A Few Words on Thirty But Seventeen

Me in the Trap

Last summer, I was really sick with Tonsillitis. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. It's the most ill I've ever been, and I realise that makes me very fortunate but I was still feeling pretty sorry for myself. It was then that I, bedridden and emotional, decided on a whim to re-watch Cheese in the Trap.

Mini Reviews: Romance 2019

I'm back! This is the longest hiatus I've taken since starting my blog (life got in the way), but I'm back and excited to upload more. To start, here's some mini reviews for the romance dramas I struggle to talk about. This is probably one of my favourite features - short and snappy, and something I can update whenever I like. Enjoy!

A Few Words on Rooftop Prince

(This is a format I've invented to make reviews more straight-forward if I feel like doing them, which also works better with my busy, busy schedule. So enjoy a blunter, better-polished version of one of my earliest reviews.)

A Few Words on Cinderella's Sister

(This is a format I've invented to make reviews more straight-forward if I feel like doing them, which also works better with my busy, busy schedule. So enjoy a blunter, better-polished version of one of my earliest reviews.)

Romcom-mon Sense Deficiency

There's a large difference in how romance is presented between cultures - today, I want to take a look at how romance dramas are marketed in Korea, and what it means for TV in general. In recent years, a pattern of behaviour has appeared that I've created a term to describe: Romcom-mon Sense Deficiency.

The Hong Sisters Marathon (Reupload)

What really got me into writing on this blog was my Hong Sisters Marathon back in 2016. When I look back on those reviews now, I cringe. Firstly because my writing style has improved in leaps and bounds since then, but also because I've become more critical and perceptive. Rather than just characters and story, I write about all sorts of things now. Because of that, I've decided to take down my old reviews and summarise them here, with my updated opinion of each of these dramas now. If reading this makes you desperate to go and read the original reviews, I'll keep them up another week, no matter how basic or disingenuous they are.

Dramas That Don't Promote Toxic Masculinity

The archetypes for characters in romance stories have been set in stone for as long as the term 'Hallyu Wave' has been in operation. The male lead will be prickly, sometimes downright cruel, but often will have a heart of gold. The second male lead, the one who's chances with the girl are about 0.000001%, is the sweet and caring one who's always there to listen to her. Look at some of the Hong Sisters dramas for proof - hell, even some of my favourite dramas aren't completely immune to such stereotypes (Thirty but Seventeen, Drinking Solo, Hana Kimi to name just a few). To be honest, I think these models are popular for a less-than stellar reason.

I was wrong! (Gangnam Beauty)

When I provided a mini-review of My ID is Gangnam Beauty in the summer of last year, I'll admit it was somewhat disingenuous. Opinions on the drama were split right down the middle, me favouring the side that screamed it was awful and offensive, but the review I wrote was non-committal. I wanted to avoid upsetting anyone. I actually never watched the first episode, which prompted me to re-watch the majority of the show and finally finish it. As for how I feel about it now... I've changed my mind. Gangnam Beauty is not a terrible drama - whilst I think it had trouble attempting to address every social issue it wanted to effectively, it was a damn good try.

Swing Kids Analysis: War, Freedom and Magic Shoes

I've fallen in love. Swing Kids is a fucking masterpiece, and I'm head-over-heels, madly, passionately in love with it. It's too rich thematically for me to do justice to it in a full review, so I've decided to take a few of the greatest scenes and pull them apart by themselves. Today, I have the 'Modern Love' dance scene, between Do Kyung-soo and Park Hye-soo.