One of the best lessons that you can learn from K-dramas is how to say “I love you,” without saying the words out loud. This is actually how romance plays out into several episodes.
Let’s learn romance from our oppas and noonas of K-drama.
Gifts, of course, are a favorite love language. But confessing through gifts is not as simple as going to the store and buying the most expensive thing you lay your eyes on. That kind of move is usually reserved for second leads or antagonists.
In K-drama world, gifts are always well thought of or handmade. They can be jewelry with meaning. They can be good-luck charms or knitted scarves. On Valentine’s Day, lovers make chocolates by hand and give it to their loved ones.
It doesn’t even have to be a pretty gift. In “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” Kim Soo-hyun gave his brother a stuffed toy called Mang-tae to chase away bad dreams. Mang-tae’s stitches can be seen coming apart and its stuffing coming out. Yet, Seo Ye-ji and Oh Jung-se’s characters have an epic fight over it.
Mom’s cooking
Everybody loves their mom’s cooking. And if she’s an exceptionally good cook, bringing side dishes over is a sign that you like the person you are giving it to. This is something that Jung Yoo-jin’s character imparts in “Romance Is a Bonus Book.”
Her character brings side dishes to Wi Ha-joon’s home but emphasizes that it only means she wants to apologize for the trouble she caused. Her defensiveness only makes him smile.
One of the reasons Filipinos call actors such as Park Seo-jun, Lee Min-ho and Lee Jong-suk “higop kings” is because of the way they kiss. They open their mouths to really get into it and not just brush their lips against their leading ladies’.
A passionate kiss is rare in K-dramas; that’s why it’s appreciated whenever it’s seen. But “skinship” is not always about kissing. One of the most heart-fluttering moments of “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo” is when Nam Joo-hyuk holds Lee Sung-kyung’s hand and places it inside his coat to share his warmth with her.
Scene-stealing umbrella
It always rains in K-drama. If it’s winter, they will have a memory somewhere where the couple shares an umbrella. “Something in the Rain” even made the now iconic red umbrella an integral part of the storytelling. Umbrellas are a very good story device.
First off, it’s an excuse to stay close to someone you like. Ideally, only one small umbrella is shared so the two characters will be forced to huddle together under the shade.
Second, it also symbolizes how much you are willing to sacrifice for the person you love. When the umbrella is small, a part of the body is exposed under the rain. A thoughtful guy would always prioritize that the girl stay dry from the rain at the expense of him getting wet.
Third, it’s also an excuse to wait for someone at the bus stop. Which is what Seung-jo does in the climax of “Playful Kiss.” When Ha-ni (played by Jung So-min) asks Seung-jo (Kim Hyun-joong) why he is waiting for her, he tells her that he knew she’s someone who would forget to bring an umbrella.
When you are preparing to hit the home run, invite the person you like to have ramyeon with you. Ramyeon is the Korean slang for “Netflix and chill.” K-dramas have been very creative in using this phrase.
In “Tempted,” Woo Do-hwan and Red Velvet’s Joy make ramyeon together over the phone. Which is actually very innocent, but it can also be construed as phone sex.