Honestly while I’ve always liked K-Dramas, I always thought of them as a guilty pleasure and naturally presumed that that was why I felt content after watching (or even cathartic for certain K-dramas when I had a good cry) but after reading this book, coming to realize that that’s a feature and not a bug! Thankful for that realization and now planning on watching a bit more. And as a bonus, Jeanie includes a ton of good recommendations based on what aspect of mental health resonates with you! Highly recommend!

Why do K-Dramas make us laugh out loud or, why do we find ourselves crying buckets when we, “never cry”? Jeanie Chang wonderfully explains the answers to these questions while making us want to learn more…and subsequently, watch more. She invites us to feel comfortable with our emotions and at the same time envelopes us in a feeling of belongingness. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book and the insight it provides to connect the wonderful world of K-Dramas with the beneficial affects they have in transforming our lives. I am even using it as a research tool now. When someone recommends a drama to me, I go to Jeanie’s book to see what she has to say about it.🤗. Thank you to Jeanie for sharing your wisdom and insight with the world of K-Drama lovers!!

Having discovered K-Dramas a few years ago I found Jeanie Chang through social media and watched/listened to the links she drew between K-Dramas and mental health. As I did so I became fascinated with the culture and life of Korea and as a result was lucky enough to join her inaugural tour to South Korea that focused on visiting many of the sites we see in the dramas we love.

In the book Jeanie explains why the kdrama formula works so well and what draws us the viewers in so effectively. The combination of great writing and cultural mores often different from those we are used to in the west provides fertile ground for discussion of universal themes such as grief, family, anxiety and cultural awareness. As a Korean American herself Jeanie brings her own experience of growing up between two cultures at a time when Korea was a place many people in the US only associated with the past Korean War.

Once relegated to a very small market, K-Dramas now dominate global platforms like Netflix, Disney, and Hulu....And Jeanie Y. Chang, LMFT, author of this book, has been at the forefront of this meteoric rise. She expertly captures the essence of the K-Drama popularity in her new book "How K-Dramas Transform Your Life" and as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, connects K-Dramas and mental health topics. She covers topics such as grief, trauma, PTSD, suicide, anxiety, depression, stress, self care, belongingness, cultural identity, and life stages and expertly links them to specific K-Dramas. What better way to begin conversations around difficult topics than through stories...and therein lies the value of Jeanie's combined skill set. She is able to link her incredible knowledge of K-Dramas with the emotional and mental health issues they touch upon. The lists she suggests are fantastic, as is her open, nonjudgmental approach to the mental health issues we all face.

Ms. Chang examines the global positive psychological impact of kdrama series in the past years through their intersectionality with mental health, identity and resilience. She blends academic rigor with storytelling by including her professional experience as a Korean American Licensed Family Therapist, k-content promoter, global speaker at corporations, non profit organizations and universities. One of the book's strengths is its evaluation of how specific K-dramas address mental health issues by portraying complex characters dealing with mental health struggles. She describes in detail how these shows display a realistic and empathetic representation of such struggles which help to destigmatize mental illness and encourage open conversations among viewers. In her view, the storytelling, emotional resonance, and often hopeful resolutions provide viewers with a form of escapism that is both comforting and reflective. And this connection can in turn lead to a form of emotional catharsis and personal insight. It is a must read for kdrama lovers and k-content followers in general.