Korean Dramas: Reel Life and Real Life

E. recommended me to watch "Marriage, without dating" (연애 말고 결혼) when I got bored and recently, I completed another short drama series "Noble My Love" (고결한 그대). Interestingly, I enjoyed both series very much and both have similar plots - basically a marriage contract signed so that the male protagonists, who are from influential families, don't have to go on blind dates and get married at their mother's whims. While "Marriage without dating" is longer (50min for 20 episodes) and more side stories, "Noble my Love" is probably a webcast and solely fixed on the couple (15min for 20 episodes). I believe that many Korean dramas also have this storyline but surprisingly, I don't seem to tire, probably because of the actors ;)

In both dramas, Cha Yoon Seo (Kim Jae Kyung) and Joo Jang Mi (Han Groo) are female heroines - one plays a vet, another plays a salesgirl from less well-to-do families, whose bubbly personalities attracted the rich and successful bachelors who aren't interested in marriage, Lee Kang Hoon (Sung Hoon) who is a CEO and Gong Gi Tae (Yeon Woojin), a plastic surgeon. Also, both ladies actually managed to save the guy in one of the scenes - Yoon Seo stitched Kang Hoon's wound when he was kidnapped and stabbed, while Jang Mi rescued Gi Tae when he was locked in his toilet (a little less glam). Both has the marriage contract in place where the guy later falls in love with the girl and evil mothers objecting to the marriage, although " Marriage" has it worse because the drama is longer. Well, be glad to know that both ended on a happy note :)

I must say that both dramas also have not one, but TWO cute actors fighting over the girl. How lucky is that. "Marriage" has Han Yeo-reum (Jin Woon from 2AM) also chasing Jangmi while "Noble" has Sang Hyun (Park Eun Suk) chasing Yoon Seo. I do prefer Kang Hoon's demeanor (and the formal suits-style) although Gi Tae's antics and colour shirts are kinda cute. Some eye candies here:

Interestingly, these are dramas I enjoy most - happy endings that are really sweet - and I believe, most Koreans do too, given the dramas' popularity and how scriptwriters are re-using such storylines so often. Sociologically speaking, perhaps these are storylines that invoke the imaginary hopes/dreams/fairy tale-like wishes in many people. And it probably does also reflect the beliefs/cultures of the Korean society, that moms want the best for their sons but very often this does backfire. True love also triumphs over all evil moms - more so or less, the guy is still the successful one who calls the shots. Real life probably isn't like that so maybe that's why people are still suckers for fairy tale like endings.

How nice if real life can resemble a Korean drama :)
보고싶어요 :/