Many K-drama fans around the world mourned the end of an era when Dramacool announced on November 27 that it would be shutting down all of its streaming and information sites.

It marked the end of a decades-long success story.

Dramacool confirmed the news via its official X account (formerly Twitter) and announced that it was shutting down five websites: Asianc, Dramanice, Watchasia, Runasian and Asianwiki.

The company cited copyright issues as the reason for the closure, but did not provide further details.

Hello everyone💛

We are sorry to inform you that we will be closing all five websites: Asianc, Dramanice, Watchasia, Runasian, Asianwiki. Due to copyright law, we can no longer operate the pages.

We apologize to all the fans who have always supported and loved DRAMACOOL.

Thank you very much and best regards. pic.twitter.com/4ft5KIWBLv

– Dramacool (@dramacoolcom) November 27, 2024

Many mourn his downfall

The announcement spread quickly as fans of Asian dramas were heartbroken and took to social media to complain that they were now deprived of easy but illegal access to their favorite Asian shows.

Many commenters shared how Dramacool was a part of their childhood and noted that the site’s closure will definitely be sorely missed.

After mysoju I spent my whole life on dramacool, but in the last few years I noticed that the ads were getting worse, the website was constantly down and the quality was decreasing. You did your best. You worked your asses off to get these dramas going again. I greet you. You are the true OG of…

— 🐈AgustGee3275 is happy Thx2⁷ NormalBoys🤨 (@AgustGee3275) November 27, 2024

Some also expressed disappointment over the closure, while others pointed out that certain shows remained inaccessible in their region despite paying for multiple drama streaming subscriptions.

I’m devastated.

I pay for multiple streaming services and yet some shows are still unavailable except through Drama Cool.

What now?

– sumichba (@sumichba) November 27, 2024

While many fans acknowledged that legal streaming sites currently offer a lot more Asian content than they did a few years ago, the selection still pales in comparison to Dramacool, where probably almost every Asian show fans wanted to watch was available on the site .

One stop site for watching Asian shows

Since 2014, Dramacool has been the one-stop destination for fans to watch updated releases of their favorite Asian dramas.

The website served millions of users and allowed them to watch dramas without the restrictions of geographical restrictions or subscription fees.

Fans also appreciated that the site served as an archive for older Asian series and films that most streaming platforms don’t offer.

Originally focused on Korean content, Dramacool expanded to include shows from China, Japan, Taiwan and even Southeast Asia.

The user-friendly design, quick updates, fan-subscribed content, and free access to episodes in HD made the site the first choice for drama lovers who want to watch the episodes as soon as they air.

Growing pressure from copyright holders

The specific reasons for Dramacool’s closure remain unclear, although many speculate that it is likely due to growing pressure from copyright holders and content distributors cracking down on illegal streaming sites.

With the emergence of legal streaming services and growing concerns about piracy, sites like Dramacool would have faced increasing challenges in maintaining operations.

This is not a new trend.

Similar measures against illegal streaming sites have taken place in recent months.

In May and August 2024, the South Korean government and media group SBS announced the successful closure of illegal video streaming platforms with servers in China and Thailand.

Additionally, in 2023, the South Korean government blocked access to Nonoo TV, a streaming site with servers in the Dominican Republic, Paraguay and other countries.

K-drama is one of South Korea’s top cultural exports, part of a multimillion-dollar industry that helps spread its soft power worldwide.

Where to Watch Kdramas Now?

Following the closure of Dramacool, many users are turning to legal alternatives to access their favorite Asian dramas.

Fans can stream their shows on paid platforms such as Netflix and Viki, as well as regional services such as iQIYI and Viu, all of which are available in Singapore.

Although these streaming platforms may not have such a large library of Asian shows, they have invested heavily in acquiring the rights to distribute popular Asian dramas and bringing new content to a global audience.

Top photos about X