The Main Difference Between K-Dramas And American TV Shows, According To 2PM’s Taecyeon
Spoiler Alert
For many K-Drama fans, it’s hard to go back and watch Western media, such as American films and television series, primarily due to content differences.
Most American television shows contain explicit or graphic content, including nudity, sex scenes, violence, and profanity. While some K-Dramas, especially from Netflix, are comparable, the average K-Drama is much more “wholesome.”
Now, 2PM‘s Taecyeon (Ok Taec Yeon), who has worked in Korean and American TV, revealed what he thinks is the main difference between the two styles.
Recently, Taecyeon guested on DIVE Studios‘ Daebak Show w/ Eric Nam to promote his new K-Drama Heartbeat.
So, host Eric Nam asked him many acting-related questions, including concerning his role in XO, Kitty, the spinoff of Netflix‘s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before franchise, adapted from Jenny Han‘s novels. Taecyeon portrayed the fictional actor Ocean Park in Episode 8. His character worked with Min Ho’s (Sang Heon Lee) mom Dami on a fictional K-Drama, A Song of an Enchanted Tiger Amulet.
Previously, Eric had asked Taecyeon about his “dream role.” Taecyeon explained that originally he wanted to play an antagonist, but JYP Entertainment forbade it. Now, that he has departed the company and portrayed the villain in Vincenzo, he is open to pretty much any role as long as it’s not a stereotypical portrayal of Asians.
If the opportunity comes, I’m gonna grab it, but it’s more like I do have some preference to how the Asian demographic is shown on TV and on screen. So, that’s the only thoughts I had about it.
— Taecyeon
Finally, Taecyeon had the opportunity to act in an American television series for the first time, although he partially grew up in Boston. In May, XO, Kitty premiered, so Eric was curious about his role. Taecyeon explained that it was really just a cameo.
I was in it for like such a short time. I mean it was fun.
— Taecyeon
Taecyeon added that it was “different” from K-Drama productions, although it was filmed in Seoul. So, Eric asked what the biggest difference was.
Taecyeon: It was very different from how Korean…
Eric Nam: What was the biggest difference that you were like, “What?!”
Taecyeon explained that the formats are different, affecting the filming style. So, a lot of American TV series, primarily on streaming services, are 8-10 episodes and are released all at once for easy binge-watching. On the other hand, K-Dramas are, on average, 16 episodes and release a couple of episodes weekly, and they can start airing while filming for future episodes still is taking place.
For example, like Korean TV series usually have 16 episodes to shoot, whereas American TV series maybe maximum 12 to 10, and they have less things to shoot. And they don’t have the whole on-air right now kind of thing. It’s not live-streaming, obviously.
— Taecyeon
But American television is usually filmed in advance, sometimes a year or more before it gets released. So, Taecyeon had worked on XO, Kitty like last year!
Taecyeon: Like XO, Kitty is like a year from now. Like if you shoot it now, it’s going to be on air like next year. Next year? What happened?
Eric Nam: I’m like a different person. I might not even look like this in a year!
Taecyeon: So, that’s very different, I guess.
Previously, Taecyeon went viral for his surprise role in XO, Kitty. Read more below.
