The songs we featured during the recap: In You by Isaac Hong and Someone’s Mother, Someone’s Daughter by Nam Hye Seung and Park Sang Hee
Mi-ji teaching Ho-soo how to crochet as “meditation with your hands” and the idea of calming the mind through repetitive, creative work
A deep conversation about identity and self-worth—how losing a job or status can make someone feel like they’ve lost themselves
The impact of hearing what others say about you behind your back, and how both sisters confront uncomfortable truths
Mi-ji’s devastating history of depression and isolation, including the symbolic “cocoon” metaphor from her grandmother
The powerful message: “anything you do to survive is brave,” and the idea that survival itself is an achievement
The trauma surrounding Mi-ji’s grandmother’s stroke and how guilt, panic attacks, and memory shape her present actions
The exploration of parental relationships, including whether shielding parents from worry is kindness or distance
The concept of “true names” and identity—how living under someone else’s name changes perception, behavior, and self-understanding
The life and career of veteran actress Won Mi Kyung, who plays Kim Rosa, and her legacy in Korean film and television
What we’re watching now, including thoughts on Encounter, Perfect Crown, and The Pitt
References
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.
Yes, 'handicrafts as therapy' for Male Leads is back! I've now seen it in three Kdramas: Our Unwritten Seoul, Start-up and True Beauty, where the ML knitted a perfect woolly scarf, worn by the FL for the 'romantic date montage' episode. Is 3 times enough for it to be an official element?
ReplyDeleteHand-made things, including clothes, soft furnishings and home-cooked meals, appear as a sign of authenticity and comfort in Kdramas. They contrast with the heavily featured high-end clothes, sleek interiors and delivered/catered food. (Those things aren't bad in themselves, but they don't have the same comforting vibe as their homemade counterparts.)
A thought I had upon watching this episode, that I don’t recall having the first time around, is that maybe Ho-soo really knows that Mi-ji is pretending to be Mi-rae - or at least seriously suspects it and is acting accordingly. (This is not a spoiler because I have come down with Sung-hee syndrome and do not remember the specific outcome here). I feel like the way he talks to her and protects her makes it seem like he really knows. Plus, Mi-ji is doing a really terrible job of acting like Mi-rae. Maybe it’s just my imagination? Maybe the writer intended this? It’s just a thought. I also think Ho-soo’s mom knows….
ReplyDeleteI think men knitting or crocheting might be new K Drama element! You know what is a K Drama element that is not on your list? Going to the rooftop! Rooftops seem to be so easily accessible in Seoul! Even at hospitals, which does not seem ideal!
I suppose Ho-soo could have been blacklisted from other prominent firms, but if he’s a good attorney I would think he would find a good job eventually – even if its not at as prestigious a firm. The blacklisting reminded me of when our lovely Shin Min-na was blacklisted as a dentist in Home town Cha Cha Cha!
I am going to have to take issue with you including a confession as a K Drama element in this episode. I don’t think it qualifies as a confession unless you confess to the person you like. Of course, if Ho-soo knows its really Mi-ji, it is a confession! See Para. 1 supra. 😉
Sung-hee I was also thinking about how prevalent car accidents are in K Dramas and thought there is no way they are that high in South Korea. And of course I looked it up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-related_death_rateSouth
Korea has 4.9 traffic fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants, which makes it ranked 32nd worldwide. The US has 14.2 which pus it at 111th! I think you are correct in that there probably were a lot more car accidents when South Korea was a developing nation with less safe cars and traffic infrastructure.
Finally, that whole scene with Mi-ji locked in her room and her mom struggling to get her out was amazing acting. Park Bo-young was fantastic. And can we talk about my girl Jang Young-nam! ❤
OK. That’s it for now. Gotta make a call and see if I can get someone to say they love me in under a minute!
Malcolm,
DeleteRooftops are 100% an element. It is a wonder none of us mentioned it before.
Neither sister is doing a good job of being the other. They are not even trying to act like the other. I will stop here before going on another lengthy rant.
That said, Park Bo-young is excellent.
It is hard to tell whether Ho-soo, or his Mom know, but they are playing along, or genuinely don't know. *Long sigh* I don't want to rant again about that switching.
But, I supose the message conveyed here, regardless whether the Mom knows or not is in the voice over by Mi-rae. She wanted to hear that. btw, I love the actress who plays the Mom. She is such a nice Mom. Memorable role in Reply1988.
I couldn't find a definite answer on percentage of men knitting, but it was around the 5%. Personally, I have never met a man who knits (unless they are doing it in secret).
I've known one, a long time ago. A thirtysomething dentist, who knitted stuff for his small children. Otherwise it's girls and women. I still have my grandma's crotcheted blanket, and use it every winter.
DeleteAargh, stupid double posts! Apologies, all.
DeleteAgree about rooftops being an element, Malcolm. Rooftops are for:
ReplyDeletecosy moments outside the flat of a 'poor' ML or FL,
hanging washing,
smoking (or more accurately 'almost smoking, but never actually lighting up'),
private conversations,
escaping from attackers,
being beaten up by school bullies,
etc, etc.
I looked up that list of traffic accident incidence. Eye-opening! I believe SK's stats have improved since seatbelt use was mandated. (Which is good considering the apparently high incidence of dreadful truck drivers, reckless motorcycle delivery drivers and u-turning-at-speed Male Leads!)
I just returned from my first overseas trip (2 weeks in Vietnam - amazing!) and missed y'all here on this lovely blog. I'm almost caught up on this very enjoyable and moving k-drama, and will doubtless soon be adding a few thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great group. Sometimes I wish I could add "likes" or LOL's to some of your comments, as they often DO make me laugh out loud or think "that's an interesting point..." Please imagine I'm doing so, for each and every post and person that takes the time to share their thoughts and feelings here.
Welcome back Jeff.
Delete👍
DeleteAgree with Malcolm on the powerful acting in the break the lock scene. MJ/MR mother is a complete character - not evil, not a saint, and Jang Young-Nam is good. She was also really good in "It's OK to Not Be OK". When I first saw the scene I was thinking "3 years? I would have broken in after a month." But I had forgotten about hikikomori which Sung-Hee helpfully brought up in the podcast. It's more common in men than women, and from what I gather more common in Japan vs. Korea, but it makes sense. The grandmother's approach was more effective I would guess.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm watching - thanks Ellen for the heads up on "We're All Trying Here". I'm only one episode in. There do seem to be some echoes of "My Liberation Notes" more than "My Mister", but maybe I shouldn't have known that the writer was the same because I was thinking about that. I'm intrigued to see where show goes. Otherwise what I'm listening to - audiobooks on my walks, and really struck by "Skinship" by Yoon Choi. It's a collection of short stories with a focus on the Korean American experience. Very well written, complex relationships, and the audio performances are really good.
SDGuy, I’m six episodes in, and we’ve reached a definite midpoint. I’ll warn that it’s pretty dark getting here, but that was the pattern with My Mister also. if I were to propose a themed to typify this writer’s work, It would be people need people. The shows start off with an ensemble cast of troubled people who are connected with in some way. They are each isolated in their own difficulties, but somehow help each other out.
Delete"People need people." Love that, Ellen.
DeleteSo sorry for my absence! I'm working on the book! The book that is not at all related to K Dramas, but that I hope you all will buy anyway when it comes out. Haha!
ReplyDeleteI have missed you all. Jeff, welcome back. Doremi, I will clean up the duplicated posts this weekend.
SDGuy, I have looked and looked and can't find a way to add code to support likes on individual comments. There is a way to add emojis to the entire post, but not individual comments. I will keep looking. I've thought about moving this blog to WordPress, but I'm not ready for that migration effort and I would lose all the comments, so we're staying put.
Malcolm, you are so right about rooftop scenes. I think we sort of have them in historical as well, when a character goes out on some palace verandah, I think that counts as a rooftop scene. I'll speak with Sung Hee.
I think the point of the sisters switching is to protect Mi Rae from her evil co workers who don't seem the wiser. So the charade is working in that respect. But boy is everyone else confused!
Park Bo Young is at her best in this show. Wow, just wow!