Tag: tvN

“Call Me Mother” (마더)

Jae-Ha Kim

A common element running throughout the plot is that you are not a “real” child if you don’t share your parents’ DNA. One of the central characters views herself as superior to her adopted sister, because … adoption. The emphasis on a family’s pure bloodline is still in effect today in Korea. And though more adoptive families are telling their children about their adoption stories, many still let their kids assume they are biologically related to their adoptive parents.

“Goblin: The Lonely and Great God” (쓸쓸하고 찬란하신 도깨비)

Jae-Ha Kim

There are few things in life that would be more difficult than to watch generations of loved ones grow old and die, while you live on for centuries without them. Such is the case with Kim Shin, a dokkaebi (goblin). For more than 900 years, he has been cursed to live a life of loneliness as atonement for all the enemies he killed during his days as an unbeatable general. Yes, his victims would’ve slain him if they had the opportunity. But, as God says in the narration, they were all precious creations, as well.

“Cinderella and Four Knights” (신데렐라와 네 명의 기사)

Jae-Ha Kim

There are a some really great moments in “Cinderella and Four Knights.” But there was an element that made me uncomfortable. When we meet the female lead, she is not yet 18 and is a few months away from her high school graduation. It’s vague how old the Knights are, but since they are all clearly out of college, I’d guesstimate that they range from mid to late 20’s. Ten years isn’t a big difference when you’re a 30-year-old dating a 40something. But when one half of the duo is 17 … I don’t know. It just detracted from my enjoyment of the series.

“Answer Me 1988” (응답하라 1988)

Jae-Ha Kim

One of the things that I really enjoy about the “Answer Me” trilogy is the lifelong friendships that that characters share. Whereas the first two series focused primarily on the teenagers, “Answer Me 1988” delves into the backstories of their parents as well. And that, to me, made this chapter a standout. The parents’ storylines were as interesting–if not more–than the who-will-she-marry premise that is predominant in each of the “Answer Me” installments.

“Answer Me 1997” (응답하라 1997)

Jae-Ha Kim

Everything that “How I Met Your Mother” did wrong (including its series finale), “Answer Me 1997” does right. Funny and poignant with superb acting by the entire cast, the series tells the story of 6 childhood friends whose lives are intertwined through adulthood. Kudos to K-pop Hoya (of the group Infinite) for his thoughtful (and unstereotypical) portrayal of a gay teenager who is in love with his best friend; and to the writers for not portraying it as “weird.”