Asgerd

Thank you for an interesting and engaging article. I enjoyed reading it a lot, like many others :). I love historic and periodical dramas, basically because I take great interest in historical, cultural, and social issues both personally and professionally. I believe that you pinpoint something essential when you emphasize the premises of understanding dramas/films conveying history. We do need to take the context of history and period into consideration when we try to understand the meaning of the content. Not doing this, will make us interpret with bias. My preunderstanding is part of me due to the time I live in and may either open or close the essence of the historic drama/film. Meeting the historic horizon widens my perspectives and is fruitful to development of my preunderstanding, creating something new. However, this must be based on knowledge and an open mind to significant developmental features over time. I love to watch British and Scandinavian historical dramas because they are so well and trustworthy while telling the story so to speak. I did not at all know Asian productions until I by accident came across the S K drama "Queen for Seven Days". Everything was new to me, way of acting, language, cultural expressions, the social context etc. I have to say that this drama really became a door opener to me in more than one way. I became very curious about Korean history and culture and started to read. And what a historical gem this is. I have learned so much about Korean and East Asian historical development, heritage, and culture by the inspiration from several historical and periodical dramas, before, during and after the Joseon period. Besides the above-mentioned drama, I love "Six flying dragons", "My country - The new age", " Rebel" - The Thief who stole The People", Empress Ki. Some of them quite epic, I think. Of course, as dramas they convey not facts alone. That is understandable. There will be a need to dramatize and interpret, still you easily understand if the core of the drama is based on historical events and good sources. Again, thank you for an interesting and "educational " article. It has also been very ok to read all the comments, confirming that you have addressed an issue and subject many can relate to.