The Filipino Millennial and the Korean Drama Fad

Abstract

This quantitative-qualitative study ascertained the extent of influence of the Korean Drama Fad on the Filipino Millennials’cultural practices and beliefs. A researcher-madeSelf-Assessment Checklist was used to gather the quantitative data among 356 randomly selected respondents, while the qualitative data were drawn from an Interview among 8 participants. Results revealed that overall, the Korean drama fad was moderately influential. However, this was very influential, moderately influential, and slightly influential when respondents were categorized according to sex, college, campus, and degree of exposure, respectively. Significant differences existed in the extent of influence of the Korean drama fad when respondents were categorized according to sex, campus, and degree of exposure, but no significant differences were noted when classified according to college. Reasons for watching K-dramas include relaxation and entertainment, stress reliever, a form of escape from their problems, exciting stories, and unpredictable plot, characters are easy to relate and identify with, and the presence of fascinating actors and actresses. Further, the K-dramas was appealing because the stories are true-to-life with the varying genre--love story, modern romance, comedy, historical fiction, and action-drama. Insights and lessons cited were being prepared to face the future; being strong and more positive in facing life's challenges; loving unconditionally; learning to be more careful before totally trusting others; having knowledge and awareness of what is trending when it comes to fashion styles, beauty standards, verbal and non-verbal expressions, behavior, and lifestyle of Koreans in general.