If you turn your phone off between 7 and 10:30 every night to watch Korean TV, you may be a Korean drama addict.
If you start to greet people by saying “anyeonghasaeyo,” you may be a Korean drama addict.
If you know what’s on sale at Palama Market every week, you may be a Korean drama addict.
The Korean drama phenomenon is certainly not new in Hawaii, but its popularity has grown significantly in the past few years. Hallyu (or the “Korean wave”) has never been stronger, with not only dramas gaining worldwide popularity, but also K-pop music, which even has a local FM radio station dedicated to it, the only one in the nation.
The Internet and multiple cable channels that broadcast K-dramas have also contributed to the growing number of addicts. But the addiction is not for just the shows. Fans are now taking Korean classes, singing Korean songs and taking trips to Korea to become more familiar with the culture they’ve come to love.
So what is it exactly about these dramas that hook audiences? After all, aren’t they all the same? Love triangles, forbidden relationships among classes, fatal diseases, comedy bordering on slapstick — most, if not all, dramas usually have some combination of these. Fans say it’s the story lines, as well as the actors, that draw them in. Beautiful people doing beautiful things. How can you not watch?
Jeff Chung, General Manager of KBFD TV, which broadcasts the dramas, says his audience is approximately a third local Japanese, and that three out of four viewers are female. So if you’re hoping to get in touch with a Japanese female during primetime, she may be at home watching her favorite K-drama… and doesn’t want to be bothered.
Here’s a look at five local K-drama addicts and also a mini-guide for beginners who want to dive in but don’t know where to start.
Bruce Watson and Lyndi Emoto (2 of 11)
Bruce Watson, 37, and Lyndi Emoto, 26, are both speech pathologists, but that's not the only thing they have in common. Both are avid K-drama fans too. Bruce, who speaks Korean, has been a longtime fan, while Lyndi has only been watching for the past two years, but finds that it gives her something to talk about with co-workers and friends.
Bruce WatsonHow long have you been watching Korean dramas?
Nineteen years.
What are your favorite ones?
"Thank You," "Kimchi Family," ""The Greatest Love," "Dream High," "What's Up."
Who are your favorite actors/actresses? I don't know their names, I just pay attention to the story.
How many hours a week do you watch K-dramas?
Four to six hours.
How do you watch them?
On the Internet and on my iPhone or iPad.
What appeals to you most?
Good family friendly stories that don't overstay their welcome. They end after 20 or so episodes, so you're sad to see them go.
Lyndi Emoto
What are your favorites?
"The Grand Chef," "My Lovely Samsoon," "Thank You."
Who are your favorite actors?
Kim Rae Won.
And actresses?
Choi Ji Woo.
How many hours a week do you spend watching K-dramas?
Two to four hours.
How do you watch them?
TV or DVD sets.
What appeals to you most?
I really enjoy how the actors and actresses are able to convey their emotions.
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Between 7 and 10:30, aren't you forgetting the 30 minute daily drama at 10:25? ;) lol It's pretty mind boggling how much interest in K-drama has grown over the last decade and into this one. Before, KBFD was one of the few sources in the world for K-dramas with English subtitles. Then in the 2000s official DVD sets with English subtitles and "fansubs" started to come out. Now there's streaming video with DramaFever, Mysoju, Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix even has a few dramas in their lineup as well. Sites like DramaFever also acquire rights to air some dramas at the same time as it does in Korea. Pretty amazing. Guess the "Hallyu" is still rolling along!
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