I’ve watched anime since childhood — not a die-hard fan, just a casual consumer with a soft spot for ridiculous slice-of-life or over-the-top sports anime. It’s my go-to comfort junk. But I swore I wouldn’t go deeper into Asian screen content. Dabbled in a few films here and there, but dramas? Too long, too dramatic, not for me.

…Until last month.

Now I catch myself:

• Telling Korean from Japanese and Chinese — by language, makeup, costumes, and even OST mood.

• Spotting cultural codes and genre clichés like a seasoned critic.

• Not knowing any character names, but absolutely recognizing “rich guy with mommy issues” or “stoic immortal with tragic past” on sight.

Fun facts I’ve learned while spiral-watching asian dramas:

• K-Dramas love slo-mo more than life itself. Same scene? Played 3 times. Different music. Different angle. Just vibes.

• C-Dramas can’t go five minutes without someone flying mid-air in an ancient robe with wind-blown hair.

• J-Dramas often feel like filmed theatre: low-budget, high-emotion, and strangely poetic.

• If no one gets amnesia, falls dramatically under rain, or sacrifices their dream for love — is it even a drama?

And price for the most drama thing ever goes to:

"Both leads take turns sacrificing their dreams, happiness, and each other…… only to find out it all could’ve been solved with one honest conversation back in episode 6"

But no. Where’s the slo-mo kiss under the rain without the heartbreak buildup? :/

So yeah. I didn’t plan to get into dramas — but now I speak fluent plot twist.

Send help. Or recommendations.