The School Nurse Files

The school nurse filed explained

The School Nurse files is weird. Like really off the wall weird, one of the strangest things I’ve seen in a while. I saw a lot of people online saying they didn’t like it because it didn’t make sense or they couldn’t understand it. Going into it I expected to see a drama that followed the regular format. There’s not necessarily a set format but there is a certain style to Kdramas and this one doesn’t fit into that box. It could be classified as absurdism, surrealism, or magic realism. Absurdism is defined as “intentionally ridiculous or bizarre behavior or character.” Examples of this can be found in Plays like Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. As well as books, movies and shows like Catch 22, Bojack Horseman, The Big Lebowski, and Rick and Morty. Absurdism usually focuses on the human tendency to seek meaning and value in a purposeless or chaotic and irrational universe.
Surrealism is described as “the principles, ideals, or practice of producing fantastic or incongruous imagery by means of unnatural or irrational juxtapositions and combinations.” Examples of this can be found in the play Rhinoceros by Eugène Ionesco (in which a small town of people slowly start turning into rhinoceros’s) as well as movies and shows like A ClockWork Orange, Twin Peaks, Beetlejuice, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It can also be seen in the works of Salvador Dali and Frida Kahlo.
Magic realism is explained as “a genre in which realistic narrative and naturalistic technique are combined with surreal elements of dream or fantasy.” Examples of this can be found in the play References To Salvador Dali Make Me Hot” by José Rivera as well as movies and shows like Donnie Darko, Scott Pilgrim vs. The world, Birdman, and Jane The Virgin. Matthew Strecher explains it by saying "what happens when a highly detailed, realistic setting is invaded by something too strange to believe." Magic realism is usually a separate genre from fantasy because in magic realism there’s realistic detail with magic elements included to make a point about reality. While fantasy is sort of separated from reality entirely.

At first I was unable to definitively classify The School Nurse Files under one of the 3 specific genres. After watching the first episode I could see why people were confused. It’s experimental and avant-garde in a way that usually isn’t seen in Kdramas. However after finishing the show I have come to the conclusion that it is surrealism. It’s not absurdism because none of the characters really ever seek meaning, no one asks how or why and they all sort of except their predetermined fate and the strange events that are happening at the school. The only deviation from this Baek Hye-Min, who decides she wants to live past the age of 20. However she never questions what her role is or why it has to be her. It’s not magic realism because the narrative isn’t realistic enough. Obviously there are themes of bullying and same sex love but other than that, every character just accepts the supremely weird circumstances they’re in without question or hesitation. Which isn’t realistic behavior. Not knowing what surrealism is and going into the show not knowing that’s what it’d be, is why it left a strange taste in most viewers mouth.

Some of the structures of a surrealist plot are as follows.
* Deliberate abandonment of clarity, order and rational thought.
* Confusing storylines
* Illogical plot
* Elements of fantasy
* Chaotic universe with in the world of the story

Nothing is ever explained, who the safe and happiness group is, whether they’re related or the enemy of Ilgwang sterilization group. Who they are or where they came from. Who Baek Hye-Min is and where she came from. Why ghost copies of Oh Seung-Gwon where standing around the school. Why “Lucky” and “Ruckus” have an umbilical cord attached to their necks that connect them together. Why they’re attached, and why they’d die if it didn’t become unattached. It sort of made sense that it was connected to the hair at the base of their neck, but why it’s related to their armpit hair isn’t explained, or why whatever it is likes curly hair in the first place. Why does Mackenzie have seemingly more magical power than Ahn Eun-Young. Enough to the point where he put a hex on the boys on the basketball at the wish of Lee Ji-Hyeong, who then later was shown sweating profusely in the nurses office but after that is shown to be perfectly fine, absolving him of any consequences that would’ve proceeded his wish. Why does Hong In-Pyo have such a strange aura, what does it mean and why is it important to the happy and safe group. All these examples and the many more I’m sure I forgot about fall under deliberate abandonment of clarity, confusing storylines, and illogical plot.
The examples of fantasy are much more clear, the jellies, the ghosts, the multiple occasions on which the students became possessed.
The chaotic universe within the world of the story is the obvious one.
It doesn’t make sense because it’s not supposed to. Surrealism in its truest form is meant to feel like a dream. Where nothing is explained and by the end of it you’re left feeling confused. You don’t understand it because you’re not meant to. The School Nurse files was executed perfectly within the genre of surrealism. And the only way to enjoy it is to suspend your disbelief to an almost irrational level.

I loved it, but that’s because I like surrealism. A lot of people think it’s stupid. And their opinions are also valid. It could be said that most people didn’t like The School Nurse Files because they simply don’t like surrealism.

Read More

Underdeveloped Concept

This show could've used some thought put into fleshing out the characters and plot. As it was, it seemed the only focus was the CGI, which was ok.

Eun Young is a modern day shaman dealing with jelly creature embodiment of energies and spirits rather than the ghoulish, ghostly spirits we are used to with the otherworld. Her weaponries are a mixture of the old talismans and herbs and the new lightsabers and pellet guns. She meets a helper char, In Pyo, who is pivotal to the situation she's found herself in and is able to recharge her energies in her otherworldly line of work. The series mentions other kinds of non-human beings who help or hamper her work and alludes to an old power struggle between two organisations for a potent power source the school is built on. The setup is tight and neat and only needs fleshing out to develop into its own however, the fleshing out falls short of considered effort. The rules Eun Young's world lives by isn't explained as much to the viewer as it is just told. There are no avenues to "power up" or "knowledge up" besides her rudimentary knowledge so that when she meets MacKenzie, a threat, you get the sense that she is fighting way above her weight class and she is way out of her league. This is unsettling because she's the protagonist we rely on to navigate through and understand this world. We're left with too many questions that distract from being able to be immersed in this world so it creates a barrier for emotional investment.

The characters too do not help as Eun Young is too odd and rude to empathise with. She is abrupt to In Pyo even though she needs him and treats him at arm's length but claims they're in a relationship. Her behaviours are too unreliable with a guy who's just trying to help out and is genuinely interested in her world and her life. I especially disliked it when she orders him not to touch anyone else but her when she hears about Ga Young in his life. If the gender were reversed and she's the guy ordering him, a girl, this behaviour would be considered controlling. Because she was an unlikeable character and takes up so much of screentime it made it hard to invest in this show, especially given the lack of worldbuilding explanation, as mentioned above. I pretty much just watched for In Pyo's brief appearances here and there but didn't invest in wanting a positive outcome either way, mostly because it's hard to tell what would be considered a positive outcome.

The music and incoherent ways in which ppl behave and interact with each other kinda positioned this show as a western arthouse film wannabe. Those kinds of shows are annoyingly pretentious to watch and this show was that too. If they'd focus on developing either the storyline or characters, or both, School Nurse Files would've been memorable. As it is, it's worth a look when you have some time to kill for weirdness, since it's just a short 6 episodes, but not something that'll leave a mark on your psyche as some other thoughtful mystical-like productions might.

Read More

I went '???' but it was okay

First of all, this is a very weird drama, not in a bad way. The first 2 episodes was nice, it was fun to me, also it was like watching an anime, the CG and stuff. I laughed a lot too. But the colourful fun jellies drama just went darker and darker towards the end and it was hellaaa confusing. I don't know which one is the main plot and how one scene connect to others. I feel like half of my brain understand it, but then my other half brain goes whuttt in da world is happening ??? Wouldn't say it was a great drama, but it wasn't bad too. It was so weird, confusing, quite gross too but I do like it. A unique drama I would say.

Read More

New but lacking

This drama has quite an interesting concept but somethings aren't explained properly. It also leaves you hanging at times.It has definitely got that anime feel to it but you some manga are not able to suck you into their world and this is what this drama did. It wasn't addictive. The main male lead's power wasn't given the importance it should have been given. The aim or goal of the organizations mentioned in the drama isn't made clear. What jellies are actually that answer is still as clear as mud. Are jellies just their greed or are they spirits or regrets?
So, ya you can give it a try but it may disappoint you a bit if you are looking for 'blow your mind' action.

Read More

weird but cute

its very interisting and different than other kdramas but i think thats what makes it unique.I was very confused alot of times because everything was going quiete fast.Its cute but weird at the same time . i would not rewatch it though. the realationship with the two main characters was confusing since they were togehter often but i didnt get to know how they know eachother ,how they think of eachother and how they clicked to well.it was a little weird how he just followed her around .like. first episode strangers and then they suddenly act like they have known eachother for years and are just. chill wich is a little weird

Read More

Its okay, not too interesting

This might just be me but after episode 5 I lost track of the storyline. It did not make sense to me anymore. I do love the concept but it just feels like the storyline could have been better. Where did I get lost, episode 6. It made no sense to me whatsoever, the ending was confusing and I do not know what to make of it. I'm not even kidding, I am talking about the last few minutes of the 6th episode like I was completely lost and even know I still can't wrap my head around exactly what happened and why all of a sudden everything is normal.

Overall is a good drama to watch, is only six episodes long so it does not take much time to finish. I strayed away for a bit because I started watching something else but that's beside the point.

The actors were great, I loved the chemistry between the teacher and the nurse although it did not lead to anything (cries) but that's okay, I can't get everything I ask for.

If you are looking for something short to watch this is definitely worth it

Read More

Something spooky and funny for Halloween

I'm not surprised of the medium-low rating because this drama is not for everyone. It's odd, a little twisted and leaves many things unsaid until the end. It's a drama that asks you to think and use your brain, to come up with explanations by connecting the dots instead of just giving you all the answers from the start.

That's not to say the story doesn't give answerS. In the end, more or less everything is explained. The story starts in the middle and lets you get accustomed to all the weirdness and the characters before it starts to give you explanations.

Overall, it's a fun, endearing and sometimes tearinducing watch. I enjoyed it very much even though it's a genre on its own that it's even hard to explain with words. Definitely a pleasant watch I would recommend to everyone who's looking for something spooky but not scary, and to everyone who wants to have a good laugh.

//SPOILERS AHEAD//

I gave 8.5 because the ending could probably benefit of a couple more minutes to see where the other characters, especially the professor, ended up. They also teased romance for the whole duration of the series, but it seems that in the end either they leave the ending to your imagination, or it was put aside completely (I'm more for the first option, since there is /that/ scene towards the very end between the two leads, so I can't believe they just didn't pursue a relationship after that.)

Read More

Quirky, Eerie, Weird in a Good Way, Unique, Has Depth and is Fun to Watch

Seriously one of the most different and weird Kdrama I have ever watched. The way the Kdrama is shot and presented reminds me of Animes. The characters are interesting, the story is a little confusing at first but by Ep 3 you will get it.
Ep 3 onwards it was a binge watch material for me and I wish there was a 2nd season to it.
I highly recommend this drama if you want a change of pace from the usual tropes of Kdramas and you will have ton of fun watching and surprisingly there are also many moments which were about Feels especially Ep 5(Best Ep)
Wish this Kdrama was longer or at least will have a season 2.
Also the Theme song is so catchy!

Read More

This was wonderfully weird and eccentric. If this was ever adapted into a US series, I think David Lynch would be perfect for this. That's the kind of strange this was. I can't fully explain what these Jellies were, what was happening and who the characters truly are and yet I was enthralled. Perhaps some of the episodes were better than others but this was a well rounded series overall. Each episode showed up some new interesting character and side-story with the one connective tissue being Nurse Ahn Eun Young. Jung Yu Mi was excellent as this school nurse who sees ghosts and other creatures. Her eerie smile and quirky style was instantly endearing was allowed for a living embodiment of what the show is about. Her and Nam Joo Hyuk, who plays the straight forward Hong In Pyo, were great leads to take us through the six episodes. The side characters and little plots were fun as well. I can't speak more love for this show. Watch it.

Read More