Why I find Korean Dramas Addictive by Fangirl Ciel

I’m Ciel and I confess to being an addict, a Korean drama addict.

You probably guess by this time that me and Ana loves Korean dramas. For us it’s a form of escapism, and there’s no better way spending an hour surrendering ourselves to drama goodness after a hard day in reality. I bet all of you also wished to escape reality and be part of the drama universe you’re watching instead? I know I did. More times that I could count ;)

Which got me thinking, what makes Korean dramas so addictive? Well, from what a Non-Korean but Asian POV, I think here’s why:

Story

I think one of the key factors why K-dramas are so good is because that most of them has already been written and finished prior to production. In my country, our dramas are influenced a lot by ratings. If the viewers don’t like this character, they’ll kill it. If the viewers don’t like this pairing, they’ll separate them. If the ratings are not good, they’ll ask the writer to write an ending right away. And if it clicked with the audience, they’ll extend it for months and sometimes even for a year! Needless to say, the story and the quality of the drama suffer. A good drama shouldn’t be influenced by factors such as those, it should all be up to the writer on how he envisioned the story to unfold.

But that doesn’t mean that K-dramas story don’t suffer as well. Sometimes a network may decide to extend the drama for a couple of few episodes due to high ratings. More often than not, the story always suffers and the last minute scenes inserted by the writer to prolong the story are blatantly noticeable. That’s why most fangirls are against extensions. A recent drama that I was watching that got extended is My Love From Another Star. It was only extended for one episode, but honestly it seems futile because the ending still failed to wrap it all up neatly, a few unanswered questions here and there and an unsatisfactory sneak peek into the lives of the lead couple.

Sometimes a drama also suffers due hectic scheduling, since a shooting of a K-drama is scary rigorous. I can just imagine the exhaustion of the actors and staff on set, filming almost straight for months just to produce two episodes a week. It definitely takes a toll on the actors, because most of the time around three fourths along the drama, they start to look haggard and tired. I’m talking eyebags, pale complexion and sometimes even zits. And Koreans have beautiful skin, so it’s palpable on screen.

One time, the shooting was so hectic that an actress even walked out on her drama and fled to the US. I’m talking about Han Ye Seul who was filming the drama Spy Myung Wol, which I was actually not watching at that the time but it was all over the news. The drama got delayed for a week, and she eventually came back and apologized to the drama staff.

Another reason why I think k-dramas are popular is because they are so plentiful out there that all you have to do is pick your poison. Are you in the mood for a typical RomCom, Suspense, Fantasy, Horror, Sageuk, Melodrama etc. Or more specifically, do you want to watch something with body swapping, gumihos, aliens, ghost, chaebols, idols, doctors, baristas, assassins, flower boys… the world is practically your oyster!

Sometimes the story would be cliché but if executed right, it can still feel fresh and enjoyable. And sometimes the story would be fresh and original that it will blow your mind.

Casting

In my country, love teams are all the rave and as long as they are a hit, they’ll partner them in everything, you’ll see them in dramas one after another, movies and commercials. They create and customized dramas for the said love team that will suit their acting capability and please the fans as well.

In K-dramas, they have auditions and they cast the actors on whether he is fit for the role, on whether he can execute the character right. Which is the way it should be, and there’s nothing worse than a miscast role. It can make or destroy a drama.

In k-drama land, rarely do an actor and an actress reunite as a couple again in another drama. I actually prefer this because it can get tiring to see the same couple every time, but if it’s an epic on screen pairing, I wound’t mind seeing them together again. Park Shin Hye has worked twice with Jung Yong Hwa (would have been the third time if he chose to play Young Do in Heirs), and currently Lee Dong Wook and Lee Da Hae reunites for the second time in Hotel King.

Handsome Male Lead

Now let’s face it, nobody would watch k-dramas if they don’t find the male lead good looking right? Heck, they are so good looking that they are even prettier than an actual woman. Mainly, because Koreans are blessed with the smoothest and fairest skin. It almost looks translucent!  

There are tons of different male leads in dramaland, the world again is your oyster my fellow fangirl.

Do you go for rich, cold hearted chaebols? The Mr. Darcy –ish type of guy is the most common in dramaland that they’re about a dime a dozen.

Do you go for a cheerful and cute as puppy male lead?

Idols and movie stars?

Doctors and Lawyers?

How about a loyal and best friend kind of guy?

Warriors and Kings?

Fashion

Another thing I appreciate in Korean dramas is how fashionable the male leads are. They are not afraid to try on new style, whether it’s hairstyles, hair color or textured suits. Here are some of the notable fashionable male leads from the dramas I’ve seen. Can’t say that all of the below are fashionable, but they are certainly memorable.

Hwang Tae Kyung’s Hairstyles from You're Beautiful.

Hyun Bin’s Jumpsuits in Secret Garden

Lee Min Ho’s sweater from Heirs

Of course, let’s not forget the female leads who made us want to raid and steal her closet.

Top on the list is Jeon Ji Hyun’s wardrobe that fits her top actress status in My Love From Another STAR.

The prettiest hanboks I’ve ever seen worn by Kim Tae Hee in Jang Ok Jung.

And my personal favorite, something that I could actually wear in reality, Kim Nana’s laid back yet feminine style in City Hunter.

Not all fashion in dramaland is envy worthy. Here are the ones I find cringe worthy!

Yoon Eun Hye’s hair in Mirae’s Choice, she looks like a lamma!

The cast of Heirs wearing the same shade of pink lipstick.

Any drama with Jang Geun Suk wearing his hair long, coz he already looks like a girl as it is.

Cinematography and OST

K-dramas look great on screen because they have amazing cinematography. One could tell that everything was planned in detail so that the overall output would be cohesive. K-dramas aired in spring and winters are my favorites, because they are just breathtakingly beautiful.

Drama OST is also a big factor for me, because it adds depth to the scene. My ipod has a lot of songs from k-dramas because it transports me back to the time I’ve seen the drama and the emotions I’ve felt while watching it.

So that’s about sums it up why I find dramas addicting. Oh and another good thing about it, no matter what age you are, whether you’re a teenager or a married ahjumma, you need not worry because it can still make your heart flutter J And if you’ll be addicted to something, k-dramas are not a bad thing to be addicted to. The’re free, gives you a satisfying buzz and you’ll have a never ending supply until the end of time. 

K-drama addicts for life!