Dramabeans is an
English-language website
A website (also written as a web site) is a collection of web pages and related content that is identified by a common domain name and published on at least one web server. Examples of notable websites are Google Search, Google, Facebook, Amaz ...
that features in-depth reviews and analyses of
Korean dramas
Korean dramas (; Revised Romanization of Korean, RR: ''Han-guk deurama''), more popularly known as K-dramas, are Television show, television series in the Korean language, made in South Korea.
They are popular worldwide, especially in Asia, par ...
, and also serves as a fan forum for those programs featured. It also features Korean entertainment news on such topics such as preproduction and casting.
History
Dramabeans began as a blog by
Korean American
Korean Americans are Americans of Korean ancestry (mostly from South Korea). In 2015, the Korean-American community constituted about 0.56% of the United States population, or about 1.82 million people, and was the fifth-largest Asian American ...
"Sarah", better known by her online
pen name
A pen name, also called a ''nom de plume'' or a literary double, is a pseudonym (or, in some cases, a variant form of a real name) adopted by an author and printed on the title page or by-line of their works in place of their real name.
A pen na ...
of "javabeans" in 2007 as a site to recap and debate Korean dramas. As the popularity of the blog increased, she registered the domain name. In 2010, Dramabeans reader "Jen", better known as "girlfriday", became a second regular reviewer-contributor to the site,
and the two were able to make the site their full-time job.
Methodology and impact
The core of the site is an archive of recaps of each episode of selected dramas, with comments serving as a forum on the episode reviewed. Most new miniseries from the big three (
KBS,
MBC and
SBS) will receive a recap of the first episode,
with those which the recappers find most interested in having every episode in its 16 to 24-episode run being reviewed, longer dramas are not covered. Both javabeans and girlfriday are professional writers and deconstruct each episode as both writers and as ethnic Koreans with an understanding of the Korean entertainment industry, Korean story telling
tropes, and mores and customs. The popularity of Dramabeans has paralleled the growing popularity of Korean dramas as part of the
Korean Wave in the West, serving as a primer to Korean mores, culture and attitudes to Western audiences.
The site also features articles regarding casting and preproduction of upcoming dramas, and behind-the-scenes news of airing dramas.
Awards and nominations
Publications
References
{{Reflist
External links
Original javabeans blog
*
Entertainment Internet forums
Internet properties established in 2007