Jung Woo Sung more handsome than in A Moment to Remember? Is that even POSSIBLE?? For that alone, I have to go…
Trust me, the way he looked in A Moment to Remember doesn't even come close to how drop dead gorgeous he was in Season. And that's saying a lot since he was freakin' awesome looking in A Moment. The man is just one coooool glass of water!
The poster below (Ladybritaky) makes a good point. We're likely to wait in vain & pain before we see any significant…
Fair enough, Winnie, to each their own as they say. In many ways I can relate. When I'm in the mood for more thoughtful, well-constructed slices of life I turn to Japan too. And indeed there is a variety of realities explored in jdramas that we don't often see in K-dramas. However, the fact remains, irrespective of this, they're ALL full of cliches and formulaic hijinks. Similar morals and characterizations. Which if that's the only criticism of K-dramas people (including myself) love to harp on about (that they're too formulaic), then all the rest should be criticized on those demerits as well, including jdramas. It's all a matter of taste. If jdramas match your tastes better, more power to you ... but that doesn't automatically mean ALL k-dramas are bad (for everyone else). I'm not saying you're saying that by the way. Just speaking in general terms.
Aaron, an AMAZING review! I wish I had your ability to articulate my thoughts so well. Thanks for sharing your story. Hang in there, buddy. You've summed up beautifully why I'll never depart from my love of romance, even amid many on this site who seem convinced they have superior tastes since they take every opportunity to denounce the genre. Love is the greatest human emotion there is. When a drama/film gives us a substantial, fulfilling story of love, it's one of the greatest feeling ever. All lingering doubts I had about watching this drama are now dead.
I was also shocked to hear about all the awards it got. Goes to show once again that what may appeal to Koreans and 'outsiders' will almost never coincide. You're far more generous than me; I could never rate it anything above a 3 with good conscience.
The poster below (Ladybritaky) makes a good point. We're likely to wait in vain & pain before we see any significant departure from formulaic story devices in K-dramas. Unless there's a rebirth of the entire Korean culture and mindset I just don't see it happening any time soon. Structure and conformity are the bedrocks of their existence and there's a stark trickle down effect of this age old mindset which influences ALL aspect of Korean life, including creative endeavours (which by its very nature should be individual, fluid, personal, but usually isn't. It's not even just a Korean phenomenon, but an Asian one). It's fascinating to consider. Even if one mold is broken, a new one is born and they'll beat that new formula to death before the mold breaks again and another one is born. And over and over the process goes. My hypothesis is that change comes in blocks ... with a shift in mentality throughout ALL the community (whether that's the community of the whole country - their society - or the community in which creatives operate, eg a production company, OR both). The INDIVIDUAL isn't given free reign to create. Because they're a collectivist culture in which everything gets done in pacts & elders get the final word. Once the formula is agreed upon, you're expected not to deviate from it. That's why a lot of their shows fail among intl audiences (but are popular in Korea) - if you're not used to that culture/mindset then of course it becomes frustrating to watch over time.
Therefore, K-dramas are what they are and they're not changing any time soon to cater to us. Either you find those with elements of what you like or throw in the towel (but don't go around bashing K-dramas for that reason alone). I am frustrated and tired of all the formulaic BS like everyone else, but I've found a way to still watch them and not let them get under my skin. That's by enjoying them (or any Asian drama really) in small doses. I take a break in between dramas and watch something else, drama from another country or a movie or nothing at all. Burnout comes when you subject your brain to the cell frying repetitiveness of most Asian dramas. In fact, I don't think any of the East Asian drama producing countries are superior to the other. Yes, production values may vary, but they all rigidly stick to formula. I've never understood why some people love to get up on a pedestal and denounce K-drama in favour of J-drama when in truth Jdramas, even though they may offer more diverse scenarios and better drawn characters, their shows aren't completely free of the same old drama tropes and overused plot devices. They can be just as frustratingly predictable as other dramas, and I get annoyed with them, as I do with K & T dramas, if I don't pace myself. This is because to a greater or lesser extent they are ALL beholden to the same 'conform to structure/formula' type of thinking.
This definitely feels like a rip off of the Jason Bourne trilogy, but people can no longer label South Korean cinema as 'amateurish' or 'lowbrow'. The Suspect proves that in spades. The SFX and fighting sequences in this film would rival any of its Hollywood counterparts any day, any time and WIN. It is THAT good. Gong Yoo is as sexy as ever, and delivers an intense but emotional performance, nothing less than we've come to expect from him. Admittedly, there is a good, if slightly cliched, story here, but as usual South Korean directors just don't know when to quit. These unnecessary, bloated 2hr + runtimes always ruin a good thing. Why do they insist on dragging things out when their stories are easily and more effectively told in the standard 90 mins? By the time you hit the 3rd act of The Suspect you start to forgot why it was enjoyable in the first 1.5 hr and just can't wait for it to be over. What a pity.
Yeah, we could really wonder what's wrong with Korean people ... given some of the shows that top the ratings…
You have a point there. And admittedly even I - if I allow myself to watch these idiotic dramas, which I don't (no disrespect to the fans, just my personal insignificant opinion) - I'd probably fall for it too. Though most of the time I'm so tired of having my intelligence insulted I'm one of those people to turn of the TV and go read a book.
Yeah, we could really wonder what's wrong with Korean people ... given some of the shows that top the ratings dogfight and win their yearly prizes. That's why I couldn't care less about ratings and prizes winners. I watch according to my tastes, which is almost never in line with Korea's. All the dramas with high ratings and or big prizes are/were mostly dramas I hated or didn't even bother watching.
Different cultural and moral values will always create a discrepancy between what Korean and international audiences find entertaining. I do believe the Korean viewership predominantly consists of women over 45, a group that's just old enough to have not benefited widely (international education, international travel) from the Korea economic boom as the younger generation seem to be. This older generation of Koreans seem to have a taste for wild over the top makjang dramas (the ones I run from in terror) because in some ways their very society is kind of built on makjang principles. Just watch Korean news and they way they respond to life's daily tragedies and triumphs, seem characterized by makjang reporting and melodramatic reactions (ahjumma wailing hopelessly on the ground while pounding her chest or attacking the police). Makjang and melodrama are a part of their drama culture, imo, which in turn is a direction reflect of their society. These dramas were/are the only excitement bored housewives had to look forward during their humdrum days of cleaning house and tending children.
However, now that Hallyu has gone viral and society is slowly shifting from 'elder centric to modern, better educated 'kuppies' (for lack of a better term)', creatives are trying to come up with fresh new ideas that they hope will have a broader appeal, but sometimes they try too hard to be edgy and avante garde and drop the ball totally.
So I think the issue might be a little more nuanced than just 'lack of makjang=lack of success'. Personally I think some of these story ideas we've seen lately are just plain bad ideas. A jobless mermaid? A guy with knives sticking out of his body? The same weakass, annoying, cliched 'girl's in love with 2 guys, but is not sure who she loves more' love triangle type of drama. How many of those have we already seen this year?
Come with better original ideas or present old ideas in new packaging and maybe, just maybe even without the makjang audiences will respond? After all, I don't think it's just international audiences alone that are looking for something new, something more intelligent. That would be underestimating Korean audiences too much.
Push the envelope a bit too far, though, and people will revert to the tried and true genres and (makjang) storylines that are familiar to them: 'poor country girl goes to the big city; she faces many hardships but eventually triumphs, all while finding love amid rigid parental disapproval'. Or not tune in at all.
An appropriately titled, dank, foreboding tale of a chance (or perhaps not so) encounter between two fish shop owners. Shion doesn't promise you thrilling, unexpected twists, BUT what he does with superb artistry is tip toe you through the film's narrative with mean-spirited, brutal, shocking, gleeful precision ... like a horror house tour in which you know something's coming, but you're not sure when it'll appear. Very credible acting by the two leading men. I was sucked in by Shamoto's explosive transformation as interpreted by Fukikoshi Mitsuru and the frenetic delivery of Denden. This is not for the faint of heart though - if you're easily offended by female objectification and gore this is not the film for you.
Very disappointing! This drama started out with a lot of promise, but by episode 11 something goes wrong and stays…
I know, right??? Gosh, it's the lamest BS I've ever encountered ... these so called alternate endings. I don't know why they keep on doing that. It's so insulting to audiences and an unprofessional cop out by the creatives behind the show.
I just had a discussion with another friend re the ending of Cruel City and I made the same exact point. If you're gonna bloody kill someone off let him stay dead for peace sake rather than toy with us with the ridiculous notion of ... 'oh but you never know, he MIGHT still be alive!' Grrr... it's also particularly stupid in CC because there's no way the guy could've survived a shot dead square to the heart, but people will still insist that it's an open ending when what it really is is a barefaced insult of one's intelligence.
I'm not interested in such foolishness so thanks for clarifying the ending of this show and letting me know.
Very disappointing! This drama started out with a lot of promise, but by episode 11 something goes wrong and stays…
Cheers, absolutely definitely gonna avoid this one! Especially since I just came off a drama that while good - left me with a bittersweet feeling. I'm now in the mood for something with a true happy ending.
1 
Therefore, K-dramas are what they are and they're not changing any time soon to cater to us. Either you find those with elements of what you like or throw in the towel (but don't go around bashing K-dramas for that reason alone). I am frustrated and tired of all the formulaic BS like everyone else, but I've found a way to still watch them and not let them get under my skin. That's by enjoying them (or any Asian drama really) in small doses. I take a break in between dramas and watch something else, drama from another country or a movie or nothing at all. Burnout comes when you subject your brain to the cell frying repetitiveness of most Asian dramas. In fact, I don't think any of the East Asian drama producing countries are superior to the other. Yes, production values may vary, but they all rigidly stick to formula. I've never understood why some people love to get up on a pedestal and denounce K-drama in favour of J-drama when in truth Jdramas, even though they may offer more diverse scenarios and better drawn characters, their shows aren't completely free of the same old drama tropes and overused plot devices. They can be just as frustratingly predictable as other dramas, and I get annoyed with them, as I do with K & T dramas, if I don't pace myself. This is because to a greater or lesser extent they are ALL beholden to the same 'conform to structure/formula' type of thinking.
Different cultural and moral values will always create a discrepancy between what Korean and international audiences find entertaining. I do believe the Korean viewership predominantly consists of women over 45, a group that's just old enough to have not benefited widely (international education, international travel) from the Korea economic boom as the younger generation seem to be. This older generation of Koreans seem to have a taste for wild over the top makjang dramas (the ones I run from in terror) because in some ways their very society is kind of built on makjang principles. Just watch Korean news and they way they respond to life's daily tragedies and triumphs, seem characterized by makjang reporting and melodramatic reactions (ahjumma wailing hopelessly on the ground while pounding her chest or attacking the police). Makjang and melodrama are a part of their drama culture, imo, which in turn is a direction reflect of their society. These dramas were/are the only excitement bored housewives had to look forward during their humdrum days of cleaning house and tending children.
However, now that Hallyu has gone viral and society is slowly shifting from 'elder centric to modern, better educated 'kuppies' (for lack of a better term)', creatives are trying to come up with fresh new ideas that they hope will have a broader appeal, but sometimes they try too hard to be edgy and avante garde and drop the ball totally.
So I think the issue might be a little more nuanced than just 'lack of makjang=lack of success'. Personally I think some of these story ideas we've seen lately are just plain bad ideas. A jobless mermaid? A guy with knives sticking out of his body? The same weakass, annoying, cliched 'girl's in love with 2 guys, but is not sure who she loves more' love triangle type of drama. How many of those have we already seen this year?
Come with better original ideas or present old ideas in new packaging and maybe, just maybe even without the makjang audiences will respond? After all, I don't think it's just international audiences alone that are looking for something new, something more intelligent. That would be underestimating Korean audiences too much.
Push the envelope a bit too far, though, and people will revert to the tried and true genres and (makjang) storylines that are familiar to them: 'poor country girl goes to the big city; she faces many hardships but eventually triumphs, all while finding love amid rigid parental disapproval'. Or not tune in at all.
I just had a discussion with another friend re the ending of Cruel City and I made the same exact point. If you're gonna bloody kill someone off let him stay dead for peace sake rather than toy with us with the ridiculous notion of ... 'oh but you never know, he MIGHT still be alive!' Grrr... it's also particularly stupid in CC because there's no way the guy could've survived a shot dead square to the heart, but people will still insist that it's an open ending when what it really is is a barefaced insult of one's intelligence.
I'm not interested in such foolishness so thanks for clarifying the ending of this show and letting me know.
By the way, please spoil me on the ending. All the comments made me curious!