10 Romantic Drama Tropes We Can Never Get Tired Of Watching

A drama trope is a common angle, situation, or aspect that is often used in shows to give a twist to the story. It can be a character trait or an incident that you will see in every other drama.

We, drama lovers, have our share of drama tropes that we love watching in our shows and can never tire of it. Here are some of my personal favorite tropes that I enjoy watching most in my dramas. Feel free to share your personal favorites in the comment section below.

 

1. Lovers reuniting 

My most favorite drama trope is two lovers reuniting after a gap. Often in dramas, lovers meet each other, fall in love and just before they can have a happy conclusion, circumstances or certain people separate the two love birds. But destiny always has other plans and plays a pivotal part in getting the two lovers to meet again.

I especially love the moment when we see two separated lovers come face-to-face for the first time after a gap. The characters need to have a real deep connection for a viewer to feel elated on seeing them reunite.

Shows: Autumns Concerto, More Than Friends, The Third Charm

 

2. Contract marriage/Fake relationship

“Fake it till you make it” is yet another drama trope that I cannot get enough of. Contract marriage or a fake relationship is one where a couple who are not in love with each other decide to become a couple publicly either by getting hitched or by officially declaring their relationship. Their relationship is meant to last only for a short period of time. Once the time period is over, the couple is then free to separate and go their respective ways.

Drama couples who get into a contract relationship never go their respective ways because they fall in love with each other before the contract ends. And this process of two unlikely people falling in love is something I can watch all the time.

Shows: Only Just Married, Full House, Because This Is My First Life

 

3. Forced cohabitation

Under forced cohabitation, our main leads may or may not like each other but they have to live under one roof for some reason. Living with each other means they have to face one another on a daily basis. This way they unwittingly get acquainted with each other’s habits and preferences. And slowly they start to grow on each other.

When you force two attractive people to share a roof they are obviously going to fall in love. The bickering and fights of such a couple is often fun to watch. The gradual development of love and care is what makes this trope so special.

Shows: It’s Okay That’s Love, Why I Dress Up For Love, Good Morning Call

 

4. Noona romance

Noona is the Korean term a man uses for a woman who is older than him. Older woman-younger man romance dramas is more common in Japanese doramas than it is in K-dramas.

Initially, I was not too interested in this trope but after watching a couple of such romance dramas I have warmed up to this concept. I now enjoy noona romance especially ones where the woman is a strong and independent woman looking for only love and nothing else.

Shows: Tokyo Tarareba Girls, I’m Taking The Day Off, Last Cinderella

 

5. Save/Help the pretty damsel

I like my female lead to be gutsy and brave. But sometimes situation is such that she needs a handsome hot hunk to intervene and protect her. By help I do not mean only times when the villain is about the strike the lady and the male lead saves her from being hit or she is about to stumble and he keeps her from falling. Help could mean that and also other ways in which the male lead makes her life better.

For instance, in the Taiwanese drama ‘At The Dolphin Bay’ the female lead is a talented singer but comes from a poor background and does not know how to get into professional singing. The male lead is the CEO of a music company so he ensures that her voice reaches the right person who can groom her and help her become a successful singer.

Shows: Laughter In Waikiki, Suspicious Partner, City Hunter

 

6. Cheerful girl falling for the boy genius

When I say “cheerful” in drama world it could also mean clumsy. These are mostly romantic comedies where the girl is a happy-go-lucky person and is loved by everyone around her. However, she is not too intelligent and falls for a boy who is way too intelligent for her.

I admit! I am a sucker for this trope. I have seen dramas dealing with such a couple and have enjoyed it each time. This trope can never get old for me.

Shows: Kiss Series, An Incurable Case of Love

 

7. Out to seek revenge but falls in love

In this trope, our main lead sets out to seek revenge from the one who ruined their life. But instead falls madly in love with them and forgets all about the revenge. How sexy is that? This is totally my kinda drama where either the male or female lead starts with hurting the other person but then slowly falls for them. The shift in emotions and behavior always makes my heart flutter.

I like revenge dramas because you get to see a lot of character development and some genuine connection between the leads.

Shows: Cursed In Love, Behind Your Smile, Marry Me or Not

 

8. Bad boy falls for good girl and becomes a good boy

Who is a better male lead than the one who started as a bad boy but then transformed into a good guy because he fell in love? Ah!! I love it when guys mend their ways and become better because of a positive influence in their life. It shows how the company and love of a good woman can help improve the life of a man.

And same is for the woman who is timid and shy but transforms into a gutsy and smart woman after she meets the right guy. She draws strength from her man and I find such a couple admirable.

Shows: Mars, Love Shuffle

 

9. Fake identity

Now one of our main characters wants to get close to the other main character without revealing their true identity. How do they do it? Well, by faking their identity. Sometimes, our leads need to adopt a fake name and personality to either get closer or push away the other person.

The other lead then falls in love with the fake personality despite their repulsive nature. It shows that if two people are meant for each other they will fall in love no matter the situation.

Shows: Healer, A Business Proposal, She Was Pretty

 

10. Older couple romance

Older couple romance dramas are numbered but are always enjoyable to watch. Two people who chased their careers in their younger days fall in love once they are settled in life and mature enough to have a meaningful relationship.

Matured couple romance does not lack excitement and innocence in any way. Just because the couple is older does not mean they won’t follow tropes. Even older couple romances are full of drama tropes and funny instances. They too can be awkward and inexperienced just like a teen couple.

Shows: Touch Your Heart, Crash Landing On You, Don’t Dare To Dream

 

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