"It can be considered one in some cases, especially if the drama focuses heavily on the romance and the dynamic between these three characters is central to the story."
That's why i said it's a love triangle because that's the genre we're watching. Perfect and Casual is focusing on romance and the characters' relationships. Basically, all these romance/romcoms on MDL are the same. That's why we ask about love triangles in the comments. They almost all have love triangles.
"However, if we apply that first example to any romance genre drama, then almost every single one would technically have a love triangle."
That's right, they do. That's why i mentioned that almost all romance dramas have love triangles.
"Taec-yeon’s character does show some interest in the female lead, and by your logic, that would make it a love triangle. But can we really call it that?"
Yes. It's a mild love triangle, but technically, it's a love triangle because the show has gone out of its way to show us the connection between the three characters. And that connection is decisive in making it a love triangle.
"The ML doesn’t even understand love until he meets the FL. Based on his character and backstory, his past relationship with the old girlfriend feels more like a deep friendship than anything romantic. When it comes to the FL, there’s another guy (her boss or whatever) who’s interested in her. But as viewers, we know she has no feelings for him beyond friendship."
See, this is why you and others who believe these aren't love triangles are getting it wrong or misunderstanding. Just because people A and B only like each other without any feelings for person C doesn't mean it's not a love triangle. You and others believe A or B must have feelings for each other and have feelings for C. That's a love triangle, but that doesn't make it the only love triangle.
"The story doesn’t really revolve around these four characters. The love interests were more like side characters, and the main focus was on the ML and FL’s life journey. (I’m ignoring other couples here since the original answer specifically referred to the MC). These outside romantic interests don’t threaten the ML and FL’s relationship at all, and they only appear in about a quarter of the drama. If anything, their presence strengthens the bond between the MC. So, can we really call this a love triangle?"
Yes because it doesn't matter if they're side characters, not posing much threat, having limited screentime, and not having their feelings reciprocated because the show still emphasises the connection between the characters with feelings like persons A, B, and C. We have to consider them love triangles no matter how fundamental or insignificant the relationships or second leads are in the show.
But i have a couple of questions for you for my own understanding of your logic.
1. If this show has no love triangles like you say, then why did it have love triangle in the tags?
2. Why do you only consider it to be a love triangle when person A must have feelings for B and C considering C has feelings for A?
Because it's all about the context, the circumstances that form the setting for the drama. These dramas explore the characters' lives. The ML, FL, SML's, and SFL's. If they're showing us their situations, feelings, and emotions, then we need to classify their intertwined relationships in some form or another.
1. If 100 people like A, then that's not a love triangle anymore because it involves more than A, B, and C. That's more than 3 people. You can add a fourth person, but that becomes a love square, but that just adds a whole other level of complexity. It can be multiple love triangles within the square. But that's why i mentioned previously that there's not just one type of love triangle but many.
2. Yes, because we know about it. We are viewers, and the message is meant for us. If C's feelings are revealed to us but character C never tells A, then that's for the viewers to understand the dynamics of their relationship. It shows us the connection between the three that forms the triangle. Also, if you look at the tags, it has a love triangle. That's to inform the viewers there are multiple characters with feelings for one or more characters. When someone asks about love triangles in the comments on MDL, that's what they're asking. They want to know if there are multiple characters with feelings for the same person. The most popular and common scenario is the ML and SML with feelings for the FL.
3. Even though Vincenzo has little romance, the ML and FL are still shown to have feelings for each other. Now i don't remember if there were any second leads with feelings for the ML or FL, but if there were, then yes a love triangle would be formed even if it just a minor one because the show goes out of its way to show us the feelings of the second lead.
I think you do. Go look up the definition of love triangle. By definition, a love triangle is a situation in which two people both love a third person, regardless of whether that third person has feelings for one or both people. Also, there's not just one type of love triangle. There's many.
For example, person A likes B, B likes A, and C likes A.
A likes B and C, B likes A, and C likes A.
A likes B, B likes C, and C likes A.
They are just a few examples. So stop talking nonsense.
I only made it to episode 4. It doesn't look interesting. I know I'll be bored with this one even if i like the actors and the type of story. Also, the FL doesn't seem like a character that really cares for the ML even when they're together. It also looks like a slow burn. There can be good slow burns because of interactions, but this seems it's going to be a dragged out slow burn. I also think 36 episodes is far too long for a simple story. That's what makes it boring. I probably would've watched it if it had the standard 24 episodes. And because of the comments, overall, i don't think it's worth it.
This is the speed run version of season 1 obviously it would be same
I'm looking forward to watching season 2 and then season 3 when it's finished. I'm still waiting because there's so many other dramas to watch that have already finished airing. How was the romance in season 2? I remember the ML was involved with 3 female characters in season 1. Does this continue in season 2?
The rating is low mainly because the 2ml didn't get the girl (too many fans of 2ml actor). But i also didn't like…
And that's why i won't watch this drama. With a FL like that, a SML getting more love from viewers even though he's a huge red flag, and the FL getting shipped with the SML is far too off putting to watch it.
💯👏 I also don't mind the trope either as long as it doesn't drag on for most of the show. But i do think the love triangles are necessary for character development between the leads. But i do prefer equal triangles between SML's and SFL's. Unfortunately, the majority of triangles are with SML's.
"There is another trope I find it ironic is female lead can have past romantic relationships be it either through dating or marriage while male lead is always shown to be single and having no relationship experience at all."
Those dramas are aimed at female viewers. The female audience doesn't want to see the ML with any other female characters except the FL. Even if it's a time before he meets the FL. That would make him an immediate red flag, which i don't believe is correct. Meanwhile, the FL can enjoy multiple male characters surrounding her, and that is considered normal. ML with SFL, "toxic." FL with SML, "you go girl."
1. That's nonsense. The FL in dramaland is the focal point in most dramas, and you know it.
2. That's exactly why i said women are the main protagonists and not men. So you're wrong. Also, as i mentioned before, the majority of viewers are female, and that's the reason female characters are the focal point. Just consider anime or other entertainment that has the majority of male viewers. The main protagonists are males with females hanging off them. That's normal.
3. And that's why i said these Cdramas and Kdramas have the female character as the main protagonist and not the male character. Whereas you mentioned, the ML is usually the main protagonist, and that's false.
That's why i said it's a love triangle because that's the genre we're watching. Perfect and Casual is focusing on romance and the characters' relationships. Basically, all these romance/romcoms on MDL are the same. That's why we ask about love triangles in the comments. They almost all have love triangles.
"However, if we apply that first example to any romance genre drama, then almost every single one would technically have a love triangle."
That's right, they do. That's why i mentioned that almost all romance dramas have love triangles.
"Taec-yeon’s character does show some interest in the female lead, and by your logic, that would make it a love triangle. But can we really call it that?"
Yes. It's a mild love triangle, but technically, it's a love triangle because the show has gone out of its way to show us the connection between the three characters. And that connection is decisive in making it a love triangle.
"The ML doesn’t even understand love until he meets the FL. Based on his character and backstory, his past relationship with the old girlfriend feels more like a deep friendship than anything romantic. When it comes to the FL, there’s another guy (her boss or whatever) who’s interested in her. But as viewers, we know she has no feelings for him beyond friendship."
See, this is why you and others who believe these aren't love triangles are getting it wrong or misunderstanding. Just because people A and B only like each other without any feelings for person C doesn't mean it's not a love triangle. You and others believe A or B must have feelings for each other and have feelings for C. That's a love triangle, but that doesn't make it the only love triangle.
"The story doesn’t really revolve around these four characters. The love interests were more like side characters, and the main focus was on the ML and FL’s life journey. (I’m ignoring other couples here since the original answer specifically referred to the MC). These outside romantic interests don’t threaten the ML and FL’s relationship at all, and they only appear in about a quarter of the drama. If anything, their presence strengthens the bond between the MC. So, can we really call this a love triangle?"
Yes because it doesn't matter if they're side characters, not posing much threat, having limited screentime, and not having their feelings reciprocated because the show still emphasises the connection between the characters with feelings like persons A, B, and C. We have to consider them love triangles no matter how fundamental or insignificant the relationships or second leads are in the show.
But i have a couple of questions for you for my own understanding of your logic.
1. If this show has no love triangles like you say, then why did it have love triangle in the tags?
2. Why do you only consider it to be a love triangle when person A must have feelings for B and C considering C has feelings for A?
1. If 100 people like A, then that's not a love triangle anymore because it involves more than A, B, and C. That's more than 3 people. You can add a fourth person, but that becomes a love square, but that just adds a whole other level of complexity. It can be multiple love triangles within the square. But that's why i mentioned previously that there's not just one type of love triangle but many.
2. Yes, because we know about it. We are viewers, and the message is meant for us. If C's feelings are revealed to us but character C never tells A, then that's for the viewers to understand the dynamics of their relationship. It shows us the connection between the three that forms the triangle. Also, if you look at the tags, it has a love triangle. That's to inform the viewers there are multiple characters with feelings for one or more characters. When someone asks about love triangles in the comments on MDL, that's what they're asking. They want to know if there are multiple characters with feelings for the same person. The most popular and common scenario is the ML and SML with feelings for the FL.
3. Even though Vincenzo has little romance, the ML and FL are still shown to have feelings for each other. Now i don't remember if there were any second leads with feelings for the ML or FL, but if there were, then yes a love triangle would be formed even if it just a minor one because the show goes out of its way to show us the feelings of the second lead.
For example, person A likes B, B likes A, and C likes A.
A likes B and C, B likes A, and C likes A.
A likes B, B likes C, and C likes A.
They are just a few examples. So stop talking nonsense.
"There is another trope I find it ironic is female lead can have past romantic relationships be it either through dating or marriage while male lead is always shown to be single and having no relationship experience at all."
Those dramas are aimed at female viewers. The female audience doesn't want to see the ML with any other female characters except the FL. Even if it's a time before he meets the FL. That would make him an immediate red flag, which i don't believe is correct. Meanwhile, the FL can enjoy multiple male characters surrounding her, and that is considered normal. ML with SFL, "toxic." FL with SML, "you go girl."
2. That's exactly why i said women are the main protagonists and not men. So you're wrong. Also, as i mentioned before, the majority of viewers are female, and that's the reason female characters are the focal point. Just consider anime or other entertainment that has the majority of male viewers. The main protagonists are males with females hanging off them. That's normal.
3. And that's why i said these Cdramas and Kdramas have the female character as the main protagonist and not the male character. Whereas you mentioned, the ML is usually the main protagonist, and that's false.