Illness is also a frequent theme. One of the lovers may get sick, usually with a terminal illness, and this creates a very sad situation as they try to make the most of the time they have left together. Also, past traumas often play a role. Characters may have had bad experiences in the past that affect their present relationships and lead to a lot of sadness and misunderstandings.
Fate and destiny are common themes as well. In Korean drama sad love stories, the characters often feel like they are at the mercy of fate. They may be fated to love each other but also fated to be apart. This sense of helplessness in the face of an inescapable fate is a big part of what makes these love stories so sad.
Unrequited love is a common theme. For example, in many dramas, one character may love another deeply, but due to various reasons like social status differences or family opposition, the love is not reciprocated. Another theme is separation. It could be because of death, like in some dramas where one of the lovers dies, leaving the other in great pain.
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.
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.
The idea of sacrifice is often seen too. One character may sacrifice their own happiness for the sake of the other's future or family. This self - sacrificing love adds to the sadness of the story. And often, the Korean cultural background of family values and social expectations are intertwined with these themes, making the love stories even more complex and poignant.
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.
Power and love. Usually, the president's position comes with a great deal of power. So, the drama often shows how this power affects the relationship. For example, they might face opposition from political rivals or the public because of their relationship.
Duty and love conflict is a common theme. In many of these dramas, the soldiers have to balance their military duties, which often involve danger and long - absences, with their love for the partner. For example, in 'Descendants of the Sun', the captain has to leave his love to go on dangerous missions.
One common theme is sacrifice. Often, one of the characters in the triangle will sacrifice their own feelings for the sake of the other two. For example, in some dramas, a character might step back from a relationship they desire because they think it will make the other two happy.
Illness or death is another theme. Sometimes one of the lovers gets seriously ill or meets with an accident that results in death. This sudden change makes the love story extremely sad. Just like in some melodramatic Chinese dramas where the female lead gets a terminal illness and has to leave her lover.
Love and loss are common. Just like in many stories where lovers are separated by circumstances such as war, family objections or death. For example, a story where a man loses his love in a tragic accident and spends the rest of his life in mourning.
Unrequited love is another theme. Sometimes, one person loves deeply while the other doesn't feel the same way or is unable to reciprocate. This creates a sense of sadness and longing, as seen in some period dramas where social class differences prevent a full expression of love.