give up their freedom for a equal marital partnership, which is contrary to traditional society rules and expectations. I wonder if this trend will be picked up in future dramas.

This relationships sound more like roommates than family. More like living with rivals?

I wonder if things would be different if the couples started to live together before getting married (I'm assuming they don't because dramas).

“There is also a feeling that young people view marriage as a means to improve their future prospects and achieve prosperity, rather than as a union of lovers.”

So, back to Joseon, just not the parents arranging the marriage for future prospects and prosperity 😉

Freedom is my basic need 😉. Sometimes it is not a matter of being 'equal' but something that makes sense.

You watch those K-dramas where the aging wife scurries around fetching glasses of water for her patriarch husband and you wonder why she doesn't dump the water over his head.

I think naturally in life things won’t always be exactly equal (like one of you will have more on at work that week/be sick/have a close friend’s wedding to go to so the other will do more of drudge work that week) and that’s fine, it’s just if it’s always one way it’s a problem).
I think if you go in with that expectation it’s more reasonable - but if you get to the point where one person feels so put upon they have to keep tabs there’s bound to be resentment.

You gotta love a good spreadsheet. Good girl. Labour division should be equal in a marriage but it not always is. I know I was super frustrated with my other half by the end of last week for not doing his fair share around the house. He redeemed himself this morning by doing the vacuuming and putting a load of laundry on. God bless him. The Cold War has now ended 😘
I remember when we first moved in together and I refused to do his washing. His mother was very upset and told me to put it into a bag and she would wash it for him. I very politely told her he was a big boy and could learn to do his own laundry like every other grown up. I had to teach him how to iron. He’s been helping me around the house ever since (sometimes he needs a reminder but that’s okay) Don’t be shy to call out bad behaviour and express your expectations. Marriage is not easy and everyone needs to put in and work together. Teamwork is fun. Slave labour is not.

Although sometimes the cross over is not entirely successful, its impressive how many musician/actors are in the Korean entertainment industry. Obviously that kind of connection (or pipeline) has always existed to some degree in Hollywood as well. But its not the easiest combination, especially if the music side involves skill in an instrument or a beautiful singing voice, things that are pretty hard to fake, no matter how good an actor might be at playing a role (which is itself hard.)

Need large n wide roads - 2 lane, 4 lane - aim at trees - this place took care of more than 275k trees for that -you need more for building houses n infra - aim at trees - this isn't beautiful system n architecture - lobbying does that - this is y infra system is the biggest source of corruption - high investment, debt and even higher returns - high risk, high stakes, few beneficiaries - consumer aka voter claps n enjoys n call it progress n development. growth is at the cost of resources but people feel like it's fair value cost - then cry hoarse when time to pay the price - silly.

Sharing is caring, all for one one for all - promote n propagate knowledge - look good in words but hardly anyone does in the world - every1 wants 2 milk as much as they can - even intentionally protect others gaining knowledge then talk about this n that - typical of facemasks.

I always supported public libraries - peaceful atmosphere - good print media at almost no cost - yeah yeah run on tax money but returns quite good.

so many newspapers, magazines and costly books openly provided to every section of society - I almost saved 2k each month on newspapers n magazines alone every single month - not need to talk about academic material available

Someone can be a crybaby, casual for spoiled privileged ones but you can't undermine the value of this simple yet highly profitable facility for the welfare of society.

When a country increases their reporting on other countries' issues it nearly always means their inside turmoil and unrest is increasing.

The increased reporting on difficult issues in S. Korea in the U.S-- which is also evident in another paper I read regularly, the Los Angeles Times-- ironically reflects the global economic and cultural success of Korea in the 21st century. Obviously, all of us here on this site have a lot of interest in Korea which we might not have otherwise. Then, too the increasing prominence and success of second/third generation Korean Americans in U.S. politics and culture plays a role.

But this tragic issue is really more a story of the close ties between U.S. military-imperialism and colonial sexual exploitation than a story just about Korea. I am thinking--and also hopeful-- that awareness of this issue reflects the (slow) gender diversification of the U.S. military, shaking up long standing practices. Armed forces are not humane institutions, but at least they can operate in a way respectful of some basic human rights.

I read awhile ago, I forget where, that some 20% of young Korean women 'monetize their sexuality' I think was the term used.
I couldn't shake the idea that the K-drama 'Her Private Life' was a sanitized, PG-13 retelling of a story of an upscale prostitute who wanted to get out of the business.

I saw this as well, it was sickening, and you're right about the increased coverage of SK. Last week the Times also covered SK's president singing "American Pie" at the White House. Was it kicked off by the popularity of "Parasite," then BTS which is on half the magazine covers at the supermarket and also Squid Game? I've also spotted increased Korean entrees at Trader Joe and more Korean sauces at ordinary grocery stores. Kind of interesting.

I wish the society in which I live, accepts this as a norm. Heck, all patriarchial societies need to respect individual opinions on marriage/relationship

@stpauligurl once told me 99% of the B.S. people tell you has to do with them and not with you. I just think this reflects the reality of SK people: they seem to be deeply unhappy.

I don’t feel I have any right answers, so I hope you find a balance that’s right for you! What I have found that works for me is talking about hobbies, activities and interests. These sorts of things can be humanising without being too personal.😊 But it’s a distance I find hard to maintain over time given how much of my life I spend with colleagues.😅

Maybe you could give it a little time and let yourself go with the flow.

I have zero social skills so I usually just let people lead the conversation/relationship at first. I pay attention to what they say and how they express. So next time I use that. I ask them about something they told me before and treat them the way they treat me. And you don't have to share your personal life, but maybe you could talk about something that isn't work. Anything.

I don't know if this helps.
Fighting!

“Post-watch though, I feel like I’ve lived three lifetimes and then was put into a washing machine of emotions and spat back out at the end.” 😅 this is how I felt after watching Love Between Fairy and Devil, and also the reason I haven’t taken on another drama that would do this to me! I think I can only tolerate gentle hand-washing at the moment!

@lapislazullii I watched 'Ashes to Love' only after I was pulled into the C-Drama vortex of Xanthia, Wuxia and Historicals. My gateway was 'Eternal Love: Ten Thousand Miles of Peach Blossoms'. I looked up the top C-Dramas in fantasy historicals to see what china was producing so I could compare it to Sageuk fantasies and was surprised by how deeply "Eternal Love', an older drama, hooked into me because the hero (played by one of the greats: Mark Chao) is handsome but not gorgeous, yet his deep voice and character are mesmerizingly appealing as he courts his feisty love over three lifetimes. From there it was 'Love & Destiny', The Sword & the Brocade, then, because of Wallace Chung in that drama, I searched out 'The General & I'. All of them amazing. From there the rabiit hole brought me to 'Ashes of Love' (so good), then to a time-slip fusion "Be My Princess' in which an actor in a C-Historical has an accident that leaves him thinking he is the character he plays in the movie and falls in love with the female lead opposite him. (Lots of fun). 'The Long Ballad' and 'The Story of Minglan were good but long. However my recent favourites are 'Rebel Princess' (who has THE best male lead ever when it comes to being dominant & strong, but also gentle and loyal...yet buried inside him is a romantic fierceness that melts the heart--phew!) and of course I liked 'Love Between Fairy & Devil' which was a guilty pleasure. I loved watching our petulant Devil resist his attraction for our effervescent Fairy. I watched all these in 2022 and haven't returned since. Must go back to see what's been happening in that genre since then.