One of the great advantages of the availability of various streaming services in Brazil is the diversity of content accessible to the public. We are no longer tied to US, Latin American or national productions: we can also catch what is made on the other side of the world.
A good example of this are doramas: oriental series produced especially in Japan, but quality options coming from South Korea and even China. But what exactly are doramas, and what about catching them?
O Technology Refugee prepared a special article all about well-known productions or dramas, some suggestions of titles for those who want to get started in the wonderful world of oriental productions. Check it out below!
What is a drama?
Dorama is the name popularly given to some of the series produced in Asia (especially in Japan, but not only). But not any Japanese, Korean or Chinese series can be considered a drama.
The word "dorama" is the way "drama" is pronounced by the Japanese, and that's how a specific type of productions ended up being known. Usually, these series have something between 10 and 20 episodes of about 40 minutes. These can be romantic edias, adventures, period dramas and much more.
Unlike Spanish telenovelas, dorama stories revolve around a main core without much development beyond that. These stories are usually closed in just one season – that is, they do not usually last for years and years like other productions, although some dramas have more than one series of episodes.
What is the difference between drama and anime?
Well, they are two very different things. Animes are Japanese animated productions. They can be short series – Cowboy Bebop, for example, had 26 episodes and a movie – or long series – like One Piece, which has already surpassed 1.000 episodes. Doramas are live action productions, that is, real actors and actresses.
Dorama and k-drama: understand the difference between these productions
It is possible to say that doramas are Asian series in general, but this definition is not very accurate. There are differences between what is done in Japan – the “official” home of doramas – and in South Korea, which also conquered the world with what is called k-drama, in addition to the strong entertainment industry in China.
These differences are mainly cultural, as the countries are quite different from each other. As much as one can be inspired by the other, it is a fact that a series aimed at the Korean audience will not necessarily address the same themes as one for the Japanese.
As much as a lot of people end up putting everything in the same pot, therefore, doramas and k-dramas can be quite different. And, in the same way, both can be excellent – it is up to the viewer to choose which ones are preferred.
where to watch dramas
The main platform available in Brazil for fans of dramas is Netflix, which has several titles of the genre. But the streaming service is not the only place that makes this type of content available: mobile apps Viki and Kocowa also have a collection of dramas (and k-dramas!).
Meet some of the best dramas to watch!
Save-Me
A Korean production. 'Save Me' tells the story of four young people who try to save an old classmate and her family from the clutches of a religious sect and its charismatic leader. In all, the series has 16 episodes of about an hour, and all are available to Netflix subscribers.
Unrequited love
This drama produced in China tells the story of a shy young woman who finds a childhood passion that was never reciprocated when she enters university. The production is relatively long, for drama standards, 38 episodes. It is available on Netflix and also on the Viki platform.
Landing in Love
A Korean production that is one of the most acclaimed in recent years. A businesswoman and heiress has an accident and falls into the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. There, she meets a North Korean soldier who will try to help her return to the southern country, but the rapprochement between the two generates an unexpected romance. 'Landing on Love' is available on Netflix.
Flower of Evil
A South Korean production. A skilled and famous craftsman who is also considered a providing husband and role model father. However, his image of perfection may not exactly represent what he is on the inside - he has dark secrets and would not want his wife to find out. 16 episodes, the drama is available on the Viki platform.
The Indomitable
This acclaimed Chinese production shows a fantasy world in which evil forces plague the world. Two disciples from respected clans team up to defeat evil, but the death of one of them interrupts the process. Years later, the reincarnation of the disciple joins the old panheira to solve present problems. Available on Netflix, it is a fairly long production 50 episodes.
While you were Sleeping
'While You Were Sleeping' is a Korean production that tells the story of a reporter able to predict the future from her dreams. When she meets a charming prosecutor and a police officer, she discovers that she is not the only such skill - and, more than that, the dreams of these three people are connected. Available on the Viki platform, the drama has 16 episodes.
Switched
A Japanese production. Two young women from very different lives accidentally switch bodies: one of them is the most popular in the school and is within society's beauty standards, while the other is a shy young woman who does not get along with schoolmates very well. From the exchange of bodies, they will understand what it's like to be in the other's shoes. 'Switched' is available on Netflix.
betting high
In this South Korean drama, the ambitious girl Dal-Mi, who dreams of becoming the new Steve Jobs, needs to choose between two men while facing all the difficulties and obstacles of developing a mobile application. She also has a sibling rivalry from which she was separated in childhood. 16 episodes of about 90 minutes, the drama is available for Netflix subscribers.
Winter Winds
'Winter Winds' is a k-drama, that is, a drama produced in South Korea. It tells the story of a con artist who follows his own instincts as he finds a way to get rich by swindling a blind heiress. But things won't be as simple as he imagined. 16 episodes of about 60 minutes, the production is available to Netflix subscribers.
The Designated Survivor: Korea
Based on the North American series 'Designated Survivor', this Korean production tells the story of an environment minister who is elevated to the highest post in the South Korean government after a catastrophic attack hits the country's parliament. His challenge is immense as he must lead the country through chaos to restore order to the Korean people. 16 episodes of about 70 minutes, the drama is available for Netflix subscribers.
Vincenzo
The Korean production tells the story of 'Vincenzo', a South Korean lawyer working in Japan. When visiting his home country, he starts to count on the support of a courageous lawyer and his intern to face a mafia group that caused problems in the past. 'Vincenzo' is available on Netflix.
my youth
'My Youth' is a Chinese production that tells the story of six friends who, upon reaching adulthood, go through a series of experiences that can both strengthen the union between them and distance them. Sometimes they can lead them to love too. Available on Netflix, the drama has 24 episodes of about 40 minutes.
Chocolate
The Korean production shows the life of a neurosurgeon who dreamed of being a chef and ends up meeting a friend from the past who acts as a chef. Despite being two very different people, something special brings them together. 'Chocolate' is available on Netflix.
Friend shoulder
A Chinese audiovisual production. In 'Friendly Shoulder', an accounting student who is about to graduate meets an extremely intelligent physicist who causes his routine to be shaken. 24 episodes of about 45 minutes, the production is available to Netflix subscribers.
Vagabond (Retaliation)
In this South Korean production, stuntman Che Dal-geon decides to investigate a plane crash that resulted in the death of a nephew. For this, he will have a secret agent named Go Hae-ri as his assistant, and together they will become involved in a great conspiracy. 16 episodes produced, the drama is available on Netflix.
seduced
What is love? Is falling in love all that? This Korean drama catches people who find love, but they don't always manage to extract from it everything people expect from a crush. Here, three rich young people become friends and begin to compete with each other who suffers the most in love. 32 episodes, the drama is available on the Viki platform.
The Coverage
A penthouse apartment in a luxurious 100-story building is the stage for the story of people who live their own goals and secrets. The production, which is Korean, focuses on a woman who was born into wealth, one who came from poverty, and one who does everything she can to ensure the best possible life for her daughter. 21 episodes, the series is available on the Viki platform.
true beauty
Produced in South Korea, 'True Beauty' captures the life of a young high school student traumatized by her appearance. In order to fit society's beauty standards, she becomes a makeup expert and starts to attract the attention of boys - but what will they think when they meet the young woman without a "mask"? 16 episodes, the drama is available on the Viki platform.
Itaewon Class
A Korean production. Itaewon Class was released in 2020 and became one of the biggest audience phenomena in South Korea. The series tells the story of an ex-convict who tries to follow in his late father's footsteps by opening a bar called DanBam in Itaewon, a neighborhood in Seoul. Your biggest challenge will be the heavy competition from other establishments in the area.
meteor garden
A Chinese production that tells the story of a young university student determined to dedicate herself to her studies to succeed in life, but ends up discovering a world full of obstacles. Along the way, she will find a great love. The production is available on Netflix.
love alarm
A Korean production. In this drama, the advancement of technology has reached a point where a simple mobile application is able to tell if you are close to someone and have feelings for you. If this is good or bad, then it will depend on those involved – or, in this case, the protagonist Kim Jojo. Available on Netflix, the production has two seasons and 12 episodes.
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Conclusion
The world of doramas goes far beyond what we've listed, but with these tips, you can start getting to know it. Now all you have to do is run to your streaming service of choice and start catching those Asian productions that, little by little, are conquering the hearts of the Spanish public.
