#i have a hunch amongst kbls in particular

[petrichoraline]

do you know any show where there's a popular kid/lonely kid trope? ☺️

not many of the shows i've watched fit this trope exactly (and especially the one i have in my head where the lonely kid has zero friends and the popular guy has roses blooming any time he enters the room) but i've compiled a list with couples whose dynamics resemble it, somewhat? i hope that's okay, when it comes to anon requests i kinda have to read minds so i rely on "more is more"

Fish Upon the Sky - starting off with a great example of a kid with a low self-esteem searching for love and the heartthrob chasing after him; it's also enemies to lovers though completely one-sided lmao

Semantic Error - we've got the campus hottie and the most antisocial man in that whole uni (though if you ask Sangwoo he'd deny he's lonely, he's just self-sufficient); P.S as per MDL, Jaeyoung is described as stylish, fun-loving, and – above all – extraordinarily popular. He is the closest thing the college has to a superstar!

I Will Knock You - Noey is a gang leader whom good girls swoon over and Thi, though pretty content with his friend group, is a cowardly goody two-shoes; he doesn't fit the loner trope perfectly but their dynamic is really interesting and worth paying attention to imo

Be My Favorite - Kawi and Pisaeng fit the descriptions perfectly but their love story doesn't develop the cliche way; Kawi is a fiesty bitter lil thing and Pisaeng is the warm sociable type of popular guy

Dangerous Romance - Kang with his teen hormones, unresolved issues and attitude problem is a bully who tried recreating his own fight scene a la F4 style and we know Domyouji is peak drama popular guy (or, since we're talking Thai shows, Thyme); Sailom seems to not be that much on the lonely side at first but the more you get into his character the more you see how befitting this title is

Blueming - the kid that did everything to be popular and the naturally charismatic sweetheart cross paths

To My Star - this doesn't really fit till you realise Seojoon is a literal celebrity and Jiwoo is a pit of loneliness and scepticism

Love Class S2 - again, not too fitting but the side couple of Maru and Minwoo bring a bit of it to the table because Maru is unbearably sociable while Minwoo keeps to himself to the point of misery

Cherry Magic - i mean. shining star of the office Kurosawa/Karan and blending-into-the-background Adachi/Achi kinda fit the bill

Utsukushii Kare - high school? check. popular dude? check. outcast kid who worships popular fella's existence? check! side note, i'd say the way Kiyoi is basically forced to pursue Hira cause he's so dense is hilarious

Fukou-kun wa Kisu Suru Shikanai! - oh, my lovely. the first show from Drama Shower. sweet and approachable Naoya whose good luck rubs off on cute Kota whose loneliness is somewhat brought upon by his constant misfortune. again, the "lonely kid" here has a bit of a mean streak which makes him very entertaining

Senpai, Danjite Koi de wa! - these dudes are in the workforce too but we have the competent charismatic senior and the awkward intern looking up to him

Minato Shouji Coin Laundry - Akira has been running from himself for so long and here comes the handsome smart dude determined to love the f out of him, i'd ssy they count lol

Takara-kun to Amagi-kun - we've got the poker-faced ikemen and his shy beloved

Kabe Koji - literal pop idol with sunshine personality and brooding mess of a doujinshi author (self-esteem issue included, of course)

Bokura no Micro na Shuumatsu - words can't explain these two's dynamic and how intriguing it is to me; Ritsu is a hot guy menace (derogatory) and Masumi has that bit of a crazy streak that works in their favour

Kimi to Nara Koi wo Shite Mite mo - the loner/popular dude dynamic here is somewhat lowkey? the "loner" is sociable and you can't really tell the "popular kid" is one based on his attitude at all, it's way more of a friends to lovers (with a touch of love at first sight if you ask me <3 )

About Youth - i wondered whether to include this one but the mdl description convinced me; they're a swooned-over straight A student and a shy musician, real cuties

Taikan Yoho - the vibes are very different from what you'd imagine with this trope but it technically fits lol, we've got a manga artist who stays at home all day and a handsome weatherman whose company is seeked by everyone

The Best Story - it's YinWar.

21 Days Theory - X and Q participating in a challenge that leads to romance, it's really cute