I think that Kdramas are simply easier to watch than Jdramas.
That's not necessarily a good thing.
Every time I go back to Jdrama I realize how good the quality is. Most of the time, the content is more substantial than a Kdrama. I feel that Kdramas are easier to watch than Jdramas the way it's easier to watch TV than to read books.
To me, watching Jdramas require a more serious involvement of the viewer in the plot, it makes you think a little, puts you out of your comfort zone. I mean, you actually have Jdramas about :
- human cloning (NEVER LET ME GO),
- a transgender man coming out to his friends as the world still identify him as female and the stuggle of his best friend with domestic abuse (LAST FRIENDS)
- and intersex high school students (IS OTOKO DEMO ONNA DEWA NAI).
to name a few.
It's more demanding intellectually, and more rewarding also. I will fangirl over a Kdrama Idol anytime, but if I want a drama that will really make me cry, that will have me on the edge of my seat, that will puzzle me or make me question my own way of thinking, I know I need to go to Jdramaland, the way I'd know I need to turn the TV off and go read a book. The only time I felt that with a Kdrama was with White Christmas, and even then, I remember thinking "This has a Jdrama vibe" !
So, I love both Jdramas and Kdramas for very different reasons, the way I love TV and books, but if someone asks me who make the best dramas, I'd say hands down Jdramaland. With a few exception like White Christmas or MARS.
How about a BIG reason - a REAL reason? Japan, just like America & a lot of European & British shows, can't pass…
Someone watches Tedtalks here. I saw that video and I got interested in the Bechdal test. It's true that Kdrama contain lots of dialogs between women and that the plots of Kdrama include women more than western shows. But if your point is to say that Kdramas are the work of feminists and fight against patriarchy, I do hope you know how wrong you are.
some interesting links for you :
So....I guess all the characters will be Japanese-washed. I guess the chimeras will be CGIs monstrosities...I guess Al Elric will be emotionless and I guess we're not even going to get the actual plot.
I agree. That's why I still haven't seen Oh My Venus. I'm scared of what I'll see. I'm more and more shocked by the harsh ideas kdramas try to force on young girls and women.
Great article ! Here are some suggestions for the next part :
Byakoyako and Kyusei no Kizuna are two excellent drama based on books...by the same author
The Moon that Embraces the Sun was based off a book
Of course, you can't exclude Genji Monogatari, a drama/movie based off one of the oldest novels in human history...which was written by a woman.
What is funny is that it was entirely written in Hiragana, which then was the only written version of Japanese taught to women because it was believed women couldn't mentally handle the difficulty of Kanji (chinese character). But this novel is a masterpiece and one of the oldest piece of organized fiction ever written...in hiragana, by a woman
and there is also Never Let Me Go (watashi wo hanasanaide), currently airing
But I must say, if I sometimes rewatch the Heir, it's only because of Choi Young Do. My god even when you put aside Kim Woo Bin charisma (if you can) this character is worth the trip !
It is announced that there will be 18 episodes only. The casts are shooting the final episode now. I am just hoping…
I know. I don't care that the plot makes no sense, I can't let go of this couple, and most importantly, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO DO IT RIGHT IN 2 EPISODES !?????
1 
That's not necessarily a good thing.
Every time I go back to Jdrama I realize how good the quality is. Most of the time, the content is more substantial than a Kdrama. I feel that Kdramas are easier to watch than Jdramas the way it's easier to watch TV than to read books.
To me, watching Jdramas require a more serious involvement of the viewer in the plot, it makes you think a little, puts you out of your comfort zone. I mean, you actually have Jdramas about :
- human cloning (NEVER LET ME GO),
- a transgender man coming out to his friends as the world still identify him as female and the stuggle of his best friend with domestic abuse (LAST FRIENDS)
- and intersex high school students (IS OTOKO DEMO ONNA DEWA NAI).
to name a few.
It's more demanding intellectually, and more rewarding also. I will fangirl over a Kdrama Idol anytime, but if I want a drama that will really make me cry, that will have me on the edge of my seat, that will puzzle me or make me question my own way of thinking, I know I need to go to Jdramaland, the way I'd know I need to turn the TV off and go read a book. The only time I felt that with a Kdrama was with White Christmas, and even then, I remember thinking "This has a Jdrama vibe" !
So, I love both Jdramas and Kdramas for very different reasons, the way I love TV and books, but if someone asks me who make the best dramas, I'd say hands down Jdramaland. With a few exception like White Christmas or MARS.
:)
some interesting links for you :
- https://gllitterkid.wordpress.com/2014/06/26/a-disturbing-guide-for-watching-korean-drama/
- http://mydramalist.com/article/2015/09/07/patriarchy-abuse-and-gender-roles-in-asian-dramas
Byakoyako and Kyusei no Kizuna are two excellent drama based on books...by the same author
The Moon that Embraces the Sun was based off a book
Of course, you can't exclude Genji Monogatari, a drama/movie based off one of the oldest novels in human history...which was written by a woman.
What is funny is that it was entirely written in Hiragana, which then was the only written version of Japanese taught to women because it was believed women couldn't mentally handle the difficulty of Kanji (chinese character). But this novel is a masterpiece and one of the oldest piece of organized fiction ever written...in hiragana, by a woman
and there is also Never Let Me Go (watashi wo hanasanaide), currently airing
But I must say, if I sometimes rewatch the Heir, it's only because of Choi Young Do. My god even when you put aside Kim Woo Bin charisma (if you can) this character is worth the trip !