.png)
Kendrick Lamar’s new song, Reincarnated, where he sings about his past lives!
The songs we feature during the recap:
Sad Memory by Fallin’ Dild
Star (organic version) by Colde
Our male listeners’ opinions of Moon Seo ha; hint: they don’t think much of him!
Our new K Drama elements: we like the name Bromance and The Person With Mixed Loyalties turns out to be in more shows than we originally thought!
Whether or not Yoon Ju won told her mom about her past lives.
Ban Ji eum seems to have conflicting goals: she wants Moon Seo ha to work out on his own that Ban Ji eum was Yoon Ju won BUT he also wants him to fall in love with her as Ban Ji eum so that he gets over Yoon Ju won.
The jesa tradition of honoring parents and ancestors.
When Moon Seo ha stays over at Ha Do yoon’s house, it’s clear that they are close friends and Moon Seo ha is able to open up about his feelings toward Ban Ji eum and Yoon Cho won.
The strong “fan” culture in South Korea.
How Ban Ji eum’s strategy is working because Moon Seo ha can’t stop thinking about her!
Ban Ji eum almost revealed to Yoon Cho won that they were sisters; instead, she upsets a tray and breaks a set of teacups.
The appearance of Ban Ji eum’s brother, who has clearly asked her for money before.
The drink maekju that we see so often in K Dramas.
Moon Seo ha’s suspicions that CEO Jang is up to no good and possibly manipulating the MI Grand Hotel’s finances.
We learn that Moon Seo ha knows that Ha Do yoon meets with the Chairman regularly AND that the Chairman knew Ha Do yoon’s father.
The mystery of the flowers in the lobby. Who is the woman who swapped them out, and who has swapped them back?
How Ban Ji eum and Yoon Cho won are destroyed when they realize the extent of Moon Seo ha’s trauma over the car accident and Yoon Ju won’s death.
The background and career of Ahn Bo hyun, the actor who plays Moon Seo ha.
References
South Korea's Popular Somaek Cocktail Combines Beer And Soju - Tasting Table
South Korea: Supreme Court ruling a historic victory for same-sex couples - Amnesty International.
Korea's Family Registration Law | The Law Office of Jeremy D. Morley
Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete*E03 & part of E04 are probably my favourite episodes of the series. The end of E03 is my favourite part of the series. The theme of these 2 episodes is the best part of the series imo.
*SHS. I think I waxed lyrical enough about her :). A strong contender as the best Korean actress under 40 for me. The fact that I didn’t love most of her dramas, but I keep watching her speaks volumes.
*Ji-eum behaves very unrealistically with Seo Ha in how she is coming on to him. Or to be precise, how Seo Ha is reacting. Of course it is drama, and we let it go, but I find it jarring here because it is not played for comedic effect. Maybe some playfulness, but largely seriously. If it is meant to be a joke, or funny, then it is lost on me.
* Your linguistic discussions continue to greatly interest me. It is a subject that I have very close to my heart.
After two years of serious watching of Kdramas, I think I know more than 100 words now. About 25 I can easily recognise even with different pronunciations. I must admit, it is not always helpful when you know only certain words in the sentence :). Sometimes complete ignorance is better than tiny bit of knowledge lol. But, on the whole, I feel very happy when I catch things. I think I started to pick even some verbs conjugation lol.
Keep them coming please.
* When I watch Kdrama now, I can’t help but make mental notes about certain things being a Kdrama element lol. Talking of that, I want to nominate two (if you don’t already have them): Sudden changing of lanes while driving & coughing into your drink (soft or alchol).
*Currently watching (almost done because I binged 9 episodes in 3 days) “When The Phone Rings”. A serious suspension of disbelief required, but it is fun to watch. Its early episodes in particular are fresh. It also stars Chae Soo Bin. I have soft spot for her, because she starred in my first Kdrama (I Am Not A Robot).
But, back to “WTPR”. You don’t have to watch the series, but check E02 time 47:10-48:00. Just watch it and try not to laugh. It certainly has a Kdrama element lol.
I agree on taking mental notes and the new elements!
DeleteI watch an episode, then listen to this podcast, and make bets with myself if those elements will get noticed or not. So far, our hosts haven't missed any on my bets!
Changing lanes while driving - worst making a (last minute) U-turn on a busy street - had always had me thinking 'are they not being called out by a review board or something??! that's freaking dangerous'
Seven Seas, thank you for this! So glad you're catching the elements with us. Isn't it fun?
DeleteI am with you re: Shin Hye sun. Love her so much! I understand you're not a Moon Seo ha fan and I get it. He's kind of a wet noodle in this show, but his character does get better!
As for When The Phone Rings, I am on episode 4 and so far, it's good and pretty gripping. Lots of weird things though. Why is the Bank Sa-eon character such a tsundere male? He's so cold and mean! And the relationships are very complicated. I need a podcast to explain it all to me!
Tina, thanks for your comments! Glad to know we're not missing elements, but definitely call out the ones we miss!
DeleteAnd re: changing lanes while driving, I think the same thing! I wonder how the character would weasel out of a ticket or a fine if a cop stopped them. Although they're often so rich, they could probably throw their weight around.
Edit: Finished WTPR..I must say that the series started so well with intriguing plot, but it became increasingly more far fatched and requiring more and more susepnsion of disbelief. Many revelations made things look even more unbelievable, and then most of the last episode was awful. Like REALLY bad.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, rant over. Sorry for talking so much about another series.
Seven Seas, I also watched WTPR and I agree that was an absolutely bananas ending. I am also currently watching I Am Not a Robot coincidently and I don't think I would have realized that it was the same actress if you hadn't mentioned it. Granted she is a bit older, but her character acts and looks so different!
DeleteMy comments are from Ep 4 & 3. I'm enjoying Ji-eum surprise comments and behavior.
ReplyDeleteIt's refreshing to not be able to guess what she might say or do.
- In both podcasts, you noted that Bo Ji-eum is just thinking for the first time about those left behind in her past lives and their suffering. In this ep 4 the comment was maybe she is self centered. My thought was less about being self absorbed and more about dissassociation. Yes she remembers her past lives and it's impactful on her current life, but I think she is dissassociated from those memories. She sees them and knows them but it's a bit distant and removed. Her 18th life was the first life she wanted to truly be associated / immersed in during her 19th life. I don't think in prior lifes she was trying to be cruel in not thinking of loved ones from past lives or keeping past promises - I just think she was a bit separated from those memories.
- When Bo Ji Eum confesses to Seo Ha on his birthday, I didn't think that was self centered. I thought it was harking back to their childhood and saying she would tell him her answer on his birthday. As Bo Ji Eum, she didn't want another birthday / year to pass before she answered the question from her past life on his birthday.
- Random thought - Was Han Do Yoon's father the driver of the car when Seo Ha was injured? His father died at the same time Joo Won - based on the funerals being at the same time. In this week's podcast, you noted that Seo Ha's father knew Han Do Yoon's father. It made me wonder if the Han father was a Secretary / Driver for the Moon Family.
What an excellent thought that Ha Do Yoon's father might have been the driver who then died in the car crash. That never occurred to me, but it makes perfect sense. Of course, that's why their funerals were all at the same time.
DeleteHi Dorothy! Great comments about Ban Ji mum's character and her motivations. She did say that Seo ha was the first person to interest her in 100 years. But remember that she's been around for almost 1,000 years and we've seen her as a mom, a dancer, a musician, and so many other characters. How does she keep it all straight in her head?
DeleteAs for Ha Do yoon's father being the driver, we shall see. :-)
Finally getting around to posting....
ReplyDeleteI still maintain that Moon Seo ha seems about as fun as a wet bag of bricks! I don't see the appeal. Even as a kid, he didn't seem all that appealing. But I guess there's someone for everyone.
As far as we can tell Bo Ju Eum has never had a serious significant other in any of her past lives. No husband, no wife, no kids.... This girl has been single even longer than I have!!! Also, don't you think she'd want to see her mom and her kid sister before old sourpuss?!
I second Sung hee's recommendation for My Name. Not the type of K Drama I typically go for but Han So hee is so badass in that show.
Love the new K Drama element of divided/uncertain loyalties. Will you stop at 100?! I think a reordering of the K Drama Elements might be in order at that time. I have a list of additional ones I am keeping. As for the element of divided or hidden loyalties, there is no better K Movie for that then The Handmaiden! If fact, I would really love you to do a pod on that movie, if for no other reason that to find out how many times Joanna will use the word "steamy." :-)
Malcolm! We missed your entertaining posts!
Delete*You & I largely agree on Seo ha despite Joanna's best efforts lol. I don't have an issue with the actor. As a matter of fact not even with this type of characters. I just don't think the writing is that good. For these characters to work (for me at least) they need to have some deep conversations or thoughts. I don't believe we have it with him. I am pretty sure if you give this character to the writer of "My Mister" for example, she will make him much better. Although his complete lack of chemistry with SHS can't be saved even by the entire Avengers team :)
* About the Kdrama elements. I was having similar thoughts. We have to watch out for inflation lol. Btw..is there a list?
*The Handmaiden. Oh! I love this movie. I was surprised how steamy it was when I first watched in Cinema, but I believe it is genuinely very good one.
If you like reading, try and read "Fingersmith" by Sarah Walters. The novel that is loosely based on. But, I must say that it will lose a lot of its power knowing what you know.
Seven Seas, they just updated and posted the list of K Drama Elements. It's below this weeks post and also here:
Deletehttps://www.kdramachat.com/2025/01/k-drama-chats-list-of-k-drama-elements.html
They are up to 56.
I don't have any issues with Seo ha, as I love a good tsundere. Keep in mind that he was NINE when his best friend and first love died in front of him; he was with her dead body lying on him for hours. He's experienced some major trauma from that alone. Combined with his mother's death and his really crummy father, I can see why he is so bland.
DeleteI agree that Ha Do Yoon's father must have been the driver.
I don't wish to repeat myself, but I will just say that I honestly love his type of character. I just don't find THIS particular one interesting.
DeleteMalcolm, Seven Seas and Laurel, absolutely love this thread! You guys crack me up and I look forward to your comments each week!
DeleteI'm not sure she's not had a significant other in her life. Remember when she was a Korean woman running away from the Japanese during the Imjin war? She was probably married and a mom then. No proof, but it's unlikely she was single. And didn't we see her as a man with a bouquet of flowers in another scene?
As for the K Drama elements, yes, they are posted on the blog, below episode 10.4. Would love your comments, additions, deletions, edits. A reordering is probably in order. There is no rhyme or reason to the list as it is. And how are we discovering so many new elements all of a sudden? Haha.
The Handmaiden is on my list and you're right, we should review it sometime. Sung Hee says it's definitely steamy, haha.
Laurel, thanks for coming to Moon Seo ha's defense. Poor guy has been struggling all his life. Although you gotta wonder how Ha Do yoon ended up so balanced and not so sad when he, too, lost his dad when he was young. Maybe it's because he had to care for his brother!
As for My Mister, that's a masterpiece of a show. And yes, My Name is on the list!
Too many shows, too little time. And I have to watch 19th life episode 3 times. :-) so we don't miss stuff. 10.5 is a long episode, sorry!