Swoon-worthy love scenes, adorable actors, outfits that beg to be copied. Gripping action scenes, sob-inducing conflict, food that will leave you drooling. Music that will be stuck in your head for days, and hilarious moments to keep you laughing till your sides hurt. These are a few of the many reasons which make a global audience, go weak in their knees for K-dramas.
There is a drama for every taste. From light romantic comedies, to meatier melodramas. Genre can be seasoned to taste with historical, fantasy, science fiction, action, romance, and many other drama ingredients.
Korean dramas are easily digestible. The pacing is done exactly right. It typically has 16-20 episodes with each episode running for 30 minutes to an hour. Enough time to establish the characters, to build and narrate the story beautifully. The plot thickens, and the conclusion ties loose ends. It is not abrupt. It has a definitive end, so the plot does not become a filler for multiple seasons.
It successfully creates an emotional connection with the viewers. Characters are developed through trials and tribulations, so that the audience relates to the characters’ experiences. The cliff hanger endings leave viewers squirming until the next episode resolves the conflict. The tension is expertly built-it is emotionally resonant, when the main couple finally hold hands halfway through the series. Which feels more potent than a full-blown bedroom scene in an American series.
They do not go beyond kissing - a new thing for the world which only knew American TV shows. Recognizing these cultural differences and relating to foreign stories is what makes watching Korean dramas so satisfying. You experience second lead syndrome, eat instant ramen with the characters and learn a few foreign words in the process.
K-Dramas usually present creative twists. The mystery which drives the show is always interesting. The teams behind the shows put forth incredible ideas, causing wonder. An alien lands on Earth during the Joseon dynasty and 400 years later meets a celebrity he falls in love with. A 900+-year-old (handsome!) immortal goblin with supernatural powers, is in search of a “goblin’s bride” to end his immortality. A timid girl, possessed by a wacky virgin ghost that believes she can move on to the afterlife once she loses her virginity. A historical drama that sees a woman disguised as a man, who becomes part of an educated group of men. During a time when women aren’t allowed an education. She falls in love with one of these men while trying to not get found out as a woman. When some shows are boxed into the stereotypical story plots, these fresh ideas excite the viewers. K-Dramas do not always have happy endings though. This is partly what makes their storytelling realistic, and engaging.
There are also predictable plotlines and scenes in K-Dramas which still manage to resonate with viewers. The rich man falls in love with the poor woman, and the man’s family dislikes her. The love triangle (or square). The damsel in distress, who gets a Princess-for-a-Day makeover courtesy her charming, uber rich prince. A jealous woman, and the evil schemes she plots. Unrequited love. A vengeful trouble-maker. The list goes on. Familiar scenes, that we’ve already seen. While these common concepts may be challenging to leave out, the creative team behind the cameras finds ways to retain the “wow” factor. Through the artist’s portrayal style, unfolding of events, and the inclusion of surprising twists.
The shots and locations are always well thought out. When the characters do not say a single word, the setting speaks a thousand. When the characters say their lines, the cinematography compliments the mood of the scene perfectly. In terms of the cinematography, the choice of location plays a big role in a K-Drama’s success. The people behind these shows are commendable for having an eye for what looks great on camera. And what would look even better when woven into a storyline and attached to the characters. The stunning mansions and quirky-cosy rooms featured in the shows are also peg-worthy. Some difficulties arise in reading the subtitles, but one will find the scripts to be well written. From the shallow to the profound. There are life lessons to be learned from them, and several quotable quotes too!
Fans can have different reasons as to why they are absolutely in love with the dramas, but one thing is for sure-K-dramas are emerging into the global spotlight. Not only Korean dramas, the whole entertainment industry is rapidly achieving global popularity. It is about mastering the overall package—the perfect timing, facial expressions, lines and gestures. An animated delivery. The right mixture of romance and comedy. K-Dramas have delivered this formula straight from their hearts to ours.
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