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Unlocking the Secrets of Dizi World: 25 Most Predictable Clichés in Turkish Drama Series!
25 Famous Cliché That Can Be Predictable and Repetitive in Turkish Drama Series!
Clichés Alert! – Turkish drama series known as “dizi” have taken the world by storm, attracting audiences with their unique plotlines, stunning scenery, and captivating characters. While each series has its own twists and turns, several clichés frequently recur in Turkish TV dramas. From wealthy families with big mansions to the never-ending love story between the rich and the poor, these clichés have become powerful tools always present in the successful formula of the Turkish series.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Turkish dizi or a curious viewer, this article will provide insight into the elements that make these shows so captivating and addictive. So, grab some popcorn and settle in for an entertaining and informative read about 25 clichés commonly found in Turkish TV dramas, ranging from short and sweet to long.
25 Famous Clichés in Turkish Drama Series!
(10 Short + 15 Long)
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1. Turkish dizi dramas are known for their lengthy episodes, which can often span 120-160 minutes, making them longer than the typical European TV series. As a result, international viewers may receive them in two parts.
2. An average Turkish drama series typically spans over 35-40 episodes in a single season. To maintain the rigorous production schedule, the cast and crew work tirelessly, shooting new episodes, for six days a week, often for extended hours of up to 18 hours per day.
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3. Most Turkish TV drama series are predominantly filmed in Istanbul.
4. Frequently, Turkish TV series feature transitions between scenes using images of the famous strait Bosphorus.
5. In Turkish drama series, characters with positions of power, such as mafia bosses, tycoons, and bullies, are usually wearing impeccably tailored suits, symbolizing their influence and status.
Vartolu Sadettin from Çukur (Erkan Kolçak Köstendil)
6. In Turkish TV series, characters suffering from serious illnesses often require seeking medical treatment abroad, which is frequently depicted as a very expensive procedure.
7. In most Turkish drama series, the main male character often has a wise mentor who provides guidance and shares a philosophical perspective on life.
8. In the Turkish school drama series, students frequently break the rules without facing any repercussions, thanks to a compassionate teacher present to lend a helping hand.
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9. In Turkish TV series, a single police unit, is usually depicted as a jack-of-all-trades, where a single unit handles a diverse range of crimes rather than being limited to specific areas of expertise, as is common in reality.
10. In TV series set in the Southeastern region of Turkey, the tribe or “aşiret” is often depicted as wealthy and influential, with one faction typically engaged in brutal customs such as honor killings and blood feuds.
Miran and Reyyan from Hercai (Akın Akınözü and Ebru Şahin)
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11. Turkish summer series
Turkish summer series often feature an attractive and muscular male protagonist, usually portrayed as the CEO of a company.
The storyline typically revolves around the male protagonist falling in love with a charming yet impoverished female employee who takes immense pride in her work. Meanwhile, his ex-girlfriend relentlessly conspires to destroy their blossoming relationship.
Eda Yıldız and Serkan Bolat in Sen Çal Kapımı / You Knock on My Door (Hande Erçel and Kerem Bürsin)
12. Poor Parents VS Rich Parents
In Turkish TV series, it’s common to see a contrast between wealthy, malevolent parents and humbler, more virtuous parents from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Despite their limited financial means, these modest and often protective parents will stop at nothing to provide for their children. They make up for being poor with pure honesty, transparency, and fairness in their dealings with others.
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13. Overprotective Mother-in-Law
In the Turkish dizi series, it’s common to see an overly protective mother who believes her child is the most precious thing in the world and must marry someone from an equally prestigious background.
The father is typically a wealthy CEO and is distant and uninterested in his child. These wealthy parents often have their eyes set on a prospective daughter-in-law from a similar background.
Sahnur played by Tomris Incer in Aşk ve Ceza / Love and Punishment (2010)
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14. Families with Big Mansions and Holdings
In Turkish drama series, we are often presented with wealthy families living in lavish residences and controlling powerful conglomerates, creating a fantasy world where money and influence appear limitless.
However, it is often unclear how these characters accumulate their wealth, as they seem to rarely work and usually engage in meaningless activities at their workplaces. Nevertheless, we witness these powerful characters attending tenders and signing contracts that further reinforce their influence. The package is not complete without a rival family.
Faruk Boran (Özcan Deniz) and Adem (Firat Tanis) in Istanbullu Gelin / Bride of Istanbul (2017)
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18. Mentally or emotionally unstable ex-girlfriend
In Turkish TV series, there often exists a character archetype of the “mentally or emotionally unstable ex-girlfriend who becomes obsessed with the male lead.”
This character is usually a sophisticated woman with a high level of education who becomes consumed by jealousy and a desire for revenge, reacting erratically and do terrible things. Her wicked acts are typically directed toward the innocent female lead, whom she perceives as a romantic rival. Despite the ex-girlfriend’s well-polished exterior, her underlying psychosis manifests in her destructive behavior, leaving the audience captivated by her villainy.
Pelinsu (İrem Helvacıoğlu) in Room 309 / Selin Atakan (Bige Önal) in Sen Çal Kapimi (2020)
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16. Pure and Innocent Female Leads
The female leads in Turkish drama series are always stunning and pure with hearts of gold. While these characters generally adhere to a moral code and hold themselves to high standards, there are exceptions to their innocence.
As an example, Bihter’s (Beren Saat) affair with her husband’s nephew in Forbidden Love (Ask-i Memnu) and Magnificent Century (Muhtesem Yuzyil), where Hurrem Sultan (played by Meryem Uzerli) caused the death of her husband’s famous shahzade Mustafa. Despite these deviations, the female leads in Turkish dramas continue to capture hearts worldwide with their kind and benevolent spirit.
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18. the never endless love story between poor and rich
In Turkish dramas, we often witness the love story between two individuals with different family backgrounds. Sometimes it’s the female lead who is rich while the male protagonist is poor, and sometimes it’s the other way around.
The audience can witness the challenges and conflicts that arise from their different socioeconomic statuses and how their cultural differences may affect their relationship. The poor male lead is typically portrayed as proud, honest, and hardworking, while the rich female lead values pure love over money. Interestingly, when the female protagonist is poor, she often attracts the attention of multiple attractive and wealthy suitors.
Kemal Soydere and Nihan Sezin in Kara Sevda / Endless Love (2015) Burak Özçivit and Neslihan Atagül
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19. From rags to riches
In Turkish TV series, a recurring theme is the lead characters, often male, who start as poor characters, and despite their humble beginnings, they find ways to become wealthy, often motivated by a desire for revenge.
As they rise in social status, they often become successful businessmen, displaying impressive intelligence and capability even without formal education. Their transformation from rags to riches is a testament to their resilience.
Ezel Bayraktar (Kenan İmirzalıoğlu) in Ezel (2009) / Kemal Soydere (Burak Özçivit) in Kara Sevda (2015)
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20. Flashbacks Everywhere
In Turkish TV series, flashbacks play a crucial role in conveying the emotions and thoughts of the characters.
In each episode, viewers can expect to witness several flashbacks, often triggered by an emotional conversation between the main characters. These fragments of memories are intertwined with soulful music, highlighting pivotal moments of the storyline, particularly when the protagonists’ experience turmoil.
Halit Ergenç as Cevdet in Vatanim Sensin (2016)
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21. Eavesdropping, a powerful narrative device
In Turkish series, eavesdropping is a frequent narrative device used to reveal hidden secrets, expose deceptions, and provide a peek into the character’s private lives.
Often done intentionally or unintentionally, where a character overhears a conversation, catches a snippet of information, and departs before the entire story is revealed. Eavesdropping is a powerful tool to drive the story forward and create dramatic tension leading to unexpected plot twists and turns.
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22. The Second Lead Syndrome
In the Turkish TV series, a common cliche is the bittersweet fate of the second male lead. Despite their charm, wealth, and kindness, they never win the heart of the female protagonist and always get friend-zoned.
These male characters are often dashing, affluent, and compassionate, yet their affection for the female lead goes unrequited. Though the audience may root for this worthy contender, the female lead inevitably falls for the male protagonist, who is often imperfect and flawed in comparison.
Tardu Flordun as Kerem Inceoglu in 1001 Nights / Binbir Gece (2006)
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23. The Kissing Scenes
Kissing scenes hold a significant spot in Turkish TV drama series, oscillating between the polar extremes of overdramatic stasis and intense passion.
The audience is often left eagerly anticipating the first kiss, pondering questions such as when it will occur, how it will happen, and whether it will be romantic or passional. For instance, in the popular drama “What is Fatmagul’s Fault?”, viewers were kept waiting in suspense for the lead characters, Fatmagul and Kerim, to share their first kiss. As their love was pure and innocent, the audience naturally expected an overly dramatic and romantic first kiss. Yet, it failed to meet our expectations.
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24. Impressively Attractive Male Leads
The male protagonists in Turkish TV series possess a mesmerizing allure that captivates viewers from the moment they step on the screen.
Whether it be their striking blond or dark features, these dashing protagonists exude physical perfection and a be-witching charm. They exude a sense of magnetism and eagerly anticipate the arrival of their ideal partner, the woman of their dreams. In some scenes, these male leads occasionally display their impeccable physique, as Kivanc Tatlitug did in the gripping fight sequence in North-South (Kuzey Guney).
25. Bad Rich Boy Turned Good
In Turkish drama series, it’s common to see male protagonists initially portrayed as bad boys due to their arrogant and snobbish attitudes.
However, as the story progresses, they usually undergo a transformation and becomes a better person, often shaped by a fated encounter with a lower-class girl who dislikes him. This dynamic often highlights the “snobby rich boy” syndrome.
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