Recycled content alert: I am going to repost a thread about K-dramas that I originally made in December 2024.
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The two Moms (Mi-jae/Mi-rae's and Ho-su's) who were childhood friends, two grandmothers (the girls' actual grandmother, and the stubborn old woman restaurant owner that Mi-ji clashes with hilariously, and of course two love interests. As the story unfolds we learn that Mi-ji and Mi-rae are not the only ones who swap identities, which is an interesting wrinkle.
Our Unwritten Seoul really delivers on all levels. Five stars!
119/N
cw: spoilers
After being blown away by Park Bo-young in "Our Unwritten Seoul" it was an easy decision to start "Daily Dose of Sunshine" from 2023. One one level this works as a straightforward medical drama. The story follows Jung Da-eun (played by Park Bo-young), a nurse who is transferred from internal medecine to the psychiatric ward in a busy university hospital.
120/N
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cw: spoilers
After being blown away by Park Bo-young in "Our Unwritten Seoul" it was an easy decision to start "Daily Dose of Sunshine" from 2023. One one level this works as a straightforward medical drama. The story follows Jung Da-eun (played by Park Bo-young), a nurse who is transferred from internal medecine to the psychiatric ward in a busy university hospital.
120/N
The excellent ensemble cast includes Da-eun's fellow nurses, the 'tough as nails' but warm head nurse, doctors, and of course a variety of patients. Da-eun takes some heat initially for being slow to learn the ropes. However, she soon reveals her superpower - a highly empathic nature, kindness and warmth that the other nurses begin to admire.
121/N
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The excellent ensemble cast includes Da-eun's fellow nurses, the 'tough as nails' but warm head nurse, doctors, and of course a variety of patients. Da-eun takes some heat initially for being slow to learn the ropes. However, she soon reveals her superpower - a highly empathic nature, kindness and warmth that the other nurses begin to admire.
121/N
The patients under her care are experiencing a spectrum of diseases - depression, schizophrenia, panic disorder, and so on. A Daily Dose of Sunshine gives an unflinching look at mental illness, and many of the scenes are intense. Thematically, A Daily Dose of Sunshine is a message piece about mental illness and the stigma that it carries.
122/N
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The patients under her care are experiencing a spectrum of diseases - depression, schizophrenia, panic disorder, and so on. A Daily Dose of Sunshine gives an unflinching look at mental illness, and many of the scenes are intense. Thematically, A Daily Dose of Sunshine is a message piece about mental illness and the stigma that it carries.
122/N
There is a critique of Korea's competitive, status conscious society: those who struggle to keep up can easily be pushed to a mental breakdown. Among Da-eun's patients is the young man who has attempted and failed to pass the civil service exam 7 times, the white collar worker who struggles at his job, and is teased by his asshole manager, or the high school student who dreams of being a pilot despite being a slow learner.
123/N
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There is a critique of Korea's competitive, status conscious society: those who struggle to keep up can easily be pushed to a mental breakdown. Among Da-eun's patients is the young man who has attempted and failed to pass the civil service exam 7 times, the white collar worker who struggles at his job, and is teased by his asshole manager, or the high school student who dreams of being a pilot despite being a slow learner.
123/N
Things start to get really real after one of her patients commits suicide. Da-eun herself goes into kind of a dissociative state to cover her grief and guilt. She takes several weeks off from work to recover, but slips deeper into depression. After Da-eun wanders out into traffic in a haze, her mother ends up checking her into the psych ward at a different hospital.
124/N
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Things start to get really real after one of her patients commits suicide. Da-eun herself goes into kind of a dissociative state to cover her grief and guilt. She takes several weeks off from work to recover, but slips deeper into depression. After Da-eun wanders out into traffic in a haze, her mother ends up checking her into the psych ward at a different hospital.
124/N
The way the show highlights the stigma of mental illness is particularly powerful. We have already seen this stigma affecting her patients. After she is discharged from the hospital, Da-eun faces the stigma herself when she returns to work. Some of the patients' family members question her abilities, and protest the hospital to have her fired.
125/N
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The way the show highlights the stigma of mental illness is particularly powerful. We have already seen this stigma affecting her patients. After she is discharged from the hospital, Da-eun faces the stigma herself when she returns to work. Some of the patients' family members question her abilities, and protest the hospital to have her fired.
125/N
There is of course a romantic interest, in the form of a rather eccentric but ultimately charming proctologist, who sticks by Da-eun through all her ups and downs. This drama tells a compelling story, with excellent performances all round. Extra credit for making a powerful statement. Four stars!
126/N
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There is of course a romantic interest, in the form of a rather eccentric but ultimately charming proctologist, who sticks by Da-eun through all her ups and downs. This drama tells a compelling story, with excellent performances all round. Extra credit for making a powerful statement. Four stars!
126/N
cw: spoilers
Taxonomically "Because This Is My First Life" is a by the numbers romantic comedy. The storyline put me in mind of the classic American screwball comedies of the 30's and 40's. It would be worth a watch if only for the fact that every aspect is executed exceedingly well. However, Because This Is My First Life also offers a deep examination of love and marriage and a surprisingly progressive message.
127/N
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cw: spoilers
Taxonomically "Because This Is My First Life" is a by the numbers romantic comedy. The storyline put me in mind of the classic American screwball comedies of the 30's and 40's. It would be worth a watch if only for the fact that every aspect is executed exceedingly well. However, Because This Is My First Life also offers a deep examination of love and marriage and a surprisingly progressive message.
127/N
FL Yoon Ji-ho (Jung So-min) has been working as a screenwriter for daytime dramas for 10 years. A series of unfortunate events finds her out of a job, and out of her apartment in a matter of days. Our girl has to find an affordable room ASAP. Luckily friend of a friend knows about a room that's just become available for $300 per month with no deposit. The only condition is that she needs to feed the cat and take out the recycling.
128/N
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FL Yoon Ji-ho (Jung So-min) has been working as a screenwriter for daytime dramas for 10 years. A series of unfortunate events finds her out of a job, and out of her apartment in a matter of days. Our girl has to find an affordable room ASAP. Luckily friend of a friend knows about a room that's just become available for $300 per month with no deposit. The only condition is that she needs to feed the cat and take out the recycling.
128/N
The landlord works long hours as a software developer, and in fact Ji-ho doesn't even get a chance to meet her before moving in. It's not until several days later they meet face-to-face, and Ji-ho discovers that her landlord Se-hee (played by Lee Min-ki) is in fact a he! There is some awkward exchange, and Ji-ho states that she will look for another place - but we sense they are both hesitating.
129/N
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The landlord works long hours as a software developer, and in fact Ji-ho doesn't even get a chance to meet her before moving in. It's not until several days later they meet face-to-face, and Ji-ho discovers that her landlord Se-hee (played by Lee Min-ki) is in fact a he! There is some awkward exchange, and Ji-ho states that she will look for another place - but we sense they are both hesitating.
129/N
On his part, he appreciates her tenderness for Kitty, perfect recycling, and that she has kept the apartment spotless. Ji-ho has already bonded to the cat, and the apartment is better than anything she could find for that price. Meanwhile, Se-hee's mother has been setting him for blind dates, and nagging him about marriage. He is 38, after all. Se-hee comes up with the perfect solution - why don't they have a marriage of convenience?
130/N
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On his part, he appreciates her tenderness for Kitty, perfect recycling, and that she has kept the apartment spotless. Ji-ho has already bonded to the cat, and the apartment is better than anything she could find for that price. Meanwhile, Se-hee's mother has been setting him for blind dates, and nagging him about marriage. He is 38, after all. Se-hee comes up with the perfect solution - why don't they have a marriage of convenience?
130/N
This sets up the central conceit of the story. Of course we get the gradual realization on both their parts that they have feelings for each other, which results in many comedic moments, as well as tender ones. Ji-ho has never had a boyfriend or even kissed a man. She's been too busy with her career. Se-hee's affect is emotionally distant and very rational. As we learn his backstory, we understand why.
131/N
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This sets up the central conceit of the story. Of course we get the gradual realization on both their parts that they have feelings for each other, which results in many comedic moments, as well as tender ones. Ji-ho has never had a boyfriend or even kissed a man. She's been too busy with her career. Se-hee's affect is emotionally distant and very rational. As we learn his backstory, we understand why.
131/N
As a young man, Se-hee lived with his girlfriend, and they were deeply in love. That relationship ended painfully, in large part because his parents opposed it - the girlfriend was from a poor family. Since then, Se-hee has been an emotional husk, focused only on himself, his mortgage and his cat. Although Se-hee clearly likes Ji-ho, he cannot express his feelings.
132/N
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As a young man, Se-hee lived with his girlfriend, and they were deeply in love. That relationship ended painfully, in large part because his parents opposed it - the girlfriend was from a poor family. Since then, Se-hee has been an emotional husk, focused only on himself, his mortgage and his cat. Although Se-hee clearly likes Ji-ho, he cannot express his feelings.
132/N
Ji-ho realizes that Se-hee does like her, but she needs him drop his emotional armor. Ji-ho shows a high degree of pluck and risk-taking to break through Se-hee's emotional armor and achieve the kind of love she wants. This underscores themes of communication and forming authentic partnerships, even if doing so goes against their parents and societal expectations.
133/N
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Ji-ho realizes that Se-hee does like her, but she needs him drop his emotional armor. Ji-ho shows a high degree of pluck and risk-taking to break through Se-hee's emotional armor and achieve the kind of love she wants. This underscores themes of communication and forming authentic partnerships, even if doing so goes against their parents and societal expectations.
133/N
Ji-ho's two friends from high school provide counterpoints to Ji-Ho's marriage of convenience. Bubbly Yang Ho-rang works in a wine bar and lives with her boyfriend of 7 years, Sim Won-seok. They are very compatible and very much in love, but Ho-rang is ready for marriage and children. Won-seok is the CEO of his own company, but he's struggling to get funding and is financially precarious.
134/N
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Ji-ho's two friends from high school provide counterpoints to Ji-Ho's marriage of convenience. Bubbly Yang Ho-rang works in a wine bar and lives with her boyfriend of 7 years, Sim Won-seok. They are very compatible and very much in love, but Ho-rang is ready for marriage and children. Won-seok is the CEO of his own company, but he's struggling to get funding and is financially precarious.
134/N
Won-seok doesn't feel ready to be a husband and father, and breaks things off with Ho-rang. He doesn't want to hold her back from finding a partner who shares her goal of starting a family. Ji-ho's other bestie is Woo Su-ji, an ambitious and no bullshit kind of gal who works in a fast-paced corporate office. Su-ji is openly sexual, and dates for physical pleasure - she is not looking for a relationship.
135/N
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Won-seok doesn't feel ready to be a husband and father, and breaks things off with Ho-rang. He doesn't want to hold her back from finding a partner who shares her goal of starting a family. Ji-ho's other bestie is Woo Su-ji, an ambitious and no bullshit kind of gal who works in a fast-paced corporate office. Su-ji is openly sexual, and dates for physical pleasure - she is not looking for a relationship.
135/N
Ma Sang-goo is Se-hee's boss at the tech company where they make a dating app called called "Don't Marry, Date". Sang-goo has a fling with Su-ji, but he wants to take things to the next level. Will he be able to break through her emotional barriers?
136/N
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Ma Sang-goo is Se-hee's boss at the tech company where they make a dating app called called "Don't Marry, Date". Sang-goo has a fling with Su-ji, but he wants to take things to the next level. Will he be able to break through her emotional barriers?
136/N
As this is a romcom, everyone does end up with the person with whom they belong. There are nonetheless some really unexpected character arcs, and challenges that must be overcome. Ji-ho displays both self-awareness and tenacity in achieving the kind of relationship she wants with Se-hee. She doesn't want to settle for a suffocating, conventional marriage like their parents have.
137/N
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As this is a romcom, everyone does end up with the person with whom they belong. There are nonetheless some really unexpected character arcs, and challenges that must be overcome. Ji-ho displays both self-awareness and tenacity in achieving the kind of relationship she wants with Se-hee. She doesn't want to settle for a suffocating, conventional marriage like their parents have.
137/N
"Because This Is My First Life" deals with love and sexuality in more frank, and modern ways that most of the other dramas I've seen so far, which is refreshing. Beyond that there is a deep examination of what love and marriage mean, and how different couples can find ways of loving that suit them. This flawless drama instantly became a top 5 for me - 5 enthusiastic stars!
138/N
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"Because This Is My First Life" deals with love and sexuality in more frank, and modern ways that most of the other dramas I've seen so far, which is refreshing. Beyond that there is a deep examination of what love and marriage mean, and how different couples can find ways of loving that suit them. This flawless drama instantly became a top 5 for me - 5 enthusiastic stars!
138/N
cw: spoilers
Wife's turn to pick the drama. She chose "Eve," a revenge drama from 2022 starring Seo Ye-ji (of It's Okay Not To Be Okay fame) and Park Byeong-eun. This is a gripping, visually stunning and frequently violent tale of a 13-year plot by Lee La-el (played by Seo Ye-ji) to exact revenge on the powerful individuals responsible for the death of her parents.
139/N
