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If you’ve ever immersed yourself in the emotionally charged world of a K-drama like “Squid Game” or “Crash Landing On You,” you might be surprised to learn that it could be more than just a form of entertainment. According to Korean-American therapist Jeanie Chang, binge-watching these popular series may actually have a positive impact on your mental health.
The Healing Power of K-Dramas
High production values, talented actors, and compelling storylines have made South Korean TV shows a global phenomenon. But beyond their surface appeal, therapist Jeanie Chang believes there’s something more profound at play. K-dramas often delve into deeply emotional themes—ranging from grief and trauma to the joy of new love—which can resonate with viewers on a personal level. Chang suggests that these shows help people process their emotions, reconnect with their feelings, and even cope with personal trauma.
“Watching characters handle heavy topics, like family conflict or the loss of a loved one, can help viewers navigate their own challenges,” Chang says. “We all deal with similar struggles, like trauma and hope. Seeing how these themes are managed on screen can transform how we approach real-life situations.”
Chang, born in Seoul and raised in the U.S., shared that K-drama played a vital role in her own emotional healing. As a child, she rejected her Korean roots in an effort to assimilate. However, through K-drama, she reconnected with her heritage and gained a better understanding of herself.
Universal Messages and Mental Health
While K-dramas are often set in specific cultural contexts, Chang emphasizes that the messages they convey are universal. She explains that mental health isn’t just about how you feel in the moment—it’s about understanding how you relate to others and how your mind processes your experiences. These emotional aspects are explored in K-dramas, making them a valuable tool for viewers looking to better understand their own mental health.
“Mental health is how you’re feeling, how you relate to others, psychologically, how your brain has been impacted by things. That’s mental health. We see that in a Korean drama,” Chang explains.
The Global Appeal of K-Dramas
The rise of K-dramas on a global scale has been astounding, with data showing a massive increase in viewership over the past few years. Between 2019 and 2022, Netflix reported a six-fold increase in the viewership of Korean television and films. K-dramas have now become the most-watched non-English content on the platform, capturing the attention of millions around the world, particularly in markets like the United States.
For many, K-drama provides a welcome escape during challenging times. For American schoolteacher Jeanie Barry, a personal tragedy led her to discover the therapeutic benefits of K-drama. After a family funeral, a friend recommended the 2020 series “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” which explores mental health issues like trauma and depression.
“There was something about it, the way that this culture deals with trauma and mental depression, that really struck a chord for me,” Barry recalls. “It made me start grieving when I hadn’t been, and it helped me see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Since discovering the genre, Barry has watched 114 K-dramas and found herself abandoning English-language television. “They let me soften my heart,” she says, noting that the emotional depth of K-dramas has allowed her to process her own emotions in ways she never expected.
K-Drama and Emotional Healing
For Erin McCoy, another American who participated in a K-drama tour organized by therapist Jeanie Chang, K-dramas helped her manage her long-standing battle with depression. McCoy explains that living with depression for many years left her feeling numb and detached from her emotions.
“When you live with depression, you don’t really feel bad necessarily, but you don’t feel good either. You don’t feel anything,” McCoy shares. “K-drama helped me experience emotions again. The highs and lows of each story helped me relate to my own emotions and express them in ways I hadn’t been able to for years.”
K-drama’s emotional rollercoasters, packed with highs and lows, provided McCoy a chance to reconnect with her feelings, allowing her to process her emotions more deeply.
Art Therapy and K-Dramas
The idea that watching K-dramas can improve mental health might seem unconventional, but it aligns with established psychotherapy principles, particularly art therapy. Art therapy, which has been used since the 1940s, involves creative expression to promote emotional healing. While K-dramas are not traditionally considered a form of therapy, psychiatrist Im Su-geun suggests that they share similarities with art therapy by helping viewers gain new perspectives and emotional insights.
“Visual media like Korean dramas have significant strengths that align well with psychotherapy,” explains Im Su-geun, head of a psychiatry clinic in Seoul. “They can help viewers gain insights into their situations, foster healthy values, and provide solutions to their issues.”
Though not typically prescribed by doctors, K-dramas can be an informal tool for emotional healing. If a therapist were to recommend a specific drama that aligns with a patient’s personal struggles—such as dealing with grief or trauma—it could serve as a helpful form of emotional guidance.
A New Approach to Healing
While K-dramas are not a replacement for professional therapy, many viewers have found them to be an effective supplemental tool for emotional healing. Whether it’s through processing trauma, reconnecting with emotions, or gaining new insights into life’s challenges, K-dramas have proven to be more than just entertainment. They provide a platform for individuals to better understand themselves and navigate their mental health struggles in a relatable way.
As K-dramas continue to gain global popularity, it’s clear that their impact extends far beyond the screen—offering a form of emotional healing and support that resonates with audiences around the world.
