OK, so I’ve watched the first episode of Welcome to Samdal-ri, and have a few comments which I will endeavour to make as nonspoilery as possible, so keeping it vague!
Not too sure about our leads yet, aside from the fact that we have seen both of them indulge in excessive drama queen behaviour in particular scenarios. Not sure with her whether it’s just this situation that’s sent her on a binge or whether it’s a habit. His seems pretty unprofessional but I’m sure we’ll get some back story.
The revenge that her mentee took on her did seem pretty inspired – but can reputations really be ruined that easily in Sth Korea?
Am keen to learn more about the women’s diving trade – is it abalone they’re diving for? Loved the mellow and affectionate Dad with his chin on his wife’s shoulder as they rode home. And that final scene was great! All of them there!
Yep. Abalone, see weed and other molluscs.
And, I agree that they’re both overacting in some scenes. This is not their fault as it is script and director related. They are both charismatic actors who should be trusted to judge when sone intensity is needed. Too much and too soon renders those scenes cartoonish.
Something really similar happened to the Kpop group T-ARA. They were doing great, then one of the members and that member’s sister created false rumors that ruined the whole group. Even after the staff and other people that worked with the girls talked about how the two sisters were the ones bullying the other girls, they didn’t get their fame back.
And rookie idols these days keep getting cancelled just because someone says they were bullies even if nothing is confirmed.
And I think the FL’s case probably got big so fast because of the girl’s attempt of s.
It sounds pretty vicious. There must be a real gossip/tabloid industry feeding off this stuff. Being a westerner, it’s sometimes hard to know when something is dramatic exaggeration and when it’s actually a real issue in Korean society.
As a newly minted fan of 2pm (yes, I know, 15 years late), I am intrigued by the circumstances of the departure of Jay Park. It all seemed too harsh and devastating for everyone.
Apparently he made some derogatory remarks about Korea when he was very young, in some private online conversation, that were leaked to the media and a bit out of context. Then later, when he was about to rejoin 2pm, JYP said he had committed some other sin but didn’t specify what.
Your question begs a complex answer. In the opinion of many Korean scholars, the SK’n society is still largely collectivist and hierarchical despite the struggles and achievements of many human rights activists. This emphasis on conformity has benefitted Korean capitalism and the chaebol class in the last 60 years creating untenable pressures on workers and has rendered workplaces including entertainment spheres and educational settings into competitive hellholes.
The SK’n tabloid press like those in the UK and elsewhere are parasitic and predatory. The vile Murdoch has prospered from his global network of tabloids and bolstered the disgusting Trump and his cronies. Welcome to the horror that ‘24 appears to be bringing.
In SK there has been school violence and bullying which flourished because of the hierarchical nature of the society but in the last decades the tides have turned. Many of those accused indeed have committed school bullying but a minority have been falsely accused which is of course horrible. TBH, if I were subject to school bullying and then I would see those bastards achieve fame and fortune and pretended to be good people, I would be furious too and would want accountability. The reality is that there are no allegations against the majority of entertainers and those that have allegations made about them, anecdotally speaking, in the majority of the circumstances have bullied and victimised others. They just resent being called out and have their careers affected. I have no sympathy for bullies as most children and adults do not bully and those that do need to be made appropriately accountable.
It’s interesting comparing individualistic and collective societies. The former give more personal freedom but can feel lonely and rootless. The latter can give warmth and community but also be very controlling. Being part of a big extended family can be a nightmare if you step over the traces; for some, though, it can be wonderful.
The way I understood JCW’s character from early descriptions was that because of family trauma he became a meteorologist, was opinionated and wouldn’t back down. I mentioned in another comment that that description sounded a bit like Song Kang’s meteorologist character in FORECASTING LOVE AND WEATHER (2022) (Netflix). Lol, Ji Chang-wook’s Meteorologist Jo Yong-pil makes Song Kang’s character look like a shrinking violet.
Haha! Well I await the story’s context with interest. I felt the acting of both leads, in extremis, felt tantrumy more than anything. But I suspend too much judgment for the moment….
Hahaha… My mind immediately started comparing JWC with Song Kang from “Forecasting Love and Weather”. I wonder what other beanies would say about JWC’s character.
It was going to be a natural comparison for me. I was hoping the producers would be a bit cheeky and sneak in a Song Kang cameo. I guess not.
@emsel, did you watch another JTBC drama in 2022: INSIDER (Viki US)? One of the SAMDAL-RI’s cast, Kang Young-seok, almost stole the show from Kang Ha-neul with his portrayal of the unforgettable prison inmate blonde Sun Oh. I haven’t seen him since in a drama. I am interested in what kind of character he will be playing in SAMDAL-RI.
Kas61
December 2, 2023 at 4:07 PM
OK, so I’ve watched the first episode of Welcome to Samdal-ri, and have a few comments which I will endeavour to make as nonspoilery as possible, so keeping it vague!
Not too sure about our leads yet, aside from the fact that we have seen both of them indulge in excessive drama queen behaviour in particular scenarios. Not sure with her whether it’s just this situation that’s sent her on a binge or whether it’s a habit. His seems pretty unprofessional but I’m sure we’ll get some back story.
The revenge that her mentee took on her did seem pretty inspired – but can reputations really be ruined that easily in Sth Korea?
Am keen to learn more about the women’s diving trade – is it abalone they’re diving for? Loved the mellow and affectionate Dad with his chin on his wife’s shoulder as they rode home. And that final scene was great! All of them there!
DancingEmma
December 2, 2023 at 5:31 PM
Yep. Abalone, see weed and other molluscs.
And, I agree that they’re both overacting in some scenes. This is not their fault as it is script and director related. They are both charismatic actors who should be trusted to judge when sone intensity is needed. Too much and too soon renders those scenes cartoonish.
Kas61
December 2, 2023 at 5:34 PM
Under-acting always packs more punch for me.
tabong
December 2, 2023 at 5:45 PM
Something really similar happened to the Kpop group T-ARA. They were doing great, then one of the members and that member’s sister created false rumors that ruined the whole group. Even after the staff and other people that worked with the girls talked about how the two sisters were the ones bullying the other girls, they didn’t get their fame back.
And rookie idols these days keep getting cancelled just because someone says they were bullies even if nothing is confirmed.
And I think the FL’s case probably got big so fast because of the girl’s attempt of s.
Kas61
December 2, 2023 at 5:58 PM
It sounds pretty vicious. There must be a real gossip/tabloid industry feeding off this stuff. Being a westerner, it’s sometimes hard to know when something is dramatic exaggeration and when it’s actually a real issue in Korean society.
As a newly minted fan of 2pm (yes, I know, 15 years late), I am intrigued by the circumstances of the departure of Jay Park. It all seemed too harsh and devastating for everyone.
tabong
December 2, 2023 at 6:19 PM
I don’t remember what happened with Jay Park, but I don’t think it was a big deal from his part. 🤔
tabong
December 2, 2023 at 6:20 PM
I mean, I don’t remember hearing that he did something wrong.
Kas61
December 2, 2023 at 6:59 PM
Apparently he made some derogatory remarks about Korea when he was very young, in some private online conversation, that were leaked to the media and a bit out of context. Then later, when he was about to rejoin 2pm, JYP said he had committed some other sin but didn’t specify what.
tabong
December 2, 2023 at 7:27 PM
Ohh, I thought it was a dating scandal or something, but I guess it is a mystery.
Thanks for the info!
DancingEmma
December 2, 2023 at 7:26 PM
Your question begs a complex answer. In the opinion of many Korean scholars, the SK’n society is still largely collectivist and hierarchical despite the struggles and achievements of many human rights activists. This emphasis on conformity has benefitted Korean capitalism and the chaebol class in the last 60 years creating untenable pressures on workers and has rendered workplaces including entertainment spheres and educational settings into competitive hellholes.
The SK’n tabloid press like those in the UK and elsewhere are parasitic and predatory. The vile Murdoch has prospered from his global network of tabloids and bolstered the disgusting Trump and his cronies. Welcome to the horror that ‘24 appears to be bringing.
In SK there has been school violence and bullying which flourished because of the hierarchical nature of the society but in the last decades the tides have turned. Many of those accused indeed have committed school bullying but a minority have been falsely accused which is of course horrible. TBH, if I were subject to school bullying and then I would see those bastards achieve fame and fortune and pretended to be good people, I would be furious too and would want accountability. The reality is that there are no allegations against the majority of entertainers and those that have allegations made about them, anecdotally speaking, in the majority of the circumstances have bullied and victimised others. They just resent being called out and have their careers affected. I have no sympathy for bullies as most children and adults do not bully and those that do need to be made appropriately accountable.
Kas61
December 2, 2023 at 8:07 PM
It’s interesting comparing individualistic and collective societies. The former give more personal freedom but can feel lonely and rootless. The latter can give warmth and community but also be very controlling. Being part of a big extended family can be a nightmare if you step over the traces; for some, though, it can be wonderful.
bong-soo
December 2, 2023 at 7:59 PM
The way I understood JCW’s character from early descriptions was that because of family trauma he became a meteorologist, was opinionated and wouldn’t back down. I mentioned in another comment that that description sounded a bit like Song Kang’s meteorologist character in FORECASTING LOVE AND WEATHER (2022) (Netflix). Lol, Ji Chang-wook’s Meteorologist Jo Yong-pil makes Song Kang’s character look like a shrinking violet.
Kas61
December 2, 2023 at 8:04 PM
Haha! Well I await the story’s context with interest. I felt the acting of both leads, in extremis, felt tantrumy more than anything. But I suspend too much judgment for the moment….
emsel
December 3, 2023 at 3:10 AM
Hahaha… My mind immediately started comparing JWC with Song Kang from “Forecasting Love and Weather”. I wonder what other beanies would say about JWC’s character.
bong-soo
December 3, 2023 at 6:24 AM
It was going to be a natural comparison for me. I was hoping the producers would be a bit cheeky and sneak in a Song Kang cameo. I guess not.
@emsel, did you watch another JTBC drama in 2022: INSIDER (Viki US)? One of the SAMDAL-RI’s cast, Kang Young-seok, almost stole the show from Kang Ha-neul with his portrayal of the unforgettable prison inmate blonde Sun Oh. I haven’t seen him since in a drama. I am interested in what kind of character he will be playing in SAMDAL-RI.
emsel
December 17, 2023 at 5:21 AM
Yes, I did he was the (might I add, only) best thing about that drama.