Love Triangle

Friday, 14th February 2025, is Valentine's Day and  I enjoy a good love story as much as the next K-drama stan. Many couples plan for this day aggressively, while single people rush into relationships just to have someone to celebrate with. Valentine's Day is also great for business. Want to prove your love? Get your partner this exclusive Valentine's Day package for just #50,000. It is the closest a day can come to being perfect. Who doesn't love love? Not even Christmas, the day Jesus was allegedly born, comes close. But the purpose of this article is not to convince the chronically single to take a leap of faith and ask someone—anyone—to spend today with them. It is to examine the trope known as the "Love Triangle."

What is a love triangle? A love triangle is simply a romantic situation involving three people. That's the simplest definition, but make no mistake, love triangles are complicated. They can be classified in different ways- true triangles, mock triangles and even further based on the dynamics of the characters involved. Let's break down the last classification. 

The simplest and truest form of a love triangle is the Balanced Triangle. In this case, X likes Y and also likes Z, and they both like X back. But X can't choose one to settle down with. Y and Z may or may not be friends—their relationship doesn't matter. This dynamic creates a scenario where Y and Z are competing for X's love, and X is stuck in an impossible situation of choosing between two love interests. Writers ensure that Y and Z are so different yet equally intriguing that even readers can't help X decide. Y could be charming, while Z is dangerous and exciting- think Archie, Betty, and Veronica or Geum Jan-di, Gu Jun-pyo, and Yoon Ji-hoo.

The triangle can also flip into the Inverse Balanced Triangle, where Y and Z are competing for X, but X's opinion doesn't matter. Both these triangles have slim chances of ever happening in real life and should be avoided if possible. They may be entertaining in the media, but affection is not something to compete for. Writers usually resolve them through polyamory or by making one of the characters no longer viable.

Our first two love triangles don't seem realistic—maybe our next one will. The next triangle is the Directional Triangle. In this triangle, X likes Y, Y likes Z, and Z likes X. No one likes the person who likes them, and there is no resolution until something changes. You might recognize this setup: a male best friend wants to help his female best friend, whom he is secretly in love with, get the cute boy. While the cute boy is secretly gay and has a massive crush on the male best friend.

Sounds far-fetched? Maybe. But in real life, this happens more than we like to admit. Your crush could have a crush on someone else entirely. This is also called the Conga Line- one unrequited love after another. 

Another common love triangle is the Vestigial Triangle. In this scenario, X and Y like each other, and Z just exists, oblivious to the fact that they are not actually part of the triangle. X and Y ending up together is pre-written, and Z  is only an "antagonist" by circumstance.

Think Beauty and the Beast and Gaston. Gaston doesn't realize the real love story is between  Belle and the Beast. He thinks he is the main character when, in fact, he is just doing what every red-blooded, testosterone-filled man would do when their crush gets "abducted" by a beast—try to slay said beast.

Does this happen in reality? Yes and no. Yes, because some people are just delusional. No, because, well, Z, would have to be blind, deaf, or a stalker to not realize it.

Bonded to One is another interesting love triangle. In this triangle, X and Y are meant to be together—maybe by divine prediction or, more commonly, for the good of their families—but X likes Z, and Z likes X. This story always paints Y as the villain. The reasoning? X and Y were bonded, but are not actually in love, while X and Z  are in love- so let them be. But this logic isn't always right.

For example, imagine a scenario where X marrying Y could save X's family from destruction, but X wants to throw that away because of their feelings for Z. This triangle is easily resolved in fiction. In reality? The consequences are disastrous. 

In the Newcomer Triangle, here, X and Y are together, but Z enters the story and shakes things up. Now Y suddenly has feelings for Z, even though X was right there all along. Z could be a childhood friend, an ex that Y never really got over, or just a completely new character.

Writers usually resolve this by making either X or Z unlikable or unavailable, so that Y can end up with one of them guilt-free, and readers are free to hate the one who gets dumped. But the truth? Y is the bad guy here for putting X and Z in an impossible situation. Think of Louisa, Patrick, and William in Me Before You. 

Many more love triangles are equally entertaining for those who enjoy this trope. But should love triangles exist in real life? Dear God, no. Should you try to stop one if you see it forming? No, just enjoy the ride. 

Olajide Olamide