Top 10 Instagram Updates By K-Drama Actors (4th Week Of March 2023)
Here are the top 10 Instagram updates from K-Drama actors in the 4th week of March 2023.
Michael Albert, Kpopmap Editor 2 min to read ·
Published : Mar 24, 2023
Esquire / RADO / Marie Claire
Every week, our favorite K-Drama stars take to Instagram to share some of the best updates on Instagram. With a variety of contents that often ranges from magazine shoots, selfies, fun moments, special events, behind-the-scenes contents as well as the adorable selfies, every week, we all get our fill of quality contents from our favorite stars.
With our Instabuzz Weekly article, we curate a special list of the best updates of the week for our global readers. At the end of this themed article, we host a fun poll asking our readers to vote for the best updates from our selection.
Without further ado, here are the top 10 Instagram updates from K-Drama actors in the 4th week of March 2023.
Be it with his adorable selfies or magazine photoshoots, Jung IlWoo never ceases to amaze us with the kinds of contents he shares on Instagram. Looking handsome and ethereal in these pictures, the famous actor has us Dazed by this update.
Stunning, gorgeous, mesmerizing, breathtaking, the list of reactions and compliments we have for Yim SiWan in this update is simply too long to contain this article.
Woo DoHwan makes our excitement and anticipation for his upcoming drama "Joseon Attorney" soar very high as his chemistry with co-star WJSN's BoNa is so adorable in these pictures for Marie Claire magazine.
Perhaps the rising actor can very well add the title of a model to his list of talents as he completely slays every photoshoot he stars in. This one included. The 4th slide will have you stunned.
Is it the long hair, his bright smile, the outfit, or his elegant aura, Kim YoungKwang simply has us entranced with this update and we cant take our eyes off him.
Learn The Korean Word For When Your Heart Goes Pit-A-Pat - Dugeun Dugeun
Learn the Korean word for pit-a-pat with Your Korea Tutor - Kpopmap for the next time your heart starts beating faster for your bias!
Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap Editor < 1 min to read ·
Published : Apr 27, 2024
tvN / Kpopmap
You know the feeling when you're watching a romance K-Drama, and you can feel your heartbeat getting faster? Or, perhaps when you're with your crush in real life and your heart feels like it's beating right out of your chest? In Korean, there's a word for that pit-a-pat feeling. It's called "두근두근" (dugeun dugeun).
"Dugeun dugeun" is an onomatopoeia that mimics the rhythmic sound of a heartbeat and is commonly used to express excitement, nervousness, or anticipation in various contexts, including romantic situations or moments of suspense. If you're a K-Pop or K-Drama fan, you must have heard this phrase often in dramas or song lyrics.
You can use "dugeun dugeun" when your heart is racing or pounding because of something or someone. For instance, in "Lovely Runner", Ryu SunJae (Byeon WooSeok) can feel his heart go dugeun dugeun for Im Sol (Kim HyeYoon).
You can use "dugeun dugeun" in a sentence (informal) as below:
만날 때마다 마음이 두근두근해
Mannal ttaemada maeumi dugeun dugeunhae
My heart races every time we meet
There's also a Korean abbreviation for dugeun dugeun that you can use in text messages or on the internet. It's ㄷㄱㄷㄱ.
What makes your heart go dugeun dugeun? Tell us on X!
To learn more fun Korean words, stay tuned to Your Korea Tutor - Kpopmap!
Learn About The Korean Word Centered Around Memories - "Gieok"
Improve your memory by learning the Korean word for 'memory' with Kpopmap!
Dyllan Mykel, Kpopmap Editor < 1 min to read ·
Published : Apr 28, 2024
tvN / Kpopmap
A person's memory is a fascinating thing, with some being able to recall their days as an infant. But if you're like Im Sol (played by Kim HyeYoon) in "Lovely Runner", you might have forgotten some key moments, like attending the same school as your bias! When it comes to the word memory in Korean, there are two ways you can say it. Today, we focus on the word centered around memory that has multiple uses.
기억
Gieok
Memory
There's multiple ways you can use this word, like letting someone know if you remember something or not. An example is:
아무 기억이 안 나요.
A-mu gieok-i an na-yo.
I don't remember a thing.
Another way you can use 기억 could be:
네, 일정을 기억했어요.
Ne, il-jeong eul gieok-haesseoyo.
Yes, I remembered the schedule.
In a clip from episode 4 of "Lovely Runner", you can hear how both Kim HyeYoon and Byeon WooSeok use this word in their conversation with one another. You can check out the clip down below!
Do you think you'll be able to remember 기억? To learn more Korean words and phrases, stay tuned to Your Korea Tutor - Kpopmap!
Overseas Fans Name Their Top 5 K-Dramas Of 2023 And Why "Squid Game" Continues To Dominate The List
Check out the top 5 favorite Korean dramas chosen by overseas fans from over 26 countries and how "Squid Game" continues to remain at the top.
Dyllan Mykel, Kpopmap Editor 7 min to read ·
Published : Apr 22, 2024
Netflix Korea
The results for the 2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey has been released, naming the most beloved K-Dramas of viewers from across the globe. The top 5 series consists of "Squid Game", "The Glory", "King The Land", "Crash Landing On You", and "Taxi Driver", in that order. For the third time since its release, "Squid Game" continues to dominate, earning mass-attention from audiences worldwide.
Conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Overseas Hallyu Survey aims to compile the data on the impact of the Hallyu wave. With a sample size of 25,000 people from over 26 countries, the survey tries it best to show an accurate representation of what types of K-Content is being consumed in different countries.
While many more amazing series have popped up over the years, "Squid Game" is still named as one of the most enjoyed K-Dramas by 9.0% of survey participants. While they're not all the same genre, they do have some similarities, and some clear cut reasons why "Squid Game" remains at the top.
Top Ratings And Streams
Looking at the list across the board, these series cover a variety of different themes. This includes everything from lighthearted romantic comedy to suspenseful thriller and heart-racing action. As vastly different as they might be, they share a similarity in receiving top ratings and streams.
At their highest ratings, "Crash Landing On You" received 21.7%, "King The Land" ended on 13.8%, and "Taxi Driver" received 16% for season 1 and 21% for season 2 respectively. When it comes to the Netflix-produced shows of "Squid Game" and "The Glory", rather than percentage ratings, there are hours viewed. At its peak and according to FlixPatrol, "The Glory" reached an astonishing 124,460,000 hours viewed. But this seems pale in comparison to the 571,760,000 of "Squid Game".
Earlier, we mentioned that Squid Game was picked by 9.0% of survey respondents. The rest are as follows: "The Glory" (3.4%), "King The Land" (2.6), "Crash Landing On You" (2.2), and "Taxi Driver" (1.6). While the rest of these series are amazing in their own right, the difference between "Squid Game" still remains quite large, even three years after its release.
Translated by Kpopmap.com
While these numbers don't tell the whole story, they portray these shows' mass appeal and how they naturally had the entire globe wrapped around their finger, eagerly moving from episode to episode. With a majority of these shows made available through Netflix, and "Taxi Driver" as the lone Amazon Prime Video representative, it was easy for individuals around the globe to become hooked and name them as their top series of 2023.
More Than Just A K-Drama
Netflix Korea
Now, we have a general idea of how well these series have done, according to stats. And while statistics might be a clear representation of these K-Dramas' success, when breaking things down, it becomes more than just the numbers. And in turn, these shows become more than just a regular, old K-Drama. In the case of "Squid Game", "The Glory", and "Taxi Driver", they certainly were not your typical K-Dramas that ended with a couple riding into the sunset towards their happily-ever-after. Instead, they erred more on the intensity of the world, how some actions are simply unforgivable, and the sheer ruthlessness of certain individuals. They introduced global audiences to a grittier, less explored side of K-Dramas that left a lasting impression on millions.
Looking over at "Crash Landing On You" and "King The Land", these two offered a totally different experience for viewers, acting as quintessential examples for your tried and true K-Drama. They had layers of depth and character development, while remaining lighthearted enough for you to witness a swoon-worthy romance, made you smile in unending laughter, and kept audiences coming back every single week.
JTBC
Millions of individuals raved about these series' incredible success and how they managed to change the landscape of the K-Dramas we see today. And aside from the feel good happy endings and the idea that love is real from "Crash Landing On You" and "King The Land", they approached a myriad of real-life topics that are generally harder to talk about for any one person. "Squid Game" tackled economic disparity, "The Glory" depicted the lasting effects of bullying, and "Taxi Driver" portrayed the idea that the less fortunate can receive their due justice.
It's in these life lessons, combined with the pure entertainment factors, that make these shows so worth it.
The Lasting Effect Of "Squid Game"
Netflix
It's no secret that Netflix's "Squid Game" became a world-renowned hit. According to data collected by Netflix, as of April 14th, 2024, "Squid Game" has received a approximately 265,200,000 total views, earning it the top spot of Netflix's Most Popular TV (Non-English) list. During its initial year of release, it became an international craze, with millions flocking to filming locations of the series, creating a boon in the tourism industry. Even the official VISIT SEOUL website curated a list of "Squid Game" filming locations that travelers could visit in Seoul.
Additionally, a pop-up playground was previously set up at Itaewon station, which ran from September 17th, 2021 until September 26th, 2021.
Netflix Korea
Many would think that the first year of global success aside, and with the amount of incredible K-Dramas that have graced our screens since, surely there would have been at least one to overtake the no. 1 spot from "Squid Game". However, going from 21.2% to 11.3%, and now 9.0% shows just how much presence the Netflix series continues to retain.
From mentions & reach to netizen sentiment, "Squid Game" remained truly relevant within such a fast-paced and ever-changing entertainment world. And while there are dips here and there, the sentiment around "Squid Game" is ultimately positive, a consensus shared by a large portion of survey respondents and the world. Although the drama's mentions and reach are on a downwards trend, it has yet to fall off completely, showing that audiences still have their tabs open to search more about "Squid Game".
Kpopmap
Kpopmap
Looking at it even deeper, there's many reasons for that.
The 'Wow' Factor
Entertainment-wise, "Squid Game" is truly a special title. As the characters participate in a series of missions in an attempt to earn a life-changing monetary prize, audiences await with bated breathe to see just who will make it out alive. Taking simple Korean games and transforming them to psychologically frightening tasks blows everything out of proportion, but creates such an inescapable magnetic pull that you can't help but be dragged along by its explosive plot. This 'wow' factor certainly contributed to the overall success of "Squid Game" and how it became such a loved hit for three years in a row.
Spinoffs And Reimagined For Real Life
Even with its immense virality and worldwide influence, many probably could not foresee that it would incite others into action to replicate the hit series and create a real-life "Squid Game". One of the most notable attempts was done by popular YouTuber, Mr. Beast. Although the contestants do not carry a sense of desperation to succeed like the original characters nor is blood actually shed, the spirit of "Squid Game" is still present. This 26 minute video by the YouTuber now sits at around 600M views.
Then, just last year in 2023, Netflix tapped into the success of "Squid Game" and created "Squid Game: The Challenge". This was the official real-life rendition of the iconic series. While this was a bit more laidback like Mr. Beast's version, tensions were a little higher as the streaming giant tried its best to stay as true to the K-Drama as possible.
Outside of these, along with many other attempts to bring "Squid Game" to life, the iconic tracksuits, guard outfits, and more reached store shelves everywhere. Then when Halloween came around the corner, millions walked along the street dressed from head to toe in "Squid Game" attire, showing their enjoyment and outright affection for the show.
"Squid Game" Moving Forward
Considering the news about "Squid Game 2" and how it's going to drop sometime this year, it seems the craze is far from over. Rather, it will most likely receive a second wind, dominating watchlists and search engines worldwide. And even then, depending on whether or not the response for season 2 is similar or surpasses expectations, there could even be a chance that the "Squid Game" universe is expanded even further. This would pave the way for even more exploration into the "Squid Game" narrative and an expansion of an already complex story. This time next year, "Squid Game 2" could be like its predecessor and be chosen as the top K-Drama from 21.2% of survey respondents, or more.
What do you think of the results for the 2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey? Have you gone back to rewatch "Squid Game" in the past year?
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