Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 3 of Our Unwritten Seoul, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Park Bo Young as Yoo Mi Ri and Yoo Mo Rae, and Jin Young as Lee Ho Soo. We’ll also discuss:
The songs we featured during the recap: “Sunset” by 10cm; “My Rosa, My Sangwol” and “What You Mean to Me” by Nam Hye Seung and Park Sang Hee.
The central theme of connection vs. isolation—what makes people open their hearts or shut others out.
Miji’s devastating backstory, including the race that changed her life and the misunderstanding that led to her injury and lost future.
The contrast between how others see Miji (warm, beloved, capable) and how she sees herself (rejected and alone).
The poetry reading of “The Sea of Sang Wol” and how its imagery of fading fireworks and loneliness mirrors Miji’s inner life.
The power and complexity of apologies, including real-world insights about apology laws and why sincere apologies matter.
Kim Rosa’s hidden identity as a poet and benefactor, reinforcing the idea that you can’t judge people by their appearances.
Ho Soo’s moral crisis at the law firm and his ultimate decision to quit after being pushed to compromise his values.
The parallel misunderstandings between multiple relationships: Miji and Ho Soo, Miji and Ji Yun, and the two moms.
The slow softening between Se Jin and Mirae as they begin to understand each other beyond first impressions.
Jinyoung (Park Jin-young) of GOT7: his career from idol to respected actor, notable roles, and his Baeksang nomination, plus our thoughts on K-pop idols transitioning into acting.
References
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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, Amazon Music, and Pandora.
Thanks for this episode and the discussion around Ho-su and his boss. I never really understood their relationship. I feel like, for Ho-su, being a lawyer is a part he feels like he should play, rather than something he really wants to do, and he's picked a role model that doesn't match his own outlook on life.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many people masking their true selves in this show!
Also, thanks to Malcolm for his legal commentary in the blog for the last episode. The Korean legal system is obviously different to laws in other countries, but there must be some dramatic licence operating here.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently loving Phantom Lawyer and am amused and slightly irritated to see the Netflix translation for exercising the right to silence in a police interview as 'pleading the fifth', as if the US constitution and its amendments are relevant to South Korea. I bet Viki wouldn't have done that!
I imagine some Korean writers have been heavily influenced by watching American legal dramas and that sot of stuff seeps in. It might also be an issue with the translation, as it might be easier to convey the concept to English speakers.
Deletehttps://seoullawgroup.com/miranda-warning-korea/
DeleteThanks, Malcolm. I wasn't questioning whether they had the right to remain silent, but rather the 'pleading the fifth' terminology. It makes no sense in a Korean context, and I don't think there is any acceptable reason to use it.
DeleteI agree with you completely,. I hate this kind of ethnocentric translation. And there could be other English speaking viewers who are not American, so this kind of translation is narrow minded and sloppy, in my opinion.
DeleteThanks for replying, Sung-hee. There are, of course, many non-US viewers of Netflix Kdramas. And even the US ones don't need this kind of dodgy translation when 'refusing to speak', 'not answering questions' etc are available options.
DeleteI find myself again in strange position.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the episode, but I don’t have a lot to add, because almost everything was covered. It is strange that despite liking the series a lot while watching it, I am struggling with comments.
So, just random tidbits:
*MiJi- Kim Rosa interactions are some of my most favourite scenes.
*I certainly have more similarities with Mi Rae, but I find MiJi line more interesting.
* I love what Joanna keep saying “You judge yourself by your intentions, but others by their/your actions”. I noticed that viewers often complain about miscommunications in Kdrama. But, I am not really that critical. I think there is a great deal of truth in that. I think this happens a lot in real life, and in Asian societies even more.
* Fake accidental meetings: Oh! I am guilty of this action lol.
*Time dilatation: Joanna made me chuckle. I totally agree. Kdramas are terrible when it comes to time continuity. It is so frequent, it is almost an element. I noticed this in my early days of Kdrama, and at the beginning I thought I misread the subtitles, and used to rewind.
However, after reading about the gruelling filming schedules, these people work day and night, I started to understand.
They basically film the scene whenever they can, and simply ignore continuity.
I still haven’t moved on from “You And Everything Else”. I really liked this series.
I was about to start “Can This Love Be Translated”, but then I realised it has the same FL as “We Are All Trying Here”, which I also want to watch. So, making up my mind.
*Time dilation.
DeleteGreat podcast episode! Nice discussion of Mi-Ji's perceptions and others - I think this type of thing can definitely happen. On how Mi-Ji shut down Ho-Su after he recognized her - she did it so sharply (accusing him of judging) that I can see how it was effective. But she's still Mi-Ji and Ho-Su must know at some level. "Do you have lawyer mode" - only Mi-Ji could say that, not Mi-Rae. And her expression while trying to convince Ho-Su to go with her that wakes him up - again only Mi-Ji. Otherwise the actress who plays teen Mi-Ji/Mi-Rae - she was in "Spring Fever" which wasn't substantial but I think she's a good actress.
ReplyDeleteRather than what I'm watching, what I'm listening to. I was in a Korean grocery store (Zion, a small chain) and they usually play Kpop over the loudspeakers but not this time. I like to use Shazam to identify a song when it's striking or sounds familiar. The playlist: "Day & Night" by Jung Seung Hwan (Start Up); "Here I Am Again" by Baek Ye-Rin (CLOY); "Sweet Night" by V (Itaewon Class). So I've started revisiting my Kdrama playlist. So many quality songs that can reach out beyond the shows themselves.
Between MJ and MR, I’m liking MJ better because she seems driven by doing the right thing. But I think that both young women want to do what’s best for other people, they’re just confused and conflicted about what that is. Hopefully we’ll learn more about what’s driving MR in future episodes.
ReplyDeleteI want to give a strong plug to. We Are All Trying Here. This show is competing in its timeslot on South Korea, broadcast television with Perfect Crown and Phantom Lawyer, all good shows! And with Perfect Crown, there’s the risk of inadvertently running across spoilers because of the publicity efforts behind it.
I think each of the three shows has strong chances to make it into award season next year, but my money is firmly on We are all trying here, written by the same writer as my mister, with a strong performance so far by Go Young neon, who is also in Can This Love Be Translated. It’s an unglamorous role and so far she’s playing it expertly, highly recommend.
Ellen,
DeleteWe Are All Trying Here was probably my most anticipated drama thanks to the writer.
But, I chose not to start it, because after fnishing "You And Everything Else" I needed something light. I will certainly get to it. Glad to hear you are liking it.
I am halfway through "Can This Love Be Translated?", and I am enjoying it way more than I thought. Although E6 was a bit disappointing.
I am really liking Go Youn Jung in it. By the way, how is it possible that she is 30 years old? She looks like she just finished high school lol.
I am surely in minority, but not interested in Perfect Crown at all. Not for me.
Phantom Lawyer is on the maybe list.
Seven Seas, I'll be curious to hear what you think of Can This Love be Translated. I thought it was an odd series for a number of reasons, particularly how its seemed to be a totally different show halfway through.
DeleteAnd we all know you have no interest in Perfect Crown - because you hate IU! She can't act or sing and she is ugly, right! She's worse than award shows! ;-p Of course I kid, but I find it interesting that we agree on so many K Drama things, but you are not a big IU fan. To each their own.....
Malcolm,
DeleteRe-Perfect Crown...Hahahaha.
You see, you are totally right that our favourite dramas have a great deal of overlap. Actually, in 2025 you and I had identical ranking of the top 3 if I recall correctly.
But, you seem to have higher tolerance for trashy series lol (running for cover).
Ok, jokes aside. I do like IU, and I think she is a good actress (her performance in "My Mister" was fantastic. She conveyed SO much with her eyes) . I just don't think she is great one.
But, the reason I am not interested is actually the story itself. I will leave it at that.
I finished 8 episodes of Can this love be translated. I am not liking this new direction at all, but not to the extent it is putting me completely off. In a strange way, that theme has certain overlap with Our Unwritten Seoul. It is just done much worse, and in a jarring way.
I just want to make it clear that I don't think Perfect Crown is trashy. I haven't seen it.
DeleteBut the story doesn't appeal to me.
I'm also leaving We Are All Trying Here for a later date, but it is definitely on my 'list'.
ReplyDeleteAnother good episode with lots to discuss.
ReplyDeleteI’ll start with one other plot line that requires some suspension of disbelief, which is Miji’s track injury. I find it hard to believe that a healthy and fit teenager could suffer such a carer injury in just running straight. Even if she broke bones (unlikely) or tore all of her ligaments (also unlikely), someone that young should be able to recover from that injury and at least attempt a comeback. The fact that she rushed her recovery lends some credibility to the story, but no adult should have allowed her to do that. But it works for the story. I guess it beats getting hit by a white truck of death!
MiJi shutting Ho Soo by telling him he’s so self-absorbed is brutal! It seems she like she can use that line to shut him down on any issue. It kind of reminds me of when I’m debating something with my female friends and they accuse me of mansplaining and then I’m not able to say ANYTHING!
Some more legal commentary…. Saying winning is the most important thing is the most unrealistic thing to say in the legal field. Generally speaking, even most trial attorneys (which is just a small fraction of overall attorneys) rarely get a chance to “win” at trial. 99% plus of all lawsuits (civil and criminal) settle and do not go to trial. And there’s a saying that a good settlement is one in which neither party is happy. Most lawyers spend their whole carers attempting to avoid litigation and going to trial. As for why Ho Soo is so intent on working for his boss, that’s head scratcher. I don’t know why he would jump at the chance to work on the firm’s pro bono team. Seems a much better fit for him. He would retain his big firm salary and prestige and get to work on meaningful cases he believes in. Granted the pro bono attorneys are often not as well compensated or able to advance in big firms (because they are not making money for everyone else in the firm), but it’s still a pretty comfortable position.
And Joanna, you are right that attorneys generally do work for one type of clients. If you do real estate law, you typically only represent landlords or tenants. If you do insurance law, you typically either represent insurance companies or insureds. This not some much because of specializing in one side or another, because if you understand one side you necessarily have to understand the other. It’s generally to prevent conflicts – either real or perceived. For example, many insurance companies do not want to work with attorneys who have previously or currently represent insureds, although many attorneys switch for representing insurance companies to insureds. But they often have a tough time switching back if they want to.
As for Miss Rosa and her holding out, I’m a bit surprised the government isn’t able to use eminent domain. It is true that eminent domain has traditionally not been able to be used in private developments, but even that is changing in the US if the private development can be shown to provide a public good. Also, I bet eminent domain laws in Korea provide less protection for property owners. The fact that this is state corporation also leads me to believe they might rely on eminent domain. The US does have a pretty interesting history of real estate hold outs – particularly in New York City. Here’s a link to famous holdouts, with PJ Clarke’s probably being the most famous:
https://www.untappedcities.com/10-nyc-architectural-holdouts-buildings-that-stood-in-the-way-of-development/
Hi Malcolm, it was Mirae who told/reminded Miji to use the 'self-absorbed' line, wasn't it? I wonder which sister used it in the past, maybe Mirae, so its very much identifed with her?
ReplyDeleteI think Mirae's childhood illness is the key to her motivation, somehow. Both Mirae and Hosu seem like they have something to prove, which is pushing them in a certain direction, away from their best instincts.
Miji just seems lost.
Yes. I think you are right. It's a good lie. It really shut him up. Of course I think he still knows its MiJi, he just doesn't want to confront her about it!
Delete*line
DeleteAgreed. :)
ReplyDelete