For the past year, I have been wanting to write an article about this. Mainly because I don’t see that enough attention is given to such a topic (unless you are into anime, I think it is safe to be said that the average media consumer does not venture off to watch such things). Nonetheless, Korean entertainment has been making a huge slash onto the worldwide scene. Here are some reasons why you should invest your interest into Korean dramas.
If you’re a person that likes simple plots and few characters, then take a chance with Korean dramas. Unlike most dramas, Korean dramas are planned way in advance before they start shooting for the actual show. There are usually far and few changes made to a show before shooting. Because there are few characters, the mind can easily register what is going on without having to remember tons of characters, thus making it complicated for the audience to stay focused. Unlike our local shows, there are many subplots, and when it happens, a new character comes or a character dies/disappears. The story becomes complicated and sometimes too draggy, that most last for a year before something new develops.
Another reason to start watching? Who doesn’t like good-looking male and female actors or actresses? In my personal opinion, if I see a show with an attractive male star, aside from the actual content of the show itself, it makes me want to watch more. I know sometimes even with female stars, I get clothing ideas from some of the female characters I see on Korean dramas (yes, their clothes are always cute and fashionable). I’m not that much of a fashionista, in fact, I pretty much wear guy’s jeans, shirts and hoodies; to each their own, I suppose. But every girl likes to dress up sometimes, right?
Unlike many local dramas in the United States, Korean dramas are very much centered around family and friends, the relationships built around them and how to deal with those issues. This has changed considerably over the years, though. Many local dramas deal with a lot of heavier topics, such as abuse and rape, kidnapping, killing, etc.
For Korean dramas, there are less of those kinds of things seen. If you’re a person that likes to watch shows that aren’t always so action heavy or filled with violence, then take up a few Korean dramas. You will be surprised by how easily one can relate to the issues in many of the shows, however simple the concepts may be.
Many soundtracks and background tracks within Korean dramas are great to listen to. Being a huge music junkie myself, one of the reasons I got hooked on Korean dramas was because the music is so immersive and addictive to listen to. I would like to add that just because the music is in a different language does not make it any less connectable to an audience. Many songs in Korean dramas have many of the heartfelt, deep messages we have come to expect from our own music in the United States.
In many Korean dramas, many shots, when it comes to cinematography, are very well done, as there is great emphasis on production values for their shows. The same can be said for local dramas as well, as they want the scenes, actors and actresses to be captured in the most attractive or natural way as possible.
Lastly, what better reason is there to watch international programming than learning about culture? Korean dramas do give somewhat of a glimpse into Korean culture and society as a whole. So if you take anything from this, the real reason, besides being personally fun to watch, is to learn about cultures that are different from your own in a fun, non-textbook kind of way.
It should also be noted that although Korean dramas may not be as popular as I would like, one can consider the uprise of Korean drama to be that of a success story. It has reached popularity internationally, leaving many fans even here in the United States wanting more.
