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JTBC’s Man to Man gets snapped up by Netflix

Looks like Netflix has got its heart set on breaking into the Korean drama scene: Only a few months after announcing two new Korean shows (Exhibits A and B) in its original series lineup, Netflix has announced that they have purchased exclusive international broadcasting rights to JTBC’s upcoming Man to Man. Now, I know this might seem like not-so-great news — I got Night Light flashbacks too, when the Netflix exclusivity meant that hardly anybody got to watch the show — but it sounds like Netflix will have a different approach this time around.

For the first time ever, Netflix will air episodes of Man to Man at the same time the show is aired in Korea (with the exception of viewers in the U.S., but I’ll get to that later). The episodes will also have subtitles in over twenty different languages immediately available upon release, which is definitely one advantage to choosing a pre-produced drama like Man to Man. I know English subbers are pretty damn fast nowadays, but it’ll be nice to see subs for lesser widely available languages become more easily accessible, and in real time at that.

Now, us Beanies stateside will have to wait a little longer for Man to Man to appear on the online streaming site. Netflix intends to release the show in two parts, with eight episodes each. The delayed offering is slightly annoying, but I’m just glad that Netflix is investing in Korean content, especially because I think their original shows are fantastic (Stranger Things, anyone?) and I’m excited to see them take on the Korean drama format.

Man to Man will premiere on JTBC and Netflix on April 21. Let the epic bromance begin!

Via Sports Donga

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Yay!!! Good news!!!

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it's bad news for me. they're blocked here, and block access by VPN too

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I am reading the comments below and this might not be good news after all (?). If Netflix is going to release the episodes in batches, it will not feel right anymore. :( I am from the Philippines but am living in the US right now.

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Thank goodness they aren't taking the same approach as night light

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But, they are taking the same approach in the US by releasing the show in 2 parts. It's very frustrating. I watched the first part of Night Light and then had to wait forever for the second half to air. Meanwhile, I had forgotten everything in the first half!!

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Oh wow that sounds really annoying. I live in Australia so I don't know whether we'll get our eps weekly, or released in 2 parts (hopefully the former!) Our Netflix is small enough as it is already...

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Gosh, please don't. I completely annoyed with NL approach that time. Please not again.

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can someone explain the night light situation? what happened exactly

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Netflix bought the subbing rights so no one else could sub it. Night light was airing but no one could watch it with translations because Netflix decided to release the episodes in a batch later.

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I have read the other articles about this new development. But not one mentioned what it means by having two 8-episdoes installment. Do I get to see the first 8 episodes on April 21? So, when do I get to see the other 8 episodes?

They did specify that other countries will get each episode an hour after it aired in South Korea.

This is the right moment for jtbc. Their dramas are gaining attention in SK. Many of their dramas are also available on Netflix already. So, this deal is pretty good.

This can mean bad things for viewers since it means one has to pay for Netflix, Dramafever, and Viki if they want to watch dramas whenever and wherever they want. This also means Dramafever and Viki will have to pay more money to get exclusive rights, if they want to keep their subscribers happy

Overall, this is great for the Korean entertainment industry. K-pop has been trying to breakthrough into the US with very limited success. With Netflix, Korean dramas will now be front and center for the world to enjoy.

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So April 21st is when the first 8 episodes will air? Am I understanding that correctly?

I already have subscriptions to Viki, Dramafever and Netflix so it wont change anything for me. But I can see how it can be an issue for other viewers. Just another streaming service to add to that ever growing list of streaming services.

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NOOO. It's good for JTBC, but, honestly? This sucks, with most shows at 12:00 pm the episodes were up and around 20:00-22:00 pm the subs were out. Now we can't have access to the subs and on top of that there's that horrible release time they got.

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But posting it in two parts kind of takes away the kdrama feeling?? As a person who watches dramas as they air I like getting excited for the following week to watch each episode. And when you watch it with other people there's a sense of community when you're all on the same episode.

@tipsymocha does that mean the first 8 episodes will be available after the 8th episode has aired in Korea?

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Edit: does this mean the episodes wont be available on sites like kissasian right after they air??????

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Kissassian and those type of sites are in some way illegal. They steal the content from other similar sites or even dramafever and Viki. However when Night light was airing kissassian and similar sites also had the episodes. I am more than positive that those sites will air the show as soon as it comes out on Netflix. Not pointing fingers I am also guilty of using those sites once in a while, especially for movies.

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I have paid subscription accounts with Viki, DramaFever and Netflix but I was really liking forward to Man to Man. As I pi issued elsewhere - ... I'm DREADING Netflix getting their fingers in the Kdrama pie. I need to watch Kdramas while they air so that if I don't understand some cultural thing going on, I can read a DB recap or ask my fellow beanies or check other forums. If I have to wait and watch after the rest of the world has already watched, when I come to the forums later to see if my question was addressed during the original broadcast, chances are I'll run into spoilers. Or, if my question was not addressed, there'll be no one around for me to ask in an old, now abandoned, thread. *sob*

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The articles don't specify the exact timing of when Netflix will release the first 8 episodes, but I'm sure it will be after the 8th has aired in Korea. I can't imagine JTBC would want episodes released online before they air it themselves.

I'm not thrilled with Netflix's method in the US either, but I'm hoping that this is just a growing pain as they start dabbling in more Korean dramas.

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yeah, that's what i was thinking about as well, ive watched netflix shows, binged watched, and while there is a certain level of engagement it kinda dies out in two or so weeks and everyone is on different eps as well. but its business so this may be in the best interest for jtbc.

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I think it would be better if they released two episodes every week so that everyone is on the same page

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Sometimes I forget about region availability and language subs. I'm a native english speaker with a small grasp on korean and access to all sorts of upload sites. I have an advantage that others may not have when it comes to our shared pasttime. So, it's nice to think this news will come as a relief to some people. Even better if the drama gets really popular. Netflix has yet to have a taste of that sweet k-nectar that we love about it, because most of the few dramas they have on there are either past their craze or just... No. Just no.

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Hahaha, I did have a "oh no not like Night Light!" moment when I saw the headline.

I wonder if they'll space it out like they did Night Light (aka White Lights as it's known on Netflix), where the first ten eps were released Feb 14, but the latter ten eps were released approximately a month later. That kind of scheduling doesn't bode well for someone like me who, once she's put aside a drama (whether intentionally or not), usually forgets to return to it later.

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I do not see the reason to split a show in half. They don't do it for any of there original content. Daredevil, Luke Cage etc. episodes are released in one go. I am gonna forget what was in the first part if they make me wait too long

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And don't even get me started on Netflix and renaming Korean dramas. Most of us are used to the 2-4 titles a drama may "officially" have and utilize AsianWiki or DramaWiki if we can't think of words that might appear in translation of a drama title. But Netflix just makes up their own title out if the blue, making it impossible to find a show. The only reason I know this is, growing frustrated with typing in the names of dramas and being unable to find them, I just searched the entire foreign genre and would see posters of dramas (or actors in the poster) that I recognize with these far out titles. You can search Night Light until the cows come home and never find it on Netflix. If you know the actors in a show you can find it that way but if you don't, now you have to do research to find the actors' names to search by. (And remember to put their Korean name order in reverse and try the name with Romanization and with short vowels.) I remember seeing the poster for My Love Eun Dong and going "I would've never found that if I'd been looking for it!" I think it was called This Is My Love.

I called Netflix and told them to 1) go to AsianWiki to assign titles the fans will recognize and 2) to go to Dramabeans to see how U.S. Kdrama fans watch dramas with their international community 'cause this delaying stuff sucks!

Kdrama is not like other series where you make a conscious decision to wait to watch it for whatever reason like not wanting to pay for cable or you just want to binge a series (although Lord knows we do binge sometimes but usually to catch up if you're a newbie (Knewbie) or you missed it but now keep hearing about a drama from other fans so you go back to watch it. But usually, we're participating and enjoying discussing with other fans and (I think) most of us don't have family and friends involved (yet) so online discussion has become our community.

Yeah, I want Netflix to get their HANDS OFF my Korean dramas until they figure out how to do it right!

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So how will the recaps be handled? Weekly? All at once?

Such a weird decision. Why would Netflix treat the U.S. release this way? To give their countrymen a lousy experience? Time to start flooding them with complaints.

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I'm totally guessing but, if DB decides to recap a Netflix series, they would appear as the series is broadcast in S. Korea since some of the recappers are fluent in Hanguk (?) and don't need subtitles.

We'll miss out on the recaps unless you want to read them before you've actually seen the series.

I'd love to hear from DramaBeans if they will recap Netflix shows or not because of the whole delayed U.S. thing.

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I'll very interested how this will be handled on Australian Netflix. We've got access to a smaller catalogue and with other streaming services have to deal with region availability.

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I thought that Netflix original series came out in Australia around the same time as America? (Night Light is categorised as an "original" series so I'm assuming that Man to Man will be too) Perhaps we'll get the episodes in two parts too :(

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I pay for all the legit sites and Netflix and Hulu, but Netflix holding my dramas hostage means I'll be forced to go illegit.

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So it airs on NF on 4/21, but not in the US? I'm slightly confused. When will it air in US and why do we have to wait longer? I had my schedule all planned out for this as it starts the week after Strong Woman Do Bong Soon ends. It's more than 'slightly' annoying. I started my kdrama addiction on NF two years ago, but I've realized since then that Viki subbers are the best and the NF subs were NOT great.

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Well, I'm happy I have Netflix because I've been looking forward to this drama. With China slamming the door shut, I think checking out all avenues to move content and make some $ is probably good. Nothing ever stays the same.

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I'm excited for this since it means I'll get to watch Park Hae-jin in a big screen instead of my tiny mobile.

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Yaya, if you've got a newer tv with HDMI ports, Google has a thing called a "Dongle" that makes it possible to send (cast) images from your mobile devices to your tv. Costs about $35.

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@ramonathepest

Thank you for the tip!

P.s. Your user name takes me back to my elementary school days ☺

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I got a Netflix free trial on January because I wanted to watch a series of unfortunate events and started paying the subscription after that. I loved stranger things ?, impatiently waiting for season 2 :). After hearing that they planned on investing in kdramas and seeing the great original content they offer I am more than happy paying a monthly subscription. Recently they have stepped up their game so it seems that I will be staying with them for a while.

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Ugh! I was so looking forward to watching this real time with everyone else. And was happy with Netflix picking it up and releasing it simultaneously. But why in the world is Netflix delaying it in the US? I guess we've become an instant access, binge-watching society and it has served Netflix well but not with currently airing kdramas! Moaning and groaning about a week's delay for the next episode is half the fun. And how will this impact the recaps and comments? Ugh!

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That's bad news, IMO. The more the American industry is involved, the more they will try to Americanise the shows...

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Netflix is starting to pay big $$ for korean dramas. I guess the rest of the world is paying attention now.

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Netflix investing into Korean dramas is good news for all! More investing, more production, more dramas!!

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So wait I'm confused. Why split it into two parts? By the time the second half airs people would already watch it somewhere else.

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Hiiii :)))
I Loooveeee the new website
Thank youuuu! ???❤????

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I'm not sure I understand the 8-eps first part thingy but that's good for the US viewers, I think, but what about the rest of us?? I try to find out about whether my cable tv will airs this one and when but no luck on that info. So I hope it still available on viki or guess I have to relies on the 'other' sites to watch it subbed ep. this news is making me nervous.....

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hanie, that's the point - neither Viki nor DramaFever will have Man to Man.

I have Netflix but I'm in the U.S. so I won't be able to watch it until it's already old news and nobody will be talking about it anymore by the time I get to watch it. :(

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ahhh...I stand corrected, thought both of them can hv right to that drama...
well, I hope it still appear on other sites or else...we are doomed

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:(

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:((

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:(((

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i'm looking forward to watching this drama

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No matter what. I just can't wait this drama to air soon. :)

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I can't say how disappointed I am to hear this news! I've been looking forward to watching this drama for so long and now Netflix has gone and ruined my viewing experience. I live Stateside unfortunately. Part of the joys of watching kdramas is following it up week by week, and catching up on reviews, recaps and discussions on various blogs, and this 8-episode format robs me of that. Now I'll be so busy avoiding spoilers so my viewing experience is not compromised. I wish there's a work around this.

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Me too! To everything you said.

I called Netflix. Maybe if current subscribers called and explained how we watch Korean dramas - with international community - they'll reconsider how they're going to broadcast them in the future.

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Wow, it's like the world is conspiring me to get Netflix subscription.

I don't understand how the eight episode split works? Are they gonna wait til eight episodes air and then post the season. And then wait four weeks to post the last eight and hope people don't get spoiled? Like a lot of American viewers will be people who already watch kdramas so they'd have to avoid their social sites and what not.

I don't mind Netflix buying the streaming rights but air it at the same time, please.

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I hope they will show the episodes right after it is aired in Korea. They air new episodes for Riverdale and other American TV shows weekly so hopefully, they will do the same for "Man to Man". Also, this 100% pre-produced - the Netflix team might have finished subbing it already. Anyway, can't wait!

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Did Park Hae-jin get thinner or is that poster just messing with my eyes?

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Awesome the kdramas are finally making it into the American market! Now all they need is to recognize some of the better movies. Sooo tired that the "representative " Asian flics are all stereotypic martial arts from the 70s ! Also, the strength of Korean format is the twice a week releases that encourage viewer loyalty to shows. As usual, American TV just doesn't get it. But, better something than nothing...

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I'd rather nothing if Netflix is going to screw with the Kdrama viewing experience like this.

I know Dramabeans gives all these good financial business reasons why it's a good thing, but for my immediate (admittedly short-sighted) personal viewing, it's not.

It's not just about not wanting to wait to see the show, it's about discussing the show and getting insight into cultural things I may not have understood or missed completely.

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Does that mean it won't be available on Dramafever or Viki? I just cancelled my Netflix because most of the dramas on there were on V & DF. I wonder if they will have it on OnDemandKorea...

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I love OnDemandKorea BUT, it's a turkey shoot as to which dramas they choose to English sub.

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Exclusive rights means no other site gets to pick up so it means usual subbers won't be subbing it so it will get delayed in the streaming portals that I use anyway, Man this is bad news. I'll wait till its complete.

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OMG YESSSSSSS!

As someone who has a non-US Netflix account and can't use services like Dramafever because they're not available in their country, I'm SO very happy for this news. Man to man is one of the dramas I was looking forward the most and now I'll get to see it on Netflix as it airs. Woohoo

Oooh, I so hope that after this, my country's Netflix will broaden its k-ent offering, which is very very poor rn. It probably as a couple of movies and a couple of kdramas.

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I'm so excited to watch this!! I love Netflix and my dramas, so I couldn't be happier to see my two worlds colliding!

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I'm a bit wary about this. Hoping it works out for the best though.

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I'm glad this is happening. I can now convince my family to watch it since it's on netflix! They'll probably think it's just some Asian show (cause they're against anything Korean thanks to moi) and watch it

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Ugh now I have to figure out how to trick Netflix into thinking I am not in the US. The wait is going to kill me

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Don't worry Americans, I'm sure someone non-American will rip the subtitles. You'll be able to watch it "live" with the rest of the world & support the drama legally later by rewatching it on Netflix.

I just worry that viki will go out of business, now that Netflix entered the landscape. the licensing&subbing business is a small cake and more and more players are appearing.

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For everyone with Netflix who doesn't like this 2 batch approach, the best thing you can do is... tell Netflix. Contact them and say that while some people enjoy binging K-dramas, you personally want the episodes weekly (say the 2 eps together is reasonable). You can also point out that while they normally do dump all the eps at once there have been times where they carried a foreign show that was currently airing and aired the eps as they were released. (This happened with Canadian show "Between" about a town where all the adults spontaneously died and the government walled the kids in for fear it was a plague.) It won't change how M2M airs but it will give them feedback for the future.

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I like the idea of having the drama released with lots of different language subtitles but the release in 2 parts is weird. Not enough info about it yet. So it will not drop all episodes at the same time as they usually do? I prefer the weekly wait so that we all watch it more or less at the same time to be able to comment etc. Also I do not like that the interest in Netflix shows dies down so fast since all episodes are out at once.
Would be interesting to see Netflix try out the kdrama for at with an original series. I assume the Asian market is something they long for and dramas are the way to get I to such a huge market.

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It actually doesn't sound like good news to me. The minute you get these big companies involved then it becomes more about profit and less about good fan service and having shows available from various avenues. I can imagine this show not being available to watch for fans who do not have Netflix or doesn't have access, and for the U.S. audience it means we have to wait two seasons for the whole show when if it were available through normal streaming channels we'd be able to watch it simultaneously with broadcast. Also, with popular shows there is a certain amount of "fervor" or "fandom" that goes into watching a show while it's airing and sharing in the enthusiasm of the show.

I have Netflix but I think I generally dislike the idea. Yes, sure it's nice to have American or other foreign investors interested in Korean dramas. But many times this results in less advantage and access to the fans. Let's be honest, its through the work of fansubs and streaming sites that Korean and other dramas have become so popular (believe me, I was watching these dramas when they weren't so popular and it meant driving an hour and a half to your nearest Korean market to rent the dramas on a weekly basis). We all know it's a billion dollar industry when you add in all the merchandising, advertisement, tourism and brand access. I just wish the tv execs will recognize that they do better in the long run making the dramas more widely then doing exclusive deals with companies like Netflix. (And no knock on Netflix bc, damn, Stranger Things is awesome.)

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This is pretty cool! I love Netflix and their original series and finding out that they got Man to Man makes me more giddy and expectant. I wonder how this will be received since it'll be available to a wider audience. Sure hope it's a positive response.

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me too... i hope it gets received good ... right now Netflix have a lot of Korean, Japanese and Chinese contents ... and some originals too... i cant wait ...

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bring it on NETFLIX im so ready to be hook

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Although Netflix is showing more kdramas, most are the cheaper, not so highly rated ones (Train to Busan an exception!). Plus they change the names so you've no idea what to search for. DramaFever, owned by Warner Bros, who's been sold to ATT&T who owns DirectTV, so my fear is once ATT&T gets their hands on DF it will only be available thru Direct (my fear since I loathe ATT&T). Hulu has reduced their dramas from 200 to 29 and hasn't added anything recently. I have mixed feelings about the Netflix co-producing Korean drama, as I'm afraid they'll make plots more like American tv, plot driven not character driven. Why do I have these cynical fears? Life experience with big corporations.

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