Drama Korea and the Korean Wave: A Cultural Phenomenon
Drama Korea and the Korean Wave: A Cultural Phenomenon The world of entertainment has seen many trends and movements, but few have taken hold of the globe and been imbued with such cultural significance as the Korean Wave, otherwise known as "Hallyu." At the heart of this phenomenon lies drama Korea, so-called Korean dramas, better known as K-dramas, which have drawn their appeal in audiences well beyond the borders of South Korea. This article will explore the rise of K-dramas, their positioning within the Korean Wave, and the journey they have gone on to become the powerful cultural force that they are, shaping global entertainment. The Rise of Drama Korea The history of Korean dramas goes all the way back to the 1960s, but only later in the late 1990s and the early years of the 2000s did they become popular in international circles. A very important milestone was recorded in 1997 in China with the release of "What Is Love?" for K-drama dispersion beyond