Did you know that Stairway to Heaven is one of the most successful Korean dramas ever made? It continues to be popular in countries all across Asia most especially the Philippines. The drama was a big hit in the country a few years back and now a localized version of the television show is currently being aired there.
But what makes Yeh Hai Chahatein Today Episode this Korean drama so great? First of all, it has a very powerful storyline. For some peculiar reason, Asians love watching television shows flooded with clichés. And this drama doesn’t lack in that department. You have the two childhood friends who would have lived together happily ever after if it wasn’t for this girl and her evil stepmother.
Then just when Yeh Hai Chahatein Today Episode things are about to get better, you have the leading lady getting amnesia after being bumped by a car. And then the story continues. This is probably one of the saddest and more heart-breaking dramas ever created. You will need a box of tissues by your side during each and every episode.
So how did this drama become such a huge success despite the predictable storyline? A stellar performance by the actors and actresses in this television show made this possible. When one of the characters laughs you can’t help but laugh with them. And when they cry you can’t help but shed tears as well.
You will be experiencing a roller coaster of emotions as you progress through this series and it is one you won’t easily forget. The power of Korean dramas also comes from the fact that they end after one season. Therefore, each and every episode should have a strong impact on you. Then the tension will build up until the final episode where all will be revealed.
Watch young children. What are they very often doing when left to their own devices? That’s right – play-acting. It seems that drama play comes naturally. Kids “play house”, pretending to be mommy or daddy; dash around acting like a superhero, or raise their arms in victory when emulating a favourite sports star. Most children come into formal educational situations having gone through their imitative stage of drama play and having experienced some imaginative, creative, self-directed play.
drama play provides the opportunity to hone the skill of co-operation. Learning to cope with the inevitable differences in opinions and working styles (not to mention everyone’s emotional foibles) is of utmost importance if a project is to be successful.
Synthesizing the ideas, facts, attitudes, personalities and events takes organized thinking and planning. This can happen even with the very young child who is simply retelling the story if Goldilocks and the Three Bears. With practice they learn to consider the sequencing of events, (Bears leave, Goldilocks comes, tries and eats porridge, tries and breaks chair, tries and sleeps in bed, Bears return, Goldilocks runs away) as well as the characters involved. In their retelling, Papa Bear’s voice and attitude are rarely the same as Mamma’s or Baby Bear’s. As students mature and develop their own story lines for drama play scripts, they hone their ability to visualize events, characters and settings which takes creative thinking and problem solving.
Even when no one person is given the responsibility of being the “director” of a group drama play, inevitably someone will emerge as the leader of the production. This person often has firm ideas about how the task should be done and imprints his or her interpretation on the presentation. This is a skill to be encouraged, but sometimes it is necessary to officially assign this role to someone who may not be bold enough to speak up and take the opportunity for leadership. In this role, the skills of interpretation, decision-making and communication come to the fore. (Not to mention standing firm in the face of mutiny! )
For many of us, learning to be comfortable speaking or performing in front of an audience is a trial! Starting early with informal drama play in the classroom setting can help to ease children into oral presentation. As students become accustomed to performing, they can be encouraged to memorize scripts or ad lib, express a range of emotions through voice, facial expressions, and body language and even develop their own characters.
Whether a tiny classroom drama play or a large staged musical, there are always items that need to be made or found for props, costumes or scenery. Students working to prepare these items, contribute their time and creativity, but also learn to be responsible to the group. One of the best lessons taught by drama is that everyone is necessary for the success of the venture. Those responsible for the “behind the scenes” jobs are just as important as the actors “up front”.