5 Things That Mean Something Completely Different To K-Drama Watchers

Brought to you by Subway. (Just kidding. I think every K-drama watcher has had enough Subway PPLs to last many lifetimes.)

Drama

Everyone else: Ooo! This is about to get dramatic, angsty, and deep — and if tea’s going to be spilled, I. Am. Ready.

You, a K-drama binger: Like what kind? There’s rom-com dramas, historical dramas, melodramas — there are so many types!

As demonstrated by the lovely Jun Ji Hyun.

“Drama” is usually used to describe a type of genre in western shows, but in K-dramaland, it’s used just like the word “show.”

Season

Everyone else: I can’t believe the next season will be out in two years! WHY?!

You, a K-drama binger: Welp. I guess that’s over. I’m not sure what I should do with my life now.

Every. Single. Time.

A season of a show/drama means something different in Korea. Rarely do K-dramas get a second season, and often times, it’s not a continuation of the original story, but a spin-off. And also a nice (or slightly painful) thing about K-dramas is that most are 16-24 episodes. It makes for easier and faster binging, but of course, a speedier end. *sobs*

Kiss scenes

Everyone else: Nothing special. The couples are ALWAYS making out.

There they go again. 

 You, a K-drama binger: Please don’t open your eyes. Please don’t open your eyes. 

Please don’t-

*face palm*

K-dramas are known for their awkward deer-in-the-headlight kiss scenes — but we’ll take what we can get! Kiss scenes can be hard to come by, especially if our main couple becomes an actual couple in the last episode, so it’s better than nothing… right?

Product Placement

Everyone else: Haha, that Lexus is totally product placement. But it looks like a pretty sick ride. 

You, a K-drama binger: Subway. Subway. Subway. I see it everywhere. In my dreams. In my dramas. EVERYWHERE.

Product placement is not unique to western TV shows and movies, but it’s taken to another level in K-dramas — with good reason. Take Jun Ji Hyun’s lipstick, for example, when she was in “My Love From the Star“ — which completely sold out.

The amount of power she wields is a little bit frightening and a whole lot of awesome.

No K-drama is safe from product placements — unless it’s a historical drama. Even then, I’m sure, Subway will eventually find a way.

Subtitles

Everyone else: They’re a bit annoying sometimes, covering up the screen, but helpful, I guess, if the actors are muttering.

You, a K-drama binger: Without these I am nothing. Absolutely nothing.

The struggles of watching something not in your language is so real.

Here’s to more late nights binging K-dramas! Aja!

mayme22’s favorite Bible verses at the moment are Psalm 8:3-4.