Kpopmap Fan Interview: A K-Drama Fan Talks About Her All Time Favorite K-Dramas And Why She's Hooked

Are you also curious about fellow K-Drama fans?! Let's hear their stories and interests in Kpopmap Fan Interview Project.

There are K-Drama fans across the globe who share the same passion. But on online platforms, it is hard to know about each other' stories and tastes. When it is so interesting to know more about how others are living their drama passion.

So, at Kpopmap, we started the Kpopmap Fan Interview Project to get to know more about K-Drama fans from different countries. Just like the Kpopmap Fan Interview for actors, the Kpopmap Fan Interview for K-Dramas aims to open the opportunity for fans to talk about K-Dramas, recommend their favorite shows, and share their insights and their love for K-Dramas with our readers.

One fan answered our questions about their favorite K-Dramas and actors! Check out how they became a K-Drama fan, the reasons why, the dramas they recommend, and many more insights.

Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from?

Hello my name is Elissa Arbelo I’m 37 years old. I’ve been a K-Drama addict since 2011.

What is the 1st K-Drama you've watched, and when? How did you happen to come across it?

I was 26 years old when I saw my two first dramas “You're Beautiful” and “Boys Over Flowers” on Netflix and back then, there wasn’t that much K-Dramas on Netflix not like now in 2022.

SBS

KBS

Are you mostly watching K-Dramas or not? If you are watching series from other countries, let us know.

I watch mostly K-Dramas but I also watch Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese dramas as well. I’ve made a list of dramas I’ve watched. Right now it’s 153. The number is big because I included Korean movies and Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese dramas. My favorite though are Korean dramas.

MBC

What genre of K-Dramas are you mostly watching?

I watch all kinds of genres but my favorites are romance, suspense, and historical dramas.

Would you say you are a K-Drama addict? How many do you watch a week? Do you prefer ongoing dramas or binge-watching?

I watch a lot of dramas every single day and night and watching these dramas helped me a lot when I was fighting cancer 5 years ago. Thankfully I’m in remission and I’m doing very well, so I can continue to enjoy watching my dramas. This photo is from 5 years ago when I was fighting cancer watching K-Dramas helped me tremendously when I was doing chemo treatments.

Picture from Elissa

I prefer to binge watch a drama rather than watching an ongoing drama but recently I’ve been watching ongoing dramas like "Big Mouth" and "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" because they are that good.

MBC

For Kpopmap readers who are not familiar with Korean dramas/movies yet, please tell us what makes Korean actors and Korean dramas/movies attractive to you.

I love everything about Korea because of K-Dramas. I love the language, food, soju, and I love the romantic scenes in a drama. Japchae amd Jjajangmyeon are my favorite South Korean meals.

Do you feel there has been more interest in K-Dramas in your surroundings? Or were people surrounding you already interested?

I only have a female cousin who watches K-Dramas as much as I do.

ENA

Have you ever made a new friend because of K-Dramas?

I made a lot of friends on Facebook who shares my love for Lee JongSuk and K-Drama.

Are you active on SNS media about K-Dramas? Are you reviewing dramas?

I’m active on my group, and Instagram, and Twitter showing my support of Lee JongSuk.

SBS

What makes you watch a drama?

The cast and summary of a drama makes me interested in watching them.

Can you give us your top 3 K-Dramas and why you love them?

My favorite three dramas are "Pinocchio", because that is where I met my favorite South Korean actor Lee JongSuk, "While You Were Sleeping", my favorite drama of Lee JongSuk, and "The Great Queen Seondeok". I loved everything about this historical drama.

SBS

Who are some of your favorite K-Drama actors/actresses and why?

I also like other South Korean actors, but Lee JongSuk holds a special place in my heart. I’ve watched all of his dramas and some of his movies.

Picture from Elissa

Picture from Elissa

I also recently became a fan of Park EunBin. I loved her acting in "The King's Affection", and recently in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo". Now, I’m watching her drama "Do You Like Brahms?"

Do you have predictions about the future of K-Dramas? Do you think K-Dramas can be mainstream all over the world?

Yes I believe K-Dramas can become mainstream all over the world.

Thank you for answering our questions, Elissa Arbelo.

If you are interested in joining Kpopmap Fan Interview Project, please get in touch with us at [email protected] with the topic line "Kpopmap Fan Interview - Drama". Everyone is welcome to participate.

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