Perky, Improbable, Yet Inspiring – Unravelling the Secret Sauce that Makes K-dramas Click
“Your mom is sassy because she watches k-dramas and loves k-pop. I love k-dramas too. Can I be best friends with her? We both can then watch shows together!” says my 11-year old daughter’s classmate.
While the Hallyu wave sweeps across the world, people from different age groups and cultural backgrounds are tumbling down the k-drama rabbit hole. But what’s really behind the magnetic pull of k-dramas?
If you are a k-drama aficionado, you would have a bunch of reasons to love them. To me, k-dramas are like chocolate – some of them are too good to be true, while the ones that aren’t are still better than most of the TV series produced in other countries.
I stumbled upon my first Korean drama while aimlessly browsing through Netflix to find a good serial killer murder mystery (my favourite genre). Being someone who gave the cold shoulder to Korean content under the assumption that they were all in the rosy, romantic genre, I inadvertently clicked the Play button. This opened up a new world of entertainment that I never knew would mesmerise me endlessly!
K-drama: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways
- Unforgettable fantasies – Korean thrillers are full of twists and turns; you never know when you will bump into something that makes your jaw drop. But what really fascinates me is their fantasy series in which the creatures of the ancient Korean folktales (gumihos, dokkaebis, demons, etc.) are reimagined in human form, roaming the modern streets of Seoul in high-end designer wear.
The eccentricity in these plots never fails to resonate with the dreamy, true-blue Aquarian that I am.
- Food as a symbol of love – The dining scenes in k-dramas are like snuggly hugs on a cold winter night. The whole family gathers around the table where food is as much in focus as the conversations.
Silken tofu in a blanket of soy sauce and colourful toppings, soulful Japchae (stir-fried glass noodles and vegetables), tender and smoky bulgogli (barbequed meat), spicy and sweet Tteokbokki (chewy rice cakes in sauce), purple rice and kimchi – my tastebuds have been tantalised just by watching their dinner scenes.
The most joyful part is that k-drama characters use food as a vehicle to declare love, nurture friendship, and strengthen family ties. When directors include elaborate scenes of shopping, preparing, sharing, and binging on food, how can the heart of a foodie viewer not skip a beat?!
- Hauntingly beautiful OSTs and BGM – Apart from the captivating storylines, the focus on human emotions is one of the reasons for the universal appeal of k-dramas. Some of the best music talent in the industry come together to craft a bouquet of beautiful OSTs and BGM for each drama, to enhance the emotional aspects of the story.
The songs are placed in each scene with utmost care.
For instance, in most k-dramas you will see the usual romantic trope of the long, 15-second stare between the male and the female lead. But even the harshest critic of such scenes will be silenced by the tender blanket of music that wraps around them at that moment, pulling them straight into the scene.
Viewers on discussion forums vouch for the fact that they are unable to move on from several k-drama OSTs, long after the dramas have ended (I can vouch for that too!). Such is the power of the music talent in the industry.
- Sizzling male leads – K-dramas seem to have figured out what women really want through their portrayal of male leads.
In an industry where more than 90% of scriptwriters are women, the depiction of male characters is an interesting point of discussion. Irrespective of whether the male lead was a softie or a badass character at the beginning of the story, they transform into the perfect green flag partner down the line.
The industry’s nuanced portrayal of a new version of masculinity where sensitivity, vulnerability and emotional intelligence are celebrated is refreshing. The k-drama men cry unabashedly; and they make you cry with them. They have successfully broken away, visually and emotionally, from the predictable male leads we see in TV series from other countries.
Here, the men shine as protective, understanding and loyal partners who stand behind their women through thick and thin. And no one’s complaining about the boyish charm, expressive eyes and perfectly styled hair that makes them a treat to watch on screen!
- Profound life lessons – The bling of k-dramas often masks its most magical quality – the profound, yet simple life lessons packed into the storylines.
The scripts mostly emphasize the importance of relationships and how it needs nurturing to thrive. As much as the dramas teach you about loving unconditionally, they also open your eyes to the importance of letting go.
When I stepped into dramaland, I wasn’t looking for it to change my life. But it did.
It’s difficult to jot down all the life lessons that Korean dramas have taught me. But I know that they reside in pockets of my brain like little nuggets of wisdom.
Most of my learnings are simple – like the importance of eating well, sleeping a lot, being kind, and not holding back on your desires. I realised that the hustle culture that is largely romanticised as the key to your career growth may be also doing some harm to your health and psyche in the background.
My musings
In times of stress, k-dramas are my perfect antidote. The music, the artistry of the sets, the makeup, and the stories that throb with meaning, are an instant mood-lifter.
I’m still trying to figure out how something that most people refer to as “oh, so unrealistic” and “that’s too much of screentime” has significantly changed my perception in life and made it more fulfilling!
-Leya Lakshmanan is the head of marketing at Embitel Technologies, part of the Volkswagen Group. Outside tech, she enjoys art and baking.
