linxminx

Unlike western society that has a more pay-it-forward philosophy, Korea is more of a pay-it-backward philosophy. One is expected to live a decent respectable life as a way to payback parents, teachers, community, country thereby honoring family and country. To break the law doesn't just bring dishonor to the individual, it bring dishonor to their family, their business, on and on. I have read that in Josean times (probably in other time periods as well), families were given money and rewards if a member went into service to the royal family. If the same member did something wrong, say a servant girl stole something from her mistress, not only would she be put to death, but her family would also die. I read an article about the Itaewon Halloween tragedy that took so many young lives. In the article it stated that many of the older generation had little sympathy as the young people should not have been out drinking. It's harsh for sure, but I've been over to South Korea and experienced being able to leave your bag at the table while you head to the bathroom and knowing it will be safe until you return. The bullying is especially harsh, but it's also a layer in the many layers of this culture that keep people obeying the law and staying in line. You also have to consider the history of the country and where Confucianism plays a part. Confucianism is complex, but there is a part of it that believes suicide is praiseworthy because moral standing is more valuable that life itself.

It's got a phenomenal cast, especially the attorneys. Similar to Friends, they got an ensemble cast together that really meshes well, and makes the story come alive. I'm loving the variety of stories the attorneys work on each week. Like Tomorrow and Resident Playlist, it changes every week which keeps it fresh and interesting. Thanks for the review. Your analysis of Lee Jong Suk's character was spot on!

I think he discovered what being a character actor is all about. He certainly played King Lee Jeong well and committed to his part 210%. It was a different type of historical drama and I appreciated something new. I couldn't wait until the next 2 episodes dropped each week. I didn't expect to be that glued to this story, but I was. Well done Kim Ji Hoon!

"I didn't expect Dear Hongrang to get under my skin the it did." I can relate. I've been watching this slowly since it first arrived on Netflix. Would drop it for a few days, stare at it and wonder if I should pick it back up. I'm glad I did. Then I got to episode 8, and wow did it get under my skin. I finished it yesterday, and could not stop thinking about it today. I think everyone is in agreement that the writing could have been better especially in the beginning. Then the last 4 episodes happened. The depth of hurt, of selfishness and greed, of insanity, and of love we were shown really moved me. I had to leave a comment because it's been awhile since a drama left me so moved. I think your review expressed how moved a lot of us felt after seeing this through to the end. Well done!

Cool! I will definitely tune in!!

That is precious!! Hope they get a win on M Countdown.

It's always a risk in making a sequel especially when the first one is a huge hit. I think the creative directors were correct in not going after the same effect as WHC season 1. Instead they wrote the next story, the continuation, what comes after. I see it as a gift to the viewer and to the ML Si Eun. In season 1, the decline of Beom Seok is so dark and ominous. As a viewer it was hard to watch. In one respect, I had empathy for his character because he was abused both at home and at school. But at the same time I disliked him because he went after Su ho so viciously. That part of season 1 was dark because it takes us into such hate within a human being's soul. Season 2 really focused on doing the right thing for each other, at least in terms of the relationships of Si Eun, Hu Min, Jun Tae, and Hyeon Tae, and how they kept protecting each other. This contrasted with the animosity that was shown between Su ho and Beom Seok. I think the creative directors wanted to show that bullying didn't have to tear friends apart. Who knows. Maybe they needed it as well.

"If Jason Bourne and High School Musical had a baby." LMAO!!! Pretty much...except it was missing the big musical number. I dunno....can we count the modeling scene though??

It is a cute Kdrama rom com without too many of the typical cliches. I thought the chemistry between the two main leads was really good. It was an overall enjoyable and entertaining series which answers the question of.....What do you get when you cross a Black Dragon with a Strawberry? Tune in to find out.

oppa_ also commented on my review and made some really good points about the stalking behavior of the ML. Something that honestly I had not seen before as I was looking at it from the perspective of how stupid humans get and behave when they fall in love. Your research from a psychological point of view really brings the stalking to the forefront. There was also bullying in this, and represented the years-long traumatic effect it can have on a person's life. I think the storyline of the support characters (along with Jung Hyeok's statement to the FL about pressing charges) were put in to somehow mitigate or lessen the strong stalking/bullying shown. I think (I could be wrong) that the writer meant for this to have strong mythical and fantasy themes, but the ML's stalking behavior took control of the story and they had to address it. Thanks for your post!!

Unfortunately a lot of Kdramas have nothing to do with reality. I know that side has been a source of frustration to me as the viewer. I reviewed the drama She Would Never Know which had the ML in the first 4 episodes stalking the FL. I wrote a pretty negative review after the first 4 episodes and got a comment that my review "was not credible." I think we definitely need to call out unrealistic behavior, especially behavior that should not be normalized. I definitely did not see that side to this and I'm glad you pointed it out.

Good question, and one for a psychologist. Layers....this drama definitely has layers to it and is very thought provoking as we peel away the layers. You have to admire the writing on this one.

I read a dissertation that studied the "delusion of intimacy" that is found within idol fandoms, how labels set up hierarchies within the fandoms based on the amount of money fans pay, and how idols are pressured to give "fan service" which builds the delusion to those fans at the top of the hierarchy. It's a business model that purposely promotes cult-like behavior. If you get a chance, read an MDLer's response to my review of The Witch who talks about the representation of stalking behavior . This drama definitely has layers to it.

I saw it as a dark comedic look at how stupid (in this case the males) people become when they are saturated with that chemical cocktail that overtakes us when we experience falling in love. But, I really like your mythological take on this drama and the consequences suffered when you answer the call of the Siren.

Yep, you are absolutely correct. All that you have stated are very valid points, and his behavior shouldn't be romanticized. I also find it interesting that all the FL is doing is living her life and she gets branded as a witch. The underlying themes to this drama really are dysfunctional.

I was looking at it more through a lens that when a person falls in love, physically they suffer from a chemical cocktail that can cause them to not think clearly. But, I would agree his behavior is very stalker-like under the guise of collecting data.

Not really. The main point is that throughout history there has been a continuing bid for supremacy using one criteria over another, and that it has been in vain as equality is unattainable. In this particular post, the criteria is about gender. In the attainment of said "equality" there has been more harm between the sexes than good. Maybe as a gender females have prospered or evolved due to the fight for equality (aka feminism), but it's done little to improve the relationships between the sexes. It's a critique of how the fight has brought unintended consequences into the mix, and those consequences aren't necessarily a good thing. It's a post about being so tunnel visioned in the fight that once the fight is over and the conqueror opens their eyes to their win, they see nothing as all was killed off in the fight.

Sorry, isang18, but you missed the point by missing the bigger picture.

Thank you for this insightful and important post. I especially agree with your points about the toxicity within the Kpop industry. I read a PhD dissertation titled "Gender, Labor, and the Commodification of Intimacy in Kpop" which researched the area of fan service. Idols are trained and expected to woo their fans with what the researcher calls "the delusion of intimacy." With idols giving fan service, fans develop an imaginary and unrealistic bond with their idol and will not only devote time and energy, but money as well to them. The more devoted a fan is, the more money they will pay to have more and more "access" to their idol. Hierarchies form where those who pay the most are at the top and often demonstrate extreme possessiveness over the idol. Because the idol themselves have been trained to build this delusion of intimacy with their fans, if they by chance are caught dating or in a relationship, the fans will view this a cheating and react accordingly. It's a sick and toxic system that unfortunately generates a ton of money.

After reading the comments on WTPR's ending, I wanted to express that I thought the reunion in a war-torn country was really unnecessary and brought no value to the overall story. It's disappointing if the writers were trying to use this to make some sort of statement with it as well.