These Dramatic Days

It's late, but better late than never. I made a podcast for episodes 13-16 of Extraordinary Attorney Woo Young Woo: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5tjKFumcB6SYfUS07r10PD

I talk about the rough ride in episodes 13-15 and all the debates and issues with those episodes, but mainly, I talk about the beauty of episode 16. I look at what makes a good Kdrama ending and how this showed up in the ending for Extraordinary Attorney Woo Young Woo.

I also talk about shipping & anti-shipping culture and often some comforting and logical explainations for people who, for some strange reason, have a hard time beliving that Park Eun Bin & Kang Tae Oh actually get along. I will talk about the anxieties that people seem to have about Taebin and dispell a lot of strange rumours and conspiracy theories with good old fashioned evidence.

Lastly, I talk about why Kdramas rarely have second seasons. I also look at the possibility of a second season for Extraordinary Attorney Woo Young Woo and what would be a better option than a second season. This episode is 2 hours long, so it is a long episode, but if you want to break it into 2 episodes - I talk about episodes 13-16 and the drama legal cases in the first 35 mins & Shipping, Taebin (The ship name for Park Eun Bin and Kang Tae Oh) and season 2 in the last 1hr 30 mins. Enjoy!

If you're anxiously awaiting episode 14 tonight after that tense episode 13, you might want to distract yourself with some discussions about EAWYW. I made a podcast episode:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6SwBUnbSop65DWXHI79dpK

In this episode, I talk about:
1. The plot of the drama, Extraordinary Attorney Woo Young Woo. We'll introduce the titular character, Woo Young Woo, and talk about the way she's been shaped. I also look at the actress, Park Eun Bin, who plays Woo Young Woo as well as Kang Tae Oh, who plays her love interest Jun Ho.

2. Depicting Autism in K-dramas. We talk about how Extraordinary Woo Young Woo sits within the K-drama literature in showing experiences of those on the Spectrum. We look at why this series is special, how it's helped to generate discussion and awareness about living with Autism as well as some of the points of debate when it comes to accuracy of portrayal etc.

3. The beauty & importance of romance in this series & the popularity of the male lead Jun Ho. Although this drama is predominently a legal drama, I talk about why the romance is so important in showing Woo Young Woo's growth. We also look at why Jun Ho is so popular - how he subverts some stereotypes and portrays postive traits as well as criticisms about him being too perfect without a backstory.

4. The function of side characters. The side characters have such a strong presence in this series. We look at what Myeong Seok, Min Woo, Su Yeon and Geurami's characters do in terms of supporting Woo Young Woo's journey.

For those missing 'Tomorrow' I made a podcast episode talking about everything to do with this drama - it touches on the actors and characters, the fact that it's an Episodic drama which is good for exploring the human experience of suffering, as well as a fantasy drama with really good world building. We look at how the drama does a really good exploration about what drives people to dark places and also critique how the show could have done better with some of the stories...and lastly, fangirl about the Ryeon-Jong Gil storyline and Joon Woong storyline as well: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0THR3to4BswutU2T5G1cre

I feel that K-Drama genres get simplified too often (maybe lost in translation or TV stations reluctant to reveal genres to reveal endings) and then people don't know what to expect. Most people think that things either have to be a Rom-Com or a Melodrama. While this story does have romance theme running through it, the romance is really only a side component for the main genre - it's a Nostalgia drama more than a romance drama . It's asking you to look at the memories of a first love, not promising a story of a love that last forever. Nostalgia dramas are about looking back on the past and experiencing a big, coming-of-age change in life. This genre is more likely than most other genres to bypass the conventional happy ending because it's about youth and how our lives change as we get older. I guess that's why I was so personally surprised that so many people expected a happy ending - I'm a big fan of nostalgia dramas and films especially Taiwanese, Japanese and Korean series/ films and so I came in with the expectation that things could be sad, although I did also hope for a happy ending like any others. Anyway, I speak a bit more about nostalgia dramas and process the ending here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0GVUs93v4Lepo3HU1SoP9n

I also don't think the writers were manipulative. They hinted very much from the begining that Hee Do had moved on. From the very begining, her daughter had a different last name to Yi Jin's last name and she had a strange look when her mother mentioned Yi Jin. People choose to ignore these in favour for the possibility of a happy ending because that's how we are sometimes - we'd like everything to work out as we wanted!

Well, it took me a week to process the ending and I think I've made peace with it. I share all my processing here in this podcast which analyses the ending in depth:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0GVUs93v4Lepo3HU1SoP9n

Although I would have loved a conventionally happy ending, I also don't think this was a bad ending and I actually like it now though it did hurt like hell while watching - I guess it was painfully beautiful. I made a podcast that addresses all the main criticisms of the ending. This isn't to change anyone's mind or argue that it was a good ending. And if you're hell-bent on beliving this is a bad ending and don't want to hear anything else, then you probably won't want to engage.

BUT if you want to get over the painful parts of the ending, want some closure and you're open to hearing about different perspectives for why the ending is not as sad or unrealistic or open as you might have initially thought, then feel free to give this a listen. I'm not the writer so I can't change the ending you saw, but the discussion and processing might help to soften the blow or give you a different lens to which you can understand and accept the ending as it is.

It's like a nostalgia, slice of life, sports & romance drama. I'd say it's more a nostalgia drama because of the ending and the idea of looking back on memories more than anything else.

A few hours to go before this drama ends! Thanks everyone for all the fun chats and theories!

These are all the theories I've compiled with photo/scene 'evidence'

Divorce theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNGXkZ6rNCg&ab_channel=TheseDramaticDaysPodcast

Name Change theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWOJMBhfMTs&ab_channel=TheseDramaticDaysPodcast

Main 6 theories involving break-up or death or adoptions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2AO-GXESFI&t=10s&ab_channel=TheseDramaticDaysPodcast

I feel like I'll still love this drama very much regardless of whether it ends happy or sad because it's been such a fun throwback to the 90's and it's been such a meaningful journey about love, resilience and growth. I hope people do not hate on the drama if it doesn't turn out to be what they expected because it's still been such good story-telling. Twenty Five Twenty One reflects a lot of real life....not all of us can say we married the first person we dated, or are still best friends with our high school friends. So hopefully this story has showed you how much you should appreciate all the people and moments around you while you have them! ❤

Hahaha who know knows? The writers could end up ignoring logic all together...has happened before in dramas I've watched for better or for worse!

@jia04 Oh no worries! I was just confused because MLD's comment tree looks so confusing sometimes! I agree with you. Having seen most of NJH and KTR's projects over the years for film festival work, I feel like they both choose such interesting project which make you think and feel, not just things that will appeal to the masses or be commerical hits (though I think most of their projects have been well loved hits anyway)

I think there's 2 parts to predicting the ending: Telling people the ending you think will happen and telling people the ending you want. This is not the ending I particularly want, but given the clues and trying to process the ending logically, this is the ending I think that will happen. I feel like this ending makes the most sense in terms of what the writers have set up with their very sly 'clues' and hints. I could still be very wrong because it's just a guess based on things I've noticed, but so far it explains things like why Min Chae doesn't recognise Yi Jin, why Min Chae isn't excited by her dad's present, and why Hee Do is being congratualated for her wedding etc.

In terms of drama pacing, I think the drama will take you to their lives in 25-21, but then to show happened, it would either give us a montage of events in their lives or a time jump where you have to imagine or fill in the blanks what happened in those years. I don't think it feels rushed per say, it's just not as satisfiying to not get closure on everything that would have happened between Yi Jin and Hee Do. But culturally, Korean writers seem to like these types of endings. I think because it gives a feeling of bittersweetness and realism (which is popular in Korean & Japanese shows/ movies), but also plays on a happy ending or at least an open ending with the potential of hope.

@jia04 If you comment is just expressing your opinion about how much you like the meaningful elements of the show, I totally agree with your sentiments. But if you're opinion is expressing annoyance at my particular comment, I think you've misunderstood what I've written. I personally like deep nostalgia dramas, which examine how life is not a fairytale, but a series of moments both joyful and painful that make up the fabric of our existence. I like dramas that are meaningful and teach life lessons. And no, I don't believe that actors should pick projects based on romance or ratings and as implied by the use of the word 'sappy', I'm not a fan of romances for the sake of mere romance without substance. I was only making a positive observation that both actors have the good sense to pick projects that are not sappy romances because I've had to watch most of Nam Joo Hyuk and Kim Tae Ri's movies for my job. I only mentioned that I think the ending will be happy because that's the latest theory I'm supporting about the ending, although if it turns out to be wrong and they choose the bittersweet route, I would still love this drama equally. I'm just clarifying my comment because I didn't quite understand the tone of your comment given we seem to share the same opinion.

I think so. I mean if the grandma know him last month, she obviously knows ways/ people to find him. And then in terms of the reunion I feel like it would be happy, but almost an open ending. Like they won't show the entire relationship rebuilding...just the 2 of them meeting again or something like that? That's my guess at the moment

Agree - both actors don't tend to pick those super sappy romance dramas with happy endings. But I do think they pick good projects and even if this one is bittersweet, I have enjoyed the ride and the mystery till the end. I'm actually banking on a happy/ open ending where Hee do and Yi Jin meet again and it's implied they'll start over as adults.

I feel like the writers will go with an ending that is both bittersweet and happy. I'm putting my bet on this theory that Hee Do married someone else, divorces and then meet Yi Jin again in the future. You can see all the evidence from the drama supporting this theory here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNGXkZ6rNCg&ab_channel=TheseDramaticDaysPodcast

I think you have misunderstood my comment- I said 'if you want to avoid outrage' which means I can see there are outrage/attack towards you. This is just a suggestion on what works for me because I also write unpopular opinions but no one attacks me.But if you enjoy responding to conflict that's fine, you can just do things your own way - there is no need to tell me. This is just my way of writing and I thought I'd share because it's how I tend to write.

I think it's totally ok to have a different opinion and not to enjoy a drama even if it is popular (I'm not a fan of things like Goblin or Boys Over flowers), but to avoid outrage from others, I think it might be worth considering how to express your words. When you write something like "it's terribly boring and slow" it sounds like you're saying this is the only way to see this drama. It might be better to say: "In my opinion, this drama is really slow and I feel bored when I watch" so it doesn't sound so attacking or perscriptive, but you are making it clear it's your views. I'm of a different opinion - I am enjoying this drama. But I know it's because I love nostalgia dramas, sports dramas, slice of life and romance dramas. People tend to like these type of dramas because they're meaningful and the romance is deeper in connection (rather than superficial and too mushy) and the story remind them of their own pasts. As for Nam Joo Hyuk, I'm not a mega fan, but I do think he can act, though his style is subtle and thoughtful, not animated. Everyone has different tastes, so no one's opinion is correct or incorrect. If you don't like it, it might be best to look for one you like rather than watching and commenting on one you don't like...the time you spend on this takes away time from a drama you'd enjoy :)

For anyone who likes podcasts and interested in hearing all the detailed theories I've heard mentioned in Korean forums, or want to know what the IMF crisis was which caused Yi Jin's family to go bankrupt and leads to the "times" in the drama, or want to know why Full House is so popular in this drama, you can have a listen here :) https://open.spotify.com/episode/5y0j1yzmX9GlohMNPnVmDv

I love it so much! Everything about it speaks to me. And I usually don't love the popular hyped dramas...but this one feels so deep and there's a sweetness about the characters and the storyline.

Wouldn't be surprised if it was sad due to the very genre of the drama being a nostalgia drama. Have collected a whole bunch of theories I've heard going around and most of them seem somewhat sad due to the seperation aspect (also there's lots of foreshadowing because they talk about Romeo and Juliet etc) and talked about it in my podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5y0j1yzmX9GlohMNPnVmDv

I watched a Live where Fu Meng Bo, Orad's actor, said he felt Li Ying Chen wasn't Orad, although like Kakarayan, Li Ying Chen is definitely connected to his character. Can't remember which of the many Lives he mentioned it in, but he talked about conversations he had with the director acting out his range of characters in this show. Of course, it's still open to interpretation, but I thought it was interesting that was his take on it.