I find the following article (indented stuff in dark blue font is the translated article; the rest are my comments) particularly interesting because I’ve thought this topic over a lot in the past, and pretty much completely disagree — not with the article’s logic, but the conclusion. The piece draws upon comparisons between kdramas and their American drama counterparts, which have multiple-season structures that differ from the kdrama format (of single-season, finite series). I have long believed — strongly, at that — that in this respect, the kdrama format far outstrips the U.S. model.

But I’ll get more into that after the article. First, here’s what it’s got to say:

“Demanding More Seasons of Television Dramas”

When popular dramas end, you’ll find these sorts of comments on the audience message boards: “Produce a season 2!” That was the case not long ago with MBC’s Coffee Prince Store #1, as well as Time of Dog and Wolf.

 
(Random) SONG OF THE DAY

The Hi-Lights – “Mister Tambourine” [ zShare download ]

 
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Read the rest of Sequel Mania (1,805 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2007. | Permalink | 38 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Auction House, Bad Couple, Bad Family, drama production, drama ratings, Hello Franceska, Lovers, sequels

Whenever I read an article about the reason for the Korean Wave/Hallyu’s recent popularity, there’s a mention about the focus of family in kdramas that set it apart from their more sensational, sexy Western counterparts. While not all kdramas are family-related, there often are very strong family undercurrents, even when the main story is about crime, about the workplace, romance, whatever.

It’s not exactly a drama, but there’s an episode of the sitcom Nonstop 5 (episode #244) that shows a perfect example of what I mean, in a bite-sized, 20-minute package. Watch it after the jump.

SONG(s) OF THE DAY

G.O.D. – “To My Mother” (어머님께): This one’s a repost from the mother-related Flowers For My Life episode. [ zShare download ]

Tim – “To My Father” (아버지께) [ zShare download ]

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Read the rest of Korean Dramas & Family Relations (1,292 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2007. | Permalink | 37 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bad Family, Dal Ja's Spring, Feelings, Flowers For My Life, Nonstop 5