Any form of art is essentially an escape from reality. And more so in the last year when any plans of actually escaping our daily lives were thwarted by the ever-looming pandemic. As we all turned to our screens yearning for the escape that Netflix shows offered, one genre gave us the sort of fantasy most of us had left behind in our teen years – K-dramas. And well, the nostalgic appeal sucked us in. According to Netflix’s year-end reports, K-drama viewership in India increased more than 370 per cent in 2020, over 2019.
For anyone who’s grown up on a steady diet of trite Mills & Boon novels or spent hours watching rom-coms with every imaginable trope, Korean dramas are a natural extension of that. Digital content creator Scherezade Shroff spent most of last year getting inducted into the K-drama fandom, and now runs a Facebook Club titled ‘Sherry’s K-drama Club.’ For her, the unrealistic fantasy of the beautiful love stories was what stood out, “Given the year we’ve all had, I think we all craved a little fantasy. It’s only natural to want to escape the reality of what we all found ourselves in and feel mushy and good. I think that’s what K-dramas really do. That’s why I got so hooked.”
From strong protagonists and sensitive male leads to riveting storytelling and picturesque locations, K-dramas have a plethora of appeal. And after finally giving in to their warm, inviting plots I began to realise what it was about these romantic dramas that has captured everyone’s hearts.
Cultural Renaissance
With a vision to bridge Jaipur's artistic legacy and the global contemporary art world, HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh and Noelle Kadar launch the Jaipur Centre for Art
LOVE, LOSS, AND LESSONS LEARNED
In conversation with Durjoy Datta, as he reflects on the emotional toll of writing intense stories, his journey as an author, and how his latest book revisits themes of love, second chances, and loss
All Eyes On THIS
Meet the newest standout brands on Grazia's beauty desk
Is Restocking Our Fridges A New Form Of Self-Care?
All the reasons why #restocking may not be as calming as it seems
SAVOUR THE TASTE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA
In the heart of our capital lies an extraordinary dining experience, unlike any other
ESCAPE THE ORDINARY
Luxury stays are now an essential part of our lives.
CHEFS ON THE LOOSE
Here's How Pop-Ups, Takeovers, and Workshops Are Heating Up the Indian Culinary Scene
NOT SO HIDDEN
What's making everyone wear acne patches, from transparent ones to colourful with bold designs, in public spaces?
RAISING THE BAR
With medi-facials on the rise, we're setting new benchmarks of our expectations from these treatments, and they're delivering
WHAT WORLD ARE WE LEAVING BEHIND FOR HER?
Despite stronger laws, crimes against women continue to rise in India. The International Day of the Girl Child is not one for celebration, but instead, one for igniting concern, awakening, and reformation
