Pop-culture critic Jung Duk-hyun, known as the person who watches more television shows than anyone else in Korea, says dramas are often undervalued because of their popular nature and accessibility. However, he believes it is precisely their ability to evoke strong feelings and stir emotions that leave long-lasting impressions on viewers. “The relatability of dramas is what makes them so appealing to viewers.
I believe that dramas can better represent the thoughts and feelings of ordinary people than any other form of media,” the 55-year-old critic says. “Dramas don’t just present a world that’s one step removed from our own. They connect with us on a much deeper level.
” Jung has been writing reviews for Korean dramas and films for some 20 years. He published his first book on Korean drama in 2021 and recently released his second, which contains essays on the 45 most memorable lines from K-dramas. “Koreans are known for being very expressive and in touch with their emotions.
Korean dramas reflect that, exploring that full spectrum of emotions in their stories. They take viewers on an emotional roller coaster, making them laugh, cry, feel anger and everything in-between,” he says. This explains how slice-of-life Korean dramas, such as , can connect with viewers in other countries with no knowledge of the social background of the time.
“It’s not just watching a story unfold. You’re living it with the characters. And by the time they finally express their .