3.10 - Episodes 15 and 16 of Mr. Sunshine

Today, we’ll be discussing Episodes 15 and 16 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:

How Ae-shin and Eugene are spending a lot of time together at the start of episode 15 but by the end of episode 16, Ae-shin was asked to kill Eugene and then they’re forbidden from seeing each other.
How Ae-shin and Eugene’s relationship has suddenly become very public.
Eugene’s decision to stay in Joseon because he’s being pulled deeper into Joseon’s affairs and he wants to protect Eun-san and Ae-shin.
How Lee Jeong-moon and Eun-san order Eugene killed, and then Lee Jeon-moon asks Eugene to become the Drill Instructor for the Imperial Army.
How Eugene goes through Joseph’s affairs and discovers a box from Song Yeong, which further proves that Joseph was deeply involved in Joseon affairs and was likely running letters for the King for some time.
Dong-mae’s release, how he kills Diplomat Suzuki, and how he warns Ae-shin’s grandfather that someone destroyed his letters to the nobles.
How Hui-seung finally learns Eugene’s story, he decides to cancel his engagement to Ae-shin, and his decision to start a Korean language newspaper.
How this whole show is about forbidden, unrequited love.
The continuing bromance between Eugene, Dong-mae and Hui-seung, who are united in their desire to protect Ae-shin.
Of all the K Drama elements, the most important is the plum blossom flower, which means resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The Korean Empire and the Gwangmu Reform enacted by the King.

References:

Korean Empire on Wikipedia
Timeline of the Gwangmu Reform

###

K Drama Chat is a weekly podcast where we take one Korean (K) Drama each season and and recap and analyze each episode. K Drama Chat is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher.

Comments

5.4 - Review of Episode 4 of Mr. Queen

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 4 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jung-hyun as King Cheojong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: Then songs we played during the recap: Conspiracyby Kim Deuk-su and Lost Memory by Howl. Last week’s episode was so funny, while this episode is really dark and there are bad guys everywhere. The Queen has figured out that it was the King who tried to kill her in the alleyway. The King is still desperately trying to figure out what the Queen knows. The many plots to frame someone for the Queen falling into the lake. The Queen accuses the King of going after her because she’s weak; this makes him wonder if the Queen is plotting against him or if she really is someone different. Jo Hwa-jin goes to Grand Dowager Queen to confess they she pushed the Queen into the lake When the King tries to defend Jo H...

11.1 - Podcast Review of When Life Gives You Tangerines

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 1 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. We discuss: The song featured during the recap: Midnight Walk by d.ear. The song feels nostalgic and represents Ae-sun’s longing for the past. The deeper themes of family, love, and survival that make this show feel unique compared to other historical K Dramas. The emotional opening with an elderly Ae-sun reflecting on the word "eomma" (mom) and how it carries deep significance throughout her life. The realistic and historical setting of Jeju Island, which makes this drama feel different from the more fantastical K Dramas we have covered before. The contrast between the English title, When Life Gives You Tangerines , and the Korean title Pokssak Sogatsuda , which means "You’ve worked hard" in Jeju dialect. The introduction of young Ae-sun and Gwan-sik and how their childhood relationship sets t...

10.1 - Podcast Review of See You In My 19th Life

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 1 of See You In My 19th Life, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Ban Ji-eum, Ahn Bo-hyun as Moon Seo-ha, Ha Yoon-kyung as Yoon Cho-won, Ahn Dong-goo as Ha Do-yoon, and Cha Chung-hwa as Kim Ae-kyung. We discuss: The songs we featured in this episode: Remember by Kim Jin ah Silence by Sunwoo jung-a The reaction of our listeners to our choice of show for Season 10 The characters we first get introduced to: Ban Ji-eum, Moon Seo-ha, Ha Do-yoon and Kim Ae-kyung. The concept of reincarnation. The Korean concept of inyeon, which roughly translates to providence or fate. The three elements of flamenco. When Kim Ae-kyung began to believe that Ban Ji-eum was the reincarnation of her uncle. The story of how Yoon Ju-won met Seo ha, got to know him, and died on his birthday. Ban Ji-eum’s mission to see if Moon Seo-ha is alive and ultimately be with him. The ages of our characters in the different timeframes. The importance of pools to Moon Seo-...

K Drama Chat Weekly

Search This Blog