5 way overused KDrama cliches we STILL love!

From drunk piggyback rides to Chaebol - we’ve seen them in almost every episode and will gladly do so again.

By Afreen Khan

Updated on Mar 14, 2021 | 10:06 PM IST | 2.9M

5 way overused KDrama cliches we STILL love!

South Korea knows what the audience likes and there isn’t much denying in that. We’ve all fallen in love and done stupid things, but we made sure to never repeat them. But apparently, in the KDrama universe, every single couple in Korea does the same thing when they’re drunk, go through the same family problems, have the same set of friends and in some extraordinary way, have more than one guy or girl liking them.

For the ones who are just entering the KDrama Universe, let me tell you - it is a refreshing, unique world, no doubt. But, it’s also a world filled with cliches. Loveable cliches, if I shall add. We loved them before, we got tired of them before, but we’re all for them again. They’re the ones who made our KDrama experiences so much better. Ready to take a trip down memory lane? Let’s start our list!

1. Drunk piggyback rides

Is it even a KDrama if the lead female doesn’t get drunk and the lead actor offers a piggyback ride? Never. No matter if it’s a saeguk or a modern drama - this cliche goes beyond time and space. Whether it’s a sprained ankle, or an aching heart after bottles of soju, or just a faster way to walk when your patience is wearing thin - piggyback rides will come to your rescue!

My Cliche Recommendation: True Beauty, Hwarang, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo.

2. Partial or totally orphaned lead

Can we please stop (and not) with the extremely painful past of an orphaned lead? Maybe something more refreshing would be a self-made, successful orphan (that we do not quite come across much). Or maybe just a happy childhood for once? Mostly, being an orphan or getting orphaned is a great inspirational/revenge trope that is used in KDramas so we get the need to make the characters that way.

My Cliche Recommendation: Itaewon Class, It’s Okay To Not Be Okay, Who Are You - School 2015

3. First Love Comeback

Why would someone introduce something but never, ever, give it a chance to blossom till fruition? Well, that’s just our (the audience’s) relation with the writers of a show. They introduced the second lead syndrome, got us all happy, then said - Hold on. We gotta bring the first love back. So, there’s a time leap, our lead female is happy with the second lead, and BAM! In comes the first love. Shattering the audiences’ heart the way BTS shatters records. Not cool. We were almost over them too!

My Cliche Recommendation: Start Up, True Beauty

4. From archenemies to lovers

Hate is the opposite of love - but in KDramas, it MEANS it’s love. If you’re ever trying to figure out who might be a couple in any drama (which are mostly very apparent, but let’s say it’s a multicast drama), look for the couple who fights the most. They’re the ones. This cliche isn’t only for the youngsters, it stays true for the older generation too. Even though overused, we still do like the characters getting all worked up and irritating each other!

My Cliche Recommendation: The Uncanny Counter, Kill Me Heal Me, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

5. Rich Guy, Poor Girl

For some reason, people love chaebol dramas. (I secretly do, too). One of the biggest mysteries in KDrama would be how do people know the chaebol-card is never going to grow old? From sweeping their love interest off their feet with cars, flowers, expensive dresses to leaving the elegance of the rich people and doing middle-class things for them that they never would’ve otherwise - they know how to make their way into our hearts! Also, the best part - it’s not always the guys who are rich. We’ve got some strong girl power too!

My Cliche Recommendation: What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, The Heirs, Crash Landing On You

Other than these, there are also many other almost swoon-worthy cliches such as Back hugs, Slow-motion / Eyes wide open kiss, Cooking together, Getting hit by a bus/car or any other vehicle, Accidental kisses, Wrist-grabbing and my favourite, Daddy issues. No drama and no story is absolutely perfect, but KDramas make you think they are. That’s their charm. These cliches are overused, agreed. But again, that’s their charm.