Korean drama

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Korean drama (Korean: 한국드라마) refers to televised dramas, similar to Western miniseries, produced in the Korean language for Korean audiences. Many of these dramas have become popular throughout Asia and have contributed to the general phenomenon of the Korean wave. Most popular Korean dramas have also become popular throughout East and Southeast Asia. Some of the most internationally popular Korean dramas are Full House, Stairway to Heaven, My Girl, Dae Jang Geum, My Lovely Sam Soon, Autumn in My Heart, Princess Hours and 1st Shop of Coffee Prince. Recently some Korean Dramas have become quite popular in Latin American countries such as Mexico, Chile and Brazil.[citation needed]

These shows typically involve conflicts such as marital relationships, money bargaining, relationships between in-laws (usually between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law), and often, complicated love triangles.

Korean dramas have recently become popular in the United States as many see these dramas as an alternative to the violent and racy content of American soap operas. Korean drama fan clubs have appeared in Hawaii, Iowa, and California. Cable channels in the U.S. (such as AZN, KBS World) feature several Korean dramas during primetime. The dramas are not dubbed, but subtitled in English. Aside from the soaps, AZN also has a program called Drama City, telecasted on Sunday nights on KBS in the U.S. This program includes a variety of tele-serials; each serial with a new story.

Korean television (comic programs, dramas, news, and other genres) shares some similarity with Japanese, Chinese, and Taiwanese television as opposed to American (Western) television. Some popular Korean dramas such as Dae Jang Geum ("The Jewel in the Palace") and Jumong ("The Book of Three Han") have also showcased traditional Korean ways of life, and often depict Confucian values.

Korean stars have now become familiar faces throughout Asia - for example Choi Ji Woo, Kwon Sang-woo, Song Seung Heon, Bae Yong Joon, Won Bin, Hyun Bin, Bi/Rain, Song Hye Kyo, Lee Young Ae, Yoon Eun-hye, Gong Yoo, and Lee Jun Ki.

The format was parodied in MADtv with Bobby Lee and Korean American guest-stars Sung Kang and Cathy Shim. Korean drama cliches also appear in a comedic way, including the camera set-up style, constant replayed clips, melodramatic music, and the tragic love triangle. These skits were supposedly filmed by Korean drama directors.

Blockbuster currently sells Korean Drama DVDs in limited locations across the United States.

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