Korean Drama Plot ad-libs!

All the straight male readers can roll their eyes contemptuously and go back to watching professional wrestling now because the subject of this update is …
Korean Dramas!


Translation: “will she still love me when she realises that testicular cancer has cause me to go blind?”

More specifically how they seem to follow some sort of formula. This is my attempt at writing down that formula. Create your very own Korean Drama Plot by filling in the spaces with the helping words! Enjoy.

We are introduced to the protagonist who is _______________ (suave, gentlemanly, and possesses an impeccable fashion sense to the point one might question his sexuality/ cold, aloof, thinks using words to express oneself is uncool/ bubbly, vivacious, naïve, happy-go-lucky woman/ stern, professional, uncaring bitch)

Next we have to have a love interest for the protagonist, this will be a person with qualities contrary to the protagonist. A second person should also be introduced that would form the third link in the love triangle of which your protagonist inevitably finds him/herself in. The third wheel should be someone that is more ________________(approachable/ less of an asshole) than the main love interest at first to string the audience along.

Now that all the characters are introduced, the protagonist must undergo some kind of personal tragedy, this is to make protagonist played by a gorgeously attractive young star more relatable to the audience. (see attractive people have troubles too!)
This can take the form of __________________(being diagnosed with a terminal illness/ having close relatives/friends diagnosed with a terminal illness(or die)/ getting shot in the head/ becoming poor/ developing amnesia/ realizing you were switched at birth or adopted/ sold for cash because parents couldn’t afford to raise two kids)

In the process of dealing with this personal tragedy the protagonist will fall in love with the love interest however _______________ (bigoted in-laws/ hidebound parents that don’t approve of love interest/ mixed feelings toward third wheel/ engagement to someone else(usually, third wheel)/ own insecurities about illness/wealth/memory) gets in the way.

Here one would pad out the story with a lot of back and forth, regarding protagonist’s state of personal tragedy and/or relationship with love interest.
In the process the love interest reveals his/her vulnerability and that deep down even though they may seem uncaring, they are in actuality overwhelm with emotions but their ego prevented them from expressing their feelings until somebody __________ (died/ was diagnosed with a terminal illness)

Finally, the protagonist receives an epiphany through _______________ (death of somebody close/ someone close diagnosed with terminal illness/ losing one’s wealth/ a sudden realization that love interest is actually (sibling/ long lost friend/ related to enemy/ poor/ terminally ill)/ recovery of memory)

The protagonist then overcomes all difficulties through the power of ‘true love’.

Then the protagonist and love interest _________________ (live happily ever after/ dies)

The ending depends on whether ‘true love’ was able to overcome terminal illness. It might be useful to select an unhappy ending to give your plot a sense of grit, edginess or realism.