When “Gangnam Style” by Psy hit YouTube like a tsunami, many people were surprised to discover how popular Korean music and dramas are in America and outside of Korea.
Korean dramas are hot on video streaming sites like Hulu and Netflix. Currently airing dramas can’t be subtitled and loaded quickly enough to satisfy their English-speaking audience.
The big question people want to know is: why K-dramas and K-Pop are so popular around the world?
The Korean entertainment industry is booming right now. The global audience for Korean music and Korean television is exploding across Asia and is even spreading to Europe and North America.
This surge of Korean cultural popularity has been called “Hallyu.” It means Korean wave and refers to the way Korean entertainment is spreading around the world.
Why is there a Korean wave right now? Why Korean Dramas Are Popular
There are many reasons why Korea dramas have gained such a wide following of non-Koreans.
Here are some of the most common reasons why people become fans of K-drama:
Eye candy!
The stars of dramas are very attractive. There is a reason there are lots of “broody shower scenes” and “princess for a day makeovers” to be found in Korean shows.
Precious moments
There are oodles of meme-worthy moments in K-dramas. Some are funny, some are cute, the best are both. And the gags will feel new to people who haven’t seen much Asian television.
Cool clothes
The fashion in dramas has definite trend appeal. Many outfits are straight from the runway. The accessories are just as amazing as the clothes. Drama stars dress the way most of us would in our daydreams.
Accessibility
Video streaming sites have made foreign television and film more readily available than in the past. People watch K-dramas more now than in the past in part because they actually can now.
Cultural appeal
It’s educational (really!). Watching foreign dramas lets you absorb information about a different culture without the hassle of dreary studying. You learn about different societal norms by watching the day to day life of the characters.
Watch even one Korean drama and you will understand that shoes are taken off at the door without anyone needing to tell you.
Mouthwatering food
It’s hard to watch a drama and not get cravings for ramen. Nearly every episode features delicious-looking dishes like rolled up eggs, hearty soups, and grilled steak.
And your hand dexterity will improve with dramas because you are sure to have simultaneous chopstick cravings as well.
The format
A typical Korean drama is 16-20 episodes and then it is done. The length is perfect to tell a whole, connected story that has a strong buildup and conclusion.
The season is longer than a movie, so viewers because more emotionally invested. And it has a definitive end so the plot doesn’t become about filling time to last for multiple seasons.
Vocabulary Stretch
By the time you become a K-drama veteran, all of the drama marathons you finished will have toned your lingual dexterity. You will know several key Korean words and phrases. You will be able to say “sorry” and “thanks” with ease and most importantly, you will be able to confess your love to your dearest Oppa. And you will also know what Oppa means.
Rocking music
K-Pop is even more popular than Korean dramas right now. It’s not hard to understand it’s popularity either.
It has catchy beats and fun lyrics. There is also a hefty sprinkling of English words in K-Pop. And the good news is that dramas showcase plenty of K-Pop music and K-Pop stars are drama regulars.
Squeaky clean
The majority of K-Dramas are G-rated and very clean compared to American movies and television. Foul language is rare, violence is minimal, and love scenes rarely progress past kissing.
In fact, even seeing a French kiss in a Korean drama is newsworthy. Some types of scenes make more impact to viewers when the show isn’t flooded with them.
Fresh factor
Many people from the Western world watch Korean dramas just because they are different from the programming they are used to. It’s not the same old stale, predictable plots that have been recycled for seasons.
The plots, types of characters, and even the settings in K-dramas feel new and different and, therefore, more exciting.
Smorgasbord of choices
There is a drama to suit every taste. Light romantic comedies are a popular fare.
There are also meatier melodramas for people who want to cry a lot.
Genre can even be seasoned to taste with historical, fantasy, science fiction, action, romance, and many other drama ingredients.
Addictive properties
Korean dramas successfully create emotional connections with viewers. Characters are developed and brought through trials and tribulations in such a way that the audience relates to the characters and feels the same emotions. The cliff hanger endings of nearly every episode leave viewers squirming till the next episode can resolve the conflict.
The tension is built up so expertly that it is more emotionally resonant when the main couple finally hold hands halfway through the series than when a full-blown bedroom scene happens in an American series.