How to Add Romance to Your Life: A 101 Guide

perkymoonlight
Jun 1
3 min read

As someone who watches and listens to a lot of K-media, there’s a word I always find interesting: 낭만 (nangman).

When you read the subtitles, it’s usually translated as “romantic.” Naturally, when I hear that word, I tend to associate it with love or relationships. However, in many K-dramas, K-videos, or K-movies I watch, they often use it in situations that have nothing to do with love or romance. For example, they’ll say something like, “Reading a book alone in a cozy café on a rainy day is so nangman.” Curious, I looked up the meaning of the word — and I found out that in this context, “romantic” refers to:

A way of seeing the world that’s emotional, dreamy, and not tied down by cold, hard facts. A sentimental and idealized view of reality.

(It really explains the whole “romanticize your life” trend, doesn’t it? It’s about seeing your everyday moments in a more emotional, sentimental, and dreamy way — so that even the smallest things feel special, instead of just letting them pass you by).

Bubble during spring — Source: Pinterest

Now the question is: what can you do to experience those romantic feelings that make the reality feels more dreamy?

Well, you can add touches of sentimental ambiance to your life. Perhaps by:

Going to a library or bookstore filled with fiction, essays, illustrations, poetry, or photography books
Listening to slow music
Visiting a museum hall
Dimming the lighting in your space
Going to an LP bar
Enjoying the view outside your window
Savoring refreshing desserts and warm drinks at a café

But of course, you can always opt for a simpler approach — like focusing on being more intentional, mindful, appreciative, and positive in your daily routines.

And if you still need a little external push to help you along, I have some recommendations for things you can read or watch in between your routines.

These are things I’ve enjoyed over the past three months, during the time when the flowers were in bloom. They reflect my preferences, tastes, and moods — and they might just suit yours too.

1. Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum

Even just from seeing the cover, you can already tell the feeling it gives off. In a quiet neighborhood alley, rests a small local bookshop with its warm lighting that makes the mood seems cozy. And the story gives you exactly that.

It’s a novel, so of course, it contains the fictional narratives of its characters. The bookshop owner, a barista, a knitter, a student, a mother, a writer, a coffe bean producer, and many more. But not only does it tell you a simple yet deep slice of life, it also offers the author’s POV on many things. Their opinions and feelings written make the book feel, in a way, like an essay.

2. Heart Signal

Heart Signal 4 Cover — Source: Pinterest

Like any other dating show, this one also provides scenes of some strangers—men and women—gathered in one place to live together for some time and let the sparks of love ignite between them. There are cute, heart-fluttering moments, and there are heart-wrenching dramas.

However, among the dating shows I’ve watched, I think Heart Signal is the one whose vibe is the most comforting. What makes Heart Signal special is the way the PD (program director), writers, and crew pack the show. Technically speaking, the colors used, the cinematic shots, the music choice, and even the quotes shown all have a certain poetic-ness to them. The cast members are also more of the sweet type (instead of the brave and dramatic ones) when it comes to relationships. The places they visit and the activities they do during their dates also have a sentimental vibe.