Korean Dramas: A Guide For Newbies
The popularity of Korean dramas seems to be on the rise. Or maybe it’s just because I love them I notice how many other people do too. Most likely it’s a combination of the two. But if you truly want to know why they’re so popular, the best way to find out is to watch. However—there is an art to watching a K-drama.
How to Watch a K-Drama
Do you really need instructions? Yes. If you’re afraid or hesitant to jump in or if you want to make the most of your experience. First of all, there are English (and other language) subtitles. That means you have to do more than veg out while watching TV. But now you can legit say you do a lot of reading. Give a K-drama three to four episodes before you bail. I have wanted to bail but forced myself to watch through episode three and then never looked back. You can tell someone you stayed up all night reading with a subtle wink. Be sure to adjust the format of the subtitles to a style you like. Korean dramas are generally one “season” long and most have 12 to 20 episodes. Don’t be surprised if there comes a time you start watching in the evening only to hear the birds chirping before you go to sleep.
Dubbed or Subbed?
Some K-dramas will have a dubbed version and you may be tempted to take the easy route—but tell me which of your favorite shows or movies you’d recommend a foreign speaker to watch a dubbed version instead of the subtitled? Exactly. Unless you have a visual impairment or a reading disability you should watch with subtitles. Even if you don’t know Korean you get so much from hearing the inflections of the original actors which is just not the same in a dubbed version. Side benefit, you’ll start to pick up a few Korean words and phrases so you can also tell folks you’re learning to speak another language.
Don’t Be Afraid to Use ‘Pause’ and ‘Rewind’
When subtitles are involved you need to pay extra close attention because you can’t understand the dialogue you’re hearing—yet. Keep in mind the pause and rewind buttons are your friends because sometimes you’ll need them when you can’t read fast enough (it gets better).
Mute All Distractions
You shouldn’t be reading text messages, or scrolling on Facebook, IG, TikTok, or Twitter. Don’t get up to get a snack without pausing because unlike your native language shows you won’t be able to just keep listening and you never know what you may have missed. When my sister-friend (who has been watching K-dramas way longer than me) was watching Crash Landing On You I asked her what she thought of the boat scene but she had no idea what I was talking about because she didn’t pause when she went to grab a snack from the frig. When she went back and watched the scene she missed she loved it (because of all the scenes to miss you can’t miss the boat scene!) and said she needs to start using the pause button.
~ How K-Dramas Changed My Life ~
Where To Watch
Netflix has a growing selection of Korean dramas and movies but if you’re like me and find yourself wanting to see earlier K-dramas and movies that actors like Hyun Bin, Son -Ye-jin, Lee Min-ho, Kim Go-Eun, and Park Seo-Jun have done previously, you won’t find more than a few years back on Netflix.
Viki is the second place I go but probably where I’ve watched the most because they have so much more content than Netflix. Viki has a free version if you can put up with constant ads. I finally gave up, did the free 7-day trial, and then opted in for the monthly Viki Pass Plus ($9.99 per month or $99.99 annually). They also have a standard pass ($4.99 per month or $49.99 annually) but it has fewer shows available and you sometimes have to wait longer to access new releases.
Viki Standard Pass
HD & No Ads
Early Access to Select Hits Available in Your Region
Delayed Access to New Shows from Plus
Movies (some have a rental fee)
Viki Plus Pass
HD & No Ads
Unlimited Access to ALL Shows Available in Your Region
No Waiting! Watch ALL New Shows Immediately
Movies (some have a rental fee)
Everyone is getting into the K-drama game. You’ll find them on Netflix, Viki, Disney+, Amazon Prime, or Hulu. Sometimes the same K-drama is on multiple streaming platforms.
On Viki, there are three extra episodes for Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (aka Goblin) featuring behind-the-scenes clips and a special director’s cut. Netflix doesn’t have the extra episodes for shows that air on Korean TV where the series originated. FYI, Netflix calls many of their K-dramas original series but the majority are just licensed to be streamed via NetFlix but originally aired on various broadcast stations in Korea.
So, are you into K-dramas? Leave me a comment and tell me your favorites.
K-drama Newbies Check These Out
All around drama
Drama, humor, mystery, action, romance, intrigue
Initially, I found Yoon Se-ri’s spoiled rich girl to be a bit of a turn-off
Give it 3-4 episodes before you bail is my steadfast rule when starting a new K-drama
Strong Ensemble cast with great character development
Revenge drama but not typically what you might correlate with revenge
Modern: appeals to a younger audience
Diverse characters with a strong ensemble cast
Guardian: The Lonely & Great God (aka Goblin)
All around drama
Humor, action, mystery, romance, history
Strong ensemble cast that stands the test of time
OG bromance
Classic for K-drama enthusiasts
Action, thriller drama
If you haven’t already discovered Ji Chang-Wook, this is a good place to start
One of my top two Park Min-Young dramas (What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim is the other)
Revenge drama
Mystery, past lives, modern history
Thriller drama
Everyone I’ve introduced to this drama loves the lead actor Lee Joong-gi
This is a mystery thriller with lots of twists
This drama features the singer Rain as a top surgeon and he nails the character
One of the best K-drama bromances
Sci-Fi drama
Fantasy drama set in the Joseon period
