Kdramas have been taking the world by storm in recent years. As someone who’s slightly addicted to TV shows, I just had to see what all the fuss was about. Little did I know that it would turn into a full-blown obsession. In this blog post, I’ll share with you the more detailed story of how I got into Kdramas, from my initial skepticism to my current love for all things Korean drama. So, sit back, relax, and join me on this journey into the captivating world of Kdramas.
Check out the short version of how I got into K-drama here: How I Got Into K-Drama
The Beginning
In the year 2020, the pandemic hit, and suddenly my sense of normalcy was taken away. My work became completely remote, and coincidentally, I started living alone that year. Due to social distancing, I couldn’t visit friends and family, nor could I communicate with strangers on a daily basis. I was bored and decided to sink into my passions. Programming and of course, visual entertainment media.
With all the free time on my hands, I watched any TV show, movie, or anime that caught my attention. Just to give you some context, I had already watched hundreds of TV shows, movies, and anime before this period. I didn’t care if it was American, Nigerian, or British; if it piqued my interest, I watched it. I’m not too picky about genres, but I have to admit that romance is my favorite (cue foreshadowing 😏). I like everything from The Proposal to The Walking Dead. And I tend to finish most of them. Most lol.
A few months went by and I found myself running out of things to watch. I mentioned this to a friend, and she suggested a new show to me: Vagabond. She said it was a Korean drama, but not like the cheesy or overly dramatic ones she’d seen before. It was a good first drama for me to try. I was hesitant at first, but I eventually gave it a shot. Little did I know that it would become my gateway to watching over a hundred Korean dramas in just a year.
As a lover of romance and a fan of quirky storylines, I can’t explain the joy of discovering a whole genre dedicated to love, passion, culture, heartbreak, enlightenment, and just the unconventional. I liked Vagabond for its engaging storyline and the sweet and comical romance between the main leads. It was also fascinating to hear a different language and learn about a different culture.
Why I Was Reluctant to Start?
There are two major reasons why I was initially hesitant to try Kdramas. Firstly, I didn’t want to have to read subtitles for long shows, and secondly, I had never been exposed to Kdramas before, so I didn’t think I would enjoy them. The first reason might sound stupid to fellow anime watchers, and I see why that might be the case. I do believe that watching subbed anime is the standard. Anime looks and sounds much better in Japanese, and the expressions in the language are more impactful, making it feel more authentic. However, I still have explanations for my first reason.
Firstly, different languages can be spoken by animated/cartoon characters and look completely natural. I thought I wouldn’t have the patience if it was real people speaking a language I didn’t know. After all, I barely enjoy movies that are spoken in my native tribe’s language, so who’s to say this would be any different? I’m happy to say that I was completely and obviously wrong about this.
Secondly, when it comes to anime, I do watch a little more dubbed than subbed (Hello? 911? 🫣😂). I would never get anything done if I had to continuously read subtitles with the length of some of these anime. The Naruto series alone has over seven hundred episodes. For those reasons, watching anime and watching kdrama seem like completely separate things to me.
The second reason for my reluctance basically explains itself. I didn’t see Korean dramas on TV growing up, and I still don’t see them on cable, so why or how would I ever want to try them? I think I even saw a few Bollywood movies, but never Hallyuwood. That’s why I’m happy to see an increasing number of dramas being shown on Netflix, Prime, Apple TV, etc. Kdrama to the world!!
Summary and Hope
I am thrilled to share my passion for Kdramas on this platform and eager to learn from readers. I’m happy that I was introduced to kdrama and I hope the industry continues to flourish. I also wish for the discovery of great actors and actresses, the creation of weirder storylines, the unveiling of thrilling plot twists, and for more fans to appreciate this genre. Lastly, I hope Lee Min Ho never retires! 😁
Which drama got you hooked on Kdramas? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on future posts about Kdramas and other topics!
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