K-Drama School

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show That Winter, The Wind Blows (SBS, 2013) and how it brings some insight into what it is like to live a differently-abled life. Grace also discusses the importance of a good reset while she vacations for a week in Carmel, California. Grace’s guest is LA-based comedian Nick Borsellino (@nickwithnothingbetter2do on Instagram)....

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Hellbound (Netflix, 2021) by Yeon Sang-ho—the director of Train to Busan . Grace analyzes Hellbound as being allegoric of social media cancel culture and the spread of panic, blame and paranoia. She links Hellbound ’s plot points to 18th century Christian revivalist tactics that emphasized guilt (sin) and the threat of hel...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show The King’s Affection (KBS, 2021) and its trans gender queerness, incisive critique of patriarchal greed, as well as Park Eun-bin’s robust acting career which dates as far back as 1998, Rowoon’s impressive acting chops, and more. Grace’s guest is comedian Liam McEneaney (@radioliam on Instagram and @HeyItsLiam on Twitter)....

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show I’m Sorry, I Love You (KBS, 2004). Grace’s guest is Orange County-based comedian Viet Nguyen (@vietspeekenglizh on Instagram). They talk about District 12 in Vietnam, comedy, writing fiction, and the rules of improv. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit kdramachool.com to learn more.

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Because This Is My First Life (tvN, 2017) and topics like the 880,000 won generation, urban-modernism versus traditionalism, marriage, real estate, inflation and more. Grace’s guest is LA-based comedian and actress Susan Song (@sujjang012 on Instagram). Susan is trained in improv at The Groundlings and UCB. She appeared on...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Reply 1994 (tvN, 2013) as an impactful 1990s nostalgic text, Seo Taiji and Boys, Korea’s 90s moral panic, the history of banana milk and Melona, Reply 1994 ’s homophobia, and others. Grace’s guest is Dr. Todd Kushigemachi. Grace and Todd discuss the importance of labor unions and strikes among lecturers/adjuncts, the cance...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show The Sound of Your Heart (KBS, 2016), Lee Kwang-su’s versatility as an actor and the underrated queen of K-dramas—Kim Mi-kyung. Grace’s guest is LA-based comedian and writer Wendy Wilkins (@wendyjean on Instagram). Grace and Wendy discuss bad friends, life transitions, self-care, emotional support, brothers, and food. Peppe...

In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace doesn’t discuss any K-dramas at all. (She will resume next week.) Grace is feeling the breeze in her life because of some winds of change. Her guest is comedian and actor Fred Stoller (@fred_stoller) who was in Dumb & Dumber, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, Rick & Morty, and countless others. Fred is also the writer and producer of the feature f...

In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace doesn’t discuss any K-dramas at all. The drama for this week is just from being Korean American. In this episode, Grace talks to video artist, filmmaker, educator, and therapist Helen Hyunkyung Park (@parkhyunkyunghelen on Instagram). Grace and Helen’s relationship dates back to 2009 when they were both Fulbright scholars in Seoul. This episode of K-drama s...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show One Spring Night (MBC, 2019), and its critique of patriarchy, domestic abuse, and status/image-obsessed parents who forgo their children’s safety. Grace also mentions how Jung Hae-in and Han Ji-min lack chemistry in One Spring Night as opposed to how well Jung Hae-in meshed with Son Ye-jin in There’s Something in the Rain....

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Navillera (tvN, 2021), and dives into its queer theme, existential exploration on pursuing the arts in one's 70s, and being there for one's artistic self. Grace's guest is the very funny LA-based comedian and actor Tim Murray (@tmurray06 on Instagram) who is on HBO's The Other Two and the film Swan Song (2021). Grace and T...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (tvN, 2021). She addresses Kim Seon-ho’s scandal, and how to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of #MeToo to find healing. Grace’s guest is Leah Steuer, PhD Candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who specializes in television audience studies and affect theory. Leah is also Grace’s old frien...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the campy narrative of the show Till the End of the World (MBC, 1998), and how Ryu Si-won was a 1990s K-drama hottie who met his downfall after getting marred in a domestic abuse scandal. Grace’s guest is the very profound and funny New York-based comedian Misho Shakur (@misho.shakur on Instagram). They talk about trust, fear, tool...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Squid Game (Netflix, 2021) for the second time. (For her first take on Squid Game , check out episode 39 of K-Drama School podcast.) Grace finds the arguments on Twitter over Squid Game ’s subtitle translations ridiculous given the high subjectivity of language interpretation. She asks why critics are not questioning Netfl...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Autumn in My Heart (KBS, 2000)—the show that launched Song Hye-kyo, Song Seung-hun and Won Bin into international hallyu fame. Grace breaks down the show’s highly camp dramatic theatrics that threw her into a pit of adolescent despair for a full year, how Y2K K-dramas ruined beaches for her, the intense fire of K-drama net...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Squid Game (Netflix, 2021) which is streaming exclusively on Netflix. Grace predicts an Emmy and/or Golden Globe nod for Netflix next year due to Squid Game . She then breaks down Squid Game’s critique and deep analysis of neoliberalism, the show’s sexism (a common problem caused by most male Korean filmmakers), Lee Jung-j...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Dear My Friends (tvN, 2016) which is streaming on Netflix in non-South Korean territories. The show features veteran Korean actors including Oscar-winner Youn Yuh-jung, Mother (2009, Bong Joon-ho) actress Kim Hye-ja, Na Moon-hee, Go Doo-shim, Shin Goo and Go Hyun-jung. Grace mourns the death of comedian Norm Macdonald and...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Record of Youth (tvN, 2020) which is streaming on Netflix in non-South Korean territories. Grace is still on the road. She discusses disorganized comedy festival runners, the US Open Women's Championship game between Leylah Fernandez (19) and Emma Raducanu (18) who broke all odds and expectations, giving women inspiration...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the Netflix-exclusive K-drama DP ( 2021, Netflix). Grace pays tribute to late LA comic Fu. Rest in peace. Grace does a deep-textual analysis of DP, Korean masculinity, militarism, South Korean military’s homophobia/transphobia, what desertion means in the face of dehumanization, corruption, cronyism, bullying, hazing, assault, the...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Coffee Prince (MBC, 2007) as a queer text for both queer pleasure and queer upset. Grace cites Jack Halberstam's theory on female masculinity and Judith Butler's theory on gender as a performance in reference to Go Eun-chan's tomboyism. Grace’s guest is Dr. Mark Hussey who is a Virginia Woolf scholar and now professor emer...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show It’s Okay, That’s Love (SBS, 2014). Grace’s guest is Los Angeles-based comedian, writer and actor Conner Shin. Conner is a UCB alum who also writes for the animated show Harley Quinn which is on HBO Max. They discuss learning how to skateboard as an adult, expanding our comfort zone, the meaninglessness of the word “stupid...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show My Princess (MBC, 2011). Kris Jones, PhD Candidate at the UCLA film school kicks us off with some hilarious answers to Grace’s flashcard questions, which Grace recorded on UCLA campus on her graduation day—June 11, 2021. Grace’s guest is Dr. Bambi Haggins who is a media studies professor at the University of California Irv...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Reply 1988 (2015-2016, tvN) and the significance of late 1980s student demonstrations for the democratization of South Korea, the Seoul Summer Olympics, and her love for Lee Dong-hwi. Grace then has a chat with Joe von Hutch (@joevonhutch on Instagram) is a comedian, writer, activist and attorney based in Berlin who co-fou...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Secret Garden (2010, SBS) as a queer text in how it depicts gender fluidity, and compares it to Korean shamanism. Grace also discusses her journey towards fearlessness, bullying in the Korean church, cleaning out house (the mind) of misconceptions and misperceptions of the self through self-compassion exercises. Grace then...

[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Miss Korea (2013, MBC), its depiction of the 1997 IMF Crisis, Korean masculinity in “crisis,” Lee Chang-dong’s Peppermint Candy (1999), the film Mulberry (1986) starring Lee Mi-sook, Lee Sun-kyun, and Lee Yeon-hee. Grace then talks Van Jazmin (@vanjazmin on Instagram)—an LA-based visual artist, clown, and filmmaker. His fi...