Remembering to forget - Why K-dramas are healing

At times, there is absence of something. Absence of purpose, absence of charm, absence of little things and mostly the lost case of oneself. Where ever I am, I am what is missing.

But all is not lost, as one discovers the company of Korean dramas. Thanks to OTT platforms, hundreds of shows from dozens of countries, but the peace and appeal offered by K -dramas takes us into this fascinating homes of Korean families, their neighborhood, their incredible food, kind and fine people of Seoul. It is truly remarkable how a tiny Asian country, almost 1/10th of India's size has captivated the global audience with its music and television.

The idea of romance -

Movies and shows in recent times, mostly from west and largely from India somehow want to portray love with sexual romanticism and senseless vulgarity. Wild, semi- naked bodies are mostly symbolized as expression of love and intimacy. But k-drams largely dethroned that idea. It is amazing how the slow burn romance plots automatically makes you want to zone out once the drama starts dropping the "saranghae" and "joh-ahae" in casual conversation.

When did gazing at each other, holding hands, making ramen late at night, walking hand in hand in cold night streets of the city call for intimacy ? People watching these stuff were supposed to be cheesy and mighty CRINGE. But actually they are not made to be in this dramas..

They tend to make one feel calmer, and want to make you believe in slowness of intimacy and attachment. No gross plots ,neither the man nor the woman grabbing each other, still it the most gratifying thing you've watched..

It is sad when the show ends and lovers leave, because it hits you that it is not how things work. But these stories can even make a bitter person drifting in the waters of grief and heartbreak want to believe in LOVE or at least not drop dead when offered to hold hands :)

Incredible Korean women characters -

Our films largely portray women as cute, dumb woman craving for her lovers attention, she is dancing for songs, crying or just placed there to provoke the hero. Amongst casual sexism often shown in Indian movies with weak character arc, Korean dramas capture different layers of women with strong women characters and empowering storylines.

A Korean female lead is more than just an object of desire, they dream to have carriers, strong mothers, incredible female friendships and these women are not ashamed of their sexual desires nor shy away from expressing love or asking for affinity. They are portrayed as fearless personalities with fabulous fashion sense. My favorite characters amongst many would be of Bora from Reply1988 and lee-ji-an from my mister, while the former serves as an outspoken and passionate woman raised in conservative family, lee-ji-an is determined to fight and restore her life irrespective of traumatic childhood.

In the world of women wanting to be cute, mothers sacrificing for families and young women reduced to beauty objects, these characters walk with you in times of fear and self doubt. when surrounded by these women, one may want to judge themselves less.

Reply 1988 a show, that I refuse to move on from...

''A time so warm and pure, that is was painful. can you hear me? If you can hear me, answer me, my 1988, the days of my youth" the closing lines of reply 1988..

This show, with total 20 episodes and run time of 50 plus hours resonates all the feelings of yearning and nostalgia. And one feels as though transported to small lane of a simple colony of old Indian town in early 2000's. Four families, five best friends, simple times, teenage longingness for love and those were the times where getting good grades promised bright future. Reply 1988 set in days and times of south Korea in 1988 is an ode to love, friendships, family, nostalgia and life.

One might not lead the best of life, have the best of relationships nor at times realize what exactly is a happy life. But this show warms your heart with the stories of people, simple people whose life lived in the past, represents your idea of well-done representation of life, than life itself.

I cant name any other k-drama that can top reply 1988's raw slice of life appeal. Its honest take on simplicity of life, childhood friendships and family without imposing morality yet wanting the viewers see things as they are. The show also kindles the curiosity on how life in Korea was like back in the late 80's. After some point in the show, one feels part of the neighborhood, as though you are chilling with those five friends chatting about latest music album.

Reply 1988 is a show I go back to, again and again for some strange reason that can not be explained. The warmth and simplicity of every episode feels like HOME, that one always dreamt about..

Isn't it amazing how movies, poetry or books can give you all the answers, all the comfort we long for in bad and good days ? Movies and dramas appeal to you not because its entertaining nor it helps you kill time. These stories help us heal, understand and sustain life as we see bits and pieces of ourselves in those characters.

You are with that character in that moment and it is a moment of peace and slowness. Not everything has to last for lifetime!

The incredible makers of K-dramas, the writers who write these stories and actors who bring them alive are not just artists, but these bunch make this otherwise chaotic times hopeful. These stories heal people who yearn for comfort and make this hopeless and reckless world more humane and slow-going.

삶은 아름답다

salm-eun aleumdabda