Now I know what the average person is thinking.
“Why would I want to watch a foreign drama? I don’t have the time to understand a different language let alone read subtitles and miss the action. I don’t think I’m missing out on anything. It’s probably the same thing as TV shows from back home. What is so great about them anyway?”
Great question, reader! Now let me answer that for you!
I consider myself an intermediate watcher of Foreign dramas, specifically Asian ones. It all started when I met one of my sister’s friend from middle school, who loved K-Pop and all its glory. I had only been watching anime, the closest thing to something foreign, for about three years at the time. She had already drowned me in Shinee, a popular K-Pop group at the time, when she urged me to start watching K-Drama’s. I had the same initial thought every person had about things they weren’t familiar with. What was so great about it that she was practically begging me to watch it? I said, “Only ONE episode. That’s it.” Let’s see how the K-Drama world would impress me.
Here I am, 7 years later, fully immersed in the Asian Drama world along with the K-Pop world. I am Asian, so I am slightly biased, but nonetheless, I've gotten several people to enter this lovely realm of entertainment. Here’s what’s so great about it!
1. It’s simply hilarious.
Yes, they are considered dramas because most of the show consists of suspense and action. Asian filmmakers make it a point to always insert comic relief, whether it’s a character who constantly provides it or the group of friends who always provides comfort to the leading characters. Their humor is much like American humor, like insulting other characters or something minuscule like slipping on a banana. Even when it gets extremely sad, there will always be something to laugh about because life is simply funny.
2. It definitely relates to real life.
Of course, most TV shows are fictitious. But most of the A-Dramas that are out mostly are realistic. The first drama I watched, I watched together with my mother, who is the hardest person when it comes to her emotions. She is the type of viewer to either get confused on what’s going on or criticize the realism in a show. I had never seen my mom sob in her life until I started watching this show with her. I remember asking her why she cried. She explained to me that she related to the main character on a deeper level, because she used to do and go through everything that the main character had gone through. Most of it seemed a bit melodramatic in my eyes, but the fact that my mom had confirmed that this stuff happens all the time, was something I could never forget. Even I myself, had bawled my eyes out watching certain dramas because there are a lot of relatable or realistic things that happen in real life. (Watch Episode 8 of Descendants of the Sun and then we’ll talk.)
3. The characters are extremely memorable and relatable.
You’ll never forget the characters of any A-Drama. The Asian Entertainment industry have a way of giving each character something unique about them, whether it’s something small like an American name or a quirk like having a catchphrase. Also, most actors and actresses are very VERY popular, so don’t be surprised if you see them star in many shows. But most of the characters go through things everyday people go through, making us remember them more because we understand them. Plus, they’re all so visually appealing. You can never forget a pretty and good looking face.
4. When they call it a drama, it’s a drama.
Drama - a word we hate and love simultaneously. We don’t like being in it, but we love witnessing it. Which is why television becomes everyone’s best friend. If you think you or your friends go through drama on a daily basis - watch an Asian drama. I do have to admit some of the events in these shows are very predictable, but that is made up through events that you’ll NEVER see coming. And the things they throw your way, are DEEP. As in, you’ll probably be questioning your whole entire existence type of deep. Because of these events, it’ll constantly keep you on your toes and simply itching for more. I’ve binge-watched a whole entire Korean drama in one day - that’s sixteen cliff hangers I avoided.
5. They are short yet long.
A-Drama gives us a very generous amount of action and drama in one sitting. Most A-Drama episodes span from fifteen minutes (which I recommend to beginners) to an hour long. The way the shows are screen written give you enough to primarily understand the whole setting and plot while adding copious amounts of detail to just make you want more and more. Most A-Dramas are unfortunately only one to two seasons long, but as I said before, there’s enough to keep you engaged while giving you enough to move on to the next show.
Hopefully, my knowledge influences a reader to go try out an A-Drama. If you like shows like Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, or Game of Thrones, you’ll LOVE A-Dramas! Just give it a try!
