Love Triangles I Didn't Hate

Kim Bok Joo fell head over heels in puppy love for a weight loss doctor, Jung Jae Yi. This complicated her life, because the sure way to see him was as his patient, and losing weight could ruin her Olympic chances as a weightlifter. He was charmed by her bright personality, but in a friendly, non-romantic way. Through it all Jae Yi's little brother, Jung Joon Hyung had been her teasing tormentor. When Bok Joo experienced heartbreak, Joon Hyung comforted her and became her friend.

When Eun Hwan Ki's first love, Seo Yun Jung, returned from America, she was straightforward with Hwan Ki and his current girlfriend, Chae Ro Woon, that she still had feelings for him. She flirted and plotted, but she did it openly and honorably. When she realized Hwan Ki's heart was with Ro Woon, she was friends to them both, helping them in her own way. Then, she removed herself from the picture by returning to America. 

Of all the characters, I liked her best: she was open and honest, smart, and funny.  

Indestructible Guem Jan Di had two young men in love with her: fiery Gu Jun Pyo and stoic Yoon Ji Hoo. When Jun Pyo caused Jan Di's tears, Ji Hoo was nearby to hand her a handkerchief. Ji Hoo respected his friend and tried hard not to cross any lines. Ji Hoo actively worked to bring Jun Pyo and Jan Di together.

When Jun Pyo's mother made his relationship with Jan Di impossible, he considered the pain he was causing her and entertained the thought that Ji Hoo would be a better choice. He even gave his blessing to Ji Hoo if he were to die — that Ji Hoo was the only person he could see with Jan Di if he was out of the picture. 

Of all the love triangles I've viewed in K-dramas, the best is between Sung Deok Sun, the perky little sister, and her brother's friends, Choi Taek, a stoic Baduk prodigy, and Kim Jun Hwan, a wealthy athlete. The childhood friends have such a bond that it's unthinkable to harm one another with a romance. Honorably, even foolishly, Jun Hwan suppresses his blossoming love for Deok Sun out of fear of hurting Choi Taek.

Many K-drama writers use the love triangle to ratchet pain and angst. Reply 1988 did it best and decently.  The emotional punch felt authentic and was far more effective than lesser writers who manufacture over-the-top characters and circumstances.