K Drama Chat

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 3 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jyung-hun as King  Cheojong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: The song we feature, The Great Recipe by sEODo.  The awesome puns and double entendres in this show.  The Royal chef calls the queen’s ramen Samyang...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 2 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jyung-hun as King  Cheojong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: The song we feature from the OST, Like a Star is by Hanbyul Jang, an Australian-born singer and songwriter. We wonder if modern day Koreans would kn...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 1 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jyung-hun as King  Cheojong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: The historical context for the show. King Cheoljong was a real king! He was illiterate and untrained when he came to power, and was a known womanize...

*** We know that the audio quality of this episode is not great. We are sorry! *** We are in between seasons. In this episode, we recap and analyze the movie “Be With You,” the hit Korean movie starring Son Ye-jin as Im Soo-ah, So Ji-sub as Jeong Woo-jin, and Kim Ji-hwan as Jeong  Ji-ho. Be With You was released in 2018 and directed by Lee Jang-hoon. The film is a remake of the 2004 Japanese film...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 16 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. Ernabel Demillo is back as our special guest! She was a reporter and news anchor in New York, AND a reporter in New York during 9/11. This is a long episode, so we hope you stick with us and enjoy this long discussion. We promise some laugh-out-loud moments!...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 15 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we feature in this episode: Dreaming Day by Kim Ji Young and Propose by Lim Ha Young. How Ko Yu-rim asked Baek Yi-jin to break the story of her move to Russia, and she wants him to say that she is doing it just for money. How Baek Yi-ji...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 5 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we heard during the recap: Their Friendship by Yoo Jong Hyun and Will by Byon Dong Wook. Ko Yu-rim’s decision to switch her nationality and fence for Russia because of her family’s financial troubles. Coach Yang’s efforts to secure the b...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 12 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we heard during the recap: Missing you by Byon Dong Wook and Whispers of Love by Lim Ha Young. How Baek Yi-jin is sending Na Hee-do mixed signals. He’s declared his love for her, he’s affectionate around her, he is very solicitous, and...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 12 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do  and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The two songs we discuss: Free by Xydo and Free (guitar version) by Jeong Gu Hyun. How Koreans believe that blood types are associated with specific personality characteristics. How Baek Yi-jin is seeing Na Hee-do in a new light: first, when he...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 11 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do  and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The beautiful songs during our recap: Your World by Hoseung and When We Was Young by Byeon Dong Wook. How the relationship between Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin is getting deeper. How Na Hee-do is seeing different sides of Baek Yi-jin, including his...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 10 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The song With, which is sung by all five stars of the show; how are these actors so talented? How Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s relationship is continuing to evolve now that Baek Yi-jin has confessed his love to Na Hee-do. How Na Hee-do’s life has...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 9 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. This is a special episode. Ernabel Demillo is back! Ernabel is Department Chair of the Communication and Media Culture Department at Saint Peter's University and host of the Emmy-award winning "Asian American Life" show on CUNY-TV. Ernabel shares her experien...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 8 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: How Na Hee-do is rescued by Baek Yi-jin again How Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s relationship is changing and unnerving Na Hee-do How Na Hee-do is starting to develop feelings for Baek Yi-jin but he treats her like a kid How Na Hee-do is the most hon...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 7 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we featured in this episode: Match by Lim Ha Young and Understand by Lim Seung Bum Na Hee-do’s origin story, how she got introduced to fencing, and why her dad means so much to her How Na Hee-do’s dad taught her that skills don’t improve...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 6 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: How funny this episode how was How we loved the forward momentum of both Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s characters Why Baek Yi-jin decided to go back to Seoul, apply to become a reporter, and not sell Na Hee-do that he’s back in Seoul How Na Hee-do g...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 5 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: How Baek Yi-jin has left town without a trace, to the angst and sadness of Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim. How Baek Yi-jin and Na Hee-do manage to communicate with each via messages left on each other’s pager voice mail. The contrast between Na Hee-do, w...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 4 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we featured in this episode: Go by DOKYEOM and Sinin in the Rain by Shin Min Yong. How we love Kim Tae-ri’s acting in this episode. How Coach Yang’s training regimen, while tough, almost sadistic, is paying off for Na Hee-do. How the rel...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 3 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs from our recap: Existence by Wonstein and Warrior by Daniel Ri. How Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s relationship is getting closer and deeper. How this was a tough episode for Baek Yi-jin. He has lunch with his brother, who is getting bullie...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 2 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we feature in this episode: Very, Slowly by BIBI and Shining Man by Shin Min Yong The many encounters between Hee-do and Yi-jin in this episode The contrast between cheerful and emotional Hee-do and the stoic, sad and burdened Yi-jin How...

Today, we’ll be kicking off Season 4 of K Drama Chat by discussing Episode 1 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The song Starlight by Taeil The main actors of the show: Kim Tae-ri Nam Joo Hyuk Kim Ji-yeon, better known by her stage name Bona How age is calculated in Korea vs. internationally, which is why there’s conf...

We’re in between seasons 3 and 4! Today, Joanna and Sung Hee has a conversation with Jeanie Rhim, Sung Hee’s sister. Jeanie specializes in newborn photography and is another K Drama lover. We discuss: The K Drama shows we’re watching now. Our list of K Drama elements (we’re up to 23!) and examples of these elements in our favorite K Dramas. How to say hello in Korean. How the subtitles in K Dramas...

We’re in between seasons 3 and 4! Today, Joanna has a conversation with Professor Ernabel Demillo, Department Chair of the Communication and Media Culture Department at Saint Peter's University and host of the Emmy-award winning "Asian American Life" show on CUNY-TV. We talk about: The many different genres of K Dramas. The K Dramas we’re watching now: Tomorrow, Business Proposal, The Glory. What...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 24 of Mr. Sunshine, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Lee Byung-hun as Eugene Choi, Kim Tae-ri as Go Ae-shin, Yoo Yeon-Seok as Goo Dong-mae, Kim Min-jung as Hina Kudo, and Byun Yo-han as Kim Hee-sung. We discuss: How we love this final episode of Mr. Sunshine and will miss these characters, whom we’ve come to love and admire! The lovely and amazing music in thi...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 23 of Mr. Sunshine, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Lee Byung-hun as Eugene Choi, Kim Tae-ri as Go Ae-shin, Yoo Yeon-Seok as Goo Dong-mae, Kim Min-jung as Hina Kudo, and Byun Yo-han as Kim Hee-sung. We discuss: The beautiful songs during our recap, especially Glory by Nam Hye Seung and Park Sang Hee, the duo responsible for so many instrumental songs on K Dra...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episodes 21 and 22 of Mr. Sunshine, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Lee Byung-hun as Eugene Choi, Kim Tae-ri as Go Ae-shin, Yoo Yeon-Seok as Goo Dong-mae, Kim Min-jung as Hina Kudo, and Byun Yo-han as Kim Hee-sung. We discuss: The beautiful song “And I” by Nu’Est W. The agonizing scene where Ae-shin asks Eugene to take her with him to America, but what she really wan...