May 3, 2024

The impact of Kdramas on Korean Society and vice versa

As Kdramas gain popularity and acclaim worldwide, let us take a look at the influence they have on Korean society, as well as the impact Korean society has on Kdramas. By Ching Wai.

South Korea - Korean dramas (Kdramas) have grown in popularity worldwide. With shows like the 2009 romcom Boys Over Flowers, the historical drama The Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), the apocalyptic horror drama series Sweet Home (2020), and the recent comedy mystery series Chicken Nugget (2024), Kdrama has proven to be masterpieces no matter the genre. With the global acclaim comes international attention and criticism. At the same time, local influence and impact are of equal, if not more significance. And this is where problems may arise.

The impact of Kdramas on Korean society and vice versa are most evident in the medical and health genre. With dramas like Good Doctor (2013) and It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020), Kdramas present medical taboos like autism and mental health on screen, providing not just representation but also a way for such topics to be discussed. The portrayal of medical professionals, albeit rather dramatised and romanticised, influences public perception of medicine. This includes holding a higher regard for medical professionals, and sometimes even inspiring viewers to take on the profession.

Meanwhile, recent events once again affect a Kdrama release: the highly anticipated debut of a Hospital Playlist spinoff Resident Playbook featuring Go Youn-jung has been postponed to the later half of 2024. While there are multiple reasons for this, one striking reason was the doctor strike that saw many medical residents resigning, resulting in staff shortage and subsequent casualties. The drama’s postponement was timely - reception of a medical drama would not be positive as the medical field faced uncertain times.

With the society and dramas being so interconnected, deeply-rooted issues within the society may be uprooted in the dramas, even subconsciously. This includes Kdramas that highlight societal issues like The Glory (2022), True Beauty (2020) and 18 Again (2020), and Kdramas that did not intend to offend but did, like King’s Land (2023) and Chicken Nugget (2024). Furthermore, signs of a more insensitive or oblivious society is evident of a history of monoculture. All these definitely do not excuse insensitive portrayals in dramas, which ultimately hurt victims and/or cultures. However, they can help us understand where the anger and backlash come from, and why some Kdramas are cancelled (in both formal and slang use of the term).

Internationally, Kdramas provide entertainment, introduce Korean culture and language, and possibly influence passions or career directions. Locally, not only does Kdrama impact Korean society, Korean society impacts Kdramas as well. With the rising global acclaim of Kdramas, the reciprocal relationship between dramas and the society become ever more evident. As such, Korean production companies should take more care, as some already have, when handling sensitive topics and other cultures. At the same time, international audiences can be more empathetic and understanding as they watch Kdramas. Not one society is perfect - we can all stand to learn and grow as we enjoy the masterfully crafted dramas that South Korea offers the world.

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