You can only pick one: Ultimate love triangle
by DB Staff
You can only pick one, and boy the pressure is on. The DB team will answer a new prompt in each post, and you’re invited to do the same in the comments. Ready to play?
You can only pick one ultimate K-drama love triangle
missvictrix: After much consideration, my choice for “ultimate” love triangle is the one that ripped my heart out, trampled on it, and then spit on my grave. That’s right, folks, I’m talking about Answer Me 1988. And no amount of smiley Park Bo-gum as Taek can mitigate the pain inflicted by this love triangle with Deok-sun and Jung-hwan — I think it must be because it wasn’t a throwaway love triangle. Often the second male lead is sweet and sympathetic, but you know he has no chance, and the OTP is everything, so it’s only a small requisite pang when he’s rejected. But here, there was nothing throwaway. We followed Jung-hwan’s secret crush for so long, and felt his hope, his hesitations, and eventually, his heartbreak. I don’t know if there will ever be a love triangle that hits me in the gut quite like this one. And that might actually be a good thing.
mistyisles: As a general rule, I have very little patience for love triangles. Too often, they seem to result in one person scheming to separate the other two and/or two people fighting over the third without taking that person’s actual feelings or choices into account. But if my K-dramas have to have love triangles, I guess I’d prefer them to be in a similar vein to the one in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. Not only was the jealously spread across all three triangle legs (since the guys were becoming friends and wanted to spend time together, too), but the farewell conversation between Hye-jin and her first love was such an unforgettably beautiful, honest moment that it negated any complaints I had against this particular love triangle. That doesn’t make it immune to the problems I have with love triangles in general, but it does give it a definitive edge over a lot of the other ones out there.
DaebakGrits: I’ve written about the love triangle from While You Were Sleeping before, but when tasked with picking my “ultimate” love triangle, I have to choose this one because it’s extremely rare for me to root for the second male lead in a love triangle. But what can I say? Woo-tak is totally my type: geeky, sweet, quietly attentive, and a dog lover. Even if we ignore the fact that he’s my ultimate oppa, he’s also one of the few second male leads who does not get pouty, vengefully jealous, or wallow in self-pity even though his crush on leading lady Hong-joo goes unrequited. Instead, he actually gets to a point where he can joke with his competition Jae-chan about his one-sided love. It’s like even he can see that she and Jae-chan are the OTP and understands that he needs to gracefully bow out. Does it make me extra sad for him? You betcha, but it’s also enjoyable to witness a love triangle that teams up to work together through tough — and fantastical — times, and then remain friends after the OTP goes off to live happily ever after.
solstices: So, I’m generally not a fan of love triangles, which means I tend to avoid them. Still, there’s one that remains memorable even a decade later — Answer Me 1997. Instead of diminishing the female lead’s agency by reducing her into a prize to be won, as many love triangles end up devolving into, Answer Me 1997 put our headstrong heroine Shi-won front and center. Presenting her with another viable suitor, one that was stable and respectable and everything the hero was not, made her reevaluate her choices. What did she truly want? What would make her happy? It also served as a wake-up call for our leading man, Yoon-jae, spurring him into finally stepping out of his hyung’s shadow. So while I didn’t like the love triangle per se, I liked what it did for our main couple in terms of character growth. Plus, this was the start of the infamous Guess-the-Husband trope — whether that’s a good legacy or not is debatable, but there’s no denying that it left its mark on dramaland. Answer Me 1994 might have caused the biggest disappointment (Chilbongie!) and Answer Me 1988 might have sparked the most shipper wars, but Answer Me 1997 was the trailblazer, and it’s still my favorite of the three.
Unit: Usually with most love triangles in dramas, the “male lead” has the advantage over the other guy. But one of the things that set the triangle in Answer Me 1988 apart is that both guys had equal chances and opportunities to win Deok-sun’s heart. Heck, Deok-sun actually liked Jung-hwan at some point — real feelings, not the sympathy kind — and they might have even ended up together if not for (in his own words), his “many hesitations.” I hardly ever get second lead syndrome, and while I was Team Taek all the way, my heart still broke for Jung-hwan. Unfortunately, aside from being a Park Bo-gum fan, those darn hesitations of Jung-hwan were why I couldn’t root for him. I mean, I got the flutters when he finally confessed to Deok-sun! But no, he had to play it off as a joke and cause many hearts around the globe to shatter. Taek, on the other hand, did not hold back. Zero hesitation. Even when he tried to take a step back in consideration of Jung-hwan’s feelings, he still showed up when it mattered most — and that is how you cross the finish line first in the race for a girl’s heart.
Dramaddictally: I thought long and hard about the word “ultimate” thrown in here and decided to go with A Piece of Your Mind. I mean, it doesn’t get much more ultimate than competing against a person who’s no longer alive. I’ll admit this isn’t one of my favorite dramas (Jung Hae-in notwithstanding), but it does manage to capture the way our feelings linger — allowing even long-gone love to create a third party in our present-day relationships. The drama does that great sci-fi thing of using a technological version of this idea (the AI consciousness) to focus on a very human story. It shows us just how much our heartbreak can keep us locked into a love triangle (even if sometimes we’re not totally “conscious” of it).
alathe: So, hear me out: I’m not big on love triangles. Generally, my response is steadfast loyalty to the OTP, combined with the visceral urge to push the other guy off a cliff. So, I submit this to you, beanies: surely the ultimate love triangle is when the two romantic rivals share the same body? Semi-peacefully, whilst merrily pursuing the object of their affections together? Turns out, the key to making me like love triangles is by scooping out a hefty amount of the jealousy, and just making it all about three people being complicated together! Now, granted, Oh My Ghostess holds a special place in my heart due to the fact that it was my first K-drama ever. Still, the beautiful thing about this show is how clearly our star chef, Sun-woo, is in love with our heroine and her ghostly BFF: he adores Soon-ae for her knock-em-dead charisma, but he also truly starts to see Bong-sun, helping her blossom into a confident culinary adept. It’s a tough line to walk, but the writers managed to make our hero’s gradual transition from being stunned by Soon-ae to truly falling for Bong-sun feel authentic. Plus, you get Jo Jung-seok being iconic, Park Bo-young frolicking delightedly in two roles at once, and — as a bonus — Kang Ki-young in the ensemble, being hilarious as ever. What’s not to love?
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Tags: A Piece of Your Mind, Answer Me 1988, Answer Me 1997, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Oh My Ghostess, While You Were Sleeping, You can only pick one
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1 Kafiyah Bello
January 25, 2023 at 11:10 AM
I think A Piece of Mind is the only one that works for me. The Reply series didn't have love triangles, lol, it was obvious to me who the FL was going to pick every time. Then again I have never had SLS, so love triangles have never been something I believed in, no matter what the writer is obviously trying to do. A Piece of Mind comes the closest though because he loved her so much he made her the voice of his AI. That being said I loved that drama, still one of the best intimate dramas ever. Showing love through hugs is always a winner in my book.
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Lalla32
January 25, 2023 at 11:50 AM
Still one of my fave dramas ever <3
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 25, 2023 at 12:18 PM
I don't think APOYM was a love triangle at all. Unless it's a triangle between the female lead, the male lead and his grief over his loss of family. He was never romantically interested in her in some kind of conventional way. She was his only family left and the only link between his life now and his dead mother.
I was surprised to find it in this list tbh.
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Kurama
January 25, 2023 at 12:33 PM
Me too.
For me, a love triangle is 2 people in love with the same one.
It wasn't the case in APOYM. The FL loves the ML who still has feelings for the SFL who loves her husband.
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StacyA
January 26, 2023 at 6:24 AM
That's a love zigzag, not a triangle LOL
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2 Blue (@mayhemf)
January 25, 2023 at 11:11 AM
Reply ‘88! I don’t think it will ever stop hurting. It hurt like hell and it still does. I will never be able to rewatch this drama.
And I have never had Second lead syndrome ever since.
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Blue (@mayhemf)
January 25, 2023 at 11:14 AM
Comment was deleted
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Blue (@mayhemf)
January 25, 2023 at 11:16 AM
oh no! I spoke too soon.. I forgot about 'You who forgot poetry/A poem a day'! The one that started the beanie island.. lol.
I was on the wrong ship there too ; )
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 25, 2023 at 12:19 PM
We had fun though, didn't we?
... says the person in their own tugboat at the back of the Island of Neutrality...
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Eazal
January 25, 2023 at 1:36 PM
I wasn’t on BD back then, but I was always on the right ship, but I will always go with the ship where LJH is, so…
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neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
January 26, 2023 at 2:10 AM
I learned my lesson from Reply ‘88 and rode the right ship for APAD
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Blue (@mayhemf)
January 26, 2023 at 4:23 AM
Lol. I thought I was on the right ship until a point 😅
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Jance
January 27, 2023 at 11:10 AM
I’m on your sinking ships…
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3 Kurama
January 25, 2023 at 11:14 AM
I’ll admit this isn’t one of my favorite dramas (Jung Hae-in notwithstanding) At the stake! 😂
My favourite love triangle is in Judge vs Judge. The SML is friend with both leads. He doesn't hide his feelings for the FL but doesn't do anything about it. He's just a friend for her. Each character cares and respects each other and their feelings.
But in a general, I don't like love triangle when it's clear from the start that the lead is not interested and it's only the SML/SFL who is delusional...
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Dramaddictally
January 25, 2023 at 11:56 AM
LOL. No! Don't kill me! 😂
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Kurama
January 25, 2023 at 8:43 PM
😁
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Wise
January 25, 2023 at 8:05 PM
The writer in Judge vs Judge definitely had evil intentions to Dong Ha. One sided crush, wrongfully suspected as criminal, rapist dad, killer mom, best friend who is dating with woman he loved.
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Kurama
January 26, 2023 at 1:40 AM
Dong Ha was so good in this role!
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4 Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
January 25, 2023 at 11:37 AM
Gun, Mi-young, and Daniel (Jang Hyuk, Jang Na-ra, and Choi Jin-hyuk) in Fated to Love You (2014). Choi Jin-hyuk doesn't quite beat out Jung Hae-in in WYWS as the most appealing and heartbreaking SML I've seen, but the triangle is more convincing (and my SLS is stronger) because his relationship with the FL is based on mutual attraction, support, and shared interests and history rather than 'fated love' and tropey coincidences. The drama should have stopped with his proposal at the end of ep. 14 - and she should have said 'yes.'
But then it would have had to be called 'Forced to Endure So Much Nonsense from You but Fated to Love Someone Else.'
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Firewife5
January 25, 2023 at 12:10 PM
"But then it would have had to be called 'Forced to Endure So Much Nonsense from You but Fated to Love Someone Else.'
Yes! If you write this drama I'll watch it ;)
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️ Underpants buddies for life. 😎
January 25, 2023 at 3:43 PM
I so agree with this line 👉 The drama should have stopped with his proposal at the end of ep. 14 - and she should have said 'yes.' The male lead’s constant laughing and general presentation meant I was never convinced he was a good enough option for her. I only stuck to the end as it was so highly rated but I did not enjoy the drama.
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5 Unaspirated
January 25, 2023 at 11:44 AM
I think love triangles are a bit ridiculous. This isn't really a criticism, because plenty of kdrama tropes are ridiculous and it doesn't mean they are bad or that I don't enjoy them. But because they are, I really enjoy it when they are as ridiculous as possible.
That's why I have to go with Alchemy of Souls. I think at one point in part 1, we were up to eight different members of our complex love polygon (this is breaking the triangle rule a little and I apologize). Three different people in love with our FL at once (two of whom knew her true identity!), three in love with our ML, and miscellaneous people in love with everyone who is in love with the leads. It involved all Four Seasons and all Eligible Bachelors of Daeho. It was complicated and ridiculous and hilarious and fascinating and we may never see its like again.
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Firewife5
January 25, 2023 at 12:16 PM
So many love lines crossing here, there, and everywhere! And everyone ending up exactly where they needed to be with the exception of Crown Prince and his turtle. My only disappointment, lol.
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jerrykuvira
January 25, 2023 at 3:03 PM
Alchemy of Souls is the second example that came to mind, a close second to Start Up.
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6 lillamy
January 25, 2023 at 11:54 AM
I really enjoyed the love triangle in F4 Thailand. Ren was so emotionally sound and respectful in his love for Gorya, I wouldn't have minded at all if she'd actually chosen him over Thyme.
And how can I not mention one of my favourite shows, Bloody Romance. That Wan Mei and Chang An held this pining love for each other was nothing one could possibly miss, but I'll never believe for a second she wasn't tempted by Gong Zi, who albeit manipulative and villainous was a better fit for her, even though her rank in his heart always would be second to power.
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Kurama
January 25, 2023 at 12:09 PM
I need a version where she chooses Ren! I really prefered their scenes. But I really loved the ML, it was the best version of all the dramas.
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Firewife5
January 25, 2023 at 12:20 PM
That's exactly how I felt watching Boys Over Flowers, my very first Kdrama, way back in the day. I think at one point the FL even refers to the SL as her"soulmate". I never understood why she chose the ML, their relationship was just exhausting. But honestly, by the end of the show I couldn't stand the Fl so I was kinda like, eh, whatever.
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ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
January 25, 2023 at 3:26 PM
I adored Ren and Gorya in F4 Thailand! Even though this version of Thyme is easily my favourite adaptation of this character (this applies to every character, really), there was a small part of me that was heartbroken for my favourite artist boy.
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StacyA
January 26, 2023 at 6:43 AM
Hana Yori Dango was my first thought when I saw the article. It was the third Jdrama I watched and the only time I ever really had serious SLS.
I do want to give an honorable mention to an older TW drama though - The Prince Who Turns Into a Frog. I shipped the main leads of this ridiculously trope-filled drama, but there was one scene when the SML breaks down after being rejected and it hit me like a punch in the gut and I cried too.
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7 Lalla32
January 25, 2023 at 11:56 AM
Start Up comes to my mind. It was the first time I loved both main and second lead.
Not a fan of love triangles especially because there are never real love triangles in kdrama world. The second lead never has a single chance. They don't even get a chance to kiss or be kissed once, because that would made the main love story impure. And they don't even get the chance to get mad or curse. They simply accept everything with a smile... gah. I hate that XD
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jerrykuvira
January 25, 2023 at 3:08 PM
Start Up doesn't sit well till date, even when another viewing lens comes up. It was an unfair matchup.
But then, Han Ji-pyeong is my favorite thing in Start Up, followed by Kang Hanna's character.
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mmmmm
January 26, 2023 at 10:12 AM
In my second watch, I thought I understood why FL chooses ML. But still, HJP together with Halmeoni are the best things in the show, so . :P
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Wise
January 25, 2023 at 8:08 PM
At first, I thought I would have sls in Start-up, but midway through I concluded not even Da-mi deserve Han Ji Pyeong. The main otp in this drama for me is between Han Ji Pyeong and halmeoni.
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Jingbee
January 26, 2023 at 3:45 AM
" not even Da-mi deserve Han Ji Pyeong"
Yes, 100% agree. As soon as I realized this, I stopped watching Start Up but HJP remains to be the best character in that show, with halmeoni close second.
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SooHa
January 27, 2023 at 2:12 AM
second to this!! I don't even care with the lead couple romance.
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mmmmm
January 26, 2023 at 10:14 AM
I LOVE SU SO MUCH BECAUSE KIM SEON-HO (HAN JI-PYEONG) IS THE BEST BOY.
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mmmmm
January 26, 2023 at 10:17 AM
Yes *100 times for this comment. Love-watching SU felt like hell knowing HJP wouldn’t end up with FL (I mean come on everyone knew it was NJH would they make him SML, never). But I thanked the writers a million time for allowing the character HJP to have a very sweet and heart-fluttering love confession scene with FL. And that crying scene with Halmeoni? GOLD.
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mmmmm
January 26, 2023 at 10:17 AM
Live-watching! 😂
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8 Pensola
January 25, 2023 at 12:09 PM
!! This is my moment!
Love triangles are one of my guilty pleasures, although I am actually somewhat critical of it. For me, it needs to be a reason to exist, not just for some drama about who the female lead (or male) will choose, because if we know who she will choose and it is just in the background, why even bother? If it is for comedy or it is really incorporated into the characters in a good way, it is great. I don't even mind then that we know who she ends up with, if it is used to show us the characters in new lights.
Which is why my favourite love triangle is, if I have to choose, from Seven Days Queen. The triangle did not separate the brothers, because they were already in a very complicated relationship, and the love was honestly just the hay that broke the camel's back. The way the men treated the FL was trying to keep her in mind as a human being, but she ended up again and again being humiliated because of them, or treated like an object, and in the end, she even used this against the villain. Also, the villain is the second male lead, making it obvious that he won't have her, but also gives us different sides of him and the FL; they loved each other like siblings before, and they had secrets and an understanding nobody else had of them, so the situation is painful for both of them. Even so, the FL, not having a lot of agency due to the archaic setting, uses the few moments she is allowed to show her strength and love, and goes against him.
Honestly, while the actual male lead actor did a good job and I cheered for the main couple's victories, the actual main couple for me was the FL and the SML's complicated and toxic love. I am happy she did not end up with him (honestly I agree with her actress that she shouldn't have ended with either of them, because the male lead also had quite some "bruh"-moments), but I am so happy that relationship exists.
I could compare it to the Grand Prince, which I thought from the commercials would cater to all my guilty pleasures (love triangle, bad guy with a crush on the female lead, the female lead trying to find agency in a setting that makes that hard), and it did, but I missed the more complicated relationship between the female and second male lead, as, barring some few moments, it was very clear what she felt about him, so the internal drama was not as strong.
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Firewife5
January 25, 2023 at 12:27 PM
I'm with you. I don't hate love triangles and actually enjoy them when they serve a purpose to the story, or are the impetus for character growth. I think a good example of this is Heirs. I never wanted the FL to be with the SL, (actually didn't want her to end up with either), but the SL's feelings were important for this character's growth, so they served a purpose, and it worked wonderfully.
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Pensola
January 25, 2023 at 12:47 PM
Yeah, if there is a second lead just for the drama, at the very least it should be amusing in some degree, but even then, I still prefer that it is there for character growth or to serve a purpose in the drama, or that there is some sense there. A good love triangle, or at least the potential, can even elevate a story somewhat. Heirs' love triangle helped me get through the story, but another drama from China, Legend of the Phoenix, was very mid and at times stupid, but the way of the love triangle helped me through. The FL actually ended up as the SML's "lover" (officially, unofficially they did not do anything), and the fine line she and the ML had to walk to help the people without the SML's growing paranoia getting in their way was actually at times tense to watch.
Even a drama like Forbidden Marriage, where again we knew the SML had no chance, their backstory still was heartwrenching to watch at times.
I am trying to come up with an example of love triangles that had absolutely no need to exist, but usually I forget those dramas quickly, haha XD But for example, can you IMAGINE "Under the Queen's Umbrella" having a love triangle between the Queen, King and some random dude (probably the King's only friend or something)? It would have no place in the story the drama was trying to tell, but I'm sure someone would have tried, maybe XD
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9 LaurenSophie
January 25, 2023 at 12:13 PM
The thing that I've noticed about a lot of love triangles in kdramas is that they're not really triangles at all. That is, a real triangle (at least, as far as I'm concerned) involves two people, both valid choices, between whom the person at the top (and the audience) is completely torn. There has to be a sense that the person at the top could feasibly pick either one of the other two and be happy; it's also usually the case that there are genuine feelings on all sides. And this type of triangle usually resolves according to chance or timing.
In contrast to this classic model, a lot of kdrama triangles make it clear from the start that the person at the top is or should be more drawn to one of the other two options, so that the second option isn't truly an option at all. This is precisely why I never understood the outrage over "Start-Up," as it seemed obvious to me from the start that the FL was not torn, so there was no triangle at all.
So I'm with missvictrix: the ultimate love triangle is the one at the center of Reply 1988.
In that drama, up until very late in its run, it's clear that Deok-sun could believably end up and be happy with either Jung-hwan or Taek, and both of those young men have real feelings for her. I was truly torn and knew that no matter who the writers decided Deok-sun ultimately married, I would always, always feel bad for the other guy. Because Deok-sun married Taek (and they were a very nice couple together), my heart broke for Jung-hwan, but I also knew that if it had gone the other way, I would have felt sad for Taek (who the writers did suggest ultimately needed Deok-sun more than Jung-hwan did, even if both loved her equally).
That quality--of knowing that either way you're going to be both happy and sad--is what makes this the perfect triangle.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 25, 2023 at 12:22 PM
Love triangles really exist so we don't think the female lead settled for the male lead because she didn't have another option. Since she rarely if ever shows any real interest in the second option then their inclusion mostly just annoys me.
Not just because there's a tendency for the second male leads to be Nice Guys but because the assumption is that a woman has to choose somebody so having a backup is supposed to comfort me that she won't ever *GASP* end up single.
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Lalla32
January 26, 2023 at 5:15 AM
The thing that annoys me a lot is that the female lead never show a real interest in the second lead because she has to remain "pure". There is never a real struggle. She never happens to kiss the second lead willingly or show any real passion for him. It is always CLEAR there in just ONE true love for her. A real struggle would make the triangle a bit more interesting.
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Firewife5
January 25, 2023 at 12:33 PM
Perfectly said! This is why Reply 1988 is also my choice for my ultimate love triangle. I knew who I wanted her to choose, but I also didn't want the other to be broken hearted.
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kdramapedia
January 25, 2023 at 1:05 PM
I have the same standard for love triangles, and I don't mind them when they're done right.
The problem is that most dramas have third wheels, a passing crush/infatuation, or some other non-viable love interest. That's why most people hate love "triangles." If everyone is on a level playing field and has a fighting chance, they can make pretty good (tropey) TV.
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10 Midnight
January 25, 2023 at 12:37 PM
The ultimate love triangle to me is in Dae Jang Geum: Jang Geum, Min Jung Ho, the King.
Love triangles, for better or worse, are just that, love triangles. He likes her, she likes the other one. There is very rarely something more than love at stake.
But in Dae Jang Geum, this triangle was twisted times hundred because of the sheer amount and depth of their beliefs and values.
This was not something to be seen or told in 3 sentences either. We were prepared and set up for this conflict 40 episodes in advance. The love triangle came at the last fifth of the drama. And it hit the hardest because by that time we had learned what these people felt, believed, and would die for by heart. It truly was the ultimate love triangle for me and nothing has yet topped it.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️ Underpants buddies for life. 😎
January 25, 2023 at 3:52 PM
Wow, this description makes me want to watch the drama even though I hate palace politics!
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11 Firewife5
January 25, 2023 at 12:40 PM
I'll admit that I don't hate love triangles, with the following caveat. They must serve a purpose to move the characters or the story forward. When they're done well, there's nothing quite like that feeling of beautiful heartbreak for the SL, and perfect contentment for the FL & ML.
My pet peeve though, is when the writer purposely sets up the SL to be the "perfect match" for the FL, but he never stands a chance because she can't see anything except Mr. Complicated ML. It feels manipulative and just frustrates me.
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Babylilo
January 25, 2023 at 2:33 PM
Firewife5, your pet peeve is also my pet peeve (or at least one of them)!
The example that I found most exasperating was Protect the Boss. You know there’s something horribly wrong with a drama when I’m rooting for the FL to pick the Other Guy—in this case, Kim Jae-Joong—over JI SUNG! But Ji Sung’s character raises so many red flags; it’s bad enough that he pursues a romantic relationship with his female assistant, but he repeatedly refuses to take no for an answer. He’s childish, entitled, self-centered, and and needy. On the other hand, the SL treats the FL with respect and consideration, and bows out gracefully when it becomes clear she doesn’t have romantic feelings for him.
I don’t much care for the way the two guys turn winning the FL into a game of one-upsmanship, but if it were me and I had to choose, I’d pick Bachelor #2…or—even better—wait for a down-to-earth, non-chaebol to come a-wooing.
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Firewife5
January 25, 2023 at 7:00 PM
Yes! You found a perfect example. In real life if this had been one of my girlfriends I'd have been yelling at her, "Don't do it!", and then she'd be crying on my couch eating Ben & Jerry's with me 6 months later when the relationship died a horrible death.
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Babylilo
January 26, 2023 at 9:54 AM
What makes it even worse is that the FL is such a strong, independent character who doesn't take sh*t from anyone, and then she ends up with an immature, neurotic ML who acts as if her role in life is to help him overcome his phobias.
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12 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
January 25, 2023 at 1:03 PM
I'm not much of a fan of complex love geometry, so for me the "ultimate" love triangle would be the LAST one before kdramas outgrow this silliness.
Runners up would be the abovementioned Alchemy of Souls & Oh My Ghostess, for the reasons their proponents have stated.
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
January 25, 2023 at 5:19 PM
I love geometry, but I would much rather see a ridiculously complicated love polygon played at least partly for laughs than a deadly serious, somebody's-heart-is-bound-to-break triangle. And in addition to the Alchemy Part 1 polygon, Part 2 managed to achieve a love square with only two people in it.
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13 tabong
January 25, 2023 at 1:27 PM
My pick will always be: Ho Gu's Love (more like a love square tho).
Honorable mentions: Five Enough, Protect the Boss.
I kinda hate love triangles and I'm not a fan of second leads. Even with the Reply series it was weird. I liked the second leads but not for the female leads. I just knew who was the "one" after watching a few episodes and I stick with him, the other guy was never on my radar as a real love interest.
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14 gadis
January 25, 2023 at 1:31 PM
What better drama title to pick for "best love triangle" than a drama that determinedly and unapologetically celebrated that topic since the very beginning? I choose Jealousy Incarnate, the one drama that managed to make love triangle fun and hilarious instead of mightily frustrating and rage-inducing.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 25, 2023 at 1:43 PM
I have to give that show props for pointing out that this relationship is between the two men involved and often has little to do with the woman in the middle. Which brings us to the theory that the men use the woman as a proxy to hide their attraction to each other.
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PYC
January 25, 2023 at 3:51 PM
This might just be the rare drama where the friendship between the two competitors are just as equally (if not more) important as their competition for their love interest. Many dramas try to paint the same storyline but JI nails it.
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wonhwa
January 26, 2023 at 1:01 PM
Hmmm, "cough", Bridal Mask "cough" . . .
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 26, 2023 at 1:07 PM
🤣🤣🤣
Although, if I can put my overly serious annoying voice on... the love triangle in Bridal Mask was more about Japanese occupation. The female lead textually represented Joseon with the second male lead wanting to possess her in the same way it wanted to possess Joseon and the male lead representing Koreans wanting to retain Joseon for themselves.
And of course... as we all know... for modern Korea to be born... (sorry this constitutes a spoiler so I won't finish that sentence)
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wonhwa
January 26, 2023 at 1:12 PM
True, but in this case Japan and Korea were literally sleeping the same bed . . .
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 26, 2023 at 1:17 PM
I mean, metaphorically.... because he was a collaborator... 🤣
Okay I'll shut up now.
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️ Underpants buddies for life. 😎
January 25, 2023 at 3:56 PM
Thank you for mentioning this one as it would be mine too for exactly the same reasons even reading this makes me laugh as I remember some of their battles🤣🤣
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Flightey Gazelles
January 25, 2023 at 7:25 PM
I can’t believe no one in the DB recappers chose this, not even an honorable mention!
Jealousy Incarnate had ALLLL the love triangles to end all love triangles. It had love triangles to spare, and existed between the (many) characters:
1. Male Lead, Female Lead and Second Female Lead.
2. The two moms battling for their daughter’s affection.
3. The teens vying for said daughter’s attention.
4. Anchors versus radio hosts( I think?).
5. Even the station had a rivalry with the other broadcasting network😂😂
And who can forget that EPIC MUD FIGHT?!!! I’m sure I’m forgetting more triangles.
The winner is definitely Jealousy Incarnate.
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Kurama
January 25, 2023 at 9:12 PM
The FL who asks to live with both men to choose between them 🤣
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parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
January 26, 2023 at 3:49 AM
Hmmm i have a different memory of this triangle, i remember being very annoyed by GKP in the middle, even when i started out loving him for being such a swoony gentleman
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15 missjb
January 25, 2023 at 1:37 PM
I think love triangle i enjoy the most is love triange which controbute to the narrative, and not being there only to prolong the story or just mere gimmick. I think I love the innocent man love triangle and what happened in bali.
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16 welh
January 25, 2023 at 1:43 PM
I have an unconventional pick: Hi Bye Mama.
Cha Yu-Ri (Kim Tae-Hee) has been a ghost since she died 5 years ago. She left behind her husband, Jo Kang-Hwa (Lee Kyu Hyung) and their child. He remarries to have a mother for his child and to help with the loneliness of his loss. Oh Min-Jung (Go Bo-Gyeol) is a loving wife to and great mother to Jo Seo-Woo. After five years of missing her life, Cha Yu-Ri returns to Earth for 49 days to carry out a reincarnation project.
What makes this triangle work is that Kang-Hwa can have true feelings for his dead wife, Yu-Ri, and his current wife who has done nothing wrong. It is that conflict of loving two different women for two different reasons/time that makes it an unconventional love story. And this show really stuck the landing.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️ Underpants buddies for life. 😎
January 25, 2023 at 3:57 PM
Yes, I agree this was done really well.
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17 jerrykuvira
January 25, 2023 at 2:58 PM
...but the farewell conversation(that conversation we do not want to have but we'll finally have to have it by choice or force) between (the person who caused the triangle and the person who didn't get the one who caused the triangle) was such an unforgettably beautiful, honest moment that it negated any complaints...
Thanks for this sentence @mistyisles . It pretty sums up my final angst towards triangles
I most definitely agree with this. Irrespective of what choices you'll make moving forward make it known that whatever you have in the past something worthwhile even though you might leave it in the past. It irks me less if you didn't have a past shared story together, but when you do and you decide to make it something easily negligible because that person isn't your final choice, I'll rant...heavily. I really wish the love triangles I come across do this and do it properly. Sometimes doing it wrong makes it hard for me to root for whoever became endgame especially when I do not like the pairing at all.
My ultimate love triangle comes from Dae Jo Young(Saguek) and Temperature of Love(modern). What scores ToL in is that I have only till date followed this with just the recaps. Yet, I was well wrapped up in the triangle that was spinned in this drama. It was as if I was watching it live.
As for Dae Jo Young, watching the FL pick the opposition guy over and over again - talk of tanking yourself with your eyes wide open. But she was consistent with her choice, no matter how much she could rely on the good guy to come to her aid when she is in sore straits - not from the her relationship choice but from life, the good guy's goodness always moved her, perhaps even second guess her choice. But, whenever it got to the point of choosing between her choice and the good guy, her heart never swayed. Her objectivity remained as sharp. At a point, till the end I stopped worrying about her choices cause life goes on. But life didn't seem to go on for her so she was always having to make that decision.
And Dae Jo Young is one show where the love story didn't take over the story even though it was a focal point cause the characters had enough things to sort out and character developments were just on point.
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18 spazmo
January 25, 2023 at 3:08 PM
the only comfort for me about the triangle in Reply 1988 is that he got the girl in real life!
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19 Babylilo
January 25, 2023 at 3:13 PM
Greasy Melo has what is probably my favorite love triangle, thanks largely to the amazing chemistry among our leads: Jung Ryeo-Won, Junho, and Jang Hyuk. Their characters were all so emotionally mature and respectful of each other, which made it even more poignant knowing that one of the guys was going to end up with a broken heart. BTW—I enjoyed the bromance just as much as the romance!
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20 ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
January 25, 2023 at 3:15 PM
Reply 1988 gave me such severe second lead syndrome that it permanently cured me of ever even accidentally rooting for the second lead again. I think I have to choose that if only for the impact it had on my drama-watching habits.
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21 faithwithme
January 25, 2023 at 4:14 PM
love triangle....
nothing hurts more than Reply 1988 love triangle. we saw Jung hwan love for Deok Sun throughout his teenage years till his adult life. but he love taek the same way all that years. it hurts him and us the viewers, that he hesitate too much till the chances were no longer there anymore.
it double the pain when we dont actually know what happen to him in the future too. like after all the pain the writer put him through, they glossed over his future after Ssangmundong. did he get married? did he change career or stay to be high ranking military official? or did he actually passed away while serving the country, just like what circulated on internet during post Reply 1988 end? like forreal, what happen to him?? we saw everyone in the future, they even talk about his brother, but not a peep about him at the end. he received way much more dubious ending compared to chillbong. at least chillbong move on and found someone else to love. but not junghwan and i will always wonder why.
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22 beffels
January 25, 2023 at 4:56 PM
I’m going to give this to Dream High, because I went in unspoilered and legitimately was not sure until quite late in the show if she would end up with the misunderstood bad boy with a heart of gold or the poor lovelorn farm boy also with a heart of gold, to the point where I wondered if they changed who was going to be the hero part way through.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 25, 2023 at 5:02 PM
I voted for her to just make herself a Soo-hyun/Taecyeon sandwich but for some strange reason I knew that wasn't going to happen
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Mandy
January 25, 2023 at 6:57 PM
Pretty sure they did. KSH was likely not the lead of DH at least in the initial stages. He didn’t even show up till episode 3. But I think the writer adjusted based on the feedback. Plus the drama wasn’t exactly a romance focused one so it was easier to flip.
The best thing about DH tho - and why I think it’s a true triangle - is that I felt both boys were great for Hye-mi and she’d have been happy with either of them. They both were also very genuine not just to her but to each other as well. I was 100% team Samdong but I can see a different world where Taec’s character would’ve gotten the girl. And that’s why it’s a true triangle to me.
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beffels
January 25, 2023 at 7:39 PM
Yes, that’s what makes a true triangle for me too - it felt like she would legitimately be torn between them rather than one is the obvious choice and the other is there to make us feel bad for him.
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Flightey Gazelles
January 25, 2023 at 7:33 PM
Dream High is such a good one. I love how honest it was and didn’t feel manipulative( save for the ‘K’ necklace mystery, which I wasn’t at all engaged in and only realized it was a thing years after the drama when I read the recaps on the internet).
It showed that there was a world where either of the boys could end up with Hye Mi...or both😉
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beffels
January 25, 2023 at 7:40 PM
The necklace thing passed me by completely 😂
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parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
January 26, 2023 at 3:58 AM
Yesss this was a legit acceptable triangle, thanks for reminding me of it! The FL even liked both boys! N Taec wasn’t even pushy in that typical SL role. Anyway i loved the scene when she flipped the boys’ roles and said Taec was not the bad boy but SD was cos he stole her heart over him.. (or something to that effect, i did watch this like 10years ago 😅)
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23 technicat
January 25, 2023 at 5:11 PM
I had to think about this, as others have noted a lot of supposed love triangles are not so much triangles as a pairing with a clingy person who hasn't read He/She's Just Not That Into You. Maybe that's an isosceles triangle.
Anyway, I think I'm Sorry, I Love You counts because she switches from one to the other (and then back, and then back again...). But for ambiguity over how it's going to turn out, I nominate My Love Patzzi.
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Linarrick
January 25, 2023 at 6:42 PM
Nice throwing in some classics in there! I didn’t get to My Love Patzzi and sadly I don’t think I ever will, I’m too accustomed to the modern kdramas now, but off to read samsooki’s article on it
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24 ar_arguably romantic
January 25, 2023 at 5:43 PM
Hometown Cha-cha-cha had two well-done love triangles: The one with the main couple and the producer college friend. And there was the one with the divorced couple and the friend. The triangles ended with new/renewed friendships and everyone feeling that they're off to a brighter future.
I also liked the love triangle in Shooting Stars where the two guys end up being rivals/neighbors/stairwell-frenemies/dinner-friends.
1988 didn't feel like a triangle to me. It didn't register to me that Taek was in the running until later on. I guess I'm the type to miss the signs. What was heartbreaking was Jung-hwan's reflection that his cowardice had led him to miss the timing. And he was completely right. (Also, hard to win against a chessmaster. They know strategy!)
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beffels
January 25, 2023 at 7:41 PM
I liked the guys in Shooting Stars too.
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darwi
January 26, 2023 at 6:10 AM
The twist on the triangle with this enphasis on one rare side was very funny.
Their stairs scenes are hilarious.
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25 Linarrick
January 25, 2023 at 6:01 PM
Answer Me 1988 for sure. But I’m probably in the minority since I love all three and can’t choose even if the drama did that for me.
I’m just saying we can apparently be fine with a king having a bazillion concubines and still refer to the him as ‘Noble’ like in Under The Queen’s Umbrella but we can’t be fine in the modern era for one woman loving two men? (Obviously this has to consensual for all people involved, no cheating)
I’ve always been fascinated with the kdrama love square which to be fair usually ends up being a love triangle anyway because the second female lead is most of time portrayed as a bitch.
But lately we’ve been getting true love squares that it could go either way and I’d be fine with it. For example Our Beloved Summer and now The Interest of Love (I’m on episode 5 currently, so I don’t how much has changed and no spoilers pls. It just took me a long time to get through those rough first two episodes)
I know it won’t happen anytime soon but since the love square has been such a staple in kdramas for so long, they could probably do a convincing polyamorous relationship. I’d definitely be here for it if or when it does happen.
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26 Ally
January 25, 2023 at 6:16 PM
Poem a day—afraid of winding up on the wrong ship, so threw it all into the ocean and stayed on the Island if Neutrality ti keep my heart intact. I think she ended up with the right person though, even if the writer changed her mind midway through.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 25, 2023 at 9:23 PM
Yes I can see skidmarks on the script when she did a 180 and it left some characters hanging but I personally think she ended up with the right guy as well.
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27 Wise
January 25, 2023 at 8:00 PM
I have triangle answer for this
Reply 1988 (my heart still aches when I remember Jungpal)
Jealousy Incarnate (it’s a sin not to chose Go Kyung Pyo’s handsomeness and genuineness in this one)
Discovery of Love (props to Yumi for having deep chemistry with both Eric and Sung Joon)
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28 OldLawyer
January 25, 2023 at 8:01 PM
I prefer love squares to love triangles but if I have to choose then I think that I would go with some real classics where, objectively speaking, I can seriously you can see how wonderful the second male lead is- to the point where turning him down is essentially an act of insanity: So my favorite has to be YOU ARE MY DESTINY (aka FATED TO LOVE YOU- any one of several versions) where fate alone can explain why our FL ends up with the ML rather than with The Greatest Second Male Lead Of All Time. Why my favorite triangle? Precisely because the SML is no way shape or form a loser - nor does the universe treat him like one by ultimately rewarding him with the one thing he wanted even more than the girl. In fact, the moment when he is re-united with his long-lost sister is one of the absolute emotional high points of the story.
Never once in the entire drama is the SML in any way treated or seen as second best and that is what makes this triangle so unique.
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29 Snow Flower
January 25, 2023 at 9:13 PM
Damo.
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wonhwa
January 26, 2023 at 1:09 PM
This one was definitely angsty, but not in a good way for me personally. Why create a smart, interesting heroine if you're going to frame her life as a choice between two guys, either of whom it would be objectively terrible for her to actually end up with? Its one thing for a character to lose out on a potentially great relationship. It's something else entirely when death is literally preferable to either of the options.
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Snow Flower
January 26, 2023 at 9:07 PM
I see Damo as a Greek tragedy set in 17th century Joseon. The 3 main characters are all victims of the social norms of the time, but they are also suffering from their own tragic flaws (rashness and jealousy).
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wonhwa
January 27, 2023 at 5:17 PM
Perhaps, but Greek tragedies tend to work for me because the protagonist is usually deeply flawed and brings the tragedy upon themselves in some way. In Damo, the female lead never felt like she did anything bad enough to "deserve" what happened to her. She also seemed to magically lose her crack detective skills halfway through the show just when they would have come in handy.
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30 isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
January 25, 2023 at 10:02 PM
I love the love triangle in Jealousy Incarnate. I just freaking love that drama. The friendship between the two friends is amazing. I still regularly think about the moment where they go digging in the mud for squid? Octopus? And she's happily digging away and the two men are beating each other up and they pause their fight and ask if they are still best friends. They agree of course they are and go back to walloping each other. She happily holds up her prize and looks back at the guys--covered in mud. Another favorite scene the boys are arguing again and Lee Hwa Shin is steadily ripping his clothes off because they were bought by Jung Won. It's hilarious.
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31 Lori
January 26, 2023 at 12:12 AM
(2004) What Happened in Bali has the ultimate, most angsty and tragic love triangle. So Ji Sab against Zo In Sung. Are you kidding me? It’s the legendary love triangle you probably heard about from your mom, or your aunt. The classic of K-drama’s love triangles.
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32 Anne18
January 26, 2023 at 3:13 AM
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Jingbee
January 26, 2023 at 3:38 AM
I loved Law School but I don't remember him choosing Kang Sol B. At what point did you conclude this as until the very end, there was no conclusion to the love line at all, and I just resolved to imagine they ended up anyway, off screen (i.e Kang Sol A after they strode in together).
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Anne18
January 26, 2023 at 5:27 AM
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Anne18
January 26, 2023 at 5:57 AM
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Jingbee
January 26, 2023 at 10:43 AM
Ok, I see what you mean but it did not register as such for me then and to this date, I associate those scenes with him confessing his crush to SolA instead.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
January 26, 2023 at 1:14 PM
This did not happen, he was in love with Sol A but he wanted to protect Sol B. That does not translate to a romantic interest. If anything Joon-hwi's character was notable for not being motivated by love, sex or romance but in wanting to protect people generally. Sol B would have been upset at the thought he was only on her side because of Sol A, that's why he made it clear he wanted to protect her because he cared about her as a human being. It wasn't a romantic thing because romance was never his motivation for anything.
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Anne18
January 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM
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Jingbee
January 27, 2023 at 1:02 AM
Agree. He had always been on love with Sol A. And with Sol B, it was mainly platonic. This was the non romance show that I wish they had at least concluded the romance. But no one can refute that the way Joon Hwi looked at Sol A was clearly because he liked her.
33 darwi
January 26, 2023 at 5:44 AM
Since I have to reflect on this, I realize that it is very rare for me to agonize over the second lead (that is very often a 2ML).
Is it because I have internalized that the mains are endgame and thus there is no need to cry over future spoiled milk ? Is it because the main character has better description, and quite often the 2ML has just enough agency to be a revelator of hidden feelings ?
I seldom get SLS.
The first drama that made me curse at the scenario is Romance is a bonus book. To be frank, this is the third drama that I watched, so it is easy for it to be first. However, it is one of the dramas that I liked the less. The reference of the bottom. Lack of chemistry in the main couple, humour that does not elicit a smile, stupid decisions, plot holes... I am angry with myself to give this drama's name as an answer. The only good thing in it is Wi Ha Joon smile.
There are a few dramas for which I am convinced FL would have made a better choice with 2ML : 100 days my prince, Protect the boss, Nevertheless.
Yet, for the ultimate love triangle I have to nominate Born again since the whole drama is the triangle.
Fun & interesting fact (to me, at last) : I consider all the aforementioned dramas not good.
Is the conclusion that I do not appreciate a believable love triangle ? Or quite probably that if the love triangle is the only good thing I find in a drama, it is lacking some substantial parts.
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34 MikeyD signed up
January 26, 2023 at 9:30 AM
My pick? The Taiwanese drama Someday or One Day, the school relationship between Chen Yun-Ru, Li Zi-Wei and Mo Jun-Jie. Though that triangle was admittedly weighted to one side, considering the heroine had traveled back in time to be with her true love.
My worst love triangle Razzie award goes to 'Revolutionary Love'. When the feckless second male lead finally confesses to the heroine she has this priceless look of distress on her face, like she did not want to be in the same room with this guy. She didn't much like them male lead either and attempted to emigrate to Norway to get away from him stalking her.
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35 KDFL
January 26, 2023 at 12:27 PM
Definitely Reply 1988, and I would also go with School 2015. The FL should have ended up with the 2nd ML.
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36 cozybooks
January 26, 2023 at 5:41 PM
Are we talking love triangles I still enjoyed watching? Or love triangles that hurt so bad I stopped watching the show when I realized it was actually a 24 episode drama and not a 16 episode drama?
If you mean enjoyable love triangles... I rather enjoyed the second lead love triangle in Sh**ting stars that I likely just made up... but I really wanted our SL to end up with the fangirl actor star lady. It seemed like it would go that way for a while. But then it didn't!
And if you're talking the latter love triangle which burned my heart forever... Jealousy Incarnate. I can't watch that drama. I loved Go Kyung Po here too much, and I didn't like Jo Jung Suk... so much so I didn't watch his dramas for a while after this.
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37 Gerlee
January 26, 2023 at 10:43 PM
Sandglass! There wasn’t much competition but LM, his BF and who can forget Lee Jung Jae as bodyguard all three in love with LF played by Go Hyun-Jung
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38 Gerlee Urjin
January 26, 2023 at 10:50 PM
@ solstices, I totally agree with you. The Answer Me 1997 is one of my favorite KD and that lunched other series. Also, must mention the back hug of besties.
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39 SooHa
January 27, 2023 at 2:09 AM
I'd never forget how miserable I am when Deok-sun chose Taek over Jung Hwan in Answer Me 1988. The only thing that cure me is the news that out after the drama ends, that Hyeri and Ryu Jun Hyeol are dating, at least in real life they are together LoL
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40 Dinnermate
January 27, 2023 at 4:29 PM
Empress Ki.
I recently watched What happened in Bali. What a messy love triangle.
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41 K-BearLovesDramas
March 15, 2023 at 5:39 PM
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42 K-BearLovesDramas
March 15, 2023 at 5:51 PM
Sigh... KBear, you must do this! Fighting!!!
Okay... Truth I genuinely don't believe love triangles. There, I said it. For me, I never torment myself with the possibility of another person, heck, I don't even read AU fanfics with a different pairing. Good for my mindset 💆🏽♀️
But!!!!
Hometown Cha Cha Cha, I hate you for living rent free in my head; along with She was Pretty and Judge vs Judge. That's it! No more 🥲
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