7 K-Drama habits to steal for real life in the UAE—no apologies: Rooftops for drama, midnight soup for the soul

If you’ve just watched Squid Game, you probably walked away with a few hard truths—and a mild case of trust issues. But outside the deadly games, the rest of K-dramaland is filled with life lessons that go far beyond ‘love yourself’ and ‘be kind.’

K-Drama world is a very pretty place where ramen fixes a lot of things, people turn good despite almost getting others kidnapped and main character energy is a real thing.

So, here are a few lessons for the K-Drama fans.

You need to own the room that you walk into. There’s always a presence. K-Dramas remind us that confidence isn't a birthright, it's an attitude. So go ahead, slow-walk into that meeting and dramatically start the power point presentation.   You’re the moment.

You’re not really in love until someone shields you from the rain without saying a word. Extra points if they dramatically swing you away from the car that might not even be in your path.  Sure, your actual life may involve more sandstorms or summer sweat than poetic rain—but the message stands: small acts of kindness  are more than grand gestures. Romance lives in the details.

Heartbreak? Soup. Betrayal? Soup. Caught in a corporate revenge plot? Also… soup. So, seaweed, kimchi, or mystery fish-based broth, food in K-Dramas is always there when feelings run high. So next time life hits hard—put the phone on silent and make some comfort food.

Yes, K-Drama leads often undergo a magical transformation (cue the salon montage). But the real glow-up: Emotional growth. The cold CEO becomes warm. The clumsy assistant finds her voice. You don’t need new bangs (although tempting)—just some boundary-setting and a solid playlist.

Don’t like a colleague? Ask them for dinner one day, and you never know. They will pour out their entire soul to you and you might have the realisation that they’re not so bad after all.

Look for a good rooftop to make your decisions. If your office or resident building doesn’t have one, well run to the next one.  Big decisions are made on rooftops in K-Dramas—be it confessing love, plotting revenge, or having a deep monologue while the city lights sparkle behind you. It’s cinematic therapy. Add your earbuds and stare meaningfully into the distance.

One minute they hate each other. The next, he’s carrying her on his back after she sprains her ankle for the third time this week. K-Dramas aren’t afraid of emotional chaos, but they also show us that love is patient, healing—and sometimes deeply awkward. Lean in. Just maybe look both ways before crossing the street.

CEOs. Medical residents. Runaway royalty. They all have time for ramyeon at 2 am. If K-Dramas teach us anything, it’s this: You're never too busy to take care of yourself. Or someone else. Especially if it involves noodles.

Life is better with slow-motion moments, a killer coat, emotional honesty, and some spicy instant ramyeon. And that even if your love life isn’t backed by a moody OST, it’s still worthy of a cliffhanger-worthy finale.

Until next episode—err, day—stay dramatic.