Judy and I just finished a post describing our favorite genres of Kdramas. Mine is drama, Judy’s romcom. The more I think about the term romcom though, the more I think this description doesn’t apply to all Kdramas that aren’t dramas. As one friend said to me, “You know, there isn’t much ‘com’ in Kdramas.” He didn’t know it, but he was describing MELOROM. (Of course I’m anticipating Judy rebutting this. But why wait for her? I can do it myself. My latest show, King the Land has many scenes of com in it. I actually cracked a smile or two watching an episode. I might have even laughed outright.)
So back to MELOROM. Let me explain. A romcom focuses on plot lines that center on romantic ideas and is lighthearted in nature. A melodrama is characterized by strong action and emotion. When you fuse the two together, you’ve got my newly coined genre, MELOROM. For example, the show I’m currently watching, Welcome to Samdal-ri, is a perfect combination of the two. There is not only romance between the two leads but also a sobering death by drowning. Comedy is missing, unless you find watching actors get roaring drunk and passing out humorous. Call me old fashioned and puritanical - maybe even grandmotherly - but I see nothing funny about that.
If there is anyone who follows us who has a better description of MELOROM, weigh in.
As I finish this post, I just want to remind everyone that straight drama is still my favorite!
I had to remind Pat about all the comedy we see in Kdramas... Crash Landing had a hilarious scene with a goat, Something in the Rain had the comedy of hiccups at an inopportune
moment, Attorney Woo had the memorable Q&A of the hardest thing about working at the law firm, even Mr Sunshine had the humor of Ae-sin sitting in Eugene Choi's office chair without being prompted. Guess Pat just forgets these unforgettable scenes! But if she wants to rebrand them MeloRoms I'm okay with that. ~ Judy
My point exactly, Judy. You’ve included a handful of kdramas that have 16-24 hour long episodes, and you can mention a handful of scenes that have a tiny bit of com in them. MELOROM it is.
If Kdramas could dispense with the obligatory serial killer in romcoms, dramas, or meloroms, that would be ok with me!
I don't care about what to call what I watch, it's all K-drama. And I have to agree with Judy, comedy isn't about laughing the whole time. I wouldn't want to watch such a drama, if I want that I would watch a stand-up comedian. I like the subtleties in words, looks and/or gestures in most K-dramas that make me smile and sometimes lol.
I just finished Welcome to Samdal-ri and loved it and smiled a lot. And yes, even when they were drunk, they were funny. It's another great drama about love but above all about friendship and togetherness.