"When Life Gives You Tangerines" has sparked a frenzy on social media, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about K-dramas of the year. It is not just the powerhouse performances of IU and Park Bo-gum or its beautifully shot cinematography that have captured the audience’s attention but the way the series lingers, offering a meditation on love, family, and time that feels both universal and deeply rooted in Korean culture. The show, which takes its time to unfold, has become a viral sensation, with fans and critics alike drawn to its emotional depth and understated storytelling. But beyond the buzz, this show’s quiet power lies in the way it draws you in, inviting you to reflect on the intricacies of life, love, and the enduring bonds that shape us.
Is the world really obsessed with Korean culture or is it just recency bias at play?
So, before the year ends, let’s take a look at some of the best dramas that made 2022 such a stellar year for K-drama.
These stories of young love and friendships mirror our own experiences.
What is now being referred to as ‘The Netflix effect’, hundreds of women in their early 20s, mostly originating from North America and Europe are visiting South Korea and flooding local hostels. This movement caught the attention of Min Joo Lee, a postdoctoral fellow at Indiana University Bloomington researching on Korean gender and race politics who decided to take a deeper look into it.
The drama tackles some of the most prevalent issues in contemporary Korean society.
Fans of romantic comedies will instantly recognise the widely popular trope.
"When Life Gives You Tangerines" has sparked a frenzy on social media, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about K-dramas of the year. It is not just the powerhouse performances of IU and Park Bo-gum or its beautifully shot cinematography that have captured the audience’s attention but the way the series lingers, offering a meditation on love, family, and time that feels both universal and deeply rooted in Korean culture. The show, which takes its time to unfold, has become a viral sensation, with fans and critics alike drawn to its emotional depth and understated storytelling. But beyond the buzz, this show’s quiet power lies in the way it draws you in, inviting you to reflect on the intricacies of life, love, and the enduring bonds that shape us.
Is the world really obsessed with Korean culture or is it just recency bias at play?
So, before the year ends, let’s take a look at some of the best dramas that made 2022 such a stellar year for K-drama.
These stories of young love and friendships mirror our own experiences.
What is now being referred to as ‘The Netflix effect’, hundreds of women in their early 20s, mostly originating from North America and Europe are visiting South Korea and flooding local hostels. This movement caught the attention of Min Joo Lee, a postdoctoral fellow at Indiana University Bloomington researching on Korean gender and race politics who decided to take a deeper look into it.
The drama tackles some of the most prevalent issues in contemporary Korean society.
Fans of romantic comedies will instantly recognise the widely popular trope.
