June 30, 2022, 5:47 pm | Read time: 7 minutes
Korean series, known as K-dramas, have been gaining popularity for several years. It’s no surprise that major streaming providers are increasingly adding more South Korean productions to their offerings.
K-dramas refer to both television and web series from South Korea. Other media, such as film or theater, are not included. In recent years, these productions have been gaining significant traction outside their home country.
Netflix was a pioneer in streaming K-dramas. The fact that so many Korean series ended up on the platform likely contributed to their spread. However, other streaming services have since jumped on the bandwagon. TECHBOOK shows where you can best stream South Korean series–and why these productions are so popular.
Overview
The History of Korean Series
Since the 1980s, interest in K-dramas has been steadily growing, both nationally and internationally. This was partly due to the massive technological developments and the spread of television sets at the time. Additionally, South Korean broadcasters began exploring more thematic areas. From 1987, many entertainment industry regulations were lifted due to democratic developments in the country. This led to new competition between the two major broadcasters, KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) and SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System), which continues to this day.
After K-dramas first spread to neighboring countries like Japan, China, and Taiwan, the enthusiasm soon reached the U.S. and Europe. Experts consider this a key component of the “Korean Wave,” the international surge in interest in South Korean pop culture. Hulu, for example, played a crucial role in spreading Korean series in the United States. From there, the enthusiasm spread to Europe, initially through mostly illegal services. By the 2010s, K-drama fans could stream more content on Netflix; since the series “Kingdom” (2019), the service has even been producing its own “K-dramas.”
Also interesting: The Best K-Dramas on Netflix
K-Dramas Are Also a Huge Business in Korea
As in the U.S. for many years, and still to some extent, it has been common in South Korea to film only a few episodes before airing. Further production occurs simultaneously, allowing creators to respond immediately to fan feedback. This enables a very close relationship between fans and a series, especially in Korea. However, this practice has increasingly taken a back seat in recent years due to streaming services like Netflix. Instead, there is a trend toward “cinematic drama.” The planned and thus higher-quality productions can be better sold abroad by Korean broadcasters. Netflix and others already rely on a rather cinematic aesthetic for their originals.
Behind K-dramas, as well as the related K-pop, is a gigantic industry in South Korea. Actors within this ecosystem are referred to as “talents,” who are often also active in a K-pop group and/or modeling. This is one reason why some streaming services are increasingly focusing on K-dramas. The medium’s enormous popularity and the professionalism of the existing industry make it easier to enter the Korean and generally the Asian market.
Narrative Features of K-Dramas
When comparing K-dramas to, for example, U.S. series productions, several differences quickly become apparent. First and foremost is the format: Korean series are planned as limited projects with only one season. For classic K-dramas from Korean broadcasters, a season length of 16 to 24 episodes is typical. Each episode is about 40 minutes long. This makes K-dramas longer than classic mini-series but significantly less extensive than most Western series productions.
In terms of content, South Korean series often revolve around the same core themes. Family, for example, almost always plays a central role, which stems from the structure and values of South Korean society. The relationship between generations and respect for elders is often a focus. A conflict between old and new traditions is also a common theme. The country’s television history has also led to a strong focus on the genres of romance, melodrama, and history.
Internationally Successful K-Dramas
While many Korean series are primarily popular nationally, there are now some that have gained significant international attention.
“Reply 1988” aired from 2015 to 2016 on the tvN network and is now available on Netflix. It follows a group of five friends living in 1980s Seoul. A significant event in the K-drama is the 1988 Olympic Games.
Another successful K-drama was “Sandglass.” The series, which aired in 1995, deals with the political and social upheavals in Korea during the 1970s and 1980s through a tragic love triangle. “Sandglass” is considered one of the most significant K-dramas.
The Netflix series “Crash Landing On You” explores the conflict between North and South Korea. When a South Korean businesswoman is swept into the northern neighbor during a storm, she encounters a North Korean officer. This setup leads to not only a love story but also an intriguing clash of cultures.
“Eyes of Dawn” from 1991 is based on the novel of the same name. The series spans the period from the Japanese occupation (starting in 1910) to the Korean War (1950) and was one of the largest television productions of its time.
Korean history also plays a crucial role in “Mr. Sunshine.” A Korean returns to his homeland after years as a U.S. officer. There, he must confront not only a political conspiracy but also internal tensions.
“It’s Okay To Not Be Okay” tells the story of an emotionally detached caregiver and a children’s book author with an antisocial personality disorder.
In the early 2000s, “Winter Sonata” was released; to this day, the K-drama is considered a catalyst for the “Korean Wave.” A musically gifted boy moves to the province of Chuncheon to find his biological father. When he loses his memory in an accident, his mother sends him to the U.S. with a new identity. Years later, he encounters the people from Chuncheon again.
In “The Flower of Evil” from 2020, a marriage is thrown into turmoil when the wife, who works as an investigator, examines a series of mysterious murders. She quickly discovers that her husband’s dark past is connected to the deaths.
The Best Streaming Providers
Despite or perhaps because of the ongoing enthusiasm for K-dramas, most are still not dubbed on streaming platforms. Instead, they are available in the original language with subtitles. Series like “Squid Game,” which was dubbed in many countries, are exceptions.
In this country, Netflix offers a remarkable selection of Korean series. K-dramas often arrive on the platform in waves but usually remain available for a long time. Netflix is now so involved in many productions that they are marketed as Netflix Originals. This includes some actual original productions like “Love Alarm” or the aforementioned “Squid Game,” which is even the most successful Netflix series of all time.
Those interested will also find a lot on YouTube. While few major titles are available there, there are occasionally worthwhile titles on the platform. Fans should keep an eye on specific channels for this. The account “K-Drama” regularly publishes recommendations, trailers, and even complete subtitled episodes.
Netflix’s main competitor, Disney+, also seems to be slowly getting a taste for it. In addition to acquired productions from South Korea, the streaming service plans to produce its own K-dramas starting in 2022. For example, a documentary about the K-pop group “Blackpink” was released in 2021, and the drama “Snowdrop” in March 2022.
Less known here, but absolutely recommended, is Viki. The streaming platform is owned by Rakuten and specializes in Asian productions. It features many small and large K-dramas, as well as titles from other countries like Japan. Viki is also now producing Originals.