Kdrama Cliches

Judy here. Cliche's doesn't quite describe what we're going for here but neither Pat nor I could come up with an alternative word...so bear with us!

I spent time with a cousin yesterday and naturally brought up Kdramas. (No, he hasn't watched any... yet.) But he asked 'are they like Mexican telenovelas with standard scenes and dialogue?'

You bet! Kdramas can be filled with these eye catching scenes and I love them. Some common cliches include:

• The Wrist Grab. Typically seen when leading lady is turning to leave and the gorgeous, leading man grabs her wrist to turn her back around. Usually done in slow motion.

• Falling Backwards. Koreans must be terribly unsteady on their feet since almost every show has someone falling backwards with an alarmed look in their eyes.... but conveniently being caught by the lead. The person can be male or female - and most recently I saw grandma falling backwards in King the Land. Usually done in slow motion.

• Blowing Hair. Our leading women will gaze lovingly into the camera with her hair being blown back softly. In Extraordinary Attorney Woo this is a key moment in the story line when she has a 'whale moment' but it is commonly seen in many Kdramas. Again, usually in slow motion.

• Lip or Mouth Close-up. Frequently seen early in the relationship when one of the leads is developing a love interest in the other character and they are eating. My recent favorite was a zoom in of Cha Eun-woo's mouth as he eats a strawberry from A Good Day to be a Dog. I hated the show but the strawberry eating scene was luscious. I suspect that Cha Eon-woo would look fabulous doing anything.... of course the scene was done in slow motion.

Cha Eun-woo & his strawberry eating mouth...

• Sharing an umbrella. I cannot tell you how many times the leading lady forgets her umbrella and low & behold the gorgeous guy shows up to share his. It rains a lot in Korea and these women must have mush for brains... Again, in slow motion.

• Piggyback rides. Do you realize how hard it is to carry something that weighs 100 lbs or more on your back? Apparently Korean men are super strong because you see this all the time. Surprisingly one of the few things not done in slow motion... probably so they don't stagger.

• Shower Scenes. Unfortunately not as common as this grandma would like but still a commonly used trick to keep us watching. As if it's needed...

There are dozens and dozens more; chime in with your favorites!

Pat here. Okay, here are some more:

•Rain and snow. Weather like this always portends something romantic is in the air, and it usually is, thank goodness. Oftentimes in slow motion; especially snow.

•The endless stare into each other’s eyes. This can be male to male, female to female, or best yet, male to female. (In all fairness, I better include female to male as well.). This encounter is always 2-3 feet apart, and no one is contemplating sneaking a hand out and touching. Doesn't need slow motion because it lasts so long.

•Hugging. I’d have to say after watching ‘Guardian, The Great and Lonely God’, that hugging has been brought to a new level of intimacy. These hugs are all encompassing and so fun to watch.

•Drunk on Soju. Enough said. Thankfully not in slow motion.

•Eating meat! No one suggests going out for a meal, but inviting someone to eat meat is one of the higher forms of gratitude.

•Tiny earrings. In fact, delicate jewelry all around.

•Slipping a shoe on a foot. These are mostly in Joseon period Kdramas. In slow motion of

course.

My guy Eugene Choi (aka Lee Byung-hun) slipping on Ae-sin's (aka Kim Tae-ri) shoe in Mr Sunshine. ~ Judy

Really, the list could go on and on. As Judy suggested, chime in!