Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 7 of Our Unwritten Seoul, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Park Bo Young as Yoo Mi Ji and Yoo Mi Rae, and Jin Young as Lee Ho Su. We also discuss Jang Young Nam, who plays Kim Ok Hui, and Kim Sun Young, who plays Yeom Bun Hong.
We discuss:
The songs featured during the recap: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Nam Hye Seung and Park Sang Hee, and The Long Wait by Nam Hye Seung and Cho Mira.
How Mi Rae’s childhood illnesses led her to imagine herself as a tree with thick bark, creating a powerful metaphor for the emotional defenses that protect us but also keep us trapped.
Mi Rae’s growing connection with Han Se Jin and the way he challenges her belief that enduring hardship is the only path available to her.
The revelation that Mi Rae dropped her sexual harassment complaint because she feared the impact on her family and on Ho Su.
Se Jin’s heartbreaking story about missing his grandfather’s final phone calls and the guilt that led him to abandon finance for the strawberry farm.
The mystery surrounding Kim Rosa, Hyeon Sang Wol, and the surprising discoveries Lee Chung Gu uncovers while investigating her history.
The escalating tension between Kim Ok Hui and Yeom Bun Hong, and how their lifelong insecurities and misunderstandings finally come to the surface
Gyeong Gu’s emergence as the episode’s MVP, offering blunt but insightful advice about love, timing, and taking risks.
The episode’s central message that there is no such thing as perfect timing, and that waiting for ideal conditions often becomes an excuse for avoiding difficult choices.
Ho Su’s long-awaited confession to Mi Ji and the emotional payoff of a relationship built on years of friendship, misunderstandings, and devotion.
The careers and backgrounds of Jang Young Nam and Kim Sun Young, two acclaimed actresses known for memorable performances across many beloved Korean dramas, plus what we’re currently watching and our thoughts on the recent controversy surrounding Perfect Crown.
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.
Hello everyone, Gyeong Gu is the VIP for this episode. I adore the friendship between him and Miji, how comfortable they are with each other. This episode is rich with meaningful dialogues. I love when a series doubles as a good book with beautiful lines. Park Bo Young deserves that Baeksang win with how complicated these roles have become.
ReplyDeleteSung Hee, I think I should start You and Everything Else based on your recommendation. I have that and The Dream Life of Mr. Kim on my next to watch list from their recent Baeksang wins. My Royal Nemesis is still ongoing so that can wait, I will binge the series later.
Okay, my turn to be clueless. Was there a scene early on that showed Hosu's mum could tell the twins' apart? And, if so, is she pretending she doesn't know who's who at this point?
ReplyDeleteKdramachatters have mentioned this a few times, but I can't see evidence for the theory that she's in on the swap.
Doremi, there's a scene where Mi Rae is looking at photo of Ho Su with one of the sisters. Mi Rae asks who it is and gets it wrong. Bun Hong says she could always tell the sisters apart. And at one point, Ok Hui laments that Bun Hong could tell her girls apart, while she couldn't.
DeleteThe high school graduation photo? Where Mirae is pretending to be Miji? I totally misinterpreted that scene then. I thought Bun Hong was fooled by the swap and Mirae was checking that that was the case. There was an extra layer that I missed!
DeleteDoremi, we talk about this in episode 14.9! I asked Sung Hee about it and she explains why we think Bun Heong can tell the girls apart!
DeleteThank you!
DeleteHello K drama chat community! I just couldn’t hold my tongue when it comes to Perfect Crown, so here are my two cents. As you may know, the controversy led to a petition filed with the Korean National Assembly. I understand where the controversy comes from, but it shouldn’t go as far as the complete removal of the show from all platforms. Yes, Historical inaccuracies happened but removing it doesn’t solve the problem of ignoring historical details and failing to bring in experts to verify them just to prioritize gorgeous sets and actors. Out of sight, out of mind. People will eventually forget what happened and the same mistake will be repeated in the future. Instead, keep the show online with necessary corrections and tell people there was a mistake made by the production team and what it was. Transparency is the only way to show respect and commitment to both the general public and all the contributors to the show. I love Perfect Crown after all!
ReplyDeleteHi Akiko
DeleteI remember that Mr Sunshine was also heavily criticised for historical inaccuracies.
It is illuminating as a Western viewer to see how distressing the errors are to Korean audiences. It's something that would get an eyeroll from viewers in an equivalent Western drama, but I can see that Koreans take their history much more seriously and personally. For good reason, of course, as their national independence and right to protest were so recent and hard-won.
I am actually rewatching Mr. Sunshine with my sister and I see all kinds of inaccuracies. The PC controversy is ridiculous. First of all, there is no back story as to how South Korea - or is it all of Korea - remained a monarchy. So criticism of a fictional world is pretty ridiculous. But what's more ridiculous is blaming the actors! It's not IU's job to confirm everything is historically accurate!
DeleteI positively, absolutely loved Perfect Crown. Yes, it could have been longer, with more back stories, but as a seasoned K Drama watcher, I filled in the blanks. I loved the chemistry between the leads, loved the supporting characters, loved the clothing, loved the palace scenes, loved it all. Every single K Drama has ridiculous aspects to it, and with this one, I just sat back, watched, and enjoyed it all.
DeleteIt's ridiculous that the actors are taking the blame. It's their job to get dressed up in the clothing given to them, deliver their lines, and make us feel like they truly are their characters. I thought they were brilliant. And the OST is amazing!
Akiko, thank you for your perspective. Yes, keep the show online and let's all learn from it. I never, ever would have considered that the number of rows of beads was so significant, or that the chant was important. But now we all do! Terrific!
This seems like the perfect AI job for Perfect Crown. The main objections seem to be the headdress and the chant representing vassal statehood to China vs Joseon independence. Couldn’t those things be corrected using AI tools? Just asking…
ReplyDeleteYes, they can be corrected with AI! Great idea! We're seeing people "correct" shows with AI, like the guy who "fixed" Game of Thrones. Love it!
Delete