Now that the Sword and the Petal premiered today (no, I haven't seen it yet - spoil me and perish), the number of period dramas currently airing on Korean TV is 4 (TS&TF, Goddess of Fire - the MGY potter drama, Gu Am Heo Jun, Cruel Palace). Nor is that number particularly high - Sword&Petal and Goddess of Fire may have just started, but Gu Family Book and Jung Ok Jang, both period dramas, just ended last week.
Now, some people dislike sageuks (i.e. period dramas with swords and hats) and would rather have a contemporary romcom or melo. But for me, the prevalence of sageuks is a boon from a benevolent kdrama deity - I love period dramas more than any other genre and have a similar fondness for period novels.
Part of my love of sageuks stems from the fact that period TV shows, if one does the sageuk thing and limits them to shows set prior to 1900, are so incredibly scarce on US and UK networks. They are especially rare in the US but even UK is not swimming in them, especially if you move the bar to 1800 - a show set in the 19th century might be rare (and is more likely than not an umpteenth take on an Austen, Bronte or Dickens novel - they were good writers but something else might be fun too, execs!), but a show set prior to 1800 is a rarity to be loved and treasured in the manner of a unicorn. That is why I am so fond of STARZ, the channel that gave us the awesome Spartacus, the entertaining Da Vinci's Demons, the short-lived Camelot and the upcoming pirate show. That is why I am hoarding the Vikings. That is why I enjoyed the Tudors and am enjoying the White Queen, despite a number of problems I have with these shows, and I hope that TWQ is a ratings hit and maybe gets someone else to make another medieval show (That is why I am anticipating Reign, even though it looks horrendous - I hope it's a hit and other period shows will follow).
I just want more period shows! There is so much to choose from - the American Revolution, the English Civil War, the early post-Conquest period in England (Elizabeth Chadwick's novels would be great adopted into a series), even Alfred the Great or Canute. And that is just talking about England and the US, let alone other countries' events.
I just wish US/UK TV resembled Korean in that one way - I wish that there was such an embarassment of riches that I wouldn't obsessively watch almost any period show I could get my hands on - I'd love pick and choose the way I do with sageuks - I plan to watch the Sword and the Flower and not bother with the other three due to time constraints (and maybe put a few more period cdramas on my plate) - but pickiness like that is not a luxury I have with American or UK shows :(
Now, some people dislike sageuks (i.e. period dramas with swords and hats) and would rather have a contemporary romcom or melo. But for me, the prevalence of sageuks is a boon from a benevolent kdrama deity - I love period dramas more than any other genre and have a similar fondness for period novels.
Part of my love of sageuks stems from the fact that period TV shows, if one does the sageuk thing and limits them to shows set prior to 1900, are so incredibly scarce on US and UK networks. They are especially rare in the US but even UK is not swimming in them, especially if you move the bar to 1800 - a show set in the 19th century might be rare (and is more likely than not an umpteenth take on an Austen, Bronte or Dickens novel - they were good writers but something else might be fun too, execs!), but a show set prior to 1800 is a rarity to be loved and treasured in the manner of a unicorn. That is why I am so fond of STARZ, the channel that gave us the awesome Spartacus, the entertaining Da Vinci's Demons, the short-lived Camelot and the upcoming pirate show. That is why I am hoarding the Vikings. That is why I enjoyed the Tudors and am enjoying the White Queen, despite a number of problems I have with these shows, and I hope that TWQ is a ratings hit and maybe gets someone else to make another medieval show (That is why I am anticipating Reign, even though it looks horrendous - I hope it's a hit and other period shows will follow).
I just want more period shows! There is so much to choose from - the American Revolution, the English Civil War, the early post-Conquest period in England (Elizabeth Chadwick's novels would be great adopted into a series), even Alfred the Great or Canute. And that is just talking about England and the US, let alone other countries' events.
I just wish US/UK TV resembled Korean in that one way - I wish that there was such an embarassment of riches that I wouldn't obsessively watch almost any period show I could get my hands on - I'd love pick and choose the way I do with sageuks - I plan to watch the Sword and the Flower and not bother with the other three due to time constraints (and maybe put a few more period cdramas on my plate) - but pickiness like that is not a luxury I have with American or UK shows :(