Guest host Ernabel Demillo joins us once again to share her insights on episode 12, discusses her Emmy-winning Asian American Life, and tells us about attending the Korean American Community Foundation gala featuring the singers behind KPop Demon Hunters.
The songs we featured during the recap:
I Love You Grandma by Lee So Young
Our Tomorrow by Nam Hye Seung and Cho Mira
Come Back Home by Nam Hye Seung and Park Sang Hee
Why Korean drama OSTs are so memorable, how they're created specifically for each series, and how Korea's entertainment industry makes drama soundtracks an integral part of the storytelling.
Why the finale feels so satisfying, with nearly every major character finding healing, purpose, and a hopeful new beginning instead of relying on last-minute twists.
Ho Su and Mi Ji's relationship reaches a new stage as they exchange couple's rings, introduce each other to their mothers, and quietly begin planning a future together.
Mi Rae's decision to leave corporate life behind to run the strawberry farm, why that choice represents healing rather than giving up, and Se Jin's patient support as they follow separate paths before finding each other again.
The redemption of Hyeon Sang Wol, who finally learns to read, discovers Kim Rosa's heartfelt poems for herself, and comes full circle by giving a poetry reading.
The legal consequences facing Park Sang Yeong and the moral complexities surrounding Lee Chung Gu's decision to personally represent Mi Rae.
The emotional portrayal of the grandmother's final days, the family's decision to bring her home, and a thoughtful discussion about end-of-life care, advance directives, and letting loved ones go peacefully.
The mothers' remarkable growth, as Ok Hui finally embraces her own dreams of becoming an artist while Bun Hong and Ok Hui move beyond years of misunderstanding to become genuine friends.
What we're watching now, including My Royal Nemesis, Something in the Rain, We Are All Trying Here, You and Everything Else, Admiral: Roaring Currents, and a preview of next week's K Drama 101 special with Malcolm Reilly.
References
The Science of Sweetness: What Brix Value Reveals About Your Crops | MyLand
House That Wouldn’t Budge (or Float Away) Faces a Last Stand
Compilation of Rental Housing Types in Korea K-Culture - 우리통신(영어)
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 beautiful ladies. I just wrote a whole big long comment and tried to publish it but it disappeared. Just wanted to let you know I had started listening to your podcast about a month ago and emailed with Joanna once. I started re-watching Our Unwritten Seoul Episode eight and then continue to watch it one episode at a time while waiting for your podcast to come out. I loved it just as much as the second time as the first time but you brought such insight and details that I loved and I feel like I learned so much. I admit to wishing that.Ho Su and MiJi would have gotten married and then continued to pursue their dreams and Face hardship. But I’m sure that has something to do with the fact that I’m 66 and I feel like marriage is such a secure wonderful thing. I agree I didn’t like the way he left the ring in her pajama Drawer. I am also listening to your very first season because I went back to start watching Hotel Del Luna again. I had only gotten through the first two episodes a couple years ago and didn’t really feel like I liked it that much. I was very much into the romcom at the time. I’m also listening to the season with Mr. sunshine while not re-watching. I’m just listening to your podcast because it is pretty recent for me and I love all of the insight that you have given me to that show. Needless to say, I just wanted to thank you both and tell you that I love you both and I hope to meet you someday. Never stop your podcast! Love and hugs.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Natalie! I want to put in a plug for Farm Guy, aka Han Se-jin. I just loved this guy from the get-go, and was so happy when he showed back up in the final show, Mi-rae would be wise to say yes to pretty much anything he asked. A man who values and cares for the real you, what more could any girl want?
ReplyDeleteOn Mi-rae’s blog ambitions, my impression is that she won some money from the harassment suit plus some severance maybe from the job. This would give her the chance to try out some of her own investment theories, with coaching from Se-Jin, and then write about it. I would read that blog!
I just loved the show and I’m so grateful to Joanna and Sung hee for selecting it. Most of the time I completely forgot that one actress played both parts. Also, the suspense on what the show is for next season will drive me crazy!
Welcome, Natalie! I found this podcast while enjoying the k-drama "Gyeongseong Creature," and realizing I was probably missing a LOT of context and historical background. I absolutely LOVED the experience of watching an episode and then listening to the excellent corresponding podcast coverage -- it really enhanced my enjoyment of k-dramas (a new pleasure for me), particularly as NONE of my friends or coworkers are k-drama fans, and I was hungry for more chatter and discussion about them.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I was doing chores and listening to the podcast, and I literally LOL when Sung Hee quipped to Joanna "so you were crying your way to bingo?" Haha. Actually, I can imagine this as a future k-drama show: "Crying Your Way to Bingo." I'd watch!
I think "Our Unwritten Seoul" is my favorite k-drama -- I'm less interested in the "romance" parts of these shows (which often adhere to a particular formula), and instead have been drawn into all the rest -- the much deeper stuff: what is means to be human, a friend, a parent, a son or daughter, how we communicate with each other, how we (hopefully) grow and learn despite our wounds and experiences, etc. This show had it all, and the writing and performances were simply spectacular.
I also love the theme song, which I've had on repeat. It's so catchy, I listen to it and sing along in the car or shower. Unfortunately, as it's in two languages, I'm basically singing:
"You're driving alone at night, you're driving alone at night,
Mmm hmm la da da, Mmm hmm la da da...
We're on the train! Mmm hmm la da la da hmm bla da! (etc.)"
But I give it everything I've got (especially the emotionally stirring "we're on the train!" section), and I think that's the important thing here.
I love that song, too, Jeff! I wish I could learn Korean to sing along to all my favourites. (Maybe I should try.)
DeleteI love the OST element of the podcast. So many gorgeous songs, and so many of the cast members are great singers as well.
Last week I was watching an Arirang Radio interview with two stars of the latest Dream High musical run. I wad very familiar with one actor/idol, but was sure I'd never seen the other. And yet, he seemed familiar...
Searched his name (Yoo Youngjae, I think it was) and it turns out he was the clueless, friendly young nobleman in Mr Queen!
I totally agree with you Jeff, this k drama is just amazing, so profound and it even improves on rewatching.It turned out to be my favourite show of 2025! The OST is just wonderful and the title song is so catchy.I often find myself singing along in the exactly same way ...
DeleteSung Hee and Joanna, thank you sooo much for k drama chat. I love, love, love it so very much and find myself eagerly waiting for the next instalment every Friday.I've been listening to k drama chat since ' Queen of Tears' .I only skipped the zombies and have since watched all the shows you had ever discussed. Your selection of shows is exquisite and I will certainly listen to the next season,.
ReplyDeleteI would have liked to suggest my most anticipated show of 2026'The Scandal' with Son Ye -jin, Ji Chang- wook and Nana. It's an eight episode historical drama. But it has not yet been dropped on Netflix...
Instead I put forward ' Twinkling Watermelon' It's timetravel and there is a lot to deep dive in.
Thank you everyone, for sharing Our Unwritten Seoul with us. I loved rewatching and reviewing this show and I'm so glad we did it. Jeff, I love that you sing the theme song, as much as you can. You've got the spirit of it for sure.
ReplyDeleteAnd welcome, Natalie, to the discussion. We're so glad to have you join us and we hope to hear more from you in the future as well. This has been such a friendly and lively group to discuss our favorite Kdramas.
I'm intrigued by the upcoming show Scandal as well. Son Ye Jin and Ji Chang Wook! Wow!
*Welcome back Ernie. I totally agree with you that the back story of Kim-Rosa and Sangwool would make a very good series. By the way, I have watched your episode on Mamdani. I won't lie, or be hypocrite and say that I watch all your episodes, but I tend to scan the channel and I watch some stuff from time to time.
ReplyDelete*OST: I am approaching 80 Kdramas (excluding dropped ones), but I am afraid I haven't been converted. I am just as indifferent to OST as when I started. I actually was very surprised when I learnt few years ago that this a big thing. To me, they are just songs playing in the background (often they annoy me, and I can't wait for them to end). Some songs catch my attention but that is very rare.
The only exception is My Mister. That is the only OST I really liked. The Red Sleeve also had lots of songs that I liked.
I do like many Korean songs, but they are old ones.
*My final thoughts on the series is that it was really good, I enjoyed it, and it featured in my top 10 list of last year, but I am afraid I am not as enthusiastic about it as many here. To me it lacked that X factor that elevate it to an all times favourite. The lasting memory is PBG fantastic acting.
Most anticipated drama of second half: Tantara (same writer of Our Blues). A historic view on the entertainment industry.
Yesterday I started Reactivated Agent Kim on Netflix. It’s good so far! Lots of action and suspense, some humor and a good ML. I’m going to keep watching, and recommend a try.
ReplyDeleteDelighted to have rewatched OUS along with Kdrama Chat. The 'what next' conversation prompted me to rewatch Under the Queen's Umbrella again, which was even more emotional for me this time around.
ReplyDeleteI've dipped into Can this Love Be Translated? and am finding it interesting if not compelling. Also starting Season 2 of the dating show Better Late Than Single, which is one of the few Korean shows that my husband really enjoys. (Can't stand these staged reality shows in general, but this is watchable for me.)
Yay! Ernie is back. Always love when she joins. I’m late to posting, but wanted to add my two cents!
ReplyDeleteThis was a decent final episode as final episodes go. Everything was pretty munch wrapped up and we see where all of our characters are going with their life.
I loved Ernie’s excuse for asking her daughter’s boyfriend too many questions. “I’m not nosy, I’m a journalist!”
As for Lee Chung Gu representing Mi Rae, that makes absolutely no sense! As a former client, the company could have totally had him removed from the case. Never would happen. Maybe this was to give him some redemption arc or something, but I didn’t care for it.
Thank you, Ernie, for pointing out how little space you will get for your money for an apartment in New York. After living in Manhattan for over 15 years, I know anywhere I go will seem spacious by comparison – except maybe Seoul!
I will have to check out The Admiral: Roaring Currents. Sung-hee really seems to enjoy films/shows where the Japanese invaders get their comeuppance!! Joanna, no so much….. I wonder why?! 😉
Thanks for another great season ladies!