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Korean Historical Drama home page

   To put it simply (though not accurately, at least not for some :), these are "soap operas" based on real history. However, the quality of these shows are far above many American shows, and that's one of many reasons why fans in the US (and really, around the world) love these shows.  More details follow. 

 This web site focuses on a specific genre-- Korean historical dramas (taking place hundreds fo years ago).  The majority of Korean dramas are actually non-Historical , and take place in the modern world.  For a more comprehensive look at Korean Dramas in general (especially such as those that take place "today"), go to www.Koreanwiz.org

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  Nuances of the shows:

• They are like "soap operas" to the degree that each show is interconnected with others.
• Sex is occasionally inferred, but not shown (unlike American soap operas)
• Because it’s based on real history, main characters might die without warning
• Oftentimes, the show will take us through the history of a main character, starting from when they are a child, until their death
• The narrator will occasionally explain the “real” history, and explain how a particular scene may be either based on a legend, or even just made up for dramatic purposes.
• According to at least one professor, the shows (such as Wang Guhn) are very historically accurate, in terms of costumes and general facts
• Actors from other historical dramas will have a role (sometimes significant ones) in the latest show
• They continually improve on production through new filming techniques, such as lighting, music & different uses of the camera
• It's gaining popularity among non-Korean-Americans (though 2nd generation Korean Americans don't seem particularly interested)

How did I get started? --web page creator's story... 

i got into "Korean Historical Dramas" ain 1995 because i was flipping channels, and saw these cute kids. Since it had subtitles, i got drawn into wondering "What's gonna happen next with these kids?" The drama, "Chang Nok Soo", was following the life and times of King Yeon San (who, i guess is portrayed as tyrannical, according to "official" history) and his concubine, Chang Nok Soo (also spelled Jang Nok Soo).  From there i was hooked.  

i was frustrated, however, because i couldn't find any information on the shows. (Little did i know that the transliterations of names were different than the official Romanization.  So the character names  as i read them on screen were actually spelled differently on other web pages.  Goongyae became Kungye, for example). So i started anentry on my TV favorites web page, then spun it off into its own web page. Then i decided it was time to have it developed into the site you have now found. I put down some basics, but the international fan base has been a HUGE help!

To read more on my story, or that of others, click on to the fans web page

please excuse the plain set-up...this is truly under construction]

 Links

now a good link? E-mail me =>

JP Paulus / jp [at] koreanhistory.tv

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20 May 2003:

   

E-mail me =>

JP Paulus / jp [at] koreanhistory.tv

 

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JP Paulus

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1011 W. Wilson Avenue
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(c) 2004 JP Paulus JP [at] Paulus . com