Kdramas... I am Eating Crow

A little less than a year ago a friend told me she was really into Kdramas (Korean Dramas)... I began to worry about her sanity. She recommended that I should try them out and insisted that I would love them. With eyebrows doubting and slight eye rolls, I tried my best to politely say, "Yeah, no way, but thanks." I imagined anime, I imagined really bad acting Korean soap operas, I imagined it being extremely lame!

Then this same friend came to stay with me for Thanksgiving. (Maybe I should mention that we are kindred spirits, bosom buddies, and best friends... essentially, I would do anything for this chica.) So when asked if I would give Kdramas a try... just three episodes... I reluctantly said yes....


 A little over a month has now passed and I am utterly and irrevocably obsessed with Kdramas. I have consumed eight dramas. I've put away my foolish Kdrama prejudice, eaten crow, and doing penance for my harsh judgements by trying to K-onvert any and all that are willing to give it a try...

So WHY do I LOVE Kdramas SO much? Oh my... let's see if I can illuminate the addictiveness of them...

1. Maybe this one is not a huge reason for you, but it is for me. For the most part they are very "clean" entertainment. There aren't overly graphic sex scenes, which seems to be so rare nowadays. (If you have seen some the "teen" dramas nowadays I am shocked at what they show on TV, and especially direct at teenagers... it drives me a little crazy.) And girls are dressed fairly modestly, ok granted they wear some pretty short skirts, but I would rather have that than bosoms fairly overflowing out of blouses.

She Was Pretty

2. They usually have a very engaging plots with cliffhangers at the end of each episode. Some of the plot lines are a little outrageous, but at least they are fun. And this also adds to their addictiveness.

Lie To Me

3. THE ROMANTIC TENSION. This might seem weird if I also were to say that in 20 episodes you might only get 3 kisses, maybe 5 mutual hugs, a handful of wrist grabs that you just wish were hand holds. And I LOVE IT. The romantic interactions are so sweet and innocent, it just kills me. These little dramas are more romantic than those shows that have a sex scene once every episode. Every much a lesson in less is more! And when the couple finally kisses it's pure ecstasy.

Secret Garden 

4. You get to see your couple really grow... as individuals and as a couple. Over the time I watch a drama, I notice the characters become stronger, they mature, they grow. And the greatest thing is that when the couple gets together the show isn't over! They get to struggle together some. It makes me happy... It isn't, "oh, she got the guy and now life is hunky dory!" It's "Oh they are together, now let's see them work as a team... or not work as a team and struggle some... or lots." It's great!

Coffee Prince

5. This last reason is probably a very individual experience, pertaining only to me. These dramas restored some of my belief in the love story again. With the beautiful innocence that surround these kdramas, I could feel some of acidic cynicism being sucked out of my bitter and single soul. I couldn't help it. The repugnant stench of pure lustfulness and selfish wanton disguised as romance has abounded in American shows and movies, being slyly and gradually slipped into my life and tainting my expectations of love. I'm fairly certain that no one would ever want to rip off my clothes and devour me. But suddenly, watching these cute little shows I could feel my heart lighten in the simple expressions of affection. A kiss to the forehead. A piggy back ride. Getting medicine for someone who is sick. A brush of a hand. Making them lunch. UGH! IT WAS JUST SO DARN CUTE!!!! I COULDN'T HANDLE IT!!!!! The innocence and the sweetness... that is what I long for.... *sigh...

Therefore, a new obsession was born. And in the words of my family, my friend created a monster. It has taken over my life... leading me to a new Kpop obsession (more on that later) and beginning a study in the Korean language. (So really it has become a cultural study.)

Another reason I love this new obsession... If you find someone who is also into Kdramas, you are instantaneously best friends. Seriously... instantaneously. It's great. I love fandoms.

SO if you are willing to give it a try, I recommend starting with She Was Pretty. It is my current favorite. It's adorable, funny, frustrating, and wonderful. Give it at least three episodes... and after you are done we can talk about how much we love Reporter Kim! Man I wish he was real... really in my life...(I use dramafever.com and viki.com, they are like hulu)


Here are the Kdramas I have watched... If you have seen these, let's chat... or if you have recommendations, I am all ears!
Lie to Me (Loved... but it was also my first drama so it has a special place in my heart)
Faith/ The Great Doctor (Loved! Only one kiss but so many other great moments!)
Secret Garden (Loved! So funny! Very quirky)
Boys Over Flowers (This one just made me mad! But lots of people love it, it's like a rite of passage, but if you watch I will definitely have lots to talk about with you!)
Coffee Prince (Frustrating, in like a good way, but after the12th episode, one of my favorite couples!)
She Was Pretty (LOVED!!!! Favorite!)
Heirs (Another Lee Min Ho one... it was good, but I wasn't like WOW... I can't love them all)
Birth of a Beauty (Not done with this one, but this one has a bit of a dark plot... but I am enjoying)