7 Legendary Korean Dramas that Boomed in Indonesia Early on, Bringing History!

Kapanlagi.com - Written by Anastasia Ginting

The popularity of Korean dramas in Indonesia apparently began in the early 2000s, KLovers! Although at that time, access to watch Korean dramas was only through television, the euphoria of watching Korean dramas was just as lively as it is now. So, here are 8 legendary dramas that were broadcast on Indonesian TV stations during the early popularity of Korean dramas! Let's discuss.

Note, all dramas below are counted from broadcasts after 2010, KLovers!

1. BOYS BEFORE FLOWERS

KBS2

The first drama is 'BOYS BEFORE FLOWERS' which has many fans in Indonesia since its first broadcast in 2009 on Indosiar, second broadcast in 2012 on ANTV and third in 2015 on RCTI. At that time, the majority of Indonesians spent their time watching television because there was not much access to the internet or mobile phones like today. Therefore, the airing of BFF became very successful in Indonesia.

This drama tells the story of 4 wealthy young people named Gu Jun Pyo, Ji Hu, Kim Bum and Kim Jun. They come from wealthy families and are preparing to inherit their wealth. However, because of their wealth, one of the main characters named Gu Jun Pyo has a very arrogant and cold-hearted nature.

His cold heart suddenly warms up after he meets a girl who goes to school with him named Geum Jan Di, a girl who is not rich and not as beautiful as the women he usually sees. But because of her uniqueness, Gu Jun Pyo eventually falls in love with Geum Jan Di.

2. AUTUMN IN MY HEART

Asian Wiki

Next, there is a legendary drama from Song Hye Kyo for KLovers, namely 'AUTUMN IN MY HEART'. This drama has actually aired four times in Indonesia, namely on Indosiar (2002), then RCTI (2003-2004), Deli TV Medan (2006), and ANTV (2012).

This drama tells the story of a love triangle between the characters Eun Suh, Yoon Suh and Tae Suk. The drama begins with a mix-up of baby name tags which results in Eun Suh being cared for by a family who is not her biological family. However, she is cared for by a wealthy family, while she should have been cared for by her not-so-wealthy biological family. But eventually, this mistake is discovered by her family because it turns out that her blood type is different from that of her family members, which makes both of her parents look for her biological parents.

After she is returned to her real family, Eun Suh finally becomes a receptionist at a hotel owned by her friend named Tae Suk. But the situation becomes a bit complicated when Yoon Suk returns to South Korea and falls in love with Eun Suk.

3. THE HEIRS

SBS

Then there is a drama that also stars Lee Min Ho, called 'THE HEIRS'. This drama about high school romance was successful in South Korea and Indonesia, KLovers! First aired in Korea in 2013, this drama had a huge enthusiasm and reached a rating of 28.6%. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, this drama first aired on RCTI in 2014.

The story revolves around the lives of high school students studying at Jeguk Group. This school is owned by the Kim Tan family and is filled with children from wealthy backgrounds. But one day, the character Cha Eun Sang gets a scholarship to study at Jeguk Group, even though she repeatedly refuses because she knows that the school is for the rich. She finally agrees because of her mother's insistence.

In addition to telling the lives of the students there, this drama also presents many romantic scenes between other cast members and complicated family situations between the cast.

4. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL

SBS

Next, there is a drama that is no less popular than the previous drama, called 'YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL'. This drama about a nun disguising herself as a man is very popular because the actors are also very popular, and there are several idols in it. In addition, this drama is also very popular in Indonesia because it stars actress Park Shin Hye.

The story revolves around the character Go Min Nyu, a nun who disguises herself as her twin brother named Mi Nam to become a member of a band, as her brother has to go to America for an eye treatment. But her disguise fails because she falls in love with her groupmate named Hwang Tae Kyung.

5. COFFEE PRINCE

MBC

Next, there is a drama called 'COFFEE PRINCE' that aired in Indonesia in September 2012. This drama, which has 17 episodes, tells the love story of Han Gyul, a cafe owner, and his employee named Goo Eun Chan.

At first, Han Gyul thought that Eun Chan was a man because of her very tomboyish appearance. Han Gyul recruited her because he wanted to hire only handsome men in his cafe. Although hiding her true gender, Eun Chan still worked at the cafe to earn money. Of course, slowly but surely, the relationship between Eun Chan and Han Gyul, who were just co-workers, grew into liking and love.

6. MY LOVE FROM THE STARS

SBS

Then there is a highly popular drama in both South Korea and Asian countries, namely 'MY LOVE FROM THE STARS'. This drama even has an Indonesian remake with the same title, 'KAU YANG BERASAL DARI BINTANG'. Due to its popularity, this drama is still being broadcasted on Indonesian TV stations even last April.

It tells the story of Do Min Ju, an alien who has been living on Earth for more than 350 years and is loyal to waiting for his time to return to his world. At the end of his time to return to his world, he falls in love with a top actress named Lee Seung Yi. After he investigates, Seung Yi is the reincarnation of a girl he met before.

Their love story is certainly quite complicated because in the end, Seung Yi has to part with Do Min Ju. But their loyalty makes Do Min Ju able to return to Earth several times to meet Seung Yi.

7. PINOCCHIO

SBS

Then there is the drama 'PINOCCHIO' which aired in Indonesia in 2014 on RCTI. This drama became the beginning of actor Lee Jong Suk's popularity among Indonesian drama fans. It tells the story of Choi Dal Po who is cared for by an old grandfather because his family is affected by a fire.

He eventually lives with an old grandfather (Jang Gwang), Choi In Ha (the grandfather's granddaughter), and Shin Jung Geun (Choi In Ha's father). He eventually grows up with Choi In Ha who has a uniqueness of hiccuping every time she lies. They eventually grow up and become reporters at two different stations, although secretly Dal Po still pays attention to and takes care of In Ha even though their relationship is increasingly strained.

8. PLAYFUL KISS/NAUGHTY KISS

TvN

Finally, there is 'NAUGHTY KISS/PLAYFUL KISS', a drama that is also booming in Indonesia because it is played by Kim Hyun Joong. Thanks to its popularity in the drama 'BOYS BEFORE FLOWERS', this drama became the biggest waiting list for Korean drama fans at that time. This drama was broadcasted in Indonesia in 2010.

It tells the story of the hate-love relationship between Baek Seung Jo and Oh Ha Ni. Baek Seung Jo is an exemplary student and always ranks first in his school, while Oh Ha Ni is a student who doesn't really like to study and sits at the bottom of her class. Even so, she really likes Baek Seung Jo, to the point where several of her love invitations end up being teased by her schoolmates.

But their story finally gets a new light when Oh Ha Ni's house collapses and she has to live in her father's friend's house, who is Baek Seung Jo's father. And it is here that Baek Seung Jo slowly begins to open his heart to get to know Oh Ha Ni.

(kpl/nas)