You know you’re one when you’re contemplating reviewing the dramas somewhere online. I’m onto my fourth drama in three weeks, and even though parts of the culture takes a little getting used to – they’re unusually expressive, in a very weird Confusian non-expressive way – it’s still been pretty entertaining.
For one, I think the trick is to avoid blatant love stories. Titles with Heaven in it normally result in someone or everyone dying, so I’ve avoided them (since Stairway to Heaven, which I couldn’t bear watching). But that’s harder than you think, because almost every single title revolves around some kind of relationship that is frowned upon and thwarted at almost every stage (of course except the last).
The themes are very recognisable for anyone growing up on Chinese/Taiwanese/Hong Kong dramas. Family or work or society benefit vs self gratification, the weird hierachy that exists only in an Asian society where people feel that respect has to be accorded to anyone older or more senior (one of the biggest flaws in Confusian philosophy). It seems like in Korea, they still regard it with more reverence than us Singaporeans. Which makes for pretty interesting serial fodder.
Anyway. Four down, two more to go, so I think it’s time to start shopping again!
