Sometimes, dramaland can feel like a black hole: once you’re fully sucked in, you’re almost never getting out. And like something out of a dystopian cinematic universe or a survival tale, we all need to navigate through and thrive in this black hole. My drama checklist is not a list of hard-and-fast rules (and won’t apply to everyone) — they’re just things I do to achieve a pleasant watching experience, and some might come in handy for interested Beanies.
1. Synopsis first
Checking the synopsis of a drama is a must-do for me before attempting to start a drama — even if I’m watching on recommendation and everyone swears that it’s the best thing to happen to dramaland since Kim Soo-hyun debuted. I check for the genre, an overview of the plot, and if there are actors I like/don’t like among the cast. I also check for the presence of possible triggers (so I can mentally prepare myself or check out at the entrance). And very importantly, I look at the number of episodes, so I don’t find myself starting a 50-episode drama I’m not ready to commit to, or get shocked when the drama ends at Episode 12 rather than the usual 16.
Pros: You’re well prepared for the journey ahead.
Cons: “Product image for illustration purposes only. Actual product may vary.”
2. Stomach next
Unlike in Hollywood or other industries where TV characters pick at their meals, food is NOT just a prop in K-dramas. And if you’re like me and get easily influenced by what you see, it’s always best to arm yourself with some snacks when you’re indulging in dramas. It could be caffeine for an overnight binge, popcorn to throw at the screen in frustration, champagne to celebrate the kiss scene at Episode 8, or ramyun in solidarity with the couple on their first night together.
Pros: You get to feed your eyes and your belly simultaneously.
Cons: You might get absorbed in the drama and burn dinner. Oops!
3. Double speed
Watching on 2x has been my go-to hack for binging dramas for the last two years. I started this with a non-K-drama because I didn’t want to fast-forward it, and at the same time I didn’t want to waste unnecessary time on a scene. It took a bit of getting used to, but now I watch everything else on at least 1.5x. Getting to finish a 1-hour drama in less than 35 minutes? Hell yeah!
Pros: Since this cuts viewing time by almost half, you get to watch more dramas in less time. Hooray!
Cons: Once you get used to it, watching at normal speed becomes too slow for you.
4. Joining the conversation
What activity is on par with the fun of watching dramas? Discussing them with a like-minded community. Whether it’s here on DB, or lurking on Twitter and IG, I want to know what other people’s thoughts about the drama are, read opinions differing to mine, and get wowed when someone points out stuff I didn’t notice when I watched. Being part of a community is really important to me because have you ever had to explain to your colleagues at work that your sudden giggle in the middle of the day is not because you’re going crazy, but because you recalled a hilarious scene in a drama? Nope. They won’t get it. Or have you tried going on a lengthy punctuated-by-tears rant to a non-drama watching friend about a drama that went sideways and killed your favorite character? Again, they won’t get it.
Pros: Drama fans are really helpful and they’ll spazz with you, explain plot points you didn’t understand, and encourage you as you run to the finish line of a drama together. They also give the best recs.
Cons: Having to restrain yourself from, say, wanting to write a thesis on subtitled versus dubbed dramas (we all know subbed is the ultimate version, anyway), or from arguing with everyone else of a different opinion. “What do you mean ABC drama is the worst drama ever?!” “Why would you even say actor XYZ delivers his dialogue like he’s constipated?” *cracks knuckles*
5. The drama salad
This is basically me mixing up the dramas I watch at one time, so that I don’t end up watching back to back dramas of the same genre — especially dramas with heavier themes. Imagine binging all the episodes of Queenmaker and going to watch an episode of Pandora: Beneath the Paradise afterwards (both dramas having similar evil politicians). That can either get boring real fast, or take a toll on me. And that’s where a good rom-com comes in handy — or sometimes I throw an old drama rewatch into the mix.
Pros: There’s a reason nutritionists insist on having balanced diets.
Cons: I haven’t found any, yet.
6. Taking a break
It’s okay to take a break from dramas when they become overwhelming or life gets in the way, because dramas exist for us to watch — we don’t exist to watch dramas. Breaks are healthy, and dramaland will always be there for whenever we’re rejuvenated and ready to rejoin the circus.
Pros: Taking breaks prevents burnout and ensures we won’t reach the point of hating dramas.
Cons: Catching up on dramas we’ve missed can be quite the task. And in extreme cases, some people on hiatus might not return to dramaland. *sad pout*
7. Dropping without looking back
It took a while for me to get to this point, but now, no matter how many episodes in I am, I will drop a drama without a second glance if it’s not the right fit. Don’t compel yourself to finish a drama just because you already started it. Recaps exist for a reason. Alternatively, you can make up an ending in your head and just stick with that. I should have done that for many dramas I forced myself to finish.
Pros: You get to save yourself from trainwrecks.
Cons: You might miss out on some great dramas that had a rough start.
8. Having fun
This is my most important rule of all, and I refuse to be pressured into watching a drama I won’t enjoy just because everyone else is watching it. FOMO is a real thing, but it shouldn’t push you into rushing into a Squid Game or Alchemy of Souls when you’re not yet in the right headspace for them. Watching dramas is not a competition, neither is it a race to stack up the most beans in anticipation for the Bean Count at the end of the year. It’s okay to carry dramas over into the new year because nobody gets a prize for having watched the most dramas. Instead, let the fun factor determine what you watch — or don’t watch. Because you’ll never be able to watch all the dramas in existence.