Entertainment Cultural Reach

capturing Americans’ attention…They kind of paved the way.” Fukumoto believes that “people have finally come to realize and appreciate the underrated talents from all over the world.” Li appreciates both the musical and aesthetic aspects, adding, “The songs are very catchy, and the videos help. The music videos are very visually beautiful.”

Korean TV productions have also attained worldwide viewership. Their popularity has been growing in the U.S. since the 70’s, and many Korean productions are breaking streaming records. High school counselor Tara Gruspe, an avid K-drama fan, believes that popular Korean shows like Squid Game, Business Proposal, and Crash Landing on You have been helped by their availability on major streaming services like Netflix. Freshman Kim noted that the shows are “ just so different from American shows, and the plots are always so interesting.” Li believes that the appeal of Korean shows stems from its ability to defy stereotypical genres. For example, a K-drama with a medical setting can still have romance, comedy, drama and action. Li particularly enjoyed Crash Landing On You, a Korean 2019 rom-com, because “it was such an unrealistic story, which made it more entertaining.”

Another well-known Korean show is Extraordinary Attorney Woo, a 2022 legal drama starring Park Eun-bin in the title role and written by Moon Ji-won. The show has “sweet stories and light-hearted, humorous interactions throughout,” said Gruspe.

Popular Korean dramas and music are mostly performed in Korean, so English subtitles or voice-overs are part of the average American fan experience. “Just like anime fans, K-drama fans get used to it,” explained Fukumoto. “Many people like to say it’s too hard, but it’s really not. If you’re a fast enough reader in your native language and you have the subtitles, it’s seamless. The more you use subtitles, the better you get at reading and watching at the same time. It’s not an imposition in any way for those who truly enjoy this type of media.”

Gruspe believes that reading subtitles actually help her appreciate the shows more. She explained, “Because while you’re watching the K dramas, you really have to focus in and not be distracted. But it’s a good thing…I’m learning about culture too, so I feel like it’s not a waste. It’s not just mindless entertainment. There’s some growth happening in my brain.”

Korean entertainment fans also become fans of Korean culture. Fukumoto said, “K-pop definitely makes me want to learn more about the culture and language. Many of the inside jokes or plot points in dramas and movies relate to older and newer pieces of culture. There are also some songs where knowing Korean culture would help to better understand them.” Cerda shared that she hopes to major in Korean linguistics in college. “[Korean culture] is something new. It’s a different culture, a different language, and I’m interested in languages as well. That’s what kind of intrigued me as well,” she said.

► Finished as the second ranked quarterback last season and shows no signs of regression

► Has a strong offensive line and the elite wide receiver trio of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Jalen Guyton.

► Josh Allen’s Bills have some weaker links in their offensive line, but the Chargers have virtually none.

► Will face the strongest offenses in the league (Chiefs, Raiders, Rams), giving him the opportunity to play in many high scoring games.

► In 2019, he had the greatest fantasy season ever by a non-quarterback.

► Receptions alone should bolster his average points per game (average 100 receptions every healthy season), unlike Derrick Henry, who’s never averaged above 25 receptions per year.

► Has a strong offensive line

► Virtually all rushing touchdowns will be taken in by McCaffery now that Carolina has no rushing quarterback.