Those to whom evil is doneDo evil in return. W. H. Auden, September 1, 1939 Spoiler warning: This post contains spoilers for 'Weak Hero Class 1'. Rating warning: This drama is rated R and the content discussed in the following paragraphs reflect that rating. Trigger warning: child abuse, bullying The moment I realized what Beom... Continue Reading →
‘The Golden Spoon’ character vignette: Why we love a morally gray protagonist
Spoilers ahead for episodes 1-4 of The Golden Spoon. Lee Seung Cheon -- as one sharp Asianwiki commenter put it -- is a morally gray protagonist. By that, I mean that his actions are not always what one might consider noble or conventionally good. His motivations are sometimes flat-out questionable; for instance, a couple of... Continue Reading →
Second Lead Syndrome is back, people: How ‘The Golden Spoon’ is breathing fresh life into a stale archetype
Episodes 1 and 2 of The Golden Spoon are hands-down the best premiere episodes I've seen recently. Which says a lot because I watch a...perfectly healthy amount of dramas, I swear. Honestly, it's doing too many things right to talk about all of them, so I've picked only one element of the drama to talk... Continue Reading →
How ‘Today’s Webtoon’ invalidated trauma (and infuriated an audience) in one episode
TW: child abuse Contains spoilers for Ep. 14 of Today's Webtoon. Like many viewers, episode 14 of Today's Webtoon deeply upset me. I can't possibly be the only one who feels this way, I thought while checking online to see what the world had to say. Sure enough, dozens of comments had already flooded in... Continue Reading →
First Impressions: ‘Through the Darkness’ Pulls Us Inside The Minds Of Killers
In crime dramas, the element I typically find most compelling is the criminal him- or herself and the reason behind their actions. So, an entire drama dedicated to that very idea? Forget about signing me up, I'm already there. In general, everything about this drama -- acting, cinematography, all that -- is excellent. If you... Continue Reading →
‘Bad and Crazy’ proves tropes are not always a bad thing
This post contains spoilers. Please enjoy. Bad and Crazy is a masterclass on how tropes should be used in dramas. Though the term "trope" can carry a negative connotation, it'd be hard to argue that these literary devices have not stood the test of time. So, if those devices are viewed as simple guidelines --... Continue Reading →
Drama Battle: ‘Solomon No Gisho’ (Japan) vs. ‘Solomon’s Perjury’ (South Korea)
<<This post is spoiler-free except where clearly marked otherwise.>> Welcome, readers! Today, I'm going to be comparing the South Korean drama Solomon's Perjury (2016) to the brand-new Japanese remake, Solomon No Gisho (2021). I have watched the original Japanese films as well, but we'll just be focusing on the two dramas because it's been years... Continue Reading →
Abusing Jun: The Way This K-Drama Deals With Domestic Abuse Hits Different
Spoiler warning: This post contains spoilers for the drama At A Distance, Spring Is Green. Trigger warning [TW]: This post contains mentions and discussion of physical abuse and psychological abuse. I wrote on At A Distance, Spring Is Green when it had a mere two episodes out -- and as much as I casually enjoyed... Continue Reading →
Familiar Yet Refreshing: 7 Reasons ‘At A Distance, Spring Is Green’ Is The Perfect Watch For K-Drama Fans
I was excited for this drama back when Seo Kang Joon was in the works for a main role. However, as the years passed, I eventually forgot about it. So, when I saw it had begun airing -- with tons of fresh new faces -- I couldn't hit 'play' fast enough. ...And I'm already head-over-heels.... Continue Reading →
When Less Is Truly More: ‘Move To Heaven’ And ‘Navillera’ Prove The Best Stories Are Simple
*This post is spoiler-free for both dramas.* Quick caveat: I use the word "simple" several times in this post (and in the title, of course), so allow me to define it by the standards with which I am using it. By "simple," I mean "not complicated." I am not inferring, by any means, that these... Continue Reading →