K Drama Chat Weekly

Today, we’ll be discussing a special episode of K Drama Chat featuring No Other Choice , the hit movie starring Lee Byung Hun as Yoo Man Soo, Son Ye Jin as Yoo Mi Ri, and a host of other incredible Korean actors. We discuss: Celebrating K Drama Chat turning four years old  Our reactions to watching the BTS concert live on Netflix and its deep connection to Korean culture, including the meaning behind “Arirang” Why No Other Choice feels like a movie for our times, especially in light of job loss, automation, and AI-driven disruption The fascinating 15+ year journey of the screenplay and how Park Chan-wook adapted a Western novel into a deeply Korean story Lee Byung Hun’s portrayal of an “ordinary salaryman” pushed into desperation, and how his emotional range makes Yoo Man Soo both terrifying and sympathetic Son Ye Jin’s nuanced performance as Mi Ri—a loving but resilient wife whose loyalty is pushed to its absolute limits The symbolism of the paper industry and how work ...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 16 of Start-Up, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Bae Suzy as Seo Dal-mi, Nam Joo Hyuk as Nam Do-san, Kim Seon Ho as Han Ji Pyeong, Kang Han Na as Won In-jae, and Kim Hae Sook as Choi Won Deok. We discuss: The songs featured during the recap: “To Me” by Jeong Eun Ji, “Care About You” by K.Will, and “Bright Future” by Park Se Jun and Kim Min Ji. Joanna’s New York trip, her Korean barbecue dinner with Ernabel at The Kunjip in Koreatown, and why the restaurant is worth visiting. Why this finale feels satisfying: the reconciliation of the sisters, the healing of the Seo family, and the sense that nearly every major relationship comes full circle. What “scale up” and “R&D” mean in the start-up world, and why Cheongmyeong Company’s future depends on both investment and risk-taking. How Nam Do-san traces the ransomware attack to the developer twins, and why their Apollo and Artemis usernames become the key clue. The show’s critique of power...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 15 of Start-Up, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Bae Suzy as Seo Dal-mi, Nam Joo-hyuk as Nam Do-san, Kim Seon-ho as Han Ji-pyeong, Kang Han-na as Won In-jae, and Kim Hae-sook as Choi Won-deok. We discuss: The songs we featured during the recap: “Love Me Like You Used To” by Kassy, “Regret Will Remain the Reason” by Park Sejun and Kim Minji, and “A Story I Couldn’t Tell You” by Lee Nyeom. Joanna’s new weekly music spotlight: “We Pray” by Coldplay and TWICE, and why the many versions of the song with artists from around the world feel so moving and distinctive. Why Episode 15 feels like the emotional turning point of the love story, with Joanna celebrating that her guy finally got the girl and Sung Hee noting that one final twist may still remain. The meaning of “MVP,” or minimum viable product, and a rich discussion of product development, early adopters, speed to market, client validation, and the tension between ambition and practicali...

We are getting close to the end of Start-Up, the hit K Drama on Netflix that we have been recapping and analzying. One of the wonderful things about this drama is this: it's not clear who the male lead is, even at this late stage in the drama. So we gotta ask: Are you Team Nam Do San or Team Han Ji Pyeong? Why? Please share your thoughts and defend your position! 

We were supposed to publish episode 13.15, an episode recapping and analyzing episode 15 of the hit K Drama Start-Up. We’ve had some technical difficulties, so instead, we are republishing episode 11.18, the episode where we analyze the movie Past Lives by Celine Song. Thanks for your patience. We’ll be back to Start-Up next week!  Original show notes: Today, we’ll be discussing Past Lives, the acclaimed 2023 film written and directed by Celine Song and starring Greta Lee as Nora Moon, Teo Yoo as Hae Sung, and John Magaro as Arthur. We discuss: How Past Lives explores the Asian diaspora experience, especially the tension and beauty of living between two cultures. The significance of Greta Lee’s performance and her fear of speaking Korean, being filmed in 35mm film. The childhood relationship between Na Young and Hae Sung and how their sweet bond sets the foundation for the rest of the story. The scene of their final childhood goodbye on the stairs—symbolic of diverging li...