The Korean Culture and Information Service published “K-Drama: A New TV Genre with Global Appeal” this week as its third publication in a series designed to help foreigners better understand Korean pop culture.

The full-color book explains in detail the history of Korean dramas, how the shows began to receive attention overseas, how they started off the so-called Korean Wave and also introduces the shows considered the “top 10,” including Yonsama’s “Winter Sonata.”

Affiliated with the Culture Ministry, KOCIS aims to introduce Korean culture to the world via cultural exchanges and a variety of promotional activities.

The organization, which already published “The Korean Wave” and “K-Pop” earlier this year, plans to publish “K-Classics” before the end of the year, completing the four-part K-Culture series.

Once the series is complete, KOCIS plans to distribute them at Korean overseas missions and Korean culture centers.

By Shin Hae-in (hayney@heraldcorp.com)