K-Drama recommendations

[boatyardblues]

A K-drama thread was suggested on the Netflix subtitled gems thread so we can discuss in more depth without swamping the other thread. There are a lot of Korean films & boxsets on Netflix and I’m discovering the quality is variable, so I thought this would be a goid place to swap recommendations (and ‘avoids’). So far, I have hugely enjoyed:

• Something in the Rain
• Mr Sunshine (new episodes still dropping weekly)
• Live

Would also love to hear how closely these dramas represent real life in Korea from anyone who has lived there. Its fascinating learning about another culture.

Hi Filmbuffmum

I'd think it'd be great if you're learning Korean. I don't know how their ratings work, but there is generally very little sex, some random violence although it tends to be different. They use martial arts rather than fistfights and blur out knives, not many guns in evidence.

There's a show on Netflix called Busted, it's rated 15 but I don't know why as it is a Cluedo celebrity challenge thing, but I haven't watched it all.

On Viki they have a learn mode where you can have English subs up at the same time as Korean.

Dammit boatyardblues I am now eyeing up Strongest Deliveryman as it looks fun....

I watched the first 40 mins of Strongest Delivery Man. He looks lovely with floppy hair, but I agree Jung-Suk Jo wins - he comes across as someone with a quirky sense of humour. He’s certainly not afraid to look daft in the stuff I’ve seen.

It's the hat or glasses quandary, to borrow from DDTD. Both perfectly nice but if you picked up the hat & then realised the glasses belonged to Jo Jung-Suk you'd be gutted.

I don’t know. I like a tall, broad chap. I’d be happy with hat or glasses, but glasses would probably make me laugh more in the long run.

The last is a reference from I Hear Your Voice. Suppose could add Dong-Mae's swords.

Oh yes, Yoon Yeon-Seok gets a special mention. It’s a shame his character in Reply 1997 was so under-developed. He is a decent actor.

Hey again! I fell completely off the thread because life got chaotic! I'm about to start watching part time idol, as I love a easy cheese fest!
I'm still mourning the loss of dramafever but thankfully got a full refund, but now have nowhere to watch kimchi family which was my all time favourite food one!

Good to have you back Seadays and good news about the refund.

Good news on the refund seadays! Shame about Kimchi Family, would it be on Youtube? I looked on Viki but it's restricted access.

Upthread I mentioned Hell Joseon which I've come across, do you know anymore about that? It's also mentioned in Strongest Deliveryman but I only read the synopsis, watched for 20 mins but it didn't grab me.

I thought, I'll watch a bit of Rooftop Prince, it's not got any of my favourites in so I won't get hooked. Ooops.....

They will of been complaining about Korea, like the society but what about it depends on the context, the nearest kind of equivalent phrase I can thing and its not really a phrase, is kind of shithole UK or not so great Britain, like a 20 something being like school to 18, 9k student fees and now I can't get a decent job, thanks not so great Britain. It can be used about anything though really like complaining about the country about rude people, bad government, low salary, the expectations, everything really!

Thanks Seadays, I follow someone on Instagram who mentioned 'this Hell' which sounded bleak but makes sense in the context you have given.

There's a thought amongst some younger people that kind of everything is better abroad and I kind of get it, but can't really comment as I'm living in the UK! as the hours and stress are insane from really young, but the grass is always greener and all that.
When I asked about (ignore all the black squiggles I was in the middle of another convo when I asked her, her thoughts on it) she brought up Australia

Does everyone want to go to Australia? I guess life is not all like the dramas, but I’ve noticed a few dramas that seem to reflect it more now.

Not just Australia, although it's popular among uni aged kids to go for a working holiday, but just kind of UK, USA are seen as (among some) a bit of a chiller, more comfortable life.

Ah ok, I guess it depends also what stage of life you are at. It might be seen as there are more opportunities abroad when you are young. In Live it was shown very clearly how difficult it can be to get a job - obv. still just a drama not real life. Also I have no idea about how the welfare system or lack of works there.

It may be the copious amounts of red wine I am quaffing but I am thoroughly enjoying the bonkersness that is Rooftop Prince

I am still recapping all the good bits of DDTD. There are so many good bits, it’s taking a while. OTOH, I have decided I am definitively on the Jo Jung-Suk camp. He is one sexy bastard.

Is Rooftop Prince on Netflix?

Well I’m glad that’s resolved. I honestly don’t see how there can be any other choice. Especially after that scene in the changing room.

I’m watching Rooftop Prince on Viki but it’s on Netflix too. I think I prefer the subtitles on Viki. It’s a different kettle of fish from DDTD but that means I can stop & go do stuff ( although I’ve just watched 3 eps in a row)

Kyung-Pyo Go has a slight Keanu Reeves vibe, although I might be being unfair.

Watching DDTD again, I am struck by the warmth and affection in Hwa-Sin and Jeong-Won’s friendship. There’s the bit where Jeong-Won gets into bed with Hwa-Sin and hugs him after his brother has died. The episode I was watching last night had the scene where they got really drunk on soju outside Granny’s Market on Jeong-Won’s birthday and he was kissing Hwa-Sin on the cheek, mainly to wind him up, but I can’t imagine seeing that in a Western drama. I have also seen similar warmth and emotional vulnerability in the male relationships in other dramas including Live and Suspicious Partner.

There does seem to be a lot of male physical closeness, between friends at least. I’ve noticed it and wondered if some of it stems from the closer living arrangements eg sharing sleeping mats & all being close in one room.

Oh yes, in Reply 1997, which os set in a boarding house with mainly university student residents, two young men share a double mat/quilt - they start off as complete strangers but become best friends.

The Korean novel I’m reading talks at various points about the sleeping arrangements of various household configurations over the years (it spans 3-4 generations and the Japanese occupation in Korean and then the war years in a Korean ghetto in Osaka) and sharing rooms and sleeping mats is standard.