This week, we covered the second hour of our final 3 choices for fall kdramas. If you missed our previous coverage of these dramas, check out KDMEO episodes 109 and 110.
Digressions:
0:59 - "Live" (라이브) is still great
2:18 - Judy tried out "The Last Empress" (황후의 품격)
6:36 - "Assassin's Creed: Odyssey"
8:41 - "Matrimonial Chaos" (최고의 이혼) is from KBS and stars Bae DooNa, Cha TaeHyun, Lee El and Son SukKu. Teresa wants to hate the male lead (Sukmoo played by Cha TaeHyun), but he reveals a teeny tiny bit of decency in these two episodes. We can't quite understand Yooyoung (Lee El), who seems a bit too smug that she married a cheating douchebag that she stole from her best friend?
31:21 - "Ms. Ma, Nemesis" (미스마) is a drama from SBS, starring Kim YunJin and Jung WoongIn. Everything in it from characters, costumes and acting is so extra, but it somehow works for this murder mystery. We love this so hard.
52:15 - "The Player" (플레이어) is from OCN and stars Song SeungHun, Krystal Jung, Lee SiEon, Tae WonSuk and Kim WonHae. It's still a cool and satisfying action drama, but doesn't give us much to talk about. We can only say, "then there was another fight/hacking scene" so many times.
Some Korean terms:
가출: [ga-chool] to run away from home.
출가: [chool-ga] to leave your home to join a Buddhist temple.
출산: [chool-san] to reproduce.
Audio credits:
Joe Henson and Alexis Smith - Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey - "Legend of the Eagle Bearer (Main Theme)"
Kenta Nagata - Mario Kart 64 – "Rainbow Road"
Evil laugh from Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@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.
No theme this week!
Next week, we're narrowing down our fall kdrama choices. We will be covering the second hour of "Ms. Ma, Nemesis" (미스마), "Matrimonial Chaos" (최고의 이혼) and "The Player" (플레이어).
Digressions:
0:42 - Teresa has been watching "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon"
3:17 - Judy's farewell to "Witcher 3"
5:53 - "Live" (라이브) is an excellent frontline cop drama from TVN starring Jung YuMi, Lee KwangSoo, Bae SeongWoo and Bae JongOk. It's actually from March, but whaddya gonna do, we just felt like watching it. Judy wishes there could be a realistic drama like this, but for medical staff who are not doctors.
23:29 - "The Ghost Detective" (오늘의 탐정) is a supernatural drama from KBS starring Daniel Choi, Park EunBin and Lee JiAh. We're not quite sure if this first hour is effectively setting up the premise of a detective who specializes in the paranormal. It is definitely creepy, though. Special shout out to Judy's dog, Bori, for not being a possessed dog that kidnaps children.
47:00 - "Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter" (계룡선녀전) is a TVN show starring Moon ChaeWon, Yoon HyunMin, Seo JiHoon and Go DooShim. We were looking forward to a lighthearted, romantic drama based on a folk tale, and what we got was a disappointing production with grating characters, inconsistencies in the basic premise, and the most awful-looking CGI cat we've ever seen.
Some Korean terms:
공무원: [gong-moo-won] government employee; generally considered one of the best jobs to have in Korea.
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.
흥신소: [heung-sin-so] private investigator office; not considered to be very reputable in Korea.
Audio credits:
Marcin Przybylowicz - Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt – "The Trail"
Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@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.
This week's theme is "adulting is hard", and also, that all women who are down on their luck have dreams of becoming writers.
We think "100 Days My Prince" is a lost dream. When it eventually becomes available somewhere, we will do a special episode on the rest of the episodes.
Digressions:
0:29 - Listener e-mail! Here is the link to the Youtube video she sent us.
3:17 - "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" on Netflix
6:24 - "When Time Stopped" (시간이 멈추는 그때) is an unintentionally hilarious series from KBS W, starring Kim HyunJoong and Ahn JiHyun. Judy desperately wishes that she was watching "The Thomas Crown Affair", instead of this boring art thief who can only afford a dingy basement. For those of you who miss Linda's unflinching honesty, there's a clip of her from KDMEO episode 50!
25:19 - "Matrimonial Chaos" (최고의 이혼) is from KBS and stars Bae DooNa, Cha TaeHyun, Lee El and Son SukKu. The realistic portrayal of couples' arguments was a real bummer and yet so poignant. The main takeaway from this drama is that a couple should have a thorough discussion about things that matter BEFORE getting married.
45:00 - "Bad Papa" (배드파파) is an MBC drama, starring Jang Hyuk and Son YeoEun. What we thought was a standard zero to hero drama took a sudden turn towards weird sci-fi with the clinical trial drug. Honestly, the music was the best thing about the episodes we watched.
Next week: "The Ghost Detective", "Live" and "Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter"
Some Korean terms:
낙서: [nak-suh] doodling or graffiti.
Audio credits:
Bill Conti – Thomas Crown Affair – “Stealing the Monet”
RM – "seoul" (prod. HONNE)
Seatbelts - Cowboy Bebop - Tank!
Misao Senbongi - Resident Evil 4 – "Save theme"
Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@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.
This week's theme is crime! This crop of fall dramas were, for the most part, so much better than last week. Still though, whither "100 Days My Prince"?
Next week on Part 3, we're watching the first episodes of "Bad Papa" (배드파파), "Matrimonial Chaos" (최고의 이혼), and "When Time Stopped" (시간이 멈추는 그 때).
Digressions:
0:55 - "Overcooked 2 - Surf and Turf" and "World of Warcraft"
3:02 - "It's Okay, That's Love" (괜찮아, 사랑이야)
4:27 - Listener E-mail!
6:32 - "Ms. Ma, Nemesis" (미스마) is a drama from SBS, which continues the fine tradition of police officers being portrayed as inept nincompoops. It stars Kim YunJin (do you guys remember her from "Lost"?) and Jung WoongIn. Finally a detective drama, with a female lead to boot! Judy and Teresa loved every minute of it, despite its faults.
33:17 - "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" (하늘에서 내리는 일억개의 별) is a supremely disappointing offering from TVN. It stars Seo InGuk, Jung SoMin and Park SungWoong, who are definitely trying their best with some plodding material. Hey, this one also has useless cop characters!
44:47 - "The Player" (플레이어) is a cool heist drama from OCN and stars Song SeungHun, Krystal Jung, Lee SiEon, Tae WonSuk and Kim WonHae. Judy and Teresa liked the twist of having the main characters using their criminal talents against bigger crooks to help the law, while also helping themselves.
Some Korean terms:
콩밥: [kong-bap] rice with beans/peas; "to eat 콩밥" is a euphemism for being in prison.
장로님: [jang-lo-nim] an elder of the church.
장인님: [jang-in-nim] how a man refers to one's father-in-law.
장모님: [jang-mo-nim] how a man refers to one's mother-in-law.
Audio credits:
JeA – Miss Ma, Nemesis – “Alone”
Brad Feidel - Terminator 2: Judgment Day - "Main Title from Terminator 2"
Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@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.
We miss "100 Days My Prince" so much. Judy and Teresa tried to distract themselves with these other fall dramas, which are frankly disappointing. Prepare yourself for much ranting.
6:04 - "Heart Surgeons" (흉부외과) is an SBS medical drama starring Go Soo, Uhm KiJoon and Seo JiHye (Sharon from "Black Knight"!). Teresa likes medical dramas, but couldn't really get into this one. Judy finds the two male characters lacking in charisma, but might watch a bit more of it, just to see how Seo JiHye will be, once she actually shows up.
29:15 - "Room No. 9" (나인룸) is a surreal TVN production starring Kim HeeSun, Kim YoungKwang and Kim HaeSook. Judy, surprisingly, does not like this particular evil power-hungry woman portrayed by Kim HeeSun. Teresa theorizes that this whole drama is a dream. How are all these characters so intimately linked to one another?
47:45 - "Where Stars Land" (여우각시별) is another SBS drama and stars Lee JeHoon, Lee DongGun (both featured in Judy's list of "Bottom 3 actors" in KDMEO Episode 50) and Chae SooBin. This drama completely turned us off with its annoying characters and the disgustingly inaccurate portrayal of mental illness. Enough said.
Some Korean terms:
풀: [pool] grass.
Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@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.
This week's theme is handsome amnesiacs! Judy and Teresa checked out the first episodes of “Devilish Joy” (마성의 기쁨) and "100 Days My Prince" (100일의 낭군님). Which will we pick as our next featured fall Kdrama?
5:00 - "Devilish Joy" (마성의 기쁨) is from MBN and stars Choi JinHyuk and Song HaYoon. The first episode contains so many drama tropes that if you were to make a drinking game of it, you would probably get alcohol poisoning. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. How hard were the facilitators working in that episode? Teresa took some time to research "Cinderella Amnesia". Click here to read the case study!
35:18 - "100 Days My Prince" (100일의 낭군님) is unsurprisingly from TVN and features Do KyungSoo (D.O. from EXO) and Nam JiHyun. If you guys have been listening awhile, you know that Judy hasn't been enamoured with Nam JiHyun in "Suspicious Partners" or "Shopping King Louis", but this is definitely changing that opinion. Judy may also be ranting at some point about people needing to learn from goddamn history, FFS.
Some Korean terms:
범: [beom] Korean pronunciation of Chinese character for "crime" which can then be combined with other Chinese characters; on its own, it isn't a word in Korean.
범: [beom] pure Korean word for "tiger".
광부: [gwang-boo] miner.
광부: [gwang-boo] old bachelor.
Audio credits:
Carpenters – “Close To You”
The Who – “Who Are You”
Yoko Shimomura - Street Fighter II - "Opening Theme"
Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@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.
This week, Judy and Teresa checked out some dramas that our listeners suggested to us in 2018!
2:31 - "Come and Hug Me" (이리와 안아줘) is an MBC drama starring Jang KiYong and Jin KiJoo. In spite of the questionable portrayal of psychopathy, this drama had an intriguing premise of the son of a serial killer falling in love with the victims' family member. How can this relationship possibly work out? Judy will never find out, because she abandoned this drama as soon as there was a dog in danger.
25:21 - "Mister Sunshine" (미스터 션샤인) is a lush TVN production starring Lee ByungHun, Kim Taeri, Yoo YeonSeok and Kim MinJung. The English-speaking actors are, quite honestly, not the worst we've seen in Korean dramas. We feel embarrassed about our lack of knowledge about that time in history, but not as much as when the drama hamfistedly tells the viewers about the amazing nobility of the American soldiers and the determination of the Korean people.
52:33 - "Are You Human Too?" (너도 인간이니?) is a KBS drama starring Seo KangJoon and Gong SeungYeon. It was absolutely ludicrous in its premise, which can't have been the intention of the production team, right? Teresa comes up with a better plan for the AI researcher to get her son back.
1:11:05 - "Thirty But Seventeen" (서른이지만 열일곱입니다) is from SBS and stars Yang SeJong and Shin HyeSun. Teresa is creeped out by the male lead's plan to charm his crush with a portrait of her, while Judy is inclined to forgive certain teenaged romantic notions. Also, why are nurses always the annoying incompetent characters in a Kdrama hospital?
Some Korean terms:
견: [gyun] canine.
Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@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.
Which hot new Korean drama will get us through the summer? Judy and Teresa watched four new summer dramas!
1:15 - "Lawless Lawyer" (무법변호사) is a TVN drama starring Lee JoonGi and Seo YeJi. Judy was excited by the action scenes and Teresa loves the unfolding of the tragic backstories of the main characters. The two leads also have incredible chemistry and we vow to continue watching this drama.
13:13 - "The Undateables" (훈남정음) is a SBS drama that stars Nam GoongMin and Hwang JungEum. Unfortunately, we found this drama weirdly mean-spirited in making fun of suicide and people who don't fit into certain beauty standards.
29:24 - "About Time" (어바웃타임) is another TVN production, starring Lee SungKyung and Lee SangYoon. The portrayal of anxiety disorders was accurate, but that's about all it had going for it. Judy disliked the male lead immensely. Teresa is annoyed by the contrived use of fate. PSA: Everyone should take a CPR class.
48:05 - "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?" (김비서가 왜 그럴까) is also from TVN and stars Park MinYoung and Park SeoJoon. Is Judy biased because of her love for Park SeoJoon or is the drama just doing a good job with his narcissistic but lovable character? Teresa loves Secretary Kim's sassy confidence and competence. Also her ponytail is to die for.
Is the cat meow a Korean drama trope that Judy just doesn't know about? Tell us! Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@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 Teresa talk about four different Korean dramas this week!
1:23 - "Cross" (크로스) is a TVN drama starring Go KyungPyo and Jun SoMin. We are not very impressed with the main revenge plot, but the cinematography and melodrama does intrigue us enough to continue watching.
17:31 - "Mother" (마더) is another TVN drama that stars Lee BoYoung and Heo Yool. It crushed us so thoroughly that we're going to have to mentally prepare ourselves just to continue watching it.
27:01 - "Evergreen", aka "That Man, Oh Soo" (그남자, 오수) is an OCN/Dramafever production, starring Lee JongHyun and Kim SoEun. If it weren't for the unexpected (and unwelcome) magic component, we probably would have liked this better.
38:11 - "Go Go Waikiki" (으라차차 와이키키) is a JTBC drama with the great ensemble cast of Kim JungHyun, Lee YiKyung, Song SeungWon, Jung InSun and Go WonHee. So much fun! So lighthearted! So relatable!
Audio credits:
Atsushi Kitajoh and Kenichi Tsuchiya – “Trauma Center: New Blood” opening
It was such an easy choice this week! Tune in next week for our discussion of "Go Go Waikiki" episode 2! Please send any questions, comments or suggestions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@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.
Next week is our one year anniversary! Judy and Linda watched some of the Korean dramas that were on air during our first year, but were not featured on our podcast.
0:02:05 - Listener Q&A
0:06:39 - "Cinderella and Four Knights" (신데렐라와 네명의 기사) is a TVN drama that "stars" Park SoDam, Ahn JaeHyun, Jung IlWoo and Lee JungShin. Judy is shocked - shocked! - that the main character's father has not been paying for his dead wife's spot in the columbarium for 5 years. Linda is shocked - shocked! - that the male lead is offering to buy a date from the female lead! And of course, there's the terrible makeover at the end of the episode.
0:25:16 - The most impressive thing about MBC's "Shopping King Louis" (쇼핑왕 루이) is that they found actual French-speaking actors. It stars Seo InGuk, Nam JiHyun and Yoon SangHyun.
0:39:56 - We were profoundly confused by the evil scheme in the first episode of "The K2". Who knew which parts of the scheme and what was the point of it? Judy wants to know what a "First Lady candidate" is. Linda wants to know why Im YoonAh's character runs away from the Spanish convent in exactly the same way everytime without formulating a plan. This drama stars Ji ChangWook, Im YoonAh and Song YoonAh.
0:53:38 - "My Sassy Girl" (엽기적인 그녀) is an SBS drama starring Joo Won, Oh YeonSeo and Lee JungShin. Other than the title, it has nothing to do with the 2001 film starring Jun JiHyun and Cha TaeHyun. Judy and Linda offer up their consulting services to Joo Won, who really needs to pick better projects. If you want to know what Linda was laughing about at 1:01:12, it looked like this: o_O
1:09:08 - Joseon fashion corner with Judy and Linda
Some Korean terms:
온돌: [on-dol] heated flooring system.
한약: [han-yak] traditional Asian herbal medicine.
거지: [guh-ji] homeless person.
조자룡: [jo-jah-ryong] Korean way of saying "Zhao Zilong", a Chinese general; in "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms", he saves Liu Bei's baby and carries him under his armour through battle.
신하: [shin-ha] underling; subject.
청나라: [cheong-na-ra] Korean way of saying "Qing Dynasty".
가야금: [ga-ya-geum] 12-stringed traditional instrument.
저고리: [juh-go-ri] traditional shirt that ties in the front.
Next week is our one year anniversary! Wow, where does the time go? Thank you for having fun with us for the past year! In next week's episode, we are talking about our favourite dramas, actors, actresses of all time, and more! Expect lots of gushing and ranting!
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please contact us 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.
This week, Judy and Linda examine the sageuk framework by watching "Tree with Deep Roots" (뿌리깊은 나무) and "Moon Embracing the Sun" (해를 품은 달).
"Tree with Deep Roots" is a 2011 SBS drama, starring Jang Hyuk, Song JoongKi, Han SukKyu, Shin SeKyung and Jo JinWoong. This is a straightforward sageuk about a revered historical figure. We take a quick look at the early Joseon kings (19:17) and why King Sejong deserves the title, "Great King" (37:24).
"Moon Embracing the Sun" is a 2012 MBC drama, starring Kim SooHyun, Han GaIn and Jung IlWoo. This is set in a fictional version of Joseon, and focuses more on the prophecy entwining the three main characters into a love triangle. We talked about the examinations that noblemen took to become government officials (1:01:40).
Some Korean terms:
사극: [sa-geuk] historical fiction.
대왕: [deh-wang] title "great king".
세종대왕: [seh-jong-deh-wang] "The Great King Sejong"; fourth king of Joseon; click here to read his Wikipedia article.
태종: [teh-jong] King Taejong; third king of Joseon; click here to read his Wikipedia article.
상왕: [sang-wang] title given to kings who have abdicated.
근정전: [geun-jung-jun] the main courtyard of Kyungbok Palace, where they held ceremonies; click here to see photos.
신하: [shin-ha] subject; follower.
광개토대왕: [gwang-geh-to-deh-wang] "The Great King Gwanggaeto"; click here to read his Wikipedia article.
문무대왕: [moon-moo-deh-wang] "The Great King Munmu"; click here to read his Wikipedia article.
한글: [han-geul] Korean written language.
궁녀: [goong-nyuh] "lady of the palace"; not to be confused with noblewomen.
과거제: [gwa-guh-jeh] system of picking government officials via examinations.
좀 모자란 애: [jom-mo-ja-ran-eh] "someone who's not all there".
세자: [seh-ja] Crown Prince.
토끼: [to-kki] rabbit.
부엉이: [boo-ung-ee] owl.
전라도: [jun-la-do] Jeolla province, located in the southwest of Korea.
Next week, we are talking about Korean dramas we've missed over the first year of our podcast! Tune in to find out what we watched!
Audio clips:
Lee ByungWoo - "Banjeong's Sounds of Drumming" from "The King and the Clown" soundtrack
John Williams – “Home Alone Main Title" from "Home Alone"
What's your favourite sageuk drama? Do you have any questions about Korean history as portrayed in Korean dramas? 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.
The "Judy gushes about Jo JinWoong" music is 'Love', by Bensound (www.bensound.com), and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives 4.0 International.
Judy and Linda talk about six different dramas this week!
0:02:16 - Linda has been watching "Signal" (시그널), which is a 2016 TVN drama, starring Lee JeHoon, Kim HyeSoo and Cho JinWoong. Judy hasn't started yet, but is very intrigued by the premise and Linda's recommendation.
0:09:00 - Judy has been watching "Chief Kim" (김과장), which is a KBS2 drama from early 2017. It stars Nam GoongMin, Nam SangMi and Lee JunHo.
0:14:37 - Linda and Judy were not very impressed by "Ruler: Master of the Mask" (군주: 가면의 주인), an MBC drama, starring Yoo SeungHo and Kim SoHyun. Recently, some dramas have been airing two half-hour episodes per day. Linda fell asleep during the first episode. Judy managed to power through the second episode, but only because she fell down a Wikipedia hole.
0:36:13 - "Suspicious Partner" (수상한 파트너) is an SBS drama, starring Ji ChangWook and Nam JiHyun. Linda enjoyed this drama, while Judy was initially extremely annoyed with the female lead.
0:47:33 - Linda predicted that Judy would love "Fight My Way" (쌈 마이웨이). This is a KBS2 drama, starring Park SeoJoon, Kim JiWon, Ahn JaeHong and Song HaYoon. She was right, of course.
1:05:23 - Linda and Judy are way harsh on "Seven Days Queen" (7일의 왕비), another KBS2 drama, starring Park MinYoung, Yeon WooJin and Lee DongGun. We understand that historical dramas sometimes have to craft fictional elements to make the story work. However, recent dramas are either trying to cram nonsensical elements ("Ruler: Master of the Mask", "Saimdang: Light's Diary") or ignoring key characteristics of a prominent figure, like in this drama.
1:30:27 - There is a digression about YeonSanGun (연산군), who is played by Lee DongGun in "Seven Days Queen". Click here to read the Wikipedia entry about him.
1:34:10 - There is another digression about Crown Prince Sado (사도세자), who is played by Yoo SeungHo in "Ruler: Master of the Mask". Click here to read with Wikipedia entry about him.
Some Korean terms:
기러기아빠: [ghi-ruh-ghi-ah-ppa] "goose" + "dad"; term to describe a father, who supports his wife and children living overseas.
진달래: [jin-dal-le] azalea.
검사: [gum-sa] prosecutor.
대리: [deh-ri] assistant manager.
독: [dok] poison, sounds like "dog"; In case you missed it when Robert sent his pun at 1:16:00, Bori is Judy's dog. Get it? GET IT?!?!?!
털털하다: [tul-tul-ha-da] easygoing.
Audio Credits:
Crush - "Beautiful"
Bell Biv Devoe – “Poison”
We've decided to continue watching "Fight My Way". That was an easy decision! Next Wednesday, we're releasing episode 39 about episode 2 and on Thursday, we'll be talking about episodes 3 and 4.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please contact us 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.
Now that Goblin is over, Judy and Linda had to make some important decisions about what K-drama to watch next for the podcast. This week, we watched the first episodes of 4 new dramas that started in January/February of 2017.
To start off, we talk about "Saimdang: Light's Diary (Herstory)" (사임당, 빛의 일기), the new SBS drama starring Lee YoungAe and Song SeungHun. This was a huge disappointment, especially because of the high hopes we had for it. How can you take a subject like Saimdang, who was such an important and prominent female figure in Korean history, and make it so objectionably boring? Judy and Linda love Lee YoungAe and yet this drama was so hammy that they have a serious moment of doubt about her acting ability. That's like finding out that Cate Blanchett is bad at acting! How can that be?
In "Tomorrow With You" (내일 그대와), the tvN drama, Lee JeHoon plays a time traveller who is trying to solve the mystery of his future death by befriending a sad sack former child actress played by Shin MinAh. Judy thinks that the main characters wholly uninteresting and unlikable. Linda finds the premise interesting, but the rules of time travel are too vague and loose (does that remind you of frustrations we've had about a certain teahouse?).
"Missing Nine" is an MBC drama, starring Jung KyungHo and Baek JinHee. Despite the man bun, turtlenecks and bangs in the drama, Judy is intrigued by the mystery and relationships established by the first episode. Linda predicts which characters will die off first, especially since there are 11 passengers on the plane, not counting the pilots and the one flight attendant.
Finally, we watched "Rebel: Thief of the People" (역적: 백성을 훔친 도적), an MBC drama starring Yoon KyoonSang and Chae SooBin. This series is a straight forward historical drama about Hong GilDong (Yoon KyoonSang), a Korean Robin Hood, who leads a rebellion against YeonSanGun (Kim JiSuk). The first episode starts off so strong, but Judy and Linda are disappointed that the drama is going to be spending so much time examining the protagonist's childhood.
Some Korean terms:
낙지: [nak-ji] octopus.
촌스러워: [chon-seu-ruh-wuh] old-fashioned.
해녀: [heh-nyuh] female diver.
도련님: [do-ryun-nim] old Korean address for "young master".
마님: [ma-nim] old Korean address for "madam".
If you would like to read more about Saimdang (신사임당), you can click here to see her English Wikipedia page.
Judy thought that Hong GilDong (홍길동) was a fictional character, but apparently he was based on a real person in Joseon! There is an actual novel about his adventures, though. Click here to read about the novel, because the English Wiki page for the actual person has very little information.
The King portrayed in "Rebel: Thief of the People" is Prince YeonSan (연산군). His title is "Prince" and not "King", because he was later deposed for being a tyrant and replaced by his half brother. Click here to read about a short history about him on English Wiki.
So our choices come down to "Missing Nine" or "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo"! If you want to recommend one over the other, or if you have any other questions or comments, please contact us on Facebook and Twitter (@kdramamyeyesout) or e-mail us.
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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.