This drama has triggered a lot of people in the comments. Personally, I'm always of the opinion that the truth is probably in the middle of two extreme views.
I can't speak for others, but I can say why I personally think this may be pro-life propaganda.
Korea has been suffering from a low birth rate issue. It has been declared as a national emergency. They have provided tax breaks, cash incentives, housing initiatives and pushed people to pair up and have children. This messaging is not subtle either. This has come through companies, through ads etc. They have been using any means necessary to show people that they NEED to have children.
The characters of this drama show that they are willing to go to the ends of the universe to make a pregnancy as viable as possible. There is nothing more important to a grandfather than having his bloodline continued. And the possibility of a child is more important than the life of a living, breathing, healthy human. My suspicion is that the only reason this drama got the massive bankrolling that it did was because of the messaging. Had the story been about anything else, it is doubtful they would have had the finances to meet such a massive budget.
I also believe that had the show been genuinely good (the writing was good, the pacing was decent and the characters were likeable) most people wouldn't have cared if it was pro-life or not, because the story would be good and the viewers were entertained.
Sadly, the production and the acting were the only good things about this drama. It was genuinely boring to most viewers, me included. Had the two main leads had undeniable chemistry and the romance was written well, any plot hole will be ignored.
So, is it pro-life?
The fact that Eve, a staunch scientist, decides to change her stance and sacrifice herself for a 12 week embryo, and the fact that the show ends with the chord tethering Ryong to the station fantastically turns into an umbilical cord connected to a glowing space baby, an image which cues a montage about the miracle of life, would make anyone think that yes, this drama is saying that there is nothing more important that an unborn baby. Even a person's life cannot compare to its importance.
The repetition of scenes is the ONLY thing ruining my enjoyment of this show.
If you had content for fewer episodes, you should have written a drama for fewer episodes. It's come to the point where I am skipping scenes that are repeated.
Usually, I want the female lead to be a badass. But in this case, I don't care. This girl needs love and support. She needs the toxic people out of her life. And she needs a damn hug.
As a fan of sci-fi... Not a fan of the sci-fi element. I feel like this drama doesn't know what it wants to be and it's throwing in several genres hoping one will stick.
Serious sci-fi? Check. Lax sci-fi elements that show a lack of world building for serious sci-fi? Check. A serious commentary on relationships? Check. Screwball comedy with random dance scenes thrown in? Check.
It feels like a mess right now, so hoping it starts to figure out what kind of drama it is during the next few episodes.
Do you guys have any similar drama recommendations? I checked the recommendation section here but most of the…
For the same vibe, romance and angst...
1. Our Beloved Summer 2. Love Affairs in the Afternoon 3. Chocolate 4. When the Weather is Fine 5. One Sunny Day 6. Do You Like Brahms? 7. Lost 8. Soundtrack 9. My Liberation Notes 10. Seasons of Blossom 11. Recipe for Farewell 12. Summer Strike 13. Daily Dose of Sunshine 14. Tell Me That You Love Me
As someone who has the exact same mother (down to the not talking/pretending I don't exist when I do something…
"did she get fired ? or she quit bcoz of depression and or burnout ? or is the burnout just an excuse to hide that she was fired ? i genuinely couldn't understand ?"
Sadly, the only person who can answer this question at the moment is the writer of this drama.
We are still 2 episodes in of a 16 episode drama. Practically speaking, there is no point asking this question because the answer won't be given for a few more episodes.
i have some genuine questions , hope someone can explain -i get it , that fl was scared to tell her mom about…
As someone who has the exact same mother (down to the not talking/pretending I don't exist when I do something she disapproved of), I have to say I have done the same thing.
Parents like these, they love hard, and go to battle for their kids harder. They can't leave things alone. They care about image. It's easier to pretend that it's your decision to leave rather than feel the embarrassment of not being as good enough when the parents have been boasting to everyone about you.
And it is embarrassment. Disappointing the parents is the worst feeling for an older daughter in Asian communities.
Add to that, they will get involved in your business when you don't won't them to, and they won't let things go until THEY are satisfied that things have been resolved. Lying to them is always the easier path, tbh.
also... the student/teacher kink? That's more USA, maybe Japan, for the Asian countries...
Melancholia, Secret Affair, and even My Roommate is a Gumiho towards the end. Also, Reply 1997 if I remember right. There are kdramas with this concept, although not as extensive as anime. I feel like media needs to move away from this like we are trying to move away red flag relationships (Boys Over Flowers) and massive age gap relationships.
based on what I read, she is 25 and he is 37... so what kid?
"It felt like..."
Also, Coach Jegal kept saying, "She's just a kid," over and over. Even after she expressed that she was romantically into him. He told her, as well as others that he saw her as a child while he sees himself as an adult. So to suddenly find her attractive at the end of the 16 episode drama came out of nowhere. And the viewers saw the relationship as her being a kid to him.
One of those dramas where the execution was flawless. The way they portrayed the powers was interesting, the OST added to the overall vibe and it was a unique drama in its own right.
I can't speak for others, but I can say why I personally think this may be pro-life propaganda.
Korea has been suffering from a low birth rate issue. It has been declared as a national emergency. They have provided tax breaks, cash incentives, housing initiatives and pushed people to pair up and have children. This messaging is not subtle either. This has come through companies, through ads etc. They have been using any means necessary to show people that they NEED to have children.
The characters of this drama show that they are willing to go to the ends of the universe to make a pregnancy as viable as possible. There is nothing more important to a grandfather than having his bloodline continued. And the possibility of a child is more important than the life of a living, breathing, healthy human. My suspicion is that the only reason this drama got the massive bankrolling that it did was because of the messaging. Had the story been about anything else, it is doubtful they would have had the finances to meet such a massive budget.
I also believe that had the show been genuinely good (the writing was good, the pacing was decent and the characters were likeable) most people wouldn't have cared if it was pro-life or not, because the story would be good and the viewers were entertained.
Sadly, the production and the acting were the only good things about this drama. It was genuinely boring to most viewers, me included. Had the two main leads had undeniable chemistry and the romance was written well, any plot hole will be ignored.
So, is it pro-life?
The fact that Eve, a staunch scientist, decides to change her stance and sacrifice herself for a 12 week embryo, and the fact that the show ends with the chord tethering Ryong to the station fantastically turns into an umbilical cord connected to a glowing space baby, an image which cues a montage about the miracle of life, would make anyone think that yes, this drama is saying that there is nothing more important that an unborn baby. Even a person's life cannot compare to its importance.
If you had content for fewer episodes, you should have written a drama for fewer episodes. It's come to the point where I am skipping scenes that are repeated.
Suddenly the massive bankrolling of this project makes sense.
I'm just sad quite a few of my favourite actors were in it.
Descendants of the Sun was fast moving, fun, focusing primarily on the heroic moments of battle.
The White Olive Tree is a slow burn, gentle look at the life of people living in a war zone. It has more sincerity and heart.
They both romanticize the military, and have a similar sounding OST, but The White Olive Tree is more sombre in its depiction of war and hope.
Serious sci-fi? Check.
Lax sci-fi elements that show a lack of world building for serious sci-fi? Check.
A serious commentary on relationships? Check.
Screwball comedy with random dance scenes thrown in? Check.
It feels like a mess right now, so hoping it starts to figure out what kind of drama it is during the next few episodes.
Can I wait until it's done, though? NOOOO.
1. Our Beloved Summer
2. Love Affairs in the Afternoon
3. Chocolate
4. When the Weather is Fine
5. One Sunny Day
6. Do You Like Brahms?
7. Lost
8. Soundtrack
9. My Liberation Notes
10. Seasons of Blossom
11. Recipe for Farewell
12. Summer Strike
13. Daily Dose of Sunshine
14. Tell Me That You Love Me
Sadly, the only person who can answer this question at the moment is the writer of this drama.
We are still 2 episodes in of a 16 episode drama. Practically speaking, there is no point asking this question because the answer won't be given for a few more episodes.
Parents like these, they love hard, and go to battle for their kids harder. They can't leave things alone. They care about image. It's easier to pretend that it's your decision to leave rather than feel the embarrassment of not being as good enough when the parents have been boasting to everyone about you.
And it is embarrassment. Disappointing the parents is the worst feeling for an older daughter in Asian communities.
Add to that, they will get involved in your business when you don't won't them to, and they won't let things go until THEY are satisfied that things have been resolved. Lying to them is always the easier path, tbh.
Also, Coach Jegal kept saying, "She's just a kid," over and over. Even after she expressed that she was romantically into him. He told her, as well as others that he saw her as a child while he sees himself as an adult. So to suddenly find her attractive at the end of the 16 episode drama came out of nowhere. And the viewers saw the relationship as her being a kid to him.