So, I am not new to K-Drama. Back in 2008, my dad was one of those rare species who opted for the Sarkari DTH when India was catching up on the concept of cable TV. Though DTH (Direct To Home) didn't provide most of the popular channels but fortunately for me, it aired KBS2. Indian Govt. had thankfully entered into a contract with the Korean Broadcasting Network to air their Drama Channel. This contract they did end within the next year over some fee problem (we signed lot of petitions, via Orkut to bring it back though; none of them worked of course but it did show how many fans there are in our country), but before it went off air, it opened a new horizon for me. The world of South Korean Dramas. I first fell in love with it by the sheer clarity of the picture. And also, by the beauty of the people on screen. And then came the moment when I fell in love with the concept of K-drama for the rest of my life (another similar moment in my life was when I first discovered the world of Mills n Boon).
Like millions of others, I started watching the series variously known as Hana Yori Dango or Boys Over Flowers or Boys Before Flowers. And that was the time I fell in love with Yoon Ji Hu aka Kim Hyun Joong (though I wouldn't find out his name up until very recently or unearth the fact that he is one of the Hallyu Stars).
So, BOF changed my life and suddenly I found that TV drama can be a very creative place ( Ekta Kapoor wave was going strong then) and that beautiful people existed to the east of our country (I hadn't had much exposure to that portion of the world before). K-dramas have Indian sensibility and that perfect romantic take of stuff that we girls absolutely die for and dream like crazy to happen in our own lives. And also, that the concept of Flower Boys can be actually very attractive. I am going out on a limb here and assuming that not all girls die for masculine men only. Though I consider Hrithik Roshan to be my one and only love at first sight, but I tell you, I used to spend a couple hours in front of the TV, trying desperately to ignore the vitriolic comments of my parents (I was between jobs then) just to get a glimpse of Kim Hyun Joong. And then a phase when I watched and read almost everything on Bi (Rain).
After that a lot of full moons have passed over Seoul, but my love for K-dramas hasn't diminished, nor will it ever. An avid reader of Mills n Boon for 11 years now, I can claim that.
Recently, I have also started following the K-Pop Idols. Wish they hadn't throttled the Indian version of it in its nascent stage back in early 2000s. Would have been really cute and an alternative from the Bollywood music. I can't bear to listen to the songs now. Guess everybody is tired- the musicians, lyricists and the singers. Nothing new or worth listening to seem to come out of them now-a-days.
Anyways, I don't know if any of my FB friends are K-PoPers. But people tired of never ending and often illiogical and repetitive Indian TV dramas, I'd ask you to seriously consider switching over to K-dramas. I guarantee that you'll not be disappointed. Krom, my next post will be dedicated on the best dramas I have watched, from an Indian's point of view. And also the artists that I think are pretty cool. Till then, Anyoung Haseyo!
Here's just a teaser:
Boys Over Flowers (2009)
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Personal Taste (2010)
Coffee Prince (2007)
