It’s no news that Asia and Africa are two distinct continents that stand out for what each of them is known for. However, since we all coexist, it’s only normal that we are in each other’s business from time to time.

Korea is one country in the Asian continent that has done well for itself and even its popularity, most thanks to the Hallyu wave. And as an African, I can attest to the impact of this wave on this continent and in my country (Nigeria) in particular.

After watching a lot of Korean dramas, I have come to realize that one of the foreign entities they use in these dramas is Africa and Africans (Although there’s still a long way to go in some aspects). So let’s talk about 5 Korean dramas/ movies you should see if you would love to see African depictions in K-dramas.

Itaewon Class

Synopsis: Following his father's steps, Sae-ro-yi opens his bar-restaurant DanBam in Itaewon seven years after he is released from jail, with the aim of expanding it into a franchise and defeating CEO Jang's food company Jangga Group. In 2020, he becomes the CEO of his company IC Group.

If you’ve seen this series, you will know it was a drama that showed different people from different countries and ethnic backgrounds. But there was a minor character who was a Korean-Guinea man who worked for Park Seroyi’s (Park Seo Joon) Pub. Although, on further research, I realized he was an actual American; it was nice seeing him as half African in the series because it’s one reason I rated the series high on my personal list. Cheeky, right? (lol).

Space Sweepers (Movie)

Synopsis: After snatching a crashed space shuttle in the latest debris chase, Spaceship Victory's crew members find a 7-year-old girl inside. They realize that she's the human-like robot wanted by UTS Space Guards and decide to demand a ransom in exchange.

Although Space Sweepers is a movie, it won’t be nice not to put it here. Our African representative in the movie was ‘Karum’ (Nas Brown), the leader of the black foxes. Watching him speak ‘Nigerian Pidgin’ was so satisfying for me as a Nigerian, even though his character is rumored to be voiced by someone else (Bambadjan Bamba). But then, pidgin is pidgin.

Shooting Stars

Synopsis: Shooting Stars is a romantic comedy intertwined with drama centered around the top star at an entertainment agency and the PR Manager who has the task of managing him. He is a difficult task for the PR Manager, all the while she is unaware that he has a secret crush on her.

Apparently, Shooting Stars received mixed reactions from Africans. I mean, while some people were vexed because the series did not portray Africa and Africans in a real light, some people just took it as a work of fiction. In this series, an African village was shown with Africans where the male lead is said to have done charity work.

My Strange Hero

Synopsis: Falsely accused of violence in high school, adult Kang Bok Soo returns as a student to get revenge on his first love and classmate, who caused his expulsion. He gets caught up in the changed school's dynamics.

My Strange Hero had another minor African character that excited me. Yes, ‘Shim-lan,’ Soo-jung’s (Jo Bo Ah) convenience store friend. He was an African–American in the series and although his character was not all that big, it was always exciting to see him and Soo Jung discuss when she visited the store.

Red Swan

Synopsis: Red Swan tells the story of Oh Wan-soo, a woman born into a poor family, who turns her life around and becomes a world-class golfer, catching the attention of many, including her future husband, Kim Yong-guk, the heir to the Hwain Group

Finally, on this list is Red Swan. Red Swan is that drama that had one of Nigeria’s ethnic languages spoken ‘The Igbo Language,’ even though it was short and brief. Apart from the scene I just described, the drama also had different scenes showing African children since the series depicted the female lead as a philanthropist with a main focus on Africa.

As I said earlier, K-Dramas still have a long way to go in the depiction of Africa generally. However, I hope it can only get better with subsequent releases.

What are your thoughts on these K-dramas? Tell me in the comments.