If you frequent my blog and read my regular feature, “What’s on My Reading List?” You know how shoujo & josei dominate my reading list. I’m unashamed about it because they’re my favorite things to read. They are easier to digest, and I have fun reading them. But not everything I read lives up to my expectations (as expected!) but of course, like many readers, I do have hopes for anything new I read. I want it to satisfy me. I’m a simple person; I don’t have super high standards or as if my tastes are anything particular. A good old cliché romance, if done well, is OK with me. But I do expect something, even if the idea is simple; therefore, execution plays a major role.

I love a good romance, but since I’m a character driven type of reader, it is equally important to me that the characters aren’t mere puppets dancing aimlessly around the plot. I always read for the narrative, not solely for the relationship (even though I may sound like the former). It’s true in every genre. So that being said, when it comes to love interests, I don’t like them to fulfill that role ONLY!

So what do I mean by that? In many series I read (books, manga, or even TV shows), it’s already bad that the lead characters (often male leads) were not only too cliché, as if handpicked from the tropes trove to mold into synthetic perfection, but they didn’t have other roles other than being the female MCs’ partner (or vice versa). That won’t do! At least give the lead a proper character development! There was a local TV show I watched before, and I felt frustrated by the fact that the male lead was delegated nothing but a love interest. As if his whole world revolved around the female MC. He didn’t do anything outside of the MC’s narrative. He didn’t have his own backstory (if he does it closely tied with the girl MC) or even his own conflict—as if he were a lead but only by name; because in reality, his purpose was to provide a romantic angle for the female MC. Nothing more. Nothing less.

And I don’t want that! I hate that! There’s romance because the characters fell in love; the reason is still administered by the characters’ emotions! The romance exists because of them, not the other way around! And that there is still a purpose, an objective, and a story outside of the romantic context! The story doesn’t have to suffer; it doesn’t have to be convoluted to leave room for good character development! It didn’t mean it had to sacrifice this, even if the story is heavily romantically inclined. I don’t like damsels in distress waiting for their prince to arrive! I also don’t like a prince who arrived later only to complete the HEA package. I desire a prince who slays the dragon. A princess who also faced and triumphed over the wicked witch! Yes, I want characters who, if left alone, have their own interesting stories. That’s what I want! That’s what I prefer! So no, I don’t like plain love interest!

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How about you? Do you also agree that one-dimensional love is a no go? Have you read or watched a character assigned to this boring role? Are you frustrated by it? Tell me your thoughts!