I’m not sure that watching all these dramas on our schedule is good for the soul. Death seems to be a common thread.
Monday/Tuesday: Doom at Your Service
Wednesday/Thursday: Sell Your Haunted House
Friday/Saturday: Move to Heaven
Saturday/Sunday: Bossam
If you’re in a crisis, feeling depressed, or having suicidal thoughts, limit or STOP watching all these dramas and seek help from a certified mental health professional. Take care of yourself first.
I vary my schedule a bit by watching light-hearted shows like the Chinese drama “You are My Hero,” the variety show, “Unexpected Business,” and the Season 3 of “2 Days, 1 Night.”
I also focus on the more positive message of the drama behind the sad scenes. For instance, in Bossam Episode 4, after Bawoo rescued the Princess, he scolded her for giving up so easily.
Princess: Who brought me into this situation? Did you think I wanted to jump into the water?
BaWoo: Then you should live.
Princess: Even if I wanted to live, I can’t. I must not live. What would you have me do?
BaWoo: You’ve completely lost your mind. I guess the luxury got to your head.
He meant that privileged people like the Princess gave up so easily on life. His living situation was worse than hers but he didn’t have the “luxury” of killing himself because he had a young son to feed, and a mother and sister to send money to.
BaWoo: (continuing) Whether it’s your in-laws or the king, forget thinking about others and only live for yourself. Let them have their petty squabbles. You’re already dead! So why do their situations matter? From now on live for yourself.
This was his blunt way of saying, “Get a grip, woman!”
Princess: For what should I live for? I have no reason to live.
BaWoo: What reason do you need to live? I don’t have a reason either. I just live! It’s not just me. This applies to others too. We all just live!
He meant that she wasn’t alone. Many folks are simply trying to get by everyday yet they haven’t given up on their lives. She shouldn’t either.
In “Sell Your Haunted House,” Jang Nara’s character shed light on the purpose of exorcism. She said that her mother once told her that “Exorcism is not only for the vengeful spirit, but also for those left behind, since they have to keep living.”
She said that she didn’t understand this when she was young, but in due time, she learned the wisdom of her mother’s words.
See that?
To me then, the central message of these drama is to just tread water to stay afloat because soon enough, keeping your head above the waves won’t be so difficult anymore.
You begin to love to swim when you realize that water isn’t your enemy, but your fear is.
Kinda like life…
So, when watching these dramas by yourself or with us here on this blog, don’t dwell on the sad elements of the episodes. Look for the uplifting lessons, or drop the show if it becomes too morbid for you.
On a different note, what’s up with this “drowning woman” trope?
I think that’s the Public Service Announcement of these kdramas: sign up for swim lessons this summer if you don’t know how.
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Youth of May will probably get depressing too. The show introduced us to some very likeable characters, but the historical setting is all about the impending doom of the 1980 Gwangju uprising. I am already prepared for the bloodbath. I expect Bossam to get more serious too, because it probably will deal with the tragic fate of King Gwanghae (the father of Princess Hwa In). Sad dramas have the opposite effect on me: They remind me that my own problems are not as bad as those experienced by the drama characters.
Thanks for the alert and the ‘warning’ @pkml3. Come to think of it, although I don’t have the four seasons where I am, I find it strange that Summer shows are not more bright and cheerful, or funny and romantic this year. Might it be the pandemic that has cast it’s long and wide shadow?
I go into these shows for the ‘warmth’ factor. I know that there’ll be person-to-person connections and that characters are going to grow or be healed. And for once I am also drawn by the actors themselves: Park BY, Jang Na Ra (who are not at all annoying so far), Soo Young (I’ve liked her in a couple of shows she’s been in, especially in My Spring Days, another ‘sad’ show), Seo In Guk, Lee Soo Hyuk, …
At the same time I watch odd short videos on the side, such as Youtubers who are knowledgeable about topics of interest to me. And there are always BTS for the laughs.
@pk3 @GB – Just like you I try to take away the positives in the drama. But the mind tries to harp on the sad parts more than the happy ones. I guess lot of kdrama has become that way – not uplifting anymore. I am only watching Bossam now and have started watching JDramas. Will get over in anywhere from 8- 10 episodes and don’t have to dwell on it. Currently I am watching https://blitzfansub.com/category/rom-com-no-okite/. I like it so far that it is light hearted.
I wish there were more dramas like Warm and Cozy for a summer night.
I missed watching HP with you guys. will join on the next watch.
Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all the mothers and grandmothers.
Yes, watching Bossam and I’m liking it so far. The king’s action was a “surprise” and not a pleasant. But as expected, the lead actor, Jung Il Woo, is playing the reluctant hero again. He likes that kind of role.
I blame the COVID situation. The kdrama screenwriters must be feeling the malaise too. Like you, I was expecting a “springtime” romcom ala-Warm and Cozy but there was no offerings this year. The COVID restrictions would have messed up their schedules anyway.
I’ll check out the dorama you recommended. Romcom no okite. Thanks!