Kim Sora's Compare and Contrast Essay

Similarities and Differences between Korean and American Dramas

By Sora Kim


There are a lot of people interested in dramas in modern society. By watching dramas, we can receive enjoy and pleasure which relieves our lives' stress from work or study. I found some distinctive differences in the dramas both Korean and American.

First, there is a difference of when a drama ends. Most of the Korean dramas usually finish between sixteen episodes and twenty four (except for historical dramas). And there are definite ends of dramas. In American dramas, however, series have no limits. If a drama has public interest, the drama can continue. But there is a possibility that they may be bored by making another series.

Second, there is a difference in choosing materials used in a drama. In Korean dramas, most of materials are secret of birth, revenge, amnesia, and wealth and poverty. In Bright Inheritance, for instance, the hero is a rich, but the heroine is in poverty. Among them, the most frequently used material in the dramas is a love story. Surely, every drama may have a love story. But it appears too many times in Korean dramas. Korean authors think that everything must go to the love story. It is so commonplace. Conversely, American dramas have more various and abundant materials than Korean dramas. For example, Prison Break is a famous escape-from-prison drama. Dark Angel is a gene manipulation drama.

Third, there is a difference of the scale in dramas. American dramas invest a lot of money--more than Korean dramas. It creates strong plots and high quality. It makes people feel as if they are watching a movie.

However it doesn't mean that Korean dramas are bad and American dramas are good. Korean dramas such as Dae Jang Guem give to us knowledge about Korean food, medicine and we learn about Korean culture when we watch. And The Time of the Dog and Wolf have strong plot as well as American dramas. People who make a drama will perceive weak plot and shortages of the Korean dramas to compete against another dramas. Producers and authors must find something that viewers want in a drama.

Although one step doesn't change many thing, one step will become a strong power in the future, like "Many a little makes a mickle."