Korean dramas are wildly addicting. And while dramas overall have been revamping their typical story lines, there are still certain cliches that never really go away. From a business standpoint this makes sense, if one type of plot line is immensely popular, why not try to replicate its success? At the same time, this same predictable plot line may lead to a dramas doom in both ratings and reviews. A few cable networks, such as tvN, have tried to stray away from the cliches and create their own original story lines, like the massively popular ‘Reply 1997‘ and ‘Reply 1994‘ series. The majority of networks, however, are still chock full of these cliches. Here are 15 Korean drama cliches that never go away!

1. Romeo And Juliet: Love At First Sight!



The gaze is deep. The feels are deeper.

2. Friends Turn To Enemies



Two friends who were once BFFs eventually turn against each other, usually because of a boy. No worries, usually by the end they make up and become best friends again.

3. The Jealous Girlfriend



A talk between two friends is quickly turned into something more by suspicious Korean drama girlfriends. See the ring? No talking.

4. Or The Weird Psychotic Ex-Girlfriend



Exes in Korean dramas can be really scary at times, almost to the point of mentally disturbing.

5. Falling Asleep in Car/Plane/Bus: Oops! Fell On Your Shoulder

You know you have seen this one. Someone falls asleep and bobs their head until they land squarely on the shoulder.

6. The Evil Mother In-law!

There is always that over protective mother, who thinks their child is the golden child of the world and should only marry someone of equal perceived standing. They are probably some of the most interesting characters as they really instigate drama.

7. The Bad Boy Who Becomes A Good Boy



Male protagonists have a knack for always starting off bad in one way or another, usually snobby rich boy syndrome, but is eventually changed by the lower class maiden that hates him.

8. “You Follow. Now!”



Going back to their caveman roots, it always seems to happen. The girl does not want to go, but is dragged by the wrist to follow. Eventually, the girl usually falls in love with the perpetrator from this act of dominance.

9. I Seem To Have Lost All Hope, Cue Rain



It would not be as dramatic without a character standing in the rain after a dramatic moment. With, you know, the umbrella just sitting there. Unused.

10. Awkward Almost Revealing Moments



Getting out of the bathroom? Check. Climbing over the wall exactly at the right moment? Check. Awkward moment? Check

11. The Back Hug



A popularized scene in any Korean drama. The moment when the female protagonist is about to leave, but the male protagonist stops her with that heartfelt back hug.

12. Overdramatized and Static Kiss



Kiss scenes last forever in a Korean drama and they will go to a great extent to dramatize it as much as possible. By either prolonging the kiss scene or some neat camera tricks.

13. The Bus Was All Shaky!



“Oh no! The bus is shaky! I’ll just lean on you for support!” Whether on the subway or the bus this happens quite often, just another coincidental moment of skin-ship (physical contact).

14. Overdramatic Crying



Let’s face it. Sometimes the crying is just a little too much. Like this guy.

15. Need the Sick Person



No Korean drama cliche list would be complete without someone who ends up in the hospital. Either from cancer, a car accident, or passing out from stress. You name it, Korean dramas have done it. Although the blind thing seems to be going away.

There you have it. 15 Korean drama cliches that never go away. What do you think? Have any other cliches that are all too common? Let us know!

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