The song featured during the recap: Hwal Hwal by Hwang So-yoon (aka So!YoON!), a blazing track that mirrors the episode’s emotional intensity.
The tragic and pivotal loss of Dong Myeong, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s son, and the overwhelming grief that overtakes the family.
The episode’s haunting realism in showing how each family member carries deep guilt for Dong Myeong’s death.
Listener Malcolm’s brilliant comparison of the haenyeos to a Greek chorus that offers communal commentary, humor, and moral perspective.
The emotional support network of Jeju villagers, especially the haenyeos and the elderly couple who helped the family survive.
The revelation that Min-ok paid the rent under the guise of a “moral scholarship,” and how language misinterpretation played a key role in the mystery behind who paid the rent.
The deeply affecting scene of Gwan-sik breaking down at the government office while declaring Dong Myeong’s death.
Ae-sun’s evolution, embracing help from others despite her strong sense of pride and independence.
The powerful legacy of Gwang Rye, Ae-sun’s mother, whose advice and memory give Ae-sun strength to carry on.
The return of hope through Geum Myeong’s acceptance into Seoul National University, a major family milestone.
Cinematic details like the realistic typhoon scene and the use of the Jeju Fishing Village Set.
2 possible, new K Drama elements: the kick to the shins, and reading poetry.
Next week, we’ll recap and analyze Episode 7 of When Life Gives You Tangerines. We’ll also talk about Yeom Hye-ran, the actress who plays Jeon Gwang Rye, Ae-sun’s mother—nominated for a Baeksang Award this year!
References
Protecting Haenyeo: Ritual and Spiritual Practices of Jeju Haenyeo
Behind the Scenes: When Gwan sik Collapses Upon Seeing Ae sun and Dong Myeong
No other comments so far? I’m surprised, though this episode was so sad, everyone blaming themselves for the little boy’s tragic death. Pulling themselves together to go on was heart-wrenching, but inspiring too. I was once in the middle of testimony at an attempted murder trial, whose intended victim had the the same name as me. I was the key witness for intent, because I had received numerous threats before the event, including phone threats from the defendent after the murder attempt from jail. The state sent me to a psychologist through a program for witnesses. His normal clientelle was wealthy, unlike me.
ReplyDeleteI moaned about how I didn’t want to get up and go to work each day, I just wanted to hide under the covers. He said something I’ll never forget. He said “Don’t you know how lucky you are? You have to go earn a living, you have to do what’s necessary for your survival! My sickest patients are the ones with the money to dwell on their troubles all day. You’re going to be okay.”
I thought of that time watching this little family stand back up, because they had no choice.
Ellen, what a harrowing experience. It speaks to how there is no real objective measure of what we can and cannot do to survive, It really comes from within, your own strength and determination. It also makes me think of Gwang Rye, struggling desperately to free herself and swim up to the surface, to see the sky and breathe again. I'm so glad that you were able to overcome that terrible experience. And now here you are, part of our community of friends. We're so glad you're here.
DeleteI do think of you all as my friends! Thank you for your kind words.
DeleteEllen, we definitely think of YOU as a friend as well. How wonderful that we have found each other online!
DeleteI’m a bit late posting because 1) I didn’t actually get a chance to rewatch the episode before listening to the podcast, and 2) I listened to the podcast while driving - both a first for me. So unfortunately, I’ve forgotten all my invaluable insights for this episode! 😝 As far as not rewatching the episode, maybe that was for the best because this was a tough one. As soon as those boys ran out of the house my heart sank. I think they do a great job of showing how everyone in the family feels guilty over Dong Myeong.
ReplyDeleteI love how supporting certain people are in the village. Especially the older couple they rent from! Putting just enough rice in the rice jar each day is such a sweet gesture. Interesting insight on social support and the perception of physical slant. It reminded me of something I recently heard, probably on NPR, about how group therapy alone can reduce cancer patients self-reported pain levels. Could not find a link to the program, but here is something from the National Library of Medicine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6622622/#:~:text=Abstract,of%20these%20interventions%20are%20discussed.
Reading poetry – or just poetry – is definitely a K Drama element! This is not just Joanna trying to shoehorn in some additional K Drama elements! 😉 There are lots of shows I can think of – both modern and historical. Moon Lovers comes to mind….
I have few more potential K Drama elements. I feel like the full-service intensive check up is something I see in a bunch of K Dramas. Usually because a child or loved one gifts it to a parent or someone. These seem like way more of a checkup then what I get as an annual physical. I wonder if that is an actual Korean thing. Or just more of K Drama thing. Also, are hospitals in general a K drama element?! Almost every K Drama involves a trip to the hospital for one reason or another!
I also think busses are a K Drama element. Or at least a very common K Drama setting! You almost always see people taking the bus in a K Drama. Certainly, way more than in any western movies or tv shows. The only Western movies or shows that I can think of that involve a bus are Speed and Midnight Cowboy! LOL Obviously, that’s likely due to the fact that U.S. is a car dominant culture and Koreans take busses a lot – especially in Seoul.
What’s that? What am I watching? I’m glad you asked…..
Still watching Divorce Insurance and Resident Playlist. The later is very good and I’m curious what Sung-hee thinks. Both because she’s a doctor and because I know she loves Hospital Playlist. Very special cameo in this weeks episodes….
I’m also watching Crushology 101 on Viki. It’s a typical light romance involving a female lead and potentially several second male leads. Its giving a little Lovely Runner vibes, but without the time travel. Also, every episode so far seems to be set in the 7-10 days the cherry blossoms bloom! Lots of sunlight and cherry blossom shots!
Also, just started Way Back Love which, without giving too much away, seems like it can best be described as a dark romance?
Looking forward to the discussion about Yeom Hye-ran next week! Here is IU talking about her on set (about the 8 min mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnPcKDkdLRg
In response to some of your observations above:
DeleteI don't know if I would count a bus scene as an element, though I do agree you do see a lot of scenes set there. I'm thinking that riding a bus is just a lot more common in Korea. The two main types of transport that we tend to see are either buses or chauffeured cars, if it's a chaebol drama.
I agree that we do see a lot of hospital scenes as well. It seems like there is either a trip to the hospital or a prison at some point in many of these dramas.
As for Resident Playlist, I've just finished the first two episodes and I was happy to see the cameo appearance of one of my favorite stars. As you would say, IYKYK. The story line does a good job of addressing the challenges of learning how to be a doctor. When I was a resident, I distinctly remember wondering how, at the age of 26 or 27, a full adult in every sense, I could feel like I was the most ignorant, incompetent person faced with taking care of really sick patients. I just saw this quote from Oscar Wilde that captures how I feel now decades later, "Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes." Every bit of skill or wisdom I might possess now has been hard won.
About Min-ok financing three months rent; didn’t her husband just sell the house? And would not Ae-sun be entitled to a share of the proceeds, since it had been her mother’s house. I think Min- ok was just putting things right, in the God-Is-Watching sense of the word.
ReplyDeleteAbout K-drama elements.
ReplyDelete*I strongly disagree that poetry/poetry reading is a Kdrama element.
C'mon..people read poetry in all shows around the world. Even "Breaking Bad" a show full of violence, drugs, and gangs has people reading poetry.
*I didn't want to bring this up before because I fear I sound like a mood dampener, but I feel you are running the risk of devaluing (for lack of better word) this feature of your podcast. Adding more and more elements will render the whole thing pointless not in the distant future. Inflation is not good :)
*I actually went through that list, and I would get rid of lots of it. Or at least put them in two categories. Core, and Soft. I even drafted a list, but then I let it go. It is ultimately for fun.
I personally feel there is a need of definition/criteria to what constitute a Kdrama element.
It really has to be something either unique to Kdrama (like piggybacks), or used in a very unique/very frequent way (like slow mo kissing from various angles). But, something like "Divided loyalties" is most definetly not a Kdrama element for me. This is the bread and butter of half world dramas. And Kdramas don't do it in a unique way.
I certainly think Buses in particulars or Hospitals are more of a Kdrama elements than divided loyalties, because I watch a lot of World drama, but I don't think I have seen as many buses as in Kdrama.
Maybe there is a need for Kdrama Council. Joanna and Sunghee will have Veto rights lol.
Seven Seas! You make a good point about the K Drama elements! Let me ponder this some more. I do think this business of reading poetry is a K Drama element. And it's usually the man reading poetry!
DeleteI'm still waiting for the white truck of death to show up in Tangerines. I laughed when the piggyback ride showed up!
My take away from Seven Seas post is that he agrees with me about buses! LOL
DeleteI have mentioned to Joanna that the list needs to be revisited and perhaps reordered in light of all the new K Drama elements that are being added. And I agree with Seven Seas that there are "core" K Drama elements that are particular to K Dramas or reflect Korean society. Some elements can be shared across cultures, obviously, but show up confidentially in K Dramas. Love triangles have been a thing since Helen of Troy and Jane Austin pretty much perfected the genre, but they are a staple of K Dramas.
Here is my list of top ten K Drama elements - more or less in order:
1. The wrist grab
2. Umbrella scenes
3. Trip and catch
4. The love confession
5. First snow/cherry blossoms
6. Obvious product placement
7. Orphans
8. Surprise connection from the past
9. Piggybacks
10. White truck of death
Honorable mention and my personal favorite: Older actors/characters playing themselves in high school
The list is here for those wondering:
Deletehttps://www.kdramachat.com/2025/01/k-drama-chats-list-of-k-drama-elements.html
I'm so late in my comment for this episode. As everyone said, this one was so sad, it broke my heart. Excellent acting from all casts. What I love about this series is how it'd break my heart into many pieces (the death of Dong Myeong), but then it'd fix it back by way of the little things (how in Gwan Sik and Ae Sun's grief, their community helped them get back up).
ReplyDeleteIrma, you are absolutely right! These episodes rip us apart and then put us back together again. I'm really, really glad that Ae sun and Gwan sik stayed together and found strength in each other after the death of Dong Myeong!
Delete