The Korean Magic

“Saranghae!” “Borahae!” ( I love you & I purple you) might just be mere words that you may have heard from your idle spot on the beach while the Hallyu wave crashed noisily at the shore but for Kdrama and K-pop enthusiasts, they are a soulful chant.

 

 

I was introduced to this wonderful industry through my friend and needless to say, was hooked in no time. The slow romance, cute supporting characters, delectable dishes and jaw-dropping fashion are the supreme eye-candies. It is only a matter of time when you go from watching a drama a month to a drama a week. The short 16-episode snack-able content allows you to escape from the negativity, smile more and of course, add more fake scenarios to your bed time, but it’s totally worth it. Over time, the stories and songs grow on you so much that you dive deeper into the Korean lifestyle and culture.

Numerous Indian Youtubers have made videos on how similar it is with the Indian culture. There’s ‘PoohInKorea’ whosevideos are very interesting. Personally, I didn’t even realise when I went from “OMG” to “Daebak” and my “Oh no” became “JINJA!” and that I screamed “YAAA” when anyone messed with me. Paying homage to ancestors, living with your parents, and other slice of life settings are core narratives in the dramas. This makes the dramas more relevant and yet we turn to them to compensate from the lack of experiences that we could not get. Though not all ideologies may match but it does lead us to make new friends who share the same feelings for our favourite Oppas and Onnies.

We have to give it up to the Korean Entertainment industry to make a massive and dedicated fan base all over the world. Indian fans were over the moon when Parasite swept the Oscars. I was proud that the industry is finally receiving the appreciation it deserves. Such is our dedication that my friends and I soon enrolled ourselves and Korean language courses,attended webinars and found about other Indians drooling over the Kdramas including chef and businesswoman, Pooja Dhingra. As a lover of TV & cinema, I soon started seeing beyond the godly looks and seemingly wholesome relationships of the lead actors. The cuisine, makeup, minimalist style, colourful art direction, background score and their crafty accessories, all make the drama a true work of art.

Our shared love for food has made us look up innovative Korean dishes to spice up our quarantine. I follow many Korean Youtube cooking channels and often treat myself to Gyeran-mari, while the enticing Soonduboo from ‘Itaewon Class’ is yet a task to master. The ready-to-make products online are a pitiful consolation when you see Kim Bok Joo gorging on the authentic Korean fried chicken and the smooth soju. That’s how much Kdramas influence every part of our lifestyle.

Once I got a decent idea of Korean, it was impossible not to fall into the limitless world of K-pop. Of course, I am an Army! And so are many Indians who have recognised the potential of the idols and worship their synchronised dance moves, energetic music and stunning looks. The effort put by the K-pop stars to express their talents and remain thankful to their global fan base is another reason why we adore them so much. Their cathartic lyrics resonate with the youth and are brilliantly composed. Our Spotify is proof to our taste and it just keeps improving over time.

Kdrama and K-pop enthusiasts are thick on the ground. From Korean convenience stores to Norebang rooms, Indian metro cities are opening their arms to embrace the wave whole-heartedly. The Gen Z is very daring is trying out the sophisticateddresses and power sneakers from Korean fashion. On the emotional level, the dramas and the healing music provided so lace during the pandemic. Their pure and decent take of relationships and manliness was perceived positively by the Indian audience. Such streams of media allow us to slow down and enjoy life by exposing us to bigger themes in a light way. It has been an escape mechanism for us to live in a world where we are cherished, understood and always well-fed!

And for those who look down on the Hallyu stars, we have but one thing to say. You can hate it but definitely cannot ignore it. This is a relationship of two nations beyond parliamentary talks and international borders connected by the everlasting love for stories and music.

 

Apoorva Das

Fashion Communication
NIFT Chennai
Connect with me! Instagram @_apoorva__das
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/apoorva-das-701724189