I have reached the Nirvana of a K-drama addict. That awesome point you get to when you are not overwhelmed with your love of all things Korean, but rather can enjoy them as they come.
As has been mentioned in other posts, there are certain stages of a k-drama addict. This is my interpretation of the stages though:
Step one: You just finished your first drama and you really liked it, now you want more. You will probably start with dramas that have the same actors as the last one you finished.
Step two: You are now venturing into different genres and actors. You will watch anything that is available. If you haven’t already, by now you have definitely downloaded an app to watch the dramas.
Step Three: You have started trying to convert your friends and family members into addicts as well. If you weren’t already, you now listen to K-pop more often than music in your own language. Speaking of your own language, you are now actively trying to learn Korean. You are already saying things like: OMO, Oppa, saranghae, and aigoo.
Step Four: You have given up on real life people and now troll the interwebs for K-drama communities. You read the blogs, you join the apps, you are signed up on mydramalist.com.
Step Five: You have started your own blog. You watch live streaming dramas in addition to the marathoning that you do on the side. When you watch movies in your own language, you translate them into Korean.
Step Six: The slump…you are having trouble finding a drama that you like, let alone love. You spend more time looking for your next drama than the time you spend with the drama you are “currently watching”.
Now how you survive that slump is what determines if you “cure” your addiction or you reach the k-drama addict Nirvana level. If you give up on dramas, then sad congrats for you, you have been cured. Return to your previous life of whatever that was that you were into before the Hallyu wave drowned your soul.
Nirvana Level: You have decided to NOT give up on K-dramas. You have invested way TOO much time to just give up. But you have learned to take a step back. To enjoy things as they come. To reintroduce other subjects into your life. Little things like family, work, and school. You have learned balance. Weeeeeell, as balanced as a K-drama addict is going to get. You still watch at least 4-6 episodes a week.
You still read the blogs. You are still singing k-pop and responding in Korean. But you have stopped the endless hunt for the next “great” drama. You aren’t reading recaps so that you can know about the drama faster than just watching it. You are capable about having a conversation that does not include the words: Korean, drama, oppa, or bias.
I have reached the Nirvana level. And I am so happy yedera! You see, I am obsessive by nature. I have been since I was a child. My first obsession was Peter Pan. My longest obsession was Phantom of the Opera. And there have been many in between. But one of the (many) problems of obsessing is BURNOUT. It is so disappointing when something you loved passionately becomes something that you can’t stand because you overdid it.
I was so worried this was going to happen with k-dramas that I spazzed out a bit. They make me so happy! I didn’t want to lose them. But then I realized I was trying to hard and not even enjoying myself. So I stepped back, and found balance.
So things are going to be changing a bit around here in my life, and in my blog. But I am going to make that a separate post because this one is already waaaaaaaaaaaay too long.
I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to these lovely K-drama pins that you can check out here: Korean dramas Make Me Happy
And one last awesome pin
Good job dearie! I’m a proud unni! Love love this article so much… Let me add one last level… Post Nirvana Level: You chill and relax and chat with your kdrama sisters like high school girls about oppas and new kdramas *wink
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lol I’m looking forward to it Unni!
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This was a really fun read. 🙂
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Nirval Level here!^^
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Hahahaha I really like the last pin! And after reading this, i think i’ve reached the nirvana level too! I didn’t know it had a name xD I just watch dramas occasionally! I’m currently watching the liar and his lover. Did you hear about Nam Joo Hyuk and Lee Sung Kyung???
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Omo yes I have it is like THE best news ever! I’m so happy for them. But more importantly, I’m happy for me cuz they are in a noona romance. 😍😍😍
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Ohh she’s elder to him?? Wow! I know crazy news though! Even park Bo young confessed she likes Park Hyung Shik!!!
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Oooooh! Seriously? That is so cute! He was on an interview recently where his ideal woman seemed to be describing her and when they called him out he was all blushing. He said no. But reluctantly. And that would be another Noona romance.
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Hahaha I like how you know all their ages.xD but yeah I read it online that he also said he fell for her in reality while doing strong woman do bong soon! How awesome was that ending though? What are you currently watching btw? 🙂
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Lol well before I fell in love with Koreans age was just a number. But then I started noticing all the banmal and jeondamal and stuff and I realized that it might be a problem when I kidnap and marry Park bo gum. 🙂
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Hahahaha I really like Nam Joo Hyuk though even Ji soo
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Yeah I am in love with all of them. But I have decided that Park bo gum is gonna be my ultimate bias. 🙂 although, it got a bit shaky there with Park Hyung Sik. He is hot, adorable, and 25!! We are born in the same year! But no…I will stay faithful to my UB.
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I knowww!! They’re all so young and yet so handsome and even successful for that matter. Like gee
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I’m mostly rewatching stuff lately. Like healer and cheese in the Trap. And then I am starting a bunch of dramas that I haven’t quite got into yet. My gf is a guhimo. King 2 heart. And oh my Venus.
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Ohh I’ve watched oh my Venus from the ones you’ve mentioned, it’s super nice!! I’m currently watching the liar and his lover. Might start healer and man to man or tunnel soon. I recently finished signal, but it’s a mystery and thriller genre, I doubt you’ll like it
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Lol you know me so well. I am interested in man to man and tunnel tho. They both have some of my biases.
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Hehe yeah tunnel seems super exciting with all the time travelling and I’m looking forward to man to man too!! I have vacations on, so I’m basically chilling all day watching kdramas
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Ugh 😑 must be nice. I’m like so stressed about moving in two weeks that I can’t even concentrate on dramas. Which is why I am rewatching old stuff instead. Have you not seen healer?
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Haha you should be excited!! No I haven’t yet, I’ve watched k2 though
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I am excited…just also stressed. It’s cuz of my anxiety/depression. Makes it hard to just be happy about something. K2 is to actiony for me. But healer was perfect. You should watch it. So much adorableness. Plus like a good plot and there is action too. So something for everyone. 🙂
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Now if the puppy couple would get together, all would be perfect in dramaland.
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I have reached the Nirvana level too in just one year.
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yea korean drama have there own charm that is hard to find somewhere else
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We’re on the same page buddy…. 😂😂😂
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After giggling over your memes and blog, I realize now that we are indeed kindred spirits.
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Lol! 😂 ‘Tis the best feeling in the world to find a kindred spirit!
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