If you’re tired of the same old actors and plot lines you see on American TV, your next favorite show may just be from the other side of the world. Shows from Korea, called K-dramas, are growing in popularity outside of Asia, and here’s why you should join in on this binge watch trend. Trust us, you’ll thank us later!

1. They’re clean and family-oriented
Korea binge watch
Photo: JTBC’s ‘The Package’

Most Korean TV shows are for general audiences, which means you rarely see violence, substance abuse, nudity, or sexual content. Here are our top clean TV show recommendations!

2. They’re aesthetically pleasing

Korean directors know what’s up! Their cinematography is beautiful. Some of our favorite directors are Kim Kyu Tae of “That Winter, the Wind Blows” and “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” and Lee Eung Bok of “Descendants of the Sun” and “Goblin: The Lonely and Great God.” One of the newest aesthetically pleasing Korean shows is “Temperature of Love.” You can read more about this show here.

3. There are so many genres to choose from
Photo: tvN’s ‘100 Days My Prince’

We are not claiming that one size fits all, but there’s a very good chance you will find something you like in the genres of historical, crime-thriller, romantic comedy, melodrama, and more. Plus, they’re often ingenious in creating a new category, such as historical dramas with a time-travel twist.

4. They’re quirky and funny
Korea binge watch
Photo: MBC’s ‘High Kick’

In general, the Korean sense of humor lacks the Western sarcasm. Physical humor and slapstick are more the standard.

5. You’ll learn about another culture

Of course, most of the stuff you see on K-dramas are going to be exaggerated for theatrical purposes. For instance, only a small percentage of Koreans actually scream loudly in public or suffer from short-term memory loss. But some of the cultural differences ring true. Which ones? Check out some TV shows from Korea to see if for yourself, and don’t forget to let us know of your binge watch experience on Facebook and Twitter!