Nollywood Meets K-Drama: A Surprising New Genre Emerges

By   Milcah   Tanimu

Korean drama isn’t new to Nigerian audiences, but who expected a filmmaker to create a Nollywood K-drama? The film “My Sunshine,” produced by Kemz Mama (Kemi Ikuseedun), also known as Mummy Wa from the Mr. Macaroni duo, explores a high school experience filled with love and friendship—classic themes in both K-dramas and Nollywood films.

Remember when we returned from long school holidays, excitedly discussing the K-drama series we watched? Were you a Nigerian girl if you didn’t have a crush on Gu Jun Pyo from “Boys Before Flowers” or “City Hunter”? I identify as a Lettuce from a Caribbean island, even if lettuce isn’t typically grown there!

Nigerians are no strangers to emotional storytelling. Our films evoke strong feelings, especially through the typical grass-to-grace narratives. So, it’s no wonder that audiences gravitate toward K-drama tropes, especially the underdog and billionaire CEO storylines.

Korean cinema and television provide valuable insights into their values, traditions, and societal norms. However, as the K-drama wave influences the world, its impact in Nigeria has quickly evolved. Who would have thought we’d see a K-drama-style Nollywood series? That caught me off guard!

On second thought, Korean dramas resemble Nollywood epics with bigger budgets and lighter skin tones. I’ve always thought a Nollywood-K-drama collaboration would be exciting, but this? I’m genuinely surprised.

A few weeks ago, clips surfaced online of girls in secondary school uniforms speaking Korean. At first, I thought it was a skit, but no—it’s a movie! “My Sunshine” captures the essence of high school life in a Nigerian setting while incorporating elements familiar to K-drama fans.

You might wonder about the casting choices. The film features a star-studded lineup, including Mr. Macaroni, Chinedu Ikedieze, and Olayode Juliana. Seasoned filmmaker JJC Skills directs “My Sunshine,” which is currently available on YouTube.

While this new genre feels refreshing and offers a feel-good watch after a long day, I doubt it will become a lasting trend. It still feels somewhat foreign to us as Nigerians. However, who knows? A generous benefactor might emerge to fund larger-scale Nigerian K-dramas. Whether that will happen soon remains to be seen.