The K-drama Effect.

As an avid fan of Korean Dramas, I have to admit that these dramas have really affected me in one way or another. Yes, they affected me a great deal while I was watching but after I finish the series, I am always hungover. After watching, these dramas affect me in such a way that I would be incorporating new things into my life just to live like they lived in the drama. I expect that many avid K-drama watchers like me can relate. Although, not only K-drama fanatics would be able to relate, I suppose. Let's take for example those people who do "Cosplay." They are a perfect example because they are putting into "real life" their favorite characters from a game, comic book, anime, or TV/film. Like me, rather than putting on a costume and acting like my favorite character, I would for instance buy the food that they ate in the drama not only because I craved for it after watching but also to feel like I was with them somehow..

If I had made a drama for example and it was a huge hit, I would be ecstatic to find out how people have been affected by what I made. I have been thinking about this especially when I watched Marry Me, Mary (the protagonist, Mary, is an avid K-drama fan). I thought about how these dramas affected me and how this came to be. What sort of characteristic do these dramas have that it made me, for example, want to become a doctor? I had those questions in mind but really, it's just hard to answer by myself. I even came into a point that I want to make a drama or something that could affect many people just to realize the answer to my question. But really, that is the better way.

In this entry, I want to tackle about how some of these K-dramas have affected my way of life, interests, and wants. For starters, the general one. I, being the most amateur foodie that I am, now love Korean food. It's not that I didn't like it at all but I did have this traumatic experience in my childhood with Kimchi. I didn't like its smell though my mom really likes eating it. It stinks and the whole fridge stinks of it whenever my mom decides to buy a jar. But now, Kimchi is my best friend. I've tasted different sorts of Kimchi and so far, I have found a favorite brand of cabbage type Kimchi. 

This one is available in 1004 Mart in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE

I am definitely in love with Korean food. I eat it. I cook some of it. I influence my family and friends to eat it. (and succeeded!) I've tried Korean foods like Jajangmyun, Ramyun, Doenjang Jjigae, etc. all because of dramas like Fantasy Couple, Big, and Marry me, Mary (consecutively). Just this afternoon actually I've cooked my second try on Ttukbeokki or Spicy Korean Rice Cake. I put in (together with rice cakes) fish cakes, hotdogs, and hard boiled eggs. 

It looks savory but don't be fooled-- it's spicy as hell!

I'll stop talking about food now. The drama to blame for the next one is My Girl. I'm actually re-watching some episodes of it just before writing this that's why I thought of it first. I started collecting snow globes after re-watching it back in 2007. Although 4 isn't much of a number for a collection, I consider it a huge addition in my interests. Snow globes are quite pricey and being a poor student (and now a poor bum), I didn't have much money to buy many. However, when I'm at a store, my eyes always go to those round and sparkly things.

My cramped room. Snow globes are to be found on the right just across my laptop.

Next drama would be Full House. I won't be elaborating on this. When I went to Korea last December 2011, I included the set ground of Full House in my itinerary. For further info click here. I've also included The Coffee Prince Shop although I haven't really finished the drama but here's a photo~

The popular painting and me all covered up.

This time it's My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. I was so into that drama and I found the drumstick plushie super cute and cuddly that I begged (yes, I did) my parents to buy one for me from Ebay.

Here is haggard me with the huge plushie. And oh look at the lower left corner, snow globes! Photo dates back to 2011.

Then we have Dream High! I learned the dance, practiced and practiced until I got used to it. I'm not good at dancing but I know how to copy the moves so why not. I also taught my friends how to do it so we danced it together but I'm not going to share the embarrassing video. Haha!

The next thing that I can think of was my ringtones/message alert tones. The ones that I had for long were Gumiho's ringtone in My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (the one about Korean beef) and the other one was Ha Na/Yoona's ringtone and message alert tone. 

Lastly, my high school senior prom dress was inspired by Hanbok, the traditional Korean dress. This was because of Goong. I found all their dresses so beautiful~

Would you look at that peace sign? And the uncoordinated aqua blue bolero.

Those that I've mentioned above are just the physical types of effect to me by Korean dramas. They have also affected me mentally, emotionally and intellectually if I may say. They imparted me with wisdom, and other times nonsense. I believe that without these K-dramas, I literally wouldn't be who I am right now.