What Made K-dramas Blow Up?

     Korean dramas, or K-Drama for short, are the powerhouse of Korean media and influence, and their popularity has grown immensely over the years. As a Korean myself, I grew up religiously watching Korean dramas with my mom. We would sit in the living room and for hours, watch romance, mystery, and sometimes thriller K-Dramas together. As it was part of a tradition in my life to watch, I often was taken aback by how my non-Korean friends also grew up watching the same k-Dramas as I. I recall in middle school when I was asked about my favorite show. I had talked about a popular Kdrama at that time, and I remember one of my classmates expressing that they too also enjoyed watching it. Although Korean media was just starting to be consumed during my middle school days, the attraction to Korean dramas has boomed over recent years, as evidently so. There are several factors that contribute to the global popularity growth of Korean media:

Compelling Storylines:

     K-Dramas often feature many unique and engaging storylines that capture foreign watchers. The wide variety of various genres such as romance, drama, comedy, thriller, and fantasy also allows many different types of audiences to enjoy watching them regardless of the language barrier. 

Cultural Appeal (Kpop):

     Kpop is a widely popular genre in the music industry, especially after the boom of Kpop groups such as EXO, NEW JEANS, BLACKPINK, and BTS spreading into American media in recent years. For many Kpop fans, watching K-Dramas allows them to better connect with Korean culture, traditions, societal norms, and their favorite Kpop group. They serve as a window into the Korean world. Some also watch to learn the Korean language by using subtitles.

Romantic Themes: 

     Romance is a central theme in many K-Dramas, and the romantic relationships portrayed in these dramas often feature compelling and exhilarating chemistry between the lead characters. Fans, including myself, enjoy the romantic tension, heartfelt moments, and satisfying love stories shown in K-Dramas. One thing Koreans know how to do is make a heart race.

Fan Communities: 

     Social media platforms like TikTok have played an important role in the global spread of K-Dramas through the use of fan edits and communities. Fans create online communities based on their favorite dramas, actors, or storylines and share memes and fan art to connect with other viewers from around the world. This sense of community not only contributes to the growing popularity of K-Dramas, but it also enhances the viewing experience. 

Overall, Korean dramas have been seen more and more globally around the world every year. Growing up watching them, I am proud to see others enjoying watching them despite it being in a foreign language and different cultures. Although it may seem as if the popularity of K-Dramas have blown up, it was only a matter of time for people to discover the magic and entertainment of watching Korean dramas.