Can't begin to say how much I identified with this post. Like you, I grew up trying to be one of the cool kids, trying to fit in, be more girlish because apparently a little girl isn't supposed to run around and shout aloud, wear pants and kick pebbles...
After growing up I (like you) also realised that I made myself so tired living the life people wanted me to, that 'society' deems is normal.
I am born with chubby cheeks, broad shoulders, chunky thighs and a huge butt. Spent my life trying to be the society image of thin but now I am so much happier embracing my body and eating whatever I like in moderation.
Go you author! And us :)
P.s I especially loved the 'star pocket' analogy too :) work/life can be draining sometimes and this star pocket is what keeps us going 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I loved Kim Bok Joo. :)

This was so well written! I smiled so much at the sentence about loving Mondays and that special place called drama heaven :)

I really need to watch Weightlifting Fairy soon! I remember that I started watching dramas because of how foreign and different they felt and that was exciting but my favorite dramas, the ones that resonated with me are the ones with relatable characters. Characters that felt like versions of me...that felt like real people.

Also three of my favorite dramas this year!!! And yes, they were also very able to be embarrassed but overcome it quick, and carry on with their lives.
Thank you for sharing your experience this year.

A true story:
My sister swore she'd never touch Korean dramas. She once happened to catch me watching Hospital Ship and seeing Ha Ji Won chopping off someone's arm didn't help. Then I went away for a month. When I returned, she had binge-watched the whole of WYWS with a friend and was raving about Suzy's hair-removal comedy and wonderful weirdness. Her friend started out complaining about the power ballads and then downloaded the whole OST.
Moral of the story: WYWS is a great gateway drama.
Personal moral of the story: Don't just dismiss While You Were Sleeping as another prosecutor drama. *adds to ever-growing to-watch list*

This was such an awesome post. I 100% agree about becoming comfortable in your own skin. It's the BEST thing I've discovered about growing up. When I was younger I wanted to be popular, loud, and outgoing. My older brother was the most popular kid in his grade. Both of my parents are loud and outgoing people. Im just not. And on top of this personality "flaw" I have a really soft voice. I cannot begin to tell you how many people I've helped in the library who mention that with a little voice like mine I was made to work in the library. It's taken me years to learn to accept myself and to love myself (little voice and introverted personality and all). I have been loving finding dramas that meet me where I am or where I hope to be (more accepting of myself). The lead in WYWS was one of my favorites because pf that very scene that you descibed!

while you were sleeping was the kind of drama where you just wanted everyone to be friends and live happily in Hong Joo´s Moms´ kitchen. It really was the friendships and the bonds between different characters that was the strength of this drama, mentor-mentee, and how friendship ruled over rivalism. The biggest loss for Lawyer Lee was ruining the friendship for something temporary. Most of the characters were just genuinely sweethearts, good and bright people.

Awwwwww

The thing I liked about Suzy's character in WYWS was that while she looked like a news reporter when she was working, she was a totally different person upon waking up. It was such a surprise to see such a quirky personality have such a serious and important job. The first episode where she is totally traumatized by her dreams, talks about her lawyer boyfriend makes her seem so needy. And yet as we get to know her, we see her inner strength and outer silliness that is just so charming. Definitely a great gateway drama for anyone.

This was absolutely beautiful. I haven't finished WYWS yet, but it's no secret that BTLIOF was my favorite of the year and is tied with Answer Me 1997 for my favorite of all-time. It's only been 2 weeks since it ended but I still think about it constantly and am just so grateful for the show on so many levels. Ji-ho and Se-hee will have a place in my heart forever.

WFKBJ was one of my favorites of 2016/2017 as well. Along with you mentioning about the characters being unabashedly themselves, another thing that I adored about both was the friendships. WFKBJ reminded me of my own friendships right now in college, and BTLIOF had the friendships that I desperately wish to have when I reach 30.

I feel that many dramas try to have "quirky" characters, but few manage to make them feel as genuine and real and relatable as these 3. I may not have finished WYWS yet but I adored Suzy's character! She was an absolute delight.

I feel that this year has been a big one for me accepting who I am as well. Growing up, my brother was very elitist and didn't hesitate to scoff at my interests, and my mom was constantly trying to get me to fit what she perceived as "normal", and I feel that I am finally starting to understand who I am and discovering what I like without being apologetic about it. I relate to your post so much so thank you for writing it! You put my own thoughts into words wonderfully.

Thank you for this essay! You’ve reminded me that I have yet to see King 2 Hearts! With the new Journey tibtge Wst adaptation quickly appearing, I’ve got done work to do!

Enjoyed reading the post, I love it when female heroines own their weirdness, definitely why Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is one of my favorite underrated shows of this year.

My mom's always yells at me for dressing up like an old woman and not going with the fashion trends , and always being at home ,not socializing with people, not getting into a relationship. My replies were the same. I always tell her that why should i copy other people. Why should i live as what the society wants me to. Why cant I be the person that i want. I am happy being ME.

I am glad i found this gem of a show called Because this life is our first. This show connected with me so well, the writing, the characters, everything. This show had so many beautiful lines which really tugged my heart. What i loved most was the room 19 part. I think that exist for almost everyone. My room 19 would be korean dramas. It makes me escape the tired world i am living in.

Coming to WLFKBJ, Bok Joo would definitely be my number one female lead character. I just loved that character so much. She finally found her love, and success for who she was. She taught us that one does not need to change for the person one loves. You show your true self and it is worth it.

Also i loved Ra Eun Ho character in School 2017. She fought for herself and her friends. She fought for justice and she never gave up. She stood against the corruption in the school system, and she fought for her dreams along with the help of Tae Woon. She really was a strong character and i wish i was like that when i was school.

Yay, thank you for posting my review! :)

“It’s okay to be different. Don’t apologize for it. Don’t be embarrassed by it. Own it.”

*Three standing ovations*
Loved this post! Thank you!!!

This is a beautiful post. I had to remind myself constantly to own my weird in high school and University. If I can't be fully me I feel like a fraud. Plus it's exhausting to pretend that listening to your favorite playlist while on the bus doesn't make you itchy to dance. When I hear my song, I accept that some body part has to be moving to the beat. Who cares if people think your crazy.

I agree with you about the characters in Because This is My First Life, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Ju and While You Were Sleeping. I would add Do Bong Soon. That show was all about her learning to embrace who she was, instead of hiding it. OK, what made her different is not something we will ever share, but it affected her in her relationships the same way.