In HUSH at the funeral, when streams of young people turn up to pay their respects, we see first- hand the current generation who have little to hope for in spite of their dreams and hard work. Then at the end of the last episode, the walls of the newspaper building are covered with post-it notes expressing lack of respect for the newspapers. Both instances gesture at a shared experience of disillusionment in the institutions that should empower the future generations and serve the people. This isn’t only about individuals who work to expose the truth and the abuse of power by the privileged, it’s also about people power, the power of the masses. It reminds us that ultimately institutions are legitimised by the consent of the people.
Fly Dragon/Delayed Justice is also about the powerless who have been betrayed by the institutions whose work it is to ensure justice but are in reality at the service of the rich and powerful. The police, the prosecutors, and the judges have let the little people down. A few altruistic naïve individuals are left to do battle in David and Goliath contests against the machinery of the justice institutions. Separation of the powers is a problem. As in HUSH, the media is also implicated in this self-serving social landscape. In this drama, the prison is full of people who as children and adolescents were without any protection or privilege.
In Awaken, it’s more complicated and more lurid. Orphaned children are being used in chemical experiments in an ongoing search for longevity. The most successful child of these experiments, who has already arrived at the solution to the search, is on his own quest for revenge in order to redress the cruelty and injustice being perpetrated by powerful people who discard the bodies of their failed experiments without any remorse. Police and politicians once again offer support to the powerful and are blatantly unaware of the victims. The media’s role in all of this is sensationalist and self-serving.
In all three, the villains are convincingly and unqualifiedly villainous. Where would the tension in the drama be without them? They are greedy and unconscionable. In HUSH, there may be some room for remorse. In Fly Dragon, the bad guys are unequivocally scheming and evil, especially the mayor. In Awaken, they are monsters, although a father will have to answer to his daughter. The wronged grown-up children who are all pulling in different directions to each other are represented, initially at least, as ambivalent. The victims are also unqualifiedly victimised. The woman who was never going to get a job because she went to the wrong University; the reporter and lawyer without the SKY qualifications, the young men who were disabled, the old women, the poor people on the hill who cannot afford to buy fruit, the “criminals” in the prison system, the orphaned children. These are people with no punch. They evoke compassion and the injustices they suffer provoke automatic outrage.
Having said this, it all sounds very melodramatic and inevitable. And yet it makes real statements about a world in which striving seems pointless. Echoes of Parasite. The hope is in warmth and truth of the relationships, in the flawed heroes, who in spite of every setback, including their own shortcomings, their own vanity and self-delusion, as well as their vulnerability to bribery and power, win against all odds.
This is written so well. I’m glad I didn’t any of these shows, your depiction tells me they mimick reality very closely. However, this is also an issue because eventually most kdramas get a happy ending but many people in real life just have to move on with no chance for justice. Also it makes me sick to the stomach how institutions are no longer protecting people in many countries (mine included), because they no longer care about what their job requirements are, but care more about serving the people and ideas that will make them more
Thank you. I haven’t finished them yet, so I’m not sure how easily they’ll be resolved. Will they give us unrealistic closure or something more constructive or just leave us hanging? Or will they leave us with the warmth and support that comes from people who care about each other in the face of injustice and hardship? One thing that always surprises me with k-dramas – they are always more complicated and creative than I expect.
Thanks so much for sharing this.
I’m only watching Awaken, but it gave the vibes you are describing so well. The helplessness of those who would always be left aside by the system.
Thank you for sharing such a detailed note! I really wanted to like HUSH, but I couldn’t stick with it beyond three episodes. Despite all the melodrama, I agree that there’s definitely a tinge of realism in the stories underlying the dramatizations themselves. And while we watch to be entertained, subconsciously we also imbibe the truths that are around us, and hopefully emerge more aware of where the gaps lie, and try, in our own ways, to restore balance.
I’ve stuck with it because I admire Hwang Jung-min so much and have loved him in everything I’ve seen. There have been moments in HUSH that have made me think that it’s doing something really profound on the situation that young people find themselves in in Hell Joseon. It’s intergenerational too. The older reporters have lost their ideals but are having to account for themselves in the face of the younger generation. I’m still interested to see where it goes.
Oh that’s good to know. I haven’t watched either of the actors before. Somehow I felt it lacked the punch I thought a newsroom drama ought to have. I’ll wait for your final review, if you put one out, before maybe trying to pick it up again
“Turn to dust” (TONT)
“We can kill him in both timelines” (Kairos)
“I tried everything. I listened to ballad songs, binge watched dramas, and tried eating spicy food. Maybe I should change my hair colour?”
(with apologies to the actual Korean script)
Tale of the Nine Tails, it’s Rang talking about trying to get over losing Yeon. It’s poignant, but it summed up what we’ve all been trying to do to get through the year. It was a LOL moment of recognition for me.
During episode 1, I was like “I don’t remember Kyung Soo-jin being promoted as a cast”. Now we know why, and why she kept saying this was her last chance ㅠㅠㅠㅠ. I’m really looking forward to how Hwang Jung-min will portray his character arc.
I was so happy to actually get 2 female characters being somewhat rivals but also bestfriend and that just had to happen…….. And can’t imagine how would both HJM’s and Yoona’s character felt….
Finale #2020roundup: Day 12: Oldie I loved the most out of them all, When the Devil Calls your Name. Jung Kyung-ho and Park Sung-woong were on fire and the music was to die for.
I thought I had rewatched My Ajusshi enough times this year already (I watched it for the first time last year). But after listening to the OST, I want to watch it all over again RIGHT NOW!!!
I loved Start-up, but to get more Good Boy (because he will always be good boy for me from now on), I’m watching Strongest Deliveryman. Jin-goo/Yeong-shil/orphan start-up boy is too precious for words. I’d love to see them in character in something else.
I’m not a fan of Start-up (the show lost me by about episode 8 or 9) and I remain pretty disappointed by it. However, I’m a huge fan of Kim Seon-ho (predating Start-up; I’ve been watching him on 2D1N since the beginning of 2020) and I thought he did a great job acting in this role.
I have been considering picking up Strongest Deliveryman, although I first need to get through You Drive Me Crazy and Eulachacha Waikiki 2 first.
Hours before the episode there were rumors of having an IU cameo and I was looking forward to it thinking she might be some hopeful love line for our beloved JP but when it was actually Yeong Shil that showed up….. man, I’m down with how his cameo gave homage to JP’s own internal struggle in the show. Nevermind a love line, Yeong Shil came to life and I’m okay with that.
i loved Yeong Shil from the beginning. He made me laugh. But what a great twist, and you are so right. It gave homage to JP’s own internal struggle. I had not appreciated that. Yeong-Shil now means so many different things.
I like that episode 16 finally cleaned up the connection between his roots and his career as venture capitalist. I didn’t see it clearly until the end, but it makes sense to view a VC as a person who rears children (in this case, baby companies and their green founders) who need guidance.
Through YeongShil’s personification in the finale, JP gets to be the ‘halmeoni’ for every other orphan who ends up like him after the orphanage and be their ‘Sandbox’ in life. And I can honestly accept that ending for JP and I can only wish he becomes less lonely with his newfound purpose as he lives on in kdramaland.
dramalover4ever
January 11, 2021 at 8:24 PM
Thanks K-drama clubhouse for this reference
dramalover4ever
January 4, 2021 at 3:27 PM
In HUSH at the funeral, when streams of young people turn up to pay their respects, we see first- hand the current generation who have little to hope for in spite of their dreams and hard work. Then at the end of the last episode, the walls of the newspaper building are covered with post-it notes expressing lack of respect for the newspapers. Both instances gesture at a shared experience of disillusionment in the institutions that should empower the future generations and serve the people. This isn’t only about individuals who work to expose the truth and the abuse of power by the privileged, it’s also about people power, the power of the masses. It reminds us that ultimately institutions are legitimised by the consent of the people.
Fly Dragon/Delayed Justice is also about the powerless who have been betrayed by the institutions whose work it is to ensure justice but are in reality at the service of the rich and powerful. The police, the prosecutors, and the judges have let the little people down. A few altruistic naïve individuals are left to do battle in David and Goliath contests against the machinery of the justice institutions. Separation of the powers is a problem. As in HUSH, the media is also implicated in this self-serving social landscape. In this drama, the prison is full of people who as children and adolescents were without any protection or privilege.
In Awaken, it’s more complicated and more lurid. Orphaned children are being used in chemical experiments in an ongoing search for longevity. The most successful child of these experiments, who has already arrived at the solution to the search, is on his own quest for revenge in order to redress the cruelty and injustice being perpetrated by powerful people who discard the bodies of their failed experiments without any remorse. Police and politicians once again offer support to the powerful and are blatantly unaware of the victims. The media’s role in all of this is sensationalist and self-serving.
In all three, the villains are convincingly and unqualifiedly villainous. Where would the tension in the drama be without them? They are greedy and unconscionable. In HUSH, there may be some room for remorse. In Fly Dragon, the bad guys are unequivocally scheming and evil, especially the mayor. In Awaken, they are monsters, although a father will have to answer to his daughter. The wronged grown-up children who are all pulling in different directions to each other are represented, initially at least, as ambivalent. The victims are also unqualifiedly victimised. The woman who was never going to get a job because she went to the wrong University; the reporter and lawyer without the SKY qualifications, the young men who were disabled, the old women, the poor people on the hill who cannot afford to buy fruit, the “criminals” in the prison system, the orphaned children. These are people with no punch. They evoke compassion and the injustices they suffer provoke automatic outrage.
Having said this, it all sounds very melodramatic and inevitable. And yet it makes real statements about a world in which striving seems pointless. Echoes of Parasite. The hope is in warmth and truth of the relationships, in the flawed heroes, who in spite of every setback, including their own shortcomings, their own vanity and self-delusion, as well as their vulnerability to bribery and power, win against all odds.
wapz
January 4, 2021 at 9:21 PM
This is written so well. I’m glad I didn’t any of these shows, your depiction tells me they mimick reality very closely. However, this is also an issue because eventually most kdramas get a happy ending but many people in real life just have to move on with no chance for justice. Also it makes me sick to the stomach how institutions are no longer protecting people in many countries (mine included), because they no longer care about what their job requirements are, but care more about serving the people and ideas that will make them more
dramalover4ever
January 4, 2021 at 10:12 PM
Thank you. I haven’t finished them yet, so I’m not sure how easily they’ll be resolved. Will they give us unrealistic closure or something more constructive or just leave us hanging? Or will they leave us with the warmth and support that comes from people who care about each other in the face of injustice and hardship? One thing that always surprises me with k-dramas – they are always more complicated and creative than I expect.
Eazal
January 5, 2021 at 12:59 AM
Thanks so much for sharing this.
I’m only watching Awaken, but it gave the vibes you are describing so well. The helplessness of those who would always be left aside by the system.
pickleddragon
January 5, 2021 at 7:59 AM
Thank you for sharing such a detailed note! I really wanted to like HUSH, but I couldn’t stick with it beyond three episodes. Despite all the melodrama, I agree that there’s definitely a tinge of realism in the stories underlying the dramatizations themselves. And while we watch to be entertained, subconsciously we also imbibe the truths that are around us, and hopefully emerge more aware of where the gaps lie, and try, in our own ways, to restore balance.
dramalover4ever
January 5, 2021 at 12:44 PM
I’ve stuck with it because I admire Hwang Jung-min so much and have loved him in everything I’ve seen. There have been moments in HUSH that have made me think that it’s doing something really profound on the situation that young people find themselves in in Hell Joseon. It’s intergenerational too. The older reporters have lost their ideals but are having to account for themselves in the face of the younger generation. I’m still interested to see where it goes.
pickleddragon
January 5, 2021 at 7:40 PM
Oh that’s good to know. I haven’t watched either of the actors before. Somehow I felt it lacked the punch I thought a newsroom drama ought to have. I’ll wait for your final review, if you put one out, before maybe trying to pick it up again
dramalover4ever
January 5, 2021 at 11:16 PM
OK but I’m easily pleased, especially with HJM
dramalover4ever
December 16, 2020 at 12:40 AM
#2020roundup: Day 16: Best quote/one liner (see below)
dramalover4ever
December 16, 2020 at 12:47 AM
“Turn to dust” (TONT)
“We can kill him in both timelines” (Kairos)
“I tried everything. I listened to ballad songs, binge watched dramas, and tried eating spicy food. Maybe I should change my hair colour?”
(with apologies to the actual Korean script)
CBme
December 16, 2020 at 5:51 AM
I’m feeling like I should add, “Turn to dust” to my own cursing repertoire now….
dramalover4ever
December 16, 2020 at 10:48 AM
I’d like to use it on trolls.
CBme
December 16, 2020 at 11:12 AM
EXCELLENT point.
Eazal
December 16, 2020 at 6:10 AM
Turn to earth was also translated and it was great!!!
sirena
December 16, 2020 at 7:15 AM
“We can kill him in both timelines” is a good quote.
Edgar Pordwed
December 16, 2020 at 7:44 AM
Which drama is the last one from?
dramalover4ever
December 16, 2020 at 10:46 AM
Tale of the Nine Tails, it’s Rang talking about trying to get over losing Yeon. It’s poignant, but it summed up what we’ve all been trying to do to get through the year. It was a LOL moment of recognition for me.
dramalover4ever
December 16, 2020 at 12:39 AM
#2020roundup: Day 15: Secondary characters I will never forget
Eazal
December 16, 2020 at 6:11 AM
Puppy boy!!!
dramalover4ever
December 16, 2020 at 10:49 AM
He has my ❤️
sirena
December 16, 2020 at 7:16 AM
Woo Do-hwan! ♥♥
dramalover4ever
December 14, 2020 at 8:53 PM
The Freedom Fighters of Nokdu Flower. The beginnings of the righteous army.
Fly Colours
December 14, 2020 at 10:34 PM
Am watching this now, the song is so good! The whole OST is amazing, love the mix of modern sound with a historical setting💚💚💚
acacia
December 15, 2020 at 4:35 PM
The best
dramalover4ever
December 14, 2020 at 1:02 PM
Hush, episode 2 😱😱😱😱😱 I\’m seriously traumatised. I did not see that coming.
asterell
December 14, 2020 at 3:02 PM
During episode 1, I was like “I don’t remember Kyung Soo-jin being promoted as a cast”. Now we know why, and why she kept saying this was her last chance ㅠㅠㅠㅠ. I’m really looking forward to how Hwang Jung-min will portray his character arc.
dramalover4ever
December 14, 2020 at 3:54 PM
My goodness, yes. I had to have a lie down after that. And yes, HJM is eating it up.
immawish
December 15, 2020 at 7:08 AM
I was so happy to actually get 2 female characters being somewhat rivals but also bestfriend and that just had to happen…….. And can’t imagine how would both HJM’s and Yoona’s character felt….
dramalover4ever
December 14, 2020 at 3:02 AM
Just watched the first episode of Hush. Hwang Jung-min is to die for. His range of emotions in just this. I\’m already hooked. Why is he so good?
dramalover4ever
December 12, 2020 at 3:36 AM
And a special mention to a very young and beautiful Ju Ji-hoon in Mask (2015)
Midnight
December 12, 2020 at 10:31 AM
This is the only insanely makjang show that I actually enjoyed watching. It was madness but ut was ridiculously fun.
dramalover4ever
December 12, 2020 at 3:43 PM
It jumped the shark so many times.
Black Swan
December 12, 2020 at 4:16 PM
love this drama.
dramalover4ever
December 12, 2020 at 3:34 AM
Finale #2020roundup: Day 12: Oldie I loved the most out of them all, When the Devil Calls your Name. Jung Kyung-ho and Park Sung-woong were on fire and the music was to die for.
Eazal
December 12, 2020 at 3:43 AM
On my watch list. This one is just my next next oldie to watch.
dramalover4ever
December 12, 2020 at 3:48 AM
Faustian
dramalover4ever
December 12, 2020 at 3:32 AM
Part 2 of Day 12: Oldies I loved (had to add Gwi in)
Eazal
December 12, 2020 at 3:44 AM
I need to rewatch Another Miss Oh. I really liked the drama!
dramalover4ever
December 12, 2020 at 3:47 AM
Eric….
Eazal
December 12, 2020 at 4:13 AM
Oh, yes!
Possum
December 13, 2020 at 10:13 PM
Yay! Scholar who walks the night! 👍
dramalover4ever
December 12, 2020 at 3:29 AM
#2020roundup: Day 12: Oldie I loved. I watched 16 oldies, including my Lee Joon-gi retrospective, and the following get an honourable mention. Part 1
dramalover4ever
December 11, 2020 at 1:54 AM
#2020roundup Day 11: Lee Sun-kyun – his fabulous voice, the roles he plays, the colour palette of his characters, his humanity in all its complexity.
yongsital 🌱 dimples 🌱
December 11, 2020 at 8:39 AM
I’m never going to get over his voice.
wapz
December 11, 2020 at 9:07 AM
Actor crush forever!
dramalover4ever
December 10, 2020 at 2:07 AM
Day 10: Drama Beanies convinced me to watch and I can’t be grateful enough. Suspenseful. Intriguing. A demanding viewing experience.
knewbie
December 10, 2020 at 2:43 AM
Same here!!!
Kairoskat 💐
December 10, 2020 at 3:02 AM
Yay! More Kairos watchers 🤗🥳
dramalover4ever
December 10, 2020 at 3:28 AM
All due to you.
Eazal
December 10, 2020 at 8:21 AM
It’s such a good ride!
I’m so hooked!
dramalover4ever
December 9, 2020 at 3:40 AM
Day 9: Drama I watched just because, and ended up loving. Torn between The Good Detective and Graceful Friends.
bong-soo
December 9, 2020 at 7:00 AM
Big TGD fan here. One of my favorites of 2020.
The way the drama concluded there easily can be a THE GOOD DETECTIVE 2. That would be nice.
Eazal
December 9, 2020 at 8:40 AM
I would gladly watch a S2.
The police team was fantastic. I loved every single thing about it.
dramalover4ever
December 9, 2020 at 3:36 AM
Day 8: OTP you didn’t think you’ll adore (although I had an inkling)
CBme
December 9, 2020 at 4:36 AM
I’m in so deep with this OTP.
pickleddragon
December 9, 2020 at 6:21 AM
I’ve got this on my watch list!!
dramalover4ever
December 9, 2020 at 3:33 AM
Day 7: OST I’m obsessed with. I’ve posted it before and I’m cheating because it’s not from this year.
pickleddragon
December 9, 2020 at 6:38 AM
You just sent me down a rabbit hole.
I thought I had rewatched My Ajusshi enough times this year already (I watched it for the first time last year). But after listening to the OST, I want to watch it all over again RIGHT NOW!!!
dramalover4ever
December 9, 2020 at 11:25 AM
Never too many times
dramalover4ever
December 9, 2020 at 4:37 PM
It’s a rabbit hole I could happily stay in.
Karmen ~ 🍜🏢🎭 ~ 📚☔🦋 ~ 🪂🌱💘 ~ 🦊⚔️🎥 ~
December 9, 2020 at 7:20 AM
My most listened song on spotyfi!
dramalover4ever
December 9, 2020 at 3:31 AM
Day 6: Drama I know I\’ll rewatch… Only two (and nothing this year): My Ajussi and Secret Affair.
dramalover4ever
December 9, 2020 at 3:42 AM
You too?
CS
December 9, 2020 at 9:42 AM
Two of my top 5 favorites!
dramalover4ever
December 9, 2020 at 3:29 AM
31 days, 22:32, 30 days apart…
dramalover4ever
December 6, 2020 at 2:18 PM
Yeongshil, it’s so good to see you. You’ve grown up well. (One of the best and most poignant touches in the final episode.)
Eazal
December 6, 2020 at 2:19 PM
The best!
❤️Esther❤️
December 6, 2020 at 2:55 PM
The absolute best!
Maq loves Crystal Sugar stewed with Snow Pear
December 6, 2020 at 5:27 PM
Just give us a spin-off with Mr. Dimples, Jin-goo, and Yeong-shil already! It can’t be any worse than the drama it’s being spun-off (🙄🙄🙄).
dramalover4ever
December 6, 2020 at 5:45 PM
I loved Start-up, but to get more Good Boy (because he will always be good boy for me from now on), I’m watching Strongest Deliveryman. Jin-goo/Yeong-shil/orphan start-up boy is too precious for words. I’d love to see them in character in something else.
Maq loves Crystal Sugar stewed with Snow Pear
December 6, 2020 at 6:03 PM
I’m not a fan of Start-up (the show lost me by about episode 8 or 9) and I remain pretty disappointed by it. However, I’m a huge fan of Kim Seon-ho (predating Start-up; I’ve been watching him on 2D1N since the beginning of 2020) and I thought he did a great job acting in this role.
I have been considering picking up Strongest Deliveryman, although I first need to get through You Drive Me Crazy and Eulachacha Waikiki 2 first.
dramalover4ever
December 6, 2020 at 7:22 PM
He’s gorgeous. 2020 is his year of discovery
Maq loves Crystal Sugar stewed with Snow Pear
December 6, 2020 at 8:15 PM
Agreed!
drink ur water
December 6, 2020 at 6:57 PM
Hours before the episode there were rumors of having an IU cameo and I was looking forward to it thinking she might be some hopeful love line for our beloved JP but when it was actually Yeong Shil that showed up….. man, I’m down with how his cameo gave homage to JP’s own internal struggle in the show. Nevermind a love line, Yeong Shil came to life and I’m okay with that.
dramalover4ever
December 6, 2020 at 7:26 PM
i loved Yeong Shil from the beginning. He made me laugh. But what a great twist, and you are so right. It gave homage to JP’s own internal struggle. I had not appreciated that. Yeong-Shil now means so many different things.
Maq loves Crystal Sugar stewed with Snow Pear
December 6, 2020 at 8:34 PM
I like that episode 16 finally cleaned up the connection between his roots and his career as venture capitalist. I didn’t see it clearly until the end, but it makes sense to view a VC as a person who rears children (in this case, baby companies and their green founders) who need guidance.
dramalover4ever
December 6, 2020 at 8:47 PM
Perfect. How insightful of you.
dramalover4ever
December 6, 2020 at 8:49 PM
This why this drama has been so good. Details that are followed through and layers of significance.
drink ur water
December 6, 2020 at 10:00 PM
Through YeongShil’s personification in the finale, JP gets to be the ‘halmeoni’ for every other orphan who ends up like him after the orphanage and be their ‘Sandbox’ in life. And I can honestly accept that ending for JP and I can only wish he becomes less lonely with his newfound purpose as he lives on in kdramaland.
dramalover4ever
December 4, 2020 at 8:44 PM
To remember last episode of 9Tails
Eazal
December 5, 2020 at 12:20 AM
My sweet distracting psycho fox 😭
dramalover4ever
December 5, 2020 at 1:21 AM
He had all the good COVID-19 pertinent lines. I was delighted to see him in his new incarnation. It was a touching moment.