Oooh bb, keep watching, it does a complete 180 at a certain point.
I remember watching this when it came on the air. I think it's a lot better than you give it credit for - but I agree that Usagi and Mamoru are probably the least compelling part of this series.
You can acknowledge that something you love has flaws without ruining your enjoyment of something. Try it.
Maybe that aspect of Japanese culture is deserving of criticism though. :) In fact I can think of a good list of things about Japanese culture (especially their view on women) that are quite deserving of critique. You're welcome to disagree but don't make assumptions about other people's understanding of a culture or make accusations on their character. It's not a good look.
I agree for the most part with second leads. The only exception for me, personally, is in a drama where I felt the heroine and the lead had no chemistry: Dating Agency Cyrano (TV)
I'm curious - what other Korean dramas have "mean" second lead dudes? Usually second girl leads are the meanies - I'd like to see if there are other male leads that take on that role.
The best vampire-esque Asian entertainment I've encountered thus far is Hakuouki. It seems live action has a harder time getting vampire stuff done vs. video games or anime -- could it be because of censorship re: blood?
Great article and interesting discussion! I'm a big fan of female-centric entertainment and I remember a peer saying it best: "It's not enough to want 'strong' female leads - we need to be demanding DIVERSE female leads."
You hit the nail on the head when you asked "why don't we talk about this when discussing male leads?"
For me personally the best story-telling is when a female lead is flawed and overcomes her challenges - and there are qualities that, when tempered, aren't inherently bad - it's when they're overwhelmingly a detriment to the character's well-being that they get to be problematic. So long as the characters develop and grow, I'm a happy camper!
1. Licensing - there just aren't legitimate sources for Japanese dramas streaming and I don't like pirating.
2. Age of heroines - I'm 34 and Japan has some strange obsession with high school. If the story's good I'll watch it, but it'd be nice if we had more dramas about late 20s/30s women.
...I'm not even talking about subtitles. I speak Japanese and don't need them, but until Japan is less protective of their IPs the audience just won't be as wide.
I remember watching this when it came on the air. I think it's a lot better than you give it credit for - but I agree that Usagi and Mamoru are probably the least compelling part of this series.
I'm curious - what other Korean dramas have "mean" second lead dudes? Usually second girl leads are the meanies - I'd like to see if there are other male leads that take on that role.
You hit the nail on the head when you asked "why don't we talk about this when discussing male leads?"
For me personally the best story-telling is when a female lead is flawed and overcomes her challenges - and there are qualities that, when tempered, aren't inherently bad - it's when they're overwhelmingly a detriment to the character's well-being that they get to be problematic. So long as the characters develop and grow, I'm a happy camper!
1. Licensing - there just aren't legitimate sources for Japanese dramas streaming and I don't like pirating.
2. Age of heroines - I'm 34 and Japan has some strange obsession with high school. If the story's good I'll watch it, but it'd be nice if we had more dramas about late 20s/30s women.
...I'm not even talking about subtitles. I speak Japanese and don't need them, but until Japan is less protective of their IPs the audience just won't be as wide.