. Hwang Jung Eum dramas I end up dropping every time (Kill Me, Heal Me, The Undateables, She Was Pretty). I am, trying, though. 

 

  

On 5/24/2021 at 3:51 PM, partyon said:

3) Soju must cost 10 cents. Everyone drinks it everyday all the time, especially the poor people.

 

 

This can be modified hahaha. Soju I think used to cost like 1000 won (~ 1 dollar), now maybe 1.500 - 2000 Won. 

 

- I think someone mentioned already that people just freeze when the truck of doom happens, instead of attempting to run away. 

- Female lead having weird hairstyle / clothing style to signify that she is DIFFERENT from all other females. But her friends all look great. 

- Leads eating a LOT but never gaining weight. (Weightlifting Fairy being the worst one). 

- no traffic jams ever. Have you been to Seoul? At times it's impossible to drive there. But everyone reaches Point B smoothly. 

 

 

  • Like 3
  • Awesome 1
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Recently been watching alot of kdrama clips. 

 

Any mid level in a position of power (even if its a secretary job, or similar level) will be over the top jerky/condescending to anyone who looks poor,new or doing a blue collar job. Especially if it's an undercover job by the person who is wearing the blue collar uniform.

Once shown, they will beg and completely claim they know their wrong and wont do it again.

 

 

 

  • Like 3
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Two things i've noticed quite a bit (not always, but more than i'd like or more than makes sense):

 

1. If a character has a mental illness or physical illness, go to America and come back fully cured with no side effects.

 

2. Once a couple gets together, the FL becomes a shell of herself and loses her independence and confidence and becomes a yes girl to the ML.

  • Like 6
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 5/24/2021 at 6:51 AM, partyon said:

2) If you're sick, all you need is an IV to make you feel lots better.

 

- Its amazing how often this fixes head injuries as well.

 

 

On 5/24/2021 at 6:51 AM, partyon said:

3) Soju must cost 10 cents. Everyone drinks it everyday all the time, especially the poor people.

 

- Koreans are the worlds best drinkers. They will drink to the point of passing out and never suffer a hangover. On those rare occasions where a Korean "claims" they have a hangover, their best friend or ahjumma simply fixes them some seaweed soup and they're fine the rest of the day ... they weren't hungover ... just hungry.

 

 

On 5/24/2021 at 6:51 AM, partyon said:

7) You go to America you come back miraculously successful. You go to England you come back amazingly fashionable. You stay in Korea the only thing that changes is your hairstyle.

 

- If the drama is based in the fashion industry, at least 1 character will be a fashion disaster - usually a Director or above.

 

 

On 5/24/2021 at 6:51 AM, partyon said:

17) You'll get pregnant if you hold hands.

 

- I was recently told this only happens in Thai Lakorns ...

 

On 5/24/2021 at 6:51 AM, partyon said:

31) If it's winter, you never look cold even though you're not wearing a coat, gloves or a beanie. You don't need those even if it's below zero. You're always feeling warm because yeah, you're fashionable.

 

- On the rare occasions where where a female lead will complain about being cold, she will have on gloves, a scarf, a down jacket, and a mini-skirt .... I'm not complaining mind you ... just saying :rolleyes:

 

On 5/24/2021 at 6:51 AM, partyon said:

32) When driving, you don't need to look at the road. You speak to the person in the passenger seat and give him/her long gazes while the car just drives itself miraculously. And you never need to check the side mirrors or the back mirror because you're the best driver in the world

 

- Korean drivers are also the best marksmen - they can drive with 1 hand while shooting out the window, weaving through traffic and never miss

 

On 5/24/2021 at 6:51 AM, partyon said:

36) The male lead is always younger than the female lead. Because noonas are in fashion and apparently every man in Korea wants one.

 

.... I fail to the issue here :lol:

 

On 5/24/2021 at 6:51 AM, partyon said:

46) If you're second male lead, you'll never get the girl.

 

- If you're the second male/female lead and you ever get as happy or in love as the Main Leads, 1 or both are about to die, or they will break up in episode 15

 

 

 

Great Poll Guys!

  • Like 5
  • Awesome 1
  • Where's My Oppa? 1
  • Blob 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue..