Why Do Filipinos Love Korean Dramas So Much?

People these days aren’t just losing sleep because of late-night study sessions, overthinking about their tasks for the next day, chatting with their partner, or taking their “talking stage” to the next level. 

Some are also staying up late binge-watching K-dramas!

When they meet up with friends or classmates, it often turns into a competition over who has finished the most K-dramas on Netflix or other online streaming platforms. On top of that, they end up debating which plots or storylines they love, or those that didn’t meet their vibe.

And of course, Filipinos are also very familiar with their K-drama superstars.

From heart-fluttering romances to intense thrillers, K-dramas have captured the hearts of millions of Filipinos, along with the Korean superstars who bring these stories to life. With each new series, these icons not only dominate screens, they also win the hearts of their fans, proving that the Korean wave is here to stay.

Filipino viewers, myself included, grew up watching teleseryes filled with intense and often melodramatic storylines. You know, those all-too-cliché plots about adoption, the search for a long-lost mother, father, child, sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or virtually any blood relative; those never-ending tales of extramarital affairs or “kabitan;” fierce battles over wealth and inheritance; and police officers who always arrive last at the crime scene—usually just in time for the dying character’s final monologue. 

That’s why, for many, K-dramas are seen as a refreshing breath of air. 

A breather, as we usually say.

According to a Manila Bulletin article written by Jacqueline Lucero, one of the mysteries of K-dramas is their ability of our Filipino hearts to fall in love with fictional characters and make it an Oppa obsession. While we are often praised for our resilience, K-dramas put this to the test with their suspenseful cliffhangers, unexpected plot twists, and unpredictable turns of events that keep us wanting more. 

And who could forget the K-drama soundtracks that linger in our playlists? We belt out every tune with passion, even if we don’t understand a single word of the lyrics.

As Lucero puts it, “In the world of K-dramas, anything is possible – even love at first sight with a pixelated Oppa.”