Demonizing the romantic other, IMO, is rarely anything other than lazy writing. "I need conflict...ah, I'll just create a horrid Other to attempt to interfere." *yawn* It's also why so much shoujo loses me. Too many "conflicts" aren't real conflicts, just shallow shortcuts meant to avoid any conflict that actually takes effort and complexity.
Saying "of course the other girl has to be demonized" is the same as saying "of course you have to hate all female characters if you like slash." Neither is true.
Part of why I prefer period dramas is that they are far superior in characterization and conflict, both romantic or otherwise. Every one I've seen has had the opportunity to take the easy road, and avoided it.
ETA: And while I can't say much about the others you listed off because I either haen't seen them yet, or tried them and was bored (the melodramas and i are very much not friends, though I enjoy peoples' posts on them) i do know the Goong expected us to sympathize with Yul, which isn't true of Tennis Girl.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2008-11-12 10:17 pm (UTC)Saying "of course the other girl has to be demonized" is the same as saying "of course you have to hate all female characters if you like slash." Neither is true.
Part of why I prefer period dramas is that they are far superior in characterization and conflict, both romantic or otherwise. Every one I've seen has had the opportunity to take the easy road, and avoided it.
ETA: And while I can't say much about the others you listed off because I either haen't seen them yet, or tried them and was bored (the melodramas and i are very much not friends, though I enjoy peoples' posts on them) i do know the Goong expected us to sympathize with Yul, which isn't true of Tennis Girl.