Around summertime that year, a friend of mine was trying to push something new towards me, Korean dramas. What?! Honestly, I never considered to watch dramas that were not spoken in English. It never occurred to me that I may be interested in dramas other than the normal British and American ones that everyone goes on about or are advertised in mainstream TV.
As I'm someone who's open to change (well at least I like to think I am), I thought okay, why not, let's give it try. This friend of mine, decided to give me a drama that was popular amongst the K-Drama fans (one that converts everyone to a K-Drama addict), Boys Over Flowers. And what a mistake that was. I guess you have to know your audience when you want them to try something new. I never actually got past the first episode of that drama, thus my judging it may be unfair but truth be told the acting was appalling that even the infamous Lee Min Ho (Korean actor praised for his looks and acting - overrated in my opinion) couldn't sway me into watching any further let alone give another K-Drama a try.
Now this friend of mine had been a K-Drama addict for a while by then and was on a hunt to bring a few more into her addiction as she went along. After months of not-so-subtle encouragement and pestering she finally had me giving it another try but this time she picked a different drama, A Gentleman's Dignity. I've gotta say, she'd nailed it with her recommendation, because after that drama, I was hooked.
Since, then my addiction began and all I watch now are just K-dramas, and I could give you endless list of reason why they're awesome but in this blog I'm aiming to give you an idea of what tends to happen post-K-drama addiction.
One thing I wish my friend had done before veering me towards this, was to seriously give me a heads up. Without a doubt you absolutely and undoubtedly need, is the K-drama addiction warning.
So, here are the things that I think I should've been forewarned about before attempting a K-drama:
1. Say goodbye to sleep
You become nocturnal once you become a K-drama addict. It's a case of 'just one more episode and then I'll sleep' but sure enough, you'll find that it's time for work and you haven't greeted your pillow.
2. Greetings to a hearty appetite
One thing about K-dramas is that the characters are always eating, and man does the food look awesome. So, after watching that episode you'll most likely gander off in hunt for some ramen (or in most cases for me a crappy instant noodles).
3. The constant swooning
Yes! These guys and inexplicably swoon-worthy - you'll be sitting there with a joker-style grin, the hands in fists clutched to the chest and the dreamy wistful sighs. Every time you watch a new drama, you fall in love all over again. By the end of your first month, you would've had quite a few oppas! (Hangul for boyfriend.)
4. Second Lead Syndrome (SLS)
Now this one you need to get used to, because man it happens in way too many dramas. The guy who is absolutely perfect, treats her with kindness, respect and love but oh guess what he's soon pushed into the 'friendzone' and the female lead skips off into the arms of the cocky, arrogant first lead. Wae?!! (hangul for why, which leads me to my next point...)
5. Hangul dropping
You'll soon find that your non-K-drama friends are looking at you weirdly as you start to use hangul words and phrases in your daily life. Ottoke?! The effect this addiction will have on you...
6. Sudden Desire to go to Seoul
So, before your places to visit may have been like, America, Singapore, Mauritaus etc, but now randomly what makes it to the top of your list? South Korea! After your addiction, you've a growing desire to visit the places and eat those mouth-watering food and perhaps bump into a gorgeous oppa or two. So, get ready to adjust your bucketlist and make room for what comes with this addiction. And I tell you it's helluva a conversation starter too.
7. K-drama to K-pop
What's more likely than not to happen, is you start to spend a lot more time on google, from googling that hot first lead to finding the soundtrack of that drama. Eventually, anything Korean-related will get you jumping in excitement. Therefore, it's inevitable that you'd get hooked on to K-pop, if the the likes of SHINEE and EXO are anything to go by, 'cause boy can those guys move!
8. Irrational Excitement
Well, I don't know whether this applies to all K-drama addict fans but I can be sure to say that many of us would've experienced this. I'm referring to the stupidly irrational way we behave when we come across a Korean person. They are just people who, at that moment look at you as if you're demented. I guess, the excitement derives from the feeling that you'll be able to connect with them due to your K-drama addiction. Makes no sense, and I'll admit I'm guilty of this. Had one of those moment during my trip to Istanbul, and grabbed my cousin's arms so tight and wide-eyed, 'Those people are Korean!' and her deadpan expression said the rest...
So, these are only a few of the things I wish I'd been warned about before jumping on this band wagon of sleepless nights and nonsensical excitement. There's plenty more consequences I assure you and if you're one of us then feel free to share your ideas with me, I'm sure we'll agree on plenty.
