K Drama Chat

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 5 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss:

• The songs we heard during the recap: Their Friendship by Yoo Jong Hyun and Will by Byon Dong Wook.
• Ko Yu-rim’s decision to switch her nationality and fence for Russia because of her family’s financial troubles.
• Coach Yang’s efforts to secure the best deal for Ko Yu-rim and how devoted she is to Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim.
• How Sung Hee blames Baek Yi-jin for not managing the distance between himself and his friends. Now that he’s broken the story of Ko Yu-rim’s move to Russian, he is deeply unhappy and regretful.
• How the two most important people in Na Hee-do’s life, her mom and Baek Yi-jin, have hurt the third most important person in her life, Ko Yu-rim.
• We wonder if it would have made a difference if Baek Yi-jin had NOT been the first to break the story; what if he were second or third?
• How Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-ji as a couple are so different from Ko Yu-rim and Moon Ji-woong.
• Sung Hee’s research into the drinking games that the friends played at the restaurant.
• The K Drama elements we saw in this episode: crying, food, alcohol, holding hands.
• The shows we are considering for Season 5 of K Drama Chat.

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 12 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss:

• The songs we heard during the recap: Missing you by Byon Dong Wook and Whispers of Love by Lim Ha Young.
• How Baek Yi-jin is sending Na Hee-do mixed signals. He’s declared his love for her, he’s affectionate around her, he is very solicitous, and he wants to spend time with her. But when she gives him a kiss, he pulls away from her!
• How Baek Yi-jin is conflicted about his relationship with Na Hee-do, probably because of his job, which lets him make money and gives him a path toward bringing his family back together.
• Na Hee-do is really confused, she’s losing her self-respect, and she wants Baek Yi-jin to try a different type of love with her, or let her go.
• How Baek Yi-jin finally gives Na Hee-do a kiss at the end of the episode; he finally gives in to his love and his longing.
• How Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim lose their individual matches during the tournament, but both girls play really well during the team match, which powers their team to victory.
• How this is the last time that Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim play together on the same team.
• How we learn about how Coach Yang and  Shin Jae-kyung first became friends, how they became close, and how their friendship went out.
• How Ko Yu-rim and Moon Ji-woong finally get to hold hands!
• The K Drama elements in this episode: Crying, alcohol, second couples, clothing, and food.
• The Asian financial crisis, how the IMF imposed several financial reforms on countries throughout Asia, and how a show like 25, 21 shows us the impact of the crisis on regular people.
• How we’re going to start talking about the shows that we’re considering for Season 5 of K Drama Chat.

References

• Asian Financial Crisis: Causes, Response, Lessons Learned
• Asian Financial Crisis

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 12 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do  and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss:

• The two songs we discuss: Free by Xydo and Free (guitar version) by Jeong Gu Hyun.
• How Koreans believe that blood types are associated with specific personality characteristics.
• How Baek Yi-jin is seeing Na Hee-do in a new light: first, when he sees her speaking French, and later being fierce at the restaurant.
• The French terms we keep hearing during the fencing matches.
• The scene between Baek Yi-jin and Jung Ho-jin, Na Hee-do’s ex-boyfriend. Baek Yi-jin makes it very clear that Jung Ho-jin and Na Hee-do are never getting back together again. Na Hee-do hears everything.
• How we finally get a kiss between Baek Yi-jin and Na Hee-do - finally!
• Ji Seung-wan’s courage in standing up to the abusive teacher and her beliefs that ultimately led her to leave school.
• Ye-ji’s decision to leave fencing, but how Coach Yang taught her how to create a new opportunity for herself.
• The K Drama elements we see in this episode: clothing, food, triangles, umbrella scene
• The powerhouse production company, Studio Dragon, which is behind some of the biggest K Dramas and many of our favorites
• How Sung Hee is watching Healer and Joanna is watching Alchemy of Souls and King the Land

References

• Xydo profile
• Why do Koreans ask each other about their blood types? 
• How Netflix became the go to streamer for K Drama

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 11 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do  and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss:

• The beautiful songs during our recap: Your World by Hoseung and When We Was Young by Byeon Dong Wook.
• How the relationship between Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin is getting deeper.
• How Na Hee-do is seeing different sides of Baek Yi-jin, including his life as a student during the concert at the school when Baek Yi-jin wore the school uniform and played Starlight on stage.
• How Baek Yi-jin is doing the goofy things you do when you’re in love, including lying to Coach Yang to bring Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim to the concert, playing game at the stationery store, and using a pink pencil case at work.
• How this was a great episode for Na Hee-do: she’s in love, she’s got a best friend, and she reconciles with her mom.
• How Baek Yi-jn is now a full-time sports reporter, covering fencing.
• How Na Hee-do and Shin Jae-kyung start to reconcile during the death ceremony for Na Hee-do’s dad.
• Jesa, the ceremony honoring ancestors that is practice in Korea.
• How Baek Yi-jin is giving Na Hee-do a different perspective on her mom, and helping Moon Ji-woong and Ko Yu-rim get together as a couple.
• The K Drama elements we saw in this episode: second couple, food, alcohol, clothing, wrist grab, flowers, fireworks.
• Our favorite lines from this episode.
• 90s fashion, including sweater vests, chokers, cargo pants, wide pants, crop tops, and scrunchies.
• The shows we’re watching now, including Weak Hero Class 1, King the Land, and Tune In For Love.

References

• What is a Korean jesa ceremony?
• 90s Fashion for Women
• 90s Korean Street Fashion Is Making A Comeback

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 10 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss:

• The song With, which is sung by all five stars of the show; how are these actors so talented?
• How Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s relationship is continuing to evolve now that Baek Yi-jin has confessed his love to Na Hee-do.
• How Na Hee-do’s life has been transformed by Ko Yu-rim’s friendship and Baek Yi-jin’s love.
• How Ko Yu-rim is less lonely, now that she has Na Hee-do and Moon Ji-woong, but she still carries a sadness that comes from her family’s financial hardships.
• How Baek Yi-jin is still burdened at work and by his promise to bring his family back together.
• How it’s probably not realistic that Baek Yi-jin would take four minors on a work trip, without a crew, and without chaperones.
• How important it is to know how to make rice properly.
• How adult Na Hee-do tells Min-chae that she doesn’t remember the beach trip, remarking that sometimes it’s okay to forget things.
• The K Drama elements that we see in this episode: food, alcohol, the trip and catch, clothing, and the beautiful OST.
• The amazing Choi Hyun-Wook, the actor who plays Moon Ji-woong.
• The different ways that Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin refer to each other.

References

• History of corporate punishment in Korea
• Understanding corporal punishment in Korea
• Honorific forms of address in Korean

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 9 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. This is a special episode. Ernabel Demillo is back! Ernabel is Department Chair of the Communication and Media Culture Department at Saint Peter's University and host of the Emmy-award winning "Asian American Life" show on CUNY-TV.

Ernabel shares her experience being a reporter and news anchor, and provides amazing insight into this episode, including:

• How networks decide to do special shows
• How stories are assigned to reporters, and special projects usually go to special teams, not the day to day reporters
• The journalist code of ethics
• How journalists should recuse themselves from stories when they have a connection to the subjects
• How journalists actually do have editorial differences with their photographers and videographers
• How networks and newspapers don’t allow their subjects to see stories before they are published or aired
• How junior journalists are never tasked with big, important projects
• How shows about TV and print journalism always get it wrong, except for the movies Spotlight and Broadcast News

Listen to this episode to get our take on this episode and laugh your head off. 

References

• Asian American Life website
• Asian American Life on YouTube
• Do Korean women take their husband’s name after marriage?
• Tteokbokki recipe
• Sundae on Wikipedia

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 8 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss:

• How Na Hee-do is rescued by Baek Yi-jin again
• How Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s relationship is changing and unnerving Na Hee-do
• How Na Hee-do is starting to develop feelings for Baek Yi-jin but he treats her like a kid
• How Na Hee-do is the most honest of all the characters with their feelings
• How Baek Yi-jin goes to see the creditor to whom he promised he would never be happy again; the creditor asked him to take  back that promise and do his  best to be happy
• How Baek Yi-jin and Ko Yu-rim are both full of sadness
• How Na Hee-do is confused by Ko Yu-rim’s diving incident; she wonders what terrible thing happened in Ko Yu-rim’s life to make her this sad
• How Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim decide to meet at a square in town, each of them carrying a yellow rose
• How Ko Yu-rim panics when she sees Na Hee-carrying a yellow rose, and gives HER yellow rose to Baek Yi-jin
• The themes we see running through this K Drama: managing distance, knowing when to share your troubles with others, life lessons from your dad
• The K Drama elements we see in the episode: food, wrist grab, grab and save, the head rest, and triangles
• Lee Joo-myung, the actress who plays Ji Seung-wan
• The shows we’re watching now: Sung Hee is watching The Good Bad Mother, and Joanna is watching Alchemy of Souls

References

• Lee Joo-myung on Wikipedia
• The Good Bad Mother
• Alchemy of Souls

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 7 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss:

• The songs we featured in this episode: Match by Lim Ha Young and Understand by Lim Seung Bum
• Na Hee-do’s origin story, how she got introduced to fencing, and why her dad means so much to her
• How Na Hee-do’s dad taught her that skills don’t improve in a straight line, but rather in a stair step fashion
• Na Hee-do’s gold medal win against Ko Yu-rim at the Asian Game
• How both Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim both feel like they were robbed at the Asian Games
• How the press takes advantage of the controversy and fans the flames of public opinion against Na Hee-do
• How and why Baek Yi-jin tracks down Alan Smith to get an interview about his call that gave Na Hee-do the gold medal
• How Ko Yu-rim now has a rival in Na Hee-do
• The strained relationship between Na Hee-do and her mom
• The K Drama elements we saw in this episode: food, alcohol, clothing and triangles
• The amazing Bona who plays Ko Yu-rim
• The Korean last names that are often mispronounced: Kim, Park, Choi, Lee and Jung
• The Japanese keiretsu
• The Glory and why Sung Hee is obsessed with the show

References

• The Korean last names we always mispronounce

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 6 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss:

• How funny this episode how was
• How we loved the forward momentum of both Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s characters
• Why Baek Yi-jin decided to go back to Seoul, apply to become a reporter, and not sell Na Hee-do that he’s back in Seoul
• How Na Hee-do got a boyfriend and then broke up with him as a sort of experiment in love
• How Baek Yi-jin came to Na Hee-do’s rescue once again when he picked her up at the train station, got her to the tournament on time, and helped her get her confidence back
• The massive worker demonstrations in South Korea in 1999
• The prominence of the chaebol companies in South Korea
• The history of the game rock, paper and scissors
• How we finally learn the story behind the break in friendship between Coach Yang and Na Hee-do’s mom
• The amazing cinematography in this episode
• The amazing Nam Joo-hyuk: his background, early start in modeling, rise to fame, awards, and brand ambassadorships
• How Sung Hee is enjoying The Glory
• How Joanna finished One Spring Night but found it a real slog to get through

References

• World Rock Paper Scissors Association
• Nam Joo-hyuk on Wikipedia
• Strikes erupt in South Korea Against Restructuring and Job Losses

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 5 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss:

• How Baek Yi-jin has left town without a trace, to the angst and sadness of Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim.
• How Baek Yi-jin and Na Hee-do manage to communicate with each via messages left on each other’s pager voice mail.
• The contrast between Na Hee-do, who is confident and gets what she wants, while Baek Yi-jin has lost all of his confidence, he leaves town, and he can’t find a job.
• How Baek Yi-jin’s mom doesn’t know how to support her sons, while Na Hee-do’s mom can’t find it within herself to support and believe in her daughter.
• When Na Hee-do tells Ko Yu-rim that she didn’t want to be on the national team, but be Ko Yu-rim’s rival, it feels like a threat.
• Na Hee-do has secured a spot on the national fencing team, but her happiness is tempered by Baek Yi-jin’s disappearance, Ko Yu-rim’s coldness, and her mother’s indifference.
• Our surprise when we found out that injeolmi is a real thing! Injeolmi is a type of rice cake, often covered in some type of coating.
• The K Drama elements in this episode: alcohol, the FILA product placement, crying, holding hands, and first snow.
• The gorgeous cinematography in this episode, especially at the end of the episode.
• The background and career of the amazing Kim Tae-ri.
• The shows we’re watching now. Joanna is watching Something in the Rain and One Sprint NIght, while Sung Hee has just finished Divorce Attorney Shin Sung Han

References

• The History of the Two-Way Pager
• Drinking in South Korea: 7 Tips on Handling a Hoesik
• Travel guide to Pohang
• What is injeolmi
• Maangchi’s Injeolmi Recipe