Compelling romantic entertainment typically follows a structured narrative to maintain audience engagement.
: There has been a significant surge in the popularity of period romantic dramas such as Bridgerton , with millions of viewers seeking historical escapism combined with modern relationship dynamics [5].
: A hallmark of the genre is the first meeting between leads, often involving initial conflict or discomfort to set the story in motion [21].
The genre remains one of the most popular in the U.S., with roughly seven in 10 people enjoying romantic comedies [8].