K-drama problems: Tumbling down the rabbit hole

232 November 25, 2019July 16, 2023

by missvictrix

It’s always been interesting to me that K-drama lovers are always very cognizant of their point of entry — i.e., everyone has asked herself at some point, “How did I fall down this rabbit hole, exactly?”

It turns out that the Alice in Wonderland metaphor is perfect in many ways, and not just because it tells the tale of a girl falling (literally) into a new dimension. It’s also about a girl who encounters a world that’s unlike her own, that has different rules, operates under different constraints, and is a little bit “mad”!

Does this sound at all like when you fell headlong into dramas? Some of us were lucky enough to have dramas a part of our lives and culture, but for many of us, we discovered or got into dramas independently. Whether it was like drinking a love potion or falling down a tunnel of twisted logic, dramaland is where we wound up.

My own fall down the rabbit hole is completely mundane. So mundane, in fact, that I often think how strange it is that minor turns of events wound up opening so many doors for me, and affording me so much enjoyment.

Pre-K-drama me was working a small job in a big company in an even bigger city. One summer our office employed a high school intern who, in addition to helping me catalog a huge collection, kept obliquely referring to this show she was watching. It was this popular Korean TV show called Boys Before Flowers, ever heard of it? Well, everyone in her class was watching it. And week after week she kept mentioning the show to me, telling me bits of the plot — and yes, even showing me her cellphone wallpaper featuring Lee Min-ho. Perm, fur coat, and smirk included.

Why did I resist watching this show so much at first? I really don’t know. When I finally succumbed, it was months later when I had just moved to an apartment on my own. If you’ve never lived alone before, it can be odd at first, and awfully quiet. That strange Korean drama title stayed lodged in my head, though, and long story short, I located it online (I don’t even remember how) and began to watch it in the solitude of my tiny living room. All it took was one episode for me to be confused, intrigued — and completely addicted.

Boys Before Flowers wound up keeping me company as I settled into my new home. This is partly why, now and forever, a) a tiny fragment of Lee Min-ho will always be mine; and b) why K-dramas became like a friend to me. Also medicine, but most usually a friend. It wasn’t till ages later that I learned Boys Before Flowers was actually an infamous “gateway drama” for many viewers, and was responsible for creating many avid K-drama fans besides me.

What do you do when you’re a drama novice, and you’ve just made it through a drama like Boys Before Flowers? After a brief recovery period, your thoughts might do something like this, as mine did: Okay, that was actually fun. And I kind of want more. But surely that was a one-off event. All K-dramas can’t be that wacky and addictive and fun. That drama was an outlier, right? I’ll go back to watching my serious and depressing indie films now.

Nope. I might have tried, but there was something that I was missing. With my first K-drama, I had experienced some of the most joyful and fun entertainment I had since watching TV shows as a kid. Sure enough, dramaland called me back.

When you’re new to dramaland, and know very little about how it works, it’s a good enough method to follow the drama breadcrumbs left by an unsuspecting participant — like Lee-Min-ho for instance. What else has he been in? City Hunter? Hmm, what’s that, I wondered. I probably won’t like it.

Wrong again. City Hunter was it. It solidified the very serious notion that I had found my PLACE, and it was full of stories and storytelling that I could love forever. I realized, with only two dramas under my belt, that I had accidentally stumbled upon a lost city of Atlantis. Except it wasn’t lost. It was alive and thriving and bursting with new stories on an alarmingly rapid basis.

City Hunter, I quickly learned, was actually a way better measuring stick for what I could expect from K-dramas as a genre. Maybe not as hare-brained as Boys Before Flowers was, but infinitely enjoyable, and full of all those things I have come to love the most about dramaland, from the tropes to the humor to the worldview.

As you might have imagined (or experienced for yourself), after City Hunter, it was downhill (as in down the rabbit hole) from there. Actors led me to new dramas, which led me to the wider drama industry, and hungrily looking for a place to talk about them and learn more, I stumbled upon Dramabeans. ♥

From there it blossomed into the geekfest that most Beanies can easily relate to. Whether it’s priding yourself on knowing which dramas are airing on which networks at any given moment, knowing what’s coming up and who’s starring in it, or curating a fine To Be Watched list and building a reservoir of drama knowledge — it’s all a part of tumbling into dramaland.

I’ve come a long way from my clueless newbie Boys Before Flowers days, and the way I interact with dramas has changed a bit, too. My expectations (read: demands on a drama’s quality) are not only well-established, but I’m more judicious about the time I’ll spend watching a drama, too. I’ve seen some of the best, along with some of the worst. I’ve logged a lot of drama hours at both ends of the spectrum, and learned a lot in the process. I might even have some secret frequent flier miles by now.

But while a lot has changed, a lot has stayed the same. I still love this crazy place called dramaland. Even after all these years, it’s still my secret oasis of storytelling fun. Because an oasis is exactly where it feels like I ended up, after that long tumble down the rabbit hole and into dramaland.

232

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51 Toyin

November 26, 2019 at 2:01 PM

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52 Toyin

November 26, 2019 at 2:09 PM

I can soooo relate! This is like my story. My classmates back in secondary school (that's what we call high school here in Nigeria) kept yammering on and on about Boys Over/Before Flowers. I didn't pay much attention until I visited a neighbor and watched an episode and boy, was I sucked in??!!

Thinking back, it's one of the least logical kdramas I've seen, but it has a feel good feeling, so much I actually came back to read the recaps all over again here today (for like the 3rd time) on Dramabeans.

BTW, you guys are awesome. I have this weird habit of watching a whole series AND then coming here to read the recaps, because I want to relive the moments and get interesting perspectives. When I can't access the other episodes of an ongoing series on time, or I can't decide if a new one is worth my time, I come here hoping it is on your recap list. So this site has contributed to my "rabbit hole journey" too. I can't wait to get started on My Love From Another Star and I Hear Your Voice again (for the umpteenth time!).

Like you, one drama led me to another, though mine was more inclined towards Kim Hyun Joong (I still cringe at Playful Kiss, lol). And then we had this community on facebook with members from different parts of the world where we would update one another on the latest dramas and K-pop news, and leave cute comments (in Hangul) on one another's posts. The joy!

It's been a very interesting journey, I must say.

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books7time

November 26, 2019 at 6:39 PM

I am up for an umpteenth watch of I Hear Your Voice!
I can only echo your comments about Dramabeans. There is no way I would be abel to enjoy and understand Kdramas without these wonderful people.

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53 Sol Giménez

November 26, 2019 at 6:22 PM

I can relate 100% to everything you wrote "Alice in Wonderland / Dramaland" sums up all the things I felt (with some changes) about this happy place for me, it makes me feel a little nostalgic, so thank you!

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54 books7time

November 26, 2019 at 6:35 PM

"Oasis" and "rabbit hole" are perfect descriptors, @missvictrix.
Thank you for writing this piece.
Thinking back on your first drama is so fun. Though I feel I should duck my head in shame since my first Kdrama was Playful Kiss. I discovered there was such a thing as Asian dramas on Netflix and my world was changed. I had not seen anything like it before! I was at once lost (Oh Ha Ni's hair for one) and hooked (sweet romance in a beautiful language). I certainly did not have the discernment I have now and could enjoy this drama (and the other adaptations) with rosy, unfocused glasses.
The first Kdrama that had me hook, line, and sinker was I Hear Your Voice. And now I am forever a Lee Jong Suk fan.
The wonderful thing is that I feel like I was made for KDramas (and other Asian dramas). It is like I discovered Cinderella's shoe and realized I was Cinderella: the shoe fit perfectly.

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55 books7time

November 26, 2019 at 6:37 PM

I am so happy to see Sassy Go, Go in your piece @missvictrix!

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missvictrix

November 27, 2019 at 2:39 PM

@books7time Such a favorite!!

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56 Debi from kdrama and ramen

November 26, 2019 at 11:31 PM

My first kdrama was Oh, My Venus, which is probably a strange choice, but it just kind of happened. But Boys Over Flowers was my second drama, and like you, it was the one that pulled me in. And Lee Min-Ho will always be my favorite because of it. A couple years later and I am loving this Wonderland I’ve stumbled into and I can’t wait to see where the journey takes me next. Bring on the next drama.

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OldLawyer

November 28, 2019 at 1:03 PM

OH, MY VENUS is an excellent introduction to Kdrama.

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57 parkchuna 🍉

November 27, 2019 at 4:06 AM

Am I even a k-drama fan if I've never watched Boys Over Flowers? Or any of the oft-mentioned classics like City Hunter, Moon Embracing the Sun, Secret Garden to name a few.. Anyway, I started with My Girl, then watched all Lee Dong Wook's work that I could find then (which was not much but included Hanoi Bride, lol). Then i stuck to J & K movies (by borrowing dvds from friends), only picking up dramas later when i discovered them on not so legal sites *ehem*. The disappointment of not finding subs is real guys..

I don't remember how i stumbled upon DB, but i was SO happy when i found it, it felt like coming home to a place where it's OK and most welcomed for you to obsess over a drama <3

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Ms. Rabbit 🐇

November 27, 2019 at 4:10 AM

My Girl is pretty classic too. My roommate used to have it on replay every night. 🤪

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parkchuna 🍉

November 27, 2019 at 5:34 AM

oh yeah..that was my go to re-watch, back when i didn't have a pending-to-watch list. Hahaha..

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blessingwind

November 27, 2019 at 9:48 AM

Same. My girl was the literally the drama which led me down the k-dramaland rabbit hole. My girl is one of the best 10 k-dramas of all time. Lee dong wook was so damn hot and handsome back then. He is still now now, but i feel he has become more skinnier now than before and make him look a bit ghastly in some scenes.
Lee Da Hae was such a good actress. I miss her onscreen. The chemistry between her and Lee dong wook is such a treat to watch.
And finally the one of the most heartbreaking love triangle was in this drama. Lee Jun ki made me cry so much and i even prayed that he gets the lead girl in his other dramas.

And not to forget on the soundtrack of this drama. Each and every song either makes you cry your heart our or you make you smile all the way.

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parkchuna 🍉

November 27, 2019 at 4:21 PM

Omo that OST, i used to play it all the time ( same case of being the only k-songs i knew then 😄). I agree w you on LDW being too skinny now, eat a bread or stg oppa! As for LJK, i remember thinking he cries so well for a guy, since i don’t think i’ve seen male actors shed such real tears before.

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58 Gijeog

November 27, 2019 at 5:15 AM

I'm Older woman, 62 year old. I starting watching Korean drama, movie and listening music for a while. Since when I had been through for depression.,in 2015. Well I never stopped watching drama, It's my therapy..I reflecting about single themes, the writer used

I love it, single historians, of Korea,even the actors..I'm glad when some don't working...those when I start watching drama

Thx

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59 Rene019

November 27, 2019 at 6:03 AM

I am also addicted to the dramas...favourite actors include Sung Hoon, So Ji Sub, Ji Chang-Wook, Lee Min-Ho and many.... many more. I am really addicted. I am from South Africa so we have DSTV (Lots of movies from America) and Netflix..So I get to watch all my Asian dramas on Netflix, YouTube and some websites that have them and it has English subtitles. I am in love... what can I say Korean guys are HOT!!!!😍

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60 OppaC

November 27, 2019 at 9:53 AM

Someone mentioned Buffy earlier and that’s probably the start for me. Not a drama per se, but I got totally invested in the characters for a long time (and frustrated by the problems inherent in trying to keep a narrative going for 7 years...something that I find appealing about the K-drama format is avoiding that problem with - usually - a limited timeline). Reading about Buffy on line led me to a clip of Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, which I then read about in the New York Times of all places, and so I figured, hey, let’s try that out. I’m a sentimentalist at heart and this just sucked me in along with the just different feel of it all (compared to US tv). Then came “Let’s Eat” and that was that. A couple of years later and I’ve finally finished “Let’s Eat 2”, which leading to the third “season” is sort of an abject lesson in how you can love something even if flawed. Now I’m always working through 1-2 at a time.

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books7time

November 27, 2019 at 10:12 AM

Oooh, I just found the "Let's Eat" series and fell for the charming, quirky Dae Yong. And that is all to the credit of Yoon Doo Joon. :)

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61 Korean Drama Lover

November 27, 2019 at 1:50 PM

Just wanted to share!
My very 1st Korean Drama was Full House. It was a very sweet and funny drama. Every episode had its own charm. I was also intrested in Korean food from this drama too. I even learned the three bear song. Overall it was a very nice experience. This was in 2007. AND I WAS HOOKED!!!!

I am still watching Korean dramas. But these days I filter them. Some get boring halfway (ep8- cursed episode lol) and with some I can’t get past the first episode.

Overall, I find that the Korean dramas are very special (to me). I can’t get the same enjoyment from watching an American or any other shows.

I guess I will never stop watching Kdramas then.

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Tizzy

November 27, 2019 at 11:05 PM

I agree with everything you said. Full House was also one of my earlier dramas. I really loved it but the premise is just illogical. How is it possible for people to sell somebody else’s house. Don’t they have escrow or something in Korea? Just thought about it, LOL.

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62 ar_arguably romantic

November 27, 2019 at 6:22 PM

I think Full House was my first drama. I can't quite remember where I watched it, but it was online, had bad video quality, had bad sound quality, and no subtitles. I did watch it like months or a year after it aired, so I was able to find some recaps and discussions online. I loved the music to it and have the soundtrack. I think I revisited some parts of it in the intervening years and realized how terrible and juvenile the characters were. Funnily enough, just a few days ago, Full House started showing up on my recommendations. I poked my head in a couple of episodes and while I still found the 2nd female lead and the friends who sold the heroine's house still terrible, I came around to finding the OTP sort of cute again in a fond shake-my-head-those-kids! way. The OST still rocks.

Snow White/Taste Sweet Love was another early one. Kim Jung Hwa was obviously gorgeous behind those curls and glasses! Delightful Girl Chunhyang was also another early drama that I loved and watched several times over the years. Then it was My Name is Kim Samsoon and My Girl. So many fond memories!

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63 Tintel

November 28, 2019 at 7:48 AM

My first Kdrama was My Love from the Star. Trailer on a local channel got me interested, so I searched for it online. It was love at first drama for me!

I asked recommendations from friends who had gone down the rabbit hole before me, and they introduced me to the 'canon'--Princess Hours, Coffee Prince, and BOF. Of course, from BOF one has to tick practically every item in LMH's filmography. Can't really explain it but Personal Taste left an impression on me. That architect is my favorite of LMH's characters.

From romcom, I moved on to action (City Hunter, Healer) and full-on drama (uhm, Baker King, Secret Lover). But I still find myself going back to romcom. For me this is where the Kdrama magic really stands out.

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64 OldLawyer

November 28, 2019 at 12:50 PM

Life can take some unexpected paths. And one wonders about the road not taken as well: What if Miss Victrix had known that BOYS BEFORE FLOWERS was actually a re-make (a very good one) of the Japanese HANA YORI DANGO?

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65 Leslie

November 29, 2019 at 1:20 PM

My kdrama entry is also BOF. Lee Min Ho has become my forever "first love", he will stay in my heart to the rest of my life. I have lost interest in kdrama for a while, but I believe(and hope) Lee Min Ho's new drama The King will bring me back to the Rabbit Hole.

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