Why I Like K And P Dramas

By now it’s quite apparent that I am hooked to Pakistani and more recently Korean dramas. As always I try to figure out why I like them.

I have enlisted the following factors which make these dramas superbly watchable :

Limited episodes

Strong theme

Interesting story line

Nuanced direction (especially Pakistani dramas)

Handling of complex issues without getting ugly or overboard

Attractive presentation

Upholding of  rich culture, ancient wisdom and timeless values (e.g. respect to elders, gratitude, decluttering of life, closeness to Nature, community bonding etc.)

Relatable characterization

Realistic vision

High entertainment and audience engagement

Outstanding performances

Absence of  body show

Transmission of powerful message without being didactic

I guess, being Asian, the approach towards life and environment are quite similar across borders. Way society reacts to issues is also the same. Whereas Pakistani dramas, like Indian dramas, have a tilt towards religion and rituals as an indisputable source of solace and strength in times of adversities, Korean dramas veer focus on being close to Nature, relinquishing competitive existence, finding adequacy and self-sufficiency in simple and basic things of life and an overall drift from materially successful living to higher and more abstract forms of soul satisfaction.

The other thing that I appreciate in these dramas  is the  way relationships are shown to develop. Taking time to Know each other, enjoying the togetherness, from liking to loving to promising to be for each other forever, it is a gradual merging of two souls made for each other. In comparison, in Western series and movies there is a hurriedness to get into a physical relationship which is as short lived as disillusioning.  The reason to be out of a relation is also sometimes very flimsy reflecting impatience,  selfishness and a reluctance towards mutual adjustment.

This has far reaching consequences as today’s generation imbibe  what they see in these series, movies and dramas. They gulp down without munching. Too much emphasis on individual liberty,  lack of vision, patience and efforts to grow old together with the one in relation  and the families, sky rocketing career ambitions, disregarding the long term sustainability of relationships through personal sacrifices are some of the reasons of increasing number of break-ups in relationships and consequent divorces.

Cinema, theatre, books (all other expressions of art)  are mirrors of society. They reflect the image of contemporary society as much as they deliver message of how to improve and correct the maladies leading to aberrations and degeneration. 

Whereas we have learnt many good and bad from the West we from the East have to give what we consider best to empower humankind through creative narratives and other means of self expression.