How my love for K-Dramas make me a better person

I’m pushing 60, grey hair, beard….love some 80’s rock and roll…woodworking….and watching K-Dramas.

I don’t like sports (I will watch them, but not religiously)…or follow other potentially toxic male or xenophobic venues. I’m retired military, but I’m not a gun nut. I’m concerned about our current border situation, but also remind myself daily that I am only 2nd generation American. I also remind myself that this country was built on the sweat and blood of immigrants and still continues to do so.

I also do not think America is the greatest country in the world. It’s full of potential and freedoms, but when I see my fellow countrymen act like children and show hatred towards each other based on sex, orientation, political views…or even their sports teams. (insert facepalm here)

My oldest daughter discovered and fell in love with BTS. Then the food…and the culture. My wife was close behind. Now a few years later, they are planning a trip to Korea. (And learning the language)

My post isn’t just about Korea, but it was a gateway for my perspective on the world. I already had a pretty healthy one from being deployed on both sides of the planet. There are still places I wouldn’t want to re-visit, but there are some places I wouldn’t mind moving to. I love the Brits for example, or the Canadians. The Japanese and Filipino people were so friendly. I felt more welcomed in some of these countries than in some of my visits to nearby towns or states.

Now I know any form of movie or TV show is not the “real world”, and how relationships are 24/7. But on the flip side, just like any art medium, it brings you joy, hope and promise that they are good in people, and sometimes karma does bite the toxic people in the ass eventually. 😉

I’m amazed by the way the Korean actors can show emotion on the flip of a switch. You feel their joy, pain, fears, anger and happiness. Maybe it’s because I leave the Korean language on with English subtitles. A lot of the other languages are beautiful and no level of dubbing their voices can capture the emotion of the actual actor. I am sorry, but I do have English on for German shows. It’s a hard edged language, but I still love their plot lines. I also enjoy the occasional Nordic detective shows.

Once my wife and daughter started preparing Asian dishes, I fell in love with that kind of cooking. I still love my American BBQ and fast food at times, but I really love how you can do Korean BBQ at the family table together on the table top grill. It’s the whole experience of sharing together.

Maybe one of the biggest reasons I love watching them is you to have to READ each word. You can’t look away distracted (which is very, very easy for me to do) You read every word and let it sink in. So it’s almost enjoying a good book, and show.

I am also impressed how they end each episode with a cliff-hanger usually. (and regret staying up late on a work night to squeeze in one more episode)

I also appreciate how they usually avoid nudity and sex as the base for everything. How the characters don’t jump in bed after being together for 5 minutes. (Again, not the real world, but a nice break from it)

So at the end of each emotional roller coaster episode, I want to be a better husband, friend, Dad, co-worker and human.

…and have some Korean BBQ. 🙂