The Wonderful World of Kdrama

Kdramas have been around for decades now and what used to be a minority watching  crowd in the Philippines has blown up into incredible proportions during this pandemic. It's crazy and just years back when i posted a picture of Gong Yoo on my FB wall, most would ask who he is. Fast forward to now, those people who had no inkling who the Goblin was, now PM me and tell me they have just started an episode and is liking it so far or finished and can't get over how beautiful the story was. LOL and once i said, "what took you so long??" 

Now that the kdrama obsession is ongoing here and across the globe too, they have found an easy respite on Netflix where it is now conveniently streamed for everyone to enjoy. Flashback to 7 years back, I had to stream, it on kissasian or have somebody download it for me. Wow gone are those days. Netflix has heard the clamour and more and more K titles are on it both series and movies.

To a newbie or k-resistant being, they have this notion that Kdrama comprises simply of poreless perfect people and everything love that is unrealistic in the real world. At the onset, especially if you just watch a trailer of it or maybe 5 minutes into the old Kdramas you will have that sense of maybe this is just superficiality or simply to flash korean styles and beauty-beyond-realness. But if you watch the right one, you will definitely change your mind about what a Kdrama is and what a world of life experiences and learnings you will get from it simply by watching 13 and even 20 episodes of one series. One might think,  "but i have to read the subtitles??". Funnily enough it takes a getting used to, but the temporary first-timer eye strain will be worth it in the long run. 

I have been a self-confessed Kdrama addict for almost 7 years now and maybe it's high time i write about this now, when more people understand the reason why Kdramas are so worth our while. 

Why do i love Kdramas? Let me count the ways.

1. The themes are diverse. Externally it may seem like just a romantic love story, but the underlying themes will come out midway or as a surprise twist to why things are and why characters react that way. Fantasy-like love from another world. Childhood trauma.  Mental health issues. The loneliness of an eternal life on earth. Life with a deadline. The importance of saving a life to a soldier and a doctor. Unrequited love from a parent. The journey of Aging people. Strict educational systems in a family. Single motherhood and all its downsides. The diversity goes on and on. For creative teams to be able to deliver unique but relevant stories to life, i find this really amazing.

  

2. The writing is superb. To those with remarkable storylines, the dialogues and thoughts of a character are very critical to pulling in the heartstrings of viewers. Sometimes, a single sentence was enough to express heart break. Or the many lines toward the end of an episode, enough to create that critical cliffhanger. A long soliloquy enough to bring me to tears and sobbing quietly. (I am not kidding, aka The Light in Your Eyes just recently waaah)

3. The actions, nuances and gestures  are louder than words. This is contrary to the previous topic, and rightly so. When the director and writer agrees to quietly render a situation through actions - this is also very effective and very real. Honestly, not all people are great with words, and dialogues that are there to explain what happened is just too silly. (See 'My Mister' and many other classic slow burn series)

4. Storyline is king. No matter if you ship the main couple in the story or want them to stay together toward the end, Korean content will not go out to just please your yearning for an ever after. Or if a main character dies in the end? Storyline comes first. The movie or series has a point and emotion to deliver and if it requires sacrificing some characters, mind you, they will. Unlike here in the Philippines where they always aim to please the fans of 'love teams' - and will even revise the plot midway just to indulge them. They stick to the story, regardless what you want. They've shot the 16 episodes already so go with it. The series aims to teach you a life lesson and not just please your 'feverish fan' whim.

5. Production value is life. Okay not all kdramas have great productions. I've once watched one that only had 3 locations - so although i got bored to the hilt at seeing those places - somehow that was the whole point. Life was an endless cycle of repetitive motion. See, even that was well thought of! lol I got that MR. Production designer. But to those stories that required grand war scenes and historical flashbacks - Kdrama producers really give it their all. Flashy homes? Shooting abroad for a date scene? Sure! No scrimping on budgets here. 

6. The well-thought of symbolisms. Korean dramas are peppered with so many symbolisms that adds to its level of charm and sentimentality that never fails to move us. Usually something from their childhood, from a failed relationship or maybe a remembrance from a friend - the symbolism comes full circle at some point or reveals a surprise twist to the story. Yes to these story techniques, because i love them.

7. Mixed emotions are real and i likey. You know that scene that makes you cry so much, then in a few seconds, one will throw a silly punchline? How do they do that perfectly. Being an undiagnosed ADHD that I am - I can so get this. 

8. Styling is iconic. Yes, Korean fashion styling in kdramas are sleek, fresh and even quirky. They know how to dress a dapper villain in Prada, an awkward look for an awkward girl and so on and so forth. I love ogling over wonderfully paired ensembles and copping the look for yourself even for fun. It adds to the recall and the memorability of a character. 

For now, these are my reasons - top of mind. Mind you, I have watched local and western series too, but nothing comes close to the variety that Kdramas have. I am still amazed by the sheer talent and creativity in each team that delivers quality storylines everytime. Of course there are those that misses the mark and also fail to deliver superb story or to sustain my interest. But that is only a handful versus the phenomenally affecting ones that I love. (Hello, Goblin! Reply 1988! among many many others)

So hopefully, to anybody who is still having second thoughts of watching Kdrama - give it a go. You will not regret discovering it. I never have and i will continue to dive deep into the wonderful world of Kdrama. Because i love stories and Kdramas have mastered them, seriously.