Explainer | Korean drama genres stretch to horror, action, thrillers and more – but romances and period dramas are still their bread and butter
- K-drama writers have spread their wings since the days of Winter Sonata and Jewel in the Palace – think recent Netflix chillers Kingdom and Sweet Home
- The rise of streaming and cable channels has allowed darker stories to be told, while bigger budgets have made period dramas even more fabulous to behold
Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, kicked off around the turn of the millennium. For international viewers able to get their hands on K-dramas, the popular shows of the day were dominated by romantic storylines, while period dramas did their part to promote Korean culture around the world.
Two decades later, shows like 2002’s Winter Sonata and 2003’s Jewel in the Palace have spawned countless imitators, but with more people tuning in around the world, the industry’s spectrum of styles and stories has broadened beyond romances and period dramas.
Soaring budgets and global success have emboldened Korean drama creators, who now dabble in hitherto inconceivably high-concept fare for the country’s small screen market.
Today, K-drama shows fall into one of eight categories that strike a balance between the novel and the familiar, and keep viewers coming back for more.
That said, given the facility with which screenwriters in Korea can switch between conventions, none of these are set in stone, as shows often end up stretching across several genres.