Gone are the days when the jerk wins the lady. In the long history of rom-com, we’re faced with the plague of really terrible men. Fiction promised us that bad boys can change for love. For a long time, we swooned over a jerk becoming a better person for a dying girlfriend. Teenage girls fell “unconditionally and irrevocably in love with” a hundred-year-old vampire. And recently, in the reflection of the vampire saga, we all wanted Mr. Grey to take us on a helicopter ride with him.
Nice guys finish last, as the saying goes. That’s probably the unspoken rule of romance in fiction. But lately, movies and tv shows display good guys as leads. Say hello to the gentlemen proving that chivalry is far from dead—at least in fiction.
Peter Kavinsky
An instant internet boyfriend—that’s what Peter Kavinsky has become after the premiere of ‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’ on Netflix. The internet can’t be blamed as there is too much to love about this boy. Everyone wanted a first like Peter. The notes, the hand in the pocket, and driving across town for a yogurt drink are just a few things that put him up in this list. Peter is the representation of all our high school fantasies when everything, looking at it in retrospect, is all light and easy. It isn’t so bad to look back and relive those moments and maybe adore that boy we have (or wished we had) loved before.
Seo Joon Hee
Korean drama series ‘Something In The Rain’ had been the talk of the town for quite some time. It can’t be helped if you have a lead like Seo Joon Hee. While it’s true that the whole series falls on the “young-and-old” facet of Korean culture, we still can’t help but fall for the charms of Joon Hee. Seeing someone as energetic and passionate as him leading a drama is refreshing. No more aloof young man falling for the manic pixie dream girl. This fresh perspective opens viewers up to the idea that being gentle doesn’t make a guy any less of a man just as much as being tough doesn’t make him any more of one.
Nick Young
Crazy Rich Asians lead, Nicholas Young has redefined “Mr. Perfect” for everyone. No longer should Mr. Perfect be just good looking, smart, and rich but should also have an unexpected trait that makes him seemingly attainable. His humility sets him apart from all the rich guy leads of romantic comedy films and series. Who doesn’t want a boy who’s humble enough to own a Jamba Juice card and share Netflix passwords with you? And maybe steal some of your pastries too. Nick changed the way we look at the rich male leads. Say goodbye to the loaded, arrogant spoiled brats who wins the girl by bullying her. This got everyone into hoping they have a shot at being the next Rachel Chu.
Needless to say, today’s rom-com offers have been challenging old tropes and giving us fresh insights on “what could have been.” This development has only opened us up to even more endless possibilities in fiction. No one really knows who’s to steal our hearts after these dreamboats. But until the bad guys come to steal back the limelight, we’re all for the good guys to stay.
