It's Linda's final episode! Judy and Linda are tearing apart episodes 15-16 of "Because This Is My First Life" (이번 생은 처음이라), a TVN Korean drama starring Jung SoMin and Lee MinKi.
Judy is supremely annoyed that Jiho (Jung SoMin) is blabbering about everything to everyone except for supposedly the most important person in her life: Sehee (Lee MinKi). Linda is incensed at Jiho for destroying Sehee's heart and then smugly lording it over him. Our counterthesis to the drama is that the institution of marriage may not be perfect, but what Jiho and Sehee are doing seems to be a holier-than-thou calculation of give and take rather than an actual relationship.
Why did the writers break our hearts? Maybe we should be looking at our own star pockets to reminisce about when we loved this drama.
Some Korean terms:
조건: [joh-geon] requirement; prerequisite.
어떡하지? 보고싶다: [uh-ddeok-ha-ji? boh-goh-sip-da] "What do I do? I miss her."
무뚝뚝한 경상도 남자: [moo-ddook-ddook-han gyeong-sang-do nam-ja] terse man from Gyeonsang province.
찜질방: [jjim-jil-bang] Korean facility with saunas; nice ones have bath facilities, karaoke, internet cafe, movie theatre, etc.
인사동: [in-sa-dong] neighbourhood in central Seoul near the palaces.
게장: [geh-jang] marinated crab dish.
정: [jeong] affection.
K-Drama My Eyes Out will be taking a short break for the rest of January and will be back with our new host, Teresa! Click here to listen to a Boardgame and Geek Out episode with her as a special guest.
We'll miss you, Linda! Stay safe in Korea and for the heaven's sake, figure out the bankbook situation!
Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook and Twitter (@kdramamyeyesout) or e-mail us (kdramamyeyesout(at)gmail.com).
Download this and other episodes and while you're there, write us a review:
The KDMEO theme music is 'Cute', by Bensound (www.bensound.com), and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives 4.0 International.
Judy and Linda laud episodes 13-14 of "Because This Is My First Life" (이번 생은 처음이라) for managing to avoid the dreaded Penultimate Week Syndrome! This TVN Korean drama stars Jung SoMin and Lee MinKi.
Judy and Linda suspect that the drama writers don’t actually understand Doris Lessing's novel, "To Room Nineteen". This will only become more apparent next week when we talk about episodes 15-16. Judy and Linda have such a big girl-crush on Jungmin (Lee ChungAh) that they almost want Jiho (Jung SoMin) to fall in love with her instead of Sehee (Lee MinKi).
Digressions:
1:09 - Judy tried Korean health supplements.
3:53 - "Once Upon A Time" musical episode
5:46 - Judy watched "Go Back Couple", a recent KBS drama.
47:43 - Pun time!
Some Korean terms:
홍삼: [hong-sam] red ginseng.
효녀: [hyo-nyeoh] dutiful daughter.
냄새: [nem-seh] smell.
향기: [hyang-gi] fragrance.
오무라이스: [oh-moo-ra-ee-seu] Japanese fried rice with an omelet blanket.
파전: [pah-jeon] scallion pancake.
사우나: [sah-oo-na] sauna.
싸우나: [ssah-oo-na] informal inquisitive form of "to fight"; in short, "Do you fight?"
Next week is Linda's final episode, as she prepares to move to Korea for the next few years! Send her some love!
Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook and Twitter (@kdramamyeyesout) or e-mail us (kdramamyeyesout(at)gmail.com).
Download this and other episodes and while you're there, write us a review:
The KDMEO theme music is 'Cute', by Bensound (www.bensound.com), and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives 4.0 International.
Judy and Linda crave a little bit more from episodes 11-12 of "Because This Is My First Life" (이번 생은 처음이라), a TVN Korean drama starring Jung SoMin and Lee MinKi.
There has to be more of a build-up to Sehee's (Lee MinKi) sudden (?) romantic interest in Jiho (Jung SoMin). Surely, he doesn't get a sudden inspiration from making kimchi by the seaside? Judy is excited that Sooji (Esom) finally stands up to her disgusting work colleagues. Also, what's up with the strangely erotic introduction to Sehee's ex-wife (Lee ChungAh)?
Digressions:
1:15 - Judy watched episode 1 of TVN's "Black" starring Go Ara and Song SeungHun.
5:05 - Linda has been watching "Once Upon A Time". Please save her.
5:58 - Judy recommends "Miss Fisher's Mysteries".
16:59 - Fandom as an "older person"
20:04 - Why some Korean websites don't seem to work properly
Some Korean terms:
옥탑방: [ok-tap-bang] rooftop apartment.
성질: [seong-jil] temper.
남편: [nam-pyeon] husband.
남: [nam] stranger; anyone who's not a family member.
편: [pyeon] side.
외도: [weh-do] affair.
홍대: [hong-deh] short form for 홍익대학교 [hong-ik-deh-hak-gyo], HongIk University.
Audio Credits:
BTS – "I Need U"
BTS – "Fire"
Happy New Year! Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook and Twitter (@kdramamyeyesout) or e-mail us (kdramamyeyesout(at)gmail.com).
Download this and other episodes and while you're there, write us a review:
The KDMEO theme music is 'Cute', by Bensound (www.bensound.com), and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives 4.0 International.
Judy and Linda climb up Maslow's hierarchy of needs as they talk about episodes 9-10 of "Because This Is My First Life" (이번 생은 처음이라), a TVN Korean drama starring Jung SoMin and Lee MinKi.
Apparently every single character has facial blindness, because no one recognizes Boknam (Kim MinKyu), even though he was all over the place at Jiho (Jung SoMin) and Sehee's (Lee MinKi) wedding. Judy and Linda roll their eyes aggressively at the Smug Marrieds (Bam! Bridget Jones' Diary reference!) and also sympathize with Horang (Kim GaEun) for wanting to fit into "normal" society. Judy begins to question Sehee's appeal as a romantic partner.
Digressions:
31:54 - Pun time!
1:02:48 - Kimchi preparation
Some Korean terms:
곰탕: [gom-tang] beefbone soup.
곰: [gom] bear.
탕: [tang] bathtub.
방석집: [bang-seok-jip] literally "cushion house"; brothel.
사과: [sa-gwa] homonym for "apple" and "apology".
제사: [jeh-sa] death ritual.
Audio credits:
Kim Jongkook - "사랑스러워"
Happy holidays, everyone! Stay warm and safe this holiday season! Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook and Twitter (@kdramamyeyesout) or e-mail us (kdramamyeyesout(at)gmail.com).
Download this and other episodes and while you're there, write us a review:
The KDMEO theme music is 'Cute', by Bensound (www.bensound.com), and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives 4.0 International.
Judy and Linda are just brimming with PSAs after watching episodes 7-8 of "Because This Is My First Life" (이번 생은 처음이라), a TVN Korean drama starring Jung SoMin and Lee MinKi.
Judy and Linda wonder if Koreans don't have the concept of "stranger danger", since Jiho (Jung SoMin) is completely lacking in street smarts in these two episodes. Judy is puzzled by people constantly reiterating that Boknam (Kim MinKyu) is amazingly good looking. Linda is disturbed by Horang's (Kim GaEun) use of sexual withholding to manipulate Wonseok (Kim MinSuk) into proposing.
Digressions:
1:46 - Superpowers
36:21 - Pun time!
Some Korean terms:
과자: [gwa-ja] confectionary.
잠바: [jam-ba] jacket; Korean version of "jumper".
상남자: [sang-nam-ja] manly man.
알뜰하다: [al-ddeul-ha-da] frugal.
Audio credits:
Henry Jackman - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - "The Smithsonian"
BTS - "Go Go (고민보다 Go)"
The Who - "Won't Get Fooled Again"
Linda desperately needs something new to watch! Send us your recommendations! Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook and Twitter (@kdramamyeyesout) or e-mail us (kdramamyeyesout(at)gmail.com).
Download this and other episodes and while you're there, write us a review:
The KDMEO theme music is 'Cute', by Bensound (www.bensound.com), and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives 4.0 International.
Judy and Linda are excited (?!) by the fake wedding in episodes 5-6 of "Because This Is My First Life" (이번 생은 처음이라), a TVN Korean drama starring Jung SoMin and Lee MinKi.
As much as we enjoyed watching the events of these two episodes, we also cried quite a bit, mainly because of Jiho's mom (Kim SunYoung). And if we sound a bit downtrodden by Jiho (Jung SoMin) and her friends' unfortunate circumstances reflecting our own not-quite-perfect lives, well, we're allowed to feel sad sometimes, alright? Except for Sehee (Lee MinKi). Lucky emotionless bastard.
Judy had to google "snake stew" so that our listeners wouldn't have to, and it was a terrible mistake. Just know that it's supposedly good for stamina (especially for men, nudge nudge). It is illegal to hunt wild snakes for consumption, but legal for traditional medicine practitioners to use snakes as an ingredient.
Some Korean terms:
상견레: [sang-gyeon-leh] official meeting between in-laws to plan a wedding.
한식: [han-sik] traditional Korean cuisine.
얌전하다: [yam-jeon-ha-da] polite; demure.
싹싹하다: [ssak-ssak-ha-da]
취집: [chwee-jip] a blend word of "취직" [chwee-jik] meaning "employment" and "시집" [si-jip] meaning "marriage"; choosing marriage instead of a career; can be used in a derogatory way.
축의금: [chook-eui-geum] wedding gift money.
집주인: [jip-joo-in] landlord; literally "owner of house".
스펙: [seu-pek] shortened form of "specifications"; qualifications listed on a resume.
탄력있는: [tan-ryeok-it-neun] bouncy; resilient (material, not personality).
뱀탕: [bem-tang] snake stew.
우리: [oo-ri] we; us; our.
옥탑방: [ok-tap-bang] apartment built on a rooftop of a building.
Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook and Twitter (@kdramamyeyesout) or e-mail us (kdramamyeyesout(at)gmail.com).
Download this and other episodes and while you're there, write us a review:
The KDMEO theme music is 'Cute', by Bensound (www.bensound.com), and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives 4.0 International.
Judy and Linda are falling into episodes 3-4 of "Because This Is My First Life" (이번 생은 처음이라), a TVN Korean drama starring Jung SoMin and Lee MinKi.
Judy and Linda are concerned about Koreans' attitudes towards dating and marriage. Doesn't anyone get married because they actually genuinely enjoy each other's company? These two episodes also happened to coincide with the #MeToo campaign, which was bitterly apropos, considering the BS that Jiho (Jung SoMin) and Sooji (Esom) have to go through.
Some Korean terms:
눈치: [noon-chi] a combination of "tact" and "situation awareness"; to be lacking in "눈치" is an insult.
무뚝뚝한: [moo-ddook-ddook-han] terse.
사모님: [sa-mo-nim] way to address the wife of a boss; "Madam".
매력적인: [meh-ryeok-jeok-in] alluring.
쇼파: [sho-fah] mispronunciation of "sofa".
무표정: [moo-pyo-jeong] blank-faced.
털: [teol] hair; fur.
민: [min] shaven.
If you understood Robert's pun contribution this week, please let us know on Twitter! Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook and Twitter (@kdramamyeyesout) or e-mail us (kdramamyeyesout(at)gmail.com).
Download this and other episodes and while you're there, write us a review:
The KDMEO theme music is 'Cute', by Bensound (www.bensound.com), and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives 4.0 International.
Judy and Linda are finally starting a new drama! We are loving episodes 1-2 of "Because This Is My First Life" (이번 생은 처음이라), a TVN Korean drama starring Jung SoMin and Lee MinKi.
Judy and Linda are deeply moved by the drama's realistic portrayal of Korea's patriarchal society. SMASH THE SYSTEM!!! Ahem. Judy wants to know what lipstick brand Sooji (Esom) is using. How is that not a sponsorship moment? Linda wonders if all married Korean women have a secret stash of money.
Digressions:
20:13 - Judy coins "Sheldonesque" and Linda still watches "The Big Bang Theory"
32:19 - Girl name vs. Boy name in Korean
57:45 - Pressure to get ahead in Korea ("Hell-Joseon")
Some Korean terms:
빙구: [bing-goo] a name typically given to a village idiot character.
누나: [noo-na] way for a male to address an older sister.
월세: [wol-seh] monthly rent system, which is what we're used to in Western countries.
전세: [jeon-seh] rent is paid by giving the landlord a large deposit, which they can then invest or put into a bank account to earn money; may or may not have monthly rent.
썸: [sseom] flirting without commitment.
모태솔로: [mo-teh-sol-lo] used to describe someone who has never dated.
고시원: [go-si-won] dormitory-style living space; previously used by people studying for professional exams but nowadays used by young single professionals or the elderly.
청춘드라마: [cheong-choon-deu-ra-ma] youth drama; examples would be "Fight My Way" and "Age of Youth".
Thanks again to Bill, who recommended this drama to us!
Join us in smashing the system! Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook and Twitter (@kdramamyeyesout) or e-mail us (kdramamyeyesout(at)gmail.com).
Download this and other episodes and while you're there, write us a review:
The KDMEO theme music is 'Cute', by Bensound (www.bensound.com), and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives 4.0 International.