Beanie level: Noble idiot

Thank you to all the beanies being calm and kind and critical and no-nonsense in their assessment of engaging with PSH. It’s really reassuring to see.

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wot bits I did like in Gangnam Beauty uimhir a trí:

Falling deeply in lust with Yoon-byul. *fans self* Please give her more screentime, show. I ship her and Eun so hard. Look at how good they look together. Chuckling it up on the sofa.

Give me a few more crumbs of this, show, and I’ll tolerate the rest of your heterosexist nonsense.

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wot bits I did like in Gangnam Beauty part deux:

Mi Rae and Hyun Jung’s beautiful friendship. Sometimes the greatest romance of all is the one you have with your bestie(s).

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    I really like Hyu Jung.
    I like Mi Rae, but I really want to start seeing her reciprocate more within the friendship.

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      I concur. But I guess there are times where one person needs more support than the other in a friendship. Mi Rae is going through a gauntlet of awfulness right now, so it does make sense that Hyun Jung is being such a stalwart of support. I agree it would be nice to see some of that love returned over the course of the show.

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wot bits I did like in Gangnam Beauty:

Woo-young taking his love profile assessment super seriously. Look at that face. He is so earnest and good natured.

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Female students stand up for themselves = 🎉
Male student apologises for not intervening = 👍🏻
Male student consoles female student with this nugget of wisdom:
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    My sentiments exactly. The Show was doing so well, then wham! Fail.

    2
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      I had literally heaved a sigh of relief and then this happened and I began to laugh hysterically because WHY DO I KEEP SUBJECTING MYSELF TO THIS?

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        That line is definitely cringey! But I would have reacted toward that scene much more negatively if we didn’t get the girls standing up for themselves before and also together punishing the guys the day after. In the end I think since Tae-hee had been teased for a long time she needed to have at least one friendly interaction with men as part of the recovery process. Also since I really like her character, I just want her to find happiness, with this Sunbae and/or with her girlfriends!

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          I will try and view that scene the way you described it Kimbap. But it just comes across as poor timing to me – I wish he’d said it on another day.

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            As much as I want Tae-hee to be happy romantically (if that’s what she wants), I am not all that excited by this Sunbae character. He has the seniority and therefore the perceived power to speak out against all those despicable boys during the whole festival preparation meeting, but he chose not to, unlike TA Yeon who did immediately after finding out about it.

            Even for tertiary characters, maybe the show will allocate a little time to show both Mi-rae and his growth as people for me to really get behind this ship (if there is one.)

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            Well pointed out kimbap! ^^ I hope so too!

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          Like I said on my wall, I can’t decide if this show is trying to be a feminist piece or not.

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          I’m afraid I think his attempt is a slightly less malignant version of the same problem. It is clear he is well intended and a “nice guy”, and Tae-Hee responded positively to his attempt at comforting her, but none of it addresses the crux of the matter: no-one is entitled to dictate others’ appearances or make anyone feel less of a girl/boy/person on the basis of whether one conforms to some arbitrary set of norms. We don’t exist in the world to be attractive to other people, and finding a romantic or sexual partner isn’t an indicator of one’s success or worthiness as a person.

          It’s like the show is so close to actually following through on its message of “inner worth”. And then it swerves and goes: “But do not worry! Somebody will kiss you someday! And that’s what happiness is.”

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            Yup. My exact words. By closing the day with this guy validating her appearance, the Show is giving this guy the final word on Tae Hee’s situation.

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            Guys like me who find chubby girls like you attractive

            Not

            I find you attractive.

            I have a problem with the wording. Does he only like her cause she’s chubby? That’s no different. :/

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            Hear hear @beannirira! What you described is the best possible version of the story, but unfortunately I have adjusted (more like “lowered”) my expectation for dramas mostly because I see that I have very different set of cultural values than the ones which are demonstrated again and again in almost all K-dramas (actually often in many western dramas as well.)

            In K-dramas, you see that girls are excited when guys compliment them as pretty, and they themselves often ask that question. It is almost like a precursor to the question “do you like me?” So again and again the idea of physical attractiveness is a prerequisite for romance seems like it is intrinsically set in the culture. And gosh, don’t get me started on the homophobia and almost the complete absence of the LGBTQ community in Asian dramas.

            So when I see a drama like Gangnam Beauty, despite some of its problematic writing, I am just tickled that at least ONE show is attempting in a serious way tackling the issue of the SK’s (or the rest of the world) obsession of appearance.

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          It is indeed the eternal dilemma in watching any tv show: will this show continuously invalidate my personhood or no? And given the strong likelihood it will probably engage in some form of sexist, homophobic, racist and/or ableist dehumanisation, where is my tolerance level? Some days my tolerance threshold is higher than others. Some days the shows surprise me by being more critical than I’d expected or hoped for. So it’s a game of Russian roulette each time.

          But, I guess, for the most part, I’m of the opinion: TRY HARDER, SHOW. YOU CAN DO IT. BUT I AM NOT GIVING YOU 🍪 FOR THIS HALF-ASSED ATTEMPT.

          I wish people could filter me from their fanfeeds. I do feel bad for stomping on anyone’s joy. But then I also wish this show didn’t make me feel sad.

          tl;dr? Let’s 💣💥 the patriarchy

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    If only! Unfortunately everything he says around that quote confirms that he’s saying that she needn’t worry because some guys are attracted to plump or fat girls. Phew, eh?

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    It is more like he is one of the “good ones”. (He is literally told that he is the best of the bunch by this girl.) The other male students have been telling the female students how they could make themselves more attractive and be “real” girls, e.g. lose weight, grow their hair, wear figure-hugging clothes, and smile more. This character hasn’t done that and he is trying to be nice. But he’s still operating on the basis that the ultimate validator of a woman’s worth is whether men find her attractive or not.

    And… it is just … so tiring.

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Gangnam Beauty’s true message is this: heterosexuality is womankind’s greatest affliction.

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    I’ve always thought so too lol

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    most men are trash but the real kicker is that not only do women have to tolerate their bullshit (I could do with less tolerance) but still have to deal with the fact that they could be attracted to one of them too. THE CRUELEST CUT OF ALL.

    Every episode of this show makes me want to take a shower. I would like all the girls to hang out, not talk about men, and tell each other nice things.

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    I haven’t watched the latest and keep debating whether to just give it up.

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      I would totally enjoy a sweet little college romance for Mi Rae but having to watch these garbage dudes constantly evaluate the female characters are frustrating and tiring. Especially since the women are tolerating or accepting it thus far.

      There was a whole new mess of fat-shaming and bodyshaming in last night’s episode. And I just wanted to punch through the screen. Because I like to respond proportionally to these kinds of things.

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        The manga does address this is a somewhat satisfying way, more than I’m used to seeing in kdramas. I’m really hoping that the show does as well. That’s why I’m still watching. But what you described above sounds like my 20s. 🙂

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          That would be nice. I hope the way they address it is by kicking all the boys out of university for creating a hostile working environment.

          A bit of my 20s too. Though in retrospect, I rarely spoke to a guy again once I realised he thought of women that way. Who needs that nonsense in their life?

          Though, like I said, being attracted to men and thus desiring their company is the worst trick ever played on women. I wouldn’t go back to being in my teens/early twenties even if you paid me to. Eugh.

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            Yeah, I said somewhat satisfying. Not quite the kicked out of University level satisfying. :/

            I was a bit slower on the uptake, but by my 30s I found the awesome men and learned your trick to cut out the jerks and life was so much better.

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    The TA is the only decent one so far. But once he starts making moves on Mi Rae he is dead to me. I hate teachers hitting on their students – no matter how close in age they are. And while Cha Eun Woo is a beautiful young man, his character is about as riveting as a block of cement.

    I wish someone would sit down with Soo-Ah and ask her what’s up. I know they’re all youngies but they’re all so superficial and unquestioning, and it makes my head ache.

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    Do you by any chance happen to know Spanish? I heard an awesome podcast the other day about hetero sex in a patriarchy and it was so interesting!

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Thanks, @kudoran for suggesting Splash Splash Love to aid my AYHT come down. Tis such a sweet piece of fluff, while also being strangely relatable.

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    You’re welcome 🙂 , glad to see you liked it ^^

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      It is all so eminently gif-able. I had only seen YDH in Radio Romance, which I didn’t like much, but he’s so fun in this I am tempted to check out more of his work. 😊 thanks again!

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    That was me editing my Taiwanese friends master’s thesis. It was so hard when English isn’t her first language and I was having a hard time trying to figure out what she was trying to say.
    Many times I wanted to do just that!
    But she did good and it’s done! yeah

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    LOVE THIS SHOW

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    OMG I loved this to death. I even started to take a positive approach to maths after this

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I am feeling a bit downcast after the end of AYHT.

Does anyone have recommendations for a fun upbeat miniseries or drama special? I need a quick hit of fluff to help my recovery. Thankee!
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    To. Jenny
    Splash splash love
    🙂
    The boy next door, for the laugh x)

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    For some reason, I picked up Circle, probably because of GSY. I wanted something upbeat too but this drama just called me out.

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      Yes! I’ve heard good things but am afraid of committing to another full series right now. It’s on the list though.

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        Another shorter series (20 episodes, but not standard length) is My Only Love Song – VERY, VERY sweet OTP, awesome chemistry between them, probably because they were “married” for a while on screen before this Drama 🙂

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        Hmm. You might like:

        If We Were A Season (1 ep)
        Page Turner (3 eps)

        (Circl has only has 12 eps. You might want to reconsider. 😉)

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    I’ve been listening to the OST from Strong Woman Do Bong Soo to remind myself of the ultimate over the top sugary sweet OTP.

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    I see you got EXCELLENT advice with Splish Splash LOVE (I want to rewatch that now myself), but if you ever want another mini drama, do consider Girl’s Generation 1979. Twice as long as Splish Splash Love, and not quite as PURE fluff, but still very sweet, and with a to die for soundtrack 🙂

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Goodbye, Kang So Bong. Thanks for being stubborn and smart and crabbit and better than you thought your own self to be. And for punching Nam Shin. That was great. I will miss your goodly face.
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i\’m not able for the sweetness and the hurt of tonight\’s #ayht. i\’m gonna go be quiet somewhere for awhile now.

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In the dictionary under “GOOD EGG”: this guy.
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    The Purest Orphan will not be part of Grandpa’s Reindeer Games.

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      I feel he dropped the ball a bit in executing his plan. But his intentions are SO PURE.

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        I still have literally no idea why he thought this was a great scheme, but I Love Him, and I enjoyed the heck out of him owning Lizardface. I hope his stalwart integrity burns Lizardface hugely.

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          I did. He knew Human Shin was not ready to take over and this is still his way of looking out for him. It is more than what Human Shin deserves honestly, because Young Hoon deserves a life outside that business. I mean, LOOK AT HIM!!!!

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So, I am still watching My ID is Gangnam Beauty. I like solid citizens Yoo-Eun and Jung-Boon, and I appreciate Kwak Dong-Yeon always.

Am I hanging on mainly for KDY? Perhaps.
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    I love KDY since he was baby in Inspiring Generation for like 4 years ago and he looks sooo mature here.

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      I only encountered him in Love in the Moonlight, and spent a large portion of the drama believing he was the real love interest because I couldn’t believe the dull as dishwasher prince was supposed to hold our attention.

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girl: you seem to be in my perfect spot for quiet reflection
boy: it is indeed perfect. please make my lunch. you’re welcome
girl: haha lolz good one *looks into bag* is this rice
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me: the great thing about cultural analysis is that infinite possible readings of any given text or entity are equally valid
stranger on the Internet: here’s an anthrocentric response to Are You Human Too?
me:

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The venn diagram of robophobia and ableism as elucidated through reactions to fictional depictions of human-android relations and its concordant roots in western imperialism. In this paper I will

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Me and the paradox of adulting, every day.

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30 but 17 is kinda like this sweet chick. It’s not a sophisticated or complicated little being but it sure is cute and inoffensive.

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    I loved that they built the chick a little house!

    I’m all for watching people who look after waifs and strays properly and provide them with a roof over their heads.

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      I like it a lot! It’s gentle and kind. It does not take my heart on a joyride. I need this show to balance out other (koffAYHTkoff) intensio shows.

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        Ah yes, I still fondly remember those long-gone days when AYHT was full of cuteness and fluff…

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      This entire family is just men who take home random animals (and people) and care for them for years. I fricking love them. It (almost) makes up for the fact that there’s no plot and the female lead spent two full episodes running around Seoul yelling “Samchun!”.

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AYHT DREAM ENDING

PK Group becomes a workers\’ cooperative. Young-hoon and Shin become firemen. So-bong and Nam Shin III open a coffee shop with an open mic poetry night. Ye-Na becomes a slam poet.

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RUN AWAY WITH ME, YOUNG-HOON … is not the subtext of the scene. It’s simply the text. Also, hands up who’s unsurprised by Shin’s masochistic streak?









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    It is a really great detail to me that NS, force of destruction, once again never dreams that he could threaten his literal employee with dismissal. No, in NS’s head they are a team and of course YH is going to be showered in luxuries. Which is what YH wants, right? Probably why he’s around, NS must think? Even YH was unsure whether he was swayed by the luxuries earlier, and NS wasn’t around for YH’s epiphany, plus is uh, homicidally insecure.

    It’s super sad that NS clearly loves YH the best way he knows how–offering material goods, which are the only thing he’s been taught to value about himself, and willingness to be hurt, as he and YH are both used to being hurt against their will–and that way is terrible and unacceptable.

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      On one hand I am convinced they both know they love each other. But you’re right, Shin doesn’t know how to offer anything besides material wealth or believe he has anything else to offer besides his wealth.

      What got me in this scene was how clearly starved for physical contact Shin is. We rarely see him being touched or touching someone else. But here he accepts, invites it, because he trusts whatever Young-hoon would communicate by touch.

      I swing between wanting to set Shin on fire and wanting to wrap him in cotton wool.

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        Cotton wool can be highly flammable. Just warning against that combination.

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        I mean, I think NS knows there’s something there–some honesty and genuine warmth that made him cotton onto YH in the first place. (I guess who knows! Maybe he just got a crush on his hot tutor, as who can blame him, and then his grandpa hijacked his hot tutor’s whole life. Dammit, grandpa.) And we see in the ep NS really wants to trust in YH’s affection–that he came back for him, even though Seo is rightly skeptical. But NS obviously has a super hard time trusting anyone, and explicitly says in this scene that his wealth and power are what will stop him being hurt.

        The saying YH could hit him was so sad. Grandpa framed hitting YH as an act of care for NS: it wasn’t one, and NS didn’t think it was one, but NS has such a messed up relationship with violence and currently just wants to be focused on and cared for. So he’s like ‘Okay, hit me, hit me all you like: since it’s you, I trust that it IS a demonstration of affection.’ Ohhhh dear.

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          It is the way he keeps using “us”, as he did when the grandfather hit Young-hoon. This understanding that they’re a unit. But I don’t know how much of that phrasing is down to translation rather than reflecting something specific about their relationship. And also when YH threatened to never see him again, it was framed as such an unprecedented and significant event. I was like “You both know, right? This is literally the love that dare not speak its name.” BUT, I agree, it is all so unspoken that it may not be mutually recognised and understood.

          Yup. He is a damaged, hurting, bitey puppy. Who had better sort his shit out soon. I do not even know how So-bong can tolerate helping YH to help him. I love her.

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            She is so great. I really want to see a little more interiority for her, and am super psyched she’s getting a birthday–I know there will be angst too, but she longs to be cherished and NS 3 longs to cherish her, so let’s see some of that! I think she is abetting the helping because she can see that NS 3 wants to do it, and she wants him to be true to himself and unafraid. There are so many acts of love in this show!

            And one is that NS and YH actually did repurpose Grandpa’s framing of them as a unit (he’ll hurt one to hurt the other) in a way that–while still warped by the pressure of their situation–meant they were offering each other good things. Like each bringing something to ease the other’s pain, in the flashback: NS is trying to still do this by offering YH the stuff ‘we’ will have, but getting it so wrong when what would work is him keeping his promise not to hurt people.

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    I almost thought it was a mistranslation when I watched it. I couldn’t even react because it was so clearly a declaration of “I love you” that there is no longer doubt. (Not that any of us have had it for weeks).

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The absolute barefaced cheek of this fecker.

GET IN THE SEA.
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    At least there was the scene where he’d peed his pants. Even though he deserved worse than humiliation of course

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      I hope there are many further indignities in store for him. I hope Shin smashes his precious company into smithereens.

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        I’m not with Shin on much, but was pleased by his continued disdain for the company contained in ‘what’ll we buy when we sell it? an island? a million sports cars, hyung? we’re not keeping that garbagefest.’

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