Why do people like angst?

    I am genuinely curious why? Like, I hate it when a story is depressing, tragic, and traumatizing just for the sake of it, but apparently, some people are really into that? Why though?


    I read the most depressing, tragic, and traumatizing BL this weekend, and I am still depressed about the shit the main character had to endure. It just makes me wonder why people like reading that, and what would make an author even think of a plot like that?


    So, yeah, if you like angsty stories, please explain to me why? What's so enjoyable about them?

    Quote from yoshiworldhmm

    honestly it depends on my mood, if i feel like it i'll read the saddest novels ever and then since i still feel sad after finishing it ill probably read another one and it'll go on for a cycle till i stop lol :pepe-comfy:

    Interesting. And, is it just because you like being in that state? Like feeling those emotions bring you some form of enjoyment or comfort?

    Quote from prodigy210

    depends on how its done some can really be meaningful or thought provoking. People like reading about struggles they themselves have gone through or are currently dealing with.

    Yeah, I agree. Though, I think what gets me is that in some of the stories, like the one I read this weekend, it completely becomes about making the main character suffer. Like every chapter focuses on the tragedy and trauma this person faces without reprieve, and it seems like a story created for masochists. But then again, I guess life really can feel like that kind of hell for some people.

    Quote from keyboardwarrior7

    Yeah, I agree. Though, I think what gets me is that in some of the stories, like the one I read this weekend, it completely becomes about making the main character suffer. Like every chapter focuses on the tragedy and trauma this person faces without reprieve, and it seems like a story created for masochists. But then again, I guess life really can feel like that kind of hell for some people.

    completely agree you need a balance with every genre its similar to enjoying a good horror movie and being disgusted by movies that go over board to the point its basically torture porn.... which there are many people who enjoy that as well

  • AllKill VIP

    My favorite Kdramas are extremely angsty melodramatic ones. Particularly where the leads almost or explicitly hate each other or have big issues between them yet can't help but gravitate to one another.


    It kills me because they don't really make them anymore. They're all considered "toxic" and old fashioned and problematic these days.


    Modern dramas all lack the kind of passionate angst I yearn for. Everyone's healthy and the relationships are boring.


    When I hear people say that a kdrama is or was all that stuff "toxic, problematic" I think. Oh the kdrama for me!


    Preferably they will have this song to mark the angst.


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    ^^

    Edited once, last by emanresu ().

  • AllKill VIP

    Oh and to actually answer your question.


    I find all the angst more passionate and moving.


    There's that old saying there's a fine line between love and hate.


    For me, my favorite romances skirt that line. Even outside of Korean dramas.


    Think Pride & Prejudice where Liz and Mr Darcy have for much of the story a layer of contempt or anger for one another (due to much misunderstanding) that is at the same time conflicted against a level of attraction to one another that they can't entirely escape despite themselves. It all creates this extremely passionate whirlwind that is ultimately to me... So romantic and emotional upon their final fruition of coming together in the end. It wouldn't nearly be as romantic to me if the whole journey was one of please and thank you and I like you and you like me. The struggle makes the payoff explosive and as others said above... Cathartic.

    So you like the push and pull I'm assuming?


    But what about angsty plots that are not romantic? Do you like those as well?

  • AllKill VIP

    i think i saw a post kinda regarding this in neo guild chat room but like

    im a introverted person when it comes to being in classes where none of my friends are in but around my friends i get this huge energy boost


    but to be honest its probably just me not wanting to deal with the shit ive gone through


    but back to the energy boost subject, if your a really close friend then i get more energized being around you but that also limits how much information you get

    and i dont have many friends so theres only like one person that knows everything abt me

    then as we go down the list of friends the people know less and less
    (i hope that makes sense)

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