Ultra Fan Guide to Ayase Haruka
A MDLer posted an article in the Feed. It was I Hate Strong Female Characters. Don't feel confused by the title. The article deals with the fact, that if someone has to point out that the female lead is strong it means vice versa a female lead is usually not strong. Furthermore, the terms "strong" in this case means her strong character is tagged with a lot of putative male characteristics like physical strength, strong will, righteousness and braveness in addition to her allegedly female characteristics like empathy, beautiful appearance and decent, shy reactions when the male lead shows his affection towards her. It is discussed so many times but, what about a strong male lead? Is every male lead automatically strong? Which attributes are needed to consider a male character as strong? Shouldn't a strong male character also contain "female" attributes?
This article is about some aspects which are the outstanding characteristics of single male characters of Asian dramas and why they could be considered as strong. It is written out of a very modern perspective.
Passion For Art (Second Love)
The male lead of Second Love, Taira Kei, is a passionate contemporary dancer. Once he was a part of a famous dance group in Germany, now he works as a docker and slowly loses the hope to get back to the top of his dancing career.
As Taira Kei gets mocked in the drama, a lot of boys get mocked when they start with such a “sissy” hobby like dancing (if it is not Hip Hop), playing an instrument (if it is not a guitar) or singing (if it is not Rap). But, if a man is passionate and finds a beautiful way to express it, it is impressive and special. When it comes to the fine arts, the acceptance towards men is very limited which is unfair. However, a man who just practices the beloved fine art no matter what everyone says is definitely a strong character.
Ability To Cry (Descendants Of The Sun)
Yoo Shi Jin, an unmitigated soldier who survived several life-endangering operations. The moment when Yoo Shi Jin cries about one of his former comrades, his tears express so much pain and honest sadness, that it is hard not to emphasize.
In Korean dramas, it is very common that men just cry, but, in real life, there are so many countries where men are not allowed to cry. They have to be strong like a rock and are not allowed to express their pain through tears. However, every human being is born with the ability to cry, and there are almost no animals who are able to do so in order to relieve their emotional pain. Men often get trained to lose this ability. It is inhuman to maim human beings like that. Therefore, it is strong if a man keeps the ability to cry.
Empathy and Kindness (Legend of Fu Yao)
Wu Ji is a prince, a soldier and a guardian. He does everything in order to create a peaceful world. Of course, he has every characteristic a typical male lead character contains but, moreover, he is kind hearted and senses exactly who his friends feel.
Being calm, kind and caring towards people are usually typical female attributes. It is rather not common for stereotypical male bad-ass characters to have a cute pet, talk about his feelings with his friends and smile a lot. To comfort people and make them smile while fighting a war and suffering yourself is really strong!
Improve to be perfect for her (Cruel Romance)
Zuo Zhen is a rich leader, who's intelligent including complex strategical thinking and skills in martial arts. He is handsome and righteously follows his principles — He is a cliche of a male lead. Nevertheless, when the woman of his heart wants to dance, he decides to learn how to dance.
He is not just simply perfect (as a lot of male leads). To impress his woman, he tries hard to improve and becomes skilled in a discipline which he is not interested in. Even if he feels a bit embarrassed while practising, he still does it. Consideration and adaptation to the needs of others are usually attributed to women. Even if his motive is not simply to make her happy, he still leaves his comfort zone to impress her.
Doesn't Feel Endangered By Her Physical Strenght?
(The King2Heart)
In The King2Heart, the male lead Lee Jae Ha is less physical skilled than Kim Hang Ah. When the two of them meet for the first time, Kim Hang Ah kicks his ass because he doesn't take her position as team lead serious. Later on, there is a situation in which Lee Jae Ha is kidnapped. When his woman comes to save him, he is proud of her, and his eyes shine with love.
It is very common that a woman is a weak person which has to be protected. Women instinctively search for someone who protects them — considering it is normal to be dependent and at the mercy of a man all the time. It is indoctrinated that has to be like that. So, a man who can accept to be the weaker one and adore his woman for her strength is the real man because only an outstanding mentally strong man can break out of old conventions and social norms.
Accepts Her Past (My Beautiful Bride)
Kim Do Hyeong and Yoon Joo Yeong seem like a carefree and cute couple. She is kind and gentle, but, uneducated, however, intelligent. This lovely girl has a dark past as a prostitute. The watcher will get to know her whole heartbreaking story. It is hard to hate her for her past.
In most cultures, it is acceptable for a man to have sexual experiences before he meets the woman he wants to marry. It is a different story when it comes to females. Most men behave pathetically or even in a disgusting way, if a woman has a physical past. They pretend to look at a damaged worthless tool or toy, but not Kim Do Hyeong. This male lead loves Yoon Joo Yeong as a person, not an object he claims ownership. When he gets to know the past of his bride, he pretends not to know about it. It is not because he wants to deny it, he pretends not to know anything because his woman doesn't want him to know. She just wants to live a peaceful life with Kim Do Hyeong, and he wants to give her this life she is longing for. It is sad that in the 21st century, this is still a topic, but that is also why it is remarkable if a man doesn't feel hurt in his pride or whatever when a woman has an unpleasant past.
So, in the end, it is very strong if a man uses all these great attributes even if they are considered as unmanly. He has to be mentally strong enough to handle the disapproval of society. Isn't it strange that most societies dislike the thought of men as sentient beings?
