Korean dramas have also become popular throughout east Asian countries such as Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and is now spreading to India, shown on their national TV stations, the Middle Eastern countries and Africa. In Egypt it is getting very popular with many Arabic fans websites. Recently some Korean serials have become quite popular in Latin American countries such as El Salvador, Mexico and Chile. Korean TV dramas have recently become very popular in the United States, particularly among Asian Americans and older viewers, as many of them see these dramas as an alternative to the violent and racy content of American soap operas.



These shows typically involve conflicts such as marital relationships, money bargaining, relationships between in-laws (usually between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law), and often, complicated love triangles. There are also a number of good comedy dramas which makes you laugh all the way. Korean DVDs are now released with English subtitles for the international market. Korean drama downloads are available as VOD (video on demand) from the Korean TV stations KBS, MBC and SBS.

K-drama fan clubs have appeared throughout the world. Cable channels in some countries feature several k-dramas during primetime. The dramas are either dubbed or shown with the original Korean language, but subtitled in English or other languages. Aside from Korean TV dramas, AZN in the U.S. even has a program called "Drama City" which reviews some of the latest dramas, interviews directors and producers, and recommends which Korean serials to watch.

Korean stars have now become familiar faces throughout Asia. In the United States in February 2006, the singer Rain played two sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden. The best selling international artist from Korea is Boa and it is because of her popularity in the Pop Market. Korean male celebrities are now among the highest-paid actors outside Hollywood.

Korean television (comic programs, dramas, news, and other genres) shares some similarity with Japanese television as opposed to American (Western) television. Some popular Korean dramas such as Dae Jang Geum ("The Jewel in the Palace") have also showcased traditional Korean ways of life, and often depict Confucian values.

The overwhelming success of South Korean dramas, movies, and music served as a major tourism attraction in South Korea. Many fans from the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and China became tourist and flocked to see the drama studios and the filming locations of big productions like Jewel in the Palace, Jumong-The Prince of the Legend and other hit dramas.

If you enjoyed this article and appreciate Korean TV dramas, we invite to you to visit our site which has an English synopsis database, wallpaper & photo gallery downloads of all the titles produced by the Korean TV stations KBS, MBC and SBS at korean-drama-guide.com

Jahabar Oli, 2007