Romantic Comedy

Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typical romantic comedy, the two lovers tend to be young, likeable, and seemingly meant for each other, yet they are kept apart by some complicating circumstance (e.g class differences, parental interference, a previous girlfriend or boyfriend) until, sumounting all obstacles, they are finally united, A fairy-tale happy end is a typical feature.

The basic plot of a romantic comedy is that two characters meet, part ways due to an argument or other obstacle, then ultimately realize their love for one another and reunite. Sometimes, the two leads meet and become involved initially, then must confront challenges to their union. Sometimes they are hesitant to become romantically involved because they believe they do not like each other. However, the screenwritters leave clues that suggest that the characters are attracted to each other and that they would be a good love match.

While the two protagonists are separated, one or both of them usually realizes that they love the other person. Then one party makes some extravagant effort (sometimes called a grand gesture) to find the other person and declare their love. This is not always the case, as sometimes there is a remarkable coincidental encounter where the two meet again.