In Korea the word noona means older sister but a man can also use the word as an affectionate way to refer to a slightly older woman. And when the word is used in front of a kdrama romance, it means that the female lead will be older than the man who loves her.
There are a lot of noona romances and you have to wonder why they are so popular. Here are a few theories.
People want to believe true love conquers all, even an age gap.
Women want to feel they will still be adored when they are older.
Women sometimes believe men need to be more mature. One of the fun parts of noona dramas is seeing the male character grow up, often after a prompt from his older girlfriend.
Last but not least, the noona character usually has a position of authority that reverses expected gender roles and it makes for a fun plot twist. He has to listen to what she says. But even if the female lead is a teacher, she may have something to learn from her student.
Although this year's hit drana "I Hear Your Voice" is a noona romance between a high school student, played by Lee Jong Suk, and a prosecutor, played by Lee Bo Young, it's not a new phenomenon.
Back in 2005, the comedy "Biscuit Teacher" starred Gong Yoo and Gong Hyo Jin. Although the actors are the same age, in this drama he was supposed to be a troubled teen and she was his teacher. She's also the only person who understands him.
A year later "Unstoppable High Kick" had a subplot that was a noona romance between teen Jung Il Woo and his teacher Seo Min Jung. She also refuses to give up on him. Jung Il Woo went on to reprise his role as high school student in love with his teacher in "Flower Boy Ramen Shop." There he is the sheltered heir who falls for his teacher, played by Lee Chung Ah. He has to stop being a spoiled kid and take some responsibility for his life.
In "I Do, I Do," a shoe designer, played by Kim Sun Ah, has a one-night stand with a younger shoe counterfeiter, played by Lee Jang Woo. He winds up working for her and falling for her but she is his boss. Complicating everything is the fact that she got pregnant. He is irritatingly childish for much of the drama then redeems himself by growing up in a hurry.
And then there's "The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry," in which Park Jin Hee plays a 30-ish newscaster who despairs of ever finding anyone when she meets a much younger indie rocker played by Kim Bum. She is not interested in a noona romance but he is pretty persistent.
Just this week it was announced that Park Jin Hee might play the lead in "Botox," a film in which a 42-year-old woman is faced with a love confession by a 21-year-old man, played by Lee Joon.
Why do you think that it remains a popular subject for dramas and films? What did you think of these romantic pairings? And did we miss any noona romances? Let us know.
