Signs You Have the K-Drama Fever, and What to Do About It

Published in

publiclibrarysg

4 min readNov 5, 2020

You’re quietly minding your own business, staying home and staying safe. One afternoon, a family member — maybe your spouse or kid — switches on the television and introduces you to the wonders of Netflix. You can’t help but notice that the #1 show in Singapore features a dashing Korean soldier and an elegantly dressed lady. Curiosity gets the better of you and you decide to press “Play”. Before you know it, you’re caught up in the hilarity of their situation, swooning at their romantic moments, and shaking your fists at the forces that threaten to tear them apart.

Since that fateful afternoon, your life has not been quite the same. Here are eight signs that you have the K-Drama fever:

1. You Binge-Watch Episodes in a Matter of Days

If you always thought you had the patience of a saint waiting for your drama fix every week, this is no longer the case. Every cliff-hanger has you automatically pressing “Next Episode”. For the next few days, you eat, sleep and dream K-drama and are determined to complete the marathon viewing of your current favourite show.

What is life? [Image source: GIPHY — George Costanza eats popcorn in Seinfield]

2. You Search for Behind-The-Scenes Videos on YouTube

K-drama is a gift that keeps on giving. Long after you’ve crossed the dreaded threshold of the “Final Episode”, the stream of content available on YouTube — from behind-the-scenes clips to fan-made videos — are there to help you nurse your K-drama hangover. Thank goodness for the Internet!

3. You Explore Online Forums and Websites to See What Others Are Saying

You’re bursting to talk to another soul about the K-drama that you’re watching, but your family members and friends are just not on the same page. You discover that there are plenty of online forums and websites dedicated to recapping and analysing the details of every episode. Again, thank goodness for the Internet!

So thaaaat’s what that scene meant… [Image source: Jeon Jung-kook from BTS attaining enlightenment]

4. You Suddenly Pepper Your Sentences with “Otteoke” and “Omomo”

Was that a Korean phrase that slipped out of your mouth? Oops. You can’t help but mutter “Otteoke” (“What should I do?”) each time you feel a bit lost. You also exclaim “Omomo!” (“Oh my!”) when you’re shocked.

5. You Crave That Coffee that Keeps Appearing in the K-drama

Your K-drama oppa often visits the same café to brood dramatically over a hot cup of Americano. With the name of the café conveniently displayed in the background of the scene, your heart skips a beat when you discover the same café in your neighbourhood later. Needless to say, you must have a cup of Americano too.

6. You’re Excited to Meet Another K-drama Fan in Person

Sparks fly when two K-drama fans meet. That person could have roughly cut your queue seconds earlier, but all is now forgiven. Minutes turn to hours as you bond over the finer points of your K-drama experience. At that neighbourhood café, of course.

“I don’t even know you but we’re friends already!” [Image source: GIPHY — Shawn Hunter and Cory Matthews in Boy Meets World]

7. Your Display Picture on Social Media Now Has a K-drama Celebrity

Whether it is Hyun Bin, Lee Min Ho or Kim Soo Hyun, your display picture signals to everyone the K-drama that you’re in love with at the moment. You also pray furtively that like-minded fans will contact you because of your avatar choice.

8. You Dream of Visiting the Breath-Taking Sites from Your K-dramas

The Korean Wave has swept you off your feet and set your imagination alight! Your travel bucket list now includes trips not just to South Korea, but also to breathtaking filming sites in Quebec, Greece and Alhambra.

Have a favourite K-drama or film? These novels by Korean authors will move, disturb and make you laugh — just the thing to soothe that fever (or make it worse).