K-Drama Feuilleton

Helloo lovely listeners, we're back! We hope you didn't miss us last week, but out of scheduling and quality concerns we decided to release our episodes every two weeks instead of every week.

Now in this episode we are reviewing the classic k-drama "Reply 1997". We are discussing the depiction of queer characters in this drama, as well as very shady grooming practices by older men, and more generally identity struggles of teenagers. Enjoy everyone! 

PS: We always love to hear from you - you can reach us via twitter, facebook, or directly through our email: [email protected]

Lots of k-drama love from Maksu and Celi 

In this episode Maksu and Celi are talking about the effect of Hallyu on international politics. They will be discussing this mainly through the theoretical lense of Joseph Nye's concept of soft power in International Relations. And also their favourite Ahjussi Gramsci gets a mention, enjoy everyone!

In this episode Maksu and Celi are reviewing the classic Kdrama "The Heirs" or "Inheritors". They discuss the asymmetric power dynamics between the lead couple and the impact and importance of classism and privilege on the the working class hero female lead. Also they discuss the portrayal of US-Americans in this drama and the USA as a place of exile and longing at the same time. Furthermore, hairstyles are (very) critically assessed and the co-hosts wonder why almonds feature so prominently in this drama... Enjoy everyone!

TW: Suicide

Shows mentioned: 

Skycastle
Descendants of the Sun
City Hunter
Legend of the Blue Sea
Hwarang

In this episode Celi and Maksu review the political thriller drama "VAGABOND". 
After a brief summary and introduction to the plot, they discuss the drama in light of the global arms trade, actual corruption cases linked to the Sewol Ferry catastrophe in 2014, as well as the US Military Industrial Complex and its relevance to Korean history. Enjoy everyone!

References: 
- Heinrich von Kleist: Michael Kohlhaas.
- Shadow World Documentary: https://shadowworldinvestigations.org/shadow-world-film/
- City Hunter
- A Korean Odyssey 
- Jim Glassman, Young-Jin Choi: The chaebol and the US military–industrial complex, 
Cold War geopolitical economy and South Korean ndustrialization; in: Environment and Planning A 2014, volume 46, pages 1160–1180.
 - Military-Industrial Complex: https://www.history.com/topics/21st-century/military-industrial-complex 
- Corruption Tracker South Korea: https://corruption-tracker.org/case/south-koreas-aw-159-helicopters 

In this episode Maksu and Celi are reviewing the very well-known historical Kdrama "Hwarang".
After giving a brief summary of the plot (first 10 min), they delve deeper in the historical background of "Hwarang" and discuss a few anachronisms they spotted in the drama. If you wanna know why restaurants, showers and chairs are a bit out of place in the ancient kingdom of Silla and why Park Seo-Joon's role can be considered pretty revolutionary, give this episode a listen, enjoy everyone!

In this episode Celi and Maksu are discussing different types of masculinities and how they are portrayed in Kdramas. After characterising each type, they move on to reflect more broadly on masculinity and gender in our neoliberal capitalist world toward the end of the episode. Do let us know what you think about the portrayals of masculinity in Kdramas and what makes them so special. You can reach us either, here, over the comment section or on facebook and twitter. We'd love to hear from you!

Show notes: 

- Boys over Flowers
- Legend of the Blue Sea
- Heirs
- Prof Efving-Hwang
- What is Wrong with Secretary Kim?
- She Was Pretty
- Miseaeng
- My Mister
- Itaewon Class
- Healer
- The K2
- City Hunter
- Vagabond
- Secrets
- Chief of Staff
- All Reply Series
- Cheese in the trap

In this episode Celi and Maksu are reviewing the famous and much loved kdrama "Descendants of the Sun". Themes, such as whether Korean productions can be orientalist or suffer from a "white saviour complex" will be discussed, as well as the intertwined dynamics of masculinity and nationalism in the military. But first and foremost there will be much talk about helicopters, enjoy everyone! 

In this episode Maksu and Celi are reviewing the Kdrama MINE. They discuss topics, such as motherhood, the stigma around the queer community in Korean society and what colonialism might have to do with it, as well as power relationships between chaebols and their loyal (or not so loyal) servants. Enjoy everyone!

References: 
- Skycastle
- Parasite
- The Favourite
- Reply 1997

In this episode Maksu and Celi give their own personal introduction to K-Drama for everyone new to this genre. They discuss not only the characteristics of production, editing and typical content features, but also strive to find explanations for k-dramas current global popularity. And last but not least why it is worth analysing it in their podcast (and why you should listen to it).

Shows mentioned: 

My Love from the Star
Legend of the Blue Sea
Start-Up
Goblin/The Guardian
The Heirs
It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Crash Landing On You
City Hunter
Strong Woman Do Bong-sun
Reply 1997
Reply 1988
Hwarang

In this episode Maksu and Celi review the historical drama "The Tale of Nokdu" and discuss among other things, female solidarity and the concept of widow villages, kings with daddy issues, and why you should avoid consulting a shaman at all costs! Let us know what you thought of the drama in the comment section or on our social media. Also if you have any drama or topic you want us to discuss, we'd be more than happy to, just drop us a message!

Widow village in Syria: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/jinwar-syria-north-patriarchy-kurdish-women-raqqa-a8661866.html 

Widow village in India: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/27/world/asia/india-women-widows.html