I absolutely loved this drama 15 years ago - a "bigger" girl getting the boy, Daniel Henney and knowing his own mother is an adoptee and the Jejudo statues that also greet my own orphanage. It was the first time I got to see a glimpse of something that I could relate to.
All that is problematic of this drama seems to be on brand for the dramas back then and I have enjoyed watching the evolution of relationships and what is considered "good boyfriend material" now is not all that grabbing, demanding and controlling.
I WOULD LOVE A REMAKE OF THIS DRAMA! Hwang In Youp as Hyun Bin's character?
The wrist grabbing is still going on, unfortunately. I'm watching the new series WHEN THE PHONE RINGS and Yoo Yeon-seok is constantly grabbing Chae Soo-bin's wrist and I'm thinking, "Can we just stop this?" (BTW, I'm enjoying the show overall, wrist yanking aside.)
I watched something recently without that and the iconic resignation letter handover and I was like...wait...things are changing!
But I hear you. It's unfortunate, but I kind of accept it all to get the drug that is KDrama. I started watching because it was so unpredictable (for me an American who knows all my own culture's story tropes). Now I know these, but I still enjoy them and like some issues in American culture have to gloss over some things to keep enjoying it all.
I loved the ending the most, when Sam-soon found her worth and her voice. And I do think it was pretty bold for that era for the woman to choose herself. As physically attractive as all the men were (Daniel Henny in his prime!), none of them were ideal boyfriends.
There are a lot of shows/films I watched in my youth that I thought were so good back then that I don't want my child to watch, like SIXTEEN CANDLES. (Not that he has any interest in seeing it, lol) Back then, I don't think anyone talked about how Jake basically gave The Geek permission to rape his intoxicated girlfriend, Caroline. We all just thought Michael Schoeffling (the actor playing Jake) was dreamy. No one knew much about date rape or consent back then. It's a different era.
I will say that I do enjoy revisiting some of these older K-dramas that were so fun to watch back then, finding what resonated with us back then and how we see them now. Always interesting!
Funny you should just post this. We recently watched this as it was labeled as a "guilty pleasure" over on a Patreon blog. Hyun Bin is a red flag, without a doubt. His behavior totally unacceptable in so many areas.
However, we absolutely loved Sam Soon's character-from her non-traditional big girl look (Small Girl by Youngji anyone?) to her work ethic to her willingness to not get sucked into loving a red flag until maybe he might learn a few boundaries? She is one of my favorite female characters in all of the 120 K-dramas we have watched. Hyun Bin was fun to watch because he was such a baby then, until he opened his mouth or grabbed her that is.
I agree with your rating. Some of these older dramas have held up to the test of time (Goong) and others not so much. Depends on your ability to overlook a red flag to see a great female character.
We call it the Korean Hand Grab at our house...wonder how real this trope is? In the US, I see it as crossing the line into harassment almost all the time.
That's a great quote. Not only for Sam Soon for also for all us who have been around toxic relationships.
Thank you for sharing your sentiments, Deni. I think that Sam-soon's character (especially in that era) was something new that wasn't seen often.
I've never seen anyone in Korea do the Korean Arm Grab/Hand Grab or give their drunk friends piggyback rides. lol But then again, I don't live there anymore. However, Amnesty International Korea put out a statement around this time(ish?) talking about the important of not manhandling women in dramas. It has gotten better now vs. back then.
I know that so many people adored this series and that it was a gateway drama for many. But there are plenty of excellent ones to choose from, Josh. Have a great week!
I remember enjoying this, but the problematic themes less so. I feel like this evolution is similar to romance novels in that we used to equate control and negging with love.
(It’s not gone from romance, but is somewhat less prevalent.)
2005 does not feel like it's almost 20 years ago...! As terrible as the antiquated viewpoint of this show is, I think I would still take 2005 over what 2025 is shaping up to be... 😞
I absolutely loved this drama 15 years ago - a "bigger" girl getting the boy, Daniel Henney and knowing his own mother is an adoptee and the Jejudo statues that also greet my own orphanage. It was the first time I got to see a glimpse of something that I could relate to.
All that is problematic of this drama seems to be on brand for the dramas back then and I have enjoyed watching the evolution of relationships and what is considered "good boyfriend material" now is not all that grabbing, demanding and controlling.
I WOULD LOVE A REMAKE OF THIS DRAMA! Hwang In Youp as Hyun Bin's character?
Remember all the wrist grabbing back then...
The wrist grabbing is still going on, unfortunately. I'm watching the new series WHEN THE PHONE RINGS and Yoo Yeon-seok is constantly grabbing Chae Soo-bin's wrist and I'm thinking, "Can we just stop this?" (BTW, I'm enjoying the show overall, wrist yanking aside.)
I watched something recently without that and the iconic resignation letter handover and I was like...wait...things are changing!
But I hear you. It's unfortunate, but I kind of accept it all to get the drug that is KDrama. I started watching because it was so unpredictable (for me an American who knows all my own culture's story tropes). Now I know these, but I still enjoy them and like some issues in American culture have to gloss over some things to keep enjoying it all.
I loved the ending the most, when Sam-soon found her worth and her voice. And I do think it was pretty bold for that era for the woman to choose herself. As physically attractive as all the men were (Daniel Henny in his prime!), none of them were ideal boyfriends.
There are a lot of shows/films I watched in my youth that I thought were so good back then that I don't want my child to watch, like SIXTEEN CANDLES. (Not that he has any interest in seeing it, lol) Back then, I don't think anyone talked about how Jake basically gave The Geek permission to rape his intoxicated girlfriend, Caroline. We all just thought Michael Schoeffling (the actor playing Jake) was dreamy. No one knew much about date rape or consent back then. It's a different era.
I will say that I do enjoy revisiting some of these older K-dramas that were so fun to watch back then, finding what resonated with us back then and how we see them now. Always interesting!
This is a blast from the past!
Almost 20 years old, Aime!
Funny you should just post this. We recently watched this as it was labeled as a "guilty pleasure" over on a Patreon blog. Hyun Bin is a red flag, without a doubt. His behavior totally unacceptable in so many areas.
However, we absolutely loved Sam Soon's character-from her non-traditional big girl look (Small Girl by Youngji anyone?) to her work ethic to her willingness to not get sucked into loving a red flag until maybe he might learn a few boundaries? She is one of my favorite female characters in all of the 120 K-dramas we have watched. Hyun Bin was fun to watch because he was such a baby then, until he opened his mouth or grabbed her that is.
I agree with your rating. Some of these older dramas have held up to the test of time (Goong) and others not so much. Depends on your ability to overlook a red flag to see a great female character.
We call it the Korean Hand Grab at our house...wonder how real this trope is? In the US, I see it as crossing the line into harassment almost all the time.
That's a great quote. Not only for Sam Soon for also for all us who have been around toxic relationships.
Thank you for the conversation.
Thank you for sharing your sentiments, Deni. I think that Sam-soon's character (especially in that era) was something new that wasn't seen often.
I've never seen anyone in Korea do the Korean Arm Grab/Hand Grab or give their drunk friends piggyback rides. lol But then again, I don't live there anymore. However, Amnesty International Korea put out a statement around this time(ish?) talking about the important of not manhandling women in dramas. It has gotten better now vs. back then.
Thanks for the heads up! Won't be needing to lose 16 hours of my life!
I know that so many people adored this series and that it was a gateway drama for many. But there are plenty of excellent ones to choose from, Josh. Have a great week!
I remember enjoying this, but the problematic themes less so. I feel like this evolution is similar to romance novels in that we used to equate control and negging with love.
(It’s not gone from romance, but is somewhat less prevalent.)
Yup. The series is almost 20 years old , and things that were acceptable then are 😬 today.
2005 does not feel like it's almost 20 years ago...! As terrible as the antiquated viewpoint of this show is, I think I would still take 2005 over what 2025 is shaping up to be... 😞
That's so depressing, isn't it? What's happening in SK now and the US is appalling.
Now I have to wonder if I popped in all those DVDs on my shelf from 20 years ago when I started watching KDramas what I’d think….