The Obscure Subjects Post
The Royal Wedding is Upon Us. Lord help us all. A couple of friends of mine are coming over so we can mock watch the proceedings on TV. And if the weather's nice, we might swing by the city, see if there's anything fun going on in the aftermath.
I can't stop watching Kdramas.
There's something so refreshingly innocent about these shows. Every cliche you could possibly think of, yet told in such an unapologetic way that you can't help but be charmed anyway. That's not to say that there aren't drawbacks. There is some HIGHLY questionable acting and I often feel like they go at least one round too many on the angst/will-they-or-won't-they/misunderstandings-galore carusel. Instead of having one crisis come up, having it dealt with and moving on to another crises, the same crisis reappears ad nauseam. It gets tiring. It's still damn addictive storytelling!
I can't help but feel that kdramas and period romance novels fill just about the same function: they're cheesy, they're unapologetic about it, you know going in what to expect and they deliver what you want. They satisfy you in a way that "better" shows and books just can't, because they're stories told specifically to satisfy your kinks.
Coffee Prince
My introduction to the genre, and still my favorite. Both leads work extremely well in their roles, and they have fabulous chemistry.
Also, the most interesting story so far, with gender confusion, characters falling in love against their will and just general cuteness.
One of the best parts of this show, I think, is that the male lead falls for the female lead while still thinking that she's a man. Honestly, you get a pretty good feel for Korean society just from watching a few episodes (and frankly, the bad subtitles actually help in this regard, since the way the language is structured says a lot about the society), and I never thought we'd get a confession before the reveal. Private admission, maybe. Tops. I was very pleasantly surprised.
Personal Taste
Which I enjoyed, however, I'm still confused as to why the girl fell in love with the guy. I mean, I get why the audience would think that she should, but why would she? All the good things he ever did were things she usually knew nothing about. And when she called him her best friend I was like "what about Lee Young Sun?! The one who is always there to support you? HUH?!" I was a little pissed off about that, actually.
But the angstiness with her dad totally got to me and saved a lot of the later episodes for me.
My Lovely Kim Sam Soon
I'm only three episodes in, so I only have three thoughts:
I will gladly take recs!
Day 01 - A show that never should have been canceled
Day 02 - A show you wish more people were watching
Day 03 - Your favorite new show (aired this TV season)
Day 04 - Your favorite show ever
Day 05 - A show you hate
I wasn't going to include any shows that I only watch for work, but the only one I can think of that I actively hate that I'm still forced to watch is According to Jim.. SO OFFENSIVE. (If I'm ever forced to watch Two and a Half Men for work, I will probably hate that too.)
The rest of the days:
Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A show that disappointed you
Day 12 - An episode you've watched more than 5 times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood show
Day 14 - Favorite male character
Day 15 - Favorite female character
Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 - Favorite mini series
Day 18 - Favorite title sequence
Day 19 - Best TV show cast
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite ship
Day 22 - Favorite series finale
Day 23 - Most annoying character
Day 24 - Best quote
Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 - OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 - Best pilot episode
Day 28 - First TV show obsession
Day 29 - Current TV show obsession
Day 30 - Saddest character death
I can't stop watching Kdramas.
There's something so refreshingly innocent about these shows. Every cliche you could possibly think of, yet told in such an unapologetic way that you can't help but be charmed anyway. That's not to say that there aren't drawbacks. There is some HIGHLY questionable acting and I often feel like they go at least one round too many on the angst/will-they-or-won't-they/misunderstandings-galore carusel. Instead of having one crisis come up, having it dealt with and moving on to another crises, the same crisis reappears ad nauseam. It gets tiring. It's still damn addictive storytelling!
I can't help but feel that kdramas and period romance novels fill just about the same function: they're cheesy, they're unapologetic about it, you know going in what to expect and they deliver what you want. They satisfy you in a way that "better" shows and books just can't, because they're stories told specifically to satisfy your kinks.
Coffee Prince
My introduction to the genre, and still my favorite. Both leads work extremely well in their roles, and they have fabulous chemistry.
Also, the most interesting story so far, with gender confusion, characters falling in love against their will and just general cuteness.
One of the best parts of this show, I think, is that the male lead falls for the female lead while still thinking that she's a man. Honestly, you get a pretty good feel for Korean society just from watching a few episodes (and frankly, the bad subtitles actually help in this regard, since the way the language is structured says a lot about the society), and I never thought we'd get a confession before the reveal. Private admission, maybe. Tops. I was very pleasantly surprised.
Personal Taste
Which I enjoyed, however, I'm still confused as to why the girl fell in love with the guy. I mean, I get why the audience would think that she should, but why would she? All the good things he ever did were things she usually knew nothing about. And when she called him her best friend I was like "what about Lee Young Sun?! The one who is always there to support you? HUH?!" I was a little pissed off about that, actually.
But the angstiness with her dad totally got to me and saved a lot of the later episodes for me.
My Lovely Kim Sam Soon
I'm only three episodes in, so I only have three thoughts:
- Holy crap, why did they play a Swedish version of Silent Night in the first episode? That felt BIZARRE! I couldn't really focus on what was happening in that scene, so I think I missed some things. I'm sure I'll figure it all out.
- I find the female lead hilarious and I love her a lot already.
- Male lead, please don't do angry again. That was Bad Acting 101 if I ever saw it.
I will gladly take recs!
Day 01 - A show that never should have been canceled
Day 02 - A show you wish more people were watching
Day 03 - Your favorite new show (aired this TV season)
Day 04 - Your favorite show ever
Day 05 - A show you hate
I wasn't going to include any shows that I only watch for work, but the only one I can think of that I actively hate that I'm still forced to watch is According to Jim.. SO OFFENSIVE. (If I'm ever forced to watch Two and a Half Men for work, I will probably hate that too.)
The rest of the days:
Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A show that disappointed you
Day 12 - An episode you've watched more than 5 times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood show
Day 14 - Favorite male character
Day 15 - Favorite female character
Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 - Favorite mini series
Day 18 - Favorite title sequence
Day 19 - Best TV show cast
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite ship
Day 22 - Favorite series finale
Day 23 - Most annoying character
Day 24 - Best quote
Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 - OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 - Best pilot episode
Day 28 - First TV show obsession
Day 29 - Current TV show obsession
Day 30 - Saddest character death