Like, instead of actual plot or character development, they’re filled with these “cute moments” that don’t really add up to anything meaningful. It’s just scene after scene meant to feel wholesome, but there’s no real depth holding it together.
One trope I keep seeing is the “perfect joint family.” Everyone is unrealistically loving, supportive, and obsessed with the FL. There’s often a whole wedding arc where everything is flawless, the in-laws are angels, and there’s zero conflict or realism. Earlier, even romantic stories had some grounding family dynamics weren’t always ideal, and characters actually had to deal with tension. Most i read they had rejected the joint family.
Another thing: stories used to give the female lead an actual personality and limitations. She wasn’t waking up at 5am, cooking for 15 people in 30 minutes, and being praised like a goddess. She felt human. Now it’s like perfection = personality. They embodied their ideals.
And don’t even get me started on character behavior. A lot of FLs are written as rude, dismissive, and never accountable for their mistakes but it’s framed as “cute” or “strong.” If a male lead acted the same way, he’d be called toxic instantly. There’s a clear double standard.
At this point it feels like a mix of Gopi Bahu and “baddie” culture. the FL is either unrealistically perfect or acting rude and unaccountable, and somehow both are framed as ideal.
I miss when female leads had real convictions, like refusing with clear, well-thought-out reasons and strong boundaries that didn’t bend just because the male lead showed up. Back then, the male lead fell for her because of her strength and principles, not just because she was “different” in a shallow, surface-level way
Also, many stories rely heavily on the FL’s beauty as the main reason the ML falls for her. There’s little emotional build-up, it’s just “she’s stunning” and that’s enough.
- Miscommunication stretched out instead of real conflict
- Over-glorified “green flag” MLs with no flaws at all
- Excessive focus on aesthetics (outfits, weddings, looks) over substance
- Instant acceptance by everyone with no real relationship building
- Recycled dialogue and personalities across different stories
I’m not saying all new stories are bad, but it feels like a lot of them are following the same formula now, just throwing a few different elements. Does anyone else feel this shift?