I've been watching a lot of Korean dramas lately (aka kdramas), and I have to admit that as a YA writer, you can learn a heck of a lot from these shows. Why? Because they know how to tell a well-executed love story with just the right amount of affection. It's not in your face or over the top, which at times can be a little overwhelming. I'm not the only one who thinks so. There are several writers/agents out there who agree that kdramas have the tension and excitement that come with having a new love. Check out Laura's blog post where we talk more about that topic.
The biggest thing I enjoy about the relationships in any story is a good love triangle. Yes, I am one of those. You throw in two smart/gorgeous guys and you've won me over. Of course, there's always the badass, right? Then there's the good guy. Majority of the time, the badass always wins, but every once in a while we see the good guy come through.
Here's what I personally like to see in a love triangle: best friends/brothers going after the same girl. See, when it's two guys who hate each other, it's too easy. I almost always cheer for the good guy, because even though he's perfect for her in every way––you know she won't pick him––but it makes you love him even more. It's like I want to say "But I love you, Good Guy!" And when I talk about bad guy, I don't mean the hot badass with the potty mouth. I mean the guy who completely treats the girl like crappola. Why must the girl always go after the jerk? Let's not get into that. I could go on forever.
The only time I've ever rooted for the bad guy was in Vampire Diaries. Look how sweet Damon turned out to be. He used to make me cringe, but now I'm all for him! This has nothing to do with my massive crush on Ian Somerhalder, I swear. *le sigh* (SPOILER: If Damon and Elena don't end up together next season, so help me.)
Back to what I was saying. When it's two best friends/brothers, I'm completely torn. To me, that's a curveball. Now, I realize that Damon and Stefan are brothers, but I'm talking about brothers who actually like each other. Sure they like each other now, but that wasn't always the case. With that said, I hate to see a girl come between two friends/brothers, but boy do I love all the Oh snap! moments. When best friend/brother #1 gets oh so close to making a move, but then best friend/brother #2 comes to her rescue and swoops her off her feet. Game on, man!
There's always those sweet moments when you think something is finally going to happen, and you're in the background with your pom pom's cheering them on. Out of nowhere, best friend/brother #1 brushes his hand oh so gently across her face, and she swoons. It goes on and on and on. One does something adorable, then the next guy one-ups the other.
I mean, sometimes the girl is a complete moron, and you're like "Really, lady?!" It's like you want her to choose and end all the suffering, but then you don't because you're enjoying the show. That's the kind of love triangle I like to read about or watch. It keeps me sucked in, teetering on the edge of my seat, anxious to see what happens next.
What do you think? What keeps you wanting more in a love triangle?
*p.s. If you haven't yet, make sure you enter my giveaway to win a YA book. Winners choice!
I like a well executed love triangle. Though I'm a big fan of TVD, I hate that Elena is torn between brothers ... BROTHERS! Ugh, so sick ... I also don't think a person can actually be torn this way. You gotta KNOW who you love more.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I wrote a blog post on love triangles about a month ago: http://www.julianahaygert.com/2012/on-love-triangles/
That expresses my thoughts better ;)
Great post! I think that Johnny Depp quote hits it right on the nose.
DeleteI have wanted to write a comment on your blog posts for ages to donate a free sock to a house elf, but had never found the right blog post to do it. But I just had to write on this one, because of TVD. I completely agree with you. My friend reckons that Elena will remember everything, like everything Damon made her forget, and I so hope that's the case. Then she can realise how much sweeter he is than Stefan and they can be together :D And yes, someone else who agrees that the love triangle is better when it's against two brothers who are like each other. My other friend says that it's sick and why doesn't she just pick already, but I think that's part of the fun! Anyway, I'm going to shut up now :)
ReplyDeleteAw thank you for posting! That is actually a good prediction. They *have* to bring that Damon thing back up sooner or later. But you're right, seeing the MC go back and forth between is part of the fun! Oh, love triangles.
DeleteThe best ones are when YOU can't choose between the guys. I hate when the choice is so glaringly obvious that you wonder why the other guy is even there in the first place. I like a love triangle that has pros and cons on ALL sides. Both guys (or girls) are flawed and romantic all in one package.
ReplyDeleteMy current favorite? Will/Jem/Tessa in Cassandra Clare's INFERNAL DEVICES trilogy.
Oooooh good point. I like that. I haven't read the second book in that series, but I need too. ;)
DeleteSee, this is why I don't like romance. I have a hard time caring about love triangles when the MC is the person in the middle, ie, the one who can choose the right guy. I do, however, love stories from the POV of one of the poor guys on either side.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I did enjoy Kaleb's POV in Timepiece by Myra McEntire.
DeleteI agree with this. The love triangles I enjoy tend to be from the PoV of one of the two competitors (boy or girl). There is just more tension and angst that way. :)
DeleteI clicked the "join" button to follow before I finished reading the first paragraph, because anybody who loves Kdramas is automatically AWESOME. :)
ReplyDeleteBut I agree that I've learned more about plotting and characterization from watching Kdramas than reading books. They're full of cliches, but they are cliches done right.
I personally don't really go for love triangles. However, I agree with Tristina that the ones that work are those where you can't guess who the MC will end up with. Those are also the most frustrating, because I'd often have my choice firmly made -- and am biting my nails wondering if my choice is the right one. :)
Aren't kdramas flipping amazing?! OMG I can't stop watching them! Thank you for weighing in on the love triangle topic. ;)
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