The Art of Watching Dramas

Watching dramas is an art. But when you think about how each person started watching them, they all might tell you a different story. The very first drama- this is something each user on MDL has in common. We've all gone through it. When it comes to my case, I wasn't very keen on watching something in a language I didn't understand and the fact that I had to read subtitles all the time bothered me. It was difficult at first to make up my mind about dramas. It went on and on until I just thought- if I could have watched Ringu or The Grudge and enjoyed them, why not give dramas a try? Just to be on the safe side (since both Ringu and The Grudge were Japanese), I started out with my first Japanese drama- Hana Yori Dango. And of course- I got captivated instantly.


http://media.mydramalist.com/cache/bbq/187178721504406190_3dd7a314_f.jpg


After the Japanese drama, came the Korean drama. Which was Full House in my case. And I ended up liking it much, much more than I expected. Following it, I watched dramas day and night. Plus, it was my summer break so I had plenty of time in my hands. I got obsessed. A month later, I found myself on this website. Three months later, I still cannot give up dramas (nor this website). I have become an addict.


You end up owing a lot to your first drama. Because only when if the first drama succeeded in impressing you is when you decide to watch the others. You never expect what kind of roller coaster emotions a drama may put you through. And you might feel yourself experiencing the same kinds of emotions that your favorite characters end up feeling- anger, despair or joy. 


The whole process of anticipating the next episode is a crazy wait. You always want to know instantly what would happen next after the end of each episode. All dramas are known to end at places that leave you wanting for more. Be it a drama of any genre, the cliffhangers are always crazy. They get crazier as each episode goes by. Even if the drama ends up testing your patience, once you're invested, you find yourself wanting to come back to it. I say this anime would be precise to convey how you end up feeling.


http://media.mydramalist.com/cache/bbq/187232074786810464_6b923814_f.jpg


After your first drama comes your second, third and so on. Then in no time, you find yourself easily bored at the genre you don't like. Or you might feel like rom-coms can be predicted easily. In extreme cases, you end up dropping the drama completely. And this is the point when you know you've had had enough or maybe it was a bad drama. Yes, that happens- some dramas are awesome, some good and some plain bad.

Over time, you might find yourself preferring either Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese or even Thai dramas. It is different with each case. Your interests change and your opinions change. But every now and then a drama comes along which makes you feel exactly what your first drama made you feel like. This is what we call as a 'favorite'. We all have favorite dramas. And these are the ones we can watch any number of times and not get tired. This is the best part of watching dramas- they give you a lot to cherish and hold on to.

Just like listening to music or playing a favorite sport can cheer up a person, I find that dramas can also cheer me up. No matter how sad, lonely or cranky I am- dramas seem to be the perfect remedy. I am happy that I found this joy of watching and enjoying dramas to this extent.

The final part comes when you've ended a drama. Maybe it is a happy ending or a sad one but you're always at your emotional high when it's just over. You probably feel happy or sad, think about it for a long time and then move on to the next one. Anyway, we've all developed and mastered the art of watching dramas! Happy watching! :)

A little something to leave y'all with:


http://media.mydramalist.com/cache/bbq/187238351643563908_2a63abee_f.jpg

Comments (72)

  1. 1800 characters remaining Spoiler?
  • pixiestickdreams Oct 9, 2012
    Technically my first ever dramas were "Dream High" and "49 Days" watched both of the first episodes back to back but my first completed drama that completely sucked me in was "City Hunter", the writing was amazing the action, romance and of course my favorite oppa Lee Min Ho. The show entranced me because it took an American concept used a lot that I love but made it so fresh and amazing in 20 episodes. The other two dramas are favorites as well. My first Japanese drama was Koizora. What a way to start lol so sad and heartbreaking yet so perfect. I watch kdramas more but also love jdramas, even now starting my first Taiwanese drama "bump off lover" I just adore dramas. I will say I'm glad for this addiction and don't want it to end because like someone said Korean and Japanese dramas have taken me to a place where unlike newer USA teen shows & such still believe in love and innocence.
  • chaoticlolita Oct 8, 2012
    My first drama was when Crunchyroll still focused on drama's back then xD I finished watching an anime and In the related list was a J-drama. The first drama I saw I hated. And I haven't been able to find it yet. It was very bad, but the second drama was Gokusen. And still remains one of my favorites. Thats the drama that started my whole asian obsession.
  • Kachiiing Oct 8, 2012
    Before dramas came along, I didn't even know South Korea existed. Well I did...but only because it was the only country in the Beijing Olympics that were split into the "North & South." I remember thinking "I bet there's beef between them" & moving on with my life.

    Dramas are cool. I do get irritated with them but they fill a special niche.

    Americans are obsessed with sex, drugs, falling off the rails. Bollywood are still casting pretty young things, with older, slightly less good-looking men with dated song and dance numbers. Which is fun...but until a short while ago, there was NO KISSING.

    And then there's J/K-drama. Young actors. Not full of sleaze. It's so full of innocence it moves my jaded heart. Nobody can compete with them in this field. And although I do hope plots are improved, there's less "flashbacking", & consistent writers are drafted in...they are onto something neat.
  • boutux Oct 7, 2012
    my 1st drama did several things for me. 1. and most important it introduced me to the world of japanese dramas and completely changed my life and has to take some responsibility for making me interested in japan enough to move to japan. 2. taught me that foreign shows can be funny and/ or entertaining and worth watching despite subs/language barrier. 3. introduced me to japanese music. 4. showed me that asians can be sexy or hot because before then i would not have given an asian guy a 2nd look which leads me to 5. introduced me to mr. hotness oguri shun. so let me say a very big thank you to Tokyo Dogs. i am very happy that it was my 1st drama and i've rewatched it 3 times.
  • naya_mohammed Oct 7, 2012
    nice reading this :)
    in my case I loved Japan and Korea since I was child , the people looked so awesome in my eyes :)
    so having the chance to watch a Kdrama , I just couldn't waste that
    my 1st one was " autumn tale " , got linked since the 1st episode I nearly cried every single episode watching this lovely sad drama
    then I watched " winter sonata " that's when I started real addiction to Kdrama
    but although I'm considering my self a fan now , I can't be satisfied easily
    so many kdrama are just going around the same story line , I don't like that
    but now watching " faith " it reminds me of the really good ones :)
  • iuly_rica Oct 7, 2012
    my too!!my first drama was hana yori dango and my second drama full house.i first watched hana yori dango the anime and some how i read that the`re was a movie so a searched it.and that`s how a got addicted,it`s been 5 years and i`m still addicted
  • Marlee87 Oct 7, 2012
    My first drama was Bloody Monday, and I absolutely loved it, especially Miura Haruma and Narimiya Hiroki they were the best. Then a lot more followed and to pick just one is impossible, I love all I have seen so far and I can't stop watching drama, I only watch Japanese drama and perhaps I'll try Korean, :) Love dramas and I will never ever stop watching them.
  • graytrigger Oct 6, 2012
    I was inspired to try korean movies by people talking about "OldBoy". I was entranced by that movie. Then Somehow I found Maunday Thursday on Youtube and that movie floored me. Then I clicked on Shining Inheritance thinking it was another movie. By the end of the first episode I was totally hooked. Haven't watched anything else for the last two years. Just figured out how to add movies to my list and was stunned at how many I have watched. I guess I am easy to please because I have finished every drama I have started. I am more often than not unhappy with the endings but that doesn't deter me from pressing on. The feeling when I finish something I really like is to go back and watch it over.
  • yellowwisher10 Oct 6, 2012
    my first drama was boys over flowers and hana kimi along side eachother. boys over flowers i fell for it the moment i saw kim hyun joong i fell in love with him i wish i could call 911 and he will there aww me firefighter and of course Kim So-eun her talent as inspired me. Kim Bum and Kim Joon i love the fighting scene on my favourite episode 12, i love it becuase of all the action and love parts with Lee Min Ho and kim so-eun aaaahh so cute in the snow all cozy and warm next together aah. At the same time i was watching hana kimi i love so much sano is fit, natsu is so funny when he has the bra on and is dancing on the table saying 'am not homo'and people come in and see it, its funniest thing ever haahahaha i cant move with laugther and Mizuki is the most cutest person ever when she see that sano has be training secretly without her knowing about it awwwwwwwwwww i love both dramas xxx
  • golegisha Oct 6, 2012
    all firsts' are worth to watch back and i owe it all to "them". the emotions that carried you from reality to FANTASY and you're id striking again and again. hahaha.. you can never let go and you will always cherish those memories... one word "LOVE"
    2 ❤
  • ikaye Oct 6, 2012
    all firsts' are worth to watch back and i owe it all to "them". the emotions that carried you from reality to FANTASY and you're id striking again and again. hahaha.. you can never let go and you will always cherish those memories... one word "LOVE"
    2 ❤
  • hanhernz Oct 5, 2012
    Hana Yori Dango was my first drama as well :) I watched it with my sister, omg such great times..
  • Meg1014 Oct 5, 2012
    My first drama was BOF when it showed up on NetFlix and had good ratings. I couldn't make it past the first 10 mins though so when it popped up in my recommended shows months later I gave it a fair shot and made it through the first episode. That same night, I watched probably 3 episodes and was hooked. After that it was Meteor Garden, which introduced me to Jerry Yan and Vic Zhou and somewhere along the lines Mike He got my attention. That had me mainly watching Taiwanese dramas for awhile but I've recently been watching more kdramas since there are a lot on NetFlix and Hulu.
  • nishaperera Oct 5, 2012
    My favourite drama is BOYS OVER FLOWER.
    I <3 it forever..... and waiting season 2.
  • SayItAintSoJoe Oct 5, 2012
    I love the cover photo for this

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