One common theme is innocence. In Korean school love stories, the love is often pure and untainted by worldly concerns. For example, in 'A Werewolf Boy', the love between the girl and the boy is very simple and innocent. Another theme is the power of first love. It's often depicted as something very strong and unforgettable. In 'The Classic', the first love of the characters stays with them throughout their lives. Also, the theme of friendship often goes hand - in - hand with love. In many stories, the characters start as friends in school and then develop romantic feelings for each other.
Common themes in Korean school love stories include growth. The characters usually grow and learn a lot because of their love experiences during school days. For instance, in 'My Sassy Girl', the male lead becomes more confident and understanding through his relationship. Social pressure is also a theme. Sometimes, the lovers face pressure from schoolmates, parents or society in general. In 'Architecture 101', the characters are affected by their social status and future prospects which put pressure on their relationship. And of course, the theme of longing. The characters often long for each other's presence, especially when they are separated during school vacations or other reasons.
One common theme is the struggle between academic pressure and love. In Korean high school, students face intense study demands. So, in these love stories, the characters often have to balance their feelings for each other with their studies. For example, they might study together in the library, secretly stealing glances at each other while trying to focus on textbooks.
One common theme is cultural exchange. In these love stories, the characters often introduce their own cultures to each other. For example, a Chinese character might share the beauty of Chinese cuisine like dumplings and Peking duck with a Korean partner, while the Korean character could introduce kimchi and bibimbap. Another theme is family. Sometimes, family expectations and traditions play a role in the relationship. For example, the Chinese family may have different views on the relationship compared to the Korean family, which creates some drama and conflict in the story.
Friendship is a big theme. Usually, the childhood love starts as a friendship. They are friends first and then slowly realize they have deeper feelings. This can be seen in many Korean dramas. Also, the theme of first love is prominent. Childhood love is often the first experience of love for the characters, and it's depicted as something very special and memorable. It has a kind of purity that is different from later relationships. Moreover, the passage of time is a theme. As the years go by, the characters may change, but their childhood love can still be there, buried deep inside, waiting to be rekindled.
Love against all odds is also a prevalent theme. Korean gay love stories usually show the characters facing various obstacles such as social prejudice, family expectations, yet still fighting for their love. This makes the stories both heart - wrenching and inspiring.
One common theme is the forbidden love. Since vampires are often seen as different and dangerous in these stories, their love for a human is usually something that society or their own kind might not accept. For example, in many Korean vampire love stories, the couple has to face opposition from other vampires or from human communities who fear vampires.
Unrequited love also features prominently. There are times when one person loves the other deeply but the feelings are not reciprocated. This can lead to a lot of inner turmoil and sadness for the character with unrequited love, and it often makes the overall love story quite melancholy.
Another theme is the crossing of boundaries between the living and the dead. In Korean ghost love stories, the living often interact with the dead in ways that are both terrifying and fascinating. This shows the belief in a world where the two realms can co - exist and influence each other, like in the story where a man falls in love with a ghost who visits him regularly.
Memory loss or forgetting can also be a theme. In some Korean sad love stories, a character may lose their memory, either due to an accident or an illness. This causes them to forget their beloved, and the process of trying to regain the memories or the pain of not being remembered is a very sad aspect of these stories. It shows how fragile love can be in the face of such adversities.
One common element is the school setting itself. The classrooms, hallways, and schoolyard often play important roles. For example, students might first notice each other in class or during a school event. Another element is the influence of school hierarchies. Popular students might fall for quieter ones or vice versa. Also, academic pressure can be part of the story. Sometimes, two students help each other with studies and that leads to love. For instance, they study together for exams and get closer during those study sessions.
One common theme is the struggle against social norms. In Korean society, which has certain traditional values, a secret love often goes against what is considered proper. For example, relationships between people of different social classes or statuses are sometimes frowned upon, so when characters fall in love secretly, they are fighting these norms.