No discussion of romantic drama as entertainment would be complete without acknowledging valid criticisms leveled against the genre. Traditional romantic dramas have often perpetuated problematic relationship models—romanticizing stalking behavior (presented as persistence), endorsing toxic jealousy as proof of love, or suggesting that love alone can fix severe psychological problems.

At its core, romantic drama distinguishes itself from pure romance or romantic comedy through one key ingredient: . While a romantic comedy might deal with misunderstandings and meet-cutes, romantic drama thrives on obstacles that feel insurmountable.