Asian Dramas' Logic 101

Welcome to class! Today's subject is about the logics that are used in Asian dramas! These factors are so common and often used that they have become the essential part of Asian dramas. Some are really annoying while some are hilarious ridiculous. So be open-minded that they are after all, fictional dramas. (And that it's from my perspective. Thanks!)

1. I'm the main female lead and I'm always poor. Like always.  

Boys Over Flowers -  Asian dramas' logic 101: Poor girls are
always average looking, cheery, delightful, and strong characters.
They're never materlistic or a money hungry person. A true angel by heart. 

Something I don't quite understand why Asian dramas always make the main female lead poor? Why Asia?! I've barely see any kdramas where it's the opposite way. Why can't female leads be smart, rich, or even a CEO of a company? My guess is that the Asian society/audience would rather watch and prefer a drama that have approachable female characters who aren't materialistic. But poor, really? I'm sure there are better ways to protray female characters on screen. Tired of this Cinderella story being reused in kdramas.

Cinderella set up: Heirs, Secert Garden, Princess Hours

Independent women lead: Protect the Boss, Princess Prosecutor, Take Care of the Young Lady, Dignity of a Gentleman

2. Did I forget my past? Oh no wait, it came back.

Stairway to Heaven - Asian dramas' logic 101: Memory

loss is a must to prove that love goes beyond the mind.  

Memory loss is just temporary and a great excuse to start over again.  Ohh, Asian dramas just love messing with people's memories. I don't like this unless there is actually a health reason. But the majority of the time, memory loss in kdrama makes it unromantic and super cheesy. Asian drama writers needs to come up with a better plot twist then making someone forget his/her past. It is over used and tiring to watch people make weird faces as they try to reconnect their past memories.

Memory loss: Secret Garden, Boys Over Flowers, Stairway to Heaven, Innocent Man, Couple or Trouble, Winter Sonata

3. If you take off your glasses, it'll instantly make you look 10x prettier. (0-0) = ugly?

Fated To Love You - Asian dramas' logic 101: If you take off your glasses,

you'll end up looking like a much better version of yourself.

This one is something that occurs in all kinds of dramas from Korea, China, and all the above. I don't see how taking off your glasses makes you look better. Sometimes, people look better with glasses, you know? Besides, what's wrong with a nerdy/smart/quirky looking man/woman? Asian dramas need to keep their characters with glasses on.

Glasses characters: Fated To Love You (both Chinese and Korean ver.), Hi My Sweetheart (Tawainese)

4. Accidents are happening everywhere in Asia to the point it's hitting the actors/actresses! OMG...(-_-)

Shut Up Flower Boy Band -  Asian dramas' logic 101:
Random cars always hits hot

 people all the time, ya' know. Expect it.

How annoying is that in a lot of Asian dramas the main guy/girl always getting hit by a freaking car/truck. I'm sure there are better ideas to get them into accidents besides getting hit by a fast running vehicle. Do people in Asian dramas not understand the concept of waiting for your turn to walk? Even if you're overly emotionally, you just don't go running towards cars! Hello-er! Please, drama writers, will ya put some sense into your characters? Stop getting them into accidents.

Horriable car accident in kdrama: Shut Up Flower Boy Band, Boys Over Flowers, Stairway to Heaven

5. Guys forcfully grabs girls' wrists vice versa. WHaAaaa-? (0-o)

Secert Garden -  Asian dramas' logic 101: Okay, so is this necessary?

Yes, it is because that's the only way to do things.

Okay, this one makes me want to laugh because it's hilaious how the women/men just follows as they're being dragged by the wrist. Do people even do this? (I doubt that.) But any woman/man who lets a man/woman do that to her/him should give her/him a big fat slap. Ain't nobody just going to walk along if you grab their wrist like that. I mean, there are other ways to handle it.

man-forcefully-grab-woman's-wrist: Secert Garden, Boys Over Flower, Heirs

6. Nice guys do really finish last...at least in Asian dramas.

To the Beautiful You - Asian dramas' logic 101:

Friend zone (to the max) are for the caring and nice guys.

According to Asian dramas, women only likes "cold, ignorrant guy but soft-hearted inside who treat them like crap at first then later opens up and shows romanctic affections but still maintain his manliness"? As if such horrible guy would even get a girl unless of course, he's super rich. But hey, if you're too nice in a Asian drama, you're automatically FRIEND ZONE. So make sure you act like a total jerk because women loves that.

Friend zoned guys: Boys Over Flower, You Are Beautiful, Princess Hours, To the Beautiful You

7. Woman can be disguised as guys or at least look convincing.  



Sungkyunkwan Scandal - Asian dramas' logic 101: I look like a total girl,

but when I'm dressed like this everyone knows/thinks that I am a guy. Can you guess which one is the female lead?

I do like it when female characters get to act like men, but some of the Asian dramas I've seen so far the female characters do not look like a man at all, period. Some female actresses may look and do well with it, but other actresses have feminine features that makes it obivously quite clear that they're females. So when I watch it, I'm like 'yep, that's a girl dressed as a boy'. I do think that Go Eun Chan in 1st Shop of Coffe Prince would've past by as truly looking like a man.

Obiviously a girl: To the Beautiful You, You Are Beautiful, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Painter of the Wind, Goddess of Fire

8. We are in a relationship, but we might be related. So heartbroken...

Autumn in My Heart - Asian dramas' logic 101:

So we may be related, but not by blood. No one

is ever 100% quite sure or refer to a DNA BLOOD TEST.  



Believe it or not, Asian dramas likes to use the excuse of a sibling/half-sibling/step-sibling excuse to test the relationship between the main characters. The writers just love having us being disgusted, confused, yet have pitied for the characters in their forbidden love. But like it is getting old because we have awesome health technology nowadays that can easily avoid this misfortune. Just get a DNA testing instead of going through all the drama.

Sibling/half-sibling/step-sibling drama: Autumn in My Heart, One Fine Day, That Winter the Wind Blows, Love Rain 

9. If you don't have cancer, you'll get sick somehow. Or possibly die of a unknown disease. Or you could lose your vision entirely.

That Winter the Wind Blows - Asian dramas' logic 101: 

I may have cancer or be blind or have an illness or all,

but I'll always managed to fall in love with a

handsome/pretty person that I couldn't possibly be with.

Why do Asian dramas like to make their characters die/sick? It's for either to make us drown in tears or have feelings of WTF. Is cancer the only cause of death in Asian dramas? If not, why are people always getting blind? Not just that, why do people always get sick after being in the rain? Apparently, Asian dramas are limited to these health related issues. I will be waiting for one day that a common cold/sickness can be cured with over the counter meds in Asian dramas.   

Asian dramas' diseases: Stairway to Heaven, Autumn in My Heart, To the Beautiful You, Sad Love Song, Scent of Woman, A Thousand Day Promise, That Winter the Wind Blows, Winter Sonata     

10. People in Asian dramas rarely rely on the polices.

I Miss You - Asian dramas' logic 101: Leave it up to one man to

do everything. Even working at the police department doesn't

guarantee your own safety.

Polices/security people are totally useless in Asian dramas. It's because they can't come on time like EVER or find the true criminals! Sometimes, they're even bribed by rich people and society is corrupted that could lead the polices to be the bad guys; therefore, it is up to the main casts or one main character to fight for justice. So don't be surprised if the police are there, but not really doing their job or moving the plot forward.

Corrupted and useless polices: Hong Gil Dong, Capital Scandal, I Miss You


11. You are my first love and it means we are meant to be together by fate.

The Moon that Embraces the Sun - Asian dramas' logic 101:

Even though we barely hit puberty,

we know that we're meant to be.

Asian dramas love using first love between the main characters to make it seem like they've known each other forever. First they meet, share memories together, and then somehow are seperated that ends up in them having a reunion. It's nice to know they have history together, but it is kind of overused. I prefer watching younger versions of the characters and not little kids playing together. Kids don't understand romantic affections and are often associated with "I like you" not "love". Also, having a younger version of a character instead of a kid version makes more sense in terms of remembering the importance of their relationship.

First love editions: I Miss You, The Moon that Embraces the Sun, Autumn in My Heart, Stairway to Heaven

12. People love to go study abroad in the U.S. and Europe, exclusively...if not some other Western country.

Flower Boy Ramyum Shop - Asian dramas' logic 101:

Yes, I've done it. I've went to America and seen the

Western world.



If people in Asian dramas could go anywhere in the world and live there for a while, it's obivously not somwhere in Asia, South America, Africa, or the Carribeans, etc. It's funny when they return 'smarter and richer' after being abroad.  I mean come on, these 'Western' places are great but that's all I've ever seen in Asian dramas. Overused, overrated, and there are other great places.   

My Favorite (& Recommended) Kdramas

I have been a kdrama fan for a long time and of course, after many years of watching some, there are a few that I just absolutely adore! I like all kinds of drama ranging from romance to comedy to action and more. Although I love these dramas, it doesn't mean every one had a happy ending, just saying! Here is a list of kdramas that I think is worth the time and the late nights of staying up to see the next episode!

Sung Yuri as Heo Yi Nok,

the slow (sometimes a fool) but funny girl who sells

random stuff and non-effective medicines.

Jang Guen Suk plays the emotionless villain who learns the values of
of life and being in love.

Hong Gil Dong

This was the first drama that really made me fell in love with the characters, the plot, and the cast! It is about Hong Gil Dong, played by Kang Ji Hwan, pursing an adventure of justice becoming quote on quote the Korean 'Robin Hood' and at the same time, he finds love and friendships with unlikely people! Along the way, he faces trials of injustice and challenges in society as an illegal child of a nobleman. I love how everyone had a role in the drama (since there was a big cast) and each had their own story about their characters. I am glad that the writers wasn't lazy and decided not to just add these random people into the story. Sometimes it made me tear up, happy, and I could feel their pain, you know?!!! With a mix of action, romance, and comedy this drama is just too awesome to overlook! If you haven't seen it, it is about time!

Oska makes the most funny and exaggerated expressions!

Although often loud and acting immature, this man prove

he ain't messing around when it comes to the woman he love.

Secert Garden

I think this drama is little bit different because it's like a mix of everything (in a better way) founded sterotypical kdramas ranging from lost memories to 'accidents' to a poor female lead, you name it. Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin), a rich CEO guy, falls for Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won), a poor stuntwoman, and follows her during his freetime because he just can't understand his attraction to her. Although, more trouble arises as his mom is a crazy controlling woman and tries to prevent their relationship. Plus, their souls switch bodies that leads to many funny scenes as a man is in a woman's body, vice versa. The storyline is a mix of magical spells, romance, comedy, relationship and family struggles. The reason why I am raving about this kdrama is because I think the characters are hilarious as heck! The drama is well shot, edited with beauitful backgrounds, and have great OSTs to go with it! I love how the four main characters' stories overlay each other and it does not get too complicated to understand. And for once, the side guy isn't in love with the main woman and he gets his own woman! Hooray for the writers for not being unfair. If you can overlook the typical Cinderella set up and the guy-grabbing-wrist thing (because the guys do that a lot in kdramas), you'll love this fairytale story with a twist.

How could anyone possibly resist this gumiho?!

Don't mess with Gu Mi Ho, she'll scare you away with her nine tails!



My Girlfriend is a Gumiho

I like watching things that have a fantasy element to it and this drama does not disappoint. It's about a gumiho (fox demon/spirit/whatever you wanna call it with nine tails) woman who wants to find true love and become a human being. Shin Min Ah acts as 'Gu Mi Ho', which is literally her name and her character (blame the writers for not being creative enough to give her a real name). After being unsealed by Cha Tae-Woong (played by the adorable actor Lee Seung Gi), she comes into the real world to discover that many things had change when she was sealed. I won't say much to spoil you, but just know it has lots of humor, epic OSTs, beauitful videography, and it discusses/show the challenges of being/becoming human. A must watch drama!

You couldn't possibly not smile or laugh at this scene? 

Hello hotness! Fangasm alert! I would love to go to

work everyday just to see you!!! (ahahaha)

 

Protect the Boss

This is a comedy/romance office kdrama that I love for it's funny scenes and immature characters. I feel like it's more than just your typical avarage girl meet a handsome rich (mean) boss drama. It is because there is a like a love-hate relationship between No Eun Seol and Cha Ji Heon played by Choi Kang Hee and Ji Sung. No Eun Seol is the assigned secertary of Cha Ji Heon by his dad in hope that her personality will help mature and discipline the child-like Cha Ji Heon. The storyline is about family relationships, it has hilarious family/romance/bromance fights, and it shows that sometimes confidence is something found within yourself by overcoming your struggles. What I like the most is that No Eun Seol can handle annoying people, she's independent (kdramas don't have a lot of strong female characters that are not poor and I don't consider her character poor), and she isn't always CRYING like most 'poor average girls' do in kdramas. Push away the kdramas that always have a poor female lead because it's boring and so old-school. Hello to the independent Korean women in kdramas!

Yes, I know you want to come into this coffee shop.

Be warned that you'll never walk out again!

Wanna work here? Too bad, you gotta be a man

(or at least dress, look, and act like one)!

The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince a.k.a Coffee Prince

Do you like coffee? Do you like hanging at cafes? Well, if you don't like either of them, I bet ya would love to be near five handsome man! Well, er, one of them is actually a girl. Yeah, don't worry is it no spoiler there though. It is a story about Go Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye) who dresses and act like a boy. Eun Chan is always doing odd jobs to pay off her debts and she meets Choi Han Kyul (Gong Yoo) who mistakenly think she is a legitimate man. He decides to hire her at his coffee shop and later finds himself falling for her. But of course, he thinks he's gay and struggles to resist doing so. I'll stop here because there is more to the story than the gender identity mistake. The drama is about friendship, bromance, and learning how to accept the one you love for who they truly are. It's a sweet yet bitter story and you won't regret watching this kdrama.      

Seperated by time, the lovers cried about their seperation.

Truly amazing acting from both sides.

The red telephone booth holds a special meaning.

Queen In Hyun's Man

I love watching historical Korean dramas and this drama is not actually about the real life Queen In Hyun. Set in the past and present Korea, Kim Boong Do (Ji Hyun Woo) travels through time in hope to prove his innocence and to save the royal Queen In Hyun from a framed crime. In the future, he accidentally met a rising actress called Choi Hee Jin (Yoo In Na) and quickly fell in love with her charming personality. But it is hard to be with her as he is from past and they struggle to be together. It is heartbreaking, humorous, and lovely to watch because the couple truly have chemistry together on screen (they even dated for a period of time in real life). There are intense moments that really keeps you interested, but it doesn't get too serious for a long time that you get fed up with it. And there are many sweet moments as Boong Doo doesn't know and understand the present Korea ways. One of my favorites and I could rewatch this kdrama over again without being bored.

She can play her crying/emotional parts pretty well.

My Love From Another Star

No questions asked as this kdrama was one of the most successful and popular drama of 2013-14! The 11 longs years of waiting for Jeon Ji Hyun's comeback! And she still looks gorgeous and youthful as ever acting as Chun Song Yi. Playing the main male lead is the immensely popular actor, Kim So Hyun and he is a hot looking (and magical) alien, Do Min Joon. The term 'alien' just means he isn't from Earth, but from a similar planet. Do Min Joon visited the Earth a long time ago, but was accidentally left behind and couldn't return to his planet. So he's been living in S. Korea ever since then and he meets the famous and feisty actress, Chun Song Yi. Don't overlook this drama as a cheesy romantic supernatural kdrama because it does have some mystery, comedy, cat fights, rivalry, crime, and friendship going on. And don't forget how Kim So Hyun is really great at his emotional scenes and delivering those tears...Ahh, grab a tissue if you are a fan.

I love this man, Choi Jin Hyuk, he is the definition of manly smexy.

Gu Family Book

Another gumiho series?! YES! It is a story about acceptance (with fantasy elements) and that pretty much sums up what this drama emphasize. Whether people are humans or not, there are going to be haters and acceptors in the world. This time it is Lee Seung Gi who is playing an half gumiho and half human character. His counterpart is played by Bae Suzy. Suzy plays a human girl whose is "tomboy" and knows martial arts (her dad owns an martial art academy). Kang Chi's (Lee Seung Gi) purpose in life is to find the Gu Family Book so he can become human and be accepted among the human society, but does things actually go the way he wants it too? You're just gonna have to watch it you know! Grab tissues, this one will make you sad at some point and you may CRY unknowingly.

Other Korean drama recommendations in random orders (most are involved in romance, keke):

• Princess Hours, 2006 (modern/romance/comedy)
• Goblin, 2016 (modern/fantasy/romance)
• Full House, 2004 (modern/romance/comedy)
• Autumn in My Heart, 2000 (modern/melo/romance)
• Stairway to Heaven, 2003 (modern/melo/romance)
• Boys Over Flowers, 2009 (modern/romance/comedy)
• Seoul Scandal, 2007 (historical/romance)
• I'm Not a Robot, 2017 (modern/romance/melo)
• Cheese in the Trap, 2016 (modern/romance/comedy)
• Descendants of the Sun, 2016 (action/modern/romance)
• Empress Ki, 2013 (melo/historical/romance)
• Kill Me, Heal Me 2015, (melo/action/modern/comedy/romance)
• Moon Embracing the Sun, 2012 (melo/historical/fantasy/romance)
• Master's Sun, 2013 (modern/fantasy/romance/comedy)
• It's Okay, That's Love, 2014 (melo/drama/action/modern/romance/comedy)
• Love in the Moonlight, (historical/fantasy/romance/comedy)
• Sungkyunkwan Scandal, 2010 (historical/romance/comedy)
• A Gentleman's Dignity, (modern/romance/comedy)
• Rooftop Prince, (historical/time travel/modern/fantasy/romance)