Asides from the endless kids shows my overlords make me watch, the only other shows I watch consistently are Asian dramas. As a matter of fact I think everyone should watch them too and here's why
1. Its a shorter time suck - this is a particular beauty of most Asian dramas, Most dramas are only one season (unless the fans get lucky or someone's greedy). In Korea, the format is typically a 16 episode drama shown once a week for a quarter or 50ish episodes shown daily. So while the story line is captivating like most dramas are, the hold Asian dramas have on you will last a quarter at the longest or a few hours if you like to binge watch the whole thing at once like me. For me this means, I am able to get things done in between dramas like write this blog or check up on the tiny overlords.
I also don't understand y'all's ability to wait in between seasons for shows like Grey's Anatomy, Young or whatever else runs for years. I simply don't have the patience or the time.
2. Culture Appreciation - talk to me about chuseok, talk to me about a proper bow, talk to me about formal speech, talk to me about the hierachy, respect and filial piety. There is so much to learn and admire about the Asian culture. And how happy would you be to be showered by red envelopes on your wedding day?
3. Learn a new language without even trying - I pick up languages pretty easily, its a skill and hobby, I understand not everybody has this skill, I married one and gave birth to one, but you guys even my linguistic deficient overlord can say hello, sorry, OMG! in Korean, he can shut up in Hindi too. My Korean/Chinese vocab is obviously a lot more than his, you should see me ordering food in a Korean restaurant (yes I'll eat chicken and pigs feet and chase it down with some soju), that leads me to number 4.
4. Healthy Appreciation for food - I have a terrible relationship with food, so this is very important to me. In the first Korean drama I ever watched, there was a lot of eating, there was a lot of talking with food in their mouths. I told myself the whole time, the eating was going to do me in. But overtime, the eating and cooking has become one of the things I appreciate the most in Asian dramas, you tend to learn a lot (I learned how to chop food like a pro thanks to a Taiwanese drama). I also learned putting food on your plate (despite it not being hygienic) is how affection or approval is shown.
And I know the secret to why most Asians eat a lot of rice and still stay mostly slim, I'll tell you in another blog post.
5. Do it for the Oppas, Hyungs, Noona and Unnis - Ha! they will grow on you, so I might as well explain this to you. Oppa is what girls call guys older than them, it means older brother. So you'll call your older brother Oppa and also any guy older than you that you have an informal relationship with, like a boyfriend or your brothers friends. Hyung is what guys call their older brothers or guys older than them in an informal setting. A Noona is a guys older sister, or any female older than you in an informal setting. Unni is what us girls call our older sister or any female older than us. I'm sure you get it by now, but the bottom line is if they're older than you, you better show respect.
6. Fashion - Fashion in most Asian dramas will boggle your mind lets face it, but I love it because it doesn't ask for your opinion or approval. Outfits aren't revealing or tight for the most part. In the dramas the protagonist doesn't fall for or get attracted to his partner solely because of their body. Its not what you're used to but it really works, I promise. Fashion in Japanese dramas though...
7. Story-lines - I should have made this number one on my list. In Korean dramas, the story line is always done so well and tied up neatly with a bow. I mean yes, there are some cliches you'll notice over time, but there's no way it overshadows the amazing and satisfying plot line. So here's how ill rate the dramas; Korean, Chinese historical/mythical, Chinese contemporary and Taiwanese are a tie right now, although I should say, Taiwanese dramas are improving by leaps and bounds. Japanese dramas cant be compared to the others, its a totally different concept and typically based on manga.
8. Mostly kid safe and wholesome - I hear a lot of parents complaining about how they're stuck watching their kids show, hello paw patrol! For me, my oldest overlord is at that stage where hes stuck in between being a child and wanting to be a grown up. Asian dramas have been a perfect bridge for us. Most dramas for his age group keep on pushing the envelope on what is appropriate for his age. Asian dramas are wholesome, I'm glad for him to see that holding hands when you like someone is a big deal, its normal to like someone for a long time before you know its love, and if you break up with someone for the love of God do it well and in person, not by text.
9. Filial Piety - Best words invented ever in Chinese dramas, as long as you're a great parent I'm absolutely in favor of filial piety. Kids do their duty to their parents when they're adults, you don't get married if the parents are not in agreement etc In Korean drama you'll also notice everyone is called by their surname first then their first name. So if you're Josh Brakeman in Korea you'll be called Brakeman Josh because everywhere you go, you represent your family first before you the individual. I also really love that the girls don't have to change their surname upon marriage.
10. Because I'm a mum and because I said so - toodles, I'm off to go watch reruns of the Return of Superman.
1. Its a shorter time suck - this is a particular beauty of most Asian dramas, Most dramas are only one season (unless the fans get lucky or someone's greedy). In Korea, the format is typically a 16 episode drama shown once a week for a quarter or 50ish episodes shown daily. So while the story line is captivating like most dramas are, the hold Asian dramas have on you will last a quarter at the longest or a few hours if you like to binge watch the whole thing at once like me. For me this means, I am able to get things done in between dramas like write this blog or check up on the tiny overlords.
I also don't understand y'all's ability to wait in between seasons for shows like Grey's Anatomy, Young or whatever else runs for years. I simply don't have the patience or the time.
2. Culture Appreciation - talk to me about chuseok, talk to me about a proper bow, talk to me about formal speech, talk to me about the hierachy, respect and filial piety. There is so much to learn and admire about the Asian culture. And how happy would you be to be showered by red envelopes on your wedding day?
3. Learn a new language without even trying - I pick up languages pretty easily, its a skill and hobby, I understand not everybody has this skill, I married one and gave birth to one, but you guys even my linguistic deficient overlord can say hello, sorry, OMG! in Korean, he can shut up in Hindi too. My Korean/Chinese vocab is obviously a lot more than his, you should see me ordering food in a Korean restaurant (yes I'll eat chicken and pigs feet and chase it down with some soju), that leads me to number 4.
4. Healthy Appreciation for food - I have a terrible relationship with food, so this is very important to me. In the first Korean drama I ever watched, there was a lot of eating, there was a lot of talking with food in their mouths. I told myself the whole time, the eating was going to do me in. But overtime, the eating and cooking has become one of the things I appreciate the most in Asian dramas, you tend to learn a lot (I learned how to chop food like a pro thanks to a Taiwanese drama). I also learned putting food on your plate (despite it not being hygienic) is how affection or approval is shown.
And I know the secret to why most Asians eat a lot of rice and still stay mostly slim, I'll tell you in another blog post.
5. Do it for the Oppas, Hyungs, Noona and Unnis - Ha! they will grow on you, so I might as well explain this to you. Oppa is what girls call guys older than them, it means older brother. So you'll call your older brother Oppa and also any guy older than you that you have an informal relationship with, like a boyfriend or your brothers friends. Hyung is what guys call their older brothers or guys older than them in an informal setting. A Noona is a guys older sister, or any female older than you in an informal setting. Unni is what us girls call our older sister or any female older than us. I'm sure you get it by now, but the bottom line is if they're older than you, you better show respect.
6. Fashion - Fashion in most Asian dramas will boggle your mind lets face it, but I love it because it doesn't ask for your opinion or approval. Outfits aren't revealing or tight for the most part. In the dramas the protagonist doesn't fall for or get attracted to his partner solely because of their body. Its not what you're used to but it really works, I promise. Fashion in Japanese dramas though...
7. Story-lines - I should have made this number one on my list. In Korean dramas, the story line is always done so well and tied up neatly with a bow. I mean yes, there are some cliches you'll notice over time, but there's no way it overshadows the amazing and satisfying plot line. So here's how ill rate the dramas; Korean, Chinese historical/mythical, Chinese contemporary and Taiwanese are a tie right now, although I should say, Taiwanese dramas are improving by leaps and bounds. Japanese dramas cant be compared to the others, its a totally different concept and typically based on manga.
8. Mostly kid safe and wholesome - I hear a lot of parents complaining about how they're stuck watching their kids show, hello paw patrol! For me, my oldest overlord is at that stage where hes stuck in between being a child and wanting to be a grown up. Asian dramas have been a perfect bridge for us. Most dramas for his age group keep on pushing the envelope on what is appropriate for his age. Asian dramas are wholesome, I'm glad for him to see that holding hands when you like someone is a big deal, its normal to like someone for a long time before you know its love, and if you break up with someone for the love of God do it well and in person, not by text.
9. Filial Piety - Best words invented ever in Chinese dramas, as long as you're a great parent I'm absolutely in favor of filial piety. Kids do their duty to their parents when they're adults, you don't get married if the parents are not in agreement etc In Korean drama you'll also notice everyone is called by their surname first then their first name. So if you're Josh Brakeman in Korea you'll be called Brakeman Josh because everywhere you go, you represent your family first before you the individual. I also really love that the girls don't have to change their surname upon marriage.
10. Because I'm a mum and because I said so - toodles, I'm off to go watch reruns of the Return of Superman.
Comments
Post a Comment