Isn't that what makes Asian dramas so unique and different from Western ones? In Western dramas, there tends to…
I think there might be a misunderstanding. While I acknowledged that change is happening in dramas, I wasn’t fully agreeing with everything you said. It’s completely healthy for us to have different opinions, and I respect that. I agreed with your observation about MLs becoming more green flags in recent dramas, but I still believe that the anticipation of a kiss and the focus on one fated connection between the leads is what makes Asian dramas so unique and appealing to many viewers.
You mentioned shared kisses making the romance feel more realistic, and I understand your point. But for viewers like myself, the charm of these dramas lies in the fantasy of a pure, unbreakable bond between the leads. It’s not about excusing MLs for having kisses with others—it’s more about preserving that emotional intensity of one special connection. That’s why I asked if you had any recent examples of MLs kissing exes, because I haven’t seen any lately. Problematic MLs were more common before the mid-2010s, but now MLs and FLs are generally portrayed as more respectful.
I would like to reiterate that I have noticed more dramas recently where the FL is surrounded by multiple SMLs and maintains close relationships with them, while the ML is often the one stuck feeling jealous. When the FL sees the ML with another girl, she gets upset, and the ML usually distances himself immediately to reassure her. But when the FL is close to SMLs, she rarely explains her behavior. Additionally, it’s now common to see FLs who have had multiple past relationships, while MLs are often portrayed as waiting for her, which flips the older tropes.
While I appreciate that you’re happy with the shift towards more realism, I still think dramas have the right to show what they want. Whether they focus on physical connections or not, they’re telling stories that balance fantasy and reality. For many viewers, the idealized romance is what draws us in. It’s great that dramas are evolving, but for me, the balance between realism and fantasy is key to keeping the charm of these stories alive.
And as for In Between, I get that for you, the FL's earlier kisses didn’t make the final love kiss any less special, but I think that’s exactly where we differ. For some of us, that anticipation and 'one love' journey is what makes the final kiss feel all the more magical.
Now, since you’re off to sleep, maybe in your dreams you’ll find a recent ML who kissed an ex because I haven’t seen one lately! 😉 Enjoy In Between, and get some rest!
Isn't that what makes Asian dramas so unique and different from Western ones? In Western dramas, there tends to…
I understand your frustration with how some MLs are portrayed, but I don’t agree that the majority of MLs in recent dramas are red flags. If anything, most dramas post-2016 have shifted towards portraying MLs with healthier, more respectful behavior. The problematic MLs of earlier dramas are largely a thing of the past. Can you give me examples of recent dramas where you saw MLs kissing their exes? I honestly can’t recall many from recent times. Forced or accidental kisses might have happened more in older dramas, but they are far less common now.
Interestingly, I’ve noticed the reverse happening in many modern dramas. FLs are often surrounded by multiple SMLs, with the MLs being the ones who have to endure jealousy while the FLs don’t explain their behavior. If the ML is seen with another girl, the FL usually gets upset, and the ML instantly distances himself from any other female interactions. It's often the ML who has to coax the FL.
Also, it's becoming more common to see FLs who have had multiple relationships, while the ML is portrayed as a 'virgin' guy waiting for her, which breaks the traditional trope of preserving the FL's 'innocence' for the ML. So, the dynamic you’re describing is shifting, and it's not as one-sided as it used to be.
Isn't that what makes Asian dramas so unique and different from Western ones? In Western dramas, there tends to…
I understand what you're saying about wanting more realism, especially in the context of long-term relationships and marriages in dramas. However, I think it's important to remember that dramas, especially Asian ones, often aim to create a sense of fantasy and idealism. They aren’t necessarily meant to reflect reality down to every detail. Just because we don’t see a married couple or long-term partners kissing on screen doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened off-screen—it’s simply a choice by the writers and producers to focus on other aspects of the story.
The restraint in physical affection is part of what makes Asian dramas unique. It allows the audience to focus more on the emotional connection between characters, which is a big reason many people are drawn to these dramas. It keeps the romance idealized, which is appealing for viewers who enjoy the build-up and tension. I don’t think it’s about keeping the FL’s 'lips virginal' for the ML, but rather about creating an emotional journey that keeps us invested.
I don't think kissing an ex makes someone a bad person, but in dramas, the kiss between the leads is often treated as a special, significant moment. Breaking that anticipation can disrupt the sense of 'true love' or fate that many fans cherish in these stories. Dramas have the choice to show us what they want to emphasize—sometimes it's not about what's realistic, but about what fits the tone and the story they’re trying to tell. While realism is important, sometimes it's okay to let the fantasy aspect drive the narrative, especially in romantic storytelling.
One thing I will say that I’m glad Asian dramas are little by little opening up to idea that yes the FL lead…
Isn't that what makes Asian dramas so unique and different from Western ones? In Western dramas, there tends to be a heavy focus on sex and kiss scenes, with the leads often having physical relationships with multiple characters. What we love about Asian dramas is the slow buildup of romantic tension, where even a single kiss is highly anticipated. We wait so long for that moment between the leads that, when it finally happens, it fills us with excitement and makes us giggle with happiness.
I think a majority of Asian drama viewers appreciate this aspect because it preserves the fantasy of true love and the concept of fate. When one of the leads kisses someone else, it feels like it breaks that illusion of an unshakeable connection between the main couple. For many of us, the appeal of these dramas is the idea that the leads are meant to be together, and anything that disrupts that feels quite off.
Nah, it's not meant to create angst, I can guarantee that. The only thing it does is make viewers angry about the villains not getting proper retribution or punishment.
I just want to ask one thing, guys: why is it that everything from Shi Yan beating Director Gan to the villains getting punished is not shown to us, but uncomfortable scenes like Director Gan harassing Tang Yang multiple times are shown repeatedly? Is this because of censorship in C-dramas? I've noticed this happens in many C-dramas.
The novel is like 180 plus chapters and it is really a slowburn story. Not all relationships starts like fast…
Which novel did you read, bro? Because the one I read must have had some secret bonus chapters, considering it had only 85 chapters and they got together by chapter 31—pretty early, if you ask me. Not exactly the "slow burn" masterpiece you're making it out to be compared to this drama.
I don't need to explain about his mom and dad, but Bok Gyu Hyun wasn't any better. He never apologized for how he treated Hae Young and Ji Uk. He demoted Son Hae Young on his mom's orders but didn't reinstate her, even though she did significant efforts for the company. Her credit was even given to Woo Jae. He's also quite insensitive towards his secretary, refusing to transfer him to his preferred department despite multiple requests. Should I say more? I can list more of his wrongdoings as well.
they ended up with so?? much?? screen time during the last half and, as fantastic as their chemistry was, a lot…
I didn't like 2ML from the start. They gave SML a sob story like how his father didn't care for him enough and his mother doesn't let him make his own decisions but still that doesn't excuse his behaviour. Even this sob story didn't make me like him enough. Ja Yeon deserved so much better.
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You mentioned shared kisses making the romance feel more realistic, and I understand your point. But for viewers like myself, the charm of these dramas lies in the fantasy of a pure, unbreakable bond between the leads. It’s not about excusing MLs for having kisses with others—it’s more about preserving that emotional intensity of one special connection. That’s why I asked if you had any recent examples of MLs kissing exes, because I haven’t seen any lately. Problematic MLs were more common before the mid-2010s, but now MLs and FLs are generally portrayed as more respectful.
I would like to reiterate that I have noticed more dramas recently where the FL is surrounded by multiple SMLs and maintains close relationships with them, while the ML is often the one stuck feeling jealous. When the FL sees the ML with another girl, she gets upset, and the ML usually distances himself immediately to reassure her. But when the FL is close to SMLs, she rarely explains her behavior. Additionally, it’s now common to see FLs who have had multiple past relationships, while MLs are often portrayed as waiting for her, which flips the older tropes.
While I appreciate that you’re happy with the shift towards more realism, I still think dramas have the right to show what they want. Whether they focus on physical connections or not, they’re telling stories that balance fantasy and reality. For many viewers, the idealized romance is what draws us in. It’s great that dramas are evolving, but for me, the balance between realism and fantasy is key to keeping the charm of these stories alive.
And as for In Between, I get that for you, the FL's earlier kisses didn’t make the final love kiss any less special, but I think that’s exactly where we differ. For some of us, that anticipation and 'one love' journey is what makes the final kiss feel all the more magical.
Now, since you’re off to sleep, maybe in your dreams you’ll find a recent ML who kissed an ex because I haven’t seen one lately! 😉 Enjoy In Between, and get some rest!
Interestingly, I’ve noticed the reverse happening in many modern dramas. FLs are often surrounded by multiple SMLs, with the MLs being the ones who have to endure jealousy while the FLs don’t explain their behavior. If the ML is seen with another girl, the FL usually gets upset, and the ML instantly distances himself from any other female interactions. It's often the ML who has to coax the FL.
Also, it's becoming more common to see FLs who have had multiple relationships, while the ML is portrayed as a 'virgin' guy waiting for her, which breaks the traditional trope of preserving the FL's 'innocence' for the ML. So, the dynamic you’re describing is shifting, and it's not as one-sided as it used to be.
The restraint in physical affection is part of what makes Asian dramas unique. It allows the audience to focus more on the emotional connection between characters, which is a big reason many people are drawn to these dramas. It keeps the romance idealized, which is appealing for viewers who enjoy the build-up and tension. I don’t think it’s about keeping the FL’s 'lips virginal' for the ML, but rather about creating an emotional journey that keeps us invested.
I don't think kissing an ex makes someone a bad person, but in dramas, the kiss between the leads is often treated as a special, significant moment. Breaking that anticipation can disrupt the sense of 'true love' or fate that many fans cherish in these stories. Dramas have the choice to show us what they want to emphasize—sometimes it's not about what's realistic, but about what fits the tone and the story they’re trying to tell. While realism is important, sometimes it's okay to let the fantasy aspect drive the narrative, especially in romantic storytelling.
I think a majority of Asian drama viewers appreciate this aspect because it preserves the fantasy of true love and the concept of fate. When one of the leads kisses someone else, it feels like it breaks that illusion of an unshakeable connection between the main couple. For many of us, the appeal of these dramas is the idea that the leads are meant to be together, and anything that disrupts that feels quite off.