Korean dramas 

(Korean: 한국 드라마; RR: Hanguk deurama), more

popularly known as K-dramas, are television series in the Korean
language, made in South Korea.
Korean dramas are popular worldwide, especially in Asia, partially due
to the spread of Korean popular culture (the "Korean Wave"), and their
widespread availability via streaming services which often offer subtitles
in multiple languages. Many K-dramas have been adapted throughout the
world, and some have had great impact on other countries. Some of the
most famous dramas have been broadcast via traditional television
channels in other countries. For example, Dae Jang Geum (2003) was
sold to 150 countries.
K-dramas have attracted international attention for their fashion, style
and culture. The rise in popularity of Korean dramas had led to a great
boost to fashion lines. However, various Korean dramas has also been
criticized for distort, rewrite or whitewash the historical figure's story.
Format

Yongin Daejanggeum Park, a filming site where historical dramas for

Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation are produced
A single director usually leads Korean dramas, which are often written
by a single screenwriter. This often leads to each drama having distinct
directing and dialogue styles. This differs from American television
series, which can rely on multiple directors and writers working
together.[4]

The 19:00 to 21:00 evening time slot usually have been reserved for
daily dramas, which run every night from Monday through Friday.
Dramas in these slots are in the telenovela format, rarely running over
150 episodes. Unlike American soap operas, these daily dramas are not
broadcast during the daytime. Instead, the daytime schedule often
includes reruns of the flagship dramas. The night time dailies can
achieve very high ratings. During the late 2000s, for example, the
weekend series First Wives' Club recorded 41.3%, according to TNS
Korea,[5] and the evening series Temptation of Wife peaked at 40.6%,
according to TNS Korea.[6]

Plots and storylines

K-dramas have a multitude of different genres such as action dramas,
historical dramas, school dramas, medical dramas, legal dramas, or even
horror comedies. While most dramas carry romantic elements and deep
emotional themes, there are various styles and tones.[7]

The main themes of Korean television dramas are friendship, family

values, and love, blending traditional values of Confucianism with
Western materialism and individualism.[8]

However, it is an emerging trend amongst Korean dramas to showcase

ongoing societal issues of Korean society such as stigma of mental
illness,[9] gender inequality, suicide, classism, bullying, spy cameras,
corruption, homophobia or racism.[10]

Historical
Main article: Sageuk
The term sageuk refers to any Korean television or film drama that is
either based on historical figures, incorporates historical events, or uses
a historical backdrop. While sageuk literally translates to "historical
drama", the term is typically reserved for dramas taking place
throughout the course of Korean history.[11]

Since the mid-2000s, some sageuks have achieved major success outside
of Korea, in places such as Asia-Pacific, Central Asia, Greater Middle
East, Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America.[12] Sageuks
including Dae Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace), Yi San (Lee San, Wind
of the palace) and Jumong enjoyed strong ratings in countries such
Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Fiji and Iran. Jumong, which aired on
IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) in 2008, had 85%
viewership.[13]

Romance
Often centered around a love story, series set in contemporary times
often focus on family ties and romantic relationships. Characters are
mostly idealized with Korean male protagonists described as handsome,
intelligent, emotional, and in search of "one true love". This has also
been a contributing factor to the popularity of Korean dramas among
women.[4][14][15][16]