September seems to be a busy month for new kdramas and cdramas. I’m still watching “Legend of the Female General” and “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” so the best I can do is watch the premieres of these new shows and see if they’re “worthy” of my time and attention. 1. My Youth The write-up from […]
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty: Ep 3 Quick Takes
Things that bug me about this kdrama: 1. The social disparity in the King and his love interest, JiYeong I’m only giving it pass because I get that I’m watching a kdrama, and I’m not a killjoy. But in real life, such social disparity in relationships is best avoided because of the unequal power dynamics […]
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty: Open Thread
The thread is open. So you don’t have to wait for my write-ups, you may post your comments here. source: liveasbutterflies’ tumblr Yoona’s a veteran actress so I’m not so much surprised by her facial gestures captured in this moment. But the newbie Lee Chae-Min (debuted in 2021) impressed me more because of the chutzpah […]
Reset: The Time Loops, Part 1
I took @GB’s advice and watched this cdrama while I was on a 15-hour flight. I’ll list all the time loops and answer some of the questions posed here. Reset: Open Thread This is an ambitious project. I’ll see how far I can go with it. 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 The story begins in media res. We hear […]
While You Were Sleeping: Rewatch Ep 6 Sat, Aug 30
The thread is open. Episode 6 – 30 August 2025 Episode 7 – 6 September 2025 Episode 8 – 13 September 2025 Episode 9 – 20 September 2025 Episode 10 – 27 September 2025 Episode 11 – 4 October 2025 Episode 12 – 11 October 2025 Episode 13 – 18 October 2025 Episode 14 – […]
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty: Eps 1 & 2 First Impressions
Since all of us here on this blog aren’t Koreans, it’s best to familiarize ourselves with some historical details so we can see where the director and screenwriter took creative license with real events for storytelling purposes. Take for instance the name of the king: Yeonsangun vs Yeonhuigun. “Surviving as Yeonsan-gun’s Chef” is the title […]
While You Were Sleeping: Rewatch Ep 5 Sat, Aug 23
The thread is open. Episode 5 – 23 August 2025 Episode 6 – 30 August 2025 Episode 7 – 6 September 2025 Episode 8 – 13 September 2025 Episode 9 – 20 September 2025 Episode 10 – 27 September 2025 Episode 11 – 4 October 2025 Episode 12 – 11 October 2025 Episode 13 – […]
On How to Produce a Cdrama
I’m posting this here for our edification. It’s shocking (but not surprising) to learn that the hand of the Chinese government double-dips in the production: before the casting and after filming. That’s why I’ve been warning us all to be critical of the cdramas we consume. The plot holes, plot armors and tropes are tolerable […]
Legend of the Female General: The Phases of the Moon
I guess if water was the chief symbol in “The Prisoner of Beauty” then the moon is the recurring symbol in “Legend of the Female General.” It first appeared in Episode 1 when XJ rescued her from accidentally falling into the pond. He assumed that she was about to kill herself and admonished her not […]
Legend of the Female General: The Missions
I’ll organize my notes here. Will update as new episodes drop. 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Eps 1 to 5: The mission at the Yezhou Garrison For XJ, his mission is to raise an army to take over Que. Mr. Xu, the Minister of War, told him that the emperor wouldn’t allow him to take any Wei soldiers with […]
Legend of the Female General: Eps 15 to ??? Open Thread
The thread is open. Eps 1 to 5: The mission at the Yezhou Garrison Eps 6 to 10: The mission at the Yezhou banquet Eps 11 to 14: The mission back in the military camp Eps 15 to ??: The mission in JiYang Town For Xiao Jue, his mission is to capture Chai Anxi, whom […]
Legend of the Female General: Eps 11 to 14 Open Thread
The thread is open. General Thread: Legend of the Female General: Open Thread Eps 1 to 5: Legend of the Female General: Eps 1 to 5 Open Thread Eps 6 to 10: Legend of the Female General: Eps 6 to 10 Open Thread Villains vs Antagonists: Legend of the Female General: Villains vs Antagonists Eps 11 to Ep 14 […]
Legend of the Female General: Eps 6 to 10 Open Thread
Eps 6 to 10: The mission at the Yezhou banquet For XJ, his mission is to get the military funds and provisions due his Xiao army that were being held by the Yezhou magistrate, Sun Xiangfu. He and his nephew, Dr. Cheng Lisu, were invited to attend a banquet at Sun’s residence. He knew the […]
KPop Demon Hunters: My Takes
Let me start with Disney. I have many complaints about Disney productions but one of the most objectionable is cultural appropriation. Disney takes source materials from European folklore and literature but then changes the cast and/or alters the storyline to make it appeal to a non-European audience. Just look at their two infamous live action […]