GOING KOREAN

KOREAN drama series are very addictive they said. I didn't know what they meant. UNTIL.

Because of the many cold rainy days, I decided to watch one series. Any excuse to explain this queer addiction. And so I am hooked!

Why are the episodes so engaging?

I must justify this binge.

1. The Complete Story

Nothing in any episode happens at random. There is a beginning, a middle part and a conclusion. Even if a character appears in episode 4 and disappears for the rest of the episodes, he will definitely reappear as part of the plot, even if it is in the last episode. When things become complicated, you can rest assure that there is a proper explanation by the time the series ends. The number of episodes is just right: 16 - 20 approximately. You can cry or laugh but you know you just have to go through this number of episodes. Nothing drags on. There are some western series that just go on and on until the plot becomes so ridiculous, just because the producer needs to generate so many episodes to please the audience and of course to make money.

2. Soundtrack

I've never really listened to any Korean song before but the Korean drama soundtracks are so engaging. I go away humming the tunes in my brain.  Then I google the tunes on Youtube to see the lyrics in both Korean and English. I must say I have it bad. Of course the actors and actresses are just eye candy and I wonder how they can have such unreal porcelain-looking skin. Plenty of make up, photoshop or amazing lighting, I console myself.

3. Values

I can simply identify with the Asian values. My parents taught me those values and I practise them. I find it so refreshing especially when the bar has been set so low nowadays. There are different genres. I love the ones done in the Joseon dynasty most of all. Yes, I have to google the Joseon dynasty and learn about its meticulous history record keeping techniques, why the eunuchs can have wives and adopt children and the dynasty's relationship with the Ming dynasty. I love history so that suits me fine.

4. Food

There's always plenty of food around. Not big plates that make you overeat but dainty little servings. We went to Kimchi school in Seoul and suddenly I felt that kind of kinship with the preparation of those delicious morsels of food.

5. Love and language

But the best part is the portrayal of love. We are bombarded with plenty of lust and sex in the everyday media whereby a meeting of 2 individuals who feel a 'connection' almost certainly end up in bed in the next scene. Korean dramas just make watching a love relationship delightful. We may have to plough through 8 episodes for a single kiss or a holding of hands. It's the suspense and waiting that makes it more alluring and worthwhile. 

I can't find fault with the language either even though I only read the subtitles. The moment I finish watching an episode and revert to a normal tv programme, I can almost immediately hear foul language and curses whether it is an office scene, a family scene or a lover's quarrel. Lots of yelling to boot.

KOREAN drama series are very addictive they said.

I have just finished one series and I can't wait to start another. Maybe when summer comes and I can spend more hours outdoors, I may be weaned off them. But then again, who cares? 

This is the beauty of hard earned retirement.