bumblethunderbeast

I totally agree (about K and Jay). I was shocked to learn tonight (in episode 8) that Jay is ranked last for the global vote. Besides excellent dance moves and smoldering gazes, his attitude, leadership and empathy are exceptional.

I was disappointed by his bio description (I think in episode 7) where it basically said his motivation for being in Kpop was to look cool. The way he engages with the other I-landers shows he's a lot more thoughtful than that clip.

What did you think about his bio clip?

So this is sort of a Stephen Covey 7 Habits meets the Asian drama world? what a clever mashup! YES...I agree with your list. Seeing someone "treating a wound" as a romantic thing (#5) was new for me. And I love that you put the kiss build-up as the final item.

I'd probably add something about using masks to clean/maintain your face. I'd never seen so many people taking care of their face like that until I started watching Asian dramas.

It's 1 am and I'm salivating after reading this. what a fantastic idea for an article! Thank you so much for writing. Though I did make a variation of the tteokbokki and gochujang has become a staple for our household, I haven't had any of these at home.... perhaps I will be inspired to try the corn (like nara).

Do you have a favorite drama with food? if so, what is it and why did you like it? I enjoyed the very quirky "Dae Jang Geum is Watching" even though it seemed to be mocking food dramas. I really craved Korean food during and after seeing it.

Wow. Thanks for such a thorough article. I have held out from watching any Thai dramas (Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese seem like enough). But your article has definitely left me more predisposed to actually try one someday.

I've been wondering that for a while...is it normal to have photographs of just yourself (large and small) in some Asian cultures? I can sort of understand when a famous actor or vocalist has images that span the entire wall, but even more normal drama characters keep photos of just themselves.

I ask because I have a bunch of photos around the house too, but they are all me with other people (wedding, group hiking trip, reunion), others or nature shots are (Walden Pond, calla lilies or window of an Italian villa). I don't hang or frame anything that is just me. So I've always been struck by the solo portraits.

that was an interesting article. Thanks for the link!

I'm not sure what you mean by superpowers or super smart, but off the top of my head, here are a few "not witchy" & strong FLs

C-dramas:
To Love To Heal with FL as Kendo coach
Sweet, Sweet Bodyguard with FL as professional bodyguard
Flavor It's Yours
ML = insane ability to taste subtle nuances of food and wine
FL = wins eating contests and out-drinks anyone

T-drama:
Triad Princes with FL as undercover bodyguard

K-dramas:
Kill Me Heal Me with FL as psych
Dae Jang Geum is Watching 3 siblings each has a special skill:
oldest = incredibly discerning palette
middle =. ability to identify ingredients by smell
youngest = phenomenal cook with hands that can heat

I'm really grateful/impressed that you put the suicide hotline link at the end of this. It never hurts to ensure that the resources are readily available.

hmmmm...this just made me very thankful for my pandemic partner

my very real husband: He vacuums! Scrubs the bathroom! Makes breakfast and supper! Washes dishes! Manages car repairs! Does the laundry! Encourages me to paint more! Maintains the garden! Pays our bills! Even talks to my parents regularly!

of course I could also add

He farts loudly! Listens and remembers selectively! Watches way too many survival and action movies! Tells really bad "almost puns" and thinks they're funny! Occasionally takes credit for my ideas! Never makes the bed or cleans the kitchen sink! Likes way too much sugar! Angers quickly! Supports political positions I loathe! Questions the veracity of global warming!

obviously he can't be amazing across the board, but you've given me the space to remember how great he can be. Thank you.

I loved this drama--not just because of LMH's return, but also the intricate complexity of the setting and plot! I voraciously binge watched it after the final episode so my poor husband didn't have access to the television for 2.5 days.

Thank you for writing such an extensively researched article with so many links. I especially liked the details about Manpasikjeok (I hadn't caught the yo-yo boy significance and I didn't know the folklore behind it), the reiteration of the math concepts, the YouTube links for "best of writer Kim Eun-sook" and "BTS Dear Class of 2020." You deepened my appreciation for the drama and broadened my cultural context.

I love me a good time travel drama too. Have you seen Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty or Shuttle Love Millennium or Love through a Millennium? They also fit your current cure...

BTW: your plan to watch list is lengthy but it really has a lot of good shows

I like your recovery suggestions!

Do we ever truly get over that empty space that used to be filled by the "I can't wait to see what they do next" drama? I often alternate between a heavy historical drama (Chinese or Korean) and a lighter contemporary piece (Chinese, Taiwanese or Korean). That shuffle can help me avoid the gaping loss of a show hole. And when I don't feel like I have the heart to invest my everything into a new drama, I'll pick up a few movies or a shorter Japanese drama.

Then, of course, the ultimate fix: good fantasy seems to work as a stop gap that is glorious in its own right.

I totally agree! I can't believe that she's cast in a supporting role for her upcoming 2020 dramas.

I'm sold! This is on my plan to watch list, but it is definitely getting a higher priority. Thanks for writing such a thoughtful analysis. I want to take some of the quotes you highlighted like "don't lock yourself into others' standards..." and stick them on my bathroom mirror.

Fun article...I completely agree about the first two listed here! I often check the number of episodes to see how long before a romantic couple's on-again/off-again issues can be resolved. And for a while I thought there was something wrong with me because I almost always gravitated toward the 2ML. Who says hot guys who are also nice can't be first choice?

thanks for posting

WOW... these were breathtakingly beautiful to watch. Thanks for introducing them! I don't really follow Kpop at all, so I never would have seen these without your article.

I hadn't noticed the "updo/forehead" look as a thing, but you're totally right. I almost always loathe it. Thanks...your explanation about the beard interpretations makes a lot of sense.

Love this article! Somehow during a haircut about a year ago, I started talking to my hairdresser about asian dramas. That led to a conversation regarding men with extra body/facial hair. He pointed out that most of the time, extra hairy men (at least in American films/tv) tended to be the bad guys. I totally didn't buy it, it felt too "pat." But after going back and paying more attention, I realized that he was right. YES...it is a generalization. But I found it disturbingly more accurate than it should have been.

From your lists, I've only watched She Was Pretty and Nail Salon Paris. So I don't have a good sense of whether the stereotype holds true in Asian dramas. Does the stereotype fit Asian dramas? What do you think?

wow...thanks for such a thorough list; the explanations were super helpful

I also don't watch a lot of J-dramas, but there are definitely some with super strong female leads. Gibo to Musume no Blues. and Jimi ni Sugoi! Koetsu Garu Kono Etsuko. are the two that come to mind immediately. I normally don't pay much attention to tags, maybe I should.