gilaswan

I had to decide - if time was limited on the weekend and I had to pick a drama to watch, what would it be - Queen of Tears. @mademoiselle I’m with you on being a crackpot for this drama; @abs-oluteM I too am down to just this drama for the weekend now… in fact for the week! I’m keeping my Dr Slump ending episodes for when I need to relax in the next couple of days… Love this week’s episodes and how they were delivered. Love how each new reveal may seem so small but in reality adds so much to the story. The biggest and saddest reveal this week was the loss of the baby. Very heartbreaking and very likely what led to the marriage breaking down. My guess is it probably looked like Haein lost the baby because she was “careless” at work and she likely brushed it off as ‘better anyway since it would be a hindrance to her work life’ because she’s the sort that needs to rationalise away her hurt. If she had done that, then it would’ve led to a huge fight between them. Something similar probably happened with her older brother’s death which was why her mum blamed her for the selfishness with which she responded to his death. Truth is more likely that Haein carries deep hurt and guilt for her brother’s death and baby’s miscarriage. This life incident also sheds light on why she didn’t want to let her parents know about her illness - she has actually experienced the pain of losing a child. I wonder if her parents knew about her pregnancy. They may live on the same compound but they clearly have their own quarters. That investor dude is clearly trying to bring the family down. I wonder if he’s in on it with Granddad’s live-in girlfriend. I don’t like him at all (I don’t reckon we are supposed to at all) and I can’t wait for Hyunwoo to bring him down and have her entire family finally appreciate him for who he is and not his background. Brother and wife are also quite an interesting couple to watch. He’s such a gullible person and wife is such a two-faced person. I wonder how such people lead such tiring lives! And then there’s the eldest uncle. I wonder if granddad’s girlfriend was the one who did him in and what actually happened there. Granddad’s books aren’t clean but it doesn’t seem like Granddad is at fault. More like he’s trusting the wrong people and not keeping things in check. I’m waiting for Hyunwoo to work with this uncle and aunt to uncover questionable corporate shenanigans that could harm the empire. There were also lighthearted comedic moments, especially when Hyunwoo has conversations with that lawyer friend of his who’s teaching him all sorts of nonsense. My husband found me chuckling many times and remarked, “You’re really liking this show, huh?” Yes, I am! And I’ll even rewatch it to see if there’s anything else of significance I missed! I liked the epilogues that tell us more about their past. I did wonder too if they knew that they had met each other briefly in high school. I think they probably did - her mp3 player was kept in Hyunwoo’s old room.

After this weekend I will also only have one drama left…

I was satisfied with the ending. I actually would put it as likely to be among the best dramas of 2024 for me. I've all of given up with Wedding Impossible.

@mademoiselle Nope. He doesn't really watch many Kdramas or Kmovies. Just that a long time ago he used to watch some with me and remembers KSH as, "ah...the good looking one." Hahaha...

Have you watched it or are you planning to watch it? I feel that at the point of the show ending, there were still many “loose ends” the king needed to get through. He was only 9 months in from the point when he started to clean the house. Being the type of monarch that he was, I am certain he would not indulge in his own desires; she was also not the sort who would put her own desires above that of the state as well - she too wanted to return to her father in Qing. But me being me and always wanting to complete the story myself, I would imagine that if the story were to continue, Mongwoo would manage to establish a good relationship with the new Emperor of Qing and like Lee In before her, be discharged from the Qing court to return to Joseon. There would be no need for any spies to be left in Qing so father will also return. Lee In will restore her father back to his court; Mongwoo will also return to her position as Heesoo. Should anyone ask or suspect her of the “crime” of cross dressing, he would simply give the unsaid impression that it was all under his own plans that the family - father and daughter - was appointed to do his work. But no one would dare ask the King for fear of suggesting that he would allow something “wrong” to be done, and so it would go silent. As far as the Qing court is concerned, Gidaeryeong had been dismissed from the Joseon court and never returned. Lee In then abdicates his position as King to finally hand the throne over to his nephew as he had always planned since the court would now be filled with trustworthy men. Then he marries her and live simply as “normal” nobility out of the palace. Tadah.

To quote my husband, "KSH always gets the best scripts and production team..." I hope it will remain true for the rest of this drama because so far, I'm liking it! Very much! The cast, the characters, and definitely the leads' interpretation of their roles so far. There's something so chaotic and looney but mysterious and intriguing about the characters that have been introduced so far. Where do I begin? Baek Hyunwoo. He's such a tragicomic hero. I feel the pain of his belittlement by his in-laws - they're quite the horrid sort of people. It's like they expect him to work for his position in the family because he came with nothing (but his intellect). It's very easy to build up resentment that way. And then to learn that your wife is supposedly dying - wow, what a "way out" from the gods! It's funny and sad all at the same time. You're meant to feel sorry for him, and his wife dying presents as some sort of strange relief that allows him a resolution without any apparent long lasting negative consequence to him and his immediate family and friends (such as his law school bestie). Yet deep down we know, it can't be morally right to rejoice in the light of such tragic news. So the gods must really be playing some painful and game of irony - as he tries his best to "love" her so that all's well that ends well for him, he will start to discover that he does love her after all, only to have it come to an end in 3 months. A true tragicomedy in the making. Hong Haein. You've got to hate her to like her. She's is such a tragic product of harsh and loveless parenting. Every bit of her upbringing was intended to develop a coldhearted and hard personality intended for surviving in a dog-eat-dog world. But no person can truly be like that. Humans aren't meant to live that way. In fact all of her points to a person who really needs help, which was actually what Hyunwoo first saw in her when she was an intern kicking the photocopier. I do wonder what she was really like when they were dating. The montage at the start showed a much softer person, different in fact from the intern he'd met. She does still love him for sure - see all that she does to protect him in front of his in-laws without him knowing. But she's so emotionally stunted, she doesn't actually know how to express herself fully to him. Imagine having no emotions to process your own impending death too. Hong Beomja. That absolutely looney aunt. Just you wait. She's got something on her dad's girlfriend. That woman, as Haein's mum puts it, is worse than having a mother-in-law. And I think aunt is going to be Hyunwoo's biggest supporter yet. I believe she does like Hyunwoo and for the right reasons. Mum. I wonder why it is she hates Haein so much. Something must've happened to the elder child when she was carrying Haein. Poor Haein to be rejected by her own mother. Brother. Love the actor. Don't love the character. But he does come across as a poor little stupid rich kid. His wife is very sus... I'm sure she's manipulating him. Haven't quite decided yet if I like grandpa. It does not seem like he has raised his family well if you ask me, cos Dad does not look like an impressive son at all. And anyone who can be easily bewitched by a long-term live-in girlfriend does not seem all too great in my books. Well, let's see how this continues. Cos Mr Investor is an annoying but necessary intrusion now. I'd like to see how he intends to disrupt things, all without know that Haein has only 3 months to live...

In truth, humanity is complex and the Korean social psychology is very complex. Watching dramas is like taking an extended online course in “Understanding the Social and Cultural Complexities of Korean Society”. I cannot begin to express how all of this kdrama watching has helped me understand my Korean international students and the issues that come with them and their families! A drama that successfully highlights their very real challenges is very much appreciated and Doctor Slump does this quite well I feel. Sometimes I look at these caricatures in the dramas, like Jeong Woo’s parents, and I think, “Surely not!” But fact is, these characters are written because they probably really do exist! You should see the type of emails I receive from time to time from Korean parents. At times I think, “maybe it’s a Google translate issue,” but then I go back to these dramas and go, “perhaps not…”

Re: the doctor strike in S. Korea - @abs-oluteMI had a similar thought as you. It did feel like the reasons were very selfish, and I wonder if it’s because there’s just too much focus on status in SK. I would think if you were being overworked in your profession you would welcome more manpower… @peperomia I don’t think I felt sorry for Kyungmin in that I don’t think his actions, whatever motivated them, could ever be justified for all the reasons you pointed out. I do wonder if the accident never happened and he was never at death’s bed, if he would’ve eventually come clean with Jeongwoo. Nevertheless I did feel sorry for him that he became a victim of his own low self-esteem. That was regrettable because clearly he was academically gifted and could’ve achieved much just on the straight and narrow. I didn’t catch that one bit - when he found out it was JW’s clinic he tried to prevent the accident from happening? And the nurse that JW visited in the prisons - was that an abetting staff? Jeongwoo is such a resilient character, really. Life hasn’t been very kind to him but he’s always responded with such cheer. His parents don’t deserve him. So glad he met Haneul and family. I’m hoping the series ends with a wedding and our single parents finding their joy. Have yet to see how Dr Bin’s daughter will take to Hongran. Why did he get a divorce? I don’t remember it ever being said though it did happen while he was a resident, was it?

Haven’t finished watching this week’s episodes yet - still have episode 14 to go. But while we‘re on the topic of doctors, sort of, has anyone seen the news on junior doctor strikes in S. Korea?

Good grief. it’s like being married into the mafia!

Anyone watching CJH’s J-drama “Eye Love You”?

I have to say I’m enjoying this show, loving PHS’s interpretation of his role - he does indeed do comedy so well and he’s the best lovesick puppy ever - and equally surprised that his pairing with PSH actually works! Glad also they gave us a good 2 episodes of the couple developing in their relationship with each other - glad it didn’t drag out with her family not knowing. Loving it too that they’ve all sorta had a double date too. As expected, the pain and angst has come but I’m not complaining. The story needs to progress and I do want to know what this Kyungmin has actually been up to. Is he married already or going to get married? He’s just absolutely slimey. I just want to know why it is that he wants to do Jeongwoo in.

Looks like I’m not the only one who found ep 3 difficult to get through! I was falling asleep through various points and decided to start surfing the web while it played in the background. Seriously contemplating dropping this show. While the premise does give the ol’ marriage-for-benefits trope a good twist, the story progression is a little meh. It’s getting a bit stale this issue of why Ah Jung isn’t advancing in her career, and I’m not sure I care for why Dohan doesn’t want to inherit the business nor that Jihan would be the better man for the job. Jus5 doesn’t seem intriguing enough. And I don’t know why it is, but I never liked the actor playing the grandfather, whatever the show and whatever the role he takes. Something about his acting that always makes me think he’s unconvincing…

@ktcjdrama I feel you… I’ve been very occupied at work (and out of work too) this season and actually would love to have dramas to unwind to… but watching dramas eat into precious sleep. Sob… Doctor Slump and Captivating the King are must watches for me, but CTK ends this weekend… Nothing else really catching my attention (yet) on the horizon…

How's this so far? I like LJW, so I reckon I'm gonna give this one a shot.

I'm half an hour in. Nothing's really impressed me yet. Quite the "tropey" sorta story...

@abs-oluteM Yes, yes! I'm here! I've just been quite occupied at work (more like work continues in the after hours... *sob*) so I haven't had as much time to hang out here as I would want. I'm rather liking this show, and really, it's cos of PHS. He's just all of talented. Love his acting and how he's carrying this character. I have to say for a moment I thought the entire show was going to be a murder mystery whodunit series, so I was pleasantly surprised that the legal case against him was cleared up very quickly. But yes, I too wonder if that's really the end of the case with Kyungmin, especially that ominous scene earlier on with him (was it in the shower?) without his glasses. I found it very sus that he was so forthcoming in offering help to Jeongwoo, including recommending legal counsel and all. He's clearly not someone who offers help for nothing in return. Now that Jeongwoo has turned his back on him and there's no future cash in credit to be had, what's next? After all, we've still got a good 6 more episodes to go.

@mademoiselle As far as I remember, in the toon they ended off just having twins, but it was implied they were always, emm... busy. *wink* Hahahaha... There were additional "spin offs". Maybe they had more kids after that, but I haven't read all the spin off episodes yet.

@Chocolate @mademoiselle I finally finished watching the last 2 episodes yesterday and I have to say - I did not like it. I fell asleep at various points and did not find it worth my time to rewind to "catch up" on whatever had happened when my eyes were closed. The plot line with ex-fiancee was very boring and unnecessary, and everything wrapped up in a very simplistic manner. In the last 4 episodes, truly everyone and everything became quite stupid. In the webtoon, Ji Hyuk did not have this fate of dying in a car accident cos he actually took his own life after Jiwon's death. He drowned in the Han River. Just before his death however, he met Jiwon's father who asked him what he would do to change history if he could. He said something to the effect that if death brought him a second opportunity to change his fate with Jiwon, that's what he would do. So I can understand why this story line was not taken for the production - persons who are ideating suicide cannot be fed the idea that ending your life will result in this kind of a "2nd chance". But in the webtoon, because it was presented in this manner, Jihyuk had no reason to kill himself a second time since in this iteration, he actively sought the hand of Jiwon. In fact, it was Jiwon who rejected his proposal of marriage because she didn't want to get married again. She only counter offered to live with him without the "burden" of a marriage bond. They only finally got married because she became pregnant. As for Sumin and the webtoon storyline that she murdered her MIL, yes. That was fleshed out more in the webtoon. MIL was, as we all know it, a slave driver. But Sumin was not a pushover like Jiwon. So in pushing back, there were clashes. This led to an episode where MIL got a stroke and collapsed. But instead of calling for immediate medical help, Sumin left her to languish on her own. MIL was then subsequently "discovered" but by then, her condition had deteriorated so badly that she essentially became bedridden and non-verbal. Minhwan ordered Sumin to be the "dutiful daughter-in-law" to take care of MIL in the hospital. It was there that she observed the nurses injecting in the IV lines and learnt that if you don't get rid of the air bubbles in the syringe, you could cause death by an air embolism. So she did that. But, stupid as Sumin actually is, there was evidence caught in the hospital of this act. So she was charged for murder of her MIL. Min Hwan and Sumin were both fired at the same time in the webtoon actually, so Min Hwan was out of the company much earlier and up to his shenanigans in a different trajectory.

I rather like looking at their wardrobes in these modern day dramas... hahaha

@mademoiselle I too have heard of BoA but apart from the name, I don’t know anything else about her except that now I know she can’t act. Hahahaha… I dunno who’s the most stupid now. Ji Hyuk had to pay her off with a 4 Trillion Won business to end the engagement?? Why? It seemed like his family was more powerful and influential. Unless it’s cos there were prior partnerships out of “goodwill” because of an expected marriage union. But seems like in the alternate universe he did eventually end the relationship with her too, just that this time, he gets into a relationship with Jiwon, ya? And then Eunho. Poor Eunho whose entanglement in this also does not make sense. What’s he honestly got to do with anything at all? Captivating the King (cos there’s no thread. hahaha):

Finished watching the 2 episodes which has left me thinking - has everyone gotten stupid suddenly? Why does Jiwon run back to her desk but not take her phone with her and then “hides” where she can be easily seen? If you get such a creepy call knowing things you do, why don’t you call your boyfriend immediately, especially since he’s in his way to pick you up? Why does Jihyuk even let her “seduce” Minhwan in such a clumsy manner when all the earlier moves were better planned and executed? And the ex-fiancée - such a bad actress! She seems more stupid than evil. Her plans are so simplistic, it’s annoying to watch. They could’ve just kept it simple and straightforward like in the webtoo. Than to add these new convoluted angles… sigh… @mademoiselle for Captivating the King, yup, I’m current with the show. Wishing there was someone to discuss it with. Plot is good, acting is even better. At least that one is truly captivating and none of that long drawn angst…hahaha… like @Chocolate said, I was also thinking, just kill her already and go to jail just as fate intended for you guys cos you’ve all been excruciatingly stupid. Hahahaha…

I guess I'm also finally watching this because... there's nothing else to watch at the moment while I wait for the next episodes for Captivating the King (yes, it's good. Leads are very good actors.) Webtoon spoiler:

@mademoiselle@Chocolate Have we all but fizzled out for this drama? Hahaha… I read the episode synopses for both episodes this week but can’t seem to bring myself to watch it. It’s suddenly gotten quite lame. Alas… I was enjoying the interactions between Jiwon and Jihyuk up until last week’s intro of ex-fiancée… Am now more invested in Captivating the King but doesn’t look like anyone is watching it here… 😅

@mademoiselle Nothibg showed up for me too @Chocolate. Actually, I don’t know what was supposed to happen when I clicked it. Hahaha… Anyone watching Captivating The King?