The fact that English is a universal language is indeed common sense, partly because it is simple to learn. But in asian novels/dramas, knowing English is often treated as "godly skill" worthy of everyone's shock, praise and awe. Even if you don't know anything else, just throw a few English words with "pure British accent" (even if it's on a level of "My name is Bob") in whatever meeting and you will be treated like a "real genius". Maybe they have a hard time learning it because of language differences or smth, but knowing English is often really "overpriced" and it looks absurd. I guess just like it is common to think that "everything foreign is better", same with "foreign language is better"
