If you’ve ever spent an entire weekend glued to a K-drama like Squid game, Crash landing on you, Or It’s okay to not be wellyou may be doing more than just entertaining yourself. According to mental health experts, those long hours spent watching Korean dramas might actually be beneficial for your mental well-being.

The surprising benefits of K-Drama on mental health

From Elf has Vincenzo And Descendants of the SunK-dramas have captivated global audiences with their gripping storylines and high production values.

But for therapist Jeanie Chang, the real magic lies in how these shows connect viewers to their emotions and help them deal with difficult life experiences, reports AFP.

K-dramas often explore universal themes like heartbreak, family expectations, love, and trauma. “We all experience family pressures and expectations, conflicts, trauma and hope,” says Chang. “Seeing these themes successfully explored on screen can change the way we deal with similar challenges in real life.” »

Reconnect with roots and emotions

For Chang, born in Seoul but raised in the United StatesK-drama helped her reconnect with her cultural heritage and emotions that she once suppressed. “The messages of Korean dramas are universal,” she says.

“Mental health is about how you feel, your relationships with others, and how your brain processes experiences. We see this in every K-drama.

The global rise of K-Drama and its impact

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, global viewership of Korean dramas has increased, especially on platforms like Netflix, where shows like Kingdom, My nameAnd The glory dominate the charts.

Between 2019 and 2022, the audience for K-dramas on Netflix increased sixfold, making it the most watched non-English content on the platform.

Finding Healing in K-Dramas: True Stories

American teacher Jeanie Barry discovered K-drama during a personal crisis, after her family’s funeral. A recommended friend It’s okay to not be welland Barry quickly became hooked.

“The way this culture deals with trauma and mental breakdown really resonated with me. » AFP Barry. She credits the drama with helping her deal with her grief and “see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Since then, Barry has watched 114 K-dramas and no longer watches English-language television. “They allowed me to soften my heart,” she says.

K-Drama as emotional therapy

For Erin McCoy, another K-drama enthusiast, these shows helped her deal with depression. “When you live with depression for so long, you become numb. You don’t feel bad, but you don’t feel good either,” says McCoy. But thanks to K-dramas, she was able to reconnect with her emotions. “I feel like I was able to express and feel emotions again.”

Art Therapy and K-Dramas

The idea that K-dramas can be therapeutic isn’t as far-fetched as it seems. According to Seoul psychiatrist Im Su-geun, watching these shows can be considered a form of art therapy. “Visual media like K-dramas have important strengths that align well with psychotherapy,” Im says. “They offer viewers new perspectives, promote healthy values ​​and offer solutions to personal problems.”

Although K-drama is not prescribed like traditional therapy, it can be a valuable tool in certain situations. For example, K-dramas like Bbecause this is my first life And Response 1988 can help viewers deal with breakups or losses, giving them the emotional insight they need to cope.

So next time you binge watch Hospital Playlist Or The strange meterknow that you’re not just having fun, you may also be improving your mental health.