Documentary Films and Understanding Dramas

Obviously we all watch fictional programs produced by Asian countries, but I was wondering if anyone else has a documentary addiction like I do :)

Long before I started watching dramas, I've been fascinated by documentaries. While each film is a single story told from one point of view, I feel like they have tremendous educational power when a person watches many. They expose the viewer to questions and topics that they may have not previously considered or knew existed. Films with international topics have the capacity to introduce the audience to a world that may be so different from their own.

I recently watched a documentary called Seoul Train, a film about North Korean refugees who illegally cross the Chinese border. Many of the refugees are trying to eventually enter South Korea. (Warning: some images in the trailer are disturbing)



This got me thinking: is it possible to truly understand Asian dramas without understanding the cultural and historical context from which they originate? The dramas are created with a specific audience in mind, which probably doesn't anticipate there being a substantial western audience. As such, there may be certain assumed general knowledge beyond the language and pop culture references. In many instances, this framework is probably incorporated unintentionally.

So, do we, as drama enthusiasts, miss the point completely if we do not incorporate nonfictional works into our viewing practices?

I'd love to hear what you guys think. Or you can just reply with a documentary suggestion :)

does the dramas based on real life/stories count? :O