While most fans watched The Legend of Korra for its amazing fights, the show actually contains a good amount of romance that serves as a great subplot to supplement the action in the series. Early in Book 1, Korra began her relationship with Mako, the Firebending captain of the Pro-bending team known as the Fire Ferrets. And while she didn't have an attraction towards his younger brother, Bolin, things got a bit messy between the trio when Bolin began to develop feelings for Korra.
Although she ended up picking Mako over Bolin in a relationship that just ended up failing anyway, we can't help but think of a few reasons why she should've went with Bolin, and why Mako was the right choice for her in the end.
Bolin: He Has A Better Sense Of Humor
From the get-go, Bolin came across as the show's comedic relief, similar to Sokka in Avatar: The Last Airbender. While his jokes can get old really fast, he's managed to lighten the mood in some otherwise horrendous situations. What girl doesn't like a guy who knows how to make her laugh no matter what?
Mako is one of the stiffest characters in the series, which means Korra would definitely have way more laughs on any given day with Bolin as her lover instead of his often cranky older brother.
Mako: He Was Her First Romantic Interest In Republic City
Korra lived an extremely sheltered existence in the South Pole, mastering three elements under the watchful, protective eyes of the White Lotus. This most likely means that she never really got the opportunity to travel the world, make friends, and find love like past Avatars. Upon laying eyes on Mako for the first time, she found herself falling for him, and it wasn't long afterward that they shared their first kiss.
Mako was her first city boyfriend (potentially her first boyfriend in general), which means he'll always hold a special place in her heart that no matter how many times they manage to break up over the years.
Bolin: He Was Korra's First Friend In Republic City
When Korra first arrived to Republic City, she didn't really have anyone there she could call a friend. Sure, Tenzin's kids immediately took a liking to her, but they weren't even in the same age group, and it would be an exaggeration to call Tenzin a friend of hers.
After sneaking into the Pro-bending Arena, she was nearly thrown out for trespassing if not for Bolin, who pretended like he invited her backstage to begin with. This was the start of their friendship, and established Bolin as a good-natured, selfless guy, while also making him Korra's first real friend in Republic City. The best significant others usually start out as good friends, and the friendship between Bolin and Korra was definitely as solid as the rocks Bolin bent.
Mako: He And Korra Work Well As A Team
There have been many occasions in which Korra and Mako have been forced to work together, showing themselves to be a very good duo. After Bolin had been kidnapped by Amon's forces, the two conducted a covert infiltration of an Equalist rally to save him.
They did the same weeks later in order to rescue Tenzin and his children after they'd been captured. The two even overcame someone as powerful as Amon together!
Bolin: He And Korra Have Fun When They're Together
Shortly after Mako began dating Asami, Bolin took it upon himself to take Korra all around the city. During their many dates, the two learned that they had very similar tendencies; not only do both love Water Tribe food, but neither minds a good burping contest when the opportunity presents itself, something that Mako would never be down for.
Mako: He's More Mature
A variety of studies and publications might argue that women like funny men, but to be honest, sometimes it feels like Bolin doesn't know how to be serious. It goes without saying that Mako's a lot more sophisticated than his younger brother. His priorities are more in order, and he has a natural charm and swagger that comes with being the older brother.
Since he had to take care of both him and Bolin when they lived on the street as youngsters, he's grown up faster than most. As the Avatar, Korra deals with some serious, heavy situations, so it honestly makes more sense for her to be with someone who possesses the level of maturity to not only empathize with her, but help her come up with sensible solutions to whatever problem she might be facing.
Bolin: He's Not Afraid To Admit When He Messed Up
Bolin's far from perfect. He doesn't really use his critical thinking skills outside of battles, leading to him making many mistakes, from making an enemy out of Eska due to not being able to break up with her in a responsible manner, to accidentally running his mouth to Asami and telling her that Korra and Mako shared a kiss back when Mako and Asami first started dating.
Perhaps his biggest blunder was working for Kuvira, but what separates Bolin from his brother is his tendency to admit when he's messed up. He went all-out in an attempt to convince his girlfriend, Opal, that he was sorry for working for Kuvira, going as far as to not only throw her an impromptu picnic, but risk his life to save her family from one of Kuvira's camps. Korra definitely needs a guy who's not afraid to admit when he's wrong, especially since she has a tendency to take the slightest bit of opposition personally.
Mako: He Understands The Need For Balance And Order
As the Avatar, Korra's job revolves around restoring balance and maintaining order throughout the world, which Mako understands a lot more than his baby brother. He makes calculated decisions, and as a cop, he's dedicated his life to keeping the peace in Republic City.
A boyfriend like Mako would be perfect for the Avatar, since his duties pretty much align with hers (albeit on a much smaller scale).
Bolin: He's A Famous Mover Star
Out of all the characters in The Legend of Korra, Bolin's changed jobs more than anyone. He's been a pro-bender, an Earth Empire soldier, and shortly after the events of the series, a police officer. But of course, his most illustrious job was when he starred in the mover film The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South.
For a short period of time, his life had all the trappings of a bonafide celebrity: the fancy clothes, decadent apartment, the beautiful woman on his arm to accompany him to all of the exclusive red carpet events, not to mention that he quickly accrued a loyal fanbase that recognized him in public long after he hung up his acting cape. If Korra had chosen Bolin over Mako, she could've experienced the amenities that the entertainment world has to offer.
Mako: He's Going Places As A Cop
While Mako becoming a cop felt pretty left-field considering he was well on his way to becoming a legendary pro-bender, his involvement in the Republic City Police force actually made sense, given his extensive knowledge of the city's underground crime circles. In his short span as a detective, he's gotten to the bottom of major cases, like who was behind the bombing of the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center, and made such an impression on President Raiko that he was handpicked to serve as Prince Wu's personal bodyguard.
He's got another promotion coming his way, due to his combination of critical thinking skills, his ability to think in the way a criminal would, as well as his natural instincts and combat experience. He's actively making the city a better place, not to mention the fact that he's changing Republic City's Police force for the better. At the end of the day, what woman wouldn't choose a guy so honorable?