Comparisons of Asian dramas

Been watching lotsa different dramas lately & I notice the difference between dramas from Japan, Korea, Taiwan & Hong Kong. Japanese dramas tend to be short with average around 12-13Episodes. Because of this, the storylines are normally very intensive, focused & clear-cut. However, quality & production still remain a high standard, true to the nature of the Japanese.



For the Taiwanese drama....1 word to describe it....longwinded! Long episodes, absolutely long-winded dialogues! You can literally just go for a toilet-break or something, you come back to the TV, still @the very same scene! :O I wonder how the scriptwriters can write such a long dialogues, I dun understand @all. :O

As for Korean dramas, the episodes vary. A typical storyline will definitely involve a very evil woman with rather heavy make-up, beautiful & normally will do all sorts of nasty things to the pitiful lead female character & vying for the attention of the normally dashing male character, but act innocent infront of him. :O Reminds me of the Cinderella story...perhaps thats where they get the inspirations from! Hee! Another 'speciality' of the scriptwriters is having 1 of the characters being diagnosed with the very 'popular' sickness in korean dramas...cancer! OR maybe 'throwing in' one car accident or two.

Lastly, a classic Hong Kong drama, especially a big production with many 'A' lists cast, all vying & pitting against each other in their acting skills, will normally consist of a rather heavy storyline which involves a typical rich Patriarch or tycoon with most likely more than 1 wife & many children - eyeing for his assets & thus resulting in a relentless fight against each other. Alot of quarrelling, shouting, verbal clashes, fighting, (not necessarily including pulling of hairs...that will be more to the korean dramas though)deaths, murder & ruthlessness, the goodie guy/gal being framed & suffer in silence but in the end, the truth is finally out! Phew! Sounds complicated indeed.

Same typical storylines in all these dramas but yet attract many fans to be glued to their TV religiously, anticipating the next episode. I guess because in this stressful & fast-paced society, watching normally exaggerated dramas is a good way to de-stress & escaping from the tiring reality a bit. :)