I watch primarily romantic Kdramas, which all tend to follow the same general story arc. About halfway through most series, the main romantic leads are finally starting to get somewhere — they know they like each other, or there’s been a confession or sleep-face-touching or at least something that makes you feel like they’re headed in the right direction. This is the moment when all Kdrama writers cackle, because you’re about to enter the third and most tumultuous phase of the Kdrama romance: The Gauntlet.

Birth secrets. Bitter exes. Crafty villains. Amnesia and/or time travel. Secrets revealed in the most painful way possible. People not telling each other things they should really be telling each other. No matter the plot device, the result is the same — for the next 40% of the series, you’ll be screaming at the tv and tearing out your hair as you watch the universe pummel your new favorite couple and keep them from being happy at any cost.

I hate such a love-hate relationship with this part of a series. It totally rips to shreds the nice buzz you get in the beginning, but it’s an important part of the process without a doubt. If you are watching Kdramas with me, this is when I start shouting things like “ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME” and “JUST TELL HER!”

There are a few ways to survive these sections if, like me, you find the emotional agitation uncomfortable.

You could just grit your teeth and power through…or you can do what I do, which is start another Kdrama. That way, the heady new-drama feelings can help balance the agony of the Gauntlet. It’s especially nice if you are watching a currently-airing series, meaning you have to wait for new episodes. Watching another Kdrama will help fill the time in between (I mean, you could “go outside” and “live your life,” but I should think that it was obvious that this isn't about healthy living)…until your back-up series hits the Gauntlet.

You can see how madness lies this way — and with new shows coming out quarterly, there’s always a new temptation to help soothes those jagged nerves. Well played, Kdrama writers.