Dramabeans

Dramabeans
Web address dramabeans.com
Slogan "Deconstructing korean dramas and kpop culture"
Commercial? Yes
Type of site
Recap and discussion site for Korean dramas and films
Available in English
Launched 2007
Alexa rank
21,785 (As of March 2015)[1]
Current status Active

Dramabeans is an English language website that features in depth reviews and analysis of Korean dramas, and serves also as a fan forum for those programs featured. It also features Korean entertainment news on such topics such as preproduction and casting.

History

Dramabeans began as a blog by Korean American, "Sarah",[2] better known by her online pen name of javabeans in 2007 as a site to recap and debate Korean dramas. As the popularity of the blog increased she registered the domain name. In 2010 Dramabeans reader "Jen", better known as girlfriday became a second regular reviewer- contributor to the site,[3] and the two were able to make the site their full time job.

Methodology and impact

The core of the site is an archive of recaps of each episode of selected dramas, with comments serving as a forum on the episode reviewed. Most new mini dramas from the big three (Korean Broadcasting System, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation and Seoul Broadcasting System) will receive a recap of the first episode, with those which the recappers find most interested in having every episode in its 16 to 24 episode run being reviewed, longer dramas are not covered. Both javabeans and girlfriday are professional writers and deconstruct each episode as both writers and as ethnic Koreans with an understanding of the Korean entertainment industry, Korean story telling tropes, and mores and customs. The popularity of Dramabeans has paralled the growing popularity of Korean dramas as part of the Korean Wave in the West, serving as a primer to Korean mores, culture and attitudes to Western audiences.[3]

The site also features articles with regards casting and preproduction of upcoming dramas, and behind the scenes news of airing dramas,

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Awarding body Result
2014DARI AwardsSpecial AwardKorea Creative Content Agency, Korea Cultural Center-Los AngelesWon[4]

Publications

Publications
Year Title Authors Publisher ISBN
2013Why Do Dramas Do That?javabeans, girlfridayDimension Four LLCISBN 978-0-9860598-0-3

References

  1. "Dramabeans.com Site Info". Alexa Internet, Inc. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  2. Hong, Tae (29 August 2014). "Dramabeans: Guardians of the K-drama Galaxy". The Korea Times. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Woo, Michelle (24 November 2014). "Dramabeans Duo Spills the Beans on K-Dramas". KoreAm. KoreAm. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  4. "DramaFever CEO chosen as Person of the Year by DARI Awards". The Korea Times. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2015.

External links