By Rhythm Sachdeva:
Full House, Princess Hours, Secret Garden, Lie to Me and Man of Honor are some of the most watched Korean dramas. Sounds alien? Ask Sixteen-year-old Kinchit who sits transfixed every time the Korean soap opera The Heirs makes it to the television screen, which has now become a daily ritual. Her love for this show, and of many others in the north eastern part of India has gone beyond the ambit of television series. In September 2000, the Revolutionary People’s Front imposed a ban on the screening of Hindi movies and Hindi satellite channels in states like Manipur, Mizoram and Nepal. That was when the Korean dramas invaded and conquered the hearts of people. Thus the Korean wave – Hallyu spreads its magic like the newly risen sun of the New Year.
Indian dramas
Dramas in which a man returns years after his death. Where the plotting and scheming of mother-in-laws’s are intellectual enough to crack any business deal on this planet. Which comes with a tag of “pati patni or woh”, and where female characters are ready to go anywhere straight out of their beds. I extend my apologies to the diehard fans of Ekta Kapoor but this is too much! Be realistic. Indian TV show makers need to be waken from their slumber and realize that Hypodermic Theory no more works with the Indian spectators.
Why are K Dramas better than others?
I have always been skeptical about the idea that I was the only one unaware of TV shows like Friends or How I Met Your Mother. But my belief was debunked after questing over the statistics and personal interviews. As I have watched a handful of episodes of both the American and Korean dramas, the difference in their content is crystal clear. Korean dramas are usually dream-centric where the protagonist is in continuous search of his identity and battles certain hardships of life throughout. On the other end of the spectrum, American dramas use sexual activities in order to glue their viewer’s eyes on the screen. Korean dramas demonstrate parts from real life, where friendships and relationships are built in a healthy way and which teach morals and lessons.
Need of K Dramas
We live in an era where globalization is the life line and in a country which takes pride in Vasudev kutumbhkam. Where acceptance of foreign cultures comes easy than accepting our own cultural diversity. In my humble opinion, showcasing of Korean dramas will bolster the sense of brotherhood. It will act as a catalyst in breaking myths of people about the north easterners where Korean fashion and culture is prevalent. Thus, it will prove to be a humongous step in abolishing racism in India.
Despite being so famous in some parts of India, the K Drama is grappling to reach to the other parts of India. After taking part in a discussion about the problems being faced by the K Dramas, in the Korean Cultural Centre, New Delhi, I have come to the conclusion that marketing is the area where it lacks.