They also tend to consist of more PG-friendly fare than western TV shows (nudity and sex are practically nonexistent, for example), rendering K-dramas more palatable for a wider range of age groups and countries, especially those that are more socially conservative. K-dramas are generally known for having high production value, intense and often engrossing storylines, and quality acting that helps build an emotional connection between the characters and the audience. Most consist of a finite number of episodes (often between 16 and 24, though some-especially family-oriented and historical dramas-run for 50-plus) and are usually completed in a single season, with a few notable exceptions (more on that later). Sometimes they’re referred to as Korean soap operas, but that description is misleading because K-dramas actually encompass a wide range of genres, from sci-fi and romance to horror and period pieces and everything in between. And as viewers ran out of shows to watch, many of them stumbled upon Korean dramas-and have been hooked ever since.įor the unacquainted, Korean dramas-K-dramas for short-are South Korean scripted TV shows.

becoming the top importer of Korean food in 2020, while Korean food trends like mukbang and dalgona coffee provided welcome quarantine distractions. Korean food exports-greatly boosted by social media posts from Asian celebrities and the popularity of the film Parasite- hit a record high, with the U.S. K-pop artists such as BTS and Blackpink became household names as people spent more time online. And perhaps no country has shone brighter in the global spotlight over the past year and a half than South Korea.

When the pandemic brought international travel to a halt and forced the nation to shelter in place, many leaned on entertainment to explore the world beyond the confines of their homes.

This week, ELLE celebrates the K-World we’re all living in. South Korea has quietly become Hollywood’s biggest competitor, churning out wildly popular music, TV dramas, and beauty and fashion trends with global appeal.

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