What are Korean dramas?
Korean dramas are the some of best shows on Asian primetime TV today. More specifically, they are Asian television shows usually told in a 16-24 episode story arc, similar to the American “miniseries” format.
Why should I watch them? What makes them different?
Korean dramas, and all Asian dramas for that matter, are a unique form of entertainment because they combine the high production values and high-end casting of movies with the character development and plot complexity of television shows, uniting the best of both worlds. Unlike American television shows, they are written within a specific time structure – usually that of 16-24 episodes – and thus have clearly-defined story arcs and definitive, movie-style climaxes and endings. In this way, they prevent from the repetitiveness and strained melodrama which almost all long-running American shows resort to to keep the story moving (we’ve all experienced those shows which are amazing during the first few seasons and then just go downhill, also known as “jumping the shark“).
Also unlike American shows, Korean dramas draw on the best acting talent of the Korean industry – many movie stars are also drama stars and vice versa, and effortlessly jump back and forth between the two during the course of their career. Korean dramas have their own award ceremonies as well as being featured side by side with films in movie award ceremonies. With high budgets, they can afford superb production values, beautiful and original music scores, exotic locales, and often beautiful cinematography.
How did Kdramas become popular outside of Korea?
Korean dramas are arguably the most popular of the three central kinds of Asian dramas (the others being Japanese and Taiwanese dramas), and it all began with something called Hallyu, or Korean Wave. Hallyu was a term coined by Chinese reporters to describe an explosion of interest across Asia in South Korean pop culture beginning in the late 1990’s. Between 2001-2003, the craze took off even more with the export of Korean dramas to East and Southeast Asia and beyond, most notably Yoon Suk Ho’s famed Winter Sonata, which earned around two trillion won and was almost solely responsible for launching a passion for all things Korean in Japan (read an interview with director Yoon Suk Ho about his role in launching the Hallyu wave).
With Korean TV dramas taking East Asia by storm and spreading outward to the Middle East, Africa, Russia, and beyond, the country’s entertainment scene abruptly became a huge tourist attraction. Dramas acted as a launching point for a surge of interest worldwide in Korean culture and products as well as Korean movies, music, and pop culture. Assisted by the worldwide popularity of other hit dramas such as Autumn Fairy Tale (2000), Jewel in the Palace (2004), and most recently Boys Over Flowers (2009,) the wave has been steadily spreading to the rest of the world, and making inroads in North, Central, and South America. With an entire section/subsite of the English Wikipedia now dedicated to dramas, books and academic articles about the hallyu phenomenon being written, Korean stars making inroads on Hollywood, Hollywood remaking a series of Korea’s film hits, and kdramas now being shown on TV stations in the major cities of Canada and the U.S., the Korean wave, and Korean dramas in particular, clearly possesses something which speaks to audiences worldwide.
Korean dramas are clearly here to stay!
Now, where should I start?
While most Korean dramas are reasonably watchable, and it’s hard to go wrong with any of the uber-hits that have come out (Jewel in the Palace, Jumong, My Lovely Sam-Soon), there are some dramas which I consider particularly good for drama newbies, which can act as a portal for the uninitiated. So if you have never seen a drama, or you want to introduce that friend or boyfriend or mother or aunt or roommate to the passion that’s recently taken over your life (and left dark shadows under your eyes), here are my top 5 recommendations.
1. Thank You
Unlike most Korean dramas, which take an episode or two to get going, Thank You is compelling from its first moment, and has a plot and storyline easily accessible to American audiences. With superb performances, lovely cinematography, a tightly-written story, and a plot that is a nice balance of comedic and dramatic elements from the romcom, drama, and tearjerker genres, it’s very hard to go wrong with Thank You. It’s a pitch-perfect tale of a grieving, acerbic doctor who falls for a poor, plucky single mother and her child, and is by turns funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting, but always brilliant.
2. Boys Over Flowers
As problematic as some of us find this drama to be, there’s no denying that it’s more addicting than cotton candy and twice as fun. With a story that has been adapted by four (and counting) different countries and which is based on the best-selling Japanese manga of all time, clearly the plot has a resonant, almost universal appeal. The Korean version is high-budget, endlessly appealing, shot in stunning locations around the world including New Caledonia in the South Pacific, and stars five of Korea’s most beautiful young new actors. This tale of four wealthy young men and the girl who changes all their lives is not to be missed.
3. Coffee Prince
While it has a somewhat unusual theme (cross-dressing girl falls for a guy who thinks she’s a guy — think Amanda Bynes in She’s the Man, only much, much better), Coffee Prince is an incredibly compelling standout in Korean dramas. It’s well-written, well-acted, and well-directed, with a lovely soundtrack featuring indie artists and stellar performances from its main leads (both of whom it launched to superstardom). It’s funny and offbeat with a solid dramatic core, has a cast of charmingly quirky (and good-looking) supporting characters, and even more importantly has that extra spark of magic that just pulls a whole drama together and makes it amazing. I can’t recommend this drama enough.
4. Shining Inheritance
One of the few smash hits of 2009, this deeply charming romantic comedy is both an quintessential Cinderella story and perhaps the quintessential Korean drama, as it takes many Korean drama conventions and does them right. The daughter of a wealthy businessman finds all her dreams dashed when her father dies and her stepmother throws she and her autistic brother out of the house. Taking a job at a restaurant, she clashes with the arrogant grandson of the company’s president. Headed by the luminous Han Hyo Joo and the excellent Lee Seung Gi, this rags-to-riches and back again tale is incredibly addicting and romantic, and in some ways the more grown-up version of Boys Before Flowers.
5. Soulmate
While it did not achieve particular popularity, unlike the other four dramas on this list, upon its broadcast in Korea, Soulmate did garner a cult following among 20-somethings, and deservedly so. It is at once a beautifully lyrical exploration of the loneliness of life and the distances between people and a frank, funny exploration of romantic and sexual relationships between modern men and women. It has shades of both Sex and the City and Lost in Translation, and manages to pull off both effortlessly, becoming in the process the only drama I’ve seen to successfully combine modern elements of American television with very traditional Korean drama elements. It’s perfectly cast and features a standout, stunning soundtrack that includes works from indie artists all over the globe, and is beautifully shot with a careful attention to detail. A drama which I think American audiences might find easy to identify with.
Category: Korean Drama Recommended Reading | Tags: Boys Over Flowers, Coffee Prince, Drama, DramaFever, Hallyu, Kdrama, Korean, Shining Inheritance, Soulmate, Thank You
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liannangel2004 January 3rd, 2010 12:46 am
Thanks so much for this list! I am new to kdramas. So far I have seen 4, but I’ve loved them all so much! Funnily enough 3 of the shows I’ve seen are on this list. First,was Shining Inheritance, the Boys Over Flowers, Princess Hours (the only one I’ve seen not on the list), and Lastly Coffee Prince. I just finished Coffee Prince and was looking for a new show to watch. Now I have 2 to think about! Thanks A Lot!!!
aXiseeu12 January 28th, 2010 9:51 pm
Wow, I have seen (some attempted to) your TOP 5 list and I must say, I am a little surprised by your recommendation. Then again, who am I to say your recommendation isn’t correct when you’re entitled to it.
#1 THANK YOU – Didn’t like it at all. I didn’t feel like the story didn’t have enough substance and it just bored me. Very predictable with not much growth but the little girl was adorable though.
#2 BOYS OVER/BEFORE FLOWERS – Before I start a drama, I rarely read a full summary or want to know very much about it because for some reason, I find it more intriguing to not know what will happen. Anyway, I can understand why this drama is popular for many, but even the ‘good looking’ F4 guys couldn’t save this for me. The chemistry between Lee Min Ho & Go Hye Son was overrated, just like everything else and everyone else (other than Hyun Joong, whom I surprisingly found more interesting). There were too many loopholes and ridiculous (yet, so typical) scenes that I just lost interest. One main isssue I could not understand was how Geum Jan Di kept getting abused in the school ground and yet, nothing was done about it or were there any authority to stop it. Some elite school I definitely would not want to be a part of even if I get in with a full-scholarship.
Anyway, I couldn’t care enough to finish this drama. To each, their own…I guess.
#3 COFFEE PRINCE – This was okay an okay. Sure, it was intereting and it was different but it wasn’t anything too exciting. I preferred Yoon Eun Hye in GOONG/Imperial Household instead even though I will forever hate Yul (aka one of the most, if not the most, irritating character EVER!).
For some reason, I still haven’t gotten around in finishing this drama. I’ve been stuck on episode 10 for awhile now, but at the same time, I think the moment has passed and if I do decide to watch it, I’ll probably not enjoy it as much as I did when I originally started watching it.
#4 SHINING INHERITANCE – I am actually still finishing this drama and from the list, this is probably the only one I would recommend. To be honest, I absolutely loved the first 10-12 episodes and during those episodes, I thought, at last… a smart and well-thought Kdrama that disregards every typical Kdrama ingredient. OR maybe I thought/spoke too early. Possibly due to my time conflicts and not having time to watch the drama continually, it got the best out of me and the drama that I am not losing interest. Everything just slowed down and I am noticing it’s flaws more and more which is unfortunate because I enjoyed thost first few episodes.
I just hope the ending is as strong as it’s beginning.
#5 SOULMATE – This is the most surprising Kdrama on your list of recommendation. I absolutely dreaded this drama so much that I can’t even believe I finished it. Most of the characters were unrealistically predictable just as its storyline and maybe I am biased, but telepathy? Seriously?! Don’t even get me started.
———————————–
My TOP 5 recommendation for Quick Starter to Korean dramas would be:
[...in NO order...]
- Fantasy Couple (aka Couple or Trouble) – Romantic comedy for the family!
- Dae Jang Geum (aka Jewel in the Palace) – Why not? It’s probably one of the better historical Kdrama there is!
- GOONG (aka Imperial Palace) – Light romantic comedy
- Sad Love Story (aka Sad Sonata) – The title says it all but great casting, great acting, and great OST! Sure, it has all the typical Korean ingredients but the story and the characters makes up for it.
- Full House – It’s one of those dramas that is better to see first rather than later because if you watch it later, you might not enjoy it as much.
lily March 7th, 2010 2:12 am
Would like to see something similar for Taiwanese dramas – Im a newbie
Claire March 8th, 2010 2:30 am
@aXiseeu12 – will definitely add Full House is we ever are able to get our hands on it but for now it seemed only fair to focus on dramas we actually feature.
@lily – I’ll try to get on that within the next few weeks:)
qamar_b1 March 10th, 2010 4:11 am
i think the following are the all time best k-dramas ever and u will luv them newbi or not:
!
they r in no order
-smile u
-chuno
-assorted gems
-get karl oh soo jung
-tazza
-bad couple
enjoy them
kimbob April 8th, 2010 5:57 pm
Since this quick start guide has two dramas which I dislike I will give my list of the most OVERRATED K-dramas that I have seen:
-Coffee Prince
-Boys Over Flowers
-East of Eden
-Winter Sonata
-Full House (its a nice drama but I don’t understand the fuss).
Literati April 30th, 2010 1:35 am
I must say your recommended start list is good. BOF fills the cliche romance spot so newbies can kinda figure out whether they like the k-drama romance genre or not.
I’d Recommend for the 20’s something crowd
- Soulmates (I guess as a 20 something it really resonates with me. Great acting great storyline great great great)
- I’m Sorry, I Love You (MISA is my fav k-drama of all time. It also happens to be one of my first ones. It fulfills the tearjerker side of k-dramas.)
- You’re Beautiful (I’d recommend this in place of BOF, just because I found the acting much better. And the story is a bit more different/interesting.)
- Que Sera Sera (Only for the mature viewer. I think it explored a lot of pretty mature themes, and was a different kind of drama overall)
- throw in Pasta, Shining Inheritance, My Girl, God of Study, and Hello God for when you finish those.
Again this is just my list for the 20 something k-drama newbie.
Claire April 30th, 2010 1:53 am
@Literati-
That is an excellent list! As a 20-something myself I can definitely give the nod to most of those, and they run the gamut of kdrama sub-generes very well. I haven’t seen Hello God, however – what’s it like?
Literati April 30th, 2010 7:14 pm
@Claire Hello God is something I picked up as an English major it’s based on the book ‘Flowers For Algernon’ and it’s just a personal pick. Here is the wiki review
The story is about a bright and innocent 27 years old guy (Yoo Gun) with an IQ of 65. Because of his issues he is neglected by society and frowned upon, but he tries to be optimistic and not let it bother him. Seo Eun-Hye (Kim Ok Bin), a fumbling swindler running from the cops and who only believes money can bring her happiness, and love will bring more sadness then it’s worth. One day she meets this boy and he completely changes her outlook on life.
Koreangirl May 26th, 2010 12:36 am
I am korean girl and born in korea. I would like to recommend some ohter Korean drama.
1. Tamra the island [TAM NA NUN DO DA]
2. Princess Jamyung [JA MYUNG GO]
3. Cindella’s sister [Cindella UN NI]
4. coffe house
5. Chu no
gaye07 June 6th, 2010 6:20 pm
I’ve watched like a couple of Kdramas and Kmovies and I realy love them all! My faves are: Autumn in my Heart and Stairway to Heaven. Classic and sad, but it defines what really love is. Swallow the Sun, Greenrose, East of Eden. Romance with a bit of action… Male leads are definitely hot! Ji Sung, Go Soo and Seong Song Hyun. Boys over Flower and You’re Beautiful. These dramas are for youngsters I guess, but watched them. Fun and witty, you’ll never stop once you’ve started.