2017 in Review

Guys. I went a little crazy with the dramas this year. As in, massive overload. Particularly over the summer. It was kind of a rough year--I had a lot of health problems, and some work stress things, and life as a grad student overall means I spend a lot of my free time wanting to turn off and zone out, escaping into worlds that are completely different from mine.

In 2017, I escaped through kdramas.

But maybe it wasn't purely just needing to get shot of my day-to-day worries. This year's overarching thematic trend of 'screw the man' slotted nicely into the aftershocks of horror I (and the world) were experiencing after the American elections devolved into a nightmare (not to mention the rest of the chaos in the international political scene...). Maybe stories in which the corrupt powerful were repeatedly brought down by the desperate underdog helped me a heal a little. If these are the stories we're still telling, then there's hope for us, right?

A Study in Chaebols

I'd like to take a step back from dramaland for a moment and explore something that has dominated the thematic backdrop so far--the take down of the corrupt powers of the world by the feisty underdogs.

Which means we've been seeing a lot of chaebols. So many. More than even their standard role as romantic lead usually dictates, and in an unusually negative light as a consequence. Let's check 'em out, and what they tell us about current socio-political attitudes.

                                 

Sleepypie's Favorites: or, Life According to Dramas

Holding On and Letting Go

Dramas tell us stories about all kinds of things--love stories, sure, but also broader stories about life. Here are personal favorites of mine that chart large swathes of the human experience, and always fill me with glee...and might just be perfect to get others into the genre.

Valentine's Day

We are once more on the cusp of Valentine's Day, a holiday dedicated to flowers, love and chocolate. I originally planned to spend the day curled up in bed, reveling in junk food and and dramas, but some friends have since upset that plan. Oh well. But if you have the option yourself, here are three dramas that I think are perfect for binge-watching

Hush

How to Live Like A Kdrama; Or, 10 Steps to What is TOTALLY a Healthy Relationship*

Have you ever wondered how all those kdrama girls do it? Do you too yearn to enact their principles in your life and achieve the same effect? Yearn no more! Here's my handy ten step guide to making a relationship work, k-drama style!

Step 1: Be a Candy
Remember, you must be poor but plucky, working a multitude of small-paying part-time jobs and living in cramped rooftop apartment. You must be absolutely wallowing in debt you've inherited, yet still face each coming day with a brave smile and optimistic, can-do attitude. Family's a no-no, unless it's a) your beloved father in a coma he won't wake up from, whose expensive hospital bills you must pay, b) an evil stepsister who devotes her every spare moment to making your life hell, or c) a missing  brother you worry about and look for, but who will only conveniently reappear at the end to alleviate any worries about your right to be happy or the potentially incestuous nature of your romance. Do try and have one female friend you will be able to turn to for relationship advice in the future. Her advice will always be terrible, but that won't matter, she's just there to point out that you like your romantic lead before you're willing to admit it yourself. Don't worry if she's better at makeup and fashion than you are. Although you will always complain about being poor and ugly, you will be effortlessly beautiful at all times, your clothes will always be name-brand, and as a bonus, your cell phone will always be the newest model. On the flip side, I hope you like subway.

2016 in Review

2016's almost over already? Yikes. I blinked. But what a year. Ignoring the apocalyptic politics, it was a good one, too. On a personal level, I traveled my heart out, made a bunch of new friends, started teaching, and...studied. Really, really studied

On a kdrama level, there was a very definite return to some classic tropes, like the reverse harem, amnesia, and the never-very-far-away classic, the chaebol. But there were some astonishingly new things too--stories about extramarital affairs, divorces, and life afterwards. I know, I was shocked too.

Without further ado, the dramas I watched this year:

Hey Ho School

Well, it's that time of the year again, and in honor of the newly minted school year, here are the dramas that will get you back in the mood, whatever side of the desk you're on (this is my first year switching sides! Wish me luck!). Are you ready for first loves with a side of triangle? Noble teachers, evil principals, and corrupt officials to be taken down? Adventure, murder, and nostalgia? Here we go!

Kdramas and Music--Mini Update

             
Do you ever have That Song that gets stuck in your head during a drama, a song that seems to typify the story? It first happened to me during Prosecutor Princess, when Ed Sheeran’s “Lego House” suddenly took on a whole new meaning. I wasn't particularly enamored of that drama, but the lines "And out of all these things I've done, I think I love you better now" were just so Seo In Woo.

It's happened since, of course. And both times with my most recent watches.

Nice Guy

It's official, I've gone off the deep end for this show.

It's insane, and I swear I hate it as much as I love it, but it's gotten so far under my skin I can't escape.

Song of the Day

Happy Bloody Martyr's Day! ..What?

I'm a medieval historian. I have a hard time taking this holiday seriously.

But I do thoroughly understand people's desire to have romance in their lives at this time of the year--love is something that should be celebrated.

                                  

Kill Me, Heal Me

                            

Song of the Day
(They played a version of this very briefly during one scene, and it stuck with me as perhaps the most fitting song for our couple)

It's Okay, It's Love

I'm clearly going to fail at this weekly update thing. Fine. WHATEVER.

But let's do some quick thoughts about this drama.

Weekly Update: Oh My Ghostess, 12-15/Splish Splash Love 1-2

Better a little late than never, right? Right. So I was pretty busy this week traveling back the UK and picking the threads of school back up. Positive side: Jet lag meant plenty of sleepless nights to catch up on my habit.

Weekly Update: Oh My Ghostess, 8-12

January is upon us, and with it so many New Year's resolutions. Mine are all along the, work more, play less variety (though really,  I can't see me giving up on my drama playtime, do you?). Ergo, I've decided to have a fun  resolution in line with my drama watching--Friday updates on my drama habit.

Dramas Lately Watched

I've been trying to write a decent Christmas post for about a week now, and I keep coming up with nothing--perhaps it's too much eggnog.

Spooky Stories

It's that time of the year again! Pumpkins everywhere, bright colors on the trees, and plenty of chills in the dark while eating that hard-won candy.

Back to School 2015

I know that look. That's the back to school look of dread.

Hey all! If you're anything like me, you're gearing up for another long year of academics. School can be a wonderful and a terrible experience...often at the same time.

So what could be better than a few kdramas to give us inspiration on that special balance between love, family, friendship, school, and, well, sleep? Catch some good ideas to get you back in the mindset below!

Disclaimer: Do not actually make choices based on those of the heroines in kdramas. Unless you want to end up dressed as a boy, hanging out with the most popular clique in school and their murderously snobby parents, at risk of breaking into spontaneous song at any moment, facing a possible frame up as a cheater and/or thief, with a weary teacher desperately believing in you against all odds and logic.

Or maybe you do. In that case...

Lee Jung Seok Marathon: Phase 3, Pinocchio

Pinocchio. The last chapter of my Jung Seok marathon (we're not going to mention Doctor Stranger, ok? As far as we're concerned, it. Never. Happened).

From the same writer/director team as I Hear Your Voice, with Lee Jung Seok playing the male lead again it was--no surprise--pretty similar to the previous hit.

Lee Jong Suk Marathon: Phase 2, I Hear Your Voice

Confession time: I'd heard so much in praise of I Hear Your Voice I was skeptical. The components seemed a little odd, and I can often find these teenager/adult relationships off-putting unless I seriously adjust my lens.

Guess who was wonderfully surprised?

Spoilers under the cut.

Lee Jong Suk Marathon: Phase 1, School 2013

I'm still a fairly new drama-watcher. I only started in early 2013, and it's felt like I've been playing catch up ever since, trying to watch all the important dramas, the popular ones, the ones with the hottest actors and actresses, so that I can begin to form any kind of coherent understanding and dialogue with the genre.

In this mad rush of drama watching, Lee Jong Suk for the most part passed me by. I saw him in some of his earlier roles (Prosecutor Princess, Secret Garden), liked him, and then never really thought about him. Of late, though, it's become hard not to think of Lee Jong Suk since he's become so big. I've heard so many good things, I decided the time was right to plunge into the wonder of his big parts.  Hence what I am dubbing the Great Lee Jong Suk Marathon of 2015.

First show up---School 2013. (Beware spoilers under the cut!)