Why You Hate Tragic or Open Endings in C-Dramas (And What They’re Really Tapping Into) ______
Fictional stories often tap into our deepest emotions, and when a drama ends tragically or leaves things unresolved, it can hit harder than we expect. But why does a tragic or open ending affect some viewers so deeply?
** Emotional Devastation: More Than Just a Story
When we watch a drama, we’re not just watching a story unfold; we’re often emotionally invested in the characters’ journeys. These shows explore deeply emotional themes such as sacrifice, unrequited love, loyalty, and loss, which resonate with many viewers. For some, these themes are more than just entertainment — they are echoes of their own experiences.
A tragic or open ending, then, can feel like more than just a plot device. It can act as a mirror to unresolved emotions and wounds the viewer may have carried with them for years. For example, when a character experiences abandonment, loss, or betrayal, it can evoke similar feelings that someone might have experienced in their own life. If a viewer hasn’t fully healed from those experiences, a tragic ending can bring those emotions back to the surface
** The Healing Power (or Lack Thereof) of Fiction
Interestingly, this is where healing comes into play. For some, a well-executed tragic or open ending may feel cathartic — offering a release of suppressed emotions, providing a sense of emotional cleansing, even if it’s through pain or sadness. The unresolved nature of the story or the emotional turmoil of the characters can help viewers process feelings they haven’t fully dealt with. It’s like the emotional weight of the story provides a way to safely experience and work through their own pain.
However, for others, the emotional devastation of an unresolved or tragic ending can reopen old wounds. Watching characters endure pain, loss, or difficult choices without a clear resolution can feel like reliving personal experiences of suffering — but without the closure they may have needed. If someone has unresolved emotional baggage, these endings can feel like the story's way of echoing back their own struggles, but in a way that leaves them emotionally incomplete.
** The Role of Control and Uncertainty
This is where the concept of control comes in. Viewers often crave a sense of emotional control when they watch shows. They want to see characters they care about overcome struggles, find peace, and ultimately have their happiness. When an ending is left open or tragic, it introduces uncertainty and anxiety — something we’re not always comfortable with, especially if we have unresolved issues of our own.
If someone’s life has already been filled with uncertainty or a lack of closure, a tragic or open ending in a drama can feel like a mirror to that uncertainty. Conversely, a happy ending in fiction can provide the kind of closure and peace that someone might have been seeking, offering them a sense of emotional relief and control they may not have experienced in their own life.
** Conclusion: Fiction as Emotional Reflection
Fiction doesn’t create the emotional wounds that viewers may carry, but it has the power to amplify them. While some find solace in a happy ending that brings closure, others may experience deeper emotional reactions to tragic or open endings that mirror unresolved feelings. It’s not just about the story; it’s about what that story reflects in us. And that’s why some endings can feel like real emotional experiences — because they tap into the unhealed emotional wounds that viewers may still be carrying, intentionally or not