5 absolutely convincing reasons to start adding Kdrama to your watchlist!
If you have been aceing through the list of Kdrama and here by sheer co-incidence, then Annyeonghaseyo! But, if you’re new to the whole world of Hallyu wave, then you’re at the right place and I (hope I) will successfully convert you into an enthusiast.
1. The Story is the Hero.
The screenwriting of each drama is fantastic. The writers think out of the box and come up with interesting ideas that somehow works wonderfully well with all the chosen cast and the amount of dedication and importance given to the storyline and the thoughtful direction and cinematography can bowl you over no matter what genre the drama is based on. The catch here is that most of the successful Kdramas are all by female screenwriters who are equally famous and successful as their cast. Some of my favourite screenwriters and their famous shows are Park Ji Eun ( Crash Landing on You,The Legend of the blue sea, My love from the star) Kim Eun Sook (Guardian/Goblin, The King Eternal Monarch, Descendants of the sun, The Heirs) The Hong Sisters (Hotel Del Luna,The Master’s Sun, Big, A Korean Odyssey) and Park Hye Run (Pinocchio, While you were sleeping, Start Up, I hear your voice). There is also a certain level of relatability factor to any drama in the portrayal of parents (Something in the Rain) or the way schools / colleges pressurises students in studies and exams (Sky Castle / School 2017). We do not have the same level of relatability with our Monicas and Samanthas. Let’s say, it might be because all Asians kinda think alike.
2. The Casting is always perfect and the Chemistry is dreamy.
The cast always steals the show and your heart here. From starry eyed Gong Yoo and Hyun Bin to dreamy Lee Min Ho to Park Seo Joon or Kim Soo Hyun to Kim Woo Bin the list is endless. There is no one vying to show their stardom or their “Rs 10 pay but Rs 100 acting. It would be to the t what the role requires them to do, along with their natural “aegyo”. Nothing more and nothing less. The chemistry between the co-stars are fantastic that one would suppose they had atleast a two week workshop to get that perfect “kiseu”/“ppoppoo”. Each drama is perfectly cast, that you would always get this feeling of “this character was written for this actor”. The leads are mostly gentle, sweet, or cold, ignorant but caring and lovey with the subtlest expressions, beautifully hissed dialogues replete with oodles charm, forehead kisses and back hugs. Uff!
3. Second Lead Syndrome is Real and exists in this world.
If you thought the main lead is stealing your heart and was gearing up for the rest of the episodes , midway through the drama, you get another “epitome of perfect” lead material thrown at you and make you root for him than the main lead feeling ,*Bam* Thus was born “the second lead syndrome” . Believe it or not, you have a whole genre for this ( google Kdrama with second lead syndrome). Boys over Flowers, The Heirs, She was Pretty, Cheese in the Trap, Reply 1988, Strong woman Do Bong Soon, Go Back Couple are some strong dramas that support this genre. It’s sad that despite being more understanding than the main lead, these second leads do not actually get the girl. Maybe that’s another idea for a drama someday where the second lead actually gets the girl because he deserved her.
4. There is a Genre for Everybody.
I’m not kidding here when I say that. Rom Coms are aplenty and so is plain Jane Classic drama. Classic Dramas that one should watch if you’re starting off ( Boys over Flowers, Coffee Prince, Big, Stairway to Heaven, Lovers in Paris, Sassy Girl, Full House, Princess Hours, The Heirs, She was Pretty) Fantasy and Supernatural fan ? (Try Goblin/Guardian, Arthdal Chronicles, Legend of Blue Sea, My love from the Star, Hotel Del Luna) Sci Fi starter packs are ( W:Two worlds, The King Eternal Monarch, My Holo Love, I’m not a Robot, Are you human? & Memories of Alhambara).
5. It’s a one way trip to South Korea that can soothe your pandemic affected travel hungry soul.
Right from the drool-worthy food portrayed or the au-natural glass skin make up or the pinterest-worthy wardrobes of the cast complete with the aesthetic locations. It gives you a legit feel of a super private solo trip to South Korea and you’re now hanging out in Incheon or Seoul. You also realise that Korean cusine has a whole healthy and delicious options right from different versions and flavours of the simple instant ramyun to that Gimbap is the staple food that you need to pack while going for a picnic. The colourful Bibimbap laced with gochujang can be mouth watering while Ttoekbokki and Haemul Pajeon are delicious ate hot from any street side pojangmacha (street side vendor). Soju and Maekju (beer) with Chimeak (fried chicken) is the best combo and dessert to finish it off can be patbingsu or hotteak in different assorted flavours. Sigh!
All these have gotten me hungry and I am heading to my Korean department store now. So that concludes my top 5 reasons to turn your boring watchlist a little more Daebak! Try it out and you’ll never stop at one.
