What is Korean drama and Why are Filipinos crazy for it?

What is a Korean drama?

First, what is a K-drama or Korean drama? K-drama refers to televised dramas in Korean language, made in South Korea and mostly consists of sixteen to twenty-four episodes which made them distinct from any other counterpart in other Asian countries or even in Western countries for this.

How Korean drama started in the Philippines

Have you ever watched any Korean dramas? According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of South Korea, GMA aired the first ever koreanovela in the country back in 2003. It was after ABS-CBN, their rival network successfully aired a Taiwanese drama, “Meteor Garden”. “Successful Story of a Bright Girl” dubbed in the Filipino language was aired back in July 2003 and lasted until September of the same year in GMA.

That’s when the craze for Korean dramas has started in the Philippines. Followed by the success of the first ever drama aired, the two giant networks both started to acquire distribution rights for other highest-rating k-dramas in South Korea that gave the Filipinos the access and opportunity to watch more of these high-caliber dramas dubbed in our own language which both earned them, “The First and True Home of Asianovelas” for ABS-CBN and “The Heart of Asia” for GMA for their programming block titles for these dramas produced in Asian countries.

Why are Filipinos crazy over it?

It was such a craze that the term "Hallyu" was created as the "korean wave" slowly started to hit other Asian countries especially in the Philippines from the recognition of the success of the Korean industry be it in dramas or in their music. Take a look at why Filipinos are craze for it.

So here is the list of the few reasons why Filipinos are hooked:

1. Good-looking Actors and Actresses

South Korea is the home of stunning individuals in their Korean industry so it’s not surprising that their actors and actresses are all good-looking making them all charming that can easily capture every Filipino’s heart.

2. Creative Storylines

Unlike with the typical or cliché storyline that we can watch in our local telenovelas, South Korean writers are known to be creative and cohesive when it comes to their Korean dramas that they don’t stick to one theme or concept. They are always exploring, be it School based, Melodrama, Medical or Legal concept, Thriller, Action, Romantic, Romantic-Comedy, Psychological Thriller, Sci-Fi, name it and they will be able to give you a list of high-caliber dramas they have for each category.

3. Realistic

Related to genres, they don’t just usually cater dramas without proper research. South Koreans are very keen to details that they always prepare for everything before they start a new drama with proper trainings for each actor. Aside from doing enough research, they undeniably can make each scene as realistic as they could at how they portray such important scenes. Adding to the fact that their actors and actresses are always giving their best in each scenes.

4. Cultural and Informative

Not only you get to enjoy the emotions you get from romantic dramas, but you also get to enjoy the culture of South Korea just by watching their dramas. There have been lots of Historical dramas that successfully showed the rich culture of the country. In those dramas, we get to see how their people fought for their freedom, how the dynasties were back in the old days and how was the living back when the country was still ruled by the Royal families even if some of the stories televised were fiction.

5. Educational

Getting the fever of the Korean drama craze, it’s not surprising that Filipinos get to adapt their language. There are some basic words that we could learn just by habitually watching k-dramas. Isn’t it fascinating that you enjoy their dramas and you also learn another language just by doing that?

6. Fashion

Last but not the least, their sense of fashion. As we indulge ourselves more in watching, Filipinos are slowly adapting their sense of fashion. Despite of having the complete opposite weather as we are a Tropical country, it didn’t stop the Filipinos to follow their fashion. Not only through clothes, but we were able to follow their looks through copying their make-ups which is also now a trend along with their hairstyles.

These are only few of the reasons why Filipinos are crazy for Korean dramas, getting the Korean Fever as they say. Have you caught the fever too? I bet you did. It’s addictive that it attracts all ages and genders, uniting people to form what they call as “fan club”.

If you haven’t caught yourself finding a binge-worthy drama to start your journey in this Korean drama craze, check this list for a must watch k-dramas of all time.