a critique

i have finally been captured by the Hallyu wave. it is an eye-opening experience.

a few years back, glancing at the laptop screen from which others were watching, i did not see anything worthy about Korean entertainment scene; be it soap operas, movies or K-pop. but of course i could not see it. i did not take the time to watch it.

but last year, when writing another sentence for my thesis would be detrimental to the hemispheres of my brain, i rummaged storage boxes and found CDs of Full House. and lo, let me put it this way. it was similar to opening the door to very thrilling things. later, trapped by the waiting game of thesis binding, i resorted to watch one Korean movie and drama after another, thanks to Yana and her external hard disk.

okay, i get it, you're going to smirk and call me sappy. ha ha. not my problem.

i find Korean dramas challenging in terms of issues. the way i see it, they exploit the eternal love theme to portray other issues. look at it like this, they take real issues and embellish it with sappy romantic scenes and very good looking actors/actresses. you can choose to drool over the stars. you can also choose to really watch the dramas and at the same time drool over the cast.

one thing that i like about K-dramas is its emphasis on familial ties. it looks real even on screen. it's mightily heart-warming. other than that would be the issues, for example:

Secret Garden is about class struggle, a little on the Marxist side. the prince versus the pauper, the have against the have nots, humanity taken for granted.

Pasta; determination and the importance of standing your ground. about overcoming impossibility and gender discrimination with your brain and your hands.

Bad Family challenges the conventional notion of family institution. what makes a family, a family? is it blood ties or responsibility and affection?

My Girlfriend is a Gumiho challenges humanity and bestiality. are humans really better than animals and non-humans?

Marry Me Mary criticizes dysfunctional parents.

Cinderella's Stepsister questions how you repay people's kindness and presents family ties from a diferent angle.

You're Beautiful is yuck. couldn't finish past episode 1. too... yucky. so are Boys over Flowers and Playful Kiss. it's just downright sappy.

Personal Preference brings in the theme of being yourself, deceit, and sexuality.

observing so, K-dramas' must-haves would include having fever, getting drunk with soju, cell phones being out of reach, rain, eating, teeth-brushing, buying clothes, fancy cars, doing an abrupt u-turn in the middle of traffic, and you're welcome to add more.

one of my favourite actresses is the granny in Full House. she is practically everywhere. in Full House, Gumiho, Coffee House, World's Within, My Love Patzzi. she fulfills the image of universal grandmothers - strict but loving, naggy but concerned, fierce but adorable.

so it's not so bad, i figured. the very good-loking cast is a bonus. well, audience wants to see people they don't meet everyday.


p/s: and please. do not argue with me if you're going to use the Twilight crap.