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4.1 - Episode 1 of 25, 21

Today, we’ll be kicking off Season 4 of K Drama Chat by discussing Episode 1 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The song Starlight by Taeil The main actors of the show: Kim Tae-ri Nam Joo Hyuk Kim Ji-yeon, better known by her stage name Bona How age is calculated in Korea vs. internationally, which is why there’s confusion over how old the actors in this show are The origins of the 1990s Asian financial crisis and how it affected South and East Asia The impact of an IMF bailout and austerity measures on countries The South Korea gold campaign The surprising dominance of South Korea in the world of fencing Polite language between Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin The large number of K Drama elements we see in this episode: Beautiful actors Crying Flowers Food Alcohol Wrist grabs Clothing and fashion Umbrella scene The challenging mother-daughter relationship between Hee-do and her mom Our favorite lines How much we
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3.17 - A Conversation with Jeanie Rhim About K Drama Elements

We’re in between seasons 3 and 4! Today, Joanna and Sung Hee has a conversation with Jeanie Rhim, Sung Hee’s sister. Jeanie specializes in newborn photography and is another K Drama lover. We discuss: The K Drama shows we’re watching now. Our list of K Drama elements (we’re up to 23!) and examples of these elements in our favorite K Dramas. How to say hello in Korean. How the subtitles in K Dramas don’t always match what’s actually being said, especially when it comes to characters’ names and titles. Some common Korean words and phrases to watch out for. Here’s our list of K Drama elements to watch out for: Beautiful actors Crying, by both women and men Gorgeous OSTs (original sound tracks) Food; there's lot of eating in K Dramas Alcohol; drinking by both men and women Beautiful fashion The trip and catch Piggyback rides The back hug Product placements Holding hands The wrist grab Flowers Love triangles Umbrella scene Quirky best friend Deep lean Arm rest Talking to someone sleepin
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3.16 - A Conversation with Professor Ernabel Demillo

We’re in between seasons 3 and 4! Today, Joanna has a conversation with Professor Ernabel Demillo, Department Chair of the Communication and Media Culture Department at Saint Peter's University and host of the Emmy-award winning "Asian American Life" show on CUNY-TV. We talk about: The many different genres of K Dramas. The K Dramas we’re watching now: Tomorrow, Business Proposal, The Glory. What Ernabel thought about Mr. Sunshine, including the cinematography, the characters, the music, Korea history, and culture. The process that Sung Hee and Joanna use to create our episodes. The K Drama elements that we find in most K Dramas, e.g., umbrella scene, piggyback ride, back hug, deep lean. How Asian American Life is still the only monthly magazine show on broadcast TV devoted to the Asian American diaspora. How Asian American Life explores social issues through the Asian American lens, but also celebrates Asian-American achievements and milestones. The themes that “Asian Am
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3.15 - Episode 24 of Mr. Sunshine

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 24 of Mr. Sunshine, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Lee Byung-hun as Eugene Choi, Kim Tae-ri as Go Ae-shin, Yoo Yeon-Seok as Goo Dong-mae, Kim Min-jung as Hina Kudo, and Byun Yo-han as Kim Hee-sung. We discuss: How we love this final episode of Mr. Sunshine and will miss these characters, whom we’ve come to love and admire! The lovely and amazing music in this K Drama. How the ending is heartbreaking but the show’s creators told us all along that we would have a sad ending. Ae-shin and Eugene have figured out a way to be together, even though they are not really together. Eugene’s final sacrifice is so tragic. He is the man Joseon needed, but didn’t deserve. Eugene’s life mission, as well as Dong-mae’s, was to help Ae-shin live. Hui-seung found meaning in his life, thanks to the people of Joseon. Was Ae-shin’s life path influenced by Dong-mae calling her a spoiled, noble fool so early in her life? Ae-shin is a noble who was respected and revered b
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3.14 - Episode 23 of Mr. Sunshine

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 23 of Mr. Sunshine, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Lee Byung-hun as Eugene Choi, Kim Tae-ri as Go Ae-shin, Yoo Yeon-Seok as Goo Dong-mae, Kim Min-jung as Hina Kudo, and Byun Yo-han as Kim Hee-sung. We discuss: The beautiful songs during our recap, especially Glory by Nam Hye Seung and Park Sang Hee, the duo responsible for so many instrumental songs on K Drama OSTs How we’ve lost so many people in this show: Gunner Jang, Hina Kudo, Ms. Haman, Mr. Haengryan, Hong Pa, Go Sa-hong How Eugene has finally found a way to be with Ae-shin How Eugene saves Ae-shin from the rubble of the hotel and ends up treating her wounds; he’s saved her again! Why Hina Kudo made the decision to blow up the Glory Hotel How Dong-mae is back, he takes over control of the Musin Society, but he knows he has just a few days until more samurai arrive to kill him Hina Kudo’s sad confession to Dong-mae that she loved him and waited for him How Dong-me and Eugene are working toge
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3.13 - Episodes 21 and 22 of Mr. Sunshine

Today, we’ll be discussing Episodes 21 and 22 of Mr. Sunshine, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Lee Byung-hun as Eugene Choi, Kim Tae-ri as Go Ae-shin, Yoo Yeon-Seok as Goo Dong-mae, Kim Min-jung as Hina Kudo, and Byun Yo-han as Kim Hee-sung. We discuss: The beautiful song “And I” by Nu’Est W. The agonizing scene where Ae-shin asks Eugene to take her with him to America, but what she really wants is to go to Japan. The equally heartbreaking scenes when Eugene gives Ae-shin a ring and when Ae-shin asks Eugene for a matching ring. How Ae-shin loves Eugene but she loves Joseon more; how can she possibly go to America when all the people she loves are in danger and Joseon needs people to fight for it? Whether or not Eugene would have gotten on that boat to America. How we have finally met all of the men in the photo from Tokyo because Song Yeong saves Ae-shin, receives the bank certificate, and organizes the plan to save Lee Jeong-moon from the Musin Society. How Kyle Moore once again d
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Episode 3.12 - Episodes 19 and 20 of Mr. Sunshine

Today, we’ll be discussing Episodes 19 and 20 of Mr. Sunshine, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Lee Byung-hun as Eugene Choi, Kim Tae-ri as Go Ae-shin, Yoo Yeon-Seok as Goo Dong-mae, Kim Min-jung as Kudo Hina, and Byun Yo-han as Kim Hee-sung. We discuss: The beautiful song Paramour by Kim Sejeong, who is a prominent singer and actress; she is the lead in Business Proposal! How Ae-shin has lost her grandfather, her family and her home, so now she is going to devote herself to the Righteous Army. Ae-shin loves Eugene but she is more devoted to Joseon, so she is going to use Eugene, Dong-mae and Hui-seung in the service of Joseon. Dong-mae’s loyalties are shifting; he wants to protect Ae-shin at any cost. The Musin Society is starting to get suspicious of him. Major Moore tells Eugene that the picnic is over and sends Eugene back to the US. Ae-shin finally gets her revenge against Lee Wan-ik, a death that Hina Kudo covers up by killing Dr. Matsuyama and forging a suicide note. Hina Kud
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