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Korean drama had its origin in the religious rites of
prehistoric days. During the Shilla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935) dance movements and
musical accompaniment were developed into a kind of drama called Ch'oyong.
The Ch'oyong was not drama in the strict definition of the term. Even
though it included dramatic elements that followed a distinct narrative story
line, it was also made up of a series of dramatic dances. Besides Ch'oyong,
there were several other such performances for royal and popular entertainment,
but once again, primary emphasis was placed upon dance movements with music
accompaniment which disqualifies them from being considered a true drama in
general understanding of the word.
Dancing with musical accompaniment has always been important
in Korean classical shows of all kinds regardless of their official designation
as dance or drama. The sandae drama of the Koryo Dynasty (918-1392) contains more definite dramatic elements than the Ch'oyong.
It was performed on stage by masked actors following a script with a story and
occasional spoken lines. Dances and songs dominated the play. The sandae
was further developed during the Choson Dynasty
(1392-1910), when it became one of the official functions of the court.
Eventually, it lost royal patronage and became entertainment for the common
people. This most representative of Korean classic dramas found wide popular
acceptance, as the subjugated masses of agrarian Korean society found solace in
the humorous, satirical mask dramas that ridiculed the privileged classe--Buddhist
priests and the yangban aristocrats.
Besides the shows described above, there were other dramatic
forms of popular entertainment, such as puppet plays, acrobatic clowning, the Ogwangdae,
the Pyolshin-gut (in the nature of a
shamanistic ritual), and the Pongsan mask dance. All such classic
entertainments, however declined with the introduction of Western culture in the
1900s.
Korea is riding on the "hallyu"
movement - the globalization of Korean dramas (K-dramas).
Whether it's Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, China or the U.S., viewers
who watch Korean dramas are enamored by the "real" acting
and fascinating stories that unfold before their eyes.
K-dramas are a refreshing
change for many, and some, like Winter Sonata, take them back to
first loves. Others like, Dae Jang Geum, tell about history in
a fascinating way with rich costumes and realistic sets.
While some viewers may find
them too "mild" for their taste, many others will be
thrilled to find tasteful, endearing programming that reels them in
and leaves them wanting more...and more...and more....and then
they're hooked only to find that they are part of the "hallyu"
movement.
If you are
interested in buying Korean dramas, be careful where you buy
them. Buying from eBay and other sites may be less
expensive, but as the saying goes "you get what you pay
for."
From personal
experience, buying off of eBay or other sites usually results in
bootleg or illegal copies of the dramas which results in poor
picture quality. Some bootleg copies also have very poor
English subtitles, ranging from jibberish to excessive
language. The only site we use and recommend, because of the
excellent quality of the DVDs and subtitles, is YesAsia.com.
YesAsia.com is the only authorized distributor of Korean DVDs in
North America.
If AsianInfo
has helped you in your search or interest in Korean dramas, please
use the links posted below each drama. There is no
additional cost to you to purchase through these links. We
need your help in improving our website and appreciate your
visiting us!
Kang Joon Sang/ Lee Min Hyung
~ Bae Yong Jun Jung Yu Jin ~ Choi Ji Woo Kim Sang Hyuk ~ Park Yong Ha
Oh Chelin ~Park Sol Mi Kong Jin Suk ~ Lee Hye Eun
Kwon Yong Kuk ~ Ryu Seung Soo
General Synopsis:
Yu Jin and Sang Hyuk are close
childhood friends who do everything together with their friends
Chelin, Jin Suk and Yong Kuk. When Joon Sang arrives in town, Chelin
claims him as her own. Joon Sang seems to have a grudge against Sang
Hyuk and tries to aggravate him. He even manages to win Yu
Jin's heart to the surprise and disappointment of their friends,
especially Chelin. This causes jealousy and anger until an
accident occurs that disrupts their lives.
This is a show about the power
of love - whether it be pure or an obsession - and how it affects
the lives of the ones we love by the decisions we make.
Review:
Excellent - Debatable
with other K-drama followers, but this is my favorite drama.
The scenery, music and on-screen "sizzle" make it a
"must watch" drama and the soundtrack a "must
have" CD.
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Yoon Jung Sook ~ Han Ji
Hae (Hye) Kwon Kyuk Jun ~ Lee Dong Jun
General Synopsis:
Living life as a
responsibility-free high school senior, Jung Sook gets into trouble
when she is caught dancing at a night club by a district attorney.
But that is just the beginning of surprises in her life...she finds
out that when she was a baby, her grandfather set up an arranged
marriage...to an older man!
This drama is about Jung
Sook's trials in avoiding the arranged marriage while trying to find
the "true love" she literally bumped into on the street.
But ultimately, the discovery of love in an unexpected place is
sweet to watch.
A story of immaturity, coming
of age and the realization of true love.
Review:
Excellent -
but probably geared more for females than males. It's not a
serious drama, nor is it straight comedy, but a delightful mix of
the two.
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Starring: Jin Sun Mi ~ Chae Rim Huh Young Mi ~ Kim So Yeon Kim Woo Jin ~ Han Jae Suk Yoon Hyung Chul ~ Jang Dong Gun
General Synopsis:
Sun
Mi lives a princess life with her widowed father, until an accident
at his company brings change to her life. Young Mi, the same
age as Sun Mi, hasn't had an easy life and immediately feels
compelled to compete with Sun Mi in every aspect of life.
This is a tale of love and
deceit. How much can a person endure before breaking down?
What would be an unforgivable act?
A story of heartbreak, of
unfaltering love and of sacrifice, it is a compelling story to
watch.
Review:
Very Good
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Kim In Ha ~ Lee
Byung Hun Min Su Yon (Angela) ~Song Hae Gyo Choi Jung Won ~ Ji Sung Suh Jin Hee ~ Park Sol Mi
Synopsis:
As a young boy, In Ha learns
the "art" of cheating at cards, while helping his uncle.
He also become proficient at getting into trouble, which seems to
follow him everywhere, whether he wants it or not.
To his dismay, cards seem to
be his only hope in escaping the trouble of his youth, but they
bring him nothing but pain. Instead of letting this
"talent" get him down, he turns his pain into
perserverance and eventually.....peace?
It's a sad story of good
trying to triumph, but evil keeps staying alive - sabotaging his
every effort at a "normal" life.
Review:
Very Good - this
would be Excellent except for the violence and the
"American" extras overact (i.e., can't act). This is a
"must see" for men.
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Yun Joon Suh ~Song
Seung Hun Yun/Choi Eun Suh ~ Song Hae Gyo Han Tae Suhk ~Won Bin
Synopsis:
Eun
Suh lived a wonderful life with her parents and brother Joon Suh,
until something happened that changed her life forever. She
went from an idyllic, happy childhood to one filled with strife,
hard work and misery - and seemingly unloved in the new
circumstances.
Although she lives
her life cheerfully and without regret, she is continually thwarted
in achieving true happiness.
A sorrowful story
that stays tragic.
Review:
Very Good - be
prepared to shed a few tears. I was most impressed with the
children's acting in the first few episodes - excellent!
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Dae Jang Geum ~ Lee
Young Ae Min Jung Ho ~ Ji Jin Hee
Synopsis:
Based on a true story about
the first female royal physician during the Chosun Dynasty.
Dae Jang Geum begins as an apprentice in the royal kitchen but she
later on achieves the status of being the King's personal physician.
This is no easy feat, but is accomplished with hard work,
perseverance and determination.
A testimony to all showing
that almost anything is possible with determination and wisdom.
Review:
Excellent - A show
for men and women alike.
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Jang Chae Ohk ~ Ha Ji
Won Hwangbo Yoon ~ Lee Seo Jin Jang Sung Baek ~ Kim Min Joon
Synopsis:
Counterfeit money, conspiracy,
rebellion - this is an action packed drama that highlight's the role
of Chae Ohk, a female undercover detective. Under the cloak of
secrecy, she gathers and collects information - even at the risk of
her life.
A romance that cannot be... a
family that once was... extinguished hope... A
heart-wrenching, at times, gut-wrenching, drama to watch.
Review:
Very Good
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Han Ji Eun ~ Song Hae
Gyo Lee Young Jae ~ Bi Kang Hye Won ~ Han Eun Jung Yoo Min Hyuk ~ Kim Sung Soo
Synopsis:
A
naive, cheerful albeit, somewhat of a recluse writer, Ji Eun is
swindled out of everything she owns. Not by strangers, but her
best friends! Stranded in another country, she is determined
to get home, only to find that all which is precious to her has been
sold. In an attempt to get her possessions back, she has
"sell her soul."
A story about love and
heartbreak, sadness and self-preservation. In spite of it all, Ji
Eun manages to be humorous and endearing - even when her heart is
breaking.
Review:
Very Good - Although
the ending was weak, the sizzle between Song Hae Gyo and Bi made the
drama worth watching.
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Lee Ja Young ~Choi Ji Woo Jung Hyun Woo ~ Ryu Shi Won Lee Shin Hee ~ Park Sun Young Park Seung Jae ~ Son Ji Chang
Synopsis:
What
would you do if you were sitting in the backseat of a car when a car
accident takes place and wakes up to see that you are sitting in the
driver's seat accused of causing the accident? Shin Hee has
used Ja Young as her shield maltreating her in dexterous ways since
childhood. Shin Hee uses Ja Young's low status as a
daughter of her father's car driver
We find at the
epilogue of this drama that honesty is the virtue of life whatever
the circumstances.
Review:
Excellent
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Oh Young Shim ~
Eom Jung Hwa
Park Jung Woo ~ Kim Nam Jin Dr. Min Ji Hwan (Young Shim's husband)
~ Shin Sung Woo
Synopsis:
It's
a drama about a woman who is ignored by her husband and his family.
She falls in love with a handsome young man who truly loves her
back. Her husband, a seemingly perfect man, can not forget his first
love and he always regret marrying an uneducated wife of his.
However, he thinks twice and gets jealous when he finds out his wife
is cheating on him.
Review:
Fair
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Han Tae Jun ~ Kim Seung
Woo Suh Jin Young ~ Song Yun Ah Shin Dong Hyuk/Frank Shin ~ Bae Yong Jun Kim Yun Hee ~ Song Hae Gyo
Synopsis:
The unexpected death of the
hotel owner, brings about uncertainty. Jin Young is recruited
to bring back former head manager, Han Tae Jun, to help regroup the
hotel. Unfortunately, there are many opposed to his re-appointment
and his path is strewn with difficulty.
His main rival is the man
brought in secretly for a hostile takeover, Frank Shin. Frank
is a man who doesn't bother with love, until he meets Jin Young by
accident in America.
A tale of forgotten love,
secret pain and new hope
Review:
Very Good -I
liked this show, although the "American" actors can't act
and the interaction between Koreans / Americans leave something to
be desired.
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Lee Hee Jung ~ Kim
Ha Neul
Kim Jun Ho (Hee Jung's friend) ~ Ryu Shi Won Cho Young Min (Hee Jungs's manager) ~ Kim Min
Jong Lee Ji Eun (Hee Jung's sister) ~ Ha Ji Won
Synopsis:
Ji
Eun finds out her sister Hee Jung is the daughter of a famous
fashion designer and takes over her place as a real daughter.
Ji Eun loses her sense of morality as gets into deeper sin out of
jealousy toward Hee Jung who also steals both Jun Ho and Young
Min's heart. The fashion designer doesn't have the luxury of
enjoying the love of her real daughter, Hee Jung when she dies of
leukemia. Ji Eun at last realizes unconditional love of this
fashion designer and Hee Jung's forgiveness toward her.
Review:
Good
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Yoo Min Woo ~ Song
Seung Hun Shim Hye Won ~ Son Ye Jin Park Jung Jae ~ Ryu Jin Park Jung Ah ~ Han Ji Hye
General
Synopsis:
Min Woo's fiance dies
on their wedding, but gives the gift of her heart to another person
in need. Hye Won is on the verge of dying, but receives the
gift of life from a person who has died. They have a chance
meeting, which is the beginning of other chance meetings...
A story about
connections, misunderstandings, fate and destiny, but most of all
following your heart.
Review:
Very Good -
The music and scenery are beautiful
in this drama. The soundtrack is a "must have."
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AsianInfo.org
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H.O.P.E. (non-profit org) (International
Cooperation of Environmental Youth - Helping Our Polluted
Earth) Any advertisement you view helps save the
environment! Thanks!
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