In this episode, Kdrama Reports discusses the depiction of race in Kdramas. How are non-Korean characters portrayed?  Sara and Melissa discuss dramas like Itaewon Class, Moorim School, and Backstreet Rookie. How are Black characters depicted vs. White characters?

The co-hosts discuss South Korea’s own controversial use of blackface and brownface, and the oddity of nightclubs that restrict foreigners from entry.

It’s hard to forget Hollywood’s shameful past of yellowface and cultural appropriation in films like Breakfast at Tiffany’s and West Side Story, and the whitewashing of Asian stories in more recent years.

And, a problematic video on YouTube - the co-hosts discuss why no one should be that surprised to discover English-speaking Korean talent.

A thoughtful discussion on race which won’t be the last. Stay tuned.

This week on Kdrama Reports, Melissa and Sara talk with special guest Michael Smith Grant (OmniPouten on YouTube) about his k-drama beginnings, meeting actress Park Shin-hye and why "Penthouse" is the k-drama he can't get enough of. 

Special guest actor Chae Jong Hyeop 채종협 (aka “Jimmy”) joins Kdrama Reports this week and discusses his new Netflix drama Sisyphus and his character Sun's role in the action-packed series, which centers around time travel.

Chae also discusses working with actors Park Shin Hye and Cho Seung Woo on Sisyphus, and preparing for his previous role as a pro baseball pitcher on Stove League (2020 Baeksang Arts Award, “Best Drama”).

The model-turned-actor describes what it was like filming during the pandemic, how he first got interested in acting, and what he enjoys doing in his free time.

But, more importantly, what was the last drama CJH watched? The last song he listened to?  Team Choi Taek vs. Team Jung Pal?  What did he just eat? Stay tuned to find out in this episode.

(If you didn’t understand some of the Korean or English, keep an eye out for upcoming video clips of this episode on YouTube and Instagram @kdramareports, we will be providing subtitles in both languages.)

This week on Kdrama Reports, Melissa and Sara review "Itaewon Class" with special guest Jason Yu (the lacklusterness, the bad kiss scene, and how Park Seo Jun's character, Park Saeroyi's hair NEVER changed). The trio also discusses how kdrama "Sky Castle" shows insight to the inner workings of the Korean education system, recently ended "Start-Up" and which kdramas we are interested in watching next. 

Sara and Melissa catch up on dramas: "The Uncanny Counter" gets a new writer and a second season, why "Mr. Queen" is the most fun drama right now, and "Sweet Home" makes #Alive pale in comparison (those nosebleeds! That reportedly $1 million-per-episode budget).

In other news, February dramas get their release dates: "Sisyphus" (Cho Seung Woo, Park Shin Hye), "River Where The Moon Rises" (Ji Soo, Kim So Hyun), "Vincenzo" (Song Joong Ki, Taecyeon), "Hello? It's Me" (Kim Young Kwang, Choi Gang Hee), "Monster" aka "Beyond Evil" (Shin Ha Kyun, Yeo Jin Goo), and "Times" (Lee Seo Jin, Lee Joo Young). 

Park Shin Hye is having a busy season, and spotting a K-pop crossover: film actor Hwang Jung Min is featured in TVXQ Yunho's "Thank You" music video

Welcome to season 3 of Kdrama Reports! Melissa and Sara catch up on the holiday break and discuss which upcoming 2021 Korean dramas are on their watch list (and which ones aren't). The beginning of 2021 promises to be a busy season, with new dramas like Vincenzo starring Song Joong Ki and Taecyeon, actioner "Sisyphus: The Myth" with Cho Seung Woo and Park Shin Hye, and "Hello? It's Me" which pairs up Choi Gang Hee and Kim Young Kwang. Will you be watching some of their top picks?

In this last episode of Season 2 and for this year, Sara and Melissa discuss their top kdrama picks for 2020, breakout stars, webtoons, and the biggest dramas released in 2020 including "Itaewon Class," "Start-Up," and "The King: Eternal Monarch."  Other mentions include dramas based on webtoons, and dramas "World of the Married," "Extracurricular," "The Guest," and "Designated Survivor: 60 Days."

In this episode, Melissa and Sara compare the dreams they had of each other and talk about what they plan on doing during the holiday season. Sara discusses why she decided to restart a drama she previously dropped and Melissa talks about what she is currently watching.