The origin story of “K Drama elements,” inspired by Joanna’s son and how the list has grown over time to 65+ elements
Why food scenes are so meaningful, from cultural history to personal stories about care, sharing, and connection
The joy of recognizing familiar storytelling patterns like the “trip and catch” and how small variations change emotional impact
A thoughtful debate on love triangles—when they add tension versus when they feel forced or unconvincing
Why visual moments like umbrella scenes create emotional intimacy and unforgettable imagery
The idea of “connection from the past” and how it ties into fate, destiny, and the concept of inyeon
How protective gestures—saving someone or sacrificing for them—signal deeper emotional truths beyond words
Why piggyback rides, quirky best friends, and physical gestures resonate as nonverbal expressions of care
A discussion of heavier themes like funerals, orphaned characters, and family dynamics, and how they reveal cultural values
Frustrations with overused plot devices like the “truck of doom” and when storytelling shortcuts fall flat
What makes a redemption arc feel earned versus unconvincing, and why it can be so powerful when done well
Why we love these recurring elements: they feel like “comfort food,” but also invite creativity, variation, and playful analysis
K Drama Bingo, how listeners can participate, and how it adds an interactive layer to watching
What everyone is currently watching, from Perfect Crown to Our Unwritten Seoul and beyond
K Drama Chat is a weekly podcast where we take one Korean (K) Drama each season and and recap and analyze each episode. K Drama Chat is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Pandora.
Very enjoyable episode. So, lets go through them:
ReplyDeleteFood: who doesn’t love food. What I like most about Kdrama and food scenes is that the actors REALLY eat. None of that business of just having food as décor. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was their real meal since they work so many hours.
One of my favourite scenes is the opening of Reply1988 when the kids take food to their neighbours houses. When they meet in the middle they say “Why don’t we just all eat together?”
This remind me of all the food I took to our neighbours when I was their age :). While I am from different part of Asia (btw Malcolm, have you thrown the towel on guessing where I might be from? Lol) that scene was spot on.
Trip & catch: Just watch this hilarious scene: When The Phone Rings. E2 scene starts about 21:14 min. I don’t have strong feelings one way or another.
Triangles: I don’t consider triangles in the wide sense as Kdrama element. An element should be either unique or disproportionally used in Kdramas. I don’t believe this apply in the wide sense.
Most stories, regardless of culture, or time have these triangles.
Love triangles are also widely used, but I think Kdrama use them more frequently. My opinion is very known about them :). Ironically though, the one triangle I find more tolerable is the one Sung-Hee doesn’t like.
I think love triangles involving friends are fairly realistic thanks to propinquity (Yes! I managed to use this word lol). I find them more tolerable not because of the romantic aspect, but because it is interesting to see how the friends resolve that conflict.
Umbrella. I have no opinion on this one. There is a beautiful scene though in “I am not a robot” (my first Kdrama) involving an umbrella.
Connection from the past. I actively dislike this one, apart from rare exceptions. It is very important though to distinguish it from growing up together or having extensive interactions in childhood. For example, in Our Unwritten Seoul that is absolutely fine.
The ones I dislike are when characters discover at much later stage that there was something connecting them from the past.
As Na said on the podcast, it undermines and belittle the present interaction.
Generally speaking, I strongly dislike the concept of fate, and I don’t believe in it.
If things are “meant to be” and already determined, then why bother about anything?
Piggy back rides: They are cute, but they don’t have an emotional effect on me. Maybe that is why my favourite one is the one that never happened. The scene was perfectly set for a piggy ride. The FL even was preparing herself to be picked, then the ML didn’t. I laughed so much! I won’t say the name of the series, but I think those who have seen it know it.
Quirky best friend: One of Kdramas appealing elements for me. I love friendships. Hard to pick one, but Geu-ra-mi from EAW is certainly one of my top favourites.
Personal risk: No strong opinion. It depends on the situation.
Death ritual: I found this an interesting element. It is a cultural window, and as Ellen said, you learn a lot about characters from a narrative point of view.
Orphan: No strong opinion. It depends on the situation.
Truck of doom: I don’t have strong feelings, but leaning negative.
Redemption: This absolutely depends on writing. I think it is over used (in Kdramas and Western), but if it is done well, it is good. It is not easy to pull though. I didn’t like it a lot of them, some even by my favourite writers, or in my favourite dramas.
DeleteI think redemption arcs require at least half of the series to be believable.
The ones done over 1 or 2 episodes (sometimes even in the last 30minutes) are bad.
I do distinguish though between redemption and regrets. Certain characters do feel regret about their actions if faced by death, or they are at the end of their lives. That is not redemption, just acknowledgment of wrongdoing. And, it depends on the writing and situation whether their victims choose to forgive, or forget (and the various permutations of these two actions).
I love you because it is you: Thousand percent NOT a Kdrama element in my books lol. This is way too common, and I don’t think it is that deep or profound either.
Even normal people say that, either exactly or in another form.
The idea of it boils down to the inability to define why we love. That is probably one of the most common things through history in the entire world.
I finished “Can This Love Be Translated?”. A good drama, and I enjoyed it. I loved the first 5 episodes. The finale of E5 was SO good.
Unfortunately, its second half wasn’t as good, and the story went off track a bit. Luckily though, it wasn’t ruined. Go Youn-jung was very charming no matter what. The Cinematography (and I don’t mean locations) was gorgeous.
So, in conclusion, while the second half certainly lowered my evaluation, I still enjoyed it. Great cast, fresh perspective, and beautiful cinematography.
In the region of 7/10
Today I watched the first episode of “My Royal Nemesis”. It has a lot of my favourite tropes. The time travel this time is from Joseon to present. It stars Lim Ji-yeon (the main bully in The Glory).
I really enjoyed the first episode, and I hope it will continue to be good and swing closer towards Mr Queen rather than Bon Appetite.
Seven Seas, thank you for your deep insights here. All of these comments are so great!
DeleteSeven Seas, thanks for these comprehensive comments! I especially agree with your comments on past connections, where if it’s integral to the overall story, it works well but if it’s thrown in as an add-on, it’s very annoying. I know we all really appreciate your take on things so keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanna, Sung Hee, Ellen, and Naa for a fun episode that allowed us all to look back on our Kdrama viewing journey. I didn’t see a link in the show notes to the 65 element K-Drama elements list. Could we get one so that we can compare with the one we all have in our heads? I found this link to an older, shorter version on the blog: https://www.kdramachat.com/2024/02/list-of-elements-we-see-in-nearly-every.html
ReplyDeleteUmbrella trope:
Does anyone’s element list include jacket/shirt-over-the-heads-while-running-together-in-the-rain? I’d argue it’s a variation on the umbrella trope but generally associated more with teenagers or college students.
Piggyback ride:
Naa, I agreed with you highlighting the piggyback ride in My Mister. Your reference inspired me to rewatch Episode 5 for the shopping cart in the moonlight scene leading up to the piggyback ride. One of the best scenes ever made.
Currently airing shows:
My Royal Nemesis (Netflix): Seven Seas, I’m with you on thinking this is one of the most promising new shows. It’s from Studio Dragon which is usually a good sign. I’ve watched the first two episodes. Lim Ji-yeon reminds me of Shin Hye-sun, and I agree with you that the show has Mr. Queen vibes). Both actresses have amazing range and dominate every scene. Sung Hee, so far the show pulls off the humor of Mr. Queen along with a promising romance and palace/chaebol intrigue.
Filing for Love (Viki): Speaking of Shin Hye-sun, I’ve enjoyed the first four episodes. I wasn’t sold on the show or the male lead until episode 4 when the chemistry and character development kicked in. To be fair to the ML, it’s hard to watch anyone else when Shin Hye-sun is on screen.
Gold Land (Netflix) and We Are All Trying Here (Netflix): Since Gold Land stars Park Bo-young, I’m guessing there is a lot of interest from this group. I’ve started the first episode but haven’t had time to get farther along. Anyone watching who has opinions? I’m not sold on the show yet but will keep trying. Same with We Are All Trying Here. I am having difficulty warming up to the characters based on the first couple of episodes, but people who stick with it seem to love later episodes. My Mister was more immediately engaging. I’ll keep watching based on the Park Hae-young pedigree.
Trip & Catch,
DeleteWatched 2nd episode of MRN. The humour largely lands. The Meme scene is very funny. It is early days, but I am almost certain that this is not going to hit Mr Queen heights. I just hope it keeps this level of entertainment.
People coming from the past to our days are much weaker than the opposite in my opinion. It is harder to suspend the disbelief.
I think it is much easier to adapt to the past because we have a reasonable knowledge of it.
Someone from 300 years ago will be way too overwhelmed to adapt this quickly. I mean, there is a significant number of world population who struggle with modern technology, while in these dramas, people from hundred of years ago get the hang of things fairly quickly.
But, hey, it is drama for fun :)
What is your take on the ML? I am sorry to say that I find him incredibly bland, and lacks chemistry with the FL.
Im Ji Yeon is totally carrying the series.
If it was up to me, I would just forget the romance alltogether. I would cast Song Hye Kyo as the CEO, and Yeom Hye Ran as her older sister. Then, I will put my feet up and enjoy the chaos lool.
I didn't know that Shin Hye-sun has a new drama on Viki. I have to check this at some point.
Ooh interesting to read your comments on MRN, I’ve been eyeing the release of this show for many months now and should start watching it! I absolutely adore the main actress - she blew me away in The Tale of Lady OK and I’m excited to see the male lead - he was my favourite in the matchmakers (support role) and I haven’t watched him since. I was excited to see him in when the phone rings, but I ended up dropping that show after hearing everyone’s comments about it. 🙃
DeleteAnyhow, I just might watch the first episode of MRN tonight! Either that it episode 6 of Perfect Crown…. Hhmmm tough pick!
Happy watching everyone ☺️
Seven Seas, agreed, I’m not yet sold on the ML in MRN or the entire chaebol family. So far that family is hitting all the tropes: the tsundere third generation chaebol heir, the evil relative scheming to take his place and the emotionally distant senior chaebol. Agreed that the show will depend on Lim Ji-yeon who is delivering so far.
DeleteBeatrice, great to see another fan of Lim Ji-yeon in The Tale of Lady Ok. She was so convincing and scary as the bully in The Glory but entirely transformed as Lady Ok. Do you recommend The Matchmakers overall? I haven't seen that show although I watched When the Phone Rings and thought Heo Nam-jun was solid as the psychiatrist.
One more currently airing show recommendation: The Scarecrow (Viki): I’m enjoying this police procedural starring Park Hae-Soo (the baseball player from Prison Playbook). The show is set mainly in 1988. The plot line is keeping me guessing, but the hooks for me are the strong performances and character development, especially the partnership between Park-Hae-Soo and a complicated prosecutor wonderfully played by Lee Hee Joon . If you liked Signal, you’ll like this one.
I started "We Are All Trying Here".
Delete2 episodes in, and I am LOVING it! PHY didn't disappoint.
I won't spoil it, but those who are already watching will know it.
There is a quote in E2 by the FL when she is in the office. Absolutely amazing! This quote booked its place with famous ones for me.
Hey Seven Seas, you said you appreciated that the actors are really eating food for the Kdrama elements. I'm three episodes in on "We Are All Trying Here" - Hwang Dong-Man should get the gold for this element!
DeleteTripandCatch, I just posted the latest list of K Drama elements on the blog! Please check it out!
DeleteSD and Seven Seas, so agree on the food aspect in WAATH!
DeleteTrip and catch- I’m so happy to hear of another fan of the tale of lady Ok! ☺️ That was such a masterpiece. I was blown away by all the staff and the music, the costumes and cinematography.
DeleteI would recommend the matchmakers! It had drama, but stays on the lighter side making it more of a rom com. The acting is excellente and the story is fun and original. I think a few bits felt a bit long, but not enough to lose interest. I personnally enjoy multiple character shows, and I really fell under the charm of our female lead. And the male lead is Rowoon, a swoonworthy sweetheart. 🥰🤭
Happy watching! 😄
Love your breakdown analysis of the 'elements' Seven Seas.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite trip-and-catch is in Crash Course in Romance. The one where the FL's teenage daughter falls backwards on the school stairs and is 'caught' by the sporty new kid.
I am fascinated with (and often horrified by) Korean celebrity culture, and I usually enjoy Idol or Kpop-related dramas. So I am avoiding starting anything new as I wait for Lovely Runner to *finally* debut on Netflix in my region, and for the release of the kooky-looking comedy The Wonderfools, starring Park Eun-bin and Cha Eun-woo.
Doremi,
DeleteYes! I remember that one :) It is a good one.
Thank you ladies for a wonderful épisode! It was fun to listen to all your different takes and examples of the éléments you spoke of. I’m with with everyone on the truck of doom, it’s predictable and I don’t care for it. I find myself really enjoying the trip and catch. It can be so silly, but is usually done in a comical or assumed cheesiness way so it’s entertaining. And sometimes, when we get lucky, it’s done in a heart fluttering kind of beautiful way with cherry blossoms floating everywhere and i cant help but swoon. 😍🥰
ReplyDeletePiggy back rides are sweet and food is life haha. I adore the food scenes. It’s probably my favourite élément. Sharing food is such a great way to get to know people and this is true in so many cultures. I love learning about the food culture in kdramas and with you all in the podcast! My favourite Korean food discovery is probably gimbap. My kids love it too so we have fun with trying different combos at home after watching Korean aunties on YouTube. 😄😋
Hi Bèatrice, I like the idea of making Gimbap at home, although mine would turn out like Geurami's in EAW, I'm sure!
DeleteI can't tolerate spicy food unfortunately, so all that gochujang 'red food' is off limits.
I've made bulgogi and omelette to eat with supermarket mandu. It was pretty good, but I need a straight edge omelette pan.
And thanks to this ep of Kdramachat, I've discovered that fish-shaped pastries are also readily available here.
There are Korean food places everywhere now, so I've had 'chickin' as well. Best fried chicken ever.
Oh that’s great. I’m happy you found some fish shaped pastries! I’m hoping to find some as well. And I also dream of having a rectangulaire pan. They seem fun and easier to make The omelettes for sure.
DeleteI don’t think our gimbap is the prettiest but it is yummy! And my 7yo was doing fairly well rolling them. Lots of fun anyways! 😅
I’m about halfway through Perfect Crown and I’ve watched the first two episodes of my royal némésis and I love it so far. I can’t wait for the next episodes to drop! Happy watching! ☺️
There is a brilliant summary of the 2026 Baeksaeng Award winners by @hanafromkorea ('Why we need Kdramas') here:
ReplyDeletehttps://youtube.com/shorts/TJh5IwNt1a8?si=j5Mc_NEjvz7FG3Mc
Hi Doremi, Thanks for the link - I didn't see this and it was a really great commentary. Totally agree with the speaker in the video. On the winners - agree with most of them but so many great dramas and movies hard to argue with any of them. Except I was surprised that Lee Chae-Min was a "new" actor (but he deserved an award!).
DeletePleased to see 'Good News' get a mention. I had no idea where that plot was going and it was a great ride all the way.
DeleteThank you very much for the youtube link. What a moving and true speech by Park Shin-wo!
DeleteOne aspect of K-Dramas that initially surprised me (and often continues to surprise me) is that many of these shows begin with the simplest of premises -- identical twin sisters with different personalities switch places, ok, got it -- but pretty soon things get more complex, and simple things get filled out with added depth, and sometimes a few curve balls are thrown in. This is part of what I'm really enjoying about Our Unwritten Seoul. There is more here than meets the eye.
ReplyDeleteOther shows I'm currently watching:
"Phantom Lawyer" is an absolute hoot. The lead actor is doing some extremely adept and hilarious physical comedy. This is a really fun show!
"Undercover Miss Hong" -- I seem to be the only fan here! This workplace comedy shines because it takes place in 1997, which frees the show to make some rich social commentary: the clueless bosses are extra lousy, the women and junior employees are treated like dirt, and so you really root for (undercover) Miss Hong and her found group of unlikely friends (dormmates). The cast is great, particularly the lead, and I'd like to single out young actress Choi Ji-soo who plays a somewhat minor character Kang Nora (who has her own undercover situation), stealing many scenes and honestly as cute as a bug's ear. I'm not surprised she quickly became a fan favorite and received a Baeksang nomination for the Best New Actress in Television.
Much like Doremi I find myself fascinated (and sometimes horrified by) Korean pop culture. Perhaps one of these k-dramas will offer the definitive take on K-Pop. I was hoping that show might be "Idol-I" but...it's just not working for me, and I'm bailing early. It's not actually the massive suspension of disbelief needed for entry (top lawyer secretly fan-girls over a K-pop idol and then has to defend him when he's accused of murder), it's...something else.
I'm told that absolutely EVERYONE in Korean tv & film undergoes cosmetic surgery, but the male lead in "Idol-I" is honestly (and I don't feel great saying this) DISTRACTING. Kinda like later Michael Jackson, I feel like I'm looking at an alien or something. It's too much. Is it simply more noticeable on the MALE actors (or more noticeable to me as another male?). Regardless, the show is simply not very good (and the distraction doesn't help).
Ha, I actually enjoyed Idol I a lot, Jeff. The payoff for me was the development of the relationship, which doesn't happen until much later in the series, and I'm absolutely fine with suspending disbelief and accepting the premise. :)
DeleteI genuinely feel sorry for 'Idols' who have to pretend that their fans are their sole focus, and that they don't have/want/need romantic partners. Like being ashamed of natural features/aging/healthy weight, it's part of the whole Faustian bargain of the Idol industry, which is a big part of the 'horror' I experience, alongside the joy of the music and drama that is the product of that culture.
I think the 'plastic' look is obvious on all genders, but that particular Korean beauty standards for men can be surprising to Western audiences. (The 'v-line' jaw, rather than the square, the 'small face', and the embrace of make-up for men as standard.)
Jeff, I’m with you on Undercover Miss Hong. At first the occasional hammy acting put me off, but the strong ensemble cast won me over. Two Baeksang nominations for Choi Ji-soo (Joanna, she’s Lee A-reum in Perfect Crown) and Ha Yoon-kyung (Extraordinary Attorney Woo and See You In My 19th Life) suggest we’re not the only fans. Let’s hope we see more shows like this that go easy on the K-drama tropes and focus on character development, a script that explores real everyday problems and ensemble casts that know what to do with that script.
DeleteAnother wonderful episode, thank you very much ladies.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite trip-and-catch variation is in the first episode of Cloy. Se- ri falling from the tree into Captain Ri's arms is just iconic and hilarious.
I've just finished watching an older show 'When the weather is fine' and I really liked it. It's a rather slow healing, romance, slice of life Drama with great actors(Park Min-young and Seo Kang-joon) and wonderful supporting characters.
Currently I'm watching 'Perfect Crown' and I have mixed feelings about it so far. There are definite Cloy vibes, it's funny, the cinematography and the fashion are stunning. But I think the acting is only average, the chemistry between the leads is not very convincing yet and the story is predictable.It has potental and I will keep watching it.
Oh my goodness, what fun comments! My heart is singing at the reaction you all are having to this episode, and the comments that are ensuring. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry I've been absent from the blog. As I mentioned on the podcast, I'm writing a book and it's been my night time activity since the beginning of the year. I had a deadline to deliver the first draft today! And I did! Anyway, it's why I asked for a no prep/low prep episode this past week and boy was that a good idea! I guess we'll have to discuss another 10 or 12 K Drama elements!
This past weekend, my oldest son graduated from college, so this past week was also busy! I am one proud mama! It's amazing to see your kids grow up to be interesting and curious people.
I am loving the discussion about K Drama elements, reading about your favorites, and learning about your favorite scenes. Wow, just wow!
I'm also loving hearing about all the shows you're watching. I'm LOVING Perfect Crown. Also enjoying Phantom Lawyer. That's all I have time for. I need a weekend of nothing but K Dramas. Maybe I'll get it soon. For now. I'm enjoying our deep dive into Our Unwritten Seoul. I always learn so much about the shows we discuss. And I always wonder how many people miss these wonderful elements because they binge watch. On the other hand, if a show brings joy without someone necessarily knowing all the details, maybe that's enough.
THANK YOU for being part of the K Drama Chat community! 💜💜💜
Hi Joanna, congrats to your son and your family! And congrats on finishing your draft! Amazing!
DeleteThis was a really fun episode and great to hear all four of you give comments. A few of my favorites: for food, has to be "My Mister" that starts out with "buy me food" and finishes with the nice payoff in the last scene. Trip and catch - "Business Proposal". Of course "Business Proposal" packed almost every element in and had a good time doing it. Triangles - agree w/ Joanna that "39" was great. Then there are squares - "Forecasting Love and Weather". Umbrella - give 25 21 first prize but among the traditional ones, "The K2". Iconic umbrella scene but also pointed out the problem with the drama. There was more heat between Ji Chang-Wook and Song Yoon-A even though Lim Yoona was FL.
Agree on your statement about the K2, SD Guy, and I loved that show.
DeleteMy sons' graduations were very emotional times, Joanna. It felt a bit like I was 'graduating' too, from a certain stage of parenting to the next!
ReplyDeleteHow great to have your draft in on deadline. Sounds like life is rich and full for you, right now.
Speaking of sons, I guess 'Under the Queen's Umbrella' was the ultimate expression of the umbrella trope -- love [in this case a mother's love for her sons] as an offer of protection, a shield against life's storms, no matter what.
DeleteYes, amazing insights from you, and everyone else! Can't believe we missed Under the Queen's Umbrella! Umbrella scene seems to be a popular and beloved element!
DeleteOkay, everyone! I just posted the most current list of K Drama elements on this blog! Please check out the list, and comment away! What's your favorite element? Got any new ones to nominate? Any ones to retire? What is YOUR favorite element?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this episode. I also track tropes in a digital journal as I watch and recognizing them always makes me smile. Some of my favorites are related to places - scenes at the beach, amusement park, hospital, camping trip, crosswalk, apartment or office rooftop, and especially those walks along the old walls in Seoul.
ReplyDeleteA few that I HATE that I have been seeing too much recently are the white truck of death killing off parents or relatives (Our Universe, In Our Radiant Season, Perfect Crown) and the evil relative that wants to take over the chaebol business (Would You Marry Me, Dynamite Kiss, Positively Yours, Still Shining, Encounter). Can't they think of a different way to add conflict to the plot? I also hate stalkers, especially random stalkers that are really not a part of the story, but just added to provide tension. It was fun to read everyone's comments. Currently loving Perfect Crown and watching Scarlet Heart Ryeo for the first time.
Ooh, Karlyb, Scarlet Heart RYEO was my second ever K Drama. It stayed with me for months. It wasn't available anywhere so I had to get a VPN and access on some illegal site. I got so obsessed that I bought the DVD set! And now it's on Viki, so yay! I wait to hear your review of the show and wonder if it's held up. Lee Joon Gi is my all time favorite male lead, my first K Drama love.
Delete