Rain often plays a role in k-dramas by making a scene, especially a kiss scene, even more dramatic. That was obvious in the first episode of "Doctor Stranger" when Lee Jong Suk's passionate parting kiss with Jin Se Yeon happened in the pouring rain.
But it's not the first time k-dramas have turned on the rain machine to heighten effect.
There were plenty of dramatic rain scenes in "Missing You" starring Park Yoochun and Yoon Eun Hye. Rain pouring from the skies seemed fitting, as there were also plenty of crying scenes. Both characters shed plenty of tears before they shared an umbrella at the playground. And 15 years later Park Yoochun first suspects that Yoon Eun Hye is his lost love when he sees her standing in the rain.
The umbrella is also used to show a character wanting to protect the person they love.
In "I Hear Your Voice," Lee Bo Young has conflicting feelings about the younger Lee Jong Suk but at one point knows that she cannot ignore them any longer. She hurries back to where he is sitting in the rain and offers him an umbrella. She wants him to stay well and doesn't mind getting wet.
In "Love Rain" the couple first grows closer because Jang Geun Suk offers Yoona an umbrella. By offering her his umbrella, he will surely be drenched. And that's how their tragic relationship starts.
"Playful Kiss" had a rain scene that was both grudgingly protective and yet meant to be romantic. Kim Hyun Joong offers Jung So Min his umbrella when she gets off at the bus stop. She expects him to be as mean as ever but he is concerned by the fact that she received a proposal from someone else. So he has to kiss her. The umbrella falls to the floor and they wind up getting soaked while kissing in the rain.
"Nice Guy" had a memorable romantic confession scene in the rain.
In "Nice Guy," Eun Ki, played by Moon Chae Won, confesses her love to Song Joong Ki's character, telling him that she wants to grow old with him. He's battered. She's crying and the rain keeps pouring down.
And finally, for a dramatic yet funny scene in the rain, one of the best is the scene where Gong Hyo Jin first meets So Ji Sub in "The Master's Sun." She's standing by the side of the road in her ghostly rain slicker and lightning guides him to stop where she stands. In that drama rain plays matchmaker in bringing these two fated souls together.