In this fast-moving generation, the sheer feeling of comfort seems to be lost. From an unending list of tests to the sleepless nights spent fighting that imaginary ghost under my bed, I could barely remember the last time I lounged around the yard, dipping my toes in the pool; I could barely remember the last time I baked with my family, listening to our favorite music and waiting for the smell of fresh cookies to fill up the entire kitchen.
I found that long-lost sense of comfort through binging Korean Dramas, better known as K-Dramas. Although K-Dramas have the infamous reputation of being cheesy (and I do admit, some of them are undeniably unrealistic), they have helped me escape stress.
I started watching these shows in eighth grade, discovering that many have an easily digestible romantic comedy plot that still explores meaningful, complex topics.
One of my favorite K-dramas of all time is “Because This Is My First Life,” a love story between housemates Ji-Ho and Se-Hee, who only got married to save money.
Unlike many action-oriented dramas, this show is very light-hearted and perfect for when you’re looking for a laugh. While the plot is slow, its attention to detail and the bright contrast between the personalities of the characters and their conversations make the show enjoyably laid-back.
My favorite part of “Because This Is My First Life” is how realistic it is (compared to other K-Dramas, that is). Each character has his or her own struggle, which makes them more relatable and down-to-earth.
Seeing the characters’ hardships helped me realize that I’m not alone, because everyone has their own adversity, whether they show it or not.
The cinematography with the iconic K-Drama pink-ish filter helps create a bubbly vibe that gave me a sense of relief after a long day of school. Also, simply witnessing the love sprout between the two main characters was extremely satisfying.
Another drama that I highly recommend is “When the Camellia Blooms,” which is about a single mother, Dongbaek, and a police officer, Yong-Sik, working together to solve a serial murder mystery.
While the main focus of the drama is solving the crime, the show touches on topics such as the struggles of a single mother and poverty. Similar to “Because This Is My First Life,” “When the Camellia Blooms” helped me realize that everyone faces their own challenges.
In “When the Camellia Blooms,” the heavy topics and drama are balanced out with humor and the adorable personalities of the characters. The interactions between Dongbaek and Yong-Shik are very sweet and heartening. The perfect way to describe it would be the famous “Lion King” line, “love is in the air.”
My favorite part of this drama is its portrayal of motherhood. From the relationship between Dongbaek and her mother to Dongbaek and her son, the show vividly depicts heartwarming, unconditional love, and the characters’ willingness to do everything for each other.
It reminded me of something that I had forgotten — how lucky I am to be able to have a family that wholeheartedly supports and encourages me. It brought the feeling of comfort from my childhood.
It might seem foolish that K-Dramas are what helped me rekindle that sense of comfort, but I think we all need small comforts to find some peace in this world.