Living Vicariously Through Korean Drama

Korean drama is the reason I have slept at 2:00 am one too many times. I have started a drama in one day only to finish it the same day. Each episode is around an hour long with one series having 13 to 16 episodes. Yes, that’s a whole day’s work and sleep hours sacrificed to the Netflix gods and Korean drama writers.

Having been single for more than two years, my love life is non-existent and sometimes singlehood feels like a trap. Going out feels like a lot of work. Taking myself out of my comfort zone to meet people for the first time and repeat what I like 10 times in the hopes of clicking with someone is a lot of energy that in all honesty don’t have and 2020 doesn't currently allow.

So my love life lives on through Korean Drama.

The storylines are always almost similar: damsels in distress and deep poverty being swept up by rich princes whose parents don’t approve of, rich heirs trying to live life on their own terms but their rich dads, often owners of large companies and conglomerates want them to join the company. Spoiled rich brats in highschool bullying their way into girls hearts while being the highschool’s sweethearts or never-ending love triangles, shapes and reconnecting with first loves.

The storyline is predictable and always the same. However, we stay glued to the screens.

Korean Dramas Are So Similar To Our Lives

Except maybe for the conglomerate rich kids and the damsels in poverty who always almost have the latest in the gadget, kitchen and beauty technology, and robust social lives full of eat-outs and parties.

The damsels work multiple jobs to hold it together, pay school fees, rent and have a list of bills they need to take care of. In the 21st century, women certainly don’t need a prince charming to get by or have security and stability in life but these stories rely heavily on the prince charming dynamic. They don’t go out looking for them, it just sorta happens that Prince charming comes in their lives.

Which reminds me to buy Prince Charming isn’t Coming by Barbara Stanny.

It’s Almost Impossible To Not Eat While Watching

Or think about your love life or the non-existence of a love life. Korean cuisine looks so tasty, yummy and eating alone is not a thing over there. It should be a crime to watch Korean movies and cook bland food.

I checked. There are no available Korean ingredients in Nairobi.

Korean Men Look Like Greek gods

We’re not just going by my taste. Korean men and women were ranked as the most beautiful men and women in the world. Actors like Kim Woo Bin, Lee Min-Ho, and Lee Dong-Wook have millions following them from all over the world and get millions of likes from posting a blurry picture, case example, Lee Min-Ho.

We Can Relate To The Struggles of Working Men and Women

There are office politics, working long hours to one’s detriment only to not get noticed or succumb to burnout, harassment and working with out-of-touch bosses and managers.

We can relate with these struggles, except for the notable hierarchies, male dominance in the boardrooms and frequent yelling. Why do bosses yell that much?

It Feels Nice To See A Studious Woman Getting Her Turn

From episode 6, the protagonist undergoes seemingly insurmountable problems with his family, company, and his damsel. The damsel focuses on her career and a life that’s not defined by Prince Charming. She’s finally getting a break after working 10 jobs a week, working late in a company, working as a struggling writer or chef.

Whether she chooses to pursue her dreams and a scholarship in the US, a hospitality career in Italy or gets her big break as a writer or creative; it’s nice to see her finally getting her turn.

It tells anyone who watched that regardless of what they’re going through, they can make it and write their own story. Their big break is coming.

We get stuck watching Korean drama because they in one way or another mirror our lives, where we want to be, where we are, our struggles and our joys. For me, Korean drama saved my 2020 and my love life.

This article first appeared on Medium.