Beyond the Screen: Discovering the Formula of K-Drama Success

In the middle of 2017, I was already aware of Korean dramas and how addictive they could be, even in my 20s. However, back then, the K-drama and K-pop fever hadn’t quite reached the common man, schools, or teenagers. Fast forward to 2024, and it’s a different story. Now, you can find K-drama and K-pop related products and merchandise everywhere. Even kids in 6th or 7th grade are fans of BTS. The Korean entertainment industry has firmly established its roots worldwide. For instance, BTS’s visit to the White House showcases their global influence, which also boosts the economy through Korean brands in makeup, skincare, other cute products, clothing, accessories, toys, tourism, and food. Before this surge, in India, we only knew major brands like Sony and Samsung, and very few were aware of their Korean origins.

In the last quarter of 2017, I started watching dramas after seeing repeated promos and comments on YouTube. “The Heirs” was my first drama; I completed 20 episodes with just a 2-3hour sleep break in the early morning. That marked the beginning of my journey. Since then, I always look forward to the weekends, where I can indulge in watching dramas, just eating, sleeping, and repeating.

As a media student, I developed a keen eye for observing elements like sound effects, cinematography, and how art and properties connect with content. During those days, while working on research projects related to Hindi serials, I often heard discussions about the monotony and repetitive structures or formulas of these serials. After watching around 15-20 K-dramas, I began to notice a similar pattern emerging there as well. It became apparent that K-dramas also follow a certain formula or employ successful tricks that attract audiences. This realization sparked my interest in identifying what exactly makes these formulas so effective and how they are implemented across different dramas.

Lead Character’s

In analyzing the plots and characters of K-dramas, a recurring theme often emerges, highlighting a dynamic that resonates with audiences worldwide. Typically, the narrative revolves around a rich boy and an ordinary girl. The male lead usually excels in sports and enjoys popularity in his school or workplace, setting him apart as an elite figure. In contrast, the female protagonist often lacks these extraordinary traits; she is portrayed as simpler or even clumsy, not fitting the elite mold.

These dramas effectively explore the tensions and romantic developments that arise from the clash of different social backgrounds and personalities, resonating with audiences who enjoy watching the growth and transformation of these characters through their relationships.

1. Boys Over Flowers – Perhaps the most iconic example, featuring Gu Jun-Pyo, the wealthy and headstrong leader of F4, and Geum Jan-Di, a girl from a modest family.
2. The Heirs – Centers on Kim Tan, a wealthy heir, and Cha Eun-Sang, who comes from a poorer background but is strong and determined.
3. Secret Garden – Features Kim Joo-won, an arrogant CEO who falls for Gil Ra-im, a stuntwoman with a tough exterior.
4. Cinderella and the Four Knights – Follows the story of Eun Ha-Won, a hardworking and optimistic girl, and her relationships with the wealthy Kang cousins.
5. My Love from the Star – Includes the character Do Min-Joon, an alien with a superior attitude, and Cheon Song-Yi, a famous actress with a kind heart but simple in her personal life.
6. Cheese in the Trap – Centers around the life of Hong Seol, a hard-working student, and her relationship with the wealthy and seemingly perfect Yoo Jung.
7. What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim – Features Lee Young-Joon, a narcissistic vice president of a company who falls for his capable and strong-willed secretary, Kim Mi-So.
8. Rich Man, Poor Woman – Tells the story of Lee Yoo-Chan, a tech company CEO who is arrogant but brilliant, and Kim Bo-Ra, a job seeker from a humble background who shows great resilience.
9. I am Not a Robot – Involves a wealthy man who is allergic to humans and a woman pretending to be a robot. Despite his initial arrogance, he changes due to her warmth and strength.
10. High Society – Features Jang Yoon-Ha, a chaebol daughter who hides her identity to find someone who loves her for who she is, and Choi Joon-Gi, who is drawn to her strength and sincerity despite the differences in their social status.

Love Triangle

In this setting, there is almost invariably another female character who is deemed more ‘suitable’ for the boy by colleagues or fellow students due to her matching social status or desirable traits. However, the boy’s attention is captivated by the less conventional, more relatable female lead. This sets the stage for a love triangle, adding tension and intrigue to the narrative. This formula taps into the fantasy of the ‘ordinary’ being recognized and cherished by the ‘extraordinary,’ a theme that has widespread appeal, perhaps because it speaks to universal desires and aspirations.

1. Boys Over Flowers – Geum Jan-Di, a girl from a modest background, attracts the interest of Gu Jun-Pyo, the wealthy leader of the elite group F4. The love triangle intensifies with the involvement of Yoon Ji-Hu, Jun-Pyo’s best friend, and Ha Jae-Kyung, who is considered a more suitable match for Jun-Pyo by their social circle.
2. The Heirs – Cha Eun-Sang, the daughter of a housekeeper, catches the eye of Kim Tan, a wealthy heir. The triangle forms with Rachel Yoo, Tan’s fiancée, who is deemed more suitable due to her status.
3. Cinderella and the Four Knights – Eun Ha-Won, a high school student living with a cruel step-family, becomes entangled with three wealthy cousins, creating multiple potential love triangles as the ‘suitable’ Park Hye-Ji complicates matters.
4. Love Alarm – Kim Jo-Jo, a beautiful but ordinary girl, becomes the object of affection for two best friends, Hwang Sun-oh and Lee Hye-young, using an app that alerts users if someone within the vicinity harbors romantic feelings for them.
5. True Beauty – Im Ju-kyung, after transforming her appearance with makeup, attracts the interest of the popular Lee Su-ho. The triangle includes Han Seo-jun, who initially dislikes her but grows to appreciate her genuine personality, contrasting with the expectations of those who only see her superficial beauty.
6. My ID is Gangnam Beauty – Kang Mi-rae, who underwent plastic surgery to escape bullying, navigates university life while caught between the affectionate interest of the straightforward Do Kyung-seok and the societal expectations placed upon her by others who judge her by her looks.
7. She Was Pretty – Kim Hye-jin, once beautiful but now struggling with her appearance, reconnects with her handsome and successful childhood friend, Ji Sung-joon. He initially doesn’t recognize her, leading to a love triangle where her friend, Min Ha-ri, temporarily pretends to be her, fitting the ‘suitable’ role.

In many K-dramas, the love triangle is a central trope that intensifies the plot and deepens viewer engagement. Alongside the main duo of the rich, often arrogant boy and the ordinary girl, there typically emerges a second male character. This character is drawn to the female lead’s simplicity, honesty, straightforwardness, and strong moral values. Contrasting sharply with the lead male, this second suitor usually embodies gentleness, romance, and a caring nature, often making him appear as a more suitable partner in the eyes of the audience.

1. Reply 1988 – A nostalgic series where multiple characters are involved in poignant love triangles, reflecting their growing-up years.
2. Love Alarm – Revolves around a high school girl and two boys who like her, complicated by a technology that reveals who has romantic feelings for whom.
3. Heirs – Involves a love triangle between the wealthy Kim Tan, the humble Cha Eun-Sang, and Kim Tan’s initial best friend turned rival, Choi Young-Do.
4. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo – Features a love triangle involving a female weightlifter, her childhood friend, and a handsome swimmer.
5. School 2015: Who Are You – Twin sisters are unknowingly caught in a love triangle with their fellow students, navigating complex school and personal dynamics.

Despite the second male lead’s appealing traits, the female protagonist usually falls for the first male lead, who, despite his initial rudeness or emotional aloofness, captures her heart. As the drama progresses, this seemingly less suitable male lead begins to perform grand, often cheesy, romantic gestures that endear him further to the female lead and to the audience. These transformations and the emotional rollercoasters they induce are key elements that keep the audience invested, rooting for the relationships to evolve and deepen, despite the apparent mismatch or initial conflicts. This dynamic effectively maintains tension and interest throughout the series, illustrating the complexity of relationships and the unpredictable nature of love.

Contrast Family Structure

In K-dramas, a striking contrast in family environments often plays a crucial role in character development and plot progression. Typically, one of the lead characters comes from a nurturing, warm family setting, where scenes often depict familial bonds strengthened over meals, lighthearted arguments, and caring interactions, with parents actively involved in their children’s lives. The other lead character, in contrast, usually hails from a more troubled or cold family background—perhaps they’ve experienced trauma, parental loss, or strained relationships within their household.

In many K-dramas, the female lead typically comes from an ordinary background but enjoys a warm, nurturing family environment, while the male lead, often from a wealthy and elite background, lacks this warmth in his familial relationships. This stark contrast not only highlights the differences between the characters’ backgrounds but also serves as a narrative device that enriches the emotional depth of the story.

1. Itaewon Class – Contrasts the protagonist’s humble beginnings and strong family values with his rivals’ wealthy but unethical family dynamics.
2. Encounter – A divorcee from a wealthy family finds unexpected warmth and companionship with a young man from a simpler background.
3. Sky Castle – Dramatically showcases the differences between wealthy families obsessed with their children’s success and those who value happiness over competition.
4. My Father is Strange – A family-centric drama where varying degrees of warmth and complexity are shown within and across families.
5. Start-Up – Follows two sisters with contrasting views and experiences of their family’s past, influencing their ambitions and relationships.

Development of multiple love stories

In K-dramas, it’s common to see multiple love stories developing simultaneously. Often, alongside the main romantic plot, secondary relationships blossom between friends or acquaintances of the main characters. For example, the best friends of the lead characters might find themselves drawn to each other, or another couple may come together indirectly through the interactions and situations created by the main leads.

1. Hospital Playlist – Alongside the main characters, several other love stories among the hospital staff unfold, enriching the overall narrative.
2. Reply 1994 – Along with the central love story, secondary characters also experience their own romantic developments.
3. Romance is a Bonus Book – Centers on a primary love story but includes various romantic developments among the colleagues in a publishing company.
4. A Gentleman’s Dignity – Focuses on a group of middle-aged men, each experiencing different stages and challenges in love.
5. Love in the Moonlight – A historical drama where multiple characters around the Crown Prince find love and companionship, impacting the main romantic storyline.

In K-dramas, while basic character dynamics and plot structures may often seem repetitive, there’s a deeper layer of variation that keeps the genre fresh and compelling for viewers. In a forthcoming article, we’ll delve into more nuanced similarities, such as the roles of the protagonists’ parents, childhood connections, and how circumstances often contrive to have the couple share a living space. We’ll explore typical dilemmas like one partner desiring to keep the relationship under wraps while the other is eager to declare their love to the world. Common misunderstandings and their resolutions, along with a formulaic yet captivating sequence of romantic interactions and dialogues, like teasing banter and pivotal kiss scenes, will also be discussed.

These elements might make many dramas seem similar at first glance; however, it’s precisely in these similarities that the uniqueness of each drama emerges. Despite employing a familiar formula, K-dramas excel in weaving distinct narratives and introducing unique concepts that resonate deeply with audiences. This ability to reinvent and reinvigorate standardized themes not only differentiates each drama but also captivates viewers, making them lose track of time as they immerse themselves in the unfolding stories. This is the true beauty of K-dramas: their capacity to use a common framework to tell diverse, engaging stories that stand out in the crowded landscape of global entertainment.