Symbolism is everywhere in K-drama. It could be a food, a place, a person, or even an idea. But one of the most common and impactful symbols is flowers.
What do these flowers mean in K-dramas?
Trumpet Creeper
Also known as the Chinese trumpet vine, the trumpet creeper has one important meaning: waiting.
This striking orange flower is omnipresent in the drama Extraordinary You, and its meaning is well-conveyed in the extremely popular series.
In episode 15, Ha-ru sees himself buying a trinket with a trumpet creeper. The vendor explains that the flower means, "Even if the world falls apart and the earth splits up, I will only wait for you."
If you have a lover that you're waiting for, these may be the perfect flowers to symbolize your devotion.
Baby's Breath
Baby's breath is a hardy, long-lasting bloom, so if you were sending flowers to Italy from UK, this flower would be the perfect choice. It's not surprising, then, that baby's breath symbolizes pure, eternal love.
In Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter, Kim Geum gives Seon Ok-nam a big, beautiful bouquet of baby's breath. The flowers are a perfect representation of his feelings for Ok-nam: everlasting and undying love.
Buckwheat
What does the buckwheat flower mean? The Goblin's Kim Shin has the answer: lover. Kim Shin gives Ji Eun-tak a bouquet of buckwheat flowers, freshly picked from the Borinara Hagwon Farm.
Butterfly Flower
In Her Private Life, Ryan Gold looks for the perfect flower to give Sun Deok-mi when confessing his feelings. Atelier VertVert Flower School describes this bloom as symbolizing "charm and attraction."
Freesia
The flower of new beginnings, as Oh Tae-yang describes them in episode 19 of Good Witch. Cha Sun-hee proposes to her with a bouquet of freesias, and she promptly rejects his proposal.
In My First Love, Han Song-yi receives a bouquet with freesias from Yoon Tae-oh. To Tae-oh, the flowers represent the importance of their 20-year friendship. If you wanted to send flowers to Belgium to an old friend, yellow freesias would be a great choice.
Cosmos
Cosmos are bright, beautiful flowers that represent love. We saw this flower a lot in 20th Century Boy and Girl. They bloomed just outside Jin Jin's parents' chicken restaurant. Jin Jin also had a painting in her room of a girl standing in a field of cosmos.
Cosmos are flowers you'd give to someone you care for deeply. They symbolize your deepest feelings of love.
Flowers are often used to convey messages and feelings both in real life and in Korean dramas. The next time you watch your favorite drama, pay attention to the flowers and try to decipher their meanings.
