The Rise of K-Dramas

<p> Korean dramas gained popularity across Asia in the late 1990s and their global fandom continues to grow. Despite cultural differences non-Asian audiences find K-dramas appealing. They range from historical melodrama and romantic comedy to action horror sci-fi and thriller.</p><p> Devotees pursue an immersive fandom consuming Korean food fashion and music learning Korean to better understand their favorite shows and travelling to Korea for firsthand experiences.</p><p>This collection of new essays focuses on the cultural impact of K-drama and its fandom and on the transformation of identities in the context of regional and global dynamics. Contributors discuss such popular series as <I>Boys over Flowers</I> <I>My Love from the Star</I> and <I>Descendants of the Sun</I>.</p>