What makes K-dramas so popular internationally? | SwoonWorthy [ENG SUB]

We asked Jen and Sarah to try and break down how K-drama went from something so niche to the huge global phenomenon it is today. They discuss what makes K-dramas so loveable-from the production value to the cultural insight to the shared emotional satisfaction that we feel when they get it just right.
Meet Jen and Sarah: Friends, colleagues, and fangirls extraordinaire. Jen and Sarah love K-dramas-they’ve been watching, squeeing, and writing about them for as long as they can remember, and you can bet they have lots to talk about.
Expect all things K-drama: recommendations on what to watch, an exclusive look at what goes on behind The Swoon, and first reactions of the hottest K-dramas coming up on Netflix. So laugh, cry, swoon, and feel ALL the feelings with your fangirl-mates Jen and Sarah as they celebrate their love of K-dramas with you.
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ABOUT THE SWOON
Welcome to The Swoon, your all-access pass behind the scenes of your favorite Korean and Asian dramas. Get up close and personal with the stars. Tell us what you love to watch, what endings made you want to tear your hair out, and what keeps you coming back for more, ever optimistic that the next one will be The One.
For the fans.
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All biases welcome.
*Shows featured might not be available in all markets.

[@sweetsgourmet]

They’re just different. Also, in 2020 America, watching kdramas is a definite escape. Also, the romances make me cry so much!

[@zandran1453]

So true!

[@armybebe1315]

The storyline and ost is what captures us first. In India a drama continues for yearsss but when I came across kdrama, I was shocked because there were only 16 eps with more than 8 osts. I'm sooo Happy that I watch kdramas because nowadays they talk about social issues as well

[@aayushmaraj6010]

SAME GIRL!!!!

[@armybebe1315]

@@aayushmaraj6010 I feel you 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@aayushmaraj6010]

@Jeong Tae Ra Byte lol reminds me of yeh rishta kya kehlata hai on star plus😂😂😂 icoooonic

[@armybebe1315]

@Jeong Tae Ra Byte yessss true. Indian actors are veryyy good. Honestly. But the serials here are really not worth their talent

[@maryambabayoalkali4121]

@@aayushmaraj6010 i can relate

[@cosmicshadow6241]

Watching kdramas is like meeting your first love. The excited and warm feelings you get when you start to watch a new episode. It's been 8 years and that feeling is still the same for me.

[@unnamed_acc4478]

Couldn't agree more. I met kdrama at my teenage years. It is truly feels like first love. Swooning over a kdrama actor feels like I had a boyfriend lol xD And the best part is with new drama I got new boyfriend xD

[@tntrtswrsmurf]

it's not just a drama, it's all about who we are as a human being

[@sara1coco]

I just like how the stories mostly revolve around a ML and a FL, they'll slowly fall in love and end up together. It's not about sex, hooking up and the whole cast being romantically involved with each other like most American TV shows.

[@IDontCare39]

Lol you just summed up western shows. Most of them are always about hookups exs jealousy. It's getting tiring now.

[@OfficialRoses]

yessss! western shows that includes love are sooo frickin lame

[@karenxz1496]

They just hit you differently.. right in the feels

[@DawnsJediWind]

I watch Kdramas because I personally find them a lot more appealing, and cleaner, than American shows. My first Kdrama was Goblin (still a favorite) years ago, but this year I’ve been watching a ton more! I love listen to Korean and learning about Korean culture / history through the various shows, and I’m so happy that they are getting more popular with international fans! ❤️

[@laurieandrade125]

I’ve been watching kdramas for almost a year now and I’m starting recognise the cliches but there’s something really engaging about them and my family and I really bond over them.

[@puddintane0693]

I only started watching k-dramas 6 months ago because Netflix recommended one to me. I am addicted because of the emotional rollercoasters. They are great escapes. Plus the soundtracks are so beautiful. I also really like to get a glimpse of another culture. I like to learn about cultures so different from my own.

[@mydietisalie7022]

Next thing you need to discuss is the world of BROMANCE OF KDRAMA

[@042andipangeranmaulanaibra4]

GOBLIN THE KING ETERNAL MONARCH STRONG WOMAN etc All drama got the best part in bromance

[@shermarkefrancis6785]

Amazing K-dramas are great I love them...sending love from Kingston Jamaica

[@deshatailor4776]

I feel so good knowing I have watched all the dramas referenced here. One other aspect that you guys did not mentioned is the amazing osts, I have yet to find a drama that had an ost that I hate or that took away the quality of the scene it was played in.

[@vhangel36]

I live in the UK and have watched k-dramas for years (and am somewhat addicted) but have still never met anyone else in 'real life' who watches them. I watch western tv shows too but I don't think any british or american tv shows compare to K-drama. I always feel really immersed in a good k-drama and easily lose track of time so I think a lot of the appeal is escapism. I really enjoy the romantic storylines, I like that as a viewer getting to know the characters and seeing their feelings for each other develop over the episodes makes you feel like you are falling in love as well. I think emotions are a big thing in k-drama, i usually go through a rollercoaster of emotions even in one episode i can be laughing, squealing from cuteness and crying my eyes out. And that actually the storylines are quite simple and slower paced because i like watching things that focus more on people and character development than action scenes and complicated plots. Sometimes k-drama can get quite cheesy or it can get repetitive with the overused plot points but sometimes how formulaic they are can be really comforting. A lot of western tv shows have multiple seasons but a really low number of episodes per season, I always feel really unsatisfied after only 8-10 episodes then having to wait a whole year in between, it's nice to see through the whole story for a kdrama, particularly for someone like me who likes to binge watch.

[@rahimperial4325]

Cinematography, OSTs, plot twists, even the cliché parts seem somewhat really interesting, the lessons are so relatable, technology, filming locations, the culture, the combination of genres in a series itself, the way a series satisfies you but at the same time, makes you crave for more... Kdramas certainly became the standard for us international fans.

[@yechin06]

Kdrama simply offers everything that your heart, mind and soul need. It's wholesome, family oriented, and it gives us all the feels. Romance in kdramas don't need to have steamy bed scenes or deep torid kisses for it to be called romance (unlike those western/american series). A simple eye contact is enough for you to feel the love and all the emotions. The visuals and OSTs are the best!The role of moms are often highlighted, as well as the foods. When I watch kdrama, it never fails to make me feel that simple things matter more than anything else. It's my ultimate stress reliever. It makes me contemplate on a lot of things. I believe watching kdrama is good for the heart.

[@CharismaticLife]

The biggest reason is that kdramas (for the most part) don't have multiple seasons. It has a specific number of episodes and you know that the story will wrap up within that. Dramas that don't reflect that model rarely make it into my top shows. If I have to go through seasons of unnecessarily drawn-out plots, I'll lose interest.

[@peace36]

I am so glad the first K-drama I watched was Crash Landing on You and now I am a great fan of K-dramas. I love watching K-drama as I can relate culturally to them as I am of Asian origin. Furthermore, K-dramas discusses social issues and also impart good family values.

[@ishitasingh5162]

For me personally i like kdramas cuz: 1. The length, 16-20 episode length is appropriate, neither too short nor too long unlike american dramas which just goes on and on and then there is no story left (cough grey's anatomy). 2. Beautiful romance, unlike the jumping into the bed and that's it. Kdramas take time to develop chemistry between the characters and encapture the little things that matter in relationships rather than the big/grand moments. 3. The great and encapsulating storylines...The way they do justice to antagonists as well as protaganists. 4. The way they are evolving with times, earlier women were weak and needed a cliched "Knight in shining armor" but with characters like Jang-Man-Wol and Ko-Mun-yeong i m basically enthralled with the ability of Korean directors to adapt with the times unlike Indian directors. 5. Kdramas address basic human flaws and the trauma (Its not a kdrama wt a K-trauma) 6. The side-characters omg they are a treat to watch. Their love stories, their struggles, their relationships. It's not just about the main two. 6. Oppas are a treat to your eyeZ, if i dare to say. Kdramas Fighting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@destituteanddecadent9106]

You said it all👏🙌

[@zoyaansari3342]

Yes! I absolutely agree I can't even watch Indian dramas 😂

[@ritu1461]

Dude you summed up everything 💜

[@ChaoticCobra]

K-Dramas bring back the emotional aspect of Dramas for the 21st century which American & Canadian dramas have begun to loose in that area!!! K-Dramas help provide an escape from hardships of reality and since most K-Dramas end with only one season, the writers know how to provide proper closure unlike at least half of American & Canadian dramas being canceled after ending in a huge cliffhanger!!!

[@MindlessAllDaiBabe]

I've been watching kdramas well over 6 years already since high school and I'm in college. I started watching them because I wanted to learn a new language and listening to them interact, was a stepping stone from bts, girls generation , got 7 and exo. I eventually fell in love with how the guys would take care of their girls, the culture is immaculate. It became a thing where I found happiness, speaking to my English speaking mom in Korean just to annoy her brings joy to me. There's so much I can say because of so many memories from ages 15 to now, 23.

[@michellehall1243]

I absolutely love K dramas, I’m totally hooked, I love that I’m learning certain Korean words too! I love learning all about different cultures. One of my favourites of all time is crash landing on you but seriously I love so many! I love how clean a lot of them are too! The music as-well is sooo beautiful in the dramas xx

[@lmhxkge6665]

Three reasons I watch kdramas- 1. Amazing cast.( oppas and unnis) 😍 2. Unusual plots- example a.The King: Eternal Monarch (it's confusing for many tho but even google says that you need to put your brain on work for this drama. Google it if you don't believe me) b. W- Two worlds(Plot of w is brilliant! Lee jong suk and han hyo jo did a great job) C.Chicago Typewriter (it's underrated af) D. Goblin(how would I miss it lmao😂,?) 3. Korean Music is Amazing! I'm in love with it.😍 ( I have watched over 90+ kdramas so I have a great experience) Plus I really hate those rich girl poor boy kdramas.😂

[@estherseunafolabi9233]

I love K dramas a lot😍😍 and it's insanely popular in Nigeria. All my friends and family watch it , we are so obsessed 😍😍💖

[@ritu1461]

And the fact that they gives considerate screen importance to the other characters and their story... is so appreciating. Like it give chance to actors to showcase their talents and not just be a filler for main leads story

[@pinkblooded7627]

I got into kdrama because all my parents watched when i was younger are kdrama and ive been watching it for a decade now (im only 18 lol) but i never seen myself getting bored of it cause theyre just so diverse!

[@corie5825]

Not only production, writing, cinematography along with the cast is just stunning ❤️ Especially the cute lines and scenes just♥️

[@misachan23]

Always, always good insights coming from Jen and Sarah! More contents with them pls 🥰

[@sydaijarme4369]

I love to watch Kdrama even no eng sub.the artist so talented,great, amazing...thank you for sharing us SWOON 👍❤️❤️ God bless 💖

[@staciemwahhaha]

So many kdramas are so light and fun! Even when they get sad or angsty, there is usually a happy ending. Its so refreshing compared to the doom and gloom of so many western shows. Also the lighting and cinematography are excellent in kdramas; I will watch western shows at night with the brightness all the way up and still can't see anything lol

[@aliceroared]

2:28 that scene in goblin was HEART-STOPPING. everything about it: the lighting, the slow-mo, and the MUSIC. like hot damn.

[@lzalab2286]

when we are eating in the break room in my workplace in the hospital there is always a group of Kdrama addicts in one corner that is so loud and giggling talking about their favorite Kdramas 😂😂 , my coworker’s told me his wife slept late till 3am watching Kdrama and she has to go to work at 7am 😂

[@katara2021]

I love K dramas because I can escape reality. No one does romance and friendship focused drama like Korea. I love realistic and hardcore shows too but sometimes a person just wants to relax, laugh or cry and be aesthetically pleased with a story that is more fantastical in its emotions. I don't know how to explain it but K dramas have a great balance of real world emotions without the grittiness of it. Of course that's only a subset of K dramas. Korea also does thriller and serious genres excellently. Stranger, Life, Life on Mars are all superb.

[@lilymarie1813]

My favorite is Crash landing on you. My heart hurt at their separation.

[@moirabelle6272]

My first K-drama is Crash Landing on You. I fell in love with Hyun Bin that I watched all of his previous dramas and movies. He is not only handsome but an exceptionally good and versatile actor. I found only a few K-dramas that does not star Hyun Bin that I watched in it's entirety.

[@nako234]

00:30 シークレットガーデン 00:38 恋のゴールドメダル〜僕が恋したキム・ボクジュ〜 00:47 宮〜Love in Palace〜 01:04 02:54 05:59 愛の不時着 01:13 大丈夫、愛だ 01:17 メロが体質 01:21 賢い医師生活 01:25 麗〜花萌ゆる8人の皇子たち〜 01:35 恋愛ワードを入力してください〜Search WWW〜 01:48 トゥー・カップス〜ただいま恋が憑依中！？〜 02:29 06:40 トッケビ〜君がくれた愛しい日々〜 03:54 むやみに切なく 03:59 サイコだけど大丈夫 04:05 恋するアプリ LOVE ALARM 04:10 あなたが眠っている間に 04:50 プロデューサー 05:05 僕が見つけたシンデレラ〜Beautiy Inside〜 05:31 ふたり旅〜Twogether〜 06:08 梨泰院クラス

[@koreanoona75]

With Jen and Sarah there is nearly always a Seung Gi clip somewhere. :) But I totally agree with you - the production value is way high, everything looks pretty but the emotions are still very relatable. And that's satisifying for (on average) 16 hours. it's bite-sized happiness.

[@ritu1461]

Well on the subject of cliches...k-dramas do it so beautifully that you watch even after cringing at same scenes from other times...secondly the story is so tightly nitted that you fall in love with the characters. And see thing from their perspective. Secondly there are alot of unconventional dramas..whose themes are realistic and engaging...in the world of kdrama there is every thing for everyone in a high quality 💜

[@corie5825]

Kdramas saved 2020 for me !! So grateful for this genre and the amazing content. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@thomasabhi9395]

Crash landing,hospital playlist,my mister,mother,kingdom,goblin and vagabond are my favourite dramas with different plots and making... No cliche,no triangle love, great storyline.. fan from india,kerala

[@jrgilbert]

I wish so much I could discuss with you this topic. I'm a 49 year old man who adores Asian dramas - I watch Chinese, Japanese dramas too. I'm 6'3". I'm not a little guy. I'm not gay either...I'm often asked that. My Asian drama journey started with...drumroll... Boys Over Flowers about 5 years ago. The first point you said was brilliant. Nothing I hated more than when something is repackaged for the American market they water down the 'Asian-ness' in a pathetic attempt to Americanize things. Watching KDramas, we want to escape America!! We want to escape into a new culture. Once Hollywood and content makers begin to realize this the better. I want so much to go on and on. I love that you two look at least 30+. I mean that. I am not interested in talking to the 22 year old gal who worships BTS while watching their KDramas. Why? Because I just don't see them truly getting the dramas. I belong to mydramalist.com and I read much of what some say and it can be so immature. Ugh. I want to have real conversations with mature people. I will end this with a quick thought on what I believe hooked me from the beginning. Purity. American television is a toilet bowl these days. Watching Boys Over Flowers, Angel Eyes, Secret Garden, Playful Kiss (some of the early dramas I watched) I was struck with the purity. Holding hands meant everything. Not being alone because it is not appropriate. The kiss is the climax. Not a sex scene. I was completely sweep away with this. I still love it. I cherish Korean dramas for this in a big way the rest of my life.

[@amandarivera4617]

I love k-dramas for three reasons. #3. The stories. K-dramas are able to tell a range of stories, from slice of life to fantasy. There is something for everyone to enjoy. #2 the romances. I like that romances in K-drama center on emotion and connection of the couple. In the U.S shows a couple jumps right into to bed together ( not slut shamming), compared to a K-drama the couples get to know each, without being all over each other, which I like. #1 why I like K-dramas is the number of episodes. Most k-dramas range from 16-25 episodes and only have one season. K-dramas know how to end with out dragging the story. With US shows a series can last 10 seasons, but it stop being good after season two or three. K-dramas help me escape from my daily life and I love them for it.

[@destituteanddecadent9106]

Pleasantly surprised that the first clip was from secret garden. Though parts of it haven't exactly aged well, the charm and magic of it all will be forever etched in your heart! It's criminally underrated and personally I was reduced to a crying hyperventilating heap during episode 17, something not even goblin was able to do to me. Miss those days.

[@kimleemoon]

I mainly watch K-dramas now although I live in 🇺🇸. K-dramas are beautifully filmed, the characters are interesting, romantic and funny, they are not filled with a bunch of sex or nudity (“clean TV”), the actors are so handsome and it’s fun to learn about a different country/culture.

[@shahafdror4286]

I’m sooooooo glad kdrama and kpop and the korean culture in general became so popular worldwide! It helps me learn the language, and overall I just fell in love with the artists, the actors, the dramas, it’s all just perfect. I started making at home korean food (thankfully there is places to buy korean ingredients in my country, I’m from Israel). I literally fell in love with the korean culture. Thanks to anyone who has anything to do with it! 감사합니다 🙏❤️

[@455Mary]

Well there had to be a Lee Seung-gi moment (Girlfriday!)! ❤️❤️

[@oliveau1516]

I’m not opposed to this! I discovered him later than other actors because he’s underrated and has less exposure here in North America. I don’t understand why though because all of his shows are awesome and unbeknownst to many kdrama fans, he’s a really good singer. It drives me nuts whenever there’s an article talking about kpop singers who are good actors or good actors who are good singers and he’s never mentioned.

[@susansheldon2033]

Jen and Sarah were formerly two of my favorite reviewers/writers for Dramabeans, right? Do they have a KZbin channel? Instagram? I miss them and want to read or watch whatever Kdrama content they are willing to share with the public.

[@oliveau1516]

I thought I’d add here that it’s be great if jen and Sarah did an overview of some popular variety shows. I personally never watch American reality shows .... so I was blown away by the fact that I enjoy korean variety shows so much even though I rarely know who the celebrity guests are. The premise behind some of these variety shows are so interesting. My favourite is master in the house. The premise behind the show is that they get 4 guys (Lee Seung Gi is one of them) who learn from different ‘masters’. Typically, these masters are older and have solid life and career experience. I know it sounds boring but the chemistry between the main cast is awesome (it feels like they have this bromance and you’re watching them goof off). Meanwhile, some of the issues they discuss are quite thought provoking. I really enjoyed seung Gi’s speech about anxiety.

[@mabelhavilah6337]

Ur a true kdrama fan when u have watched all the dramas that were telecasted on this video 😅😅😅😅

[@jada1230]

i m also interested in the backstory of our Swoon hosts😁

[@DianaSantoso]

Yasss, love duo Dramabeans' opinion! Please talk more!

[@KM-zh6zi]

I scrolled down looking for this comment! Javabeans and Girlfriday on Swoon!!

[@DianaSantoso]

@@KM-zh6zi yeah, they are The Swoons! I heard they're in charge of Netflix Korean Drama department now, they're the one who decide which dramas NF should air

[@koshira1977]

sooo are girlfriday and javabeans employed by netflix now or... am i the only one who known them from dramabeans here?

[@kxnsh3589]

SWAG!!

[@amrutab7814]

Whichever be the topic portrayed ... human factor is important and its balanced progress on storyline... language is no barrier anymore. kdrama which I hv watched, all have shown an effort for invoking the human (good) in the evil characters too... Am impressed🙇‍♀️

[@karenb4130]

I have to say that since discovering KPOP first, sometme ago and then K Dramas / films over the last six - ten months i havent watched anything but, there is so much content available and I have to say you are spoilt for choice. it has peaked my interest in South Korea and its culture and people, I am learning Korean with a tutor and saving to visit. The K Dramas and films have all contributed to this and as for Parasite, well need I say more!!

[@enkayar]

I love being pulled into another world for approximately 1hr each week. I love getting to know the characters and going on their 16 episode journey with them. Laughing with them, crying with them and pretending to eat ramenyeon and drink soju with them. I love the depth of research that goes into creating the world kdramas tend to explore in detail. From learning about sound mixing for movies in “Another Miss Oh” to the world of search engines in “WWW:Search”. I love the beautiful chemistry of ensembles and I love falling in love with these characters and missing them when the dramas end. I love seeing so much of South Korea and seeing people of another culture and geographic locale, eat, live, speak and behave so much like my West Indian countrymen. It feels so familiar. So many things I love about kdramas, please don’t make them too expensive to acquire, we will miss them TERRIBLY if they do 😁😉

[@falukidossani3758]

K dramas r popular cos they give us entertainment based on different types of stories and r diverse..some r relatable stories while others r like fantasy world..that's so entertaining n enjoyable..as we r looking forward for new stories n related to real life..like crime dramas.. thriller n action packed dramas..cute n aegyo moment love romantic dramas..just awesome..all in all lots of love from Kenya Africa 🇰🇪

[@timashaviswakula412]

OMG JAVABEANS AND GIRLFRIDAY !! I MISSED YOU GUYS SO MUCH !! 💝💝💝💝💝

[@hayralouro]

idk why i watch it, i live in BR and is so different has such a higher quality than the content we have he and are so more pleasent to watch than US shows. i just love idk the reason. its just perfect. STAN WEEEKLY!

[@cynthiagamarra362]

My favorites kdramas are something in the rain and Crash landing on you. I hope Netflix produce a new project with BinJin couple ❤ They are great together !!!

[@unnamed_acc4478]

I think the thing that makes me interested in kdrama is first of all not gonna lie it's because the handsome cast. But other than visual I also really like how kdrama looks really magical. How they shoot every scenes even the most boring scene looks really good. And the ost. I swear kdramas has the best use of ost. I remember the first time I'm watching BBF when there is sad scene and Howl - Love You is playing. It feels like I'm watching a Disney movie came to life. The song fits perfectly with the scene even though I don't understand any words from the song I could feel the emotion. That's the magic of kdrama ost.

[@kakashisenpai2663]

I want a Korean channel in India

[@MsNatLikes]

I'm Australian and all I watch is Kdramas. They are amazing.

[@sana.gnihc04]

K dramas are also super famous in India too, if not all parts but surely in the North Eastern states💯❤️🔥👌.

[@Aditi-mb3qm]

Hello!! I'm also from India, from west Indian states and even here kdramas are becoming very popular. I just love them 😍😍

[@sana.gnihc04]

@@Aditi-mb3qm wow.. that's great to hear 😍✨!!

[@Aditi-mb3qm]

@@sana.gnihc04 ❤❤🤗.

[@hey-ui5mz]

Kdrama fashion is also good. Enjoy watching their fashions😉

[@imusician8885]

Can you guys please tell us if there will be a second season to the CRASH LANDING ON YOU. Or if it is posdible. The swoon guys?. ❤️From India.

[@newjeansfan238]

Well said, i'm a french kdrama fan since 2000s, i started with melodrama, then romantic comedy, i saw historical kdrama too, then i love kdrama thrillers! Yes there are a lot of cliche in kdrama romance but in international romance genre, there are cliches, codes!

[@juliet6513]

Ugh once i started watching kdramas I can’t watch American shows anymore they’re just so grey and colorless

[@yenniferahs6849]

Yay Kdramas are just COLORFUL.

[@charmasterinstructionsj.r.1902]

I agree...

[@fabulous3806]

My first k-drama was The K2 and I never looked back, I've seen so many by now, it's not even on my Top 10 anymore haha, it's still a good one though. I don't remember exactly, but I think right after I watched Vagabond and then Crash Landing On You (first and only OST I've actually played a few times over and it has IU in it and I didn't even think much of it because I didn't really know IU until Hotel Del Luna (thanks Viki)) and a few others in between. Now my list is getting pretty long lol I also didn't listen to K-pop for all those months until I stumbled across HYLT and it got stuck in my head, then I listened to a few of Blackpink songs and eventually found Red Velvet 💕 (even though I had seen Tempted with Joy and had seen them on Descendants of the Sun), I also recently found Miss A, which is crazy since I knew of Suzy for so long because of Vagabond, same for Girl's Generation. I think the first drama I watched where I consciously knew the actor as an idol already is He is Psychometric, but k-dramas, K-pop, and I have a long journey ahead lmao

[@aeoleousannai]

For me as a mother I and my daughter fell in love with k-dramas me specifically because I didn't have to worry about sex scenes... Now of course you know there are adult themed movies and things like that but I didn't have to worry about drama series and or just a flash of something inappropriate... Of course my daughter now everyone is an oppa🙄 but you understand at the very age of 11 the type of censorship I had to do was overwhelming (we live in the states) so I like everyone else thank God for South Korea 😅😅😅😅 it's just really refreshing to be able to not only tap into someone else's culture identity family religious aspect it may be a part of the world that we will never see physically but that we will be able to talk a lot about so for that I thank South Korea.. (I know a lot of my sentences are run on but I'm using Google talk and they have yet to advance where everything is..,! Without me having to physically type in myself)

[@aixahoogstra3514]

I like dramas so much because of the low burn romance

[@krisryan6340]

Uncontrollably Fond and While You Were Sleeping on Netflix USA please!

[@dasandbox2555]

While you were sleeping is on Viki. All K-Dramas are not on Netflix. I have subscriptions to Asian streaming services so I can pretty much watch most of the K-Dramas I’m looking for. I’m a big K-Drama fan from the US. I don’t even watch U S cable shows anymore, lol.

[@krisryan6340]

Dasandbox ....I want all Suzy’s work on Netflix.

[@dasandbox2555]

Kris Ryan . “ Inheritors” is on Netflix starring Suzy and Lee Minho. Good one.

[@krisryan6340]

Dasandbox ...wow you are so wrong. Suzy is not in that drama.

[@dasandbox2555]

Kris Ryan You are right my mistake. I mixed her with Park Shine hye. Oops

[@ednajamieson108]

For me from Edinburgh Scotland started last year watching them got hooked on both Korean and Chinese dramas and what with lockdown have watched lots far better than our TV and I also like BTS take care everyone 😀

[@mariakustiari2635]

That's it ?? Will there be part 2 ??

[@aldlr4271]

I'm an Asian and what I like about Kdrama is that they give new interesting stories and themes, high production value like in the US, fixed episodes, and of course many good looking celebs. I also like the korean-type nature and atmosphere. Their own korean culture is also a plus. Not only their drama but their variety and talk shows are also good and very funny. You'll get to see the artist's personalities through these shows.

[@stutichakraborty117]

Crash landing on you is the fav 😍😍❤❤

[@andresdalessandro9664]

kpop and kdrama have a great synergy effect.

[@kakashisenpai2663]

Lots of love from India

[@cynthiagamarra362]

#CrashLandingOnYou is my top #1 kdrama ❤ The best 🙌 🔥

[@anneanne9009]

It's a nice accent especially if you are from Polynesia or NZ and Aussie. I think that goes a long way.

[@kakashisenpai2663]

I can't get over from reply 1988...

[@ririnforvxon]

Everything Kdrama is what I'm looking for on my countries dramas😂🇵🇭.

[@newjeansfan238]

As a french, french TV have done the opposite: imported americans and UK series because it's less expensive and they didn't produce french series, there is not series industry in France unlike in USA, in South Korea! And yes for kdrama, there is always high rating for kdrama, kdrama are still popular in South Korea, then it's popular in other asian country like japan, china, malaysia etc and then kdrama are popular all around the world because kdrama are the most asian series which are the most subtitled!

[@solfh]

I will answer you, being from latinamerica, I started with kpop and I have to say I stayed for the kdrama visuals... they know how to trap the mind with their visually pleasing and intriguing aesthetics. Also the stories are really unique and different from what we usually see. There are some things I dont like like their constant screaming and weird kisses... but I guess they are changing it slowly to capture a wider audience. And also when they call each other their full name..like wtf. oh.. the endings are usually lacking, but I watch it for the plot and visuals.

[@susansheldon2033]

I'd be very interested in hearing Jen and Sarah's thoughts about Kdramas that were popular internationally but not as popular in Korea and why they thought this was so. I Am Not a Robot, for instance. Very popular internationally (I loved that all of the women were career-oriented and wanted to continue their careers) but I heard that it only did so-so in Korea. I've heard that rom-coms are popular internationally but stuff like Sky Castle and Penthouse (South Korea's versions of Dynasty and Dallas) are more popular in S Korea.

[@wpl8275]

It all starts with the storywriting and telling of the story. The plotting of the story. Korean writers for these K Dramas are consistently good. They introduce information through characters and back flashes really well and they have good character and relationship development. Then you have the acting which is good to excellent. There are so many good attractive Korean actresses in their 20's, 30's and 40's that it is like lady Korean golfers on the LPGA. Follow that with really excellent production and direction. In baseball there is an expression about a 5 tool player. Meaning they are good at all the important skills. K Dramas are the same. Good to excellent for the most part in all the elements which make for quality viewing entertainment. The thing I appreciate the most though is how slow and thorough the romantic elements of the story are portrayed. In American content that is completely lacking. There is no real romantic relationship development. And because of that I can't get invested in the story. American couples hop into bed and then immediately start fighting. By the third episode the are just tiresome and boring. Finally, as I watch good K Dramas, I am constantly surprised with the stories and the characters. I get drawn in and invested and the story is complete after 16 episodes or so. In American stories I am not surprised and they go on and on and on with no end. Same old same old over and over again.

[@thecnayakk3322]

The swoon: *uploaded a video same time as blackpink uploaded too* Me: 👁️👄👁️

[@maksymporokhnavets3608]

Kdramas are short packed with story and new fresh, you dont see the same dozen of actors all the time

[@iamnobody2241]

Korean dramas treating fans differently from Japanese or Chinese dramas. There are old dramas that are not available even on Netflix so if you are a huge fan and you want to introduce it to your friends you can post it on your social media account and your account will not be reported, not unless you’re making money out of it. So in a way they are being introduced to your loop who are either not in Korean drama or have never seen than before or it’s simply not available right now. While Japanese and Chinese productions can really go after fans, account before reported, blocked and those hard to find series gone into oblivion. So fans will be like, want to keep it to yourself then go on where there’s a lot of on stuff on the internet. And once people liked that particular drama, it snowballs from there, they will be looking for Korean contents in Netflix and KZbin. Knowing the actors, following them on social media.

[@earthshuman3864]

In every genre kdarams are best

[@krisryan6340]

The one reason for me is Bae Suzy!

[@f.lalnunmawii716]

Same here😌

[@vivirahmawati3708]

That runway walk in Goblin still the most iconic runway walk in all k-drama history for me. All the other runway walk kinda thing for me is just, "oh they copied Goblin", even though they didn't.

[@pamelameli9181]

I want swoon content from Stranger2.

[@5877user]

And there’s ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG with squeaky clean too.

[@Squishy1L]

Kdrama is more nuanced. There is more depth and maturity and they respect the viewer more somehow. I feel like western films try to tell you what they want you to think and feel rather then just letting you get immersed and experience it. The romances and plot in kdrama arent usually as rushed or forced. The answers are revealed rather then being plainly stated or overly obvious. Generally they are more wholesome. Its also more of a complete package with food, family, humour, OST and a message of some sort. Plus they do bromance really well and have great female leads.

[@jackielilang557]

No offense to western Movies but before im a fan of western but since ive started watching korean Movies, series im literally hooked koreans actors /actress has superb acting skills. Much respect for korean actors and actress.

[@oliveau1516]

I think they missed the 2 main reasons why people watch kdramas: 1. As mentioned by others, it’s far more family friendly. But to elaborate, because it is more family friendly - that is, they don’t focus on the erotic part of the relationship - it allows the drama to better develop the characters and their emotional bonds. And then you start rooting for these characters because you’ve now developed an emotional attachment to them. Also, spending more time on developing a character’s personality allows you to his/her charisma. 2. Again, as others have stated, it’s only one season. Yes, it’s great that I don’t have to stick around for years while the show tires itself out. But more importantly, it also allows the writers to be more creative with plot devices. For example, imagine if Hwayugi was an American show. Each episode would be about getting rid of that week’s ghost. And then maybe there would be 5 minutes devoted to moving the plot forward. Son O Gong might finally realize that his love is sincere by season 4. On the other hand, because it is one season, you watch the show like a 16 hour movie. Or another example, W is awesome because there are so many twists that you cannot foresee. But in an American model, we’d probably be bored of the plot device by season 3. As creative as the team is, it’s difficult to come up with twists for 3 years. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that most kdrama writers are women while it’s flipped for Americans (men dominated story-telling). I think it says something about how the korean stories are less focused on sex 😜

[@anitalake1]

I love them because life sucks real life is awful i need the escape from my life

[@hyena759]

I totally agree with you onnie for the last point the Fandom became TOXIC so you have to get out of it and they start talking about it too much that you start hating that thing you liked before Unpopular opinion : thank you for not mentionning itnbo i start getting sick of it

[@juliet6513]

I also really like the predetermined set episode lengths bc it makes it feel like a long movie rather than a lot of America shows which I really like, there’s a lot less points of feeling boring and like there’s no more ideas

[@sitinurliyana5447]

personally i think the non ongoing season and fixed number of episodes made the kdrama superior. i stopped western drama like 13 reasons why because of its super duper long episodes and 4 seasons. plus i like romcom so much but not the lucifer vibes which revolves ard the sexy steamy scenes. its family rated made it enjoyable for me to watch it with my siblings. and the plot is just good, a definite escape for me from my daily life