Are words of affirmation your partner’s love language? Do random sweet nothings perk up their mood instantly? Next time you want to shower them with affection, why not surprise them with romantic declarations lifted from their favourite K-dramas? These binge-worthy shows not only offer date night ideas but also lend creative expressions of love when you’re tongue-tied.
The Power of Words of Affirmation
Dr Gary Chapman first introduced the concept of words of affirmation in his book, The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. In it, he suggested couples take a test to determine which of these five languages they “speak.”
In essence, words of affirmation centres around the power of spoken or written communication to express love and appreciation. For those who resonate with this sweet-talking language, hearing verbal affirmations and positive encouragement from their loved ones can go a long way.
What are some words of affirmation examples you can use to fill your S.O.’s cup? Sincere compliments, expressions of gratitude, and verbal acknowledgement of their qualities or efforts are sure to tug at their love strings. Even simple gestures like leaving a love note – featuring a K-drama quote you watched last night – will get them weak in the knees.
Words of Affirmation from K-Dramas
Take inspiration from these words of affirmation to turn your love story into a real-life Korean romance.
1. “You deserve to be happy and more.”
When The Camellia Blooms is a story about Dong Baek and her life as a single mother. She meets Hwang Yong Sik, who falls in love with her instantly. However, Dong Baek is too busy for love as she tries hard not to tip her already full solo-parenting plate. He finally wins her over, praising her efforts saying, “You deserve to be happy and more.”
When you’re in the honeymoon stage, all you seem to think of and talk about is your love interest. But sometimes, the spark fades over time. Revive a long-term relationship back to life by telling them how much you appreciate them. For example, if you’re married with kids, sometimes it’s easy to forget to thank your partner for doing routine household logistics. Tell your partner they deserve joy and ask how you can give it.
2. “My love for you knows no limits.”
In Business Proposal, Kang Tae Moo tells Shin Ha Ri, “Do you know what my love for you and this credit card have in common? They both have no limit. There’s no limit at all.”
Saying “I love you” is nice. But for those who come alive when you speak, turn to other ways to express your feelings. This playful banter of words of affirmation is a reminder to get creative when telling your better half how much they mean to you.
3. “I love you just the way you are.”
In a healthy relationship, love should be unconditional, right? But the reality is that one party can end up making constant demands on their partner, taking a toll on the relationship. In such cases, remember why you chose to be with your significant other and try to get past each other’s faults.
In the coming-of-age romance Twenty-Five, Twenty-One, Baek Yi-jin declares his love that surpasses looks, status, or expectations. He pledges his love to Na Hee-Do and says, “Whatever you do, or no matter how you look, I’m in love with you for who you are.”
4. “I can do anything with you.”
In Forecasting Love and Weather, Han Kijun tells Lee Shi-Woo, “The way you looked at me made me feel like I could do anything with you by my side.” Having someone to support and empower you to become the best version of yourself is the benchmark of a healthy relationship. You’ve come so far because your S.O. has always brought out the best in you. So, affirm this fact and shout it loudly and proudly (or post it on your social media status, if you prefer).
5. “Regardless of what people say, you’ll make it.”
In Fight for My Way, Go Dong-man is a has-been taekwondo athlete who faces numerous challenges on his journey to becoming a successful martial artist. Consequently, he does everything possible to support his best friend, Choi Ae-ra, an aspiring news anchor. Choi Ae-ra eventually recognises Go Dong-man’s efforts and eggs him on: “Regardless of what people say, you’ll make it.”
In a world with naysayers in every corner, be your partner’s biggest fan. Others can doubt and hate all they want because it’s your vote of confidence that truly matters.
6. “If I go back in the past, even if I do for a hundred more times, I will still choose to meet you.”
At the season finale of Crash Landing on You, Se-ri’s words of affirmation to Captain Ri gave fans all the feels. She said, “At the end of that long dream, I finally made a choice. That even if I go back in the past, even if I do for a hundred more times, I will still choose to meet you.”
Never underestimate the power of loving words of encouragement. Even if the relationship is in its early stages, don’t be afraid to tell each other how you feel. And as you progress in your love for each other, you’ll forge a stronger bond founded on trust and honesty. Maybe you’ll even develop tough love, which involves looking out for each other and working together to fix any problem.
Whether helping your partner kick a bad habit or supporting their self-improvement efforts, always tell them you have their back. For example, cheer your better half on their decision to undergo a smile makeover. If they’re undergoing orthodontic treatment with ClearCorrect, be by their side at every step. Drive them to their dental appointments and point out whenever they forget to pop the aligners back on after eating.
People who crave words of affirmation see the power in communication, whether spoken or written. So, when you speak from your heart, the depth of your declaration of love knows no bounds. Compliment often and encourage always – K-drama style. Not only will your partner feel more valued, but they’ll also find ways to fill your cup.
References:
Cascio, C. N., O’Donnell, M. B., Tinney, F. J., Lieberman, M. D., Taylor, S. E., Strecher, V. J., & Falk, E. B. (2015). Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 11(4), 621–629.
Discover Your Love Language® – The 5 Love Languages®. (n.d.). Northfield Publishing.
