The song featured during the recap: Spring in a Heartbeat by Park Sung-il, a beautiful instrumental piece that plays during the heartwarming scene of Ae Sun and Gwan Sik on their boat with their growing family.
The complex and emotional back-and-forth between two timelines—Ae Sun and Gwan Sik’s love story and their daughter Geum Myeong’s journey—and how it adds depth to the drama.
A powerful conversation about shame, gender roles, and vulnerability inspired by Gwan Sik’s struggle to provide for his family and Brene Brown’s research on shame.
Ae Sun’s desperate visit to her grandmother, who gives them money to buy a boat—a game-changing gift that symbolizes hope and a fresh start.
The emotional weight and cultural significance of the language used between Ae Sun’s grandmother and Gwang Rye, especially words like 어머니, 애미야, and 아가.
Gwan Sik and Ae Sun’s christening of their new boat and the ceremonial offerings to the Dragon King, an important sea deity in Korean mythology.
Ae Sun’s rising confidence and new role as Deputy Chief of the village, and how her wardrobe changes reflect her rising status and better life.
The scandal at the social dance club and how Ae Sun saves Bu Sang Gil’s wife and daughter from humiliation, revealing unexpected layers of solidarity and empathy.
The symbolic act of Ae Sun boarding the boat and painting the name “Geum Eun Dong” after their three children—gold, silver, and bronze—and what it reveals about their dreams and values.
Ae Sun’s hilarious and sarcastic comments about Gwan Sik’s jeon-making skills and ancestral rites, poking fun at traditional gender norms while asserting her power.
How the couple buys Ae Sun’s mother’s former house, making it a warm and beautiful home, and how the mother-of-pearl wardrobe becomes a lasting symbol of their pride and love.
A touching kiss between Ae Sun and Gwan Sik as they celebrate their love and achievements, with Ae Sun taunting the Dragon King and embracing her role as the family’s lucky charm.
The ominous foreshadowing from grown-up Geum Myeong, warning us that this happy chapter may soon come to a tragic end.
The real-life couple who inspired the story of When Life Gives You Tangerines, especially Hong Kyung Ja and her devoted husband, who was honored for his love and support.
Next week, we will discuss episode 6 of When Life Gives You Tangerines. We’ll also talk about Jeju Island, the popular tourist destination and setting for many hit K Dramas!
References
It will be revealed later on on who paid the rent of Aesun and Gwansik. one of your somehow guessed it.
ReplyDeleteHe thanks, Shine. I’ve been sticking with the one episode per week, so I was wondering too!
ReplyDeleteWow, Ellen, I admire your self-restraint in keeping pace with us in the show, especially since you don't have to. We find it difficult to hold back ourselves!
DeleteAbout the rent, it isn't actually a mystery who paid for it; it's just that Netflix subs suck so only ppl fluent in Korean understood it right away
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your discussion of episode 5. I do like going back and reliving the series with your community. I still couldn't move on, and haven't started another K-drama.
ReplyDeleteOh Joanna, I did watch Light Shop last year, and I found it good. Different and a bit eerie which we like.
This was probably the most feel-good episode yet. The couple’s diligent living seems to finally be paying off, mostly thanks to Ae-sun’s grandmother. One of many examples of women helping women in this show. Ae-sun helping Bu Sang-gil’s wife was another nice example.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing Ae-sun assert herself with her mother-in-law and Gwan Ski’s grandmother, now that they have their own boat and are doing well. I also enjoyed Gwan-ski’s grandmother telling her daughter-in-law “Your daughter-in-law is step above mine.” Talk about a backhanded compliment! The grandmother is a pretty nasty woman, but I can appreciate a sick burn!
I’m also enjoying the period costuming. I think we can all agree that IU looks amazing in any time period!
As for Joanna’s premise that Gwan-sik felt shame for not being able to work and provide for his family, I (respectfully) disagree. I am sure he was upset, frustrated, maybe guilty, but I don’t think he felt the type of “shame” that we might typically associate with a man unable to work. I say that because Gwan-sik seems to be immune from the societal gender norms of Korean society at that time, and I think that includes societal shame. He does everything he can to support his wife and his daughter, in ways that go against the societal gender norms. For example, bringing them both onto the boat, or getting a tricycle for Geum-myeong. I don’t think he is the type of man who would feel ashamed if his wife earned more than him. Just the opposite, I think he would be very outwardly proud of her. Remember, when Ae-sun said she wanted to be president and the haenyeos asked him what he wanted to be? He said “vice-president!” So, while I am sure he was very upset when he was unable to work and provide for his family, I don’t think it would be accurate to say that he felt shame, at least as that term is typically used.
And since no one asked…. Here’s what I’m watching:
Moon Lovers – On Vicki – I finally finished this. It was not my favorite, but I did enjoy it. After all, there was a whole lot of IU! I will say that one of the things I enjoyed about it, was that it was not totally predictable (I don’t think that’s a real spoiler – there have been worse on this podcast 😉). I feel like I’ve watched a lot of very predictable K Dramas as of late and this was refreshing.
The Divorce Insurance – On Prime. This is an odd one as the plot is ridiculous and all over the place. I would sum it as follows: Three gorgeous women and three average men all work at an insurance company and try to sell divorce insurance. It stars Lee Don-wook (Tale of the Nine Tailed), Lee Joo-bin (whose abs you may remember from Queen of Tears – IYKYK!), Lee Da-hee (the host of Singles Inferno!!!) and Exy (a former K Pop girls group member). Can’t say I would recommend it unless you are a fan of any of the actors, which I am!
Karma – On Netflix. This was only six episodes, so pretty easy to commit to. Plus, it has Shin Min-a! Looking somewhat unglamorous, I must say. The makeup artist must have had to work overtime to accomplish that! This show is dark, and violent, and exactly what the title implies. Worth a watch.
Resident Playbook – On Netflix. The long-awaited sequel to Hospital Playlist. A few cameos from Hospital Playlist in the first two episodes, although not the main stars (yet). I am really enjoying Go Young-Jung as the reluctant resident. She is giving real Jung so-min vibes in this show. Very curious what Sung-hee thinks of this show.
That’s all for this week. I’m off to spit at the Dragon King….
I'm a bit sad over Divorce Insurance. I was looking forward to that considering I love LDW and Lee Kwang Soo (if you can, please do watch Korean variety shows -- highly recommend Running Man where Lee Kwang Soo used to be a regular member before he left). I stopped at Ep 3 so I guess I was right not to continue. :)
DeleteAbout Karma, thanks for the review. I was thinking whether to watch it but then, Shin Mina is good enough reason.
And yes, thoroughly agree with Resident Playbook! We expect more cameos from other Hospital Playlist actors!
Wow, what a fantastic set of comments on this blog! Thank you to all of you who commented!
DeleteMalcolm, I see your point about Gwan-sik. He appears to be the perfect male companion. He is 100% supportive of his wife, he sticks up for her, he loves his children, he works hard, he doesn't complain. I have to agree with Seven Seas that Gwan sik's character is too perfect, too one-dimensional.
Remember when I said in the podcast that I don't see Gwan sik going through the same growth and transformation that Ae sun is? I think you both nailed it. He was a perfect partner to Ae sun from the beginning. Yes, he suffers hardship, but we don't see his personality transformed or burnished as a result. If anything, he becomes even more "perfect."
I do think he felt shame. I could see it in his face, but in his perfection, he didn't allow his shame to stop him and Ae sun from accepting help and he was ever gracious when he became successful, and Ae sun gave herself credit for being his good luck charm.
I am enjoying The Divorce Insurance. maybe because I work on some benefits portals and work with a lot of actuaries. I gotta tell them about this show. I also ADORE Lee Dong wook, so that is probably clouding my judgment.
Karma looks like my kind of show and I ADORE Shin Min a. Thanks for the recommednations!
I deserve to die Maaaama. I betrayed you and watched the entire series Maaaama. PLEASE kill me Maaaama.
ReplyDeleteJokes aside, I tried my best not to watch. I held for about 3 weeks, but eventually gave in. I will, however, hold sharing my assessment and final verdict. Also, the podcast might make me re-evaluate certain things, and generally see how the passage of time, albeit short, will affect me.
*I had a good laugh when Gwan Sik Grandmother told Gwan Sik mother something like “My Grand-daughter in law is better than my Daughter in law” Ae Sun mother in law replied with “I guess that means my son is better than yours” Hahaha
Favourite scene is the photo shop. Yeom Hye Ran was excellent again.
*I think Gwan Sik is written a bit unrealistically. While he is not perfect in everything, he hasn’t evident shortcomings out of his own doing. I actually dislike this type of characters in realistic dramas. He is 100% supportive of Ae Sun 100% of time. These characters are simply unbalanced, and lower my estimation of the writer. They even hurt the cause itself, because it makes it look as if husbands supporting their wives is some kind of fantasy.
But, what do I know, people seem to love those fantasy men even in realistic dramas.
Just to make it clear. Gwan Sik is wonderful, lovely and sweet. And there are many men with those qualities, but they also have a fault or two. I wish the series also showed some of that to make him a real person.
*I loved Past Lives when I watched it last year. It was my 2nd favourite movie of the year (..and because nobody asked as Malcolm would say, lol, top place is In The Mood For Love), and went into my all times favourites. Mind you though, I consider it an American movie, not Korean.
*Joanna: I add my voice to everyone else. Watch Reply 1988. Wonderful series, and it has probably my favourite couple ever. A long time married couple. The actors playing the parents of Deok Sun are SO great, you really believe they have been married for ages.
*I am taking a break from Kdrama. I have been watching them for last 5 months, and starting to show signs of fatigue. So, it will probably be this podcast only for couple of mon
I agree than Gwan Sik is written a little too perfect. I think this is a bit of a problem in many K Dramas with the certain characters - especially male leads - being written a bit to flawless. I had the same issue with almost all the characters in Love Scout, even though I loved that show.
DeleteAs for In The Mood For Love - amazing movie! I guess technically it is a HK/French movie, which actually makes a lot of sense when you watch it.
Malcolm...I can accept these perfect ML in rom-coms. I also liked Love Scout a lot, but there it is acceptable and part of the genre.
DeleteIt is a bit like it is acceptable for one guy to kill an army in action movies, but it is not if a guy work in an office in a regular drama suddenly starts taking on armies by himself.
Same here. I have to apply different standards to this drama.
As for In The Mood For Love. Last year I discovered Wong Kar-wai and fell in love with his movies. If you haven't, try and watch "Chungking Express" and "2046" (Zhang Ziyi is awsome in that movie).
IMFL..This movie is pure art. It is like a painting. It has to be seen to be enjoyed. The scenes where Maggie Cheung in her stunning dress walking languidly down the alley to get noodles to the tune of Yumeji’s Theme will be forever in mind along the most iconic cinematic scenes.
You both nailed it! Gwan sik is too perfect! THIS is why the birth rate in Korea is dropping to zero! I liked Love Scout, but the ML was too perfect. I wanted him to get mad or have a moment, but he never did, and neither does Gwan sik. There's too much swooning over Gwan sik's perfection on social media and I 1,000% believe it's a problem.
DeleteThank you for the recommendation! I restarted Reply 1988 last night, thanks to all of you nudging me!!! And thanks for recommending In the Mood for Love. That will be what I watch on my plane ride home this weekend! Sounds amazing!
I am starting this as a new thread, because it is generic.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm, and I had a bit of conversation about “top” Korean actresses in 11.3. I must say that I also don’t speak Korean. Furthermore, I have been regularly watching Korean dramas and movies only in the last 3-4 years. So, I am not an authority, and have limited experience.
From what I have seen I consider these as very good actresses. I made a condition to list only those I have seen more than once, and limit myself to 3 in each category. Not all of them are necessarily favourites. But I am choosing based on acting.
Below 35 in no particular order: Kim Tae-ri, Shin Hye-sun, and Park Eun-bin (For the record I don’t consider Park Min- young a good actress. She is fine. Slightly above average.)
35+(in no particular order): Ra Mi-ran, Lee Jung-eun, and Jeon Do-yeon
..and I must add Yeom Hye Ran as arguably the best in supporting roles.
On the whole, I am far more impressed by “older” actresses. I had to omit lots of actresses in the second category, but not in the first one.
I am not sure the reason behind that. Is it because they had more experience, or just the standards were higher. A good look and popularity is maybe becoming more important than actual acting.
*I have stopped caring about Oscars and Emmys very long time ago despite acknowledging its importance, especially to the individuals. I think I can add the Bakesang to them. It only took me 2 3 years to discard this award as well.
In the latest round of nominations, IU was nominated as best actress, while Moon So Ri not. Talk about a miscarriage of justice. As far as I am concerned, she was much better than IU But she didn’t get even a joint nomination.
I HONESTLY do like IU, and I liked her in the series. It is also not her fault who gets nominated.
..also Lovely Runner got nominated for best series, and best screenplay. I am SO at odds with this decision. I actually started watching the series, but dropped it after 5 episodes. I don’t want to go on a rant in case some people here loved it.
I am at complete loss what people see in this drama??
Since this has opened up thanks to Malcolm, have to tell you of my failed attempt to watch Hotel De Luna. I fell asleep after Episode 3, enjoying the show especially IU’d gorgeous wardrobe. Then I had my series-ending nightmare, waking up in a panicky breathless state! This animated suit of armor thing was chasing me, then I fell and got trapped in quicksand! Does this happen to anyone else?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous..I dropped Hotel De Luna after 2 episodes. I didn't know at the time this was IU. I dropped it because I just wasn't into it. I don't remember there was anything wrong with what I watched. Just simple taste.
DeleteMy top younger actresses are Kim Tae-ri, Shin Hye sun, and IU. Gonna have to think about my faves among the more mature crowd; there are sooo many!
DeleteI enjoyed Lovely Runner but was frustrated during the watch because I just couldn't understand how she could treat him one way but feel differently. I LOVED the music and know that music really, really impacts my enjoyment of a show.
Hotel Del Luna was my first K Drama ever. I will have to rewatch it to see what I think about it, four years after my first watch. Mind you, I've watched it maybe three or four times. I found the show to be imaginative, beautiful and well crafted. I'm also one who appreciates side stories, which is why I loved Tomorrow and Move to Heaven so much, and Hotel Del Luna had a major plot and lots of side stories.
Thank you, as always, for all the comments and perspectives. Wow!
First of all- I would like to apologise for my last sentence about Lovely Runner. I wrote this late at night yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThe 5 episodes I watched are not horrible or bad, but I found the writing poor. A recycled idea is fine if it is done well, but this is in my opinion just a bad version of other shows that have done it better. Also, I am very sorry to say that this ML is without a doubt the worst leading actor I have seen in a K drama. The FL though is good, and engagging, but given a poor script.
I can see why it can appeal to lots of people actually, but my real frustration is the overwhelming praise it is getting.