Thoughtful and Kind K-Drama Male Lead Sparks Buzz in France
"A New Masculinity" Praised... Some Try to Meet in Real Life
"Patriarchal, Familial Elements Pervasive... Caution Needed"
"His demeanor is cautious, his skin smooth, and his perfectly tailored suit accentuates his tall figure. He is not looking for love, but he will soon be surprised as new feelings begin to bloom."
A leading French daily described the characteristics of male characters depicted in Korean dramas (K-dramas), reporting that "French women have been captivated by the meticulous and gentle image of Korean men." It also evaluated that "through sophisticated and romantic characters, young actors in K-dramas have become the top ambassadors of the Korean Wave sweeping the world."
K-Dramas Differ from American Dramas: "A New Masculinity"
According to the report, male characters in K-dramas such as Extraordinary Attorney Woo show a distinctly different image from the strong and sexy male figures in American blockbusters. The popularity of male K-pop idol groups also reflects "a desire for a new form of masculinity," the analysis noted.
Charlene Gacon (24), originally from France and currently working as a content creator and photo model in Korea, said, “The French men I know seemed macho, indifferent to themselves, and not very clean, but Korean men in K-dramas are kind and take care of themselves, which I found attractive.”
Gacon added, “It’s not strange for Korean men to apply foundation in the morning. They are also diligent about skincare.”
"Rare Sexual Scenes, Focus on Emotions" as a Popular Element
Ophelie Shirkoff, a Korean specialist writer and consultant who authored Why Korea?, explained, “The characters of male protagonists in dramas vary depending on the era and series.”
He analyzed, “In the 2000s, the standard was men who appeared cold on the outside due to trauma but gradually revealed a ‘marshmallow’-like heart. Recently, progressive male characters have appeared, such as in Extraordinary Attorney Woo, where the protagonist asks for permission before kissing a partner and accepts differences.”
He especially noted, “Korean dramas rarely show sexual scenes; instead, they spend time carefully exploring the various stages of awakening emotions. This aspect is gaining popularity among French women.”
Some French women who enjoy K-dramas are reportedly falling in love with the characters and attempting to put that into practice. For example, many videos titled “How to Date a Korean Boyfriend” in French and English have been uploaded on the video platform TikTok.
Patriarchal Cultural Differences as Obstacles: "Dramas Are Illusions"
However, there are also points raised that cultural differences can be obstacles in relationships between Western women and Korean men. Gacon, who is currently engaged to a Korean boyfriend, said, “Many of my French friends date Koreans, but none of the couples have lasted long. To maintain a long-term relationship, understanding the culture and participating in family meals, among other overall adaptation processes, are necessary.”
Researcher Sylvie Octobre also pointed out, “The patriarchal and family-oriented structure still holds significant weight in Korean society. It is very difficult to have a relationship with a Korean man, and multicultural couples are actually a minority.”
Advice was also given to distinguish between drama and reality. Kim Jisoo (31), a French-Korean who introduces Korean culture and history in French on the YouTube channel ‘Korea Dash,’ said, “Subscribers often ask me, ‘How can I find a Korean man?’ but I tell them that such thinking is somewhat risky,” adding, “Not all Korean men are like those in dramas. It’s an illusion.”
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