The songs featured during the recap: “I Know” by Seunghui, Jiho, and Yubin, and “Let’s Go To Sandbox” by Kim Dong Hyuk.
The history and meaning behind Korea's first snow superstition and how it shows up in K Dramas and real life.
Netflix’s evolution and its global strategy as it reportedly acquires Warner Brothers.
The symbolism behind the money plant that Dal-mi gives Do-san and the Joseon-era significance of In-jae cutting her hair.
How Sandbox reflects the early 2000s .com startup culture — including casual offices and office dogs.
The origin of the word “bug” in computing and its metaphorical meaning for Do-san’s emotional crash.
How all three leads — Dal-mi, Do-san, and In-jae — are sailing without a map, trying to prove themselves independently.
The parallel journeys of the sisters, and their complicated relationships with their mother.
The growing love triangle tension and the deepening emotional complexity between Dal-mi, Do-san, and Ji-pyeong.
The Go-Stop card game birthday celebration — a wish from Ji-pyeong’s past that’s now come true — and the bittersweet memories it revives.
The pivotal moment where Do-san asks Dal-mi what she likes about him and struggles with the weight of living a lie.
Ji-pyeong’s bold promise to the grandmother that Dal-mi won’t get hurt — and the emotional and logistical risks behind it.
The drama and stakes of the Sandbox hackathon selection process, including the surprise that Do-san isn’t chosen as a CEO.
Nam Do-san’s decision to choose Seo Dal-mi as CEO, based on both heart and logic, and the critical contrast between Dal-mi and In-jae as leaders.
Nam Joo-hyuk’s acting journey, from modeling to his acclaimed roles in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, Start-Up, and Twenty-Five Twenty-One.
References
Thanks, Joanna and Sung Hee for another entertaining and informative episode. Your podcast drops are one of the fun things about Fridays. I appreciate your dives into Korean/Asian culture in this episode such as explaining the money tree and the Confucian views on cutting hair.
ReplyDeleteWardrobe note: All three Samsan founders wear checked flannel t-shirts, and Dal-mi wears checked flannel pajamas in a couple of scenes in this and previous episodes. Are the costume designers signaling that she’s a fit with the team?
I’d love to see a featured actor spotlight on Kim Hae-sook (the grandmother). She’s the glue that holds the timelines and characters together and is wonderful at playing characters with grit and also a twinkle in her eyes. She was great as Jeong-won’s mother in Hospital Playlist.
You asked for best of 2025 recommendations for your final 2025 podcast. A few suggestions:
Study Group (Viki in the US): Based on a webtoon, this show features Hwang Min-hyun (Alchemy of Souls) as a student who has secretly trained to be an amazing martial artist but really just wanted to get good grades. Joanne, this show would make a good watch with your son. There is violence, but in a very cartoony way.
Love Scout (Viki in the US): Joanne, you mentioned that you enjoyed this show, too. It’s so romantic and manages to maintain the pace for the entire season.
Shows still dropping in 2025:
Dynamite Kiss: I agree with Joanne, MalcomPDX and Seven Seas that Dynamite Kiss is addictive so far. The ML Jang Ki-yong and FL Ahn Eun-jin are charming and ooze chemistry. Did anyone who’s watching this show think the toilet paper chasing scene in Episode 9 was a nod to the gorgeous My Dearest scene of Ahn Eun-jin chasing the spool of red thread (and running into her true love)? Doremi, SDGuy and Seven Seas: Thank you for recommending Atypical Family. I tried it based on seeing Jang Ki-yong in Dynamite Kiss and your recommendation and agree that it’s a great show and very underrated.
Disappointing 2025 show: Last Summer. Lee Jae-Wook is a versatile and talented actor, but he’s wasted in this show. Ellen, the plot line would drive you crazy.
Excellent, another fan of Atypical Family!
ReplyDeleteBest of 2025? Hmmm...
When Life Gives You Tangerines and Our Unwritten Seoul would have to be high on the list.
There is a fun show on Viki called The First Night with the Duke, which I hope comes to Netflix someday. The free opening eps reminded me of my favourite Pride and Prejudice spinoff, Lost in Austen. I also enjoyed Resident Playbook, but it was pretty lightweight.
My other year highlights are all older shows which I watched for the first time: Atypical Family, Prison Playbook, My Mister and Twinkling Watermelon, which finally came to Netflix in my region. I've just started watching Signal.
Many shows were of uneven quality, and I would put Typhoon Family in this box. The main storyine abt the business suffered from poor plotting and a two-dimensional villian but I loved the relationships, especially btwn the MLs Mum and the FLs little brother.