K-drama love language: How characters say ‘I love you’ without ever saying it

Just like in real life, one of the fastest ways to a K-drama character’s heart is through their stomach. Whether it’s Vincenzo (Song Joong-ki) cooking instant ramen for Hong Cha-young (Jeon Yeo-been), or Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) kneading noodles from scratch for Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin), a lovingly prepared meal is as good as a confession.

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Here’s something you don’t see every day, at least not in real life. In K-dramas, however, piggyback rides are so common, they’re practically a love language. Whether someone sprains an ankle hiking in questionable footwear, like Jin Young-seo (Seol In-ah) in Business Proposal, or is tipsy, like Do Do-hee (Kim Yoo-jung) in My Demon—or pretending to be tipsy, like Hyoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a) in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha—this gesture is a clear indication that someone has fallen hard.

Couple tees, shoes and hats are cute, but couple activities are on another level. In K-dramas, few things are more romantic than a tandem bicycle ride. If you can throw in a shower of cherry blossom petals, even better. From classics like Legend of the Blue Sea and W - Two Worlds to more recent hits like Love Next Door and My Demon, a bicycle ride for two symbolises more than a shared ride; it’s a shared journey.

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K-dramas take “a shoulder to lean on” quite literally. Characters who need a quick nap after a long day or have had one too many shots of soju can always find someone quietly waiting on the sidelines, willing to lend a shoulder—to sleep on, cry on or simply rest their head on. Just ask Nam Ha-Neul (Park Shin-hye) from Doctor Slump or Seo Dal-mi (Bae Suzy) from Start-Up.

This small gesture speaks volumes and reveals they’re paying attention to the small details. It’s evident when Baek Ye-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk) ties Na Hee-do’s (Kim Tae-ri) laces for the last time in Twenty Five Twenty One and when Yoo Shi-jin (Song Joong-ki) kneels to tie Kang Mo-yeon’s (Song Hye-kyo) shoes in Descendants of the Sun. And it’s not just reserved for lovers—who could forget Han Ji-pyeong (Kim Seon-ho) gently tending to halmeoni’s shoes in Start-Up?

Back hugs in K-dramas are emotionally charged moments that come with a flood of unspoken feelings. Whether it’s to stop someone from leaving, like when Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) holds Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) close to him in Crash Landing on You, or it’s brought on by a surge of emotion, like when Lee Won-jun (Yang Se-jong) suddenly pulls Lee Doo-na (Bae Suzy) in a tight embrace in Doona!, it speaks of quiet yearning.

Another distinctly K-drama way of showing affection is by shielding someone’s eyes from the sun's harsh glare. Sweet and endearing, it’s code for “I love you” in the world of romance K-dramas. Think of Do Bong-soon (Park Bo-young) shading An Min-hyuk (Park Hyung-sik) during their picnic date in Strong Woman Do Bong-soon, or Nam Hong-joo (Bae Suzy) protectively covering Jung Jae-chan’s (Lee Jong-suk) face as he naps on her shoulder in While You Were Sleeping.

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