Ceki

I still don't understand how some people experienced that drama as romantic. If you go to the drama's profile page, you will see 99% positive comments.

Haha xD I agree that it is a double standard and women slap men way more often than vice versa; and even though I would love to say that is because men are physically more superior than women (in most cases at least), I'd be a hypocrite for saying that. I will always cringe more at seeing a woman or child getting slapped than a man.

Exactly, you just hit the nail on the head! ;)

Does that mean that you would like to be kissed or grabbed by a complete stranger? Because in most of these examples, the girls are fighting back and saying no.

I don't know about the 90s version, but in the newest Korean, Taiwanese and Japanese drama adaptations, there are instances when she tries to push him, and when he realizes that she's finally had enough of him, he gives her more hope. That is the ' famous' first kiss during the graduation, among others.

He is not mocking her only when she stalks him, he does it all the time and he enjoys it. And whenever she tries to break free, he makes sure to make her believe that there is hope of them being together. Stalkers should not be mocked but reported, and it is obvious that he enjoys being the center of her attention. And let's be frank, no normal woman would endure more than 2 minutes in his presence (when he shows his true colors) and he knows it.

These situations that you mention do not really require physical aggression. I mean, you could simply talk to someone, tap that person on the shoulder or show where you want to go with gestures. When you grab someone and start dragging them around means 'I don't care whether you want to or not, you are coming with me!"

I'd definitely see her as abusive, because no matter what gender a person belongs to it is still unacceptable to mock, humiliate and embarrass someone in such a way (and enjoy it all the same).

She is abusing him by stalking him and he is abusing her by constantly and verbally humiliating her. They are in a way perfect for each other - a masochist and sadist. However the message is still clear - 'be stupid and make the man priority of your life because you will get your happily ever after.'

I also remembered a scene in which that newbie (I guess he is the main male character) receives his punishment by being forced to do some kind of physical exercise and jump around the building/yard like a monkey. That was really painful to watch. :p But that was the point - they all believed it was proper and completely normal for their seniors to punish them like that.

And that's the core of everything I guess. I will admit that I did laugh at some scenes and I liked the reversal of genders HOWEVER that left a bad taste in my mouth in the end. Why? Because the ghost girl was imo portrayed in a bad way because of her sexual needs. It would have been a totally different story if the guy accepted her advances from the start, but he kept pushing her away until she turned into a rapey character. They were both victims imo, he because he was sexually abused and she because of a portrayal as being silly because of her basic human needs.

Thanks, now that you mentioned it, I do remember a couple of scenes of throwing water on someone's face :D Is rice throwing more prevalent in historical dramas?

I completely agree, that is why I also mentioned another drama that deals with discrimination and abuse at work, however, when it comes to the Misaeng example, it is correct that the behavior of men who abused her was not condoned, but HER behavior was, because (just like you said) it became apparent that a woman's perseverance was portrayed as the only way to deal with abusive people in a workplace, which is completely wrong. She was the victim and she did nothing but accept it in order not to lose her job (just like many other characters who endured worse fate for the same reason). And that sends a message that you should not speak up and report the abuse.

True and what I have also noticed is that when a female character is portrayed as successful and independent, she is usually a villain, an old "hag" or a bitchy person. Which is really sad.

You mean there is more abuse in Thai lakorns or...?

Hmm is there a gang rape scene, or that was just a metaphor? O_O
I think he is worse than an animal because he is too sadistic, however, each country portrayed his character in a slightly different way. The girl is the problem because she keeps on running after him and getting abused. I won't even start about her father who just lets all that happen.

You're right, the major audience consists of younger people and some of them will probably take on that relationship model and behave similarly in a real life. The scarier thing is that, the reason why dramas keep on showing the same abuse, is probably because such scenes are sought after by people who watch dramas.

You are right, and I agree. A couple of times I thought "He looks as if he really is cornered and afraid" even though he is physically stronger than her.
It would make a great addition to the article, I'd love to quote you ;)

Thank you! I believe that what is even worse than that kind of physical violence is the fact that the victim accepts and forgives it too easily. The problem arises when that kind of behavior gets portrayed as "good" and "romantic".

and where's fun in that? ;p