Korean drama isn’t new to the Nigerian scene, but who knew there would come a day when that love would inspire a filmmaker to create a Nollywood K-drama movie?
Remember the days when we returned from long school holidays to discuss the K-drama series we watched? Are you a Nigerian girl if you didn’t have a crush on Gu Jun Pyo ‘Oppa’ from Boys Before Flowers or the charming leads from City Hunter? It’s hard to imagine a girl who didn’t fall for those characters.
Nigerians are no strangers to emotional storytelling; our films evoke strong feelings, particularly with our classic grass-to-grace narratives. It’s no surprise that many are drawn to Korean dramas, captivated by the lowlife and billionaire CEO bully tropes that have become iconic in K-drama storytelling.
Korean cinema and television offer Nigerian audiences insights into values, traditions, and societal norms. However, as the “K-drama wave” continues to sweep the globe, its influence in Nigeria has evolved quickly. Who would have thought that Nigerians would one day produce a K-drama-inspired Nollywood series? This unexpected turn of events highlights a fascinating cultural exchange.
On second thought, one might argue that Korean dramas are simply Nollywood epics with bigger budgets, lighter skin tones, and a touch of Hangukmal (Korean language). A Nollywood and K-drama collaboration has always seemed like a winning idea, but this new project has taken many by surprise.
A few weeks ago, social media was abuzz with clips of girls in secondary school uniforms speaking a language that was somewhat unfamiliar to many viewers. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that these Nigerian school girls were speaking Korean! Initially thought to be a skit, this was actually a film by Kemz Mama (Kemi Ikuseedun), also known as Mummy Wa from the Mr. Macaroni comedy duo. My Sunshine tells the story of a high school experience filled with love and friendship—themes that resonate deeply with K-drama lovers but are uniquely rooted in a Nigerian setting.
The film boasts a star-studded cast, featuring Mr. Macaroni, Chinedu Ikedieze, and Olayode Juliana, and is directed by the seasoned JJC Skills. It’s currently available for viewing on YouTube.
While this project represents something fresh and new, providing a feel-good watch after a long day, it raises questions about the sustainability of this trend. It still feels somewhat alien to Nigerians, though who knows? Perhaps a cheerful benefactor might emerge to fund Nigerian K-dramas on a larger scale. Whether this will happen sooner or later remains to be seen.