Buzz:

Chicago Tribune, July 9, 2004

"In addition to KBFD (in Hawaii), stations in Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and New York City offer several (Korean TV mini-series) shows daily. The buzz on Korean serial dramas can be heard by men and women in offices, shopping malls, supermarkets, hair salons. They're clean, pure love stories, with good-looking actors and actresses that talk about family situations and true-to-life things."

Honolulu Star-Bulletin , July 11, 2004

"Korean TV dramas draw more than 20% of Japanese households some nights, compared with 5% for ER."

USA TODAY, December 9, 2004

"These Korean mini-series have a common theme: beating the odds to find true love and happiness. But unlike their western counterparts, there is no sex in these dramas."

Financial Times, Dec 14, 2004

Why are Korean TV drama series so ADDICTING?:

1. Purely and emotionally portray love, friendship, tragedy, loyalty, respect, and general family values.
   
   
2. Highly romantic stories of people beating the odds to find and experience true happiness.
   
   
3. Relatively little violence and sex.
   
   
4. Cliffhangers, cliffhangers, and more cliffhangers from one episode to the next.
   
   
5. Each Korean TV mini-series refreshingly has an ending. No Season 2, no sequels, etc. Most series are between 10-20 episodes (each episode = 60 minutes).
   
   
6. Korean actors and actresses are BEAUTIFUL people.
   
   
7. Beautiful (and unforgettable) musical scores.
   

Emails from the Fans:

Michele, California

Just yesterday I was sharing my opinion about the Korean dramas. I stated that while I know these are all just stories , they have to be based on factual occurrences. The respect toward family members... the lack of ME ME ME being the all important focus... the credible story lines... and little things that come to me as I continue to enjoy this little well-kept secret. Bless you in your efforts in continuing to draw us non-Koreans into the treasured Korean culture.

Kathleen, Illinois

It's the family appeal that the stories portray. The storylines show themes like friendship, the importance of family and their values, compassion and love. Male and female actors show that it's okay to show emotion like sadness and grief, especially scenes showing crying. Too many american shows have way too much violence, sex and foul language. Most Korean dramas don't need to use steamy scenes or excessive violence to tell a story.

Sharon, Hawaii

One day about 5 years ago there was nothing good on television. I flipped through all the channels and landed on a Korean drama that had (English) sub-titles. I found it very interesting and the music was really good. I just started watching daily and when it ended I jumped into the next one. I found myself wanting to see more than just 30 mins a day. I liked that the shows did not have the graphic violence and sexual content that we have in this country. There was an air of innocence to the shows. It reminded me of the kind of TV I watched as a kid. I also liked learning about another culture. The more I watched the more I grew to appreciate the Korean people.

Judy, California

I like Korean TV dramas for the following reasons:

1. They have a good storyline, it is not dragging, after you finished one episode, you want to go to the next one right away, I guess they know how to put you in a cliffhanger.
2. Most Korean TV dramas has good moral standard, they show you the importance of respecting your parents, they don't promote pre-marital sex, it is a good family show.
3. The stories are always romantic, they remind you of your first crush, first love, first kiss, unrequited love, etc. The men in the story know how to capture the heart of the female audience.
4. Koreans actors and actresses are very good looking.
5. The acting is very good, they portray the role/part with emotion.
6. I love the music/OST.

Maple Leaf, Canada

With all the crap TV shows here in the US, the major US networks (especially FOX) sure miss a lot of us who don't want to see people getting their heads blown off or having sex every night. I borrowed a Korean TV drama DVD from a friend one night (Rooftop Room Cat). I watched the first episode then the second, then the third pretty soon it was 2:00am and I was so sad that I had to go to bed. I wanted to watch all 16 episodes all at once! I think I finished all 16 episodes in 5 days. Those 5 days in early 2004 will forever be an enjoyable event I will remember for the rest of my life. I even found the soundtrack CD for this Rooftop drama and play it in my car all the time and I think back to those great 5 days. I know it sounds weird, but the actors, plot, and music all captivated me. I get goose bumps just writing about it.

Kay, CA

My wife and I continually seek alternative TV programming and by "surfing" through TV channels it was our good fortune to find Korean TV dramas with English subtitles. We are, as you may guess non-Korean.
We find the acting and storylines to be superb. I believe the reasons we have enjoyed dramas such as these is that they demonstrate true family values and a real sense of pride in their positions in life. This is something that lacks in many US dramas.
In addition, we find the actors, no matter if performing major or minor roles, to be quite sincere in their efforts And that applies whether it is a dramatically serious role or one of a comedic nature.
We salute them all!

Ed

I just love the stories that the dramas have. They do become addicting and it's not a never ending drama like the ones in the US. The Koreans seem to just do a better job at it than others because they really know how to make a story interesting. I purely watch it for the story and the characters and the people who play them. It's really entertaining to watch. I also enjoy the fact that I can buy them and I know it will be worth it.

Don

Hi. I have been watching Korean Dramas for a few years. The first one I watched was Home Sweet Home. I loved it. It was a secret addiction. Then after it was over I was devastated. Being the white American I am, I can't read Korean so I used WorldLingo to find out about my favorite show. Basically we love Korean dramas. We love how they have a beginning, and an end. They develop characters, they establish plot, they make you laugh and cry and they don't throw things out you to grab ratings. Because of these we even listen to k-pop now and I like Asian culture so much now I'm taking Japanese, my school doesn't offer Korean. I have also decided to retire in South Korea or Japan, they love old people there, in America, old people are treated terrible. But you help bring subtitles to me so thank you very much. Keep up the good work.

Nikole, Los Angeles CA

I soon discovered the beauty of not only the Korean way of life, but also the beauty of Korean women. Korean dramas are more on the emotional side and I think a lot of people are watching them because in America most of what you see is sex and violence on TV. You don't see that much in Korean dramas which are more focused on the story and characters. I think that you feel more for the characters because of this. Please keep the Korean wave alive in America.

Craig, Hawaii

I got hooked on my first Korean drama 3 years ago. It took about 2 days of me watching I was addicted. Even though the Korean and western cultures differ in so many ways, for whatever reason the dramas just seemed so much more real to me. We've picked up some Korean language and even have found a Korean restaurant that we frequent. I bought a rice cooker. We have watched many shows, seen many Korean movies, and have even now discovered Korean pop music. We hope to vacation in Korea sometime in the future. It's pretty amazing how much watching a couple of nights of a Korean soap could so drastically change what we do and watch in our free time. And we love Kimchi! Korean Drama's rock!

Robert, WA

I just want to share simply that English subtitled Korean dramas have brought a renewed interest to family values (reverence to elders) and South Korea as a country. Watching a variety of (subtitled) TV drama genres enhances my appreciation of South Korea where my father, an American soldier, fought to bring freedom to the country.

Doreen

I became fascinated by the (Korean) language. Understanding the culture is taking longer, given the basic differences between East and West. Still, I have a much greater appreciation for eastern cultures now. I have to admit, though, that I thought the first Korean drama I watched was hilarious and maddening, so I continued to watch after that one ended (don't know it's name--about 5 years ago now). I've since learned that complicated plots full of pathos and high drama are standard. Korean writers seem to know how to write cliff-hangers, so you have to keep coming back to see what happens. I do appreciate the general lack of violence and explicit sex.

I have purchased several Korean drama DVDs, Rooftop Room Cat and Damo. The English subs for Damo were very well done as was the accompanying narrative.

Dee Dee

A friend gave me "Love Letter" for Christmas. I never thought I would be addicted to Korean TV shows. I couldn't stop watching it. In fact, I had to watch the final 5 episodes one right after the other to see how it ended (5 hours straight!)! I loved the music in the show. It was in my head for weeks after I finished the final episode (episode 16). Hmmm. Which Korean TV show should I watch next?

Sienna, CA

Korean dramas seem to fill a need although I must say, a need I was not aware of until I stumbled accidentally onto my first TV sighting. The Korean drama seems to have everything that triggers a person's emotions from love, to envy, to greed, to power, to obedience, friendship, tragedy, happiness, sorrow, hate, anger, etc. you name it, it will pop up at one time or another. But, those faces, of male and female are sure wonderful to view and sigh over!

The knowledge of another culture too, is what makes each segment enticing to view. There is always something new to learn and understand. To see the intricacies of the Korean mind at work within the family structure, within the community then extending outwards to those not of the same racial extraction is a thing to ponder.

What I find satisfying and heart lifting is the way the family unit is structured to give respect to elders. No matter what, parents are supposedly always in charge. That was wonderful to reflect on given today's society especially in the United States. We could learn from that! Grandparents too are given total devotion and attention something sadly eroding in our American society.

I love the fact that the dramas do not go on and on and on and since most of them end before number 20, that is great! Another thing I like about the format is the background music which sounds at times haunting and makes you melancholy at the right moments, romantic, but then, at other times, perks you up. Good luck and mahalo for all that you have done for us non-Koreans!

- wannabebutcannot be Koreanite, Hawaii

All "testimonials" above are used by permission.

To learn more about the Korean TV drama craze here in the US, click over to KoreanWiz.