Asian Dramas

Recently I have become addicted to Asian Dramas. I love them. They are every bit as formulaic, sappy, and predictable as our own soap operas; however they function in a completely different way. Unlike US soap operas they have no evil twins (that I have found yet), most seem to center around high school or college aged people, and they do not have any serious love scenes. It's actually quite refreshing to see a show where the main couple don't even kiss till half way trhough the series (if they are lucky).

Of course they still have a lot of drama. Backstabbing friends, kidnappings, people loosing their jobs, and all sorts of crazy things happen to make things difficult for the main couple to get together. It's also interesting to see how romance (and all other sorts of relationships) develop in a culture that is not as emotionally expressive. All the emotion is still there it's just expressed a lot differently, the actors in Asian dramas have to be a lot more skilled then their American counterparts. Maybe it's just the shows I have been watching but a lot of the male romantic leads seems to have a serious case of the Mr Darcys. That is to say a lot of them are rich men, who are complete jerks, who end up being really good guys in the end.

The shows are a little cartoonish, sappy, and predictable; however they are completely addictive and enjoyable. I don't think I can can say enough about how these dramas, put American Romantic comedies to shame. So if you have yet to try watching an Asian Drama yet, here is a list of Renegade Film Snob approved Asian Dramas. I have probably listed some of these before but there are some new additions.

"Goong" or "Princess Hours"

An average Korean girl finds out that she will marry into the Korean Royal family. Hilarity ensues.

"Romantic Princess"

A girl suddenly finds out that she is the Grandaughter of the richest man in all of Asia.

"Devil Beside You"

A girl accidentally gives her love not to the wrong the wrong guy, and by wrong guy I mean the biggest trouble maker in the whole school. The twist, he really likes her, but he has an odd way of showing it.

"Silence"

A girl becomes mute after she is involved with a terrible accident, while she spends time in a hospital she meets a boy. The two become best friends and promise to meet again a few years later on, and the rest is history.

"Zettai Kareshi" or "Absolute Boyfriend"

A woman who aspires to be a pastry chef gets involved in some trouble. She thinks she is signing up for some sort of matchmaking services, but instead gets herself a prototype sexy boyfriend robot. Hilarity ensues.

"Hana Yori Dango" or "Boys Before Flowers"

There is a girl from a poor family who attends a school for very rich and cruel students. The school is controlled by a group of guys who call themselves F4 (Flower 4) their leader is a vengeful and violent person who gives students red cards if they offend him, causing everyone in the school to give this person a beating. The girl in question ends up getting a red card, and somehow this still ends up being a romance. The show also has a second season.

"Summer X Summer"

A girl falls in love with a very bratty model. Hilarity ensues. The show starts out kinds rough, but hang in there it gets a lot better.

"Witch Yoo Hee"

There is a serious business woman with the reputation for being a real witch. She keeps going through housekeepers who can't take her attitude, until she literally runs into a man who agrees to be her house keeper in order to pay off the debt he owes her for the damage he did to her car.

There are tons and tons of shows that I have yet to watch, as I am just starting to discover Asian Drama. So go out and explore, you may find a show you really like.

All of the shows are available on streaming video (and more importantly for many of us, with English subs) at the amazing http://www.mysoju.com/