Both of these dramas center around a male lead with a lot of childhood trauma centered around abuse and the death of his step/father. Originally presented as cold and uncaring, it is revealed that he is extremely selfless, taking on the blame and guilt from the deeds of his family.

Both of these same-sex romance productions explore a relationship where the leads grow distant from each other. Finally, after an extended period of time of silence and bottled feelings, tensions come to a head. Viewers can feel the tension as if an invisible clock is counting down to when all is revealed.

Both of these BL dramas speak to the harsh reality of broken long-term relationships. How eventually resentments may build-up and become unsurmountable without the proper relationship practices in place to address them. It leaves both parties in an ambiguous state fueled by nostalgia, past fondness and care, and the desire to make a new start.

Both of these Korean dramas center around a main character in the workforce and speaks to Korean drinking culture. They also both feature delicious food scenes to which the alcohol gets paired.

Both of these Japanese stories feature a different story arc each episode that are briefly connected by a character in the background who comes into focus in the last episode. These stories are all short-lived one-day encounters that revolve around a different dish that contributes to the episode's message in significant ways.

Furthermore, stylistically, each episode has an intermission-style scene showing the episodes' leads in an unrealistic setting with a colorful background that stands in contrast to the narrative.

Both of these dramas involve a shy male lead who loves baking. We watch as he pursues his romantic interest with sweets that he made the night before (with a miniature lesson about the history or thoughts of the dessert being baked).

Both of these BL dramas follow a lead with trauma, who is gun-shy/reluctant to enter into a new relationship. As part of the trauma, the lead presents a fear of the dark and a lot of insecurity. Both dramas also have a nice push-and-pull flirtatious dynamic between the two romantic leads, as well as the beginnings of a romance plot between their coworkers.

Both of these food dramas center around a foodie FL who has made cooking a hobby after long days at work. She finds a lot of respite and joy in the act of cooking, which she immortalizes through photographs of the finished dish before eating.

They also both present an understated vibe and cinematography, some larger themes to ponder should viewers choose to do so, memorable lines, and real life recipes (at the end of the episode for Kitchen for Singles; on the drama's website for Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna).

Both of these dramas explore LGBTQ+ and society themes without weighing down the overall comfortable atmosphere of the story and leads' dynamic. They very much show how the small, seemingly insignificant to others, comments and actions can have a longstanding impact - both for good and bad.

Both dramas also feature a foodie lead who shows they care through their cooking - and the addition of a new person in their lives brings about new realizations and a larger menu. There's also prominent self-realization and coming out scenes that are really resonating and self-empowering.

Both of these BL dramas are largely plotless and rather chaotic, featuring a large cast with relatively indecipherable relationships/dynamics to each other.

Both of these dramas center around gay leads who had broken up not because they no longer loved each other, but rather because the small acts of love they did for each other stopped holding meaning/significance (especially daily meals) and daily habits started to create a feeling of resentment. What results is two men with residual feelings unsure if they should try again or move on.

Both of these films center around gay leads who used to date, and who still harbor residual feelings for each other. There is a prominent focus on food, as one of the leads loves to cook and/or works as a chef. Furthermore, they both prompt the viewer to ponder about whether the two exes were the right couple, at the wrong time.