Ever wondered why so many K-dramas share the exact same storylines and tropes? It isn't just lazy writing, but actual symbolism. These recurring tropes actually tap into deep-rooted Korean beliefs, offering us a genuine look into the culture and the popular mythology that shapes it. Let's dive into 4 popular Korean drama theories
1. Yellow Umbrella Theory
Although the "Yellow Umbrella Theory" became widely popular through the American series How I Met Your Mother, you can also it's traces in Kdramas. It's not a superstition, but a fan made theory. According to this fan made theory, people find true love under a yellow umbrella. K-dramas like Business Proposal and Lovely Runner are famous for featuring this trope.
This concept is also widely popular among fans as the "Yellow Black Theory," widely seen in K-dramas, and other countries entertainment industries too, where woman wears a yellow dress and man wears black, such as in "My Boss, My Bias". This theory is popular across various fandoms, and even Disney's Zootopia highlighted this trope with Judy and Nick.
2. First snow theory
The first snow theory is deeply rooted in the Korean cultural tradition of "cheotnun", 첫눈 or first snow. It is the romantic superstition that if you spend the year's first snowfall with someone you like or if you just confess your feelings then, your love will come true and you both will stay together forever.
This popular belief was mentioned in "Crash Landing On You" and "scripting your destiny". For korean tradition , first snow is widely considered very romantic.
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3. Red String Theory
According to traditional Chinese legend, later Japanese and Korean folklore, a read string is an invisible red cord ties together two people destined to meet, love and deeply impact one another despite any circumstances. Kdramas also have actively used this red string theory to generate central conflict. Kdramas like "My roommate is Gumiho", "tomorrow" and "tale of nine tailed" have shown it to show that 2 characters are destined to be with each other
4. Water Theory
In kdramas, water is not just H2O but also a way for time travelling and a bridge between realms. In splash splash love, a simple puddle serves as the gateway between the modern world and historical eras. In New series of Netflix, The East Palace, writers made water acts as a bridge to travel between the living world (human world) and the Realm of Gwi (the spirit dimension where ghost exists). In Mr. Queen, a 20th century chef found his soul inside the body of Queen Cheorin (Kim So-yong) during the Joseon Dynasty after falling into a swimming pool, his soul travelled but his body did not.
In Moon lovers, a 21st-century woman who drowns during a total solar eclipse and she then time-travels 1,000 years back to the early Goryeo Dynasty of Korea
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By adding these centuries old beliefs into modern storytelling, K-dramas do far more than just entertain us, at this point. They keep core traditions alive, giving global audiences a sneak peek into Korean culture.
Which one of these theories is your favourite one? Let us know in the comment section!
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