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Korean drama (Korean: 한국드라마) refers to televised dramas, in a miniseries format, produced in the Korean language. Many of these dramas have become popular throughout Asia and have contributed to the general phenomenon of the Korean wave, known as Hallyu (Korean: 한류), and also "drama fever" in some countries.^{[citation needed]} Most popular Korean dramas have also become popular in other parts of the world such as Latin America, the Middle East, and elsewhere.

Plot[link]

Generally speaking, there are two main genres of Korean dramas. The first genre resembles western soap operas with shorter, terminating plots, and without the obvious sexual references often found in Western dramas. These dramas typically involve conflicts associated with relationships, money bargaining, relationships between in-laws (usually between the mother and son/daughter in law). As well, they often include complicated love triangles where the female hero usually falls in love with a "bad boy" main character who mistreats her. These dramas last anywhere from 16 episodes to over 100 (most often not exceeding 20).^{[citation needed]}

The other main genre is Korean historical dramas (also known as sa geuk), which are fictionalized dramatizations of Korean history. Korean historical dramas typically involve very complex story lines with elaborate costumes, sets, and special effects.^[1] Martial arts, sword fighting, and horsemanship are frequently a big component of Korean historical dramas as well. Typically, Korean dramas, whether the historical dramas or modern dramas, are characterized by excellent production quality, characters with depth, and intelligent scriptwriting but largely rely on the use of archetypal characters.^[2]

Popularity in Japan[link]

The first Korean drama to gain widespread popularity in Japan was Winter Sonata, which was broadcast on the NHK satellite channel NHK BS2 in 2003. The program was aired twice in the same year due to high demand from viewers.^[3] NHK even hosted a classical concert featuring Winter Sonata's melodic tunes performed by Korean musicians. Actor Bae Yong Joon, who played the male lead in Winter Sonata, is known as "Yon - sama".^[3]

Some have claimed that Korean drama has improved relations between the two countries as more Japanese people became interested in Korean culture. Greater exposure to all things Korean, including language, cuisine, and history not only positively influenced the perception of Koreans among Japanese people, but also relieved some of the antagonism many Koreans had felt towards Japan. The increased interest in Korean culture has promoted Japanese tourism to South Korea and many tours geared towards fans of Winter Sonata and other Korean drama programs have attracted thousands of visitors to the country. Conversely, the series Iris had several pivotal scenes shot in Akita, Japan, which lead to an increase of Korean tourists in that part of Japan.^[4][5][6]

Former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi has been known to be a big fan of Choi Ji Woo, known as "Jiwoo-hime" or "Princess Ji-woo" in Japan. The former Japanese first lady Miyuki Hatoyama, wife of former prime minister Yukio Hatoyama, has often proclaimed her love of Korean drama, even claiming that it is the secret to her youthful appearance.^[7]

Popularity in China[link]

In 2006, South Korean programs on Chinese government TV networks accounted for more than all other foreign programs combined.^[8]

Popularity in Hong Kong[link]

The Endless Love set of four romantic series hit Hong Kong in the early 21st Century. In 2005, Dae Jang Geum was broadcast on Hong Kong's TVB Jade network in Cantonese, further continuing the Korean wave in Hong Kong following the former part of the decade. Dae Jang Geum became the most highly-rated television series broadcast in Hong Kong of all time, until 2008 TVB drama Moonlight Resonance tied with it in terms of viewership ratings. Many other Korean dramas followed, and in 2008, TVB released its TVB J2 channel, which broadcast many more Korean series, intending for a younger audience. Its pay-TV service, TVB Payvision's drama channel also broadcast Korean dramas (as well as Japanese drama and Taiwanese dramas). The popularity of Korean dramas in Hong Kong also sparked an interest in K-pop and tourism to Korea.

Popularity in India[link]

Korean dramas have become popular in India, particularly in Manipur where Hindi films and TV serials were banned in 2000. As a result, local television stations began broadcasting subtitled Korean dramas instead. Many young people in Northeast India copy the hairstyles and clothes of the Korean actors.^[9][10] Now-a-days they are popular in Tamilnadu too, especially in Karur, Namakkal & Coimbatore.

Popularity in Thailand[link]

When the popular drama of Dae Jang Geum was on the air in Thailand, Korean food started gaining wide popularity in Thailand.^{[citation needed]} Due to lop-sided nature of entertainment exports favoring South Korea, the Thai government requested increased introduction of popular Thai films to South Korean media outlets. This led to the signing of an Agreement of Cultural Cooperation between the two countries in August 2004.^[11]

Popularity in Vietnam[link]

The Saigon Broadcasting Television Network airs many Vietnamese dubbed Korean dramas.

Popularity in the Philippines[link]

After the success of Mexican telenovelas and the Taiwanese dramas, the next successful foreign dramas in the Philippines were Korean dramas. In the height of Taiwanese drama popularity due to the unexpected success of Meteor Garden that aired on ABS-CBN, GMA Network became the first Philippine TV network to release Korean dramas in the Philippines with Bright Girl, starring Jang Na-ra (airdate: July 2003), and later My Love Cindy (airdate: September 2003). It was a risk on the part of the network because the F4 boys were extremely popular and because they were exclusively seen on rival TV network, ABS-CBN. However, the gamble proved successful; the two Korean dramas sparked the curiosity of viewers and increased viewership of the afternoon block of GMA Network. GMA Network also introduced the term "Koreanovela" for TV dramas imported from Korea. Endless Love, starring Song Hye Kyo, Song Seung Hun, and Won Bin, aired on the GMA's primetime block (airdate: September 2003). The series was so successful that GMA beat its rival ABS-CBN, in which ABS-CBN's Philippine dramas aired on the same time slot. The success of Endless Love inspired GMA to secure more Korean dramas, such as Winter Sonata, also known as the second of the Endless Love series which aired in the primetime block after the first Endless Love; and Beautiful Days, which aired in the afternoon block. Both dramas starred Hallyu Queen Choi Ji Woo. With the rising popularity of Choi Ji Woo, in January 12, 2004, ABS-CBN introduced The Truth, the first Korean drama on its station. This was followed by Lovers in Paris, Memories of Bali, and Save the Last Dance for Me.

Lovers in Paris became the first primetime TV hit Korean drama on ABS-CBN that captured the heart of many Filipinos. Kim Jung Eun was hailed as the Queen of Korean dramas on ABS-CBN Network. The network also aired other popular Korean dramas such as My Girl, Oh Feel Young, Wonderful Life, Spring Waltz, A Love To Kill, Forbidden Love, Princess Lulu, Only You, Boys Over Flowers, Princess Hours, Lovers in Paris, He is Beautiful (You're Beautiful), Save the Last Dance for Me, Memories of Bali, Stained Glass, Spring Day, Wedding, Truth, Which Star Are You From, Marrying a Millionaire, Lovers, Three Dads With One Mom (One Mom and Three Dads), Perfect Match (Personal Preference), Green Rose, Cinderella's Sister, My Princess, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, Marry Me Mary (Mary Stayed Out All Night), I Am Legend, 49 Days (also known as Pure Love), Three Brothers, My Fair Lady, and Helena's Promise (Scent of a Woman). Other popular Korean hit dramas to be shown on the network are: City Hunter, Dream High, My Secret Love: Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Heartstrings, Protect the Boss, Thousand Day Promise, Can't Lose, Beautiful You, Glory Jane, Love Rain and Rooftop Prince.

GMA Network aired other Korean dramas such as Bright Girl, Full House, Stairway To Heaven, Jewel in the Palace, Shining Inheritance, Jumong, Endless Love, Endless Love 2: Winter Sonata, Endless Love 3: Summer Scent, Love Story in Harvard, Queen Seon Deok, My Name is Kim Sam Soon, Coffee Prince, East of Eden, The Baker King, Temptation of a Wife, Playful Kiss, Secret Garden,and Dong Yi. Full House is the most popular Korean drama in the Philippines, being aired twice in the same year and airing again only a month after it ended. It is also the highest rating Korean drama in the Philippines, generating a whooping 52.6% ratings. On the other hand, Autumn in My Heart, also known as Endless Love, is the most replayed Korean Drama in the Philippines having it replayed 6 times already.