“Cutting up” dramas–taking a break–seems to be a trend. The Glory, then My Dearest and now the upcoming Gyeongsyeong Creature. What do you think about this trend Beanies?
Wondering what’s driving this trend? Post-production (editing, special effects) needs more time, location scheduling and shooting (weather delays, etc), image–having 2 “seasons,” etc. It seems like it would be less cost effective. Alchemy of Souls changed leads, director and affected the tone of the drama. Is cutting up dramas just a Netflix thing?
All I know is that trend will probably make me get less beans at the end of the year.
In those months one show is taking a break I already started another 2-4 shows so I won’t feel like coming back to an old one. I’m just lazy. I watched Island part 1 but I couldn’t care less about part 2. The show wasn’t that good to make me wait for it all excited and stuff. Even with western shows I’m really bad at waiting, even tho I should be used by now.
But in general I think it works great. Idk what they win from those breaks, but it seems like a good strategy? Beanies kept talking about My Dearest during the break, there was even a countdown, I think. The Glory was really famous too.
Anyway, I prefer part 2 than multiple seasons. Having 8 episodes now and 8 episodes later it’s okay. But having a second season that ruins what you liked of the first one is a big NO.
Some say you’re not a true Kdrama fan unless you have viewed the epic “Sandglass.” I earned a bean,
by completing this 1995 classic. Have you seen it? Do you plan to see it? What did you think? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V6mQhMXwvk&t=3s
My beans for 1987 Gwangju Uprising plots: Youth of May, A Taxi Driver, The Attorney, Snowdrop. On my watchlist: 1987 Comes a Day, May 18, Peppermint Candy. I’m sure there are many others…
I watched the first half of it, but never finished. It was interesting, but I didn’t find it gripping enough to keep going. To be fair, I started it fairly early in my kdrama watching journey and I might find it more compelling now that I have a better sense of its historical context.
Doona!–When fans have to interpret and defend an ambiguous ending, that is a FAIL. There was no ending, just a stopping point because the loose ends of the narrative were not tied up in an ending.
Bad endings are a different problem that lack of endings. Ambiguous endings negatively impact the global reputation of Korean dramas in global entertainment. Are the writers becoming LAZY? Is there something going on in the industry that viewers don’t know about?
@owl22 did you see something about a possible season 2 directly from Netflix? Because I’ve been looking, and all I see about “season 2” are YouTuber’s speculative click-bait videos.
A couple of things: first, I didn’t hate the ending, I just had to realize it was the last episode. If I go back in time, I recall City Hunter being the first drama that had an open ending that made me scratch my head just a little. “Is that how they’re leaving things? They aren’t going to write the final conclusive lines they say to each other?” And the 360 degree camera spin, dizzying! Doona was significantly more subtle than that I have to say, ha! As for any signs from Netflix pointing to a second season, I thought labeling the drama as season 1 might mean a second season is possible. But on further investigation I see Netflix calls all K-dramas season 1. How shockingly unobservant of me! Now the thought of a second season of Doona has flown out the window. I loved Suzy Bae in it.
I agree. Sometimes, the ending is designed to be open. But I want the writing to have given me sufficient clues and hints so that I know how to come up to my own conclusions — rather than serving a tightly-packed story and disappearing before the end…
In general terms, I do agree with your statement here about what constitutes a failed kdrama. Like most, I do prefer a clear ending (be it good or bad).
Nevertheless, it does seem like more and more kdramas are following the open-ending route. What I am noticing is that these open endings highlight the eccentricity of my viewing (yes, even ghosts look at themselves in the mirror from time to time). For example, I hated the open endings in Pretty Noona/Something in the Rain and The Interest of Love, but I liked it in Doona!. Why? I am not entirely sure. I believe it has something to do with the build-up of the story until the open ending occurs. Suffice it to say that (to me) an open ending seems like a precarious slope for a story to take, and there is only a razor-thin margin for success. One false step and the open ending crashes down into the abyss.
Thanks to Ghost of Tim! A deleted scene and an interview with the director (4:34) in a video by Miss K-Drama on YouTube: –The deleted scene shows Doona & Won-Jun kissing in the park, the park from the first scene of episode 9. –The director designed the ending saying “who knows how life will unfold…they might or might not cross paths again.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rK3eXplkcY
Just finished my first “weekender” drama My Father is Strange. Know that feeling when a regular drama ends and you want more? The Song-Song couple loved this 52-episode drama and so did I! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwADNhqSwZw&t=2s
Kdrama music is so good: “Gather My Tears” from A Time Called You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BZJIs3lZfg
SO EXCITING: Paul Ahn wearing a Michigan tshirt in episode 12! Thanks wardrobe!
I had seen so much anger and criticism for KTL amusement park episode that I went in holding my breath, ready to cringe.
But… it was just a few minutes, and I wouldn’t have noticed those are school uniforms if not for the fanwall posts. 🤦🏻♀️
Different strokes for different folks I guess.
In fantasy dramas, they build an interesting world but can’t really use it.
A Korean Odyssey : the end was a disaster. (the actress playing the FL wasn’t great neither)
Alchemy of Souls : The FL changed so many times without any logic behind it at the end. The ML had everything so easily, in the second season his fights were pretty boring.
Big : they had the beginning of the story but not the rest.
Warm and Cozy : It was boring.
I liked :
The Master’s Sun, Hotel del Luna, Couple or Trouble, You’re Beautiful and My Girl.
I enjoyed both seasons of AoS, but my favorite Hong sisters dramas are their older ones – The Greatest Love and My Girlfriend is a Gumiho being my favorites, with Master’s Sun an honorable mention. I haven’t seen Korean Odyssey yet, but I’m a fan of Lee Seung-Gi, so it’s on my list.
I watched Alchemy of Souls 1 & 2, which I didn’t love but… I watched, anyways. I think the plot was a mess but in the end I didn’t even care, I was only watching it for Lee Jae Wook. I think the story could have been much better, and have more sense.
Then, a few months later I watched Hwayugi (A Korean Odyssey). It was funny, messy too, but I enjoyed it more tan AoS. I loved the main male leads, but the zombi girl (Lee Se Young) almost stole the show.
And that’s all I have watched by the Hong sisters so far.
Qingdao
November 19, 2023 at 5:41 AM
Kdrama music is so good…(just finished My Dearest) “My My Dearest” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eewSpJScnxs
Qingdao
November 13, 2023 at 6:31 AM
“Cutting up” dramas–taking a break–seems to be a trend. The Glory, then My Dearest and now the upcoming Gyeongsyeong Creature. What do you think about this trend Beanies?
Cera (@Seeker) is starry-eyed with Wookie 💕
November 13, 2023 at 6:44 AM
Netflix … the thought process is to increase the number of days the drama will be amongst the top dramas after each “season” release.
Qingdao
November 13, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Wondering what’s driving this trend? Post-production (editing, special effects) needs more time, location scheduling and shooting (weather delays, etc), image–having 2 “seasons,” etc. It seems like it would be less cost effective. Alchemy of Souls changed leads, director and affected the tone of the drama. Is cutting up dramas just a Netflix thing?
john
November 13, 2023 at 7:08 AM
Possibly to squeeze as much advertising ?
IDK as I’m not a Netflix subscriber
tabong will pay for her Salvation with Milk🍉
November 13, 2023 at 12:55 PM
All I know is that trend will probably make me get less beans at the end of the year.
In those months one show is taking a break I already started another 2-4 shows so I won’t feel like coming back to an old one. I’m just lazy. I watched Island part 1 but I couldn’t care less about part 2. The show wasn’t that good to make me wait for it all excited and stuff. Even with western shows I’m really bad at waiting, even tho I should be used by now.
But in general I think it works great. Idk what they win from those breaks, but it seems like a good strategy? Beanies kept talking about My Dearest during the break, there was even a countdown, I think. The Glory was really famous too.
Anyway, I prefer part 2 than multiple seasons. Having 8 episodes now and 8 episodes later it’s okay. But having a second season that ruins what you liked of the first one is a big NO.
Qingdao
November 11, 2023 at 7:02 PM
Kdrama music is so good…just finished my 1st watch of Hotel del Luna: Fate Firefly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho-yVEdnHJQ
Qingdao
November 10, 2023 at 11:52 AM
Some say you’re not a true Kdrama fan unless you have viewed the epic “Sandglass.” I earned a bean,
by completing this 1995 classic. Have you seen it? Do you plan to see it? What did you think? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V6mQhMXwvk&t=3s
Qingdao
November 10, 2023 at 12:22 PM
My beans for 1987 Gwangju Uprising plots: Youth of May, A Taxi Driver, The Attorney, Snowdrop. On my watchlist: 1987 Comes a Day, May 18, Peppermint Candy. I’m sure there are many others…
bbstl 🧹
November 10, 2023 at 12:46 PM
I did watch it (but long ago) and am embarrassed that I don’t recall much about it but the FL. You are becoming our expert on that topic!
tabong will pay for her Salvation with Milk🍉
November 10, 2023 at 1:34 PM
That show has been on my watchlist since forever. I’m really bad at watching things from my list, I always end up rewatching something else. 😔
wonhwa
November 10, 2023 at 1:47 PM
I watched the first half of it, but never finished. It was interesting, but I didn’t find it gripping enough to keep going. To be fair, I started it fairly early in my kdrama watching journey and I might find it more compelling now that I have a better sense of its historical context.
Qingdao
November 1, 2023 at 7:08 PM
Doona!–When fans have to interpret and defend an ambiguous ending, that is a FAIL. There was no ending, just a stopping point because the loose ends of the narrative were not tied up in an ending.
Qingdao
November 1, 2023 at 7:13 PM
Bad endings are a different problem that lack of endings. Ambiguous endings negatively impact the global reputation of Korean dramas in global entertainment. Are the writers becoming LAZY? Is there something going on in the industry that viewers don’t know about?
owl
November 1, 2023 at 8:41 PM
I even returned the following week thinking there’d be a new episode ! But does it seem like Netflix is dangling the possibility of a second season?
Ghost of Tim (eccentric observations from a male perspective)
November 2, 2023 at 7:49 AM
@owl22 did you see something about a possible season 2 directly from Netflix? Because I’ve been looking, and all I see about “season 2” are YouTuber’s speculative click-bait videos.
owl
November 2, 2023 at 8:53 AM
A couple of things: first, I didn’t hate the ending, I just had to realize it was the last episode. If I go back in time, I recall City Hunter being the first drama that had an open ending that made me scratch my head just a little. “Is that how they’re leaving things? They aren’t going to write the final conclusive lines they say to each other?” And the 360 degree camera spin, dizzying! Doona was significantly more subtle than that I have to say, ha! As for any signs from Netflix pointing to a second season, I thought labeling the drama as season 1 might mean a second season is possible. But on further investigation I see Netflix calls all K-dramas season 1. How shockingly unobservant of me! Now the thought of a second season of Doona has flown out the window. I loved Suzy Bae in it.
Cecee
November 2, 2023 at 3:04 AM
I agree. Sometimes, the ending is designed to be open. But I want the writing to have given me sufficient clues and hints so that I know how to come up to my own conclusions — rather than serving a tightly-packed story and disappearing before the end…
Ghost of Tim (eccentric observations from a male perspective)
November 2, 2023 at 8:04 AM
In general terms, I do agree with your statement here about what constitutes a failed kdrama. Like most, I do prefer a clear ending (be it good or bad).
Nevertheless, it does seem like more and more kdramas are following the open-ending route. What I am noticing is that these open endings highlight the eccentricity of my viewing (yes, even ghosts look at themselves in the mirror from time to time). For example, I hated the open endings in Pretty Noona/Something in the Rain and The Interest of Love, but I liked it in Doona!. Why? I am not entirely sure. I believe it has something to do with the build-up of the story until the open ending occurs. Suffice it to say that (to me) an open ending seems like a precarious slope for a story to take, and there is only a razor-thin margin for success. One false step and the open ending crashes down into the abyss.
Qingdao
November 2, 2023 at 4:46 PM
Thanks to Ghost of Tim! A deleted scene and an interview with the director (4:34) in a video by Miss K-Drama on YouTube: –The deleted scene shows Doona & Won-Jun kissing in the park, the park from the first scene of episode 9. –The director designed the ending saying “who knows how life will unfold…they might or might not cross paths again.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rK3eXplkcY
Qingdao
October 26, 2023 at 4:45 PM
Just finished my first “weekender” drama My Father is Strange. Know that feeling when a regular drama ends and you want more? The Song-Song couple loved this 52-episode drama and so did I! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwADNhqSwZw&t=2s
owl
October 27, 2023 at 7:57 PM
https://cimiart.wordpress.com/kdrama-recaps/my-father-is-strange-recaps/ If your interested I recapped this drama! Love Lee Joon!
Qingdao
October 14, 2023 at 9:01 PM
Yes, Gakstial, a.k.a. Bridal Mask, withstands the test of time: 11 years old and still going strong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI-g1EXuK_c
Snow Flower
October 15, 2023 at 10:02 AM
One of my favorites!
Qingdao
October 2, 2023 at 1:01 PM
Kdrama music is so good…just finished my first watch of “Chicago Typewriter,” ethereal OST “Come with Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uolzjWUiNw
Reply1988 - Mother Bean (💜🩷Healer reunion💛🧡)
October 2, 2023 at 1:39 PM
It really is😊
Qingdao
September 29, 2023 at 9:15 AM
Ahhhh, the romance of Dr Romantic 3. “Reset to Recharge” until Season 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSNRFnVypOk&t=12s
Qingdao
September 19, 2023 at 8:03 PM
Kdrama music is so good: “Gather My Tears” from A Time Called You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BZJIs3lZfg
SO EXCITING: Paul Ahn wearing a Michigan tshirt in episode 12! Thanks wardrobe!
Qingdao
September 4, 2023 at 5:07 PM
In recovery for episode 10 of “My Dearest.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra6ShThMnGk
Qingdao
August 28, 2023 at 7:14 PM
Kmovie music is so good…Pi (mathematical symbol) Song from Kmovie “In Our Prime” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cYGhg64jDQ
Qingdao
August 23, 2023 at 3:47 PM
Kdrama music is SO good…LOVING “My Dearest” and Kai performing ost “With My Heart” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS5RHojK2b8 and Ahn Eu-Jink with English subtitles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
Qingdao
August 21, 2023 at 6:30 PM
Kdrama music is so good…so MANY good songs, my 1st watch of “You’re Beautiful.” Lee Hong-Ki is ADORABLE but Jang Geun-Suk vocals to “What Should I Do?” is so emotional…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkPoSXmh1-E&list=PLMTFenTLOBONMoSJq_ZB4bKpHtzDJ8Jkm&index=213
Qingdao
August 15, 2023 at 6:25 PM
SNL parody of “Descendants of the Sun” https://m.facebook.com/imauntiegloom/videos/must-watch-part-1-descendants-of-the-sun-snl-parody/1059699847430411/
Qingdao
August 15, 2023 at 6:04 PM
“Best” Korean School Uniforms: https://www.creatrip.com/en/blog/2688
bbstl 🧹
August 15, 2023 at 6:23 PM
Thanks for confirming that KTL didn’t just make up adults wearing school uniforms 🤭
Midnight
August 15, 2023 at 11:11 PM
I had seen so much anger and criticism for KTL amusement park episode that I went in holding my breath, ready to cringe.
But… it was just a few minutes, and I wouldn’t have noticed those are school uniforms if not for the fanwall posts. 🤦🏻♀️
Different strokes for different folks I guess.
Qingdao
August 13, 2023 at 6:51 PM
Ever wonder what celebrity “oppas” do in the military? Military musicals! Here is currently serving actor Jang Ki-Yong rehearsing with ONF’s Kim Hyo-Jin for “Blue Helmet: A Song of Meissa” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJHhoSXr65w&list=PLMTFenTLOBOPnhzRPU7w7blw32-KC9t50&index=24
Qingdao
August 13, 2023 at 6:54 PM
During enlistment, Kang Ha Neul & Ji Chang-Wook in a military musical “Shinheung Military Academy” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJHhoSXr65w&list=PLMTFenTLOBOPnhzRPU7w7blw32-KC9t50&index=24
Qingdao
August 12, 2023 at 12:13 PM
Done–Alchemy of Souls 1&2. Beanies, what are your thoughts on dramas by the Hong sister?
miso
August 12, 2023 at 12:21 PM
Loved S1. I liked S2 too but it felt sort of redundant and there really wasn’t enough story in it for 10 episodes.
Kurama
August 12, 2023 at 12:31 PM
In fantasy dramas, they build an interesting world but can’t really use it.
A Korean Odyssey : the end was a disaster. (the actress playing the FL wasn’t great neither)
Alchemy of Souls : The FL changed so many times without any logic behind it at the end. The ML had everything so easily, in the second season his fights were pretty boring.
Big : they had the beginning of the story but not the rest.
Warm and Cozy : It was boring.
I liked :
The Master’s Sun, Hotel del Luna, Couple or Trouble, You’re Beautiful and My Girl.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth ✨️🍉
August 12, 2023 at 2:17 PM
I enjoyed both seasons of AoS, but my favorite Hong sisters dramas are their older ones – The Greatest Love and My Girlfriend is a Gumiho being my favorites, with Master’s Sun an honorable mention. I haven’t seen Korean Odyssey yet, but I’m a fan of Lee Seung-Gi, so it’s on my list.
Isa is always time travelling
August 12, 2023 at 3:26 PM
I watched Alchemy of Souls 1 & 2, which I didn’t love but… I watched, anyways. I think the plot was a mess but in the end I didn’t even care, I was only watching it for Lee Jae Wook. I think the story could have been much better, and have more sense.
Then, a few months later I watched Hwayugi (A Korean Odyssey). It was funny, messy too, but I enjoyed it more tan AoS. I loved the main male leads, but the zombi girl (Lee Se Young) almost stole the show.
And that’s all I have watched by the Hong sisters so far.
Minka
August 12, 2023 at 4:39 PM
I liked season 1 of AoS. It was an easy binge-watch. The opposite for season 2. I almost could not finish it. Took me sheer will and effort to do so.
jillian
August 12, 2023 at 4:45 PM
Their earlier dramas were much better. Recently they are hit or miss for me. I love You’re Beautiful, Greatest Love and Master’s Sun.
Qingdao
August 11, 2023 at 2:27 PM
Finished the final episodes (#56!) of the C-Drama “Love Like the Galaxy.” I loved the opening & closing sequences that reminded me of a shadoww I saw in Xi’an. About Chinese shadow puppetry: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=chinese+shadow+puppet+show
Qingdao
August 8, 2023 at 5:22 PM
Here is what it is like to be in Seoul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXTnP6dWiGw