K Drama Chat Weekly

Today, we’ll be discussing Past Lives, the acclaimed 2023 film written and directed by Celine Song and starring Greta Lee as Nora Moon, Teo Yoo as Hae Sung, and John Magaro as Arthur. We discuss: How Past Lives explores the Asian diaspora experience, especially the tension and beauty of living between two cultures. The significance of Greta Lee’s performance and her fear of speaking Korean, being filmed in 35mm film. The childhood relationship between Na Young and Hae Sung and how their sweet bond sets the foundation for the rest of the story. The scene of their final childhood goodbye on the stairs—symbolic of diverging life paths and emotional separation. The realism of immigration—what is gained and lost when families move to another country, and how that move changes identity and aspirations. The film’s exploration of inyeon, the Korean concept of fate or connection, and how it plays out in both romantic and platonic relationships. The emotional Skype calls between Nora...

Today, we’ll be discussing the movie Miss Granny, the hit Korean film starring Shim Eun-kyung as Oh Doo-ri, Na Moon-hee as the older Oh Mal-soon, Park In-hwan as Mr. Park, Sung Dong-il as Ban Hyun-chul, and Lee Jin-wook as Han Seung-woo. We discuss: The songs featured during the recap, including One More Time and Raindrop, both performed by Shim Eun-kyung, as well as If You Go to Los Angeles by Rose Motel and Shim Eun-kyung, and nostalgic covers like White Butterfly and Crying in the Night. How the movie blends humor and poignancy, diving into themes of aging, regret, family sacrifice, and how older women become invisible in society. The magical photo studio where Oh Mal-soon transforms back into her 20-year-old self, adopting the name Oh Doo-ri after her favorite star, Audrey Hepburn. The generational conflicts and multigenerational living arrangements, especially the tension between Oh Mal-soon and her long-suffering daughter-in-law Ae-ja. The cultural commentary on Korean ...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 16 of When Life Gives You Tangerines , the hit K Drama on Netflix starring IU as Oh Ae-sun, Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik, Moon So-ri as older Oh Ae-sun, and Park Hae-joon as older Yang Gwan-sik. We’ll also announce the show that we will recap and analyze in Season 12 of K Drama Chat. We discuss: The songs featured during the recap: Theme of Gwan-sik , Looking Back, It Was a Paradise , and It Was Just Sometimes Winter, Sometimes Spring , all by the incredible Park Seong Il. The devastating yet beautiful farewell between Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, as they reflect on their extraordinary life together. How Ae-sun’s poem, To the Heart That Leaves Me Behind , encapsulates her enduring love and strength, and how poetry weaves through the show as a symbol of love, regret, and hope. The emotional family moments, including Geum-myeong and Eun-myeong’s tearful goodbyes to their father, filled with regret, gratitude, and newfound understanding. How Ae-sun a...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 15 of When Life Gives You Tangerines , the hit K Drama on Netflix starring IU as Oh Ae-sun and Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik as young adults, then Moon So-ri as Oh Ae-sun and Park Hae-joon as Yang Gwan-sik as older adults. We discuss: The song featured during the recap: A daughter becoming a mother like her own by Kim Hyun Do. The powerful opening scene of Gwan-sik panicking during Ae-sun’s childbirth and the touching portrayal of new parent fears. Ae-sun’s remarkable emotional radar when she realizes Geum-myeong is struggling just by how she packs fruit. The dramatic family argument over Geum-myeong quitting her job and her business aspirations, revealing generational and emotional rifts. Gwan-sik risking everything to start a seafood restaurant and Ae-sun’s unwavering support despite her doubts. The emotional note and ultrasound photo reveal: Geum-myeong is pregnant, offering a beautiful full-circle moment between mother and daughter. An...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 14 of When Life Gives You Tangerines , the hit K Drama on Netflix starring IU as Oh Ae-sun and Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik as young adults, then Moon So-ri as Oh Ae-sun and Park Hae-joon as Yang Gwan-sik as older adults. We discuss: The songs featured during the recap: “A Rock that never erodes in the sea of my heart” and “Just be a good son, that’s all,” both by Park Seong-il, whose work captures the sad, wistful tone of the episode. Our guest Kim Soomin from Virginialicious shares her passion for Korean food and the stories behind her food tours. How Eun Myeong’s storyline takes center stage, highlighting the painful dynamics of favoritism, ambition, and parental regret. The cultural and historical context of buncheong stoneware, how Eun Myeong’s life was turned upside by a single buncheon statue. Pawnshops, especially during the IMF crisis in Korea. The heartbreaking reasons Eun Myeong started his business, and his desperate need to be...