[huangmeixi]

I used to like the Asian dramas but I am really, really sick of them because each time I watch I feel like I'm watching the same thing all over. The stories are too saccharine, the people too sappy and I am frustrated because I think that it's a shame Asians can't take their stories to the next level.

I feel like American shows are recently able to put creative spins on things and new ideas. Like Heroes, 24, Prison Break, Lost (didn't really pan out I think, but was cool in the beginning), Desperate Housewives, etc. They're so fresh. It's not just about couples that like each other. It's not just about love.

I think the problem with Asian dramas is that it's always the love that is the story whereas the story should stand by itself.

Of course, the one I know about are Kdramas, and Tdramas. I don't really know much Jdramas, and it seems those are a little better, but I really haven't seen anything too great from that department either. Is there any Asian drama that's really good? You'd think it'd be easier since there's a set # of eps for Asian dramas whereas American dramas fall into the trap of dragging like LOST.

[churasan]

Actually I can understand what you are saying. But personally, I still prefer Asian dramas over American TV. I really think it depends on the person as well. My favorite types of storylines are both sappy and comedy romances, which I think Asian dramas feature more than American TV. Having said that, I do agree that storylines are recycled, but since I like that kinda genre, I don't really get tired of it.

Of all Asian dramas, Japanese dramas are the ones I've been watching the longest and I think lately they also have fallen in a "rut" Every season, there's at least one drama that deals about some sort of career "like news anchor, chef, doctor, nurse, lawyer, etc...." a drama about students or teachers, detective type story, etc... However I like Japanese dramas the best because they are shorter and don't feel like they are dragged out. When I watch Korean dramas, sometimes there are always a lot of flashback scenes. I haven't really watched a lot of Taiwan dramas, so I can't really comment on those.

I think if you are looking for something different, I recommend watching H.I.T. (Korean drama). The story didn't focus so much on the love story and it's more serious (but not sappy). As for Japanese dramas, I recently finished "Liar Game" and "Byakuyakou" which I didn't feel was the best drama I've watched, but definitely something different in terms of storyline.

[stellabella]

It's all a matter of preference. What you are saying is very true but thats just it, culturally that's how TV differs in Asia and America.

[Access DENIED]

I used to watch a lot of korean dramas, but they have been incredibly formulaic far too long, and tend to either seem rushed or draggy. The plot is interesting in the beginning, and then crash and burns in the end. People getting hit in an car accident, secret births (the "my mom is your mom" situations), someone getting cancer, the yelling and sobbing, etc etc. I just got sick and tired of it.

American dramas on the other hand are good sometimes (prison break, heroes, battlestar galactica). In addition, the CG effects are pretty good. What i usually have a problem with US ones is that they tend to go on a very long time. The story never ends, and then it gets ridiculous. Dawson's Creek and Felicity were nice shows for love and romance, but then the shows got ridiculous when they never seemed to end. I don't want to even start on those stupid soap operas.

[*.:StarryEyeSurprise:.*]

yah I understand what you're saying and concur
sometimes the shows ARE too saccharine that it's like cringe worthy, but hey, there are decent shows too

[LucasBunny]

It depends on which kind of show your talking about??

I dunno
as for shows with young people, I prefer Japanese dramas at the moment

but for comedy, definetly american shows.

But I can see what u are saying
I got sick of korean dramas so fast because they are so repititive

[roughmetal2]

generally speaking, i think american dramas are better than their asian counterparts insofar as storyline, directing and special effects are concerned (think heroes, supernatural, ghost whisperer, 4400, niptuck, csi, 24, etc. etc) though of course, some of them are not really spectacular. however, asian dramas have their own charms despite being oftentimes melodramatic and unoriginal. they certainly appeal to asians (of whatever nationality) because asians are more sentimental, conservative, and traditional than westerners. in my case for instance, while i enjoy US dramas because they are fast-paced and wonderfully written, they do not give me the kind of emotional satisfaction that asian dramas give. asian dramas are simply more closer to the heart.

[uruchai]

I dont think an American drama can pull off a Nodame Cantabile-esque one.

but in all seriousness, I tend to juxtapose Kdramas/Jdramas with American soaps, which is really not right since American soaps aren't episodal. anyhoo, American soaps are really draggy, slow and all over the place, that's why I prefer Kdramas.

like many have said, it really comes down to preference. right now, I cant even bring myself to watch tv. my entertainment solely comes from the internet. I've lost interest in shows I used to watch before like ER, CSI, etc. The only show I'm looking forward to is Stargate: Atlantis. I tried watching Prison Break and Heroes but it just doesnt excite me as much as I got excited from watching War of Money, etc.

[0rchid]

the only clever asian series that comes up to mind has got to be "war of genders". i know it's pretty old, but it's absolutely brilliant. it's because of this sitcom that everyone in hong kong began calling cockroaches "siu kerng" (one of the main characters has a pet cockroach by that name, lol!)

[BishieAddict]

It really depends on what you're looking for. Asian dramas tend to be about romance... I don't like episodic shows or "reality" shows, so after watching american shows for 10+ years, i've moved to asian dramas (lol and anime) for the last 3 years. Now shows like "heroes" are bringing me back.

Japanese dramas tend to be less predictable.. so if you want something different, try that. But i found a lot of cheesy ones too.... and sometimes I don't understand the puns, but generally, they are enjoyable.

[*.:StarryEyeSurprise:.*]

oh yah I like how asian shows are innocent
I mean come on, there ARE ways of showing love and affection without ppl having sex every second on screen

[clauric]

i prefer asian dramas because i tend to like how they portray romance in their series..im a sucker for those..and also i guess i got tired of american shows because they r shown by season..anything can happen..sometimes a show would be good for the first few seasons, but right after the finale, tends to go downhill...and if im looking for a romantic genre in an american shows, i feel like my fave main lead couple might not even end up together in the end..

[reset.love]

I dont think an American drama can pull off a Nodame Cantabile-esque one.

but in all seriousness, I tend to juxtapose Kdramas/Jdramas with American soaps, which is really not right since American soaps aren't episodal. anyhoo, American soaps are really draggy, slow and all over the place, that's why I prefer Kdramas.

like many have said, it really comes down to preference. right now, I cant even bring myself to watch tv. my entertainment solely comes from the internet. I've lost interest in shows I used to watch before like ER, CSI, etc. The only show I'm looking forward to is Stargate: Atlantis. I tried watching Prison Break and Heroes but it just doesnt excite me as much as I got excited from watching War of Money, etc.

i agree.NODAME CANTABILE IS A VERY VERY NICE SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kkkkk]

American shows have more complex plot, themes and characterizations. The fight between the networks also means they spend serious money in developing more original materials. Whereas in Asia, usually one network dominate the country, so they dont spend so much effort.

Its a case of demand and supply. Asian viewers tend to go for lighter storylines. Therefore its not very 'smart' and 'original' most of the time.

An example of clever asian show is.. I dont know. Its something from Japan, they have smarter plots..

[losborrachos]

as much as i hate to say this, the commercial (not necessarily artistic) film and tv industry in asia (and latin america, eastern europe, middle east, etc) is in general behind america... american entertainment at least has more variety... if anything, i blame the audience. the audience here simply has seen more and heard more and they keep demanding something new. the asian industry, being relatively younger, can get away with serving the audience the same thing over and over again... hopefully there'll be a change/improvement within the next decade is all i have to say...

[LucasBunny]

as much as i hate to say this, the commercial (not necessarily artistic) film and tv industry in asia (and latin america, eastern europe, middle east, etc) is in general behind america... american entertainment at least has more variety... if anything, i blame the audience. the audience here simply has seen more and heard more and they keep demanding something new. the asian industry, being relatively younger, can get away with serving the audience the same thing over and over again... hopefully there'll be a change/improvement within the next decade is all i have to say...

I have to agree with you.

Don't get me wrong I love asian dramas
but they get so freaking repetitive
like most kdramas are repetitive and majority of them
have to do with romance.

I have yet to see an asian show like "According to Jim"
or "Family Matters" yah know?

and sometimes asian dramas make stupid stuff happen
like in Hana Kimi (japanese version)
when they made Mizuki get attacked by some random black and white guys in California, and then Sano comes to her rescue, what are the odds of that happening??
What are the odds of a japanese girl walking down the street in a ugly area, 3 huge guys two black and one white come attacking her, and a little japanese guy just comes to her rescue?? and in Gokusen 2, I love that drama alot but why arent the guys limping?? they get beat down in just about every episode, but they arent missing any teeth, no bruises, nothing, they try to act all bad all the time and get owned until Yankumi saves them, sorry that is retarded.
and why was there bad behavior being tolerated in school?
why didnt they get expelled when they beat up there last teacher? I thought Japan didnt tolerate that kind of stuff in school.

[Rini]

I prefer things that end.
American shows are lame imo, they take forever to end and usually when they end it's because ratings were poor.
So the endings are wacko.
I can't same the same for American mini-series, that can be compared to asian dramas.

Yeah....sure comedy is great in America, but usually every episode is a slice of life.
No major plots that are centralized.

[chiqipoo]

generally speaking, i think american dramas are better than their asian counterparts insofar as storyline, directing and special effects are concerned (think heroes, supernatural, ghost whisperer, 4400, niptuck, csi, 24, etc. etc) though of course, some of them are not really spectacular. however, asian dramas have their own charms despite being oftentimes melodramatic and unoriginal. they certainly appeal to asians (of whatever nationality) because asians are more sentimental, conservative, and traditional than westerners. in my case for instance, while i enjoy US dramas because they are fast-paced and wonderfully written, they do not give me the kind of emotional satisfaction that asian dramas give. asian dramas are simply more closer to the heart.

I completely agree with everything you said. While American dramas (to me, at least) are more clever and have a much more detailed plot, Asia's appeal to me more. I think American dramas have great storylines, amazing twists and suspense, and really cool special effects, but I prefer the melancholy, calm mood from Asian media.

[IlikeChicken]

AM I THE ONLY ONE HERE THAT DOESNT LIKE KDRAMAS?...Dont you guys ever get bored of the same thing? Seriously....Lets take the same plot and twist it around a little bit to make it original..

American shows are just boring to me..Im sorry. I only like those mystery, good plotted ones =[ I guess im a hard person to please

But Asian gameshows are so MUCH more interesting to watch, and you see actual actors doing weird crap and being themselves (maybe?) lol

And we all know the the japanese are famous for their wacked comedy shows which are so goddam hilarious to watch

[asdfjkl;fdsajkl;]

i think the only reason the asian dramas are all so freakin repetitive with the same storyline over and over is because their all mini-series. basically, you cant really accomplish too much in the limited time thats allotted. you have to finish the story anywhere between 16-22 episodes so you cant really develop as instensely.

with american dramas, i guess since theres sooooo many seasons you basically HAVE to bring out something new all the time or else the audience will just get darn bored of seeing the same thing over and over. i mean theres shows like greys anatomy where its the same old soap drama but i mean at the same time its alottt more than just that. it also deals with issues of family, true love (as hard as that is to believe), death, career and all that other stuff. also, i dont think asians are really accepting of the sci-fi action stuff yet.

i always see the same old cheesy love story and as much as i hate to admit this, im just not as interested in asian dramas as i used to and it hasnt even been 1 whole year since ive gotten into asian dramas. lol. i mean theres still a few shows that interest me but most of the time im just tired of seeing the same old plot. i mean honestly, i gave shows like witch yoo hee and hello miss a chance but i swear i ended up skipping the whole chunk of stuff and the middle and just watching the last episode. theres still a select few shows like coffee prince which i dont seem to get bored with because it kinda stretched past the usual boundaries.

ok i just read some article about how in the arts, nothing new really developed but only just explored past the previous stuff so that totally influences what i just said right now. and no i dont read stuff like this for fun. lol

edit:// IlikeChicken, your not the only one. and i agree the game shows and stuff where stars appear are soo much more interesting. its just too bad im chinese so i cant understand anything unless its subbed. and all the chinese shows are lame...and well...honestly....srry to all you taiwanese ppl but its REALLY hard for me to understand taiwanese ppl when they speak mandarin and im completely fluent. i have no idea why though. i actually wish there could be like an american version of xman or something.