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Clara Kim public relations and communications manager at Viki, a global TV site, said the mystery involved in such show is "almost intoxicating." Korean dramas especially address "raw human emotions," which resonate with viewers, she added. Kim said the majority of viewers are Millennials and Gen Z women but the most engaged viewers are Baby Boomers. In the United States, Viki's fan base includes African Americans, Caucasians, and many Latino and Hispanics. "Accessibility to international content has really spread the reach of foreign dramas and shows – everyone can now stream content with a phone and basic internet connection," Kim said in an email. "Viki, for example, is oftentimes able to upload content almost immediately after the show airs in its original country, and the episodes are subtitled by fans in less than 24 hours." Below are my thoughts on Asian dramas and brief comments on the ones I've watched. This isn't American storytelling: Pacing is slow. Asians take their time setting the scene and developing characters. Overall, these dramas show humans at their best and at their worst. Mixed into that are moments of levity, some emphasis on romance and "first love" – and a few slices of cheese. Oh, yeah, and original pop-style soundtracks. Some even sprinkle English words into the lyrics. If you're in a race to the end, don't tune in. You'll become bored, restless and wondering why "they don't get on with it." But if you do, bring a box of tissues. You'll need it. Again, this isn't American storytelling: The plots are more complicated: subplots, subtext and a whole bunch of inferences. Adult scenes are implied. Lack of sequels: Korean dramas generally offer 12 to 24 episodes of one season only. Historical dramas (and animes) deviate from the rule. When sequels do occur, they tend to be poorly received. Nevertheless, fans do clamor (and circulate petitions) for them. The subtexts really aren't that bothersome: It's funny how the mind merges Korean and English together so that one "hears" both at the same time. But that's a real thing. At least for me. The United States has a subculture of Asian entertainment fans: And they know where to find subbed versions. Good places include Viki at www.viki.com, DramaFever at www.dramafever.com, and even Hulu and Netflix. (Photo courtesy)
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"Black Butler" anime (2008 to present, which includes several full-length movies): • Summary – Twelve-year-old Ciel Phantomhive, watchdog to Queen Victoria, becomes dark and brooding after his family is murdered. He makes a pact with a demon to save his life and avenge their deaths. The demon becomes his butler Sebastian. • Thoughts – Delightfully creepy with plenty of wry humor between butler and charge. Sebastian tagline when he defers praise: "I'm simply one hell of a butler." A well-developed cast of humorously macabre characters. • Episodes – Season one had 24, season two had 12 and season three (the best) had 10. • Trailer – http://shawurl.com/34cy "Dramaworld" (2016): • Summary – American college student and Korean drama super-fan Claire Duncan is magically transported to "Dramaworld," where she and another "facilitator" are called to fix plot mistakes in her favorite drama and save the show. • Thoughts – Fun but predictable. Good introduction on Asian drama tropes. • Episodes – 10 very short episodes • Trailer – http://shawurl.com/34cr " W - Two Worlds" (2016): • Summary – The alcoholic creator of a successful webtoon is trying to kill off his main character because the character is becoming self-aware. The cartoonist's daughter, a cardiothoracic surgeon, keeps getting pulled into the cartoon world to thwart her father's attempts. • Thoughts – Faster-paced than most Korean dramas and more twists than a corkscrew, although it sagged in the middle. Still, every prediction I made failed, which kept me hooked. • Episodes – 16 • Trailer – http://shawurl.com/34cs "Descendents of the Sun" (2016): • Summary – A doctor and a member of Korean Special Forces fall in love in a war-torn country. • Thoughts – Romance flick, "chance meetings" too obvious. Adventure subplots added nice layers. Well-done in terms of showing Korea's mandatory military service for its male citizens. Nice trivia: Co-stars Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki are now engaged. • Episodes – 16 • Trailer – http://shawurl.com/34ct "Goblin" or "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God: (2016 to 2017): • Summary – A god-like general from the Goryeo dynasty is cursed with immortality. Only his "bride" can remove the sword keeping him tied to earth. However, the bride is a teenage girl who sees ghosts and lives with an abusive family. As the two protagonists become less self-absorbed and more altruistic, their goals and perceptions change. • Thoughts – A nice existential, reflective drama. Like "W," it lost its way in the middle belabored some scenes, but the ending was a good surprise, even though the story set it up from the beginning. • Episodes – 16 • Trailer – http://shawurl.com/34cu "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" (Korean version, 2016): • Summary – A 21st century make-up artist with low self-esteem drowns and wakes up in a royal swimming pool in the Goryeo dynasty. As she becomes befriends the princes, she tries to prevent them from killing off each other, thus changing history. A romantic tragedy. • Episodes – 20 • Thoughts – Almost quit watching after the first episode due to its fan-girl feel and out-of-place pop soundtrack – until Lee Joon-gi as the tyrannical Wang So came charging in on his horse. • Trailer – http://shawurl.com/34cv Scarlet Heart (Chinese version, 2011): • Summary – The original drama, based on a novel. In this case, the protagonist dies by electrocution during a fight with her boyfriend and wakes up in the Qing Dynasty. Basic plot and character elements are similar in essence but not in particulars. A even slower-paced, more lavish production. • Thoughts – Hard to say, as I'm still watching it. We are currently in episode 12. So far, I'm enjoying it, both in comparison to the Korean version and on its own merits. • Episodes – 35 • Trailer – http://shawurl.com/34d0 (Photo courtesy)