I grew up watching Asian dramas/movies. First it was Mexican telenovela popularized by Thalia. Then when the Meteor Garden or F4 series exploded in TV and in the Asian culture, my watching preference extended to Taiwanese, then Korean, then Japanese dramas and movies. Lately, I’ve been disappointed that I’m not finding any new, cute or impressive Asian dramas/movies, particularly the Korean ones. Same story formulas are recycled again and again in the newer shows. The novelty of My Sassy Girl or Autumn’s Tale which left quite an impression was not reproduced again.

If you have watched a lot of Korean movies and dramas, you’ll find that their stories revolved from ongoing themes and getting out of the box seems difficult to do. Here are my observations with Korean shows:

1. There is always a love triangle. Winter Sonata, Autumn’s Tale, Lovers in Paris, The Classic, My wife got married, Wedding, Sad love song

2. Someone always die of a disease and is usually the main character. Autumn’s Tale, …Ing, A love to Kill, A Millionaire’s First Love, Stairway to Heaven, Witch Yoo Hee, 100 days with Mr. Arrogant, Windstruck

3. The hero or heroine usually meets his/her partner by owing him/her money. Coffee Prince, Full House, The Snow Queen, She is Nineteen, My Girl, My Name is Kim Sam Soon, Only You

4. There is power struggle over business or inheritance. Cinderella Man, Lovers in Paris, What Happened in Bali, Love Story in Harvard

5. The character involves himself in bad gangs and violent fighting. Volcano High, My Wife is a Gangster, Dirty Carnival, Gangster High

6. There is amnesia and sudden personality change. Save the Last Dance, Stairway to Heaven, 18 vs 29, Winter Sonata

7. The main protagonists are childhood sweethearts lost and reconciled. Spring Waltz, Stairway to Heaven, Love Story in Harvard, Smile Again, My Love Patzzi

8. Character seeks revenge either against his partner or partner’s parents. Green Rose, Bad Guy, Cinderella’s Sister, All In, All About Eve, What Happens in Bali

9. The story suddenly ends anti-climactically – most of the romance movies.

These being said, once in a while a cute story will emerge and renew my love for Korean dramas/movies. Here are some of my recommendations: My Sassy Girl, Goong, Antique Bakery, Autumn’s Tale, My Tutor Friend, Guns and Talks, 1st shop of Coffee Prince, and Kim Sam Soon. Find these titles at mysoju.com.

Happy watching!!!

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