[Dramaland Catnip] Bromances and girlfriends

74 June 25, 2017June 25, 2017

by Guest Beanie

Oh My Venus

Like other Beanies, I too wasn’t initially sure what my drama catnip was. But I did some not-too-serious soul searching and realized that I’m a sucker for shows that feature a friendship of a group of guys. My main criteria for any drama is that it be romantically driven (I find it hard to watch shows that have no romantic thread), but if that show also has a good bromance, then I will put up with any degree of train-wreckage (looking at you, Hwarang). (You, too, Boys Before Flowers.)

Some shows—like Descended From the Sun, Chicago Typewriter, and Jealousy Incarnate—have an incredible bromance between the two main guys, and I love that. But my real catnip is an ensemble: a band of guys whose friendship brings an extra shot of chemistry to the show.

You’re Beautiful

You’re Beautiful is probably my best example. Jang Geun-seok and Park Shin-hye did an excellent job delivering the romance, but for me, the extra came from the scenes with the three boys of ANJELL: Tae-kyung, Shin-woo, and Jeremy. I was cracking up throughout the grocery store scene where they remember and re-enact their various cheesy commercials, and again at the photo shoot with the colored fruits—-such a perfect display of their characters. And who can forget all their attempts to explain/excuse each other to Mi-nyeo? Gold.

Oh My Venus is another favorite. The whole show was enjoyable and fun; what it lacked in a complicated plot, it more and than made up in chemistry and character. The chemistry between the leads was excellent. But once the boys, Sung Hoon and Henry, came on the scene—-ah, that’s what I’m here for. The chemistry between the three guys was on point, from heroine Joo-eun’s first meeting with the three of them, to the two friends strong-arming So Ji-sub into celebrating Kang Joo-eun Day—these guys did not disappoint.

Drinking Solo

It’s pretty much the same with Drinking Solo. I liked the romantic leads—they were fun—but really it was Key, Gong Myung, and Kim Dong-young who kept me interested in this show. I admit to going back to watching some of the scenes with these guys and skipping right over the rest. This group of guys was particularly rewarding to watch because it was so realistically done. There’s a theatrical tinge to the bromances in You’re Beautiful and Oh My Venus, and it’s worth it. But I found a certain satisfaction in watching three guys who could be people I knew.

The bromance factor is, I think, probably also the reason why I started (and then didn’t finish) Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. I really enjoyed the first half or so of that show; I didn’t realize, though, that what was propelling my interest was the scenes with the princes together. Once their relationships started deteriorating, I lost interest quickly and never finished the show. I choose to remember them in the good old days.

Boys Before Flowers

This list wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Boys Before Flowers and F4, the ultimate bromance. Boys Before Flowers was one of the first K-dramas I ever saw, right after Faith. So, it’s possible that maybe my standards were not as high as they could have been. In hindsight though, even if I knew then what I know now, I’d still get suckered right into Boys Before Flowers. The hype was real. I wasn’t in it for Lee Min-ho or any of the other F4 members individually. I was in it for all of them.

And then there’s Hwarang—the trainwreck that I loved. Or wanted to. The trainwreck-that-confused-me-but-I-stuck-by-its-side-because-of-the-guys. I know this show got all kinds of bad reviews, but I watched it eagerly. From the get-go, I had high hopes for a show about five guys with various secrets, thrown together in long wigs. The bromance between Dog-Bird (Park Seo-joon) and Sammaekjong (Park Hyun-sik) was fun, but my real hopes were pinned on the whole group. I loved the scenes where the guys were forced together—in the fight at the bar, on the soccer field, in the dorm room, and then (my favorite) sneaking out at night, only to be confronted with guards. Overall the show didn’t deliver everything I had hoped for, but that band of poet-warrior youth brothers brought me back every week.

Hwarang

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

By Ruby

After having a think about the dramas I have watched to date, I found what my unhealthy obsession was, none other than awesome bromances and girlfriends. A drama can be overall terrible or mediocre, but if it has a significant amount of time spent with two or more people who are awesome friends to each other, I’m willing to stick around just for them.

A perfect example of this is in Heirs (though I cringe even mentioning this name). I absolutely loved the friendship between two supporting characters, Young-do and Myung-soo, played by Kim Woo-bin and Park Hyung-shik. Before all the romantic angst happened, Myung-soo was Young-do’s only friend. He understands Young-do and is therefore next to him supporting his misunderstood douchebag self.

School 2013

Of course, I can’t mention bromance and not mention the epic guilt-ridden love between Nam-soon and Heung-soo in School 2013. Today, it remains one of my favorite high school dramas, and it could have been just about these two. The amount of love they felt for each other was palpable in every scene where they were together, manifesting itself as anger, betrayal, and guilt that they felt more acutely because of how much they cared about each other. The show did an awesome job of helping the audience understand the depth of their emotions too, with the stark contrast in how happy and playful they were in the flashbacks compared to how antagonistic they were in the present. Nam-soon’s attempts to get close to Heung-soo again after years of running away and them finding their way back to each other as buddies just about ripped my heart apart, sewed it back together, and then made it melt into goo.

What is it with awesome bromances also being laden with angst? I found myself rooting for the Goblin-Reaper pair in Goblin more than the OTP. Their daily bickering (and fighting with floating utensils) made my day, and I could watch that all day. I don’t think there was a single conversation between them that wasn’t entertaining or meaningful. When the past catches up to them, it makes the tragedy of the moment land that much harder.

Dear My Friends

Moving on to some epic girlfriend relationships, one group of friends that has left the biggest impression on me are the beautiful ajummas of Dear My Friends. The longevity of a friendship doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a great friendship, but when you have been together through thick and thin and have experienced so much together, it’s difficult to find relationships that aren’t as strong as steel. These women were the main source of support and love for each other, especially Jung-ah (Na Mun-hee) and Hee-ja (Kim Hye-ja). There really were no secrets between them; I loved how they still got into petty arguments like teens, and loved even more when they tried to protect the other by confessing to a hit-and-run that never happened.

What can be more relatable than young girlfriends going through the awkwardness of being a young adult and suffering growing pains together? The ladies of Answer Me 1997 and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-ju brought those feelings to life right in front of my eyes, to the time when we feel like our friends are all we have, the only ones who understand us. The time when the smallest thing feels like the word is ending, and we’re too scared to tell anyone, and it’s those friends who show up to pull us through. At the same time, it’s also the time when we want agreement and loyalty from those friends instead of conversation, and these girls show us those very moments, whether it’s squeeing over a kiss or making up after an argument with cut hair or ugly crying.

Fight My Way

Another one of my favorites are Ae-ra and Seol-hee from the currently airing Fight My Way. They act just as attentive, and insane around each other as I do with my friends and make me feel so happy inside it’s ridiculous. Seol-hee teaching Ae-ra her hair flip was one of the best scenes in the show as I simultaneously awwed at the two exchanging tips and cringed at how awkward it would be when Ae-ra used it (and then she did!).

There are so many lovely friendships in dramaland, like the badass besties of The Perfect Wife and Fantastic, or the stoic-but-always-bantering soldiers of Descended From the Sun, I could go on and on. I guess what really pulls me into these scenarios is the connection these characters share regardless of what they might express on the outside. Being there for someone through all their significant moments, be they happy or sad; offering advice, an ear, a shoulder, or all of the above for me creates the best of moments.

It doesn’t have to be your One True Love who is able to offer you those things, and strong friendships prove just that. Friends share that special bond where they can call each other ugly one second and get angry at someone for stating the same thing the next. Friends can stand up for each other, exchange banter all day, and so much more, and it’s always a treat to watch.

Answer Me 1997

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Tags: Theme of the Month

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1 redfox

June 25, 2017 at 12:09 PM

girlfriends: Hye-Jin & Ha Ri from SWP; Ji-Yeon & Na-rae from Witch´s Romance; ahjummas of Reply 1988 and Vivian, Cleopatra & Audrey from Shopping King Louie.

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Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan

June 25, 2017 at 12:13 PM

I loved the women in Shopping King Louie. I loved everything about that precious little show. I even loved how the villain was not some straight-uo bad guy but a person who made so many bad decisions he drowned in them. And I love that he was remorseful AND got his punishment. Oftentimes, villains just get their punishment so good can triumph over evil but it's not satisfactory because I feel like they didn't learn anything.

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redfox

June 25, 2017 at 12:16 PM

he wasn´t really a villain, he was more of a cartoon baddie but it was so funny how his own wife kept tripping his plans. And his daughter was such a little helpless daddys´ girl. I wish Ma Ri and Bok Shil had become besties, too. Ma Ri was actually very cute.

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ObsessedMuch

June 25, 2017 at 12:18 PM

Haha yup totally! It was hilarious how ineffective the villain was in the SKL!

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redfox

June 25, 2017 at 12:17 PM

the same dramas also had epic bromances.

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isa

June 25, 2017 at 2:02 PM

Oh I loved park shin hye's friendships in Doctor Crush. The frenemy friendship, the friendship with her roommate and my favorite scene was with the delivery boy who used to have a crush on her.

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kayedrama

June 25, 2017 at 9:31 PM

Oh I'm watching Doctors now and I agree that Hyejung and Seolhee have one of the most amazing sisterly love in dramaland. ?

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msbeatrice81

June 25, 2017 at 2:11 PM

I loooooooooove Hye-jin and Ha-ri in SWP - it's so enjoyable watching them celebrate and mourn with and support each other, and I really adored the fact that the show portrayed a truth of friendship - that when you have such a deep, established connection you can move forward as friends even after having major conflict.

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Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan

June 25, 2017 at 2:47 PM

My favourite scene of them (it's hard to choose really) was Hye-jin going to the airport to stop Ha-ri from leaving after she found out that Ha-ri had developed feelings for Sung-joon. They had the whole nine yards dramatic meet-up reserved only for OTPs. It was cute. I love their friendship.

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Naela Patel

June 26, 2017 at 1:14 AM

The ahjummas of reply 1988 yess. I love them

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jam

June 26, 2017 at 1:21 AM

She Was Pretty Hye Jin and Ha Ri for me too, although their friendship made a bump, the strong friendship, and love they had for each other made them weather it all.

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sooyi

June 26, 2017 at 8:55 AM

I was literally angry at the Chinese remake of She Was Pretty, Pretty Li Huizhen for downgrading Ha-ri's character thus ruining the friendship between the girls. One of the reasons She Was Pretty was enjoyable since it highlighted the friendship between women which was not toward frenemies or master-maid type in this case.

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redfox

June 26, 2017 at 11:11 AM

their friendship was built on mutual understanding first, and having someone to count on who won´t fail you, because she is a sister more than a friend. with their discord it was even more evident that they both suffered from those foundations shaking, like they had lost a firm ground to stand on. Getting over such obstacles is the nature of a genuine friendship. Not as easy as it seems. friends can be driven apart and without the courage to take steps to mend it, it can be wrecked.

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2 ObsessedMuch

June 25, 2017 at 12:11 PM

I was waiting for a bromance related catnip from the first time I heard the word catnip! :D
And yup, totally agree! I was nodding my head along while reading the post :P

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Mungbeanie

June 26, 2017 at 3:49 AM

Me too! Without a doubt I'm most excited by this catnip. For me, the best bromances were descendants of the sun (the striped couple shirts were just win), school, chief Kim, squad 38 and the glorious hints in I remember you with park bogum and seoinguk. There's also city hunter and ajussi. Cuties.
Yep. This is definitely the catnip to rule all catnips.

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Mungbeanie

June 26, 2017 at 3:52 AM

Um, and shame on me.
SUNGKYUNGKWANSKANDAL!!!
What was I thinking leaving that out of my list?! I think my brain broke.
Yoo Ah In and Song Joong Ki literally took the reward for having the best bromance! So many tears.

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anothernicole

June 26, 2017 at 5:22 PM

i still need to see that one!!! its been on my list for so long but all these new dramas keep coming up! thanks for the reminder :)

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Mungbeanie

June 26, 2017 at 9:35 PM

Its worth it! Has it's slow parts, but it's totally made up for with the bromance, the reverse harem, the bad boys, the genderbending, and the actually interesting political story.
So let's just say it's at the very least 5 solid catnips in one!

3 JuSo

June 25, 2017 at 12:19 PM

Yes! Those friendships are also a major reason for me liking a drama or not. I often find myself seeking scenes of bromance and rewatching them instead of the main romantic pairing. Friendship has a different appeal. When looking at my favorite shows it becomes quite apparent that this is also one of my catnip. School 2013, Bridal Mask, Cruel City, Shut Up Flower Boy Band all offered great bromance. I also truly enjoy watching girlfriends who do not turn against each other at one point because of one guy. Strong friendships are really nice to watch.

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4 Ahj ❤ ❥ ♡ ♥ ღ

June 25, 2017 at 12:41 PM

I think you forgot to mention the loveliest grim reaper and goblin's bromance in dramaland ever. I love this catnip tooo! Cheers!

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kayedrama

June 25, 2017 at 9:35 PM

When I read the title I immediately looked for Goblin. And it IS mentioned. They just didn't include a pic. ?

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anothernicole

June 26, 2017 at 5:23 PM

i still need to see that one! but given what i've heard, i know ima love the bromance :D

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5 Kimbap?

June 25, 2017 at 1:08 PM

Nam-soon and Heung-soo in School 2013 is one of the most compelling OTP ever for me. The bromance is so strong that once they reconciled the show suddenly became a lot less interesting to watch, not even a good bully can elevate it.

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6 javinne

June 25, 2017 at 1:44 PM

you forgot to mention Entertainer. Ji Sung and his boys from the Dandara band

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Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan

June 25, 2017 at 2:48 PM

Yes, I cried at the end of this drama. I suggest another catnip, makeshift families. Although I think it's probably to late to get it posted now if it was written. Entertainer was such a cute and heartwarming drama. I wonder if the beanies loved it.

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anothernicole

June 26, 2017 at 5:24 PM

oooo ive never heard of this one, but am excited now. will add it to my list for one day though <3

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7 peichi

June 25, 2017 at 1:53 PM

Happy cute bromances are nice, but it's the angsty tragic one's where they are/become enemies that really grab me. Like Bridal Mask and currently 7DQ.

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WishfulToki

June 25, 2017 at 5:40 PM

Ah, me too! Shut Up Flower Boy Band had it all.

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8 isa

June 25, 2017 at 1:57 PM

I don't know if I would go so far as to call it catnip but I love the show A Gentleman's Dignity about four best friends in their forties in different stages of their romantic lives. The main lead falls in real love for the first time, his best friend and business partner suddenly finds himself in an unwanted love triangle when he just wants to get married the third man is perpetually on the verge of divorce because he can't keep it in his pants and the fourth finds himself falling in love with one of his friends much younger sister. The only story line that I didn't like was the widower and the sister. It wasn't the age gap (20 year or so difference) it was more that the sister ACTED like a spoiled brat who truly believed if she through a big enough full on temper tantrum her crush would suddenly love her back.
The friendship between the four guys, though, was great. It was a really good show.

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Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan

June 25, 2017 at 2:52 PM

As a Kim Eun-sook, I have to say A Gentleman's Dignity is one of my least favourite Kim Eun-sook dramas, but the one thing Kim Eun-sook hits perfect pitch on all the time is bromance. She writes it amazingly. I even remember Lee Seo-jin and Kim Nam-gil's adorable bromance in Lovers, and I watched this drama mostly in fast forward.

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Chanelboy loves Jackson Wang A LOT

June 26, 2017 at 8:10 AM

everyone has their taste.
I watched all & just stop half-ly all KES dramas ex : Secret Garden, Heirs (the worst), Descendant ( I watch for the kiss & SJK only), & Goblin (least skip) .

Only Gentleman Dignity is my favourite. I truly think it is genius written by her. The story is so fresh, american vibe, & entertainly funny. Me Ari can be annoying for some, but her majestic love of her life for the lawyer , her witty street smart persona to face obstacles in her life is actually very sass. She is vintage & modern at the same time.

Her loveline is the one I invested most beside JDG son's one sided love to her lol. And KWB crushs with his teacher?

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anothernicole

June 26, 2017 at 5:26 PM

i agree with this. KES has her shortcomings, but i love the way she does bromance.

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nAEE

June 26, 2017 at 2:45 AM

Love the Gentleman's Dignity too. The bromance.. ^^ And the scene when they encountered the step-siblings of the female lead and declared themselves as her oppas - physically, financially, legally & personally. Can I just have them for myself?

I guess this has always been my deepest desire due to the fact that I'm the eldest in my family with no oder brother to depend on. And because I'm single too... *sigh*

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imzadi

June 26, 2017 at 8:38 AM

Right, she wanted to be seen as an adult by behaving like a child. That's the one storyline I didn't like.

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sargevee

June 26, 2017 at 12:39 PM

Loved that drama too! Hilarious chats at the coffee shop....my favourite was when they were talking about the girl groups and the lawyer was looking annoyed as his friends apparently embarrassing themselves, but he was the first one to run to get an autograph when one of the idols came in the shop to get coffee. LMFAO!

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anothernicole

June 26, 2017 at 5:25 PM

yes! i actually felt bad for not mentioning it after i sent in this post. its not a favorite overall for several reasons, but the friendship is spot-on.

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9 vannerie

June 25, 2017 at 2:08 PM

Yay for bromances and girlfriends. I think this is probably lmy favourite type of all. School 2013, Goblin and Reaper, the Woodalchi, Police Unit 38's Ma Dong-suk and Seo In-guk including their epic fight, Bad Guys, Park Hae-Jin and Park Sung -woong in ManXMan. The Ajummas in Reply 1988. I love them all.

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redfox

June 25, 2017 at 2:48 PM

ah, yes, Papa Bear and Jung Do, such a strange and brilliant connection. How they both had a change of character - and let´s not leave Ma Jin Seok out, starting as a total jackass and turning into an ally. and then Oh Dae Hwan also had a very bizarre kind of friendship in Shopping King Louis.

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jozie

June 25, 2017 at 4:24 PM

Ajumma brigade is life goals.

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PakalanaPikake

June 25, 2017 at 4:51 PM

Yay, Woodalchi!! Goblin and Reaper!! Kim Guard and Dark Death!!

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Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan

June 25, 2017 at 8:50 PM

Moo-hyul and Bang-won in Six Flying Dragons too. Oh and Bang-won and Young-gyu too. Bang-ji and Moo-hyul as well. Now that I think of it, Six Flying Dragons had all these amazing and heart wrenching bromances.

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Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan

June 25, 2017 at 8:52 PM

Lord, I also forgot the epic and heartbreaking bromance of Baek Dong-soo/Yeo Woon, and Sky Lord/ Gwang-taek in Warrior Baek Dong-soo.

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allphryne

June 26, 2017 at 2:30 AM

Police Unit 38 was great. Also Bad Guys made it out with solid friendship. I should mention my faw Ex-girlfriends' club.What started as a jungle became one great friendship.

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10 boraoni

June 25, 2017 at 2:20 PM

Such a good one. It's something I don't usually reach for a drama for, but when it's there it's usually my favourite thing about it. Peripheral characters are so rarely well developed in dramaland that when they are, it instantly elevates the whole show.

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11 Itenoria

June 25, 2017 at 2:32 PM

Ha Bromance and Girlfriends. The catnip that got me through all three I need Romance series (even though 2 shall be the one in the series that we will never speak of again), made me wail at the twist in the king 2 hearts, and had me oohing and ahhing in Reply 1997. It was also what got me through the woman who wants to marry (although looking at Ki-Bum also made the time fly pleasantly by. Hehehehehehe), and was what had me cheering on Yong Ha and Jae-Shin in Sungkyukwan Scandal. Like I loved the romance, but two two boys had my heart. And you don't want to get me started on school 2013. But yeah, this catnip is one that's definitely near and dear to my heart.

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12 bebeswtz

June 25, 2017 at 3:36 PM

> Bromances:
- our band of Hwarang
- Oh My Venus (oh man, I just might need to rewatch it for Sung Hoon)
- Heartless City (the last couple of episodes, oh man... no pun intended)
- our "Scarlet Heart: Ryeo" bros
- Reply 1997 & 1988 boys
- our F4 from Shinhwa High & our Joseon F4
- our resident alien from YFAS & Cheon Song Yi's brother
- our dear Crown Prince Yeong & his Eunuch
- our crime fighting duo in Tunnel
> Girlfriends:
- our SWAG girls from WFKBJ
- Our Reply 1997 girls
- Bong Soon and Kyung Shim (my all-time fave)
- our 'wifey' girlfriend couple in "She Was Pretty" (even if it made me angry at times)
- "Marriage Contract"

There's so many, I can't name them all! But I think I have my favs listed out :)

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13 UmbrellaMan

June 25, 2017 at 4:27 PM

For me, School 2013 had one of the greatest bromances. It was off the charts!! This one kind of ties in together with the ragtag band of misfits. The bond of friendship and love is definitely a strong catnip!

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14 eddye

June 25, 2017 at 5:39 PM

I know am not supposed to post this here but can someone please tell me how to register? I tried but it kept asking me for my birthday. I put in the right date but it was still thesame. place help?

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ObsessedMuch

June 26, 2017 at 11:23 AM

I dunno if you will see this now but maybe try a different date or add/remove spaces? Might just work..

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anothernicole

June 26, 2017 at 5:28 PM

is it possible that it thinks you are already registered? try logging in with "forgot my password" and see if it sends you a new one?

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15 celine

June 25, 2017 at 5:47 PM

I love this! Not a catnip, but I really enjoy a good bromance and womance. I have tons like:

Coffee Prince (Manager and his merry band of princes)
Goblin (Kim Shin and Grim and throw in Deokhwa and Secretary Kim as well)
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bokjoo (Suweg Girls)
Reply 1988 (Neighborhood Ajummas and Ajusshis and their children where special mention goes out to Taek and Sunwoo)
Bridal Mask (the tragic friendship that ripped my heart apart )
Squad 38 (Merry band of con artists)
School 2013 (The romance cloaked as bromance. Jongsuk said it, "It felt like a couple breaking up.")
Suspicious Partners (Lawyer Scooby Gang)

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16 giocare

June 25, 2017 at 5:49 PM

These shows give me hope that my friends and I will stay super close as we get older. And would love to see more girlfriends in future dramas *fingers crossed*

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allphryne

June 26, 2017 at 3:01 AM

It is a reminder to not neglect my girlfriends. And I need it as much as I can take. We still plan to live together when old, lots of cats, wine and books and all.

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17 PakalanaPikake

June 25, 2017 at 6:44 PM

Some of my favorite bromances are of the sageuk variety.

CHUNO has ruined aristocrat Dae-gil (Jang Hyuk) and his hunktastic slave hunting buddies "General" Choi and Wang-son (Han Jung-soo and Kim Ji-suk) engaging in epic swordfighting, along with Dae-gil's mentor-turned-frenemy, Cheon Ji-Ho (Song Dong-il).

ARANG AND THE MAGISTRATE has Eun-Oh and his faithful-to-a-fault servant, Dol-Soe (Lee Joon-gi and Kwon Oh-jung). And then there's the Cosmic Odd Couple, bickering baduk players the King of Hell and the King of Heaven (Park Jun-gyu and Yoo Seung-ho) -- a trio, actually, if you include the latter's flowery goat. ;-)

THE KING'S DAUGHTER, SU BAEK HYANG is wall-to-wall bromance. The title character has a hilarious bromance with inept and starving highwaymen Ddol-dae and Mang-ku, alias Smarty and Farty (Kim Roe-ha and Kim Min-kyo). They join the king's secret service with her and endure the rigors of basic training, espionage missions, and battle. The ahjussis truly become her brothers-in-arms and staunchest allies in her quest to find her lost sister and avenge her parents' murders.

Crown Prince Myung-nong (Jo Hyun-jae) and his cousin, Prince Jin-moo (Jeon Tae-soo), grow up close like brothers, which mirrors his father's childhood bromance with the cousin who later becomes king. King Muryeong's closest friend is fellow career soldier Marshal Hae (Lee Jae-ryong and Jung Sung-mo), whose loyalty and devotion to king and country know no bounds.

I love the relationship between the nerdy and romantically-challenged Prince Myung-nong and his long-suffering bodyguard, Kang-bok (Yeo Ui-joo). They not only swash a lot of buckles, they have their comic and spytastic moments as well.

In his quest for vengeance against his family's killer, deaf mute Kuchon (Yoon Tae-young) becomes a tracker and hunting buddy for Prince Jin-moo to gain access to the palace. But in the course of his undercover assignment as a Gogoryeo assassin, he comes to truly care for Jin-moo. The scene of him giving archery pointers -- as if he were a father or hyung -- is very touching. As are the interludes with the incredibly cute orphan (Choi Ro-woon) he rescues from an abysmal life as a servant in a gibang.

FAITH has General Choi Young (Lee Min-ho) and the Crescent Moon Corps, and later the Woodalchi, both with oodles of esprit de corps and bromance. Some of that bromance rubs off on Woodalchi Deok-man (Yoon Kyun-sang), who brings it with him to SIX FLYING DRAGONS and the Noisy Hongs of REBEL: THIEF WHO STOLE THE PEOPLE. ;-)

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allphryne

June 26, 2017 at 3:08 AM

How did I forget Woodalchi? Now I have to watch Faith again.

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anothernicole

June 26, 2017 at 5:29 PM

i have a soft spot in my heart for woodalchi, i have to admit.

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18 Del ^o^

June 25, 2017 at 7:11 PM

...Aah you forgot to mention Man To Man ...Sul-Woo and Woon-Gwang Bromance was amazing it's the only reason I watched the drama was because of them... and also hwang jung eun and Go Joon- Hee (From She Was Pretty) would be a good example

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fatcat007

June 25, 2017 at 10:39 PM

Oh yes! Man to man had epic bromance! That's why I'll miss that show so much.

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19 Jana

June 25, 2017 at 7:26 PM

I love angsty bromances so some of my faves includes School 2013, I Remember You & Pinocchio. Are there anymore recommedations for angsty bromances? Please do share!

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20 Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan

June 25, 2017 at 8:48 PM

One more group of girlfriends, Choi Kang-hee, Ha Jae-suk, and Wang Ji-hye in Protect The Boss. I loved how they reluctantly brought Wang Ji-hye's character into their home and became like sisters. I love how every time someone picked on Wang Ji-hye's character, "Myung-ranah" is the person she goes to.

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21 loveblossom

June 25, 2017 at 9:07 PM

Ooohhh yessss, bromance is one of my catnips. Oh My Venus had a great one!! First time I saw So Ji Sub, actually, and Sung Hoon. /doubleswoon/

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22 fatcat007

June 25, 2017 at 10:38 PM

Bromance & girlfriends are the best. You can just see the epic friendship goals in those shows that you can't wait to do for real with your own bffs. :-)

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23 hannaehh

June 25, 2017 at 10:44 PM

Definitely one of my catnips!!! Ahhh coach-nim and his brothers are so cute!! I love all of them!

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24 Dizzyizzy

June 26, 2017 at 11:42 AM

Would love to add Liar and His Lover's Crude Play! I love watching the bromance between them! :)

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25 juti

June 26, 2017 at 12:48 PM

Okay, I am also a sucker for bromance. I liked Young Dong-ha and his friend sighing together on the sofa because of their respective ladies in Witch's romance. I got emotionally involved with Byun-hee and his dudes (especially with the episode 2, if you know what I mean) in Shut Up: Flower Boy Band. And School 2013... Nothing left to say.

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26 stellaness

June 26, 2017 at 1:46 PM

One of my favorite bromances was the ensemble of guys in Coffee Prince and Answer Me 1988.

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anothernicole

June 26, 2017 at 5:30 PM

i know im way lame, but i still havent seen either of these. crazy, i know, since i hear such good things about both. one day maybe!

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27 muymuy

June 26, 2017 at 2:02 PM

My favorite bromance:
Shut up flower boy band
Favorite girlfriends:
Ahjummas of Answer Me 1988

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28 Lulu02

June 26, 2017 at 6:03 PM

Omg those scenes of Woo Bin and Lee Jong Suk were so charged with a weird tension that I remember thinkng "come, on, just kiss him and get over it" what a great chemestry they had.

You left out the F40 as recappers baptized the four men of A Gentlemen's Dignity. I LOVED THEM. That show made me laugh a lot! I loved the relationship between these four men who seemed adults but when they were together they acted like they were still in their 20's. It's a show more than about romantic love, about friendship. I loved it.

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29 kimkim

June 26, 2017 at 7:35 PM

I cannot believe no one mentioned the Crude Play boys :o Those boys were bromance personified!

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30 lunatic4kd

June 26, 2017 at 9:52 PM

One of the greatest bromance trios out there had to be the squad in "Let's Fight Ghost" with Ok Taec-yeon as lead. These three doofuses had me laughing more than any other drama bromance.

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31 Elgarmummy

June 27, 2017 at 4:36 AM

The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop had a great bromance. The four guys (ahjussis and some) started out as underachieving, and then they grew and chased their goals.

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32 miselpo

June 28, 2017 at 8:28 AM

I really wished they focused solely on the brotherhood of Hwarang rather than pushed the unconvincing romance. Well at least those boys have become brothers for real and it makes me happy to watch their bromance in real life.

And thank you for mentioning Choi Young-do and Jo Myung-soo!! They're the only reason I ever finished Heirs. Young-do was pretty much mean to everyone except Myung-soo they're really cute together. Kim Woo-bin and Park Hyung-sik ?

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33 pickledplumtree

July 6, 2017 at 6:20 PM

My favorite catnip includes these but does not limit by gender - any kind of gang of pals is what makes my heart happy, which is why some of the above mentioned are beloved for me! I also loved the squads of Reply 88, Another Oh Hae Young, and It's Okay, That's Love!

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