TalkingWithYou

Yes, yes! Great comment! Btw, as an American, one of the reasons why I gravitated towards Korean and Chinese dramas is because they tend to be less vulgar.

Unfortunately, that was very common in both prehistoric and ancient times. What's even worse, is that nowadays, with a higher value placed on human life, in many places, that is still happening. However, not in the same context. Nowadays, people would kill their parents, to be with their boyfriend. I recently read a news article about this. An interracial couple killed the girl's father, because he disapproved of their relationship. Btw, I support interracial relationships but I wouldn't kill anyone because of it. While, it's not the same context, what makes it similar is sacrificing the life of another person. In ancient times they valued socioeconomic status to the point, they would die for their masters.

=(

I cringe when I watch period dramas in which the female lead servants are always willing to die for their masters, who btw, lived a comfortable life while they suffered.

Thank you! Great comment!

Regarding the comment you made about the expectations that viewers have, I think we would have to agree to disagree. Perhaps, I think too black and white when watching certain genres. However, if a genre is a romcom, I'd expect it to have romance and comedy. If the genre is an historical drama, even with a fictional aspect like Moon Lovers, which, btw, as I mentioned in the article, details in damas are often changed to make it more palatable for modern day viewers...I'd expect it to have a historical context. Since, I have knowledge about monarchical life, cultural norms, and etc, during some ancient and prehistoric times, I definently would never watch a historical drama for escapism. I think responsiblity should also fall on the viewers. They wouldn't go to a Chinese restaurant, if they want to eat Jamaican food. Why watch a historical drama, if they are expecting romance, and comedy, unless it's a subcategory listed on the dramas page. I believe genre categories help us know what to expect. I wouldn't listen to country western music expecting it to sound like R&B.

Btw, I actually believe that we should agree or disagree with what we agree or disagree with. In other words, thank you for expressing what you disagreed on. I believe respectfully disagreeing is a very strong way that people become more objective.

Wonderful comment!

I do agree that historical dramas should be allowed to use the creative license. Btw, I think a lot of K-dramas do. However, I don't think if a creative license is used that it means it has to be historically inaccurate. For example, the producers of the drama Moon Lovers used a creative license to fill in the details that may have been missing because history doesn't always leave specific details explaining itself lol, and also to bring us to the facts that are based upon truth. If you need me to explain this further, I will. I'm trying not to write the specifics to avoid checking the spoiler box.

Since I watch a lot of Chinese historical/period dramas I am aware of their media censorship. However, in China and Korea, outside of violence and sexual immortality, they censor for historical inaccuracies, which btw, if not careful people groups can try to twist historical facts if they want to cover up the truth about the past. Nonetheless, there are still great historical dramas from both countries in which a creative license was used and the producers had to go through censorship but it didn't change the historical aspect of the drama.

The only thing that I'd have to respectfully (100% respectfully) partially disagree with you on, is the following statement "History is always being seen through the lens of the present to some extent." I think this is true for people who probably lack emotional intelligence, objectivity,and any research experience lol. The bias of presentism does take time to overcome, so I can understand why you believe that.

There's a podcast that I enjoy listening to, and it's the Bible project podcast. They have a series in which they speak about how prehistoric people used the cosmos to explain what happened during their times. I think religion and superstition for some people, before the recent development of modern technology was means to explain why things happened that they did not have an explanation for.

If you're interested in listening to it go to
www.thebibleproject.com - look for the cosmos series.

Excellent comment! I like that you were gradually able to grow to like historical dramas by understooding their purpose.

I too like Chinese historical/period dramas,like a lot! Regarding, what you wrote in your last sentence, I don't think it's a disadvantage but rather an advantage. The ending of any drama should absolutely match the plot and storylines, especially for historical dramas.

I will check out your article, when I get the chance. Thank you for sharing it with me.

Great comment!
No, it doesn't sound weird but actually very normal. Monarchical life was full of violence, hate, greed, sexual immortality, power struggles, etc. I wouldn't watch a historical drama, expecting it to be like a romcom. Lol

Regarding your comment about historical anachronisms, I too have a hard time ignoring those details when watching historical/period dramas. The biggest problem that I see in modern day dramas is the acting of the main leads. For example, the damsel in distress female leads whose characters are either princesses or queens, their acting isn't realistic. Most female leads should be strong minded but conscious that the Emperor holds the power. They should also be confident but not arrogant.

The damsel in distress female lead character is a fairly new trop. I believe that it became popular 40 years ago, partially thanks or not, to Disney. Now, the extreme end to this, which I like in real life but it doesn't make sense in historical dramas is the super strong female lead character. If women acted like men, or if they even raised their voices at their husband whether he was noble or not, in most cases they could be killed. I am not agreeing with that behavior but rather just pointing how modern concepts have made it's way into historical dramas.

I really enjoyed watching The Story of Yanxi Palace but as I mentioned in my review of the drama, I couldn't give the drama a 10 because the male lead (The Emperor) tried to rape the female lead. Then somehow, she falls in love with him.

Unfortunately, how the Emperor acted in this drama is realistic but I didn't see much of a true disgust from the female lead towards the Emperor, especially with her strong personality.

Omg, yes! After portraying a character as evil, most writers aren't able to convince viewers that that person is no longer evil. For me, it would take a very intentional and realistic character development and not one or two nice deeds.

Let's discuss Yanxi Palace a bit. Read my message below (spoiler).

I totally agree with your comment.

Romcoms are for feeling good, but historical dramas, ehhhhh...not so much lol.

I think The Untamed is a fantasy drama but some people call it a historical fantasy. I'm not sure what part of history, it is supposed to be replicating. However, there are historical dramas which are non-fiction but has a fictional aspect, like Moon Lovers. I should have specified that in the article, instead of writing fiction.

Thank you for the recommendation! I will add it to my plan to watch list.

Nah, don't skip it. If you don't like the first four episodes then drop it. You will not be disappointed.

Yeah, and it's so unfortunate! Hopefully, they can have peace while they coparent.

You're welcome!

Honestly, I love your comment. I'm glad that you're willing to give historical dramas another go-round now that you understand how the bias of presentism may have impacted how you enjoy political historical dramas.

I would like to recommend some good historical dramas, which are about 65% politics and 35% romance.
1. Mr. Queen - K
2. The Story of Yanxi Palace - C
3. The Story of Ming Lan - C
4. Queen for Seven Days - K

You're welcome! 🙂

Thank you!

Btw, I reached episode 50 of Empress Ki back in August. This article was written in August too but it took time to get it approved, edited, and then posted. Nonetheless, I am going to check out the articles that you've shared with me. Thank you for the recommendations.

I'm curious to know "What is your favorite historical/period drama, and are there any ancient socio-cultural views that you find it hard to relate?"

The Story of Ming Lan was the first drama that I rated a 10 on MDL. While that drama is so good, marriages like theres, especially during that period, was very uncommon.

Side note: The two leads were married in real life. The male leads smile can melt a girls heart.

It seems like most women have an issue with the harem. I believe that as women, not only are we looking for capability with one person who we care about, but we also need to feel safe in a peaceful environment. Could you imagine living a life in which competing for your husband's affection with another woman, was the norm?

Thank you, I'm glad that you enjoyed the article! =)

It seems like most women have an issue with the harem. I believe that as women, not only are we looking for capability with one person who we care about, but we also need to feel safe in a peaceful environment. Could you imagine living a life in which competing for your husband's affection with another woman, was the norm?

Regarding arranged marriages, I heard of more negative stories about arranged marriages, as opposed to success stories. However, there are a few success stories. Honestly, being a woman hasn't always been easy, and I'm not sure that it will be on this side of eternity. I often thank God for not allowing me to be born 2,000 BC... or even 200 years ago.

OMG, I totally remember that Futurama episode hahaha! I hadn't watched Futurama in like 10 years.

I'm glad that you found the article interesting, and that you weren't bored out of your mind lol. I jokingly told one of the editors that the article may put people to sleep because honestly, I am not sure whether or not people care about understanding the historical context behind historical/period dramas. Based upon what I've read on MDL, it seem that people are interested in the fictional romance in period dramas, as opposed to the sociocultural details.

Regarding your statement about Isaac Newton, wow, what a thought provoking question. I, like most, would have answered the same way that the class did. Not at all, being conscious of the bias of presentism.

I've been drinking, I probably should log off now lol. Thanks for your thought provoking comments. =)

Great comment, and you're absolutely correct! I once read an article about prehistoric times that stated that women used to choose mates, and that men would wait in line for... *cough/cough*. I'm not sure how much or how little, I am able to discuss about certain topics on MDL, so I decided to write cough/cough instead.

I would love to discuss gender roles comparing life approx. 30,000 BC (The Paleolithic or Old Stone Age) to 1000 BC but if there are any men on MDL, I think it may cause tension for those who are against equal rights for women. In which usually, I wouldn't care but, honestly, I have no desire to argue with folks online lol.