BEST BROMANCES
9 Bromances that tugged at our heartstrings
The bromance is just one among the large number of tropes in K-Dramas - the bond between two or more men that really helps define their characters. Sometimes, it takes a blow because of the romance, as the third member of the inevitable triangle feels resentful. Other times, it's just a side story that's sweet for the audience to watch. Whether the bromance is endearing or edgy and angsty, no one can deny that the bromance is an essential part of K-Dramas.
TRASH & BINGGEURE
Very much big brother (Trash) and little brother (Binggeure), and complete bromance territory. They even had a kissing scene (pictured above) that, um, had an interesting off-screen story... "We got the okay on the first try," said Baro (of B1A4). "However, Jung Woo wanted to practice ten times." Who can forget Trash's kind words when Binggeure confides in him about his break from school or Binggure's insights (brought to us in voice-over)?
GO NAM SOON & PARK HEUNG SOO
Go Nam Soon and Park Heung Soo are high school classmates who have a badly deteriorated bromance. Once as close as two kids could be, a hazing session gone seriously wrong shatters both Heung Soo's leg and his soccer career. Nam Soon blames himself and does what he can to repair the friendship when Heung Soo is later transferred to the same school. A stormy relationship ensues, and each episode reveals a little more about why Heung Soo hates Nam Soon. Finally, the two reconcile near the end of the series. One of the most believable bromances I've seen in a long time, and certainly dramatic.
IM TAE SON, KIM DO JIN, CHOI YOON & LEE JUNG ROK
Rather than a bromance between younger characters, the four ahjussis have been friends through thick and thin, from adolescence to adulthood. They speak easily to one another and are frank about dating and sex. Sometimes aggravating, sometimes hilarious, always buddies. Though there have been hiccups along the way, these four gentlemen retain their friendship through both good and bad.
JIN SA WOO & KIM HYUN JUN
Closer than brothers all through childhood, they continued throughout their time in the Special Forces and, after that, in the National Security Service. Initially smitten with the same woman, they still continue their friendship despite the rivalry, not letting the initial love triangle come between them. The bonds of their bromance are dashed to bits when Hyun Jun is declared a rogue operative and Sa Woo is given the task of hunting him down.
The F4 (GU JUN PYO, YOON JI HOO, SO YI JOENG, SONG WOO BIN)
These four notorious boys are the most powerful students at Shinhwa High School, collectively known as the F4. Bullies, arrogant to a fault, sons of the rich and powerful, yet fiercely loyal and protective towards one other. They're not afraid to tell one other when someone needs to just stop. Jun Pyo is constantly frustrating his fellows with his harebrained schemes, and they have to be honest with him to keep him in line. When Woo Bin is morose, Yi Joeng cheers him up and tells him to man up. These boys are like a band of brothers and I can imagine them as ahjussis, maintaining the same depth of friendship that they always had.
SONG SAM DONG & JIN GUK
Sam Dong, a country boy, and Jin Guk, the rich son of a politician hiding from his heritage. Though coming from wildly different backgrounds, the two become rivals, and eventually friends. Despite the fact that they fight each other tooth and nail (and their wrestling over who gets to wear underwear is hilarious), you always get the feeling they are looking out for one another even as they vie for Hye Mi's affections. And when the chips are down, they are there for each other.
YOON YOON JAE & KANG JOON HEE
It's a bromance and a romance, all rolled into one. Yoon Jae and Joon Hee are the best of friends. Joking around, talking to each other, listening to each other, they do almost everything together. They act like a married couple while they are roomies. But Joon Hee (capably played by INFINITE'S Hoya) harbors a secret -- he is in love with Yoon Jae. Though it breaks his heart to do it, Joon Hee brings Yoon Jae together with a girl that Yoon Jae has been crushing on. Even a revelation that Joon Hee is gay doesn't stop them from being friends. But high school ends and Joon Hee decides to move out, saying it would be better if Yoon Jae had the apartment to himself now that he's got the girl. In one of the most heartwarming moments of the series, as Joon Hee leaves the apartment for the last time, Yoon Jae comes up behind him and grabs him in a backhug. They have been and will always be friends.
PARK DONG JOO & KANG JI WOON
Dong Joo blows into town after 12 years, looking for his first love only to find that she is already attached at the hip to skilled neurosurgeon, Ji Woon. Unaware of the relationship between his girlfriend and Dong Joo, Ji Woon finds himself drawn to the other man and the two strike up a friendship. The two shoot hoops together, eat together, and work side-by-side in the same hospital. Their bromance starts quickly as Ji Woon says that he likes Dong Joo instantly. As the series is still going, it remains to be seen whether the girl will come between them.
LEE KANG TO & KIMURA SHUNJI
Possibly the most tragic bromance ever. Kang To is a police officer who sides with Japan while mild-mannered Kimura Shunji comes to teach music in Korea despite his father's misgivings. They are best friends. They tickle each other, hug like brothers, tease each other, have sleepovers together. Shunji even gives Kang To food when there is little to be had of anything. But, as they become embroiled in Korea's war for independence, they end up on completely different sides. Kang To switches sides to fight for Korea's freedom, Shunji is inducted into the Japanese forces, and two men once as close as brothers are now hell-bent on killing each other. We know it can't end happily.
Good times, a bit of nostalgia. Writing this makes me want to go back and watch these again. As always, I want you to fill me in on those that didn't make the list. Besides your often-entertaining comments, I get more dramas to add to my ever-expanding "Must Watch list!"
SEE ALSO: Comedian Park So Young and former baseball player Moon Kyung Chan tie the knot
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