Popular K-Drama Streaming Site Shuts Down, Leaving Netizens Devastated
K-Drama lovers are familiar with Dramacool, a free streaming site for watching Asian drama series.
Unfortunately, after days of inactivity, Dramacool confirmed on its official X (formerly Twitter) account that it is shutting down the following five sites: Asianc, Dramanice, Watchasia, Runasian, and Asianwiki. They cited copyright issues as the cause.
We are sorry to announce that we will be closing all 5 websites: Asianc, Dramanice, Watchasia, Runasian, Asianwiki. Due to the copyright, we cannot run the sites anymore.
We apologize to every fan that always supported and loved DRAMACOOL.
Thank you and Best Regards.— Dramacool
Hi all💛
We are sorry to announce that we will be closing all 5 websites: Asianc, Dramanice, Watchasia, Runasian, Asianwiki. Due to the copyright, we cannot run the sites anymore.
We apologize to every fan that always supported and loved DRAMACOOL.
Thank you and Best Regards. pic.twitter.com/4ft5KIWBLv— Dramacool (@dramacoolcom) November 27, 2024
The announcement went viral with 1.5M views at the time of writing. K-Drama fans are heartbroken by the news, lamenting on social media.
the burning of the library of alexandria for asian drama watchers https://t.co/z16jUUwpdk
— cal (@hajunluvr) November 27, 2024
I have spent my entire life on dramacool after mysoju but I’ve noticed in recent years, the ads got worse, the site was down constantly and the quality diminished. You did your best. You guys worked your asses off to get those dramas back up. I salute you. You are the real OG of…
— 🐈AgustGee3275 Is Happy Thx2⁷ NormalBoys🤨 (@AgustGee3275) November 27, 2024
Whyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!😭😭😭😭😭…. I’ve been watching all the kdramas for the last 15 years in these site only😭😭😭… Now where can I get these kdramas again 🥲🥲🥲
— Hikaru (@FarrahSapphire) November 27, 2024
Many are having flashbacks to other platforms, such as DramaFever, MySoju, and KissAsian, shutting down.
Dramacool is joining mysoju and dramafever in the Kdrama website cemetery? https://t.co/YePMrN2B8C pic.twitter.com/60GX5CGOv5
— litgitte 💗 (@MimieZaforas) November 27, 2024
The end of an era. So long, dear friends. 😭😢
This hits as hard as DramaFever shutting down, for which I will NEVER forgive WB. https://t.co/aV475UaVQv
— Carolyn Hinds 🇧🇧 #FreePalestine #CongoInCrisis (@CarrieCnh12) November 27, 2024
it feels like dramafever all over again 😔
— aelin ☾ (@xiaohee1216) November 27, 2024
Drama-watchers are frustrated by Dramacool’s shutting down. Even those who subscribe to paid streaming services are limited in their selection of dramas to watch due to location. Dramacool would often have what viewers were looking for.
I’m gutted.
I pay for several streaming services, and yet some shows are still not available except through drama cool.
Now what?— sumichba (@sumichba) November 27, 2024
The thing is not all legit platforms will have the shows we want to watch. It’s limited by location. I can’t be bothered with vpn
— EXO EXIST (@kjiihi88) November 27, 2024
Sad. The only page I can find jdramas that I couldn’t find anywhere else on official streaming sites and fansubbers. Even GemTV closed down recently. pic.twitter.com/ynhQYpI6OK
— redsamuraiii (@redsamuraiii) November 27, 2024
While netizens were still upset, they could understand copyright issues. Yet, many were perplexed over why Asianwiki would have to shut down.
What’s the problem with Asianwiki? 😭😭😭
That helps me a lot to understand every character of the drama… 😭😭😭— rdtk (@rdtk_dj_pfj) November 27, 2024
asianwiki too??? nooo that’s one of the websites where i searched for information😰
— 🐶🐶 (@wppuppy) November 27, 2024
Dramacool clarified later that the Asianwiki in question is their news website, not the community database for Asian actors and dramas.
hi all, asianwiki(.)co, our news site, not asianwiki(.)com
— Dramacool (@dramacoolcom) November 27, 2024
Still, it’s the end of an era.