k drama essay

Kdrama – The Complete Guide to Korean Dramas

Last modified: May 24, 2024 | 24 min read | By Laura Toyryla

K-drama has become a global phenomenon of sorts. Thanks to the spread of different forms of Korean popular culture, the South Korean series Squid Game, and most importantly, K-pop .

You can take this article with you on the go! Just click on the free PDF resource below:

• 1 What is Kdrama?
• 2 The History of Korean drama
• 3 Filming processes
• 4 Music in Korean dramas
• 5 Why are Kdramas popular?
• 6 What are the most popular Kdramas?
• 7 What is the highest-rated Korean drama?
• 8 Kdrama Genres
• 9 Where to watch Kdramas
• 10 Are South Korean dramas shown in North Korea?
• 11 Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kdrama?

K-drama is short for “ Korean drama ” which pertains to television series created in South Korea. These series have become popular not only in Korea but globally, making them more accessible for K-drama fans through streaming websites like Netflix.

Along with other Korean entertainment, such as K-pop and Korean movies, Kdramas have fueled the Korean Wave , which has been constantly expanding worldwide.

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The History of Korean drama

The roots of television in South Korea go back to the mid-1950s, with the first Korean TV series broadcasting in 1962. It was broadcasted on KBS, Korean Broadcasting System , which has continued to exist as Korea’s big national channel.

However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that Korean households properly began buying television sets. Most South Korean television series depicted historical times  and historical figures only reached a small audience.

After the surge of TVs in Korean homes, more diverse South Korean dramas began getting made, from national heroes such as King Sejong to tales of regular present-day people, especially their struggles and sufferings.

When color TVs became available in the 1980s, the landscape of  Korean television changed, with modern dramas becoming more prominent. And in the 1990s, it started getting more popular to format dramas into a single season of approximately 12 to 24 episodes . Today, it is also more widespread to produce web dramas.

Filming processes

Only the first four episodes of K-dramas will be shot before starting a broadcast. Otherwise, each drama is shot as close to the release date as possible to save on production expenses.

Scripts aren’t entirely finalized, and changes to them may be made based on viewer feedback during the course of a K-drama. These changes may come at just a few hours’ notice before filming. There have even been instances where scenes of the episode are still being filmed as it is being shown on TV! So filming a drama in South Korea is most certainly an intense process.

However, thanks to the increased popularity of these dramas globally, producers have been selling rights to broadcast or release the dramas ahead of time, before anything has been shot. This, in turn, has allowed them to film with more time and well before airing than the “live shooting” method.

The largest broadcasting companies in South Korea also have their own shooting locations for the best historical Korean dramas , with readily built, detailed sets. Interestingly, in comparison to many other countries, the scriptwriters in Korean dramas are almost equally as famous as the stars and the director of the show. There is usually one writer or a small group of writers writing each K-drama.

How to say “episode” in Korean

Before we head on to the next section, here’s a quick vocabulary lesson! Below is a video on how to say “episode” in Korean. You can come across this word at the start of each drama episode.

If you enjoyed this video on how to say “episode” in Korean, you can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel  for other helpful videos!

Music in Korean dramas

Music plays an integral part in most dramas from South Korea. Whole original soundtracks are crafted for each one of them. Most of these songs are performed by popular K-pop singers . If you would like to know some popular Kpop groups and artists, we have a list of the best Kpop groups for you to read!

Popular Korean songs used as part of a soundtrack could also increase the popularity of a Korean drama. The popularity of a drama could also make an OST song a major hit. Each song should express the drama’s structure and mood, and a detailed process is taken to choose the right songs.

It’s also common to use the same artist for many different dramas due to their past successes. A notable example of such an artist is Baek Ji Young . She has recorded OST songs for approximately 20 different dramas.

Why are Kdramas popular?

Kdramas are undeniably popular nowadays. However, this wasn’t the case a few years back. Thanks to the growth of Korean pop culture worldwide, people outside of Asia have also gained interest in Kdramas and Korean movies.

K-dramas have become easily popular once viewers know about them for several reasons.

The Korean drama storyline

Kdramas have been known to have great plots with scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know what will happen next. This is why Kdramas are great for binge-watching. They avoid predictable storylines and constantly throw plot twists that will make the viewers’ jaws drop. If you’re very into it, you might finish the whole season in just a few days!

A Korean drama’s OST or original soundtrack goes hand in hand with the actual drama. People recognize a song and associate it with the drama they heard it from, and vice versa. These soundtracks vary depending on the scene, matching the emotions portrayed by the characters. Some Korean pop stars have also starred in Kdramas while they have also sung the OST.

The Korean Culture

K-dramas give its viewers a glimpse of what it is like living in Korea . There are plenty of interesting things about Korea besides K-pop, such as Korean food , culture, fashion , and the places that you can visit . All these can be within reach through the K-dramas and Korean movies we could view online. Some dramas such as Crash Landing on You even show life in the North through their storyline.

K-dramas are relatable

These dramas give you the usual romance or action kind of scenes, but they also exhibit issues in Korean and global society that are relatable to many. These include topics on mental health, suicide, bullying, gender inequality, corruption, and racism. Genres on family and history are also common in K-dramas.

Korean dramas can help you learn Korean

People are possibly introduced to popular culture in Korea for various reasons, but they end up wanting to learn Korean most of the time. Watching Korean dramas can help you practice and learn Korean vocabulary and conversations .

People talk about it on social media

With the good quality story that K-dramas have, it’s normal for people to talk about them. This is especially easily done through social media . You can see good drama recommendations from viewers, and some even provide their reviews which make others want to begin watching already.

Korean dramas are easy to find

It’s not difficult to start watching a K-drama as it’s available for streaming on different sites globally. We’ll go through some apps and sites on our list below.

What are the most popular Kdramas?

For our list of best Korean dramas, please refer to this article . Below is a list of some additional popular K-dramas you might want to watch. We’ve also included their title in the Korean language. Most dramas are shown over a 10-week period , which means we viewers are constantly getting new dramas to be excited about!

My Only One

Title in Korean: (하나뿐인 내편 ㅣ hanappunin naepyeon)

This story is about Kim Doran , whose life becomes complicated when her biological father returns after 28 years. If you’re fond of dramas revolving in the family and drama genre, this is a must-watch. The lead actress in this drama, Uee, who plays the role of Kim Do Ran, was also part of the K-pop girl group After School.

Title in Korean: (한 번 다녀왔습니다 ㅣ han beon danyeowatseumnida)

This drama is about the life of a family , consisting of a couple and their four adult children. The story will give you a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Once Again proves to be a drama worth watching as it won several awards during the 34th KBS Drama Awards.

• When the Camellia Blooms

Title in Korean: (동백꽃 필 무렵 ㅣ dongbaekkkot pil muryeop)

At the center of this love story is a single mother running a cafe , played by actress Gong Hyo Jin, who not only tries to navigate two possible romances but has to evade becoming the next victim of a serial killer. Actors Kang Ha Neul and Kim Ji Suk played the roles of her love interests.

• Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

Title in Korean: (역도요정 김복주 | yeokdoyojeong gimbokju)

Bok Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) is a 20-year-old weightlifter whose life has revolved around lifting barbells and training. This was until she came across her childhood friend’s older brother, with who she developed a crush. Her childhood friend, Jung Joon Hyung (Nam Joo Hyuk) started off by teasing her when he found out but eventually helped her anyway.

Not long after, he also developed a crush on Bok Joo. This exciting yet light coming-of-age K-drama is one of the best romantic comedies on Korean TV series and will surely be entertaining! Check out this article for phrases mentioned in this fun K-drama!

Title in Korean: (배가본드)

A stuntman , dreaming of becoming a famous action star, finds himself in Morocco trying to investigate what actually happened to his nephew, who supposedly died in a plane crash. This action-filled drama with hints of romance is starred by actor Lee Seung Gi and actress Bae Suzy.

The King: Eternal Monarch

Title in Korean: (더 킹: 영원의 군주 ㅣ deo king: yeongwonui gunju)

Starring Lee Min Ho, in this drama, the king of the Kingdom of Corea Lee Gon finds himself in a parallel world, the Republic of Korea, while trying to know how he survived an otherwise fatal night in his childhood. Here, he’ll also come across a young woman (Kim Go Eun) who plays a huge role in knowing the reason behind these occurrences.

Title in Korean: (시그널)

Communicating via walkie-talkies, a criminal profiler in the present day and a police officer in the past try to solve a cold case that is personal to the criminal profiler. As this drama is about solving crimes, some of the scenes were inspired by criminal incidents that actually happened in South Korea, including the Hwaseong serial murders. If you’ll enjoy watching this drama, you’ll also love our article on K-drama words and phrases mentioned in this series .

Memories of Alhambra

Title in Korean: (알함브라 궁전의 추억 ㅣ alhambeura gungjeonui chueok)

Memories of Alhambra tells the love story of the main characters– company CEO played by actor Hyun Bin and a hostel owner, played by actress Park Shin Hye, who found themselves trapped in a puzzling series of events in Spain.

What’s more interesting is that it revolves around an AR game, with the lines between real-world and augmented reality beginning to become unclear. This drama is best for those who are into sci-fi.

Title in Korean: (빈센조 | Binsenjo)

Actor Song Joong Ki stars in this story centered around an Italian Mafia named Vincenzo, who came back to Korea in search of gold. He intended to make the trip quick and flee as soon as he completes his goal.

However, meeting Atty. Hong and the Geumga Plaza tenants tell him otherwise. The supposed quick trip turned into a mission to stop the Babel group from pursuing their evil plans. Fans of legal, action, and comedy genres would enjoy watching this series.

Title in Korean: (킹덤 | Kingdeom)

This hit Netflix original series written by Kim Eun Hee is a story about how Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji Hoon), along with his subordinates, encountered a plague that resurrected dead bodies.

This happened during the Joseon Dynasty as they were investigating the truth behind the rumors that the King is dead. The Korean series so far has finished its second season, and a special episode entitled Ashin of the North was released in 2021.

Title in Korean: (오징어 게임 | Ojing-eo Geim)

Squid Game is a Netflix original series by director Hwang Dong Hyuk. This drama series tells the story of people who were invited to play children’s games , and compete for cash in desperate need of money. The series is filled with thrilling scenes and plot twists! We also have a separate article solely for Squid Game here .

• Business Proposal

Title in Korean: (사내맞선 | Sanaematseon)

This story is about Shin Hari (Kim Se-Jeong), who went on a blind date in place of her best friend. However, she finds out that her date is actually Kang Tae-Moo, the CEO of the company where she works at!

This is one of the dramas that was based on a Korean manhwa , too!

What is the highest-rated Korean drama?

The current highest-rated K-drama is entitled T he World of the Married (부부의 세계 | Bubuui Segye) . This Korean series from JTBC is a romantic melodrama that was aired in 2020.

This story is about a doctor (Kim Hee Ae )  whose life began to fall apart after she knew of her husband’s (Park Hae Joon ) affair with her friend. The 16-episode-long drama remains to be the highest-rated cable drama episode of all time.

Kdrama Genres

There’s a wide variety of Korean dramas that you can start watching. Here are the common drama genres that you can refer to, along with dramas in this category.

Action Kdrama

Action genres bring the most excitement and thrill to dramas in Korea. This genre is also often paired with the crime genre and keeps the viewers hooked during intense fighting scenes. Lead characters in this genre usually go against antagonists who are more powerful than them. Thus making their victories even more satisfying.

If you’re into this type of drama, we recommend the K-dramas Vagabond , Healer , Beyond Evil , and the most recent one, Vincenzo .

Romance Kdrama

We mainly think of love and happy endings when a romance genre is mentioned. These dramas often incorporate other genres like comedy, melodrama, fantasy, or even action in romantic series. This gives the romance a twist and creates depth in the story.

The highest-rated Korean drama, The World of the Married, also falls under this genre. You can also check out these high-rating romantic dramas: While You Were Sleeping, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, Descendants of the Sun, and Crash Landing On You.

Korean Historical Drama

This genre is also known as 사극 (sageuk) , which refers to historical films and series. Historical dramas are special because they show viewers a lot about Korean culture and Korean history.

Over time, historical genres evolved and incorporated modern drama styles, making them more appealing to younger audiences. Moon Embracing the Sun, Six Flying Dragons, Queen Seondoek, Mr.Sunshine , and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo are just some of the popular dramas in this genre.

Fantasy Korean Drama

Dramas with supernatural and fantasy elements bring anticipation to the audience because anything can happen in a fantasy world! The scenes that don’t happen in real life become a reality for the characters.

Some popular fantasy These dramas feature supernatural beings like ghosts, goblins, mermaids, and aliens. A Korean Odyssey, Guardian – The Lonely And Great God, The Legend Of The Blue Sea, and My Love From The Star are some of the best fantasy K-series we recommend. One of the most recent additions to this genre is the Tale of the Nine-Tailed starring Lee Dong Wook and Jo Bo Ah.

Korean Medical Drama

Medical dramas are both entertaining and educational . Since medical terms are often mentioned, definitions are also included to help the audience understand the concept better. Some scenes make the viewers sigh with relief as a patient’s heart starts to beat again in operating rooms.

Whether you’re in the medical field or not, this genre might be interesting for you. Hospital Playlist, Good Doctor, Doctors, and Hospital Ship are some of the dramas you can check out under this genre.

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Korean Family Drama

Dramas in the family genre never fail to make their audience get at least teary-eyed from all the emotions. After all, the concept of family is very relatable to many. These dramas tend to be light and happy, but sad scenes can easily make you bawl your eyes out. Watching a K-series like this will give you different feelings.

These dramas are usually made up of 50 to 55 episodes, with each episode 60 minutes long. Dramas of this genre are usually broadcast on weekends. They’re usually about 2 families whose fates are intertwined, dealing with common family issues. Korean dramas on family that we recommend include Reply 1988, My Father Is Strange, Go Back Couple, What Happens to my Family, Marry Me Now, Golden Life, Father, I’ll Take Care of You, and You’re the Best.

Legal Korean Drama

Similar to medical dramas, legal dramas are also educational, but in the field of law, characters portrayed in the lead roles are often lawyers or prosecutors trying to find justice amidst the corruption and unfair treatment in Korean society.

If this piques your interest, you can start by watching legal K-dramas Innocent Defendant, Diary Of A Prosecutor, Law School, or Suits which is a Korean remake of the American series of the same title.

Coming-of-Age Korean Drama

Coming-of-age is a genre that focuses on the protagonist’s growth from when they were young to adulthood. This highlights the emotions felt by the character throughout the journey towards adulthood from certain experiences like first love, heartbreak, maturity, and having a new sense of responsibility.

Some dramas in this genre include The Heirs, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, Boys Over Flowers, and Dream High.

Korean Web Drama

K-dramas typically last around 60 minutes per episode, which may be a bit long for others to view in one sitting. Luckily, a Korean web drama usually lasts between 5 to 30 minutes but still provides similar good quality to the longer ones.

A video or an episode of this type is accessible on channels on platforms such as V-Live. Love Playlist, A-Teen, Queen of the Ring, and The Way I Hate You are some of the dramas in this genre that you can stream.

Korean Melodrama

If you’re up for an intense level of drama, Korean melodrama will not disappoint you. This genre is characterized by a high level of emotions portrayed and plenty of heart-wrenching scenes.

A great example of Korean melodrama is the Endless Love series, which features four different dramas entitled Autumn in My Heart, Winter Sonata, Summer Scent, and Spring Waltz , named after the four seasons in Korea .

Thriller Korean Drama

As the name suggests, thriller dramas give loads of thrill to their audience. This is the kind of drama where every second counts, and you need to have your eyes glued to the screen. Thriller dramas usually go together with horror or action genres where many things are going on. There will constantly be a feeling of suspense and anticipation as scenes are heading toward the climax.

The series Kingdom, Save Me, Defendant, and Extracurricular are ones you can start with. Before you do so, if it helps, it’s best to expect jump scares and ominous background music!

Where to watch Kdramas

We’ve told you about the history of K-dramas and some of the best ones to start binge-watching. But what are the best Kdrama sites to start watching these dramas on? We’ll tell you about it in a while, including some of the series you can watch on these sites!

In the past, it was a big challenge for many foreigners living outside Korea who have an interest in South Korean dramas to find an app or website for watching them. However, thanks to technology and the ever-increasing popularity of K-dramas, they’re easily accessible now.

www.netflix.com

These days, watching dramas could be done comfortably through Netflix! You can stream Korean series or a movie through their website or app, or you can also download the video for offline binge-watching. Some K-dramas are also listed as Netflix originals. We’ve listed some of them below.

As Korean dramas increase in popularity and demand, this app is investing more in Korean series and movies this year. If you’re a subscriber, you’ll definitely have a long list of series and movies on your account.

Best Kdramas on Netflix

• Crash Landing on You
• Hi Bye, Mama!
• Hospital Playlist
• It’s Okay Not to Be Okay
• Mystic Pop-up Bar

https://www.viki.com

Viki is a streaming site that has often been considered the very best to get your K-drama fix . We’ve listed some Korean dramas you can stream on Viki, covering the different Korean drama genres .

Best Korean dramas on Viki

• Descendants of the Sun
• Guardian: The Great and Lonely God
• Hotel del Luna
• My Love From the Star
• Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
• Welcome to Waikiki
• What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim

https://www.hulu.com

There’s a wide variety of movies and series that you could see, including some popular K-dramas by searching on Hulu .

https://www.viu.com/

Viu is one of the leading streaming sites when it comes to Korean dramas and movies. However, it is still only available in parts of Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa.

Are South Korean dramas shown in North Korea?

The North has minimal access to media compared to South Korea. This is mainly because government control is pretty much everywhere in the North, including their media. This means that Korean dramas are not shown in the North.

People do not have access to it as everything shown on North Korean television or by a media company is already filtered and controlled by their government.

Also, an anti-reactionary law was imposed by the North Korean government late last year. With this law, anyone who uses, stores, or distributes foreign cultural content from South Korea and other countries could be punished by paying fines, imprisonment, or the death penalty being the maximum punishment.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Korean dramas.

Which K-drama is best for beginners?

For beginners, “Crash Landing on You” and “Boys over Flowers” are great starters. 

• Crash Landing on You – It talks about a South Korean heiress who accidentally landed in North Korea after a paragliding accident and falls in love with a North Korean officer. 
• Boys Over Flowers – It’s all about the life of an ordinary girl at an elite school surrounded by students coming from rich families. 

What is the number 1 K-drama in the world?

“Squid Game” is the number one Korean drama in the world. If you plan to watch this series, you can watch it on Netflix. 

It caught the attention of a lot of people because of its unique storyline that involves deadly competition using traditional children’s games.

What are the top 10 K-dramas?

Below is a list of the top 10 K-Dramas. These dramas have grabbed the attention of a wide range of audiences because of their unique plots and storylines. 

• Crash Landing On You
• Boys Over Flowers
• Itaewon Class
• Strong Girl Bong-Soon
• Rooftop Prince

Which K-drama is worth watching?

“Business Proposal” and “Kingdom” are 2 K-Dramas that are worth watching. 

• Business Proposal – It combines comedy, romance, and drama. It’s a fun and light drama that will make you feel young and in love. 
• Kingdom – It combines historical elements with thrilling action in a zombie-themed setting. It’ll give you a gripping viewing experience.

What is the most trending K-drama?

“Squid Game” is currently one of the most trending K-dramas. This is because of its dramatic and thrilling gameplay elements. It has sparked conversations about society and human behavior under pressure.

What is the most watched K-drama on Netflix?

“Squid Game” is the most-watched K-drama on Netflix. It is also one of the most talked about K-Drama. People have talked about it on different platforms. 

Want to watch Korean dramas without subtitles? Then you have to learn Korean first! Our structured program will help you learn Korean fast. If you follow the structure, you’ll be able to have 3-minute conversations in Korean in just 90 Days. Check out the 90 Day Korean Membership program and start your Korean language Journey today!

What is your favorite Korean drama to date? Do you like the romantic-comedy genre, or perhaps action or thriller? Which actors do you especially enjoy watching, and what kind of stories do you like?

Are there any upcoming K-dramas that you plan on watching soon? Let us know any thoughts you have on the best Korean dramas below! For example, if you haven’t yet watched any K-dramas, let us know which drama you will try out first!

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55 thoughts on “Kdrama – The Complete Guide to Korean Dramas”

I love all of the Korean movies that I have seen in every genre. The tv series are also well done and entertaining. I would dearly love to go to Kore some day. It’s a very interesting and beautiful country. I have way too many favorite actors and actresses to name, but, yes Won Bin is at the top of the list. “The Man From Nowhere” was the absolute best dramatic movie I have ever seen. Your site is great by the way. Thanks for sharing this series of articles!

Thanks for sharing and for your appreciation, Lisa! ^^ It’s great to know that you love all of the Korean movies. I appreciate your kind words! If you want to know more about the Korean language and culture, you can also check our blog and visit our YouTube channel for articles and videos with great Korean content.

I loooooove Song Joong Ki. Every Kdrama he is in is always veeeery interesting. I always have high expectations from movies he’s the male lead in and they always surpass those expectations. Reborn Rich and Vincenzo are two good examples. 감사합니다 for this awesome article. ????????????

Cool, thanks for sharing! I’m glad that you’ve enjoyed reading our article! ^^ If you want, you can also check our check our blog and visit our YouTube channel for articles and videos with great Korean content.

oooh i love too

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South Korea is a country slightly larger than the U.S. state of Indiana. It has a population of 50 million. And yet its popular culture has gone global. In just the past few months, the television series Squid Game smashed online streaming records, the Oxford English Dictionary added 26 Korean words and the boyband BTS ’ appearance at the United Nations 76th General Assembly went viral – these are just some examples of the world’s obsession with Korean cultural content.

K-pop boyband BTS appears at the Today show on Feb. 21, 2020, in New York City. (Image credit: Raymond Hall / GC Images)

Korean cultural content is popular because it’s really good, says Dafna Zur , an associate professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and scholar of Korean literature. Zur teaches courses on Korean literature, cinema and popular culture, and is the director of the Center for East Asian Studies at Stanford.

Here, Zur talks about what makes Korean popular culture successful and explains why it appeals to audiences around the world.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

What are some distinguishing features of Korean media, particularly its dramas?

Thanks to streaming platforms like YouTube and Netflix, and to vigorous subtitling efforts – with collaboration by fans, too – Korean pop music and dramas are widely available and easily accessible. Even when the content is in Korean, there are few barriers to entry.

Korean dramas strike a balance of predictability and originality. Their story arcs are often predictable: rags to riches, rich boy meets poor girl, children defy their parents’ wishes and strike out on their own. But they have a Korean twist: Characters are deferential to their elders, sons and daughters are filial. The backdrop is hyper-modern and glitzy. The actors are polished and attractive. They play characters that are charming, vulnerable, and have a healthy dose of self-deprecation. The scripts are full of good humor. Of course, there is often a dark twist: suffocating expectation, crushing poverty, a profound secret that must not get revealed. Korean dramas humanize even the most aloof billionaires and get audiences to care – and usually, all they ask of us is 16 hours of our time.

Dafna Zur (Image credit: Miriam Lim)

Korean media pour tremendous resources into their dramas. Dramas are collaborative productions that attend to every last detail to ensure a positive viewing experience that is also wholesome and family friendly. Viewers are assured to get good shots of Korean food, fashion, street life, and gorgeous countryside landscapes.

What about K-pop? Is there a similar formula or secret to its success?

Much of the success of K-pop has to do with the idols at the center. K-pop idols are as close to elite athletes as you will ever get in music talent. They are incredible dancers. They have tremendous charisma. They are disciplined and hard-working. They know how to speak to the camera and they know how to interact with one another in a way that draws in the fans. They maintain squeaky clean images. Their behavior is held up to extremely high standards.

At the same time, they project extreme approachability. They ooze fun and kindness, and they address their fans in ways that come across as authentic. In return, fans are loyal, as loyal to K-pop idols as any sports fans are to their favorite teams. This forms a really interesting dynamic between the idols and their fans.

Idols take their fans very seriously. Elaborate communication platforms allow K-pop idols to speak to their fans and to acknowledge fans’ role in their idols’ success. Fans are fiercely protective of their idols’ well-being. They reject fans who are too obsessive, like those who deliberately book flights on the same planes as their idols. The bond that is built between idol and their fans is powerful.

BTS, for example, started as underdogs in Korea’s entertainment industry. They lacked the brand recognition of Korea’s larger entertainment companies. Their success had as much to do with the loyalty they cultivated among their fans as with their talent. Their fan base is called Army – all K-pop groups have a named fan group. Army’s enthusiasm – and membership – has only been growing in recent years.

How do your students today who are familiar with Korean culture as a consumer respond to studying the country from an academic perspective? How has the field evolved given the spread of Korean culture abroad?

I first went to South Korea in the early 1990s to get my black belt in taekwondo. I knew very little about the place I was going – I wasn’t aware that Korea had only recently emerged as a democracy, for example. There was still a lot of roughness about Seoul – it was not as polished as it is today. Traffic was a mess. Bus drivers smoked while they worked. Back then I knew little about South Korea other than taekwondo.

By comparison, today’s students have grown up with Korean popular culture. “Gangnam Style” went viral in July of 2012 – that was almost 10 years ago. Some of my students have never even seen the video because they were 8 or 9 when it came out. But they know SuperM, EXO, Blackpink, Girls’ Generation, Seventeen and so many other K-pop groups – too many to mention in one breath.

I find that students are increasingly interested in engaging with Korean culture on multiple levels. They want to learn the language, along with Korean literature, film, history, politics and popular culture. They want to understand how a small country with limited natural resources managed to become a giant economy and influencer in the cultural field. Students also want to understand North Korea and how South Korea can thrive while a nuclear North Korea, just across the border, presents a complex security threat. It is not just South Korea’s issue: North Korea shares a border with China and Russia, and Japan is just across the East Sea. Our students today know what took me years to figure out: Korea holds the key to economic, political and cultural puzzles today. And it is way cool.

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Watching K-Dramas Improved My Mental Health By Connecting Me to My Culture

By Melissa Matthews

For Jeanie Y. Chang, 48, a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), everything about being a second-generation Korean American made her feel different from everyone else, especially in school. In college, Chang became hooked on a popular Korean drama, or K-drama, which helped her appreciate her culture for the first time. Afterward Chang had to balance the demands of motherhood, marriage, and eventually graduate school, so she rarely watched TV. It wasn’t until 2015 that Chang fully embraced her Korean culture—again with the help of a K-drama. She found that watching Korean shows was cathartic, validating, and just made her feel good. Inspired by how she felt, Chang began using K-drama examples in her corporate consulting leadership workshops and sessions with clients. After receiving positive feedback, Chang launched her YouTube channel and TikTok accounts, which discuss K-dramas from a mental health perspective, during the pandemic. Below, read Chang’s story as told to SELF’s associate health director Melissa Matthews.

I was born in Seoul, South Korea, but moved to the U.S. as a baby. My family lived in a small town outside of Philadelphia, and there wasn’t a lot of diversity in the area back then. Growing up I really didn’t like being Korean because I felt like I didn’t belong. As a kid I didn’t want to stand out. But looking different from my peers, speaking a different language at home, and bringing a different kind of lunch to school made me stand out. Kids were eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch but I brought things like fried rice to school, which felt very foreign to folks in my community. I just felt very “othered.” I often questioned where I belonged.

I also felt like my parents didn’t quite understand U.S. culture. I remember frequently thinking, Hello, this is not how Americans do it, and that made me reject my heritage even more. When my mom made Korean food at home, I remember saying, “Why do we have to eat this? Why can’t we just have spaghetti?” I used to detest the smell of kimchi, a traditional Korean side dish that’s quite popular nowadays. Back then people weren’t as familiar with it—and I felt mortified when my friends came over and asked why my house smelled. All of this made me feel ashamed for so long.

In 1992, I started gaining a new appreciation for my culture as a freshman at NYU, where I met other Koreans my age for the first time. That year, a K-drama called Jealousy was a huge hit. I wasn’t used to seeing a lot of media representation of Asians, let alone Koreans, and the main female character, Yoo Ha-Kyung, stood out to me. She was spunky, outgoing, and outspoken, which was significant because back then there was still a cultural narrative that Korean women had to be quiet and submissive. But that show made it look cool to be Korean.

Over the years I continued to watch K-dramas on and off. Eventually after getting married, having four kids, and going back to graduate school to study marriage and family therapy, I didn’t have time to watch TV. Yet in 2015, I got hooked on K-dramas again when I watched My Love From the Star , a romantic comedy about an alien stranded on Earth. I had just finished my master’s degree and was starting my career as a licensed therapist. I needed some escapism, so I turned back to K-dramas because they make me feel good—and they make me appreciate being Asian. Seeing the talented Korean women in these shows made me think, Wow, Koreans can be beautiful. That’s when I truly started embracing my culture.

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I soon became enthralled by the effect K-dramas had on my mental health. In many Asian communities, there are a lot of stigmas surrounding therapy, family conflict, and chronic diseases like cancer. K-dramas tackle those topics in a way that I’m actually floored by. In just 15 minutes of watching one, I can go from crying to laughing to being completely frustrated. And the tears always feel so therapeutic. Due to generational and cultural expectations, expressing emotions isn’t easy for a lot of Asians , including myself, but understanding your emotions is at the core of mental wellness. Watching these shows finally made me feel like I was able to validate the feelings that I had been holding in for more than 20 years—because I related to the stories of trauma , hope, and resilience. I could see my experiences reflected in K-dramas and I finally felt seen, heard, and validated.

And what I’ve learned from watching has significantly impacted my life. Many K-Dramas are family-focused, which has helped me have better conversations with my loved ones. I’m more patient when navigating difficult conversations with my parents. Watching shows that tackle themes like guilt, intergenerational trauma, and shame has helped me better understand my parents too. Sometimes I watch a K-drama and a certain scene makes me realize, Oh my gosh, so that’s why my dad is like that. I am also better able to empathize with my kids. I’m pretty strict because my mom was always pretty strict—but seeing parents in K-dramas break those norms encourages me to be more affectionate with my own children. These stories have shown me that being Korean doesn’t have to look a certain way and it certainly doesn’t have to mimic what I went through as a teenager.

Since watching K-dramas had such a huge impact on my own mental well-being, it was so easy for me to bring it up in my practice as a therapist. I speak about mental health at corporate events where the audiences are diverse, but a lot of my private practice clients are Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). I know it sounds harsh to say I rejected my culture as a teen, but the teens and adults I work with today still struggle with the same issues I did 20 years ago. I have seen so many people wrestle with the realities of their cultural heritage and feel so lost—and that ultimately ties into their mental health. Now a big part of my work revolves around helping people reconcile conflicting feelings about their cultural identities. Through my social media accounts, I get messages from people of all types of backgrounds who were also able to process difficult feelings or experiences like a divorce by watching K-dramas. They too feel validated from watching stories that feel familiar to their own. Reading those messages just solidifies my work as a therapist—and my experience as a Korean woman who now fully embraces her identity—even more.

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Korean Dramas on Netflix Have Been the Savior of My Sophomore Pandemic Year

From our couch, slurping grocery store ramyun in our underwear, we’re traveling again—a world away on you.

In the Netflix original series, a South Korean face cream mogul accidentally paraglides into the demilitarized zone and onto a hot North Korean soldier. The red-star-crossed-lovers rom com is brilliant on so many levels—think North Korean Outlander but make it funny. There’s a North Korean defector on the writing staff, so it’s an unusually informed look at South Korea’s grumpy upstairs neighbor (impossibly romantic coincidences and balls-out camp aside.) We quickly binged the whole series and, by the end, Korean television had crash landed on our hearts. So we dove into the world of Netflix K-dramas, which has proven as endless and addictive as a BTS playlist.

We’re now deep into It’s Okay to Be Not Okay , in which a famous, sociopathic children’s book writer falls in love with a psychiatric nurse that works at the kind of institution she should probably be checked into, all while living in a mansion haunted by her mother’s ghost—I mean, why didn’t HBO think of that? The fashion alone is worth watching for, along with the blindingly obvious product placement. Key conversations take place at Subway, the shots littered with enough green-and-yellow logos to give you a seizure. And every character, regardless of age or economic status, got there in a brand new Volvo. There are multiple Volvo vs. Volvo chase scenes (spoiler alert: a Volvo always wins.) The handing of Volvo keys is the highest sign of trust. It’s so blatant it feels like ironic performance art worthy of an off-Greenwich Village stage.

Episodes run around the length of a Disney movie. And there are usually about sixteen. One season. Sixteen movies. It’s amazing. But an adjustment for the Hollywood viewer. After our incessant gushing, our friend Dan watched Crash Landing on You and said he felt like he needed Ritalin to make it through the first episode. The storytelling is slow, thorough, and zen. Climactic scenes are replayed from various points of view so it occasionally feels like being trapped in a conversation with your drunk aunt who tells you the same story multiple times (which begs the question: am I becoming that aunt?) But patience is rewarded with some of the most hypnotic cinema, ever. By the end, we’d spent so much time with these characters, saying goodbye felt like a breakup.

There’s a deeper reason Dan wasn’t hooked: no boobs. K-dramas are prude and sometimes the only action you get after ten hours of subtitles is a long, slow mo hug that is panned in on from every angle. But what’s lacking in nudity is made up for with steamy Korean food porn. Sex is great, but have you tried Galbi Jjim? Sure, we felt blue-balled when the romantic climax to twenty some hours of television was a make out sesh beneath slowly falling cherry blossoms (all the kissing scenes seem to have something falling: Snow. Rain. Petals. Confetti). Which is maybe? Some kind of? Analogy? But after the bountiful TV sex and violence that got us through 2020, the innocence itself was novel.

We’re not alone in our adoration: K-dramas, which were already huge in much of the world, exploded during the pandemic. Along with K-pop and Korean beauty products, K-dramas have swept the Earth in what the Chinese call “Hallyu,” the Korean wave. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is among the ten most binged Netflix shows in several South American countries as well as Russia, Canada, Australia, and my living room.

The Hallyu has even hit North Korea, changing the way its citizens see their neighbors to the South—and themselves. There’s a black market for smuggling South Korean dramas into the dictatorship which is obviously not fucking cool with Kim Jong Un. Watching or owning South Korean media up North will get you 5-15 years in labor camps—and people are doing it anyway. K-dramas are so good, people are risking their lives to watch them.

What, exactly, is so compelling about these shows. Is it the eye-popping fashion? The K-poppy soundtracks? The cinematic views of the South Korean coast? The frequent and dramatic grabbing of wrists? If I’m honest, I don’t care to know. Wanting to escape my comfort zone was what drew me to K-dramas in the first place. I like wondering why the characters are singing to a tomato plant and if there’s really that much yelling in Korean workplaces. I like wondering how many references I’m missing. I like wondering.

Yesterday, we watched the main characters of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay finally kiss— finally . To my surprise, James gasped and covered his mouth with both hands, stunned. My giant husband who has grown unphased by murder and sex scenes alike, gasped at an on-screen kiss like a tween girl. He was far away, in a land where spicy noodles abound and kisses are Blockbuster again. Especially at Subway. From our couch, slurping grocery store ramyun in our underwear, we’re traveling again—a world away on you.

THE RISE OF K-DRAMAS: Essays on Korean Television and Its Global Consumption | Edited by JaeYoon Park and Ann-Gee Lee

Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2019. viii, 221 pp. (Figures, B&W photos.) US$39.95, paper. ISBN 978-1-4766-7747-7.

Korean television dramas (hereafter K-dramas), widely known as an initiative of the Korean Wave in the East Asian region during the early 1990s, have generated vigorous scholarly discussion. During the past decade, however, owing to digital media platforms, K-dramas have advanced their cultural leverage, attracting massive audiences in the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe. The global visibility of K-dramas has spurred scholars in media studies, fan studies, and cultural studies to investigate the meaning of K-dramas in global television. The Rise of K-Dramas: Essays on Korean Television and Its Global Consumption is a timely and salient response to such inquiries, offering an in-depth understanding of the sociocultural dynamics that K-dramas have produced on a local, regional, and global scale. Specifically, by touching on various issues of K-dramas from international fandom and identity formation to transnational production and adaptation, this edited collection reaffirms Korea’s position as “a creator and exporter of meaning in the global television market as well as a cultural mediator across various borders” (4).

The Rise of K-Dramas is composed of three sections and ten essays. Part 1 primarily examines K-drama fandom, consumption, and international relations, focusing on how K-dramas as soft power boost Korean culture industries, including food, tourism, and beauty. Dutch’s essay on the consumption of K-drama cuisine shows that food is an essential element for narrative and character development in K-dramas; moreover, international fans have constructed their activities to taste different types of real Korean food. Lee points out that the representation of soft masculinity in K-dramas encourages Western fans to dream about alternative romantic desires and to visit Korea with an expectation of “transnational affective intimacies with Korean men” (41). On a similar standpoint, Ann-Gee Lee explains the significance of Chinese women’s fascination with K-dramas and their contributions to vitalizing related industries, including tourism, fashion, and beauty. Liu and Yeh revisit two theoretical groundings—soft power and pop nationalism—in the discussion of the Korean Wave, maintaining that Korean cultural exports encourage foreign consumers to embrace local values and systems. Furthermore, these exports challenge China’s ban on Korean popular culture.

Part 2 contains three essays on identity formation and gender relations; each contributor offers an intensive analysis of the chosen media texts regarding the construction of social identities, such as gender and masculinity. Park pays particular attention to “gendered aging processes” (106) and “the social dimension of disability” (107) embedded in the K-drama, Dear My Friends . In her view, the show depicts older women’s solidarity in response to the gendered aspect of marginalization and cultural devaluation in Korean society; additionally, the show unveils the insensitive representation of disabled bodies in K-dramas. By analyzing two hybrids of romantic comedy and horror genres, Oh My Ghost! and The Master’s Sun , Sobhani underlines the intersection of “the spiritual and the mundane” (124) as a new trend in Korean media culture. Murell’s ethnographic study on kkonminam ’s soft masculinity reveals that K-dramas contribute to constructing positive images of kkonminam among Korean youth. She also argues that the representation of soft masculinity is closely associated with homosexuality and “a traditional Neo-Confucian Korean masculinity” (139).

Part 3 focuses on the production and adaptation process of K-dramas. Along with the continuous expansion of the Korean Wave, the Chinese and Korean media industries have increasingly attempted to co-produce TV dramas since the early 2000s. Based on an analysis of two co-produced dramas, Modern Family and Master Lin in Seoul , Chung argues that the Chinese government’s efforts to include multiculturalism in popular culture is clearly and consistently reflected in the localizing process of the two dramas, particularly in their description of international romance. Mazur et al. focus on the Korean adaptations of the American television series, The Good Wife and Criminal Minds . They underscore the centrality of Korean television culture in the East Asian region; in addition, the adaptation process embeds family values into the episodes of these shows. According to Kaptan and Tutucu, Turkish audiences also report family ties and intimacy as two of the primary reasons for watching K-dramas. At the same time, these viewers maintain a critical approach to the patriarchal values presented in Turkish adaptations and original K-dramas.

By employing various methodological approaches—textual analysis, ethnography, and industrial analysis—this edited volume has successfully mapped out the current trends and future directions of the Korean Wave phenomenon with respect to exploring the cultural impact of K-dramas within the past decade. In so doing, The Rise of K-Dramas reaffirms the power of fandom in the globalization of Korean media culture, adding case studies outside East Asia. The volume also enriches the Korean Wave scholarship by spotlighting the production context of K-dramas, such as the issues of co-production and the format trade. Despite these merits, there are certain shortcomings regarding the theoretical innovations in the volume. Some contributors revisit the concept of cultural proximity in understanding the transnational popularity of K-dramas and emphasize the notion of soft masculinity in the development of male characters. Such concepts have dominated the Korean Wave scholarship over the past decades; however, they are possibly insufficient in explaining the new phase that K-dramas have entered in the era of digital streaming services.

Texas A&M International University, Laredo                                                                

Last Revised: August 31, 2020

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How to Professionally Write a Korean Drama Review

Are you a fan of Korean dramas? You’re not alone! Every week, people around the world tune in to watch these amazing stories unfold. Sharing your thoughts on these shows can be an incredibly valuable skill, both professionally and personally! Writing reviews allows you to engage with these unlikely worlds and express yourself in new ways. And if done right, it can even help set you apart when job hunting or trying out for college applications. So grab a notebook, put your pen (or laptop) on the paper, and get ready! We’re going to show you how to write a professional Korean drama review!

Research the show thoroughly. Determine its target audience

The Korean drama show genre is ever-growing in popularity. It’s not hard to understand why. From its intense romances to the thrilling action and nail-biting suspense, there is something for viewers of all ages. But who exactly is this show targeting? Well, researchers have found that the majority of fans are teens and young adults. Because of these shows’ accessibility online, most viewers live outside of South Korea.

Look up reviews from other viewers

Trying to decide if you should watch a Korean show? Reading reviews and essay samples is a great way to understand what viewers think of the show. Read honest reviews from other viewers and find out their feelings about it without paying a penny. Samplius.com has many writing samples that are completely free and easy to access, giving you the opportunity to gain insight into an unknown show without wasting any money. Don’t risk disappointment! Explore this website for reliable resources on selecting great shows!

Understand the cultural context

It is important to appreciate the plot lines. But it’s also important to take time to understand the cultural context that informs each drama. The themes and topics featured in these narratives often reflect cultural issues. Thus, they are effective tools for exploring an uncertain world within a familiar setting.

Truly understanding the meanings of these shows means having at least some knowledge of elements. This includes Confucianism , filial piety, family values, and relationships in traditional Korean society. Also, develop an appreciation of traditional costume, class, and societal expectations. Find the meaning behind certain words and expressions. If you want to really appreciate a Korean drama, go ahead and dive deep into its culture!

Take note of any nuances

There is so much more to Korean drama than just the classic tropes! If you’re a true fan of this genre, then you can’t afford to miss out on any of the nuanced elements. To really get the best experience that K-drama has to offer, it’s important to pay attention to even the smallest clues. They can be cultural references or small shifts in dialogue.

What may seem insignificant could turn into an important plot device later down the line. Korean Drama is known for its unique story-telling style and absorbing storylines. So, don’t miss out on great moments by missing subtle plot developments!

Create a structure for your review

Writing a review is easier than ever. You need a simple structure that you can recycle. Start off with an introduction that quickly summarizes the topic of your review. This should provide the necessary background information.

Next, provide your readers with a summary of your experience. Use this space to share what you liked or disliked. Don’t give too much away. Make sure that you include your opinion of the product or service. Do not be afraid to give praise when it’s due!

Conclude by summarizing key aspects of the review . Revisit your opinion on the item, and make any additional comments that are relevant to the overall experience. With these steps in mind, you’ll have no trouble creating an effective assessment for any item!

An example…

“I recently watched a Korean show titled “K-drama.” While I have to admit that it certainly piqued my interest, there were some aspects of the show that I found particularly disappointing. The plot was extremely formulaic and overly predictable. Despite the obvious effort that was put into creating a great atmosphere and narrative, I felt like the story hadn’t been thoroughly thought out or given enough detail.

Another point of criticism for me is that the characters weren’t very likable. Often coming across as silly, generic stereotypes rather than fully dynamic human beings with nuanced personalities. However, despite these gripes with K-drama, there were some genuinely fun moments in specific episodes. They helped keep me engaged until the end. The serialized format worked really well for providing little plot exclamations at each episode’s conclusion. These kept me enthralled in anticipation for what would come next. All in all, K-drama wasn’t bad but could have used some more focused attention to story development and characterization. This could have made it truly excellent instead of just passingly enjoyable.”

Overall, reviewing a drama can be a rewarding experience. Not only will examining the show in-depth help you become more critical of media, but it might also lead to discovering new shows and genres that you may have never tried before.

Truly studying and reflecting on a drama involves watching it through multiple times, researching its background thoroughly, taking note of any subtle elements, looking up reviews from others, creating an organized structure for your review, and articulating details from specific episodes.

Taking all these steps into consideration will ensure that your review is comprehensive and meaningful for future viewers. Hopefully, this blog post helps guide you as you explore deeper into the various nuances of dramas and truly understand how amazing they are!

Author Bio:

Cory Shilling is a content writer and avid drama fan. He believes that the key to truly understanding any drama lies in its subtle elements. Cory is constantly on the lookout for well-crafted stories and unique plot developments. When he isn’t writing, you can find him discussing his favorite shows with friends online.

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The Rise of K-Dramas: Essays on Korean Television and Its Global Consumption

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Korean dramas gained popularity across Asia in the late 1990s, and their global fandom continues to grow. Despite cultural differences, non-Asian audiences find "K-dramas" appealing. They range from historical melodrama and romantic comedy to action, horror, sci-fi and thriller.

Devotees pursue an immersive fandom, consuming Korean food, fashion and music, learning Korean to better understand their favorite shows, and travelling to Korea for firsthand experiences.

This collection of new essays focuses on the cultural impact of K-drama and its fandom, and on the transformation of identities in the context of regional and global dynamics. Contributors discuss such popular series as Boys over Flowers , My Love from the Star and Descendants of the Sun .

• ISBN-10 1476677476
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• Language English
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Examining the cultural impact of K-drama and its fandom, this collection of new essays focuses on the formation and transformation of identities in the context of regional and global dynamics and differing values and beliefs among social groups. Contributors discuss such popular series as Boys over Flowers, My Love from the Star and Descendants of the Sun.

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Korean — The nature of k-drama viewership beyond South Korea

The Nature of K-drama Viewership Beyond South Korea

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Published: Jul 17, 2018

Words: 3422 | Pages: 8 | 18 min read

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Understanding the Embrace of Filipino Teenagers on Korean Dramas _________________________________________ An Academic Essay

Over a decade, the Korean Wave has swept throughout the Philippine media industry. Every day we can see a lot of Korean dramas on television. Even in social media, its cancerous spread made it more popular. On a monthly basis, fifty-eight percent (58%) of the Philippine population are active on social media, the 15th highest penetration rate in the world (wearesocial.com). Knowing this fact, the Korean dramas have been reaching more audiences. Moreover, Korean dramas manufactured a lot of products such as clothes, goods, electronic devices and cosmetics from Korea and even in the local market. We also see ubiquitous Korean restaurants and Korean-themed food stalls everywhere. Teenagers then begin to follow this trend. Philippines having a population of young people, the ripple effect of this trend grows continuously.Watching Korean dramas is one of entertainments the teens have. And as this practice grows over time, Korean dramas influenced the personhood of the teenagers. The succeeding sections will discuss the effects of Korean dramas and how it affects the view of the teenagers.

Related Papers

Juan Creations

This study aims to find out the impact of watching Korean dramas among the selected Senior High school students of the Marinduque Midwest College and to determine the factors why most of the Filipino youth especially the students are attracted to watch Korean dramas. Specifically it attempts to answer the following questions: what is the socio-demographic profile of the students in terms of age and gender; what are the factors that influence the Filipino teenagers specifically the Senior High School students to watch Korean dramas and what are the impacts of Korean dramas among the Senior High school students of Marinduque Midwest College in terms of Lifestyle and Behaviors. The method utilized in this study was mixed method both qualitative and quantitative research. Respondents of this study were 106 senior high school students and selected using purposive sampling technique. Self-constructed questionnaire-checklist lifted from different sources and adapted by the researcher was utilized to gather necessary data for this study. Data were presented using graphs and tables. Frequency, percentage, ranking and weighted mean were used to analyze and interpret the data gathered. Results showed that the main factors why most of the Senior High school students are attracted to watch Korean dramas were because of the fact that it features good-looking actors/actresses (Cast) and simply the content/stories each Korean dramas depicts. Results further showed that majority of the respondents spent more than 5 hours in watching and sacrifice mostly their sleep. Topping the list of what the students adapt/pick up in watching were the language and Fashion/Style. Considering the foregoing conclusions, the researchers recommend the following: 1) The researchers recommend future researchers to tackle and focus on the content of Korean dramas through using content analysis research; 2) The researchers recommend future researchers to conduct a study on a comparative analysis between Korean teledramas and Filipino Teledramas; 3) The researchers recommend future researchers to tackle and focus on the impact of watching Korean dramas on the academic performance of the students; 4) The Future researchers may conduct further and in-depth studies on the impact of Korean dramas among the Filipino youths; 5) The researchers have recommended that the Senior High school students should practice time-management and use their time wisely when it comes in watching. Keywords: Korean dramas, Impact of watching Korean dramas, Lifestyle and behaviors, Filipino youths and Senior High school students

Michelle Camille Correa

A Comparative Study on the Effects of Korean Drama Consumption to the Patriotism of University of the East - Caloocan Grade 12 HUMSS Fans and Non-fans

Melo Mar Cabello

This study explored the possible effects of watching Korean TV drama on the patriotism of students. The rise of Hallyu 1.0 or Korean TV drama to popularity in the mid-1990s became possible through the help of media. Three theories were utilized to explain the successful proliferation of K-drama in Asian countries: Cultural Proximity Theory, Media Dependency Theory, and Uses and Gratifications Theory. However, despite the success of Hallyu, anti-Hallyu movements have been formed across Asia, eliciting different explanations from experts, one of which is linked to the concept of patriotism. In order to validate the relationship, the researchers conducted an in-depth interview with five K-drama fans and five non-fans, and compared and contrasted the patriotism of the members of each group in relation to K-drama consumption. In this study, patriotism is defined as the pride one feels for his country. The results showed that participants are both proud of being a Filipino and of the Philippines regardless of K-drama consumption. However, this pride tends to be less manifested in the actions of K-drama fans as opposed to non-fans, because said fans prefer Korean TV drama to Filipino TV drama. K-drama fans patronize K-drama merchandise over Filipino drama merchandise, and finds patronizing the latter embarrassing. Furthermore, K-drama fans compared the Filipino culture to South Korean culture wherein they perceive the latter as superior over the former. Hence, the researchers concluded that watching K-dramas negatively affects the patriotism of students. However, the relationship is deemed to be substantially weak due to: (a) conflicting data, and (b) arbitrary nature of patriotism, since the subjective nature of ―pride‖ warrants its absence of manifestation without constituting to unpatriotic values. Nevertheless, this study is still significant since it will alert concerned authorities on the negative effects of K-dramas on patriotism and will urge them to respond accordingly.

Asian Journal of Communication

Belinda F . Espiritu

... Transnational audience reception as a theater of struggle: young Filipino women's reception of Korean ... aside from the global penetration of Hollywood movies and TV programs. ... of Korean television dramas ranging from melodramas, historical dramas, and comedy-dramas that ...

Maruh Bonto

Belinda F Espiritu

This study examines the ‘theater of struggle’ in young Filipino women’s reception of Korean television dramas in view of the American cultural imperialism that is deeply entrenched in the Philippine society. Mainly anchored on Gramsci’s concept of hegemony and Stuart Hall’s encoding-decoding theory, the researcher conducted a reception analysis through a textual analysis of selected Korean television comedy-dramas and focus group discussions with young Filipino women in different colleges. The young Filipino women expressed cultural affinity with the culture, storylines, values, and environment in Korean and other Asian television dramas that have invaded the Philippines in the twenty-first century. ‘Negotiation, resistance, and struggle’, in Hall’s sense, against both the liberalism in American dramas and the pre-modern themes in local dramas were manifested in the young women’s discourses. Consequently, American cultural imperialism in the Philippines was undermined, challenged, and to some extent subverted. The study also looked into the young women’s dominant, negotiated, and oppositional readings of the dominant capitalist patriarchal values and ideologies that were embedded in selected Korean dramas. While there were young female participants who subscribed to global capitalist values showing their cooptation within Western cultural hegemonic domains, the young women largely articulated negotiated readings of capitalist values and oppositional readings with regard to the dominant ideology of capitalist patriarchy. In reading the selected Korean dramas reflexively, the young women identified social pathologies of poverty, class inequality, and capitalist patriarchal values and constructed emancipatory discourses with regard to these.

Brenn Yulo Mendez Bacus , Joshua Noel Cañeda

This study looked into the qualities of Korean movies that affect the Academic Performances of 4th year students of college of secondary education of BISCAST. Specifically, the questions investigated are as follows: 1. What are the qualities of Korean movies that affects the academic performances of 4th Year college students of Education at Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology? 2. How do the qualities of Korean movies affect their academic performances? The study used the theories of Straubhaar’s Cultural Proximity Theory, Ball-Rockeach and De Fleur’s Media Dependency Theory. The researchers conducted survey among 156 students of 4th Year College of Secondary Education. The study found out that the qualities of Korean movies such as language, physical appearance of the casts, fashion styles, storytelling, theme, gravity of violence, production design, characterization style and the entertainment quality do not affect the academic performance of 4th Year College Students of Secondary Education at Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology. However, there are themes or impacts from the Korean movies to the students making them better individual as a student such as Korean movies help to find inspiration, contentment, self-improvement, determination and hard work and also they can still manage their time. On the negative sense, some of them cannot focus on their studies, cannot submit their projects on time, and et

Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information:

Jenica Villanueva

This research paper focused on the relationship of South Korean influence, particularly K-pop and K-drama, to the Nationalism of Grade 12 ABM and HUMSS students in EAC-SHS. It includes the strands in EAC-SHS who have the greatest number of students who are interested to either K-pop, K-drama or both. The researchers of this study found out that there is indeed a relationship between the two involved subject matters (South Korean influence and Nationalism of students) as there are respondents of the study who scored low in the test about Philippine Culture and high in the test part about South Korean Culture. The paper provided a list of the things that Filipinos, specifically the youth, can do to balance their interest towards other countries and patriotism to the Philippines given that there is a tendency of today’s generation to admire other culture which in this study is South Koreans, and appreciate less the Philippine culture in terms of its music and telenovelas.

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A beginner's guide to K-drama romances and thrillers available on streaming

R omance novels, spicy books, fan fiction — these days, we’re being inundated with text forms of romance, drama, passion and lust. And we are thankful. But if you want all of that plus pure yearning and desire in just 16 episodes of TV, Korean dramas, also known as K-dramas, are waiting for you. 

Korean dramas have been popular internationally for decades and have been a key part of the “Hallyu” wave, a term used to describe the rise in international attention to Korean pop culture. In recent years, streaming services, namely Netflix, have added an extensive collection of Korean programming to their catalog, moving the K-drama from its position as Grandma’s nightly vice on the Korean-language cable channel to something everyone can easily stream anywhere. Whether you want a heartwarming romance or an intense thriller, there’s a K-drama for everyone. 

In no order, these are some of the best K-dramas recommended by those at TODAY.com who are brave enough to do the research that requires watching hundreds of hours of television. We do it for YOU.  

“Extraordinary Attorney Woo”

Premise : Woo Young-woo is an attorney with autism navigating her first year at a big law firm. Young-woo takes on a variety of legal cases, showcasing her photographic memory and her skill in law. She also tackles bias in the workplace and finds a friend and ally in the kind (and very attractive) paralegal Jun-ho. 

Why we rec: You can’t help but root for Young-woo as she figures out professional life and love for the first time. Each character melts your heart (although some take some time to get there), and ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’ is a very wholesome, feel-good watch. The show may be familiar to the TikTok crowd, as the handshake between besties Young-woo and Geu-ra-mi went viral . Part-serial legal drama and part-office romance, this sweet drama will make your heart flutter so fast you’ll have to remind yourself to go “Woah, Woah!”  

Where to watch: Netflix

“Business Proposal”

Premise : When Shin Ha-ri agrees to go on a blind date in place of her friend, she gets caught in a fake-dating scheme with the CEO of her company, who has no idea the person he’s “seeing” is his employee. As the two get to know each other better, feelings get complicated while Ha-ri works to keep her real identity a secret. 

Why we rec: Fake dating to lovers!! Do we really need to say more? Well, we will. This drama also has one of the best kiss scenes of all time and we’d like to thank Kim Mink-kyu and Seol In-Ah for their contributions. There’s also a vital female friendship that truly celebrates one another and a 6’5 man in finance with brown eyes who is jealous and protective over this woman whose family owns and runs a delicious chicken shop!   

Where to watch: Netflix  

Premise : After her parents die in a car accident, Do Do-Hee is adopted by a wealthy and powerful family. To accept her rightful place as heiress, she must marry in the next year. She enters a contract marriage with Jeong Gu-won, a demon who temporarily loses his powers after they’re transferred to Do Do-Hee in a freak accident.   

Why we rec: If you think your bestie’s ex is the devil, they’ve got nothing on Jeong Gu-Won in this drama. It‘s an enemies-to-lovers romance with baffling family drama and betrayal, plus 2000 years of doppelganger lore.  

Where to watch : Netflix 

“The Glory”

Premise : A former victim of violent school bullying plans and seeks revenge on her bullies after becoming a homeroom teacher at the elementary school of the child of her primary tormentor. 

Why we rec: A tinge of fluff but mostly violence, 20 years of satisfying revenge plotting, huge twists that will leave you screaming, murder and other criminal activity, and a chess-like game called, “Go.” Literally what more could you want?  

Where to watch: Netflix 

“Yumi’s Cells”

Premise : Yumi is an ordinary woman whose life is documented in this show from the point of view of her brain cells. Her love-cell falls into a coma following a failed relationship, and game developer Goo Woong tries to wake up Yumi’s love-cell with his simple and honest personality. 

Why we rec: This show is a solid and realistic portrayal of dating and heartbreak in your 20s. The drama portrays romance using animated figures that represent each emotion. It’s endearing, embarrassing, funny and absolutely heartbreaking. Honestly, 10/10 if you’re working through navigating difficult emotions in therapy because this drama will make you want to be much kinder to yourself. 

“Crashing Landing On You “

Premise : Yoon Se-ri, a South Korean heiress, crash lands in North Korea after a paragliding accident. She is found by a captain in the Korean People’s Army, and the two work to get her back home. 

Why we rec : OK, political romance!! This woman is ridiculously blown of course while paragliding and accidentally crosses the North Korean border. After a crash landing (get it?) she is shielded and protected by this North Korean soldier. It’s enemies to lovers in its truest form and so much family drama to unpack. And a death at the end that will ruin your evening. Enjoy!  

PLUS — the main couple are married in real life now!!  

“Boys Over Flowers”

Premise : Working-class Jan-di gets caught up in the lives of the uber-wealthy at the elite Shinhwa High School and finds herself in the web of popular boy clique F4 and their brooding leader, Gu Jun-pyo.  

Why we rec : Enemies to lovers, rich vs. poor, high school drama and a love triangle? What more can you ask for?

Based on the Japanese manga of the same name, the Korean iteration of “Boys Over Flowers” is a pillar of the late 2000s era of the Hallyu wave. With a theme song you can’t get out of your head and one very iconic kick to the face, this drama was also the breakout role of “Pachinko” star Lee Min-ho’s acting career, and a great chance to see him in the perfect perm. 

“Our Beloved Summer”

Premise : When a high school documentary goes viral 10 years after its release, former sweethearts Yeon-su and Ung are forced to reconnect in front of the cameras for an onscreen update. 

Why we rec: A coming-of-age slow burn, this drama is nostalgia-filled as Yeon-su and Ung reconnect and remember why they didn’t (and why they do) work. It makes us yearn for our first love! This drama also shows off the romantic side of “Parasite” star Choi Woo-shik, who plays Ung. 

“Thirty Nine”  

Premise : Three friends navigate, life, love, and loss as they get ready to turn forty. 

Why we rec: That one three-person group chat <3 We are nothing if not Son Ye-Jin’s biggest fans. This time, she stars alongside Jeon Mi-do and Kim Ji-hyun in one of the most beautiful and devastating shows about female friendship. If you liked “ Firefly Lane ,” this drama will truly rock your world. But bring tissues because each episode will leave you sobbing.  

“Twenty Five Twenty One” 

Premise : In 1998, Na Hee-do is a teenager pursuing her dream of being a fencer. In the present, Kim Min-chae, Hee-do’s daughter, comes across her mother’s diary, which tells the story of her life in the 90s and her love story with Baek Yi-Jin. 

Why we rec: Sports and romance! Hee-do is a teen whose only focus in life is to become an Olympic fencer until she falls in love with a young man trying to get his life back together after his family’s humbling financial ruin. Twenty-five years later her daughter, Min-chae is learning about her mom’s first love through her journal entries after running away to her grandmother’s house to escape her mom who “just doesn’t get it.” If you’ve ever wondered what your mom was like as young girl, you’ll love this drama.  

“Dae Jang Geum” / “Jewel in the Palace”

Premise : Jang-geum works her way from palace cook to the first female royal physician in Joseon Dynasty (14th and 15th century) Korea. 

Why we rec: Dae Jang-Geum is a great taste of Korean period pieces. A story of female ambition and empowerment, Jang-geum blends cooking and medicine, which means you’ll also find yourself craving a mouth-watering and healing Korean meal! A classic 2000s drama, we can’t believe it was released over 20 years ago. 

Where to watch: Viki 

“City Hunter”

Premise : Lee Yoon-sung was taught at an early age that his purpose in life was to avenge his father, who died in a covert operation carried out and abandoned by political officials who, in the present day, hold extreme amounts of power. After landing a job at Korea’s presidential palace, he serves justice as the anonymous “City Hunter.”

Why we rec: This show is an action-packed thriller! K-drama powerhouses Lee Min-ho and Park Min-young make a beautiful (and butt-kicking) couple with great chemistry, and fans of second-gen K-pop group Kara get to see the late Goo Hara as the president’s daughter.  

Where to watch: Amazon Prime 

This article was originally published on TODAY.com

20 Best K-Dramas Longer Than Just One Season

A little drama is good - and more is better. Here are 20 of the most addictive and bingeworthy K-dramas that went on for more than one season. 

K-Drama fans are familiar with the thrill of a great story and being hooked on a premise from the first episode itself. However, the downside of being a K-drama aficionado is that most of these shows often elegantly wrap up their elaborate tales in just 16 to 24 episodes, leaving the audiences with a bittersweet feeling of not getting more time to bond with the charming characters, or getting more of a mysterious and gritty crime-laden environment.

Fortunately for them, like an extra helping of tteokbokki after the first delicious serving, some K-Dramas turn out to be so popular or beloved , with stories that are too rich to fully unfold in just one season, that they earn extensions in the form of another season or two — or more. From time jumps to new antagonists, these dramas tap into the fans' fascination with a plot and provide additional doses of the same.

Here are 20 of the most addictive Korean dramas that fans and producers believed were worth being emotionally invested in for longer than one season.

20 Let's Eat (2013 – 2015) — 2 Seasons

Set in a small neighborhood, Let’s Eat is a heartwarming drama that follows a 33-year-old single woman named Lee Soo-kyung who always manages to keep a straight face and has a decent job, but loses control when she spots gourmet food.

Being in a new environment after moving leads her to Goo Dae-Young, who also has incredible taste. As a sweet romance develops between them, viewers are treated to not only a brilliant drama, but picturesque cinematography as well.

Let's Eat Is a Celebration Of Gourmet Food

Let’s Eat may have a premise that focuses on gourmet food , but it’s not exactly a “food drama.” Instead, it celebrates human relationships and the comfort provided by mesmerizing-looking dishes because of how they contain and satisfy you.

At its heart, the drama is a feel-good romance. It has a simple and interesting plot that portrays warmth from start to finish, which warranted a second season in 2015 and a spin-off series in 2016.

Stream Let’s Eat on Tubi TV

19 Bad Guys (2014 – 2018) — 2 Seasons

Bad Guys revolves around a tough-as-nails police detective named Oh Goo Tak who is fired after he uses excessively violent methods to eradicate crime. Still adamant he was right, he decides to form a team of criminals, which includes a contract killer, a gangster, and the youngest serial killer in the city, to work together and fight violence with violence. Helping them is Police Inspector Yoo Mi Young.

They’re Not Really “Bad Guys”

Part spell-binding, part emotional, Bad Guys is a character-driven drama that positions itself as an action/crime thriller. Featuring just as much joy and happiness as it does investigations and murders, the gripping story and visceral concept combines popcorn thrills with nuanced calls for justice. The second season, The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos , and the spin-off series Bad Guys: City of Evil , are endlessly rewatchable and exciting.

Stream Bad Guys on The Roku Channel

18 Hello, My Twenties! (2016 – 2017) — 2 Seasons

Hello, My Twenties! is a bright little coming-of-age K-drama that centers around a group of five college girls who share a house in Seoul called “Belle Epoque.” They’re all very different from one another, and they are pursuing love, friendship, and purpose during a decade of change. Despite being strangers at first, they turn from housemates to best friends and find solace in their unyielding bond.

Hello, My Twenties! Is Well-Crafted And Female-Driven

Watching extremely tender and complex female characters thrive on screen is always entertaining. Hello, My Twenties! never shies away from showcasing their uncertainties, flaws, and agitations. But what it champions most is the solidarity between women and the celebration of their feminist dreams. Even though ensemble pieces are hard to nail, this bingeworthy drama does it, and gives us a second season where the main cast returns.

Stream Hello, My Twenties! on Netflix

17 Dr. Romantic (2016 – 2023) — 3 Seasons

Kim Sa Bu was a top surgeon and a triple-board certified doctor before a tragic incident changed his life forever, and he gave up his reputed role in the medical industry to move to a small rural town called Gangwon Province. He changes his name and devotes himself to helping those in need while also training two junior doctors, Kang Dong-joo and Yoon Seo-jeong, gradually earning the respect of the town's local community.

Related: 10 Medical Drama TV Shows That Are Absolute Tearjerkers

Dr. Romantic a Must-Watch in the Medical Drama Genre

As far as the medical drama genre is considered, Dr. Romantic is among the few thought-provoking and immersive ones that also feature quirky characters, well-paced writing, strong and driven narratives, as well as deep philosophical themes. Because it strikes the perfect balance between emotional intimacy and feel-good humor, the series led to not one, but two more seasons, with the latter ones switching up the cost and characters a little to consistently deliver more charming stories.

Stream Dr. Romantic on Kocowa

16 Voice (2017 – 2021) — 4 Seasons

A procedural thriller revolving around a mysterious serial killer responsible for ruining the lives of two different families, Voice first introduces us to Moo Jin Hyuk, a popular and skilled detective mourning the death of his beloved wife. Meanwhile, Kang Kwon Joo, another professional detective/voice profiler, looks for the man who murdered his father. Despite their contrasting methods, one intuitive and the other logical, they join forces to hunt down the criminal who uses his voice as one of his weapons to attack his victims.

Voice Is Intense, But It Grows On You

Voice is a nerve-wracking drama that turns up its intensity and gut-churning plot twists right from the beginning. The show keeps viewers constantly guessing the answer to its overarching whodunit puzzles by adding new elements to the chase. The tight pacing and stellar acting by celebrated Korean actors like Lee Ha Na and Jang Hyuk is what brought back viewers to appreciate and obsessively binge yet another season, which was released in the following year.

Stream Voice on Paramount+

15 Stranger (2017 – 2020) — 2 Seasons

In Stranger , we follow a cool and intellectual prosecutor named Hwang Shi Mok who may be known for his unmatched skills now, but he had a violent past. When he gets embroiled in a complex case of murder and deceit, truths about his sinister past begin to emerge. At a crime scene, he meets Lieutenant Han Yeo Jin and finds his equal. Together they take on challenging new cases involving criminals and power players.

Stranger Is an Amazing Fast-Paced Legal Masterpiece

For a crime thriller, Stranger stays true to the genre and delivers not only some mind-buzzing mystery-solving, but also dissects corruption and politics with an unflinching gaze. Through the eyes of its troubled and cunning protagonists, who are basically anti-heroes, the show reveals the systematic darkness that lurks beneath a perfect community of people. The arresting finale left plenty of room for the second season to pick up from and continue the story.

Stream Stranger on Netflix

14 Welcome To Waikiki (2018 – 2019) — 2 Seasons

Sitcoms are a rarity in the Korean drama landscape, but Welcome to Waikiki is the closest the medium will come to delivering the same kind of humor and heart. It centers around three down-on-their-luck friends — a film director, an actor, and a freelance writer — who decide to open a guest house, thinking it is an easy business that will help them make money. However, things do not go as planned, and chaos ensues.

Welcome to Waikiki Will Get You Cackling in No Time

Filled with silly gags and absurd adventures, Welcome to Waikiki raises the bar for comedy within the medium by packing melodrama and romance into it. The A-list cast made of Kim Jung Hyun, Lee Yi Kyung, Jung In Sun, and more, play the roles of impulsive and lovable dreams with utter grace. The second season is more like a sequel because it features a new cast, with Lee Joon Ki being the only recurring character trying to revive the guest house.

Stream Welcome to Waikiki on Netflix

13 Chief of Staff (2019) — 2 Seasons

One of the best legal K-dramas to come out in the last decade, Chief of Staff centers around Jang Tae Joon, a talented detective who has always been hungry for power. Seeing an opportunity to work in the National Assembly, he puts his logical thinking and intuition into good use and becomes the chief aide of a lawmaker. He soon gets into conflict with first-year lawmaker Kang Sun Young, who not only happens to be a strong-willed and virtuous woman, but also an employee of Tae Joon’s biggest rival.

Related: 15 Detective K-Dramas With Compelling Mysteries

Chief of Staff Is an Addictive Political Thriller

For fans of political dramas and gritty crimes, Chief of Staff is essential viewing. The show dives deep into themes of blackmail, corruption and betrayal, and also features cutthroat manipulations outside the system by those wanting to rise to the top.

Seoul’s halls of power are a playground for the characters brought to brilliant life by actors like Lee Jung-jae, Shin Min-a, Lee Elijah, and Kim Dong-jun. The two seasons are filled with enough intrigue and action to keep viewers hooked throughout.

Stream Chief of Staff on Netflix

12 Kingdom (2019 – 2020) — 2 Seasons

Kingdom is a show has a lot of things going for itself. For starters, it is set in 16th century Korea, where a mysterious plague has begun spreading and turning village folks into terrifying zombies. When the King dies and the Crown Prince is declared a traitor, it is up to the latter, and his guard Moo Young, to look for a physician and cure their kingdom of this disease.

The Fluid Zombie-Centered Historical Drama That Is Kingdom

Kingdom takes a bold step by establishing a ‘zombie apocalypse’ setting in historical Korea and then infusing its narrative with internal power struggles, politics and royal court affairs. This unlikely and exciting blend makes the drama extremely riveting. Additionally, there are sword fights, gripping zombie-fighting sequences, and emotional moments to keep the audiences invested throughout the 6 episodes each of seasons 1 and 2.

Stream Kingdom on Netflix

11 Love Alarm (2019 – 2021) — 2 Seasons

Set in a world where a popular app notifies its users if there is someone within their 10-meter radius who harbors feelings for them, Love Alarm is a lighthearted teenage romance that elevates itself above typical teen dramas. The main character, Kim Jo Jo, is an orphan who lives with her aunt and barely has any money to buy a new phone.

Lee Hye Yeong is a kind-hearted young man who has had a crush on Jo Jo for a while now. When his best friend, the popular Hwang Sun Oh, hears the news, he approaches Jo Jo.

Complexities of Modern Dating in Love Alarm

Adapted from a webtoon of the same name, Love Alarm showed promise even before it premiered in 2019. With a creative and intriguing storyline, this drama effortlessly captures the sweet melodrama of being in love for the first time, as well as the heartbreak and jealousy that comes with it. Despite receiving mixed reviews for the writing and characterization, Love Alarm’s refreshing take on tech-controlled relationships led to another season, which came out in 2021.

Stream Love Alarm on Netflix

10 Missing: The Other Side (2020 – 2023) — 2 Seasons

Starring Go Soo, Sohee and Huh Joon-ho, Missing: The Other Side is a supernatural thriller that brings together three strangers to solve mysterious cases. The first is a quick-witted and attractive swindler named Kim Wook, who arrives at Duon Village and learns that the place holds the ghosts of dead people who’d gone missing.

The second is Jang Pan Seok, a young man who is secretly looking for the missing people. And Lee Jong Ah is a public officer who works for and supports Kim Wook.

Missing: The Other Side Is a Subversive Take on the Supernatural

An innovative juxtaposition of fantasy tropes as well as police procedurals, Missing: The Other Side is a compelling drama that features dark and poetic visuals to completely douse its audience in the supernatural mystery. The three protagonists are also brilliant investigators who support the series’ underlying focus on the whereabouts of missing people with care and precision. Overall, even though the drama is not unpopular, it remains underrated and deserves more praise.

Stream Missing: The Other Side on Netflix

9 Sweet Home (2020 – Ongoing) — 3 Seasons

Sweet Home is an insanely entertaining and equally heartwarming action-horror drama based on the Naver webtoon of the same name, which was created by Kim Carnby and Hwang Young-chan. The story follows Cha Hyun Soo, a lonely and shy teenager trying to rebuild his life following the death of his family. But when people in Korea start turning into savage monsters, he must band together with other residents of his apartment complex and fight to survive.

Sweet Home Is a Binge-Worthy Monster Mayhem

Despite being unoriginal in its overall premise, Sweet Home fabricates an innovative and complex gore-fest that explores one individual’s humanity and survival against inexplicable odds. It also redefines the genre with its phenomenal cast of characters, each with their own backstories. Plus, the stylish action sequences, dark visuals, intricate creature designs, and subtle humor make both seasons of Sweet Home utterly bingeable.

Stream Sweet Home on Netflix

8 The Good Detective (2020 – 2022) — 2 Seasons

In The Good Detective , Kang Do Chang and Oh Ji-hyuk are both detectives with 18 years and 9 years of experience in the field respectively. While the former uses forensic techniques and personal connections to solve crime, the latter gets into the psyche of the victim and the criminal to find the truth. When they’re both forced to work together, they realize that they do have one thing in common — a passion for justice.

Related: 20 K-Dramas With No Boring Episodes

Buddy-Cop At Its Finest

Sometimes, detective dramas are a hit or miss. And the entire weight of a drama’s success lies in the protagonist and the writing. The Good Detective has a little bit of both, with Son Hyun-joo and Jang Seung-jo adding layers of complexity and empathy to their roles of flawed and determined law enforcers. Their yin-yang duo shares a special chemistry, which is also the saving grace for the series' continuation.

Stream The Good Detective on Netflix

7 The Uncanny Counter (2020 – 2023) — 2 Seasons

Netflix’s The Uncanny Counter takes you to the fictional city of Jungjin, where four part-time demon hunters, known as Counters, work tirelessly to find and banish the evil spirits that escaped the afterlife. Posing as workers at the restaurant Eonni's Noodles, the group recently hires So Moon, a high school boy who underwent a mysterious accident as a child and now possesses the ability to see spirits.

The Uncanny Counter Is a Horror That Thrills But Never Bites

Do not be fooled by its supernatural/horror plot, because The Uncanny Counter is actually more of a feel-good comedy. At the center of all the action and adventure is the sweet and warm bond shared by the Counter squad.

Each of the characters, played by Jo Byeong-kyu, Yoo Jun-sang and Kim Se-jeong, are extremely endearing. Moreover, the fast-paced episodes, dramatic villains, and campy thrills ensure the second installment is just as fun.

Stream The Uncanny Counter on Netflix

6 Hospital Playlist (2020 – 2021) — 2 Seasons

For over 20 years, Lee Ik-jun, Ahn Jeong-won, Kim Jun-wan, Yang Seok-hyeong and Chae Song-hwa have been best friends and talented surgeons walking the halls of Yulje Medical Center. Having first met in 1999 at medical school, they are not only aware of each other’s idiosyncrasies and insecurities, but they also have a delightful, albeit subpar, five-piece garage band together.

Hospital Playlist Feels Like Hot Cocoa on Winter Nights

A true masterpiece, Hospital Playlist is an ensemble drama that infuses warmth and humor into the medical realm by giving us five of the most charismatic, realistic, and devoted characters of all time. Subversive and unconventional, it juggles relationships and medical rounds with a stirring beauty. Because the characters have twenty years worth of history, the second season offers a glimpse into their personal lives and strikes a chord with the poignancy in it.

Stream Hospital Playlist on Netflix

5 Penthouse: War In Life (2020 – 2021) — 3 Seasons

Hera Palace is a 100-story luxury penthouse apartment in Gangnam, and it houses some of the most elite and mysterious families in the country. From Shim Su-ryeon, a wealthy businesswoman, to Cheon Seo-jin, the prima donna, their residence drips with status and prestige.

On the other hand, Oh Yoon-hee, who belongs to a humble family, has great ambitions to become the queen of Hera Palace. But when a death occurs, they’re all embroiled in a twisted tale of revenge, greed, and power.

Opulent Drama Laced With Mystery

With three seasons worth of intoxicating mysteries and drama, Penthouse: War In Life has all the elements that make a soap opera so awful and addictive. Regardless of the fact that it features some really loathsome characters, flashy luxuries, and a jarring commentary on capitalism, the show is still compulsively watchable.

Stream Penthouse: War In Life on Kocowa

4 Work Later, Drink Now (2021 – 2023) — 2 Seasons

Another incredible K-drama that went on for more than one season is Work Later, Drink Now . In it, Ahn So Hee, Han Ji Yeon, and Kang Ji Gu, three single women in their thirties with varying careers that aren’t really going anywhere, meet up every night after work for drinks. Their carefree fun is often threatened by their own conversations, where they dissect the current state of their lives.

Work Later, Drink Now Is an Ode to the Quarter-Life Crisis

Refreshing and realistic in showing how dull and unadventurous life can get when you are in your thirties and are simply navigating stressful work lives while hanging out with two equally depressed best friends, Work Later, Drink Now is a slice-of-life drama that has its own bittersweet moments worth cherishing. The second season of the award-winning drama premiered in 2022.

Stream Work Later, Drink Now on Peacock

3 Yumi's Cells (2021 – 2022) — 2 Seasons

The yassification of Pixar’s Inside Out , Yumi’s Cells tells the tender and humorous story of Kim Yoo Mi, a young woman who may seem normal on the outside, but her brain is controlled by different cells that represent emotions like sadness and anger and love. After a recent breakup, Yoo Mi’s love cells have gone into a coma. But when a game engineer waltzes into her life, she must learn to love again.

Related: 20 Korean Dramas You'll Be Thinking About Long After They End

A Rom-Com Like No Other

Yumi’s Cells is the perfect K-drama for those who think the medium is incapable of being innovative or visually stunning. And it has two seasons available, to deliver the highest form of entertainment. From the first episode itself, this webtoon-turned-romance series delivers laughs and love in abundance. Starring Kim Go-eun, Ahn Bo-hyun, Park Jin-young, and Park Ji-hyun in the main roles, Yumi’s Cells is a great pick-me-up.

Stream Yumi’s Cells on Rakuten Viki

2 D.P. (2021 – 2023) — 2 Seasons

D.P. takes Jung Hae In, an actor that K-drama fans have seen flirty and lovestruck in Something in the Rain , and places him in a tightly-controlled military environment filled to the brim with complex issues. As a young and aimless man, Jun Ho first did his service like any other Korean. He was then stationed as a member in the military defector arrest team, which is responsible for catching deserters. In the process, his mental and physical limits are tested.

Driving Men To Their Limits in D.P.

This tense and haunting military K-drama went on for two seasons, with six episodes each . It shines a long-overdue light on military life beyond war and valor, and presents narratives that are harrowing and burdensome. Under the expert direction of Han Jun-hee, D.P. deals with heavy issues, and uses visceral scenes to portray them.

Stream D.P. on Netflix

1 Alchemy of Souls (2022 – 2023) — 2 Seasons

An award-winning K-drama that rules in almost every category, from directing to intense and gripping acting, Alchemy of Souls tells a beautiful tale of historical romance and time travel. Daeho is a fictional country where young mages learn and practice magic.

When an elite assassin named Naksu practices a forbidden spell, she finds her soul swapped with that of a servant working for a powerful family of mages. She soon finds her life entangled with that of Jang Uk, who holds dark secrets.

Epic Historical Romance

Alchemy of Souls is a captivating drama that creates a sublime mix of magic, action, lavish set pieces, and a grand romance. Its Shakespeare-like plot twists and theatrical drama make every episode more immersive and bingeworthy.

Stars Lee Jae Wook and Jung So Min have swoon-worthy chemistry, and paired with the story's ingenious time travel narrative , it is only fitting that the drama will return for another season.

Stream Alchemy of Souls on Netflix

For more Exciting K-Dramas, check out this video on the biggest K-Dramas on Netflix:

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Korean Drama

• Word count: 548
• Category: Drama Entertainment Korea Theatre

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Korean Drama, who don’t know about it? Korean Fever is infecting the world. Korean dramas are very popular with good story, fun, and always make us curious. It could make the people who enjoyed drama infatuated with Korean Drama and can not wait to watch the sequel. Some people even become Korean addicted, they may watch Korean Dramas they like for many times without ever getting bored. Many of Korean Dramas have become popular throughout Asia and have contributed to the phenomenon of the Korean wave, known as “Hallyu”. Most popular Korean Dramas have also become popular in other parts of the world. When watching Korean Dramas, we get something different. The warm water was rushing flooded our cheeks. The excess korean dramas, capable of stirring emotions the audience. There are several excess that make Korean Dramas are very popular and interesting like story, characters with depth, setting places and soundtrack.

First, story of Korean Drama has best storyline and the story is not monotouns like other dramas from other country. Intrigues that exist in each drama that makes the audience always want to watch and wait for the continuation of the episode. So the story makes the audience curious. The stories always new and different for each drama. Korean Dramas also never show similarities with the story of another drama. They have different flow and characteristic. In Korean drama always tell real events and people’s daily activities so that the Korean culture to be the most sought and want to learn by all people around the world. Second, actress or actors always through casting to determine which suits her character. So the artists can explore their respective roles. Therefore, the audience will be able to assume that role is played by an actress like reality. They behave as real characters, without any contrived impression.

In Korean Drama also played with handsome, beautiful and popular artist, it purpose for increase the rating and make the artist become more popular. Third, the directors are able to choose the places which match with the story. Places which used shooting location are beautiful and historical place. It is one trick to attract the tourist come to Korea. It become one way to introduce Korea indirectly. Government also participated promote the entertainment industry in Korea with help publicize dramas that aired. Fourth,every drama has different soundtrack. Korean Drama well known with good soundtrack.

Soundtack always matched with every scene. If happy scene, the song will be happy and chherful. But if sad scene, the song will be sad and has a deep meaning. The soundtrack also give a big influence into every scene so the scene looks fit the mood of the actor with a soundtrack. In conclusion, with several excess has been mentioned it, we can learn from Korean Drama especially for young director who want make a good film or drama. But do not plagiarism the story. Beside that, with watching Korean Drama also can make the teenagers learn many things and become creative. As long as they can be a wise people and didn’t forget about their country’s culture.

Note : Thesis Statement: There are several excess that make Korean Dramas are very popular and interesting like story, characters with depth, setting places and soundtrack.

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