Honestly, I think it's great a show like this exists and that it's on NETFLIX raising more awareness of NK worldwide…
Ok, but where in that article does it say what's portrayed so wrongly? You just keep saying "this drama doesn't portray the reality" but never really say what exactly is wrong with it. The only thing you've really mentioned is "you could be tortured or executed for having foreign products" --- but guess what, even if foreign products aren't really allowed in NK, it doesn't mean that North Koreans don't use them despite the risks:
In the drama, they even sell the products SECRETLY at the markets. So honestly, I think they've portrayed this subject properly.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Also, I recently read an article about a North Korean defector (Kang Nara) who says this drama is "about 60% accurate". The only things that she really mentioned that are off about the drama were 1. Seo Dan's outfits (particularly her boots) and 2. Hyun Bin's military rank doesn't exist in NK. She also mentioned she was contacted & consulted (along with other NK defectors) when this drama was being written...
Yes, poverty and concentration camps are a thing in NK, and life is very controlled there. But those are all things that are mentioned in the drama? Yes, it still doesn't portray NK 100% correctly but it's a drama and a ROMCOM so it's concentrating on more light-hearted things --- but what exactly did you expect? It's a romcom drama, not a documentary. Do you also go around commenting on SK dramas with chaebols in them about how poverty is a horrible thing in SK and that it's not realistic how nearly every drama out there has someone rich in them?
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- "I should’ve made a list of all NK does wrong I guess" --- you've barely mentioned 2 things and they're both portrayed in the drama.
Does anyone know any other (non-historic) k-dramas with significantly older male lead & younger female lead?
Thanks for all the replies! I actually know some of these dramas but I never really paid much attention to the age gaps. (Also, I just noticed there's a tag called "older man/younger woman" that helps with finding more dramas like this... whoops)
Yes on Dramanice but still no sub however it was easy to understand. It was a good épisode !
Yeah, I hope Dong Shik's about to get his memories back + I'm getting really tired of In Woo's shit. It was cute when he wanted to be all chummy (/murder husbands) with Dong Shik but now he's just starting to piss me off. What a slimy rat.
Honestly, I think it's great a show like this exists and that it's on NETFLIX raising more awareness of NK worldwide…
Sorry, but what exactly is this "real NK" to you? Do you think every single citizen is starving or locked up in a concentration camp all the time there? What do you think is so wrongly potrayed in the drama? I'm not claiming that the drama is 100% accurate but it has included a lot of the... stereotypes that North Korean refugees have told about to the media. I'm just curious, what do you really mean by that?
I think gatekeeping suffering is wrong, no matter which "safe rich" country you come from. Just because someone has it worse doesn't mean you can't have problems.
The drama is fun but it feels gross to set a romcom in north korea. People starve there, and anyone that watches…
Honestly, I think it's great a show like this exists and that it's on NETFLIX raising more awareness of NK worldwide in a way.
I don't really get why you're annoyed about the romcom being set in NK. It's not like they're making fun of the suffering citizens. There's no perfect country in this world, I'm sure there are suffering people wherever you live too.
It's early to say this after just 2 episodes... but the ending of ep 2 makes me think that it's possible for them…
Mhhm. I guess we'll have just have to wait to see what's going to happen. It's a bit too early to tell after just 2 episodes.
(Though, it's a romcom by THAT screenwriter... I think we'll get a happy ending. In one way or another. A _hopeful_ open ending wouldn't be that horrible though.)
A reunited Korean peninsula would be so interesting to see! But I doubt we'll get to see it in this drama...
It's early to say this after just 2 episodes... but the ending of ep 2 makes me think that it's possible for them…
It's a drama -- a romantic comedy, I think. So anything is possible.
She's used to a rich lifestyle but that's all that she seems to miss about SK, since her family is so messed up. She tried to abandon her whole life at the Easter egg (idk what to call them) scene of ep 1, she was that miserable with it (at least in the past). Besides, it won't be that easy for her to travel back to SK. So she might just end up staying in NK with him.
Anyway, the guy wouldn't even have to defect. He could go study music in Switzerland or get some job abroad that "Uncle Kim" wouldn't be mad about. If Seri can get out of NK, she could go with him. Or his father (his only remaining family?) could die, so he could defect without having to worry about what's going to happen to his family in NK.
+ SK and NK could end up getting unified. Yeah, it wouldn't be realistic and I don't think it will happen in the story... But it's a drama. It's possible.
The screenwriter and director also don't seem to be big on producing tragic dramas either. I think we will get to see a happy ending.
First ep was a total mess to the point of being shocked plus that her being not pretty and her brothers are super…
I don't think her character is supposed to be "not pretty" by her appearance --- just sloppy (which does show in her clothing etc) and hot-headed, which can make her unattractive.
Tbh, I wish they had casted someone else for the main male character.
EDIT: just read some comments. I had no clue this guy had some "scandal" (how is divorcing a scandal?) and my opinion on him not suiting the role has nothing to do with his personal life, I don't know much about the actor. I just don't think he fits the main lead guy's role. It ain't that deep.
The only thing you've really mentioned is "you could be tortured or executed for having foreign products" --- but guess what, even if foreign products aren't really allowed in NK, it doesn't mean that North Koreans don't use them despite the risks:
"'South Korean makeup products are in high demand,' Danbi says. 'Especially eyeliner and mask packs.'" & "---the demand was insatiable — Danbi would sometimes get thousands of orders per day from all over the country."
Source: https://www.refinery29.com/en-ca/2019/05/233330/north-korea-beauty-products-makeup-smugglers
In the drama, they even sell the products SECRETLY at the markets. So honestly, I think they've portrayed this subject properly.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Also, I recently read an article about a North Korean defector (Kang Nara) who says this drama is "about 60% accurate". The only things that she really mentioned that are off about the drama were 1. Seo Dan's outfits (particularly her boots) and 2. Hyun Bin's military rank doesn't exist in NK. She also mentioned she was contacted & consulted (along with other NK defectors) when this drama was being written...
Yes, poverty and concentration camps are a thing in NK, and life is very controlled there. But those are all things that are mentioned in the drama? Yes, it still doesn't portray NK 100% correctly but it's a drama and a ROMCOM so it's concentrating on more light-hearted things --- but what exactly did you expect? It's a romcom drama, not a documentary. Do you also go around commenting on SK dramas with chaebols in them about how poverty is a horrible thing in SK and that it's not realistic how nearly every drama out there has someone rich in them?
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
"I should’ve made a list of all NK does wrong I guess" --- you've barely mentioned 2 things and they're both portrayed in the drama.
I actually know some of these dramas but I never really paid much attention to the age gaps. (Also, I just noticed there's a tag called "older man/younger woman" that helps with finding more dramas like this... whoops)
I think gatekeeping suffering is wrong, no matter which "safe rich" country you come from. Just because someone has it worse doesn't mean you can't have problems.
I don't really get why you're annoyed about the romcom being set in NK. It's not like they're making fun of the suffering citizens. There's no perfect country in this world, I'm sure there are suffering people wherever you live too.
(Though, it's a romcom by THAT screenwriter... I think we'll get a happy ending. In one way or another. A _hopeful_ open ending wouldn't be that horrible though.)
A reunited Korean peninsula would be so interesting to see! But I doubt we'll get to see it in this drama...
She's used to a rich lifestyle but that's all that she seems to miss about SK, since her family is so messed up. She tried to abandon her whole life at the Easter egg (idk what to call them) scene of ep 1, she was that miserable with it (at least in the past). Besides, it won't be that easy for her to travel back to SK. So she might just end up staying in NK with him.
Anyway, the guy wouldn't even have to defect. He could go study music in Switzerland or get some job abroad that "Uncle Kim" wouldn't be mad about. If Seri can get out of NK, she could go with him. Or his father (his only remaining family?) could die, so he could defect without having to worry about what's going to happen to his family in NK.
+ SK and NK could end up getting unified. Yeah, it wouldn't be realistic and I don't think it will happen in the story... But it's a drama. It's possible.
The screenwriter and director also don't seem to be big on producing tragic dramas either. I think we will get to see a happy ending.
+ I loved it when the gangster said "couple!" when he and Dong Shik wore matching clothes to the funeral...
EDIT: just read some comments. I had no clue this guy had some "scandal" (how is divorcing a scandal?) and my opinion on him not suiting the role has nothing to do with his personal life, I don't know much about the actor. I just don't think he fits the main lead guy's role. It ain't that deep.