Lessons From Turkish Drama

Love and its many complexities have been the subject of hundreds of movies and drama series. The constant steam of romantic comedies reminds us that the genre is still a crowd favorite. If for no other reason, they serve to keep audiences constantly amused. Bay Yanlis (Mr. Wrong) is a classic romantic comedy story of how Mr. Wrong meets Miss. Unlucky in Love. Throw into that mix, jealousy, envy, betrayal, distrust, hate, sibling and family rivalry, blackmail, treachery, and every other ingredient for explosive drama and you have a series sure to keep you laughing till the very end.

About This Series

Bay Yanlis (Mr. Wrong) is a 2020 Turkish language rom-com drama series written by Asli and Banu Zengin and directed by Deniz Yorulmazer. The cast includes Can Yaman and Ozge Gurel as leads as well as Gurgen Oz, Fatma Toptas, Suat Sungur, Lale Basar, Cemre Gumeli, Serkay Tutuncu, Sarp Can Koroglu, Feri Baycu Guler, Ece Irtem, Anil Celik, Kimya Gokce and Deniz Ozerman among others.

Synopsis

Bay Yanlis tells the story of Ezgi and Ozgur. Ezgi is a beautiful young lady down on relationship luck. All her previous relationships ended after the men took advantage of her sweet, trusting, and simple nature. Her cousin and best friend believe she constantly attracts Mr. Wrong and they try to set her up with a promising prospect. Ozgur is a rich handsome playboy owner of a famous restaurant and bar who also happens to be a chronic womanizer. Though women flock to him, he is reluctant to form long-term relationships.

Through a series of comic coincidences, they keep meeting and annoying each other. Ezgi’s cousin and a friend set her up with Serdar, a rich and successful medical doctor. Things get complicated when Ezgi and Ozgur strike a deal. Ozgur will be her relationship coach while Ezgi will accompany him to his sister’s wedding as his pretend girlfriend to scuttle any plans his mother has to find him a wife. Ezgi and Ozgur eventually fall for each other but the lies they have told their families eventually catch up with them. Their relationship is constantly tested by antagonists who use jealousy, envy, betrayal, deceit, treachery, blackmail, lies, and other tricks to try and break them up.

Social Relevance

Though primarily a romcom, this drama series highlights issues like Societal and Family pressures about Marriage, Food and Culture, Marriage, Divorce, Family, Friendship, Work, Trust & Betrayal, Sibling Rivalry, Love & Relationships, and Lies and Blackmail among others.

Life Lessons

Turkish drama series are fun to watch and always celebrate Turkish food, culture, family, friendship, and community. This drama series is no different. There is a strong emphasis on Food, Family, and Friendship highlighting love for communal meals, family togetherness, and strong friendship and family ties.

The series offers important takeaways and teaches several life lessons. Some of these include:

• People don't always remain unlucky in love. There is someone somewhere out there for everyone
• There is nothing wrong with being sweet, good-natured, simple, or trusting but one also has to be wise, street smart, and prudent
• You can run from love and commitment but it still catches up with you one way or another
• You cannot run from destiny and fate
• Lies, deceit, and half-truths always come back to haunt us
• Family and good friends will always be there for you no matter what
• Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing, saboteurs, and fair weather friends

Summary and Conclusions

The series seems to end on a cliffhanger with several unresolved issues which might be because it was canceled and not renewed after the fourteenth episode. In spite of this, it is still a beautiful story of life and love and how family and friends are always there for you no matter what.

And who knows, Mr. Wrong might just turn out to be Mr. Right for the right person.