Love Triangles I Didn't Hate

For some unfathomable reason, several accomplished men fell in love with Sakura Nanase, an inept, bumbling, accident-prone newbie nurse: two accomplished doctors, a wealthy patient, and a psycho stalker. None were problematic for her, though, as she had eyes only for Dr. Tendo Kairi. His best friend was the other doctor who fell for Nanase, but he was decent in giving up after his confession when it was made apparent to him that Nanase's heart firmly belonged to Kairi. The wealthy patient wasn't so decent, but Nanase fled rather than acquiesce to his demands, and Kairi retrieved her and brought her back home.

Dr. Tendo was also part of a romantic square: his dead love, her sister, and Nanase. Again, none were particularly problematic once Kairi released his feelings for his dead love. He told the sister he was with Nanase and urged her to move on. Although the sister continued in her pursuit, it was fruitless, as Kairi stood firm. Sister was also decent in telling Nanase of her feelings but not pulling any underhanded tricks. 

Wang Young Ran had been in love with Nam Soo Hyun for seven years. When her roommate Gong Mi Joo became enamored with Soo Hyun, Young Ran watched sympathetically from the sidelines. When Soo Hyun gave neither girl encouragement, Young Ran comforted Mi Joo as much as she could. Mi Joo left school to run away from her heartbreak, and Young Ran missed her. 

Indestructible Guem Jan Di had two young men in love with her: fiery Gu Jun Pyo and stoic Yoon Ji Hoo. When Jun Pyo caused Jan Di's tears, Ji Hoo was nearby to hand her a handkerchief. Ji Hoo respected his friend and tried hard not to cross any lines. Ji Hoo actively worked to bring Jun Pyo and Jan Di together.

When Jun Pyo's mother made his relationship with Jan Di impossible, he considered the pain he was causing her and entertained the thought that Ji Hoo would be a better choice. He even gave his blessing to Ji Hoo if he were to die — that Ji Hoo was the only person he could see with Jan Di if he was out of the picture. 

Girls showed interest in the ML, but he set boundaries and showed he wasn't available. His cute female classmate who was enamored with him was decent in her pursuit and stopped when it was evident he wasn't interested. 

FL had a best friend from childhood who loved her, but she saw him only as her senior, a sort of big brother. Although he wanted more, he never crossed any lines, and, when it became apparent she had chosen the ML, he reluctantly accepted their relationship with as much grace as he could muster.

By the time Ji Ho figured out he was in love with his long-time friend, Park Seong A, she'd already fallen in love with Bae Gyeon U. His confession came too late, and he was left to navigate around her romantic relationship and try to maintain their friendship. Later, the spirit possessing Bae Gyeon U also became enamored with Seong A. This entanglements weren't problematic for the FL, as they all desired her safety and happiness, willing to sacrifice their own for her.

When Eun Hwan Ki's first love, Seo Yun Jung, returned from America, she was straightforward with Hwan Ki and his current girlfriend, Chae Ro Woon, that she still had feelings for him. She flirted and plotted, but she did it openly and honorably. When she realized Hwan Ki's heart was with Ro Woon, she was friends to them both, helping them in her own way. Then, she removed herself from the picture by returning to America. 

Of all the characters, I liked her best: she was open and honest, smart, and funny.  

Kang Hyuk (2nd ML) was attracted to FL, but he stepped back when he realized her feelings for ML. He sulked a bit, but he never did anything underhanded. Ultimately, he cared enough for FL that he wanted her happiness over his own.

Both the ML and FL were involved in love triangles. The ML's predicament lasted longer than it should have, but that was the fault of the ML and not the girl pursuing him; he never shut her down or gave her a definitive answer until he was forced to admit he had feelings for the FL. The FL's love triangle involved a close friend. When he realized she loved someone else, he was crushed, but he wanted her happiness. 

Of all the love triangles I've viewed in K-dramas, the best is between Sung Deok Sun, the perky little sister, and her brother's friends, Choi Taek, a stoic Baduk prodigy, and Kim Jun Hwan, a wealthy athlete. The childhood friends have such a bond that it was unthinkable to harm one another with a romance. Honorably, even foolishly, Jun Hwan suppressed his blossoming love for Deok Sun out of fear of hurting Choi Taek.

Many K-drama writers use the love triangle to ratchet pain and angst. Reply 1988 did it best and decently.  The emotional punch felt authentic and was far more effective than lesser writers who manufacture over-the-top characters and circumstances.

Jiang Yi Ming had loved Wei Zhi since his 10th birthday party. He knew her parents liked him, and he was confident that Wei Zhi would be his wife. When it became apparent that Wei Zhi loved Shan Chong, Yi Meng questioned him about his feelings to see how serious he was. Upon realizing that Shan Chong was a decent person who had Wei Zhi's best interests in mind, Yi Meng embraced him as a brother and promised to view Wei Zhi as a sister from that moment on. Truly a sweet character. 

The 2nd ML was openly fond and supportive of FL, but he never crossed the line. He didn't like the ML (for understandable reasons), but he accepted the relationship once he was aware of the ML's true feelings. 

Kim Bok Joo fell head over heels in puppy love for a weight loss doctor, Jung Jae Yi. This complicated her life, because the sure way to see him was as his patient, and losing weight could ruin her Olympic chances as a weightlifter. He was charmed by her bright personality, but in a friendly, non-romantic way. Through it all Jae Yi's little brother, Jung Joon Hyung had been her teasing tormentor. When Bok Joo experienced heartbreak, Joon Hyung comforted her and became her friend.

When the FL confessed her feelings to the ML, he shut her down by saying that, although he liked her, too, he also liked his friend (2ML) who had a long-time crush on her. Both men were so considerate of one another, it took quite a while for the romance to start.