Why Do We Often Praise K-Dramas with Toxic Relationships?

In K-dramas, often toxic relationships are seen as excellent storylines. Perhaps most of us, while watching them, let go of the unpleasant by merely cheering for such a relationship's eventual reconciliation

- DEBASHREE DUTTA

TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS ARE LIKE murky waters; they are dreary, dark, and debilitating but also enticing. They may tempt you to indulge in a deep dive that would sink you into the darkest recesses, yet you choose to accept the risk, be carried away, and keep going. As much as it is true for those who are in such relationships, K-dramas are a prime example of popular media that is rife with depictions of comparable occurrences.

In these dramas, often toxic relationships are essentially seen as excellent storylines. Come to think of it, they are, given that we have repeatedly fallen in love with them notwithstanding their glorification of something obnoxious. Perhaps most of us, while watching them, often let go of the unpleasant by merely cheering for such a relationship's eventual reconciliation. Why, though? Why are we so smitten with them? Why do we have a penchant for praising K-dramas with toxic relationships? Let me try to explain some of my theories based on the following three iconic K-dramas.

FULL HOUSE (2004)

Lee Young-Jae (Jung Ji-hoon, aka Rain), a snooty movie star, despises struggling writer Han Ji-eun (Song Hye-kyo), but fate pulls them together, reshuffles the cards, and compels them to act as pieces. Their lives spiral out of control after being pushed into living together under duress (a contract marriage). Lee forms their formal alliance on a whim to upset his crush, but his decision soon lands him in hot water.