Drama, drama, drama

I’ve watched some Korean historical dramas outside of class and some for class. I want to make a few comments about what they do well, not so well, and then just some opinions.

One thing all of the dramas I have seen have in common, and do quite well, is they vividly and thoroughly recreate historical settings. The research and attention paid to the hanboks, hairstyles, dwellings, social climate and even food results in a rich atmosphere of immersion. Koreans do make dramas well in general, and I imagine that at least a facet of this is the calculated effort to show off traditional Korea to both other Koreans and especially foreigners. In that respect, the dramas are very successful. I notice they tend to center on just one specific event or institution from Korean (typically Chosǒn) history, which allows for a complete and imaginative recreation of that aspect. Hwang Chini respectfully and impressively brings kisaeng to a modern audience; Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin paints an intriguing and decisive period of Korean history, running a gamut of themes from conspiracy and betrayal to victory and nationalism.

I think even the most diehard Korean drama fan can admit that the shows aren’t flawless. Some of these complaints apply to serialized drama in general; some are specific to certain Korean shows. The plots are utterly one-dimensional and predictable. Antagonists spend all their screen-time scheming and watching schemes coming to fruition, usually accompanied by foreboding music to vanish any doubt that the characters shown are, in fact, the antagonists. Protagonists are typically innocent victims of these malevolent forces, but will ultimately overcome hardships through purity, wit and friendship. Another flaw, noticeably in Daejanggum but possibly in other shows as well, is the frequent visual and auditory flashbacks, sometimes of events that were on screen just minutes ago. As a result, the drama does not require or even encourage any thinking or contemplation. If the writers are trying to communicate a central theme, subtlety disappears in a puff of repetition and spoon-feeding. The accessory actors often grossly overact their parts with comical effects, a fault of which from time to time the principal actors are no less guilty.

If the previous paragraph sounds overly harsh, I do enjoy the dramas in spite of their shortcomings. Some of the problems are simply emergent properties of serial drama genre itself. I am not sure about how they are broadcast in Korea, but in the United States and other countries, these types of drama are broadcast midday to a very wide audience. As clearly evidenced by their popularity, the writing and acting doesn’t have to be Shakespearean to be popular and enjoyable. The shows must be carefully crafted to appeal to different tastes, generations, and even nationalities which are the target audiences of most dramas. I tend to avoid the majority of drama for this reason, but the Korean dramas maintain enough charm and appeal to make me keep watching to find out what happens next. And in the fundamental goal of the drama, which is to entertain, they do not disappoint.