Part #4 of our chat with Pippa Roscoe LUV: What is your favorite romance movie or tv show that really captures the essence of romance novels? Can you explain how it does so? Pippa: I am a massive K-drama fan. I’m fairly new to it, admittedly, so I apologise if I’m spreading old news. But I have utterly fallen down that rabbit-hole in a way that has re-ignited a passion for the real heart of romance. The K-dramas that I have seen are definitely the closest thing I’ve found to romance books on screen. Often they’ve been developed from books or webtoons, but many are original content. They tend to be trope heavy romances told over one series through sixteen episodes that follow a central couple, a secondary couple and explore, in depth, their individual goals, their friends, and family and life. These are moving, funny, deeply emotional rollercoaster rides that will have you alternatively laughing and balling your eyes out. And the kilig is INTENSE. (Kilig is a Filipino word that describes the emotional reaction to romantic excitement.) They are about love, hope, family, community, following your dreams, fated love, they always end in a happy ever after for the central couple. What immediately grabbed my attention is that each one has surgically precise level storytelling. Every single thread is significant and tied up satisfactorily. Nothing is wasted. It doesn’t need to rely on forcing conflict that feels unnatural to the characters to sustain dramatic tension. One of the things that disappoints me the most about romance tv series is when they try to spin out a relationship by carving in extra conflict after the supposed ‘HEA’. I’ve not seen that once in K-dramas – they respect the happy ever after, and the integrity of the character’s emotional conflict. A character’s conflict is often stripped down to its most elemental and powerful form in a way that shows not only the skill but the time that has been spent on these characters and this story. Significantly, secondary characters are always developed with the kind of attention and affection not usually seen elsewhere. They are given their own emotionally dimensional storylines that, often, have in some way shaped the central character's journey. But beyond character work, the structure, the way that plot threads are pulled together, the use of motifs and symbolism is incredible. And if you weren’t convinced already, the production values alone – the cinematography, the post-production editing, the costume, the (often original) music – are exquisite. But the thing I love most about them is that they are 100% unapologetically romance. It’s not comedy sneaking in romance (even though it’s laugh out loud funny), it’s not action with romantic elements (even though there is some kick ass action to be found!). This is troptastic, fairytale level ROMANCE. These are fated, written in the heavens, healing, passionate, sexy, star-crossed true love stories. Part of me is glad that I worked up to “Crash Landing On You” (available on Netflix) and snuck in “Business Proposal” and “Hometown Cha Cha Cha” before it, because CLOY absolutely ruined me. There is no other way to describe it. I cried so hard during one episode my eyes were swollen for two days. I get that might not be the best sales pitch for it, but please, if you’re a romance lover then this is beyond chef’s kiss. Not only does it tackle politics, a CEO heroine, different worlds, Machiavellian level family drama, and danger, it also covers revenge, redemption, loss, grief, social standing, the bonds of friendship, the bonds of family, self-sacrifice, and it’s also incredibly funny. I could honestly go on and on. The way that the motif of the candle is used throughout – I don’t want to spoil it, but if you do watch it, keep an eye out for it. I was awestruck. The script, written by Park Ji-eun is amazing, and to top it all off, the main actors Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin married earlier this year. I don’t think you can get much more romance into it than that.

Posted by LUV Team at 2022-10-06 15:00:27 UTC