The K-Drama Tropes We Love in the “To All The Boys” Trilogy

By Jae-Ha Kim
Kocowa.com
Februrary 15, 2021

Unless Jenny Han writes a fourth book, the film adaptations of her “To All the Boys” (TATB) novels will end with her latest, “To All the Boys: Always and Forever” — some of which was filmed in South Korea. The Korean American author has always been effusive about her admiration of Korea and its entertainment. So it’s not surprising that her books and films highlight some of the things that pop up all the time in Korean dramas.

Yakult

No K-drama is complete without a scene of its actors sipping a Yakult yogurt drink from a tiny straw. “To All the Boys” fans ran out to buy Yakult after watching Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky drink it nonstop. But K-drama fans already knew about this smooth and delicious treat thanks to shows like “Rooftop Prince” that made a big deal about it.

Love Contract

Who else screamed when Lara Jean and Peter signed a love contract for their pretend relationship and then actually fell in love? Hello?! This is K-drama Trope 101, especially when the characters want to get their marriage-minded parents off their backs. You’ve seen it in shows like “My Lovely Sam Soon” and “Princess Hours“ and the end result is always the same as Peter and Lara Jean’s. ㅋㅋ

Second Lead Syndrome

I have a love-hate relationship with the second lead syndrome, where the female character has two dashing men she has to choose from. Half the time, I’m screaming at the screen, “Whyyyyyyy??!” The second film in the TATB trilogy is my least favorite, because the filmmakers decided to create a wedge between Lara Jean and Peter, at the expense of the latter. When Lara Jean’s childhood crush John Ambrose entered the picture, it was a WTH kind of moment. No! When you introduce a second male lead, you need to make it crystal clear like they did in “My Love From the Star” that he is in no way any competition for the male lead.

Romance

Let’s go back to that love contract I mentioned above. In the first movie, Lara Jean makes it a non negotiable part of her deal with Peter that there will be no kissing whatsoever. As in none! For Peter, who isn’t a virgin, this is a quaint demand, and he acquiesces under the condition that he can put his hand in her jeans back pocket. OK, that’s kind of the U.S. version of a chaste relationship, because we all know that K-drama leads rarely give each other even a peck on the cheek until the drama’s at least halfway through its run. Though when you’ve got Park Seo Jun in a K-drama like “Fight For My Way,” you know that first kiss is going to be well worth the wait once they get started. But do you know what wouldn’t make it into 99.99 percent of K-dramas? That hot tub scene from the first TATB that went viral.

Subway

Some viewers were surprised at how much the characters in TATB loved Subway sandwiches. It’s hardly a premium item and isn’t the most popular fast food joint in the U.S. by far. But K-drama fans caught on right away, because that chain appears in sooooo many dramas like “Good Doctor,” “Doctors” (pictured above) and “Homemade Love Story.” Why? Product placement. Some people joked that if they downed a shot of soju e every time Subway appeared in their favorite K-drama, they’d be drunk before the episode was over.

As a Korean American, I am so happy to see Korean culture being featured in content that wasn’t made solely for a Korean audience. Best of luck to the TATB gang. And to the rest of my K-drama fans, please let me know what K-drama influences you’ve spotted in non-Korean entertainment!