Backstreet Rookie: Episodes 1-2 Open Thread
by missvictrix
Backstreet Rookie is here, and it’s every bit as colorful as advertised. After some quick background, the story of our store owner hero and his feisty part-timer goes into full swing, and it’s rife with misunderstandings, manipulation, and a distinct manhwa feel.
EPISODES 1-2 WEECAP
Before we dig into the premiere week episodes, let’s say hello to the elephant in the room, shall we? Yes, our leading actors have a pretty big age gap between them. Some (most) people react really adversely to this; others don’t. Feel your feelings, everyone, but if you’re game, let’s see where this story takes us. As long as it’s not to a cryogenic sleep pod, I think we’ll be okay?
Our drama starts out with a bit of prologue, setting up our characters when they first meet three years in the past. It’s short and to the point — we learn everything we need to know about our leads. There’s CHOI DAE-HYUN (Ji Chang-wook), who saves kittens from sewers, and though a bit dopey, surely doesn’t deserve the cruel dumping he gets from his girlfriend (yay, Jung Eun-ji killing her cameo!).
Flip the coin, and we’ve got our heroine, JUNG SAET-BYUL (Kim Yoo-jung) who lives by the credo, “A real woman speaks with her fist.” She’s a high school iljin, an expert fighter, and is already using her sex appeal to get what she wants out of people. And in this case, that’s poor Dae-hyun. Poor dude doesn’t know what hit him when they cross paths by chance, and you can literally see him losing his brains as she mixes coyness and aggressiveness to manipulate him. The takeaway? She’s nobody’s fool, and he’s a bit of a fool.
Our leads meet again three years later, when Dae-hyun hires Saet-byul as a part-timer at his family’s 24-hour convenience store. I say “hires,” but it’s more like she hires herself, and then he goes along with it. The build up to the hiring is pretty great — Dae-hyun is working at the store literally non-stop, and there’s an on screen clock ticking away as we watch him struggle to stay conscious and cognizant of his surroundings. Ji Chang-wook does this so well; it’s hilarious, but you can also feel the pain of his sleep deprivation. So, when Saet-byul charges in and applies for the job, you can see why our hero is blindsided.
This interaction is just the start to their power struggle, and our first episode is mostly concerned with the crazy that occurs after she’s hired. Goofball though he is, it’s easy to see why Dae-hyun would suspect his new part-timer of stealing cash (the 50,000 won section of the cash register is emptied and she has a back pocket full of cash), then all the cigarettes (she’s emptied the entire display to “organize”), and then become convinced she’s a fraud when the address on her application is actually that of a prostitution ring. They set the misunderstandings to rights rather fast, and while suspicion still plays a role, the major question is why Saet-byul is there. Clearly she’s laid some plans.
In Episode 2, their entanglement only gets more so — Saet-byul’s drunk iljin friends admit she’s working there because of him (and it’s obvious to us that she’s been mooning over him since they first met), and Saet-byul might be joking about seducing him, but we know she’s not. “Say sorry to your girlfriend for me,” she quips.
Their dynamic is pretty funny, with Dae-hyun trying to be daunting and in control, but losing his nerve whenever they’re together. I like the blurriness of whether he is falling for her charms, or falling under her spell, and it looks like the power dynamics of their relationship will be the fuel for the rest of our plot (with a sprinkling of problematic friends and an angry girlfriend).
Outside of the romance angle, though, there’s also the concept of Saet-byul being the one that carries out the store owner justice that Dae-hyun is unable to follow through on (example: Jun of the illegal cigarette purchases). I like the idea of a smart and street-savvy Saet-byul protecting the goofball she loves, and this could turn out to be the best part of their interactions for me.
With our plot and characters introduced, we definitely have to talk about form, because Backstreet Rookie leads with its style. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever watched a webtoon adaptation that’s felt so much like an actual webtoon. The way shots are framed, the on screen text and embellishments, and even the crazy CGI during Saet-byul’s fight scenes (and her hilarious Super Saiyan moments) — all these things added to the feeling of watching a moving manhwa, so to speak.
Between this and the comedy, Backstreet Rookie is definitely a drama you have to be in the right mood for — while some of the comedy was really great (when Ji Chang-wook is funny, he’s funny), some of it felt a little forced. However, I’m hoping the drama evens out a little as it progresses.
While the webtoon feel I can get behind, Backstreet Rookie also seems to be hanging on to its source material a bit more than expected. Long story short, it’s got this subtle raunchiness to it that actually surprised me. I expected a cute, sassy PG story… but what we’re getting feels more like a watered down version of the adult story it’s adapted from. From suggestive comments, to Dae-hyun’s friend’s orgasmic drawing session (eww!), to the way the camera looks at Saet-byul’s body — I’m honestly not so used to seeing these things in dramaland.
That being said, a drama’s first week is only the first week, and if there’s anything I’m coming away with after our premiere, it’s that Backstreet Rookie knows its flavor, and it’s not afraid to use it. There’s something to be said for that, and we’ll have to see where we go from here.
I actually like the drama’s premise, and I really like the setting of the store (it’s such a great little microcosm for a story to take place) — in fact, the store and the surrounding “streets” look so much like a set that it only amps up that moving manhwa feeling I talked about earlier.
Also, I can’t not say how drop-dead gorgeous Kim Yoo-jung is. This isn’t a role I might have chosen for her if I was her agent, but she is so confident and in-charge playing Saet-byul that I almost feel like I’m under the same spell she’s putting on Dae-hyun.
We’ll dig more into the characters and developing plot next week, but in the meantime, as we chat about this drama, let’s remember that while we might have different opinions and takes on this story and the many issues that are attached to it — we can all still be friends at the end of the day. After all, there’s enough expired kimbap at Dae-hyun’s store for everyone.
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Tags: Backstreet Rookie, Do Sang-woo, featured2, first episodes, Han Sun-hwa, Ji Chang-wook, Kim Yoo-jung
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1 dramafan100
June 20, 2020 at 6:50 PM
The age gap does not bother me really. If I had not read how much of a big deal it is, I would not have even paid any attention to it. She played even younger romantic interest for an older guy in a prev drama. And hello - Goblin? Anyways, to me age gap is not a turn-off.
I have not read the source material so, even that does not influence me.
Coming to this drama, completely objective, with no background, I can truly say, first two episodes were boring to me.
I enjoyed the Manhwa feel to the drama, actors are doing fine too. But the script just does not feel interesting at all. I am not able to understand what needs to hook me to these characters. Right now, it is all campy.
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Htk950
June 21, 2020 at 5:21 PM
For the billionth time for all the fans bringing up goblin, it was also widely criticized for potraying romance between characters with significant age gap.
And the problem here in BSR is that the female lead is being objectified, which was not the case with goblin.
So stop bringing up goblin to try to justify pedophilia
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 8:12 PM
And stop bringing up pedophilia in a discussion about a 20 year old woman's drama role. WTF?! I lived overseas on my own, paid rent, and had a job at that age!
What 20 year old would not find this entire conversation incredibly infantilizing? She's an adult!
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M
June 21, 2020 at 8:19 PM
Normal 20 year olds who go to college and live with their parents. Normal people.
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 9:22 PM
You think a "normal person" is someone in college living with their parents at 20? In what country?
Lily
June 22, 2020 at 10:52 AM
Uhm...any 20 year olds can live with their parents but to "want" to live with their parents is not normal. You're an adult and should want independence by then :))
row.an
June 23, 2020 at 3:15 AM
to the question of which country does a 'normal person' who is in college still lives with their parents at 20, i can answer that. Malaysia. where i'm from. quite a number of us live at home until we enter the workforce or get married.
Bob
July 13, 2020 at 9:08 PM
'Pedophilia'? Apparently you don't know the meaning of the word.
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2 gem28
June 20, 2020 at 7:04 PM
For arguements sake, I will put aside everything that was wrong, morally questionable and that has been carefully not mentioned here in this recap. What exactly is the plot? It seems paper thin at the moment, the actual base plot and whatever story this drama wants to tell. There are shining moments. I think Kim Yoo Jung particularly shines when she grounds her character to give insight into her life. And she is gorgeous. I get that she wants to break away from her image and I guess that is fair. But no, in broader sense not sure why she or Ji Chang Wook picked up this script.
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Joy
June 20, 2020 at 7:12 PM
People who are watching this drama won't be watching it for the plot. There is a reason why 365 days is trending no. 1 worldwide in Netflix. Smut based stories always have an audience.
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gem28
June 20, 2020 at 7:18 PM
365 Days is soft porn...that is a low low bar.
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Joy
June 20, 2020 at 7:29 PM
This is PG-13 version of soft porn. No plot and a lot implied sexual innuendoes.
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C
June 20, 2020 at 9:51 PM
Are you lost baby could sum up this entire drama. Gross.
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nfabjoy
June 22, 2020 at 3:42 PM
I am hollering in laughter . Spot on !
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3 Joy
June 20, 2020 at 7:07 PM
I have a huge problem with the way the actress views this drama. I read her interview and she said the first episode was so funny she couldn't put down the script and laughed in every single scene. The first episode was anything but that. The director who calls this a family drama is just as problematic. The clothes they make her wear leave little to the imagination and are also inappropriate for the setting. The make up is too thick and does the inverse of making her look younger. The age gap is too obvious she looks like his niece in every scene especially the kiss scene which was pointless and unnecessary. In fact any kiss scene between them I don't want to see even in the future.
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Chingching
June 21, 2020 at 1:46 AM
Haha. Are we talking about the same drama? Or are you making these up as a hater? Her clothes are fine. So is her makeup.
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inxomnia
June 21, 2020 at 4:55 AM
Agreed her clothes are hardly scandalous. I get the whole it's impractical to wear heels for work etc but we've had female police officers wearing heels so we all know kdrama is about the aesthetics.
The only reason why people seem up in arms about the dress she wore is because she has curves. I've been to Korea and definitely seen girls wearing miniskirts as it's generally short skirts but no cleavage in terms of showing skin there. I generally hate the whole double standard of a petite and skinny women getting away with wearing tight or low cut tops but if a curvier woman wears a similar outfit it's too provocative or revealing.
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 9:19 PM
I've just watched the first two episodes. The comments are INSANE. She wears clothes. She kisses a guy in a situation where she's crossing a line and he does absolutely nothing to encourage her. Three years of no contact later, she pursues him.
I don't know what's fueling all of these bonkers comments about her being too young and exploited, but they're not rooted in reality. Wow.
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skelly
June 21, 2020 at 10:02 PM
I agree, not really getting all the heavy-handed judgments about this show. It's a light and fluffy live-action cartoon. It's got a sassy heroine and a goofy hero. It has the sort of slapstick broad humor that feel very Korean to me, and as usual with shows like this I got some of the humor and really didn't get other bits.
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OldLawyer
June 21, 2020 at 11:41 PM
My theory is that they are coming from people who have not actually watched the show and instead have simply read a (possibly misleading) description of the show or (even more likely) a description of the Manwha that it is drawn from. They are also not familiar with Kim Yoo-jung, the veteran actress who plays the female lead.
Skelly is right- it is a light and fluffy CARTOON. Miranda is right- it is the young girl who crossed the line, not the older guy- who definitely did nothing to take advantage of her: If anything his response was an absolutely exemplary refusal to do so.
Inxomnia is correct in noting the huge double standard being applied to the actress simply because she has curves.
I have huge respect for Kim Yoo-jung for having taken on this role. In these tough times we need actors and actresses who are willing to do shows that are lighthearted and slapsticky.
Lily
June 22, 2020 at 10:57 AM
You mean her school uniform? or her sweater shirt and skirt? or her convenience store uniform? How are those outfits scandalous and leave "little to the imagination"? This is not the 1920s, and she's 22 years old for god's sake get out from under that rock you're under.
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4 beffels
June 20, 2020 at 8:02 PM
I kind of want to watch this just because of the extreme reaction it seems to get from some people...but it’s not on any of my streaming services and I’m not sure I’m interested enough to seek it out.
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panshel
June 20, 2020 at 8:22 PM
It's only streaming on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/19rrhm35it
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beffels
June 20, 2020 at 8:26 PM
Yeah I thought that might be the case. I don’t really need *another* service 😅
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Islander north
June 22, 2020 at 8:18 AM
Anyone else feeling "bait & switch" from Kocowa?...this is the 2nd recent drama from the "Big 3" that should be streaming on Kocowa, but isn't.
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LoveSojiSub51
June 23, 2020 at 12:49 PM
I'm hoping I don't get commercials or have to pay for it. They might as well just have one big streaming...Oh wait that was Dramafever, but they took that away. Viki is okay, but it takes a minute for subs, which is fine. Netflix tends to butcher the language and for those of us who can understand some Korean we can tell. I just want one legal site!
5 camellia
June 20, 2020 at 8:06 PM
No the comedy is not something you need to be in the mood for. It is offensive in every mood. It isn't oddball, wacky or cartoonish it is straight up offensive. JCW is not funny when he is funny because the context is not funny to begin with. This drama did not need to exist in any parallel universe.
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C
June 20, 2020 at 10:35 PM
Preach.
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hajima
June 20, 2020 at 11:37 PM
this show isn't comedy it's a witchhunt to make black people seem ugly and dirty.
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Lulu
June 21, 2020 at 5:16 AM
the writer just ignored that second massive elephant in the room, very disappointed.
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Ezinneigwe
June 21, 2020 at 6:25 AM
Wait where is this coming from
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kay3051421
June 21, 2020 at 8:33 AM
The “Rastafarian” character, his scene starts off with him taking a shower. But when he gets out the shower, his (ridiculous wig) dreadlocks have animated flies flying around it to signify that people with dreads are dirty and that they don’t wash their hair. Rastafarian is a religion, so anyone can be it regardless of race. They could’ve used this scene to respect the religion but they made a mockery of it. It’s not funny at all. Also the black community predominantly has dread locks. They also darkened his makeup. It’s pretty messed up. It led me to be turned off by the drama all together
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Islander north
June 22, 2020 at 8:32 AM
I don't agree; a guy riding a bike passed me on the bike trail yesterday. He was Caucasian & had waist-length matted dreds. Having once spent 3 weeks getting lice out of a young relative's long (very straight) hair (medicine, tree tea oil, etc. didn't work) by nit picking, I cringed at the thought of this person ever getting lice. That aside, isn't this drama a comedy? Can we not laugh at ourselves and each other and just have fun?
TJ
June 22, 2020 at 10:28 AM
Thank you because I was just scrolling to see if anybody/somebody would be brave enough to bring up the blatant anti-black racism and blackface rampant throughout the the two episodes complete with the oldest racist analogies disguised as "humor" in the book.
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nfabjoy
June 22, 2020 at 3:59 PM
African hair in its natural state (4a ,b c , d)is not conducive for lice to live in . The hair shaft is circular and coily and wooly making it hard for eggs to penetrate the scalp. The hair shaft has to be straight like 1 A for a conducive environment for lice to live. So a Caucasian with dreads does not count because their hair will always come out straight (1a ) from the scalp .
If you found the Rastafarian scene funny- you need to do some deep introspection for internalised racism and anti blackness.
Here is an article about hair and lice https://freshheadsliceremoval.com/african-americans-get-head-lice-2/
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peach blossom
August 18, 2020 at 1:44 PM
huge lie ,went to boarding school in africa and lived in a crowded dorm ,everyone had lice at some point in time .one way to get rid of it was to get a perm ,the chemicals in the relaxer killed of all the lice and the eggs.
2. lice do not fly, are very tiny and barely visible to the naked eye. those were more like big flies buzzing around mr dreadlocks head not lice.
pls stop peddling falsities.what on earth .
Mira
June 22, 2020 at 5:36 PM
Um this is brown face not blackface y’all really need to tell the difference. The skin color they darken him to is same color of Cambodians. It’s still racist because Koreans think they’re superior than sea(south East Asian) countries. His character is not suppose to be black I don’t know where y’all got that from. It’s more like a Asian who likes reggae, borderline culture appropriation. Its similar to those Koreans who try to copy hip hop culture which is cringe itself. *cultural appropriation.* The fly thing in hair idk about that. I too also wonder how people who are not black able to wash their hair??.. I always thought Asians, whites with dreads or braids hair must be dirty. They have to wash their hair everyday whites and Asians or it get greasy.
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6 Nessa (Bebe) 🌹
June 20, 2020 at 8:21 PM
Just came to say that the name Saet Byul--which isn't a common name, imo-- still brings back (not so great memories) of "God's Gift - 14 Days" because it was also the name of the little girl in that drama DX
Other than that, yea-- not following/not watching this one... Nor am I following/watching ANY Korean drama atm
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Linda Palapala
June 21, 2020 at 10:42 AM
Right there with you...I had read awful comments on other sites about this drama.
I was telling a friend what was on my Watchlist (Viki) at the moment and - oh, wait, there aren't any Korean dramas on this list. Chinese, Japanese, Taiwan yes, but nothing Korean - atm.
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Nessa (Bebe) 🌹
June 21, 2020 at 11:49 AM
It was good at the time that it came out and we were all live-watching it because it was a lesser explored genre for Kdramas—a suspense thriller— and not the regular candy/romcom stuff that is so saturated and campy now; Ot actually isn’t a “bad” drama overall, even, but the ENDING was just so horrible that it ruined the entire show for a lot of us... You may still want to watch it—and kudos to you if you do so one day— I’d just advise that you skip the finale episode, then you’ll be fine 😅😅👌🏻👌🏻
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meliyasha
June 22, 2020 at 6:47 PM
The ending is a happy one what are you talking about xDDD
And i agree about Saet-byul, I'm always reminded of that girl everytime that name come up :')
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Nessa (Bebe) 🌹
June 22, 2020 at 6:56 PM
The very last 5 minutes of it were a happy ending, but to get to the happy ending was really messed up imo 😅😅
7 Zora
June 20, 2020 at 8:22 PM
I find KYJ’s character, a highschool student kissing a random grown man very disturbing.
This one is a NO for me.
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Sam
June 20, 2020 at 8:39 PM
Yes, but she was 19. She wasn't a minor. No, she shouldn't be kissing random people, but she wasn't somebody to look up to.
But understandable :)
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Waayo
June 20, 2020 at 8:41 PM
19 in korean age is still a minor please look up their legal age rules. For the rest of the argument see my comment below.
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Sam
June 20, 2020 at 8:50 PM
I looked it up and thought it was 19. But I think my comment still stands.
Yes, it was wrong, regardless of the age. But she wasn't supposed to be a role model. We were supposed to find her kissing him wrong.
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Sam
June 20, 2020 at 8:52 PM
I looked it up and thought it was 19, my bad. The Korean/International age is confusing. But I think my comment still stands.
Yes, it was wrong, regardless of the age. But she wasn't supposed to be a role model. We were supposed to find her kissing him wrong.
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Waayo
June 20, 2020 at 8:59 PM
She is a well know actress and more importantly THE female lead. The impressionable people will emulate her. There is a line of ethics you should not cross even for the sake of fiction.
Sam
June 20, 2020 at 9:15 PM
I can't reply to your other comment.
And I understand what you're saying. But at the end of the day she's an actress. She will be playing roles that won't be something you should look up to.
As for the emulating. Why is it that we pick up negative things, but not positive ones?
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Waayo
June 20, 2020 at 9:23 PM
I can only see your comment as an attempt to defend the actress because you're her fan. You're not helping her cause.
Salm
June 20, 2020 at 9:32 PM
"I can only see your comment as an attempt to defend the actress because you're her fan. You're not helping her cause."
You're wrong on many levels. But I'm not here to argue but show you another perspective. It's okay, let's just leave it at this :)
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Jig
June 20, 2020 at 9:44 PM
For your below comment on role models: teenagers run into bad influences anywhere they go. Not showing such people on tv is not going to make teenagers into model citizens. And, showing pristine angels won't make them into model citizens either. I'm not saying this character is not problematic whatsoever but actually showing such characters is better in opening a dialogue with a teenager and pointing out why this behavior could be wrong instead of just acting like teenage girls who smoke and hit on (older) guys don't exist in real life.
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Waayo
June 20, 2020 at 10:37 PM
Having laws for over speeding and illegal parking doesn't stop people from doing them so do you argue the laws shouldn't exist at all? Just because the people will not do bad things if it isn't shown on TV doesn't not justify the need for it to be shown on TV. The more you see something the more you start to normalize it. Please read up more on the impacts of popular culture.
Linda Palapala
June 21, 2020 at 10:45 AM
Your comment just reminded me of how kdramas portray males. As far as I know, completely inaccurate and surely gives girls the wrong impression of "romance" and all that entails. It doesn't stop with hand holding usually,
Jig
June 20, 2020 at 10:48 PM
For your reply to my comment below: bahaha hun, I have a bachelor in Media Arts (i.e. media theory and production) so trust me I know all the theories. So to your point, actually if we taught and convinced people why speeding is wrong we wouldn't need a law for it. The law is there because people aren't convinced and our society believes monetary punishment or threat of it is a more effective method. It obviously does not have a 100% success rate as you pointed out so maybe we should try harder at the teaching method instead :)
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Waayo
June 20, 2020 at 11:40 PM
If you have a degree then the only thing I can say is your comment is lazy and biased because you're obviously not ignorant to what the depiction implies.
Jig
June 21, 2020 at 12:08 AM
Of course my comment is bias and yours is too. That is life. However, it is not lazy or wrong. Your argument was that these poor impressionable teenagers are going to just go kiss random older guys because they saw an actress do it once in a show. That is a media theory but it's the weakest one of the batch and the one most impossible to prove. I strongly disagree with anyone who holds that theory for truth because so many factors go into the how, why, and what in influencing people no matter their age. It's never going to be just mass media. And, to put all the responsibility of developing the moral compass of a kid not their own on an actress or actor is wrong. That's what parents are for.
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Waayo
June 21, 2020 at 12:15 AM
My comment is not biased but if you want to believe that it is that is your prerogative. My argument is that people internalize negative behavior if they see it often because it starts to become normalized. The same way cat calling and hooting was shown and normalized for many years that people didn't even think they needed laws against because ultimately it is 'harmless'. Parents can't control every aspect of a child that is why people succumb to peer pressure. Even good parenting can fail if everything around them doesn't support it. There is a reason why it is said it takes a village to raise a child. You just want to defend the actors and absolve them of all the responsibility but they are a part of the village which raises the child. What is wrong is wrong at the end of the day. If they wanted to show this it should have been on a platform not easily accessible to everyone.
Jig
June 21, 2020 at 12:43 AM
Phew that's such a relief you don't have any biases. I should have realized with just how assured you are in your one opinion.
Not everyone who saw catcalling catcalls or thinks it is right. Those who do have other real life factors that convinced them as well.
It's still the parents perogative to pick what mass media they want to "help" in raising their kids and to help their kids pick their own eventually. A kid could even live his whole kid/teenage life without a TV (the horror I know). Any parent could have looked at the promos and webtoon to see this wasn't going to be some kiddie/family show (and ignoring the director...). There is no 1 show that is going to match every single person/family's moral compass. It's just not going to happen. Also why it is important to have a variety of characters and shows to choose from. The best you can do is to teach your kid to think for themselves and not follow everything blindly.
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Waayo
June 20, 2020 at 8:40 PM
I find it disturbing that people think it isn't disturbing because the gender is reversed. A girl kissing a guy who has a girlfriend and isn't exactly reciprocating her feelings yet she pursues him rather aggressively even taking up a part time job at his store is very disturbing. I can't take any comment seriously that says they actually like the female lead because she is the alpha in the relationship. She is a stalker a glorified stalker. Her and her racist illjin friends need to go.
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Sam
June 20, 2020 at 8:46 PM
The rest I see, but in the beginning she didn't know that he had a girlfriend. I think the FL in this drama is going to be one of those unlikeable leads.
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Jig
June 20, 2020 at 8:57 PM
I can't disagree about her in that scene, but a very minor defense is that he doesn't have a girlfriend at that point cause he literally just got dumped.
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OldLawyer
June 20, 2020 at 10:18 PM
And she knows this too- so there he is- a freshly dumped really, really nice guy. Who is very good looking and has great values and a good heart.
What is she supposed to do when she meets the man of her dreams?
She waits to take action until she is old enough (even if just barely)- she does wait 3 years after all. Which creates a problem- because he did not- he now has a new girlfriend.
I say- why can't the girl pursue the guy?
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Waayo
June 20, 2020 at 10:38 PM
I think the word you're looking for is stalking.
missjb
June 20, 2020 at 11:55 PM
I agree about her pursuing a boy who is already has a girlfriend is putting me off. But we will what this drama will bring regarding this issue.
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Minoz
June 21, 2020 at 5:21 AM
The drama will easily solve this problem by making us dislike the age appropriate girlfriend and redeem the not age appropriate female lead who apparently hasn't even completed high school.
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Kelly-k
June 21, 2020 at 5:01 PM
She will become a cheating bitch from hell mark my words
8 Kim
June 20, 2020 at 8:34 PM
The fact that you even recapped this has surprised me, in a good manner. While the drama does have its issue, it's not nearly deserving of the infamy it has gotten.
The karoke angles I noticed after it was pointed out....I didn't like it. But I also don't like many of the videos/dances/stage performances in the kpop world (and no I'm not trying to justify this).
As you, I thought this would be more PG. But if they want to keep it PG-13, go ahead, just get rid of the erotic webtoon writer. Also the comic fighting, is lame, get rid of that too.
KYG is looking gorgeous and fits the character to the T. JCW, I love him doing a dorky role. And the multiple expressions that pass over his face, I love.
The actors must have chosen this for a reason. If done the right way, a story in a convenience store could resonate with many.
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9 OldLawyer
June 20, 2020 at 8:56 PM
So far I am loving this. The only other show I have ever seen that managed to capture the Manwha spirit like this one is the short episode web drama NOBLE MY LOVE.
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10 kakdoogee
June 20, 2020 at 9:45 PM
folks need to lighten up, this is going for a manga vibe. the setup is less offensive than the classic candy situation, he doesn't have power over her and is too goofy to be a predator. the wackiness and irreverence make for an interesting watch. so far i'm glad to see these two on my screen and am willing to give this a fair shake.
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C
June 20, 2020 at 9:50 PM
Who told you goofy people can't be predators? The people defending the set up and drama are just as probelmatic as the people who actually allowed this to air.
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kakdoogee
June 20, 2020 at 10:03 PM
wow really? allowed this to air? I'm going off my own assessment of the dynamics being presented. And I'm not willing to infantilize the female protagonist at this early stage and cast her as a victim. maybe you need to drop as the setup is not to your liking.
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C
June 20, 2020 at 10:06 PM
I love how rational your argument is. You don't like it then drop it. So simple. Sigh.
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kakdoogee
June 20, 2020 at 10:28 PM
Ok, I'm sensitive to gender dynamics and how regressive K has been in presenting them in dramas. just saying it's early days and maybe this will very well go south but so far I'm not seeing it and that's good, notwithstanding all the goofy predators out there.
C
June 20, 2020 at 10:32 PM
There is nothing progressive about this drama. You're deluding yourself if you think there is.
Janey
June 21, 2020 at 3:33 AM
So all of us liking the drama are problematic? Even if we are liking the drama, we are admitting that there are issues with it. Which TBH, is more than I can say who are straight out hating it.
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C
June 21, 2020 at 8:21 PM
Yes people liking this drama are problematic. You can live with yourself after pretending any of this is comedy is your moral problem.
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gem28
June 20, 2020 at 9:59 PM
Too goofy to be a predetor...Jimmy Savile says hello
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C
June 20, 2020 at 10:02 PM
OP thinks you need to lighten up.
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kakdoogee
June 20, 2020 at 10:49 PM
Please don't proselytize. You seem to fancy yourself a progressive. That's interesting to me as you read very much like a neo-con in your want to censor and shame other people's interpretations. Women don't need or want to be protected in this way. And media content, art and theory need to be assessed on its own merits.
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LemonyLite
June 21, 2020 at 2:26 AM
Telling people to "lighten up" in regards to the general plot of the drama etc... whatever, that's fine, you can express your feelings freely.
But telling someone to "lighten up" in response to THIS comment is just not OK.
The idea that only a certain type of person can be a sexual predator is incredibly harmful and @gem28 was spot on in pointing that out.
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LemonyLite
June 21, 2020 at 6:53 AM
OK, Note: I now realize that C was being sarcastic (though that is a pretty dangerous tactic for a topic like this).
I am obviously angry at the OP's sentiments.
11 C
June 20, 2020 at 9:53 PM
This drama is trash. Plain and simple. The noise marketing pushed up the rating slightly but this is still trash. I support the people peitioniyny SBS to cancel the drama.
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C
June 20, 2020 at 9:53 PM
Petioning
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12 Maq
June 20, 2020 at 9:59 PM
Honestly, the main thing I don't like is what they've done with the best friend. Dreadlocks and interested in reggae, picking flies out of his hair, turning him into this weird prurient creep...I'm not the only one who finds it appalling, right? I don't know whether the message it's sending is intentional or not, but it's hard not to view it as racist.
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gem28
June 20, 2020 at 10:00 PM
No, that was cultural appropriation...period!
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Maq
June 20, 2020 at 10:09 PM
I don't think the dreadlocks are cultural appropriation, as they are a pretty common feature of many cultures. I am not sure I would say an appreciation for reggae is cultural appropriation either.
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Maq
June 20, 2020 at 10:10 PM
What I do find objectionable is the racism.
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gem28
June 20, 2020 at 10:11 PM
Dreadlock is not cultural appropriation but flies coming out of dreadlocks is...so is one shade darker makeup for the one guy who has dreadlocks.
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Maq
June 20, 2020 at 11:07 PM
I didn't really notice the makeup being darker. Agreed that flies coming out of the dreadlocks is straight-up disgusting and racist.
To clarify, I think dreadlocks per se are not cultural appropriation. What they did here is racist though.
Lulu
June 21, 2020 at 5:20 AM
The guy picking a fly out of his dreads is not cultural appropriation! Do you understand what you’re implying by saying that it is?
Kairoskat 💐
June 21, 2020 at 6:12 PM
@smaltwalt, I didn't notice the makeup being darker too. From the few moments I saw him, he looks the same as he did in The Fiery Priest and in a variety show. So...I don't think he's wearing darker makeup. Huhu
C
June 20, 2020 at 10:04 PM
It is racist but hey it's funny. We should lighten up.
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Vespertyne29
June 21, 2020 at 12:45 AM
It’s racist, but (to you) it’s funny, so that means it should get a pass?
Speechless.
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C
June 21, 2020 at 2:05 AM
This was sarcasm. My comment I mean.
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dramafan100
June 20, 2020 at 10:29 PM
Why a person having dreadlocks considered cultural appropriation though. What if you just like the dreadlocks fashion and decide you want it? You feel inspired and enjoy it and decide to keep it? How can that be cultural appropriation? Does that mean, just because reggae community has it, no one else can? I personally feel cultural appropriation is overblown. Unless someone is mocking something in a deliberate manner, just adapting a style can not be called that. It is unfair.
Plus, the dude is used for comic relief. When I watched him, the only thought that occurred to me was - here is a guy, who is not very clean, likes drawing webtoons and not getting opportunities for mainstream and has decided to draw erotic webtoons. I took it for what it is. Comedy.
I believe we should call out 'racism' when we see someone deliberately putting a race down or mocking it. I did not see any mocking here.
By calling everything racism, we may be becoming blurred about true racism. That is my opinion.
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C
June 20, 2020 at 10:34 PM
Using a fake black dude for comic relief is not racism? Your standards are wow.
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dramafan100
June 20, 2020 at 10:49 PM
I did not perceive him as fake black guy though. I am just a fan who watches dramas for what they are. To me, he just looked like a guy who decided to have dreadlocks and is not much on personal hygiene and draws erotic webtoon.
I actually recognize racism. It is bigger than dreadlocks.
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rubytuesday
June 21, 2020 at 4:15 AM
Uh, racism comes in a lot of different forms. It isn't always "bigger that dreadlocks," because even the little, less obvious acts of racism contribute to a greater culture of racism and systemic oppression. Taking a distinctly afrocentric hairstyle and outfit and putting it on someone who is very obviously not a part of that culture, and then implying that the both the hairstyle and the person are unhygienic and aggressively lascivious is super problematic- and it is portrayals like that that contribute to harmful perceptions.
Johahaeyo
June 21, 2020 at 5:18 AM
Comment was deleted
Johahaeyo
June 21, 2020 at 5:30 AM
Comment was deleted
Vespertyne29
June 21, 2020 at 12:51 AM
Word. This reminds me of how until recently, LGBT characters were OTT stereotypes, used as the butt of offensive jokes that passed for “comic relief” in Kdramas. That - and the fact that shit was literally a featured storyline - is what made me loathe the awful SWDBS.
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peach blossom
August 20, 2020 at 2:35 PM
do africans look like that ? you people just love to get offended at every darn thing while you ignore the real slavery, sex slavery ,child trafficking and female oppression taking place in the middle east ,africa,asia and europe.
let's keep talking about useless topics like cultural appropriation that ultimately have no real life value while women are honor killed in some countries for not wearing a scarf and black people are traded as slaves in libya .
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Maq
August 20, 2020 at 2:49 PM
This is a false dilemma. I don't have to choose between being outraged over honour killings and being angry over the misuse of another culture. I can be concerned with both. In this context, bringing up slavery, sex slavery, child trafficking, etc. is a non sequitur. Those things aren't at stake in this conversation. My expression of concern about cultural appropriation here cannot be construed as prejudicing my concern about those other horrors.
As for "having no real life value", the point here is twofold. First, this can't but make people feel unwelcome. Secondly, cultural appropriation or these other problems which you regard as unimportant are not unconnected to broader problems, many of which I suspect you recognize as problems based on your comment. Racism is a complex phenomenon that has institutional and personal dimensions; in respect of the latter, it becomes easier to mistreat people when people are constantly belittled in these little ways. If we're serious about trying to stop the worst instances of racism, we should also be concerned about how these smaller instances of racism reinforce and enable these larger instances.
gem28
June 20, 2020 at 11:11 PM
There are very good educational material online about Cultural appropriation, racism....many people have talked about this...Dreadlocks aren't issue but Dreadlocks being perceived dirty, people who have dreadlocks are not civilized, do illegal things, are dangerous, predatory etc. is a racial negative stereotype.....this drama suffers from unconcious bias...and they picked it up from some western racist portrayal of Jamaican/Black culture...and with everything that has happened around me over the past month, I can't overlook this or say its okay because its fiction.
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Maq
June 20, 2020 at 11:11 PM
You don't think the guy who has dreadlocks, who is evidently interested in reggae, who has flies coming out his hair, who has strange sexual interests, etc. might be read, in totally, as making a joke about black people? Because it reads that way to me. Like I get that there's nothing inherently wrong with having dreadlocks - a point I make. But when you have a person with all these negative characteristics also have dreadlocks and also express interest in reggae, it sort of starts to seem like the writer is trading in lazy and racist stereotypes.
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dramafan100
June 20, 2020 at 11:21 PM
May be I am pushing this viewpoint because I feel strongly about labeling things incorrectly.
I have read a lot of manga. When manga artists satire themselves, they always have them as dudes who are not into personal hygiene, don't much go out and yes, sometimes, flies around them.
This is more of a 'manga artist' stereotype than black stereotype.
They added dreadlocks and his dreadlocks is because he likes reggae.
Now, there are two ways to look at this.
'I live reggae music and love the dreadlocks style. I am also manga artist and I have no personal hygiene'
OR
Script is being racist.
I almost sure it is the first one. Dreadlocks because character likes reggae. The flies coming out of his hair is manga artist stereotype.
This coming from someone who reads A LOT of manga and has seen ton of manga characters that have dreadlocks to differentiate characters. There was nothing racist about it. It is Manga character differentiation. Because in a manga, all characters are drawn out of the same template - the changes are clothes and hairstyles.
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Maq
June 20, 2020 at 11:36 PM
I mean all do respect, but I've read manga all my life. This "satire" of the mangaka is trading on a lazy racist stereotype.
SnarkyJellyfish
June 21, 2020 at 7:53 PM
Now, I haven't watched this, so perhaps I'm missing something - but the problem with your argument is that you're framing it as an either/or argument, i.e. it can either be a stereotype of manga artists or it can be racist. Framing it like this indicates that it can't be both, when in fact something can be both racist and a stereotype of a type of person that has nothing to do with race.
From my understanding, the racist aspect has to do with the choice not only to use particular Black and reggae/Rastafarian visuals (which on its own is problematic but not necessarily racist per se), but to use these particular visuals to indicate to the viewer that this is a gross person or that these traits indicate that a person is dirty. By doing so the writer/director/actor have visually linked this idea of Blackness=dirty. This is inappropriate because there are other ways to get the same result without degrading a culture.
Racism is not always about making a conscious decision to be racist. People do and say racist things all the time unknowingly and without intending to be racist. However, you have to call it out when you see it depicted because it is these unconscious biases that create the room for overt racism to occur. It's the reason that marginalization occurs and hurts Black communities. Even if this is a K-drama, that doesn't mean that it's OK.
Simi
June 22, 2020 at 7:25 PM
I see where you are coming from. When manga artists get too much into their work, they lose all sense and don't even eat/sleep; but of course that is also a stereotype.
From DS' character description (Naver??) it seems to me that he dressed Rastafarian because he was writing about it. You know how some artists like to live out the role before they perform it? He's getting inspired.
While dreadlocks aren't cultural appropriation, I think joining that with the unhygienic manga trope is.
Of course he could just a be dude who decided to have dreadlocks and is also unhygienic; two separate things came together to paint a a picture and it wasn't a good one.
It is wrong, so let's see where they go with this.
peach blossom
August 20, 2020 at 2:40 PM
so people think all back people have dirty dreadlocks,strange sexual interests and are adult webtoon illustrators ...................ehm okay.
pls find better things to whine about.
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Maq
August 20, 2020 at 2:52 PM
No. In fact this is an inversion of the concern! The real concern is that, by connecting dirtiness, prurience, etc. with things that have some connection with black people, the message is being sent that black people are dirty and prurient.
learntobebetter
August 22, 2020 at 12:35 PM
dear peach blossom @maysjist
I have read everything you have written on this website, and I'm replying to your most recent comment
You are a truly hideous soul.
I'm not saying this to hurt you. I'm saying this so you can go and get help.
Bow
June 21, 2020 at 3:05 AM
Darkening a non-Black person's skin-tone, giving them dirty dreadlocks with flies flying around their head, and using them as comic relief is racist. You say that by 'by calling everything racism, we may be becoming blurred about true racism'. Views like this are what help racist stereotypes and microaggressions to be perpuated. I'd really recommend you do more reading around this, and check out a diagram theconsciouskid has on their instagram, which shows the types of racism as 'Overt White Supremacy (Socially Unacceptable)' and 'Covert White Supremacy (Socially Acceptable)'. Among the things which are covert racism but socially acceptable is 'cultural appropriation'.
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Kasumi
June 21, 2020 at 8:31 AM
There is nothing called “true racism” or by extension false EAs. It’s all just racism.
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Eighteen
June 23, 2020 at 1:36 PM
Dropping this here because you seem quite confused. An explanation from the BSU president of the University of Utah: "Cultural appropriation can be defined as the “cherry picking” or selecting of certain aspects of a culture, and ignoring their original significance for the purpose of belittling it as a trend. Appreciation is honoring and respecting another culture and its practices, as a way to gain knowledge and understanding."
Basically cultural appropriation is what they did. Taking characteristics of another culture and using it in a way that was supposed to be "comedic." The portrayal of the character was not only disgusting quite frankly but also about as funny as trump calling the coronavirus the kungflu (that means it's absolutely f***ing not funny). Cultural appropriation is like using someone's bathroom and leaving a mess behind. It's quite annoying and you won't get invited over anymore.
Cultural appreciation on the other hand is what most of us on this platform do: enjoying and learning about another culture. A respectful thing to do.
Culture is very personal and generally specific to a group of people. For those who have it, it's very disturbing when it is used in ways like this. You might share it and take part in other cultures but you should respect it. Keep that in mind please 🙃
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 9:44 AM
Okay, genuine question: is the best friend meant to truly be a representation of black culture (through appropriation, obviously), or is he presented as a clueless idiot who's copying all of these elements and doing it badly? Like, is he a fool who has seen the culture and has cherry-picked things like reggae and locs out of it, and now has disgusting locs because he has no idea what he's doing and is trying to speak Jamaican-style, etc?
I haven't seen the show and have no idea what they're trying to do with the character, but as far as I can tell, the character is not Black in any way. So rather than being a half-Jamaican Korean who is gross and smelly and porny, he's a Korean who is gross and smelly and porny and also culturally appropriating Black culture (badly), because that is yet another example of why he's a weirdo.
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gem28
June 21, 2020 at 10:45 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcFNpFHcQUc
Listen, I get that you are a fan and you want to defend yourself but please stop. They are not trying to air a cautionary tale with Dal Shik, he is embodiment of racial stereotype that people get a way with all around the world because the society where they do these things are unaware of the cultural context. But this is 2020, people all around the world are trying to fight against these things. South Korean writers, producers need to do better. What has happened in this case is they have taken cue from some backdated negative racial stereotype that used to be fun in western media and used it as a comic relief. Its inappropriate, disturbing and it needs to be called out, period. I am sorry if you don't like to hear this, but it is what it is.
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 11:22 AM
I'm not a fan, and as I mention I haven't seen the show. Defend myself from what? I'm actively asking how they're portraying the character - if they're presenting him as genuine or if they're mocking him. You seem to be pretty sure that they're not framing him as a mockable character when it comes to appropriation - great, as I said, you've seen it and I haven't.
You can dismount the high horse. The air up there seems thin.
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Mira
June 22, 2020 at 5:52 PM
No he suppose to be a Asian who is obsesses with reggae. He’s doing brownface not blackface. Some people can’t tell the difference. His skin color is only a few shades darker similar to Cambodian skin tone. I wouldn’t call this black culture more like appropriating Jamaican culture. It’s similar how weeaboos try to slant their eyes and talk in high pitch voices to appropriate Japanese culture. It’s similar to that borderline obsesses to culture appropriation. He doesn’t have that caricature bob Marley voice going on like hey mayne or whatever as of yet. So we just have to wait to see if his character become more problematic as the episodes goes on.
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13 captainlaika
June 20, 2020 at 9:59 PM
Huh, alright, I might check this out if I can track it down if only to more fully form my own opinion. I like the general premise of the story but I admit I was hoping it'd take a more PG route.
At the risk of asking the elephant in the room to tango: I know there's an age gap between the actors but would anyone be willing to tell me the age gap between the actual characters?
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OldLawyer
June 20, 2020 at 10:24 PM
The impression I got is that the age gap between the characters is 8 to 10 years. Someone who has read the Manwha can give us a better idea.
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captainlaika
June 20, 2020 at 10:29 PM
Thank you, I appreciate it!
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Jig
June 20, 2020 at 10:32 PM
I like elephants and tango so: 7 year difference. He's 29 and she's 22. Not bad in my opinion, but I've known a lot of real life couples with as big or bigger gaps.
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captainlaika
June 20, 2020 at 10:57 PM
lol it's gonna be one heck of a dance party. Awesome, thank you! Not as big as I was expecting but I understand why some are put off or worried about the power dynamics.
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kellibean
June 21, 2020 at 6:20 AM
I think it’s weird that people are getting the vapors about the age gap in this case, but swooned over Boyfriend. The age/power gap was WAY more evident. The haircut they gave her made her look old, so she looked like his mother and they both looked weirded out any time they had to touch each other. I don’t mind an age gap as long as they are both adults. As long as the story/chemistry/acting is on point.
IDK how much I will like this drama. It’s pretty whacky. I’m here for it though. I probably won’t be on the comment section though, because it appears that everyone is pissed off about everything. I get enough of that on FB😂
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Shitty Healing Hunter
June 21, 2020 at 6:58 AM
Difference is Kim Yoo Jung is only 20, she is hardly an adult. Just a few years younger and she would be a minor, making it all the more creepy.
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Jig
June 21, 2020 at 7:16 AM
But she *is* an adult. That's like saying ok you are 21 so you can drink alcohol now BUT since you are practically 19, you need to wait until I find it more appropriate.
And, I get the core argument is she should be drinking soju instead of (fine) wine, but KYJ and JCW are professionals. As long as there is respect between the 2 parties, there really shouldn't be such a hoopla. I do hope to see her with soju sooner than later, but she is old enough and been in the business long enough to know what she's doing.
Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 7:56 AM
Honestly, I think the difference is that Kim Yoo Jung was a child actor and people can't stop viewing her as such. And she's not just a child actor who grew up - she's a child actor who retained the beautiful face everyone found charming in a child, but she also now has the body of a woman, and a curvy woman at that.
I mean, if you watched Search: WWW, you know Lee Da Hee was born in '85 and Lee Jae Wook was born in '98. They were closer in age in the drama, Lee Jae Wook looks older than his age, but I think the key difference is that no one had a mental image of him as a kid.
The reaction to this drama is a really weird blend of knowing the real-life age gap, cultural discomfort with the show highlighting Kim Yoo Jung's curves, and it making a very appealing target for a country that's had a lot of gender-based scandals recently and not many satisfying outlets for justice.
Shitty Healing Hunter
June 21, 2020 at 8:48 AM
Just because something is legal doesn't make it ethical.
Jig
June 21, 2020 at 9:33 AM
For the below comment: But then that gets you into the whole what-makes-a-person-an-adult argument. We can't really argue the why (there's just not necessarily a wrong answer and will always be based on cultural and personal history). The only "solid" ground we can stand on is how the country defines an adult. I am not going to argue politics on which legal age is the most ethical. For me, Korea has a higher legal age than America so I'm already giving a year up in respect to Korea's legal stance.
But, most importantly, KYJ defines herself as an adult. We can rage and argue that her viewpoint doesn't match with ours but if we are truly being respectful to her, then we really don't have any say. We aren't her cavaliery here to protect her honor. She is old enough and been in the business long enough to do that all on her own (well along with her management team).
Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 10:05 AM
There is nothing legally or ethically wrong in this situation.
"Just a few years younger and she would be a minor"... what? I mean, just a few inches shorter and I wouldn't be able to go on roller coaster rides! But I'm NOT a few inches shorter. "If only this fact were actually a DIFFERENT fact, then this other thing would be true!" is bizarre non-logic.
Two adults got cast on a TV show. One of them is curvy and wears tailored clothing. That's literally all that's happening here.
madison
June 21, 2020 at 10:31 AM
You defending that but they are adults so they will be professional is the reason why PDs never even think twice before these kind of castings and why some girls like Jung Ja Yoon who are unfortunate get sexually abused. Do you really think it could never happen to young barely legal former child actresses?
Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 11:11 AM
@madison are you saying that an adult woman should NOT be cast in a show that she wants to be cast in because you're worried that the men on the show will abuse her? Do you see the problem here?
Your solution appears to be "don't cast an adult woman who actively wants this role". How is this helping?
OldLawyer
June 21, 2020 at 3:26 PM
Kim Yoo Jung is very much an adult. She has been an actress for a very long time. When we worry about children we do so because of their lack of experience. But this actress has been exposed to the adult world for a long time. She may be only 20 but she has the life experience of someone at least ten years older. So she is an adult in every sense of the word.
Until very recently no one thought that a twenty-year old was NOT an adult. The pernicious notion that the twenties were to be an extended period of adolescence has only come about in the last few decades and has done tremendous harm to our society in my opinion. It is to her credit and good sense that Kim Yoo Jung has somehow escaped from that trap.
Her character is 22- and because of her hard life is actually more mature than that. In fact, She is actually much more mature than our ML's girlfriend, who is older but apparently has no problem stringing along the ML even though she knows that he will not be acceptable to her family.
Shitty Healing Hunter
June 22, 2020 at 3:54 AM
No Miranda, yes it is legal for her a 20 year old to pair up with a 32 year old.
Is it ethical? I don't think so. 20 years old is still 20 years old regardless of experience. Stop treating a 20 year old completely differently from an 18 year old just because one is a minor when in reality the difference in ages is small.
Also quite a few countries have 21 as the age of majority.
Miranda
June 22, 2020 at 6:04 AM
You know that this is just a job, right? She didn’t actually sign a contract to be in a sexual relationship with her 32 year old costar. She also didn’t sign up for porn - this is Korea and the most that’s going to happen is kissing and possibly some suggestive hugging.
People having the vapors about this appear to be blending all the elements of reality and the show and then cherry-picking the most objectionable elements. She’s 20, but she’s not ACTUALLY in a relationship with her costar. Her costar is male and in the Korean entertainment industry, but HASN’T been involved in sex abuse scandals. The script and directing are slightly more cartoonishly sexualized than most Korean TV, but would still air any time of day in any country.
This is GOOFY, this manufactured outrage.
Jig
June 22, 2020 at 6:36 AM
For your latest comment:
I know we are going in circles because you just define adulthood differently and I know my definition isn't unethical or shameful. That difference of opinion obviosuly isn't going to destroy the world because you are right that countries have different legal ages. Some are even younger than 19. There's only a day difference between being 17 and being 18. No one magically wakes up on their 18th birthday and feels/acts adult-like. The reason I don't think this is creepy is not *just* that KYJ is 20. Her being 20 at least doesn't make it legally wrong and it doesn't make it ethically wrong in the sense that no one is a pedo for approving this. But as I mentioned numerous times before, she has experience and knows the industry. That steady progression of knowledge is what makes her an actress who can make her own decisions without us only judging her on age. If she was new to the industry and the same age, then that could be a different story. Experience is what is going to make someone an adult and she has it.
Jig
June 21, 2020 at 8:30 AM
@Miranda that I can definitely agree with and you bring up good points.
Korean men have an "easy" out by being able to go to the military in between their child acting days and adult acting days. Many have taken that route in order to ease the transition. However, for Korean women, their only option is to quit their job they've done for years and have a self-assigned hiatus. That's problematic in a number of ways. Women and men have to be allowed to mature in a steady progression. Otherwise, we perpetuate extreme actions by child actresses in order to break that mold. See almost any Disney Channel star. (I wouldn't call this an extreme reaction by KYJ since it has been a steady build from CWP and even MDBC).
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 9:30 AM
Yeah, the men get a hiatus that frequently results in their physical form becoming more "manly" (look at Kim Soo Hyun) but also has the cultural aura of having become a man through mental and physical rigor. Women on the other hand do a slow fade and I don't know of any other child actress offhand who transitioned not just to woman, but SEXY woman in a role.
What I find totally bewildering is how K-pop appears to have a completely different set of rules - the girl groups have incredibly form-fitting outfits and extremely sexualized routines, and they're younger than either Kim Yoo Jung in real life or in the show! Is the acceptance of K-pop stars because they were introduced as part of a system where it's acknowledged that they're going to appear that way? And KYJ was introduced as a child actor (NOT an idol or crossover), so even though the clothes she's wearing and character she's portraying are indistinguishable from a girl group routine, it bothers people?
Food for thought.
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Lixie
June 21, 2020 at 10:26 AM
Yes, double standards. I don't understand why anyone likes kpop groups that have very young girls act in that way and I would understand even less if the same person had any criticism about this show.
madison
June 21, 2020 at 10:34 AM
Those very young girls aren't very happy being treated like that either and a strong criticism has been building against how kpop girl groups are treated. Even the top girl groups have expressed unhappiness over the way they are forced to dress. Nobody said it was okay for either of them to be treated this way. One wrong does not make the other right.
Jig
June 21, 2020 at 6:39 PM
I think the difference in acceptance stems from the expectation of their role in society. Viewers expect k-dramas to reflect [an idealized] reality. When k-dramas do not reflect this perceived reality, then the characters/actors are seen as deviant. It is much harder to separate fiction from reality when the point is to relate to the product.
However, in k-pop, companies portray their groups as products to be idolized and so are separate from the consumer's everyday reality. Consumers can accept that these girls and boys are just playacting, just playing dress up. These aren't wardrobes to be worn out in your every day life, but on a stage or at an event. These dances, even if copied, aren't directly pointing to "immoral acts." They are just for entertainment. Combine this with the personalities of innocence in interviews/variety shows and people easily perceive the stage version as an act and the variety version as their real, conformed person.
OldLawyer
June 21, 2020 at 3:37 PM
What Disney does with its 'now former' female child stars is almost criminal- and one reason I watch very little of what they produce.
You make a good point about the fact that Korean male actors having military service as a delimiting device.
Kim Yoo Jung may have taken this part for this reason- because this role does play up her sexuality without being pornographic or even burlesque. There is certainly no mistaking that she now has the body of a woman. So this may be her substitute for the military service hiatus which her male counterparts have. If so, it is brilliant. From now on we can see her as a woman who is very capable of desiring a man.
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Jig
June 21, 2020 at 7:14 PM
@Madison I didn't say that because she is an adult she will be professional, but because she is a professional, she knows what she is getting into. It's not like she wouldn't have looked up who this director was, who JCW was, or wouldn't have read the script. She's not a noob who has to just blindly follow her agency. With her history, she has leverage in her career choices.
But really that is a minor point compared to your other wrong one. Jang Jayeon was sexually abused because her freaking sick company manager was trash and sent her to his "parties" to gain favor. Being okay with age gaps does NOT equal being okay with sexual assault. Women can be sexually assaulted no matter their age, the aggressor's age, or what projects they pick. The only one who will ever be at fault is the aggressor and direct witnesses. Also, just because a guy is older doesn't automatically make him trash. It is just as likely for her to be in danger from someone her age.
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OldLawyer
June 22, 2020 at 12:14 AM
One of the reasons I suspect that many of the naysayers have not watched the show is because in fact it actually highlights the problem of sexual predation (though in a light manner) by reversing the stereotypical roles: Here it is women who are the predators. First, the ML's current girlfriend was his boss when he worked at the corporate headquarters- and because his parents have a franchise she still has some economic leverage over him. She does not hesitate yank him away to handle her problems and turns him away if he shows up without her prior agreement. In short- she has all of the power and abuses it. She keeps him around as arm-candy because he is good looking. Sound familiar? This is called role-reversal.
Meanwhile, even our spunky heroine has already behaved in an aggressive fashion - kissing him when it was the last thing he wanted, etc. We can only hope that her attitudes will change over the course of the story.
Our ML, in contrast, never engages in any kind of predatory behavior.
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14 thementalbunny
June 20, 2020 at 10:13 PM
Not sure if I'll watch this drama after reading the review and the comments below. JCW has a track record for picking bad scripts, Suspicious Partner and the Drama That Shall Not Be Named. Seriously think he should just stick to action dramas. He's just not cut out to do comedy.
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Doremi
June 20, 2020 at 10:26 PM
Hi!
I liked Suspicious partner. this Pre MS project of JCW, to me, was not the BEST, it was good. It just felt dragging because of the long 20 episodes. The script could have been better written for 16 eps only. Probably, SP isnt just your cup of tea bec. it appears that you prefer action more than rom com.
Same as you, as his fan, I also would like to see him in good projects in the nearest future.
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levdeveta
June 20, 2020 at 10:42 PM
@tuberosum
I also loved Suspicious Partner. Actually, SP, Healer and the K2 are my favorite projects of Ji Chang Wook.
I didnt like MMS for its plot and messy writing.
I love JCW and i wish him success in his future endeavours.
Peace everyone!
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dramalover4ever
June 21, 2020 at 3:47 AM
I totally agree. The more I watched this, the more I noticed his timing, which is so sharp. While I loved him in everything I've seen him in, especially in Empress Ki. He is a talented comic actor - one string to his bow.
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thementalbunny
June 21, 2020 at 3:50 AM
Doremi, that's where you're wrong about me. I actually like rom-com more than action. After reading the comments here, I might just watch to find out how bad it is. I read some viewers are petitioning to cancel this drama.
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Doremi
June 21, 2020 at 4:51 AM
@thementalbunny Hi again!
wow, really thats good to know that you like rom com. Sorry, i should have not assumed that you only like action-thriller.
btw, im so sad to hear that theres a petition to cancel the drama, i read that on twitter, honestly speaking, im confused.
Love and peace!
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Chingching
June 21, 2020 at 12:49 AM
Really? MMS was bad. Suspicious Partner wasn't I quite enjoyed it but yes, I wouldn't call it stellar but it isn't bad. The ratings if I remember were modest too.
After watching MMS, I did think he doesn't suit comedy. But no, he can. He's so dorky in this one, he's adorable. And I applaud him for daring to look sloppy. That's what I call a good actor...daring to explore genres and not wanting to be typecast or just look like a model.
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 7:58 AM
Hey, Suspicious Partner was fun! I'm really bewildered by all of these comments about JCW not being able to do comedy, I think he's great when he does it.
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thementalbunny
June 21, 2020 at 10:00 AM
No offense but what may be fun for you might not be fun for others. I know I'm not the only one who doesn't enjoy it, and I also know there're people out there who doesn't think he's good at comedy. Perhaps if he picked a good comedy script, I might change my mind. Who knows. 🤷🏻♀️
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 10:12 AM
I don't take offense, there's absolutely no reason to. But seriously, I just rewatched it and had forgotten how much I liked the ensemble interplay. Maybe I'm jaded by all of the horrible script-writing we've seen in Kdramas in the past few months, but it genuinely is well-paced and makes sense. I enjoyed it!
I used to be an actor and I don't enjoy broad, slapstick comedy most of the time, largely because it's lazy acting. Lots of shocked looks and loud delivery, and just a lot of reliance on the situation to create laughs. It's very temporary. What I like about JCW is that he actually connects the funny bits with the core character he's playing through small expressions and hesitations. It's a little thing, but there are some actors who sort of act to the script, and others who act to the character, and I generally feel those who focus on character end up enhancing the script.
I do have to say MMS was unsalvageable, though. That script was a train wreck. Interesting premise, could've been interesting, but the structure of the script was so horrible that nothing could salvage it. At least The King: Product Placement had cinematography going for it.
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skelly
June 21, 2020 at 12:58 PM
JCW does really well when he is paired with a strong actress: hence, Empress Ki, Healer. When he is with an actress that is not so talented, he can't seem to get his comic timing correct and he looses focus: hence, MMS and K2. I actually have hopes for this show because once again he is paired with a strong actress. While obviously there are a lot of issues with this show for people to clutch their pearls over, I don't think JCW's acting is going to be one of the problems.
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tabong
June 23, 2020 at 3:09 AM
Finally someone that dislikes SP!
Ps. this drama is way worse than MMS.
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thementalbunny
June 23, 2020 at 8:47 AM
@enriquequierecagar Thank you! 🙌 I was starting to doubt myself and thought if I'm the problematic one when everyone seems to like SP.
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tabong
June 26, 2020 at 4:15 AM
I know how you feel. It happens to me like every year with one or two dramas that everyone seems to love lol.
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Lee
July 11, 2020 at 6:37 PM
Suspicious Partner was quite good!
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15 Ar Ar
June 20, 2020 at 10:17 PM
I think this drama is worse than Melting Me Softly and Clean with Passion for Now. these two dramas didnt receive cancellation request from K netz.
Ratings are also pretty low for dramas that are aired on SBS during fridays and saturdays. it only got 3.7% and 6.8% rating(June 20). too low for Ji chang wook and Kim Yoo Jung team up.
where are the star powers of these two? i thought there are very popular in their country?
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myrrana
June 20, 2020 at 10:36 PM
KYJ is more popular than JCW in "Korea". While JCW is more popular than KYJ "overseas". Anyways, their popularity never helped the drama achieve a coveted double digit ratings. I feel like this will end up like Tale of Nokdu's ratings.
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Lily
June 20, 2020 at 10:41 PM
Don't you dare drag tale of nokdu into this! That was a classy actually good drama that people actually loved! This is awful!
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Moonlight
June 20, 2020 at 11:16 PM
they better not compare because backstreet Rookie is getting more attention than your tale of Nokdu, that had average viewership ratings during its run
Dont be too jealous because the FL is getting all the attention.
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thylane
June 21, 2020 at 12:51 AM
Tale of Nokdu was one of the top 10 most talked about dramas during 2019 out of 104 primetime dramas aired during that year. It was both commercially and critically acclaimed unlike BSR which is in the brink of being cancelled. Lol! KSH is still better than KYJ.
myrrana
June 21, 2020 at 12:53 AM
I am sorry, what I mean is BSR has a potential to achieve the 6% rating range achieve by TTON. Nevertheless, TTON is so much better and was well-received both in Korea and overseas.
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16 Xina
June 20, 2020 at 10:20 PM
I am kinda sad that even in k-drama-land there is all this controversy and fighting. K-Dramas are my way to get away from the crazy of the real world (especially in America), and this one does it for me. Yes, the first episode with everyone “flying” was dumb, but I think the show calmed down a little in the second episode. The age gap doesn’t bother me, but my parents were 15 years apart, so I am biased. I think the drama is fun, and the plot is easy to follow- which is nice after Eternal Monarch. So far I like this way better than Melty.
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OldLawyer
June 20, 2020 at 10:36 PM
The fighting is disturbing to me in part because I get the distinct impression that the nay-sayers did not bother to watch the show- they are simply responding to a vague description of the show. As you said- age gaps are not always a problem. My step-mother was twelve years younger than my widowed father - who came with kids no less. When he passed away they had been married for 53 years- and it was a great marriage.
Our ML is definitely no predator and anyone who believes that he has a position of power over the FL has not watched the show. As for our FL- I see her as less of a predator and more someone who knows who she wants- and is very sincere about it.
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Midnight
June 21, 2020 at 12:22 AM
I'm confused. I thought people were having problem with the actors' age gap not the characters'? Since the first time this was announced I had been meaning to ask the horrified beanies in what way is this show sooo horrible but Clean With Passion wasn't, considering that YKS is a year older than JCW, and that show was also 2 years ago making KYJ even younger than now. But reading the commemts now has confused me so I guess there is no point in pushing double-standard questions lol
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OldLawyer
June 21, 2020 at 1:01 AM
I am not sure that age gap is the thing that people are upset about. The character's age difference is not that great. What seems to be upsetting is that the female character is so forward and even rough. She is also someone who is not afraid to be sexy. She is also a bit ruthless and pushy. Some people are reacting to the fact that gender roles are being switched or at least challenged: "A woman speaks with her fists" is not a statement that normally comes out of a woman's mouth in a K-drama or, indeed, any drama.
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Midnight
June 21, 2020 at 2:13 AM
But the reactions flared up from the first time the drama was announced and it seemed to be mostly about age gap. Well, I'm not watching so it is probably pointless to delve into it. What I do know is that nearly every gender reversal in dramaland upsets the audience. Double-standards.
JJ
June 21, 2020 at 5:15 AM
She is also heavily sexualised. I think you conveniently forgot that part. The drawing of naked female bodies in the first episode also implies a lot.
Jig
June 21, 2020 at 7:27 AM
Oh people haaaaaated YKS even more so. Just go read the comments on the first recap. It was even worse because he's not a bean pole so people would attack his age and looks. Ugh. He ended up being so respectable towards her though. Just watch any of the bts and you can see how nice they were to each other. I do hope (and would imagine) it's the same for her and JCW. I haven't checked out the bts though or if there is any.
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17 ssandulak
June 20, 2020 at 10:30 PM
Seems I’m in the VAST minority with this one. I actually really enjoyed the first couple of episodes. I was actually pretty shocked at the backlash this one was getting. Though I get the age gap is pretty big...there have been other shows with similar age gaps and I don’t remember this kind of outcry. And people commenting on Kim Yoo-jung‘s outfits surprised me as well.
In any case, I’ll continue watching this one for now. I like the cast, and did anyone else get a Stephen Chow Kung Fu Hustle kind of vibe from the fights? Nothing as well choreographed or technical, obviously, but fun nonetheless. Pretty much everything besides the dreadlock guy worked for me. Sadly this kind of casual racism is pretty common in kdramas/jdramas/anime and should definitely be stamped out. I’d be interested in reading the manwha, if anyone knows a place to read it in english.
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 9:29 PM
Having watched it just now, I have literally no idea what people are talking about. The show is pretty tame. Even all the pearl-clutching about "naked female drawings!" is... I mean, come on. It's a couple of seconds and about as anatomically explicit as a superheroine comic book cover from the 90s.
Kim Yoo Jung wears clothes. Are they freaking out that she twitches her hips when she walks, or because the camera focused on the money sticking out of her back pocket? The "kiss" is literally a schoolgirl prank and the adult in the scenario doesn't encourage it at all. At this point the controversy seems so hilariously overblown that I kind of want to backtrace the origins to try and puzzle out the motivation, because this doesn't feel organic.
It's not a stellar show but so far it's not a bad one. I'll keep watching.
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Soupsoua
June 22, 2020 at 11:35 AM
You are not alone. I enjoy the show. I'm a fan of KYJ and its so good and refreshing to see her in a different role aside from the goody two shoes. I never understood why people complain about things they don't watch.
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18 myrrana
June 20, 2020 at 10:31 PM
I wonder how this was not acquired by Netflix. I am watching it through K***Asian, and I feel like there are errors in the translation. Hope it is not because it will be a waste of time.
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19 theimprintonmynose
June 20, 2020 at 10:44 PM
The drama is rife with controversies. Same goes for the male lead. Will pass on this drama but check the recaps and comments to see how others feel about it..
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Janey
June 21, 2020 at 3:29 AM
If you don't want to watch this or something else, don't. But a word of advice, never judge something based on others' comments.
And male lead is not rife with controversies.
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 8:00 AM
I have literally never heard of a controversy or scandal around Ji Chan Wook. What are you talking about.
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20 dramafan100
June 20, 2020 at 10:45 PM
Why am I not offended by anything in this drama?
Are people more offended because they have read the source material and source material was R rated?
If you did not know the source material, would it have been received differently?
I am thoroughly bored but not offended.
Yes, a high school gangster like girl, goes boldly and kisses an older guy. For her sake, she should not have done it. It is not the most appropriate thing to do. But what about it???!!! It is a drama for heaven's sake. After watching this drama, I don't think teenage girls are going to go ahead and kiss strange older men!!
I actually thought the dress she wore to get that job was very cute and nothing sexual. Yes, she wore heals! In Kdrama, female characters wear heals in an operating theater. It probably is product placement!!
I don't know. I feel, the drama should be viewed for what the drama is.
To me, this drama has only one fault. And that is, it is boring.
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Swannie
July 10, 2020 at 5:12 AM
I'm saddened by your comment: "Why am I not offended by anything in this drama?"
While I take issue with a number of things about this drama as I do with many, because we all have our own personal opinions. Loving a drama or an actor doesn't make their projects flawless. I have a love for Lee Min Ho that may be a lil irrational, but have all his drama's been stellar? Maybe not, but my love is a lil blind and won't allow me to scrutinize every lil aspect of his work.
But on a serious note, Han Dal Shik (the blackface character; JCW's bestfriend) is truly offensive, but not to you. I live in the US and I find this character to be racist at it's core (intentional or not). So much so, it moved me for the first time EVER to contact a network to complain.
We are all skewed by our personal experiences and surroundings. Therefore, I'm not triggered by the FL because here in America, objectifying and over sexualizing young women is like everyday and on a much higher and overt scale (which is why I had turned to K-Drama's to begin with). Age gaps, here it's become a cliché. Atleast JCW is attractive. In many US shows, some older, balding, overweight guy seems to always land a hot young FL. I could go on, but I believe you get my point. Does it make it right? No, but regrettfully, many of us here in the States have become numb to it. I'm well aware of this and sensative to it.
I'm not sure where your from or what your triggers are, but no matter the country or background, racism exist most everywhere and we should all be aware of it even if we're not sensative to it.
On this one issue, I'm confident in painting this broad brush.
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21 panshel
June 20, 2020 at 11:15 PM
I am not watching Backstreet Rookie, but I don't understand why people are hate-watching this drama. Why start it if you know you're going to hate it?
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Lulu
June 21, 2020 at 5:24 AM
I think a lot of people wanted to give it a chance because of the leads.
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 8:04 AM
I think a lot of people wanted to hate-watch it and rip it apart online. And I'm saying that not having watched it! But the energy and direction of the comments on this show are unreal for a show in its first week.
I think a lot of people were looking forward to finding something to be appalled about in a show with 1. an age gap 2. a lead with a previous flop 3. a very particular tonal style 4. R-rated source material 5. a lead who has grown from a charming child into a curvy woman.
Lots to pick from there, if you're in the mood to hate something.
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22 Ghost Chilli
June 20, 2020 at 11:33 PM
I don't get why their age gap is generating a lot of hate comments. There are a lot of noona-dongsaeng dramas out there, but if it's the other way around, it's gross? So what if she is 20 years old? That's considered an adult already. In the webtoon they made it that their age difference is 7 years I think.
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Shitty Healing Hunter
June 21, 2020 at 7:01 AM
she is hardly an adult, if she was a dew years younger she would be a minor and it would be even more creepy.
A kdrama male and female lead aged 40 and 28 isn't the same as the male lead being 32 and the female lead being 20.
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 8:08 AM
So how about Search: WWW? Female lead 34 and male lead 21.
People are underestimating how much of this is about "knowing" KYJ as a child actor and not being able to reconcile that image with her as a curvy sexually-forward woman.
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Shitty Healing Hunter
June 21, 2020 at 8:46 AM
I never said Search WWW wasn't a problem.
Sexualising a female actor who only barely stopped being a child actor may not be legally wrong but it is still ethically wrong.
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Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 9:34 AM
It's not legally OR ethically wrong. It's just making you uncomfortable, which in a collective reputation-centered society like Korea can certainly cause problems.
YOU don't like thinking of KYJ as a sexual being. Which is fine! Everyone is allowed an opinion, and the ratings may indicate that lots of people are so uncomfortable seeing a woman they mentally classify as a beautiful child in a sexy role is too much for them. Again: fair.
But there is nothing ethically wrong with casting two adults in a TV show where they kiss. There just isn't.
No
June 21, 2020 at 10:26 AM
It's weirder that you do think of her as a sexual being so actively. The male fans watching this what all they miht be imagining ... to think the 'nth' room scandal just happened where pictures of young female celebrities were also being shared taken without their knowledge by their staff.
Miranda
June 21, 2020 at 11:35 AM
@No - Who, me? I haven't seen the show, just the trailers, but that seems to be one of the things bothering people most in the comments: that the camera lingers on her and she wears tight clothes.
And this is the SECOND instance in this comments section of a commenter suggesting that a woman's TV role be somehow altered to manage the behavior of men. Are people understanding what they're saying here? That a PD should not be able to cast a young woman in a role like this because she might get taken advantage of on set, or that male viewers may develop sexy thoughts based on her outfits? SERIOUSLY?!
She wanted the role and got cast. She is wearing costumes that she probably had some say in. "Protecting" an adult woman does not come in the form of hemming her in to manage the potential bad actions of the men observing and interacting with her.
skelly
June 21, 2020 at 1:11 PM
But she is NOT a "few years younger. She is an adult. She's also the instigator in the relationship, definitely not the victim in some sort of power struggle, even though he is technically her boss. I can see being creeped out when someone definitely without personal power and agency - for example, a kpop trainee - gets hit on by an older person who holds all of the power and decision-making in the relationship. But we have a strong female character who is making her own decisions and knows what she wants, so for me age is just a number here.
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Guest
June 21, 2020 at 4:50 PM
Noona romances are not as common though, they are literally their own genre. Whereas dramas with large age gaps between young women and older men are standard. It really makes you think when one is much more widespread, accepted, and normalized.
Personally, I am around Yoojung's age and I'm very uncomfortable with her role here. Yes, she's now technically an adult, but this drama is also predatory.
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23 Anna
June 20, 2020 at 11:39 PM
I watched the first episode ut dropped it midway because i did not like the FL acting so it was not to my liking. Her acting was over the top and it felt so unnatural.
As for the ML, Oh my, what a waste of talent. this another Melt Me Brain Softly.
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GingerPunch
June 21, 2020 at 12:45 AM
Same here. To me, she is a hyped/over rated child actress. Her contemporaries are way better in the acting arena. In BSR, she looks like a 13 year old teenage girl even despite her heavyheavy make up, sexy clothes and 3 inches high heels while working in a convenience store. IMO.
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maxine
June 21, 2020 at 12:58 AM
The FL is in the bottom of the chain as conpared to KSH and KHG when it comes to acting. She better deliver this time because it is hurting seeing another CWPFN in her filmography.
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24 missjb
June 20, 2020 at 11:51 PM
I'm surprisingly enjoying it so far. The way the story told is so enjoyable to watch. The chemistry is good IMO. Don't have problem with big gap of their age.
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25 Aastha
June 20, 2020 at 11:52 PM
Okay, while the drama gets better in the second episode, the first one has some very problematic things, that seem to persist, some just for laughs when they're serious things:
1. The kiss. It doesn't matter if she was a major at the time. It's still problematic. Kissing someone without their consent is considered sexual harassment. And like a creep she rescues the stuffed toy, and keeps track of JCW for Three years before she goes for the interview. Oh my god wtf. If you reversed the genders, would it be just as cute/funny? No right?
2. Black cultural appropriation- seriously? A dude in deadlocks, with other Bob Marley elements? Why? Moreover, the swarm of bees or flies around those locks, and then the girls looking at him as though he were a different species... It's not funny. At all. I get that S Korea isn't at the top of the list when it comes to being woke, but this is really stooping too low.
3. Vulgar angles, noises. I don't need to say more. That scene with the dude in the shower with his private parts blurred was NOT necessary, and then him drawing his adult webcomic with those noises... Gross.
I am a huge JCW fan, so I would really like to believe that he saw something in the script to pick it up, and isn't a complete idiot. Maybe he did it because the role isn't that of a "cool" dude, and he wants to flex his acting muscles. But I'd be very disappointed if this turns out to be some cheap story.
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26 ami
June 20, 2020 at 11:59 PM
I don't know about anything else but the drama itself is boring. No plot, no chemistry and very tacky action scenes that cam straight out of some b-grade hong kong action flick. Dropping this.
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27 starseeo
June 21, 2020 at 12:22 AM
can someone remind me if Clean With A Passion For Now had such strong reactions to the age gap?
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T
June 21, 2020 at 12:33 AM
Yes it did so did radio romance and secret healer.
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Lulu
June 21, 2020 at 5:33 AM
Yes to the age gap, the female leads wasn’t as relatively sexualized in those dramas as the FL here so backlash is worse this time and it doesn’t help that it’s airing on a public channel. IMO, the team behind the drama want the negative reaction and that’s their choice. There’s a (barely) secretly popular line of thought these days that any publicity is good publicity.
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28 Chingching
June 21, 2020 at 12:44 AM
Wow. Looks like some haters of KYJ here with so many unregistered users commenting and bashing the drama and the FL. It's quite obvious cos the mere mention of KSH or her drama makes them fire back instantly. I think it's a whole gang of them condemning the drama, adding fire to fuel all over the Net. Hey gals, good job!
I like the 1st 2 episodes of Backstreet Rookie. I'm a fan of both but I think I speak objectively because it's bad, I'll say so (MMS was crap for me).
I think the pace of the 1st episode was really fast but very fun to watch. When I see the manga elements in the drama, immediately it signals that hey, this is something fun, don't take it seriously. Basically, you can suspend your belief. So the fight scenes were great to watch, especially when they did a remake from the movie, Sunny, on the rooftop. Crane formation? Hello...that was hilarious. I like how SB was portrayed as being fiesty, smart, and very dedicated in the love dept. As for her kissing a man she first met, there was a good reason for her and if I want to criticize, I'll say it was something silly she did as a young girl. Anyone, no one can fly that high to peck a man if they wanna copy that straight k?
The 2nd episode slowed down considerably to give more room for telling of the backstories. I like that certain deeper issues like being marginalized, being judged, being mediocre seems to be taking shape.
I like that the females in this drama are portrayed as strong and fierce. They don't depend on men. In fact, it looks like the other way round. Even in the scene where SB went round with this ahjusshi to sell stuff, she was the selling and he said he's willing to support her if she's confident of selling.
What did I not like? I don't like DH's friend, Dalshik. I was uncomfortable at the his intro and I don't understand what he's doing in the drama so far. I also don't like how DH's mom bashed his dad. But this is only 2 episodes so let's see where the writer/PD wants to take us.
The chemistry between the 2 leads are adorable and there is a decent story. I don't see anything salacious. I mean we have Kdramas where it's mostly the leads making out for 10 episodes and people are not okay with this? High moral grounds much? But who cares. You don't like but I like.
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luna
June 21, 2020 at 1:02 AM
As a KSH fan, I apologized. Maybe there are just people who are entertained in seeing fights between fandoms especially these two ladies (KYJ and KSH) who are the top and creme of the crop of their gen.
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kiara
June 21, 2020 at 9:55 AM
I really miss the old DB where K-drama fans come together to enjoy and share their views on K-dramas and films without this shitty fandom noise in the background.
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Really
June 21, 2020 at 10:44 AM
The old DB without fandom noise? Do you need a link for the comment section of Heirs?
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kiara
June 21, 2020 at 10:56 AM
Comment was deleted
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kiara
June 21, 2020 at 11:00 AM
DB has been around before 2013.
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Really
June 21, 2020 at 11:12 AM
2013 still counts as a part of the old DB.
kiara
June 21, 2020 at 1:36 PM
You are right and I should have been specific to early DB. Fandom weren't that big like now and some stars were still unknown.
I felt like I've grown up with these child actors in a time where we were all rooting for them to do well.
Transitioning for child actors are challenging.
Most of them grew up on sageuks and melo-dramas. Rom.com is their new challenge and although they've aged, they still look like teenagers to us.
Some are managed carefully like Kim Hyang-gi's career but most of them will go through trials and errors.
I get fan-girling but I don't get all the unnecessary fan wars behind it.
Sim
June 21, 2020 at 1:10 PM
Seriously, why can't we just talk about the characters and the drama and not the actors?
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29 Pan cake
June 21, 2020 at 12:51 AM
I was not expecting this at all... Totally shocked. Why they exaggerated too much on female lead.. I thought I was watching bad version of strong woman doo bong soo ... She was flying all time seriously ..that's not comedy at all...Lol.
Why she has a lustful eyes for male lead without any conversation and all.. And that naked scene, kiss scene why?????? Not necessary at all .. Why are you doing this to your fans whaeeeeeeeee🤣
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30 No Name
June 21, 2020 at 12:54 AM
JCW try so hard want to be Comedy drama !! Acting look not natural ..
Fact look annoying .
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31 abe
June 21, 2020 at 1:19 AM
Why do I feel like the backlash is just a fabrication, a marketing strategy to ignite curiosity and consequently, to attract more Korean viewers? I feel like SBS is not happy with the initial ratings of this drama. It is only half of the initial ratings of the previous drama which aired in that timeslot. Anyways, this is another controversy for JCW and KYJ. Yoo Jung is the most controversial actress among her peers. Sadly, Sidus is not managing her career well.
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Nel
June 21, 2020 at 1:48 AM
i agree with you. A strategy to bring more attention to the drama because the pilot rating was at 4 plus something percent. This is low considering the drama is shown at primetime slot.
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Lulu
June 21, 2020 at 5:39 AM
There were already negative comments about the source material and their age gap from netizens but I think the team is capitalizing on it. They might be banking on the backlash eventually dying down (unless they try to make it more controversial) and being able to secure a loyal audience from curious watchers that tune in the first few episodes. KYJ and JCW get to be tied to a drama that is able to use such tactics to gain an audience...but it was their choice to sign on for this drama since they liked the script.
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32 Kurama
June 21, 2020 at 1:32 AM
I liked the first 2 episodes.
I liked the gender reversal. She's a badass, she knows what she wants (him), she's hard working. She's the one with a difficult background and did bad things when she was young like smoking and fighting. There are so many dramas when the girl fall in love with the ML and makes everything to work with him, but she's always shy and needs his help.
The premise is like Itaewon Class, a highschool girl fall in love with an adult and wants to work with him and she kisses without his consent. But in this one, he was aware of the kiss and there is a time jump.
I think it's the humor of a manhwa and we don't have to take it too seriously. I really like the set up of the neighborhood with their neon lights.
I liked the both actors. KJY is so beautiful and confident! I really like the energy she gives off.
Now, I think the drama will focus on the background stories of Saet-byul and Dae-hyun and their clients too.
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Pika
June 21, 2020 at 2:08 AM
The premise is nothing like itaewon class. Don't insult a good drama just to praise a tasteless and racist drama. PSJ would never pick something this racist.
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IM
June 21, 2020 at 3:32 AM
the drama is racist. The FL is overly sexualized in this drama. I must say that it would be extremely unfair for Itaewon's Cast and crew to be conpared to this CSSB. Itaewon class is on another level acting wise. Regarding the Plot, what is the Plot of this drama by the way?
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Kurama
June 21, 2020 at 8:44 AM
Overly sexualized? The kiss was wrong but she was young and did a stupidity, it's all. We know, it was her only kiss...
After, she's a 22 years old woman, she's confident in her body why she couldn't wear dresses? The dresses cover her body not boobs or panty are seen... It's not like she was wearing dresses/skirts all the time neither, the most of the time she's wearing casual clothes to work...
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Dramafan
June 21, 2020 at 10:22 AM
Dresses that are so short she just needs to bend over for a peep show and clothes that are so fitting they hide nothing. The way the camera cuts low and caresses her is a well thought out directing choice. Worse is that she is playing the role of a seductress actively trying to woo a man who is in a relationship. Glorifying the young vixen homewrecker a bit too much in this drama. Her flying kicks don't make her more likeable.
Kurama
June 21, 2020 at 11:15 AM
@dramafan not shorter than the second lead female, I dont' hear anybody saying she's oversexualized. Her clothes are fit, but they hide everything.
I don't remember people saying that Baek Kyung's character was sexualized when he was in the swimming pool with girls screaming outside in Extraordinary You. The actor is just one year older than KJY.
For the character, yeah she has feelings for the ML since she met him, so 3 years. I don't remember Love Alarm's fans criticizing Hwang Sun-Oh for kissing a girl who already has a boyfriend and his best friend is in love with.
Lindz
June 24, 2020 at 12:32 PM
Well I don't agree with the comments about her make up and wardrobe. She can wear whatever she wants. That being said, it makes me really sad that I see so many comments like yours stating that she is a "badass" or a strong female lead. This character is far from inspiring or empowering. It is completely sexist character written by men, for men (don't even get me started on how gross and sexist the manhwa is 🤢🤮 I saw the first chapter on Tumblr. If you like that creeper lolita smut, keep that weird shit to yourself.)
She is nothing more than the object of a man's sexual desires. Her goal is to lure the male lead into her "trap" as she weaponizes her sexuality. She is the seductress and "poor man" is just the unwilling victim of her sexual aggression. That's not confidence, maturity or strength. A strong confident woman is comfortable in her sexuality and feels no need to use it as a weapon and force it on someone. It's honestly completely demeaning towards women to say she is a strong female lead. Nah. She embodies all the sexist excuses men have always used to justify cheating and lusting after underage girls because it's all her fault for seducing him 😒. I'm all for a strong female lead who is confident and knows what she wants... this is not that.
And then they went out of their way to add a completely racist character for no other reason than to get some cheap laughs by culturally appropriating a person who is black. That character is a perverted thief with poor hygiene and bugs in his hair and people want to claim it's not racist? It is 100% racist. Stop making excuses and just admit you're totally cool with it because you are a fan of the leads 🙄
Sorry I'm not sorry for being a party pooper! Comedy is my favorite genre and there are a lot of funny things to watch that are not sexist, racist, and just plain trashy 🤦♀️
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Lindz
June 24, 2020 at 12:36 PM
who *are* confident
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Kurama
June 24, 2020 at 12:49 PM
We are talking about the drama not the manhwa, so the " I read the first chapter" brings nothing to the conversation, they changed some parts of the story.
I'm really laughing. She doesn't lure the poor guy in her trap. First, he's not a poor guy, but an adult who doesn't have any problem to tell her "no". And she doesn't seduce him by using her body, she's just confident with it. She seduces him by working hard! She got him more clients, she found the date for the minor who bought cigarettes, she made her friend spend money there. She's trying to show him than she's not the rebel teenager who smokes but an hard working adult. I don't think any issue with that. She was clear with her feelings, it's all.
For the webtoon artist, he's dirty because it's a cliché for the manhwa/manga. In Kdrama, when someone overworked in comedy, they always have dirty hair like in Suspicious Partner. The actor who played him has a dark skin, they didn't make it darker, it's different lights because when he's outside he's not so dark.
It's a haircut not a cultural appropriation.
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Swannie
July 10, 2020 at 6:25 AM
@Kurama
1) PLEASE reference a drama where some overworked character literally had flies coming out of their hair.
2) This actor IS NOT DARK SKIN and there is no lighting trick. They've darkened his skin with makeup. That is called Blackface, which is racist because it's used along with his attire to personify the Jamaican culture.
3) And speaking of Culture, it's not just a haircut, it's Cultural appropriation? Google it. Never-mind, I'll do it for you.
"Cultural appropriation, at times also phrased cultural misappropriation, is the adoption of an element or elements of one culture by members of another culture."
Please show me where dreadlocks originated, were made popular or are worn by any fraction of South Korea's population or it's citizenry.
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33 Bow
June 21, 2020 at 2:35 AM
Backstreet Rookie has two big problems, and it’s only two episodes in. Full disclosure, I’ve only watched the first episode because it disgusted me so much that I wasn’t able to move onto the second one.
There’re two glaring issues. The first is the sexualisation of a school aged girl in the first part of the episode. I’ve seen people arguing that Jung Saet-byul isn’t a minor, because she’s 19 (which is the age of majority in Korea). And yes, she isn’t a minor age wise, but she’s still in school and wears a school uniform. The optics of having a girl in a school uniform kissing a man in his late twenties are problematic at best. The portrayal of Saet-Byul as the aggressor is harmful because it plays up to the things people say to justify young girls being the object of affection for older people who have no business being anywhere near them. ‘She’s so mature,’ etc. etc. While they didn’t have Daehyun reciprocating and kissing her back, they showed him being flustered by the kiss and giving her his number.
The skip to three years later, and the fact that the next time they meet she’s 22 seems to have people justifying what happened at the beginning. I don't really think there's any justification for it.
The second issue is the character Han Dal-shik. This is blackface. The actor does have a darker skin tone naturally, but it’s obvious that they have darkened it further, as well as given him fake dreadlocks. If that wasn’t bad enough, the writers have seen fit to have literal flies buzzing around his hair, and in one scene he picks one out of the fake dreadlocks.
I suffered through the first episode so I could write about this without people jumping down my throat saying ‘You don’t know the context, you haven’t even watched it.’ Because now I have watched it, and I can unequivocally say that the portrayal of Dal Shik is racist.
For so long Black people who have braids and dreadlocks have been looked down on, and people have viewed these hairstyles (particularly dreadlocks) as dirty. The myth that dreadlocks are dirty is perpetuated by people who simply don’t have the right hair texture for it; who mat their hair and don’t wash it for months on end.
Having a character who is dirty, with literals flies buzzing around his dreadlocks, just continues the stigmatisation and stereotypes. I can’t speak on being Black in Korea as I don’t live there but there are many who have spoken of their experiences and how they have been treated by some people because of the colour of their skin.
Portrayals like this are incredibly harmful. Korean television has a problematic history with blackface, but we’re in 2020. Ignorance is no excuse at this point - you can google something in about 5 seconds, and have a wealth of information at your fingertips.
It’s disappointing that Ji Chang Wook and Kim Yoo Jung are the leads in this mess, they’re both great actors and I tend to watch a lot of things they’re in. For the issues mentioned...
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Bow
June 21, 2020 at 2:36 AM
Last sentence got cut off, it's meant to say 'For the issues mentioned above, I'll be giving this one a miss.'
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sunnysaturdays
June 22, 2020 at 12:28 PM
The racism/stereotyping is why I can't continue this drama. Without the ML BFF I wouldnt have a problem. When I saw him on the drama poster, I cringed. Than I watched the episode and my skin crawled. I love JCW and KYJ. I don't like the tone of the drama but I like their characters.
I understand why KYJ and JCW chose this drama but I can't understand why the writer decided to write Dae hyuns friend.
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34 Soondae
June 21, 2020 at 3:49 AM
I haven't watched the second episode, but the first episode got way too much hate than it deserves. Her outfits are nothing out of the ordinary and the scenes are definitely PG but not overly raunchy. I'm a fan of the more conservative nature of Korean dramas compared to Western TV shows, but the complaints about this shows supposed 'raunchiness' are way too extreme. It was barely even raunchy and if I hadn't read the comments by netizens beforehand I wouldn't even have thought anything was weird.
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35 jetsetlag
June 21, 2020 at 4:21 AM
Shame #dorkyJiChangWook is my favorite Ji Chang Wook. The age gap bothers me too much tbh and I'm not invested enough to push past it as I was in Mirror of the Witch.
Goes back into hole to rewatch Healer for the umpteenth time.
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36 dramalover4ever
June 21, 2020 at 4:33 AM
I'm surprised at how much heat there is in the discussion. At first I was a bit disappointed because I was hoping to see Wookie in something other than a romantic comedy, but as I watched, I started to pick up the manwha vibe, which is OTT funny and exaggerated and not meant to be realistic. It's also adult.
And BTW, in real life, it is not objectionable to have a relationship between a 22 year old and someone around 7 years older. That's unremarkable.
The schoolgirl side of the story is interesting because they are pushing the boundaries. Hands up who went to a school where there were not girls who were smoking and dating, even at the "best schools"? (Not that I am saying it was OK). Even if you think it is morally reprehensible to represent schoolgirls doing raunchy dances, smoking, or kissing men, it is happening and will continue to happen, irrespective of whether it is shown in a drama or not. I agree that some of the candy relationships in dramas are just as distorted, unhealthy, and undesirable in their sexual politics. In the real world none of it should happen, and women have to take responsibility for themselves.
But there are some other interesting aspects to Backstreet Rookie. Class differences lurk in the background. She comes from a poor background, and people always think the worst of her. He catches himself doing exactly what was done to him, on the basis of his educational background. This is class prejudice in action. On the other hand, the girlfriend comes from a wealthy background. When they bump heads together, all of that is going to come to the surface.
Is it racist or is Han Dal-shik a standard manwha character in this genre (that may or may not routinely rely on racist tropes)? I'm going to suspend judgement on that for the moment. I know this much, Um Moon-suk as Han Dal-shik is perfect in this role, as he was in The Fiery Priest. He took on a stereotype in that and turned it into a sympathetic nuanced character.
The first two episodes renewed my appreciation JCW as a fine actor with superb comic timing. I'm taking it for what it is - exaggerated, comic-book, funny, and adult.
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missjb
June 21, 2020 at 5:31 AM
I agree there is class background underplay. But Also, they also emphasis how society see someone who has no parent smoking, drunk, especially for underaged woman basically make people think negative about their overall behaviour and moral as negative. Not that drunk and smoking are morally acceptable. But some of them might be at the bottom of their heart good people in general who needs guidance.
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37 bips99
June 21, 2020 at 5:41 AM
Leaving aside the controversial elements, the show feels tacky. There are many low budget shows. This one actually feels low budget. Like hastily put together free series on YouTube. I cant explain it better
JCW is going to kill my healer love for him. What is he even doing in this cringe fest.
The only positive KYJ looks gorgeous. I've seen her other works but here she looks stunning. At times almost like JJH
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38 Johahaeyo
June 21, 2020 at 5:46 AM
Hi
As a black person, I can tell you that this was offensive and clearly racist! Take cultural appropriation aside, think about what they just showed us whether intentionally or unintentionally they showed the guy showering 🧼 , and after that, his dreadlocks were still surrounded by flies?? This furthers the racist stereotypical notion that Black people with dreadlocks are dirty and don’t wash their hair! Which is clearly wrong!
Scenes like these are not only offensive to a large group of people, but borderline racist and largely wrong generalizations that only help to further reinforce a stereotype that has a deeply rooted negative history.
Over the decades, locs have become associated with all things Jamaica to the point where most people think Jamaicans invented locs, but written evidence suggests otherwise.
Dating as far back as 2500 B.C., The Vedas, Hinduism’s oldest scriptures, depict the Hindu God Shiva wearing locs or “jaTaa” in the Sanskrit language, according to Dr. Bert Ashe’s book, Twisted: My Dreadlocks Chronicles.
So whether this is cultural appropriation or not I really can’t state, but that fact that most people whether we like it or not associate dreadlocks with black people has its problems.
Imagine a black person/or anyone for that matter with dreadlocks walking down South Korea and some idiot who has watched this depiction on this drama connect dreadlocks with this character. Black people have lost jobs or job opportunities because of this.
Itaewon Class had a step in the right direction and this drama set it back several steps!!
I am not going to use any brain gymnastics to find excuses for this, no matter how much I love Ji Chang Wook! These are sensitive times and as a black person, I don’t have the liberty to just shrug it or laugh at it.
Locs are not dirty, and they’re not something that should be feared. They’re beautiful, bold, and regal. The epitome of freedom. Locs are divine.
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lynnet
June 27, 2020 at 1:52 PM
I felt exactly the same way about the racist friend character and yes I actually watched all 3 episodes. I hate this feeling , I tune in to a show trying to get away from it all , then end up being more upset than I was before I started . It's even more hurtful when people dismiss it as simply " cultural appropriation " or a typical manga issue . It's not just that the character has a darker shade and wears dreadlocks and is into reggae , he also wears distinctly Rastafarian colours as if to emphasise that this is about " Rastafarianism make no mistake. Did the writer even do a simple Google search to find out more about this religion before deciding to mock it , did he or she even bother to find out what those colours mean or why the descendants of slaves in a far away island nation would consciously choose to wear colours that appear on almost every African flag as a way to connect with a homeland they had never seen. I don't understand why any one would not find this racist or problematic unless they are just as problematic as the person who created this.
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39 laladaisical
June 21, 2020 at 5:51 AM
Debating getting iQiyi to watch this, only to see a PG-13 Kdrama in which a woman claims her sexuality and accounts for her choices. The brouhaha over the age gap is ridiculous. High School King of Savvy did it, and the meltdown over that wasn’t nearly as nuclear. She kissed a man as a student. Okay. The story starts properly with her being 22. She is fully engaged with her feelings. Allow the character some agency, please.
The other brouhaha, the one a few commenters and even the reviewer glossed over is Dal-sik. I can’t see a positive spin on darkening an actor to reinforce a stereotype about reggae and locksmen. I mean, they have the guy in the promo poster wearing pan African red, yellow, and green colors. So don’t delude yourself into thinking this is an innocent mistake or a merging of manga-creator stereotypes with identity aspirations. It’s negative reinforcement of racial and ethnic stereotypes, and that’s worth the argument.
Unless BR intends to confront the judgments of others between the characters, then okay. But I’m not holding my breath when the same character is called a beast for wearing dreads and aspiring to be black. 2020, the year of false progress.
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40 Liza
June 21, 2020 at 6:28 AM
Hate all you want, but this drama isnt going to be cancelled. Actually, it might even contribute to increased viewership of the drama. so thank you.
and because of the backlash that this drama is getting, the rating percentage will continously increase- out of people curiosity. So hate all you can and hate all you want, BSR, sooner or later will achieve that 20%& or double digits viewership rating. In the end, the winners are Queen Kim Yoo Jung and King Ji Chang Wook. My Jelly Couple
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41 Ezinneigwe
June 21, 2020 at 6:40 AM
Wow so many negative comments. For me i am enjoying this show so far. I'm actually not bothered by anything in the show. People going on about how the FL kissed the ML on their first meeting or her clothing,...
1. The original webtoon is rated R, so what do u expect. There is nothing wrong with how they toned down the sexual contents
2. For God's sake!!!! This is just a drama. All these hate is not necessary, if u don't like the drama just drop and stop discouraging people who might actually like it.
And for those petitioning for it to be cancelled, REALLY!!? Where is this coming from. This is going to be a drama I'll look forward to every week. Everyone, let's atleast give the actors a chance to prove themselves
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Xina
June 21, 2020 at 10:01 PM
Mic drop. Thank you.
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Swannie
July 10, 2020 at 7:26 AM
@ Ezinneigwe
I have dropped this drama. You're lucky obviously being able to enjoy every aspect of this show.
I haven't dropped many shows over the years because I'm aware the first few episodes are the setup, so I try to stick with them and give the story a chance to unfold. In many cases, I've held on till the end to justify all the time previously invested.
But I've dropped this show for it's blatant racism. I don't see a way to remove or redeem the Han Dal Shik character and can't support a show that further perpetuates and embellishes negative stereotypes of other cultures.
I recognize Korea isn't as diverse as the US, but in this day and age we can't continue to condone as well as support such portrayals with our silence. But it is certainly your right to participate, enjoy, overlook and even revel in such racist tropes.
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42 The Kdrama Enthusiast
June 21, 2020 at 7:16 AM
I was thinking of watching this, but after reading the comments, I don't think I will. The whole implied racism thing is extremely off putting, and the comments make me think that watching the show would be a waste of time.
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43 MsDumb
June 21, 2020 at 7:34 AM
honest question,
supposed that you didnt like the leads, would you still recommend this drama to others? would you like the character of FL and ML leads?
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gem28
June 21, 2020 at 10:54 AM
Judge for yourself, its a polarizing drama.
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44 CoolLulu
June 21, 2020 at 8:02 AM
I am more bothered with the story, don’t know where it is leading to and don’t care either. Since Healer, JCW’s dramas have been bad in my opinion. Suspicious Partner was so-so. Melting drama sucked, and this one.... hmm... maybe I will give 1 more ep a go before deciding anything.
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45 hyades
June 21, 2020 at 8:54 AM
After watching the first two episodes, all I can ask from producers; could we please back dramas from 2005- 2015 where the dramas have a solid story, leads and fantastic plot?
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46 Belle
June 21, 2020 at 10:42 AM
Honestly though why does anyone not have a problem with how this drama basically plans to romantacize stalking? Are we giving her a pass because she is female and "expressing agency"? I'll be sure to to say that to the next guy with a restraining order. 'Sorry that they didn't let you express your agency. You were only trying to prove how much better you are for her.'
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Ezinneigwe
June 22, 2020 at 4:06 AM
Stalking? Where? You need to check the meaning of stalking again
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47 ERGS
June 21, 2020 at 12:26 PM
What I don´t like about this drama:
1. It portraits non-consentual actions (the FL kissing the ML, and reaching for things in his backpocket, TWICE) It is NOT OK to do that, it doesn´t matter if is directed to a guy. Imagine if it was the other way around??
2. The way they chose to costumize the ML´s friend. I think that it doesn´t comes out as a guy linking a certain religion o culture, but as a mockery, and even racist. Even in the second episode the ML tells the FL that he is in fact korean, because he saw her looking at him with a weird face...
3. They way the director did not take into consideration how things can be persieved from a webtoon in the ¨real world¨. I have read a lot of mangas and i know you can get ¨away¨ with a lot, but when you are considering a tv audience you have to be more carefull.
In a related topic, I just hate it when in dramaland they make a fuss (scriptwise) when the FL is older than the ML, but when it´s the other way around It´s not even mencioned. Like it´s a ¨miracle¨ that a younger guy want´s to be with an older woman, but older guy and a much younger woman it´s a given...
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Vespertyne29
June 22, 2020 at 2:02 AM
I don’t like either when they involve high school students. Gross.
So, I disliked ICHYV, and dropped Flower Boy Ramen Shop (despite my love of JIW), where high school boys are with adult women, but was fine with A Witch’s Romance. I thought Encounter was boring, pretentious and personally saw no chemistry between the leads, but other than the CEO vs. low level employee aspect, I had no objection to the age difference.
I can’t think of any dramas I’ve watched with the FL in high school and an older guy except Goblin, which is my favorite Kdrama, but it was fantasy (he was a 939 year old god, so everyone alive was too young for him!), I don’t recall the romance heating up until she was older, and the significance of her being Goblin’s Bride was a predestined fate that meant she would remove the sword so that his earthly existence could “die,” and he could move on to the heavenly realm, and not to literally be his bride. She was “Goblin’s Bride,” not “Goblin’s Wife.”
Are there Kdramas where a high school girl is dating an older/adult guy? I don’t think I’ve seen any.
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48 Nonso
June 21, 2020 at 12:58 PM
Why are there so many unregistered dramabeans users. I think we've graduated from fan wars. No comparisons are needed.
The first episode was boring to me. I didn't know if I was to laugh or cringe. That kiss was inappropriate. There's no justification for it. The dude with the dread wasn't funny.;
There was chemistry, their visuals are top notch.
Episode 2 was toned down. I actually loved it
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skelly
June 24, 2020 at 7:41 PM
I'm not sure, it's like some sort of reverse Lee Min Ho syndrome. With a Lee Min Ho or Suzy drama you get all sorts of unregistered "users" coming in to show their fan love, and here there has been this disturbing pile-on, comparing this show to porn, aiding the delinquency of a minor, etc. etc. etc. I am not sure why the extreme church-lady pearl clutching but it's fascinating to observe.
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49 Hanabi
June 21, 2020 at 2:49 PM
I don't particularly love any of the main characters. I do like the style of this drama though, it is different. I would have preferred if DH didn't have a girlfriend. Stealing someone's lover is a big no no and I can't root for SB because of this. I didn't really feel the chemistry either. There was one scene, when they were actively trying to find the cctv footage, there was a split second where I felt something between them.
KYJ is absolutely gorgeous, I don't understand the anger over her dresses. The second female lead wears super similar ones and no one even mentions it. It is just that KYJ is more curvy, I don't think there is any problem with her showing off her body that she probably worked her butt off for. We do get showering men scenes too, let's not be hypocrites here.
I realized that watching convenience store dramas late at night is very very dangerous. I am craving some spicy ramen right now and it is midnight here so..i am screwed.
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OldLawyer
June 21, 2020 at 5:01 PM
Stealing someone's lover- but is she really? Or is he just the girlfriend's temporary arm-candy? Remember that she is in no rush for him to meet her family- because they will say no, so she is just stringing him along for now. And she used to be his supervisor when he worked at the company. I think that she is simply using him. He certainly does not seem that important to her- unless it looks like he might slip away. She is possessive of him but I do not see that she really cares about him.
If we step into our young lady's shoes SB would claim that she kissed the guy first (which is true) at a time when he had just been dumped by his then girlfriend. She even kept the big stuffed animal that his ex had returned to him. In her mind she has the prior claim when opposed to the present (and not really serious) girlfriend. She feels like she has been penalized because she waited to do more until she was 'old enough'.
Given that the the current girlfriend knows the score- that she cannot in the end marry her boyfriend- I think a good argument can be made that SB is doing them both a favor.
It would be different if if DH had a family background that would be acceptable to his current girlfriend's family- then I would totally agree with you. But they have not married and won't be getting married.
So I actually am rooting for SB to succeed in her seduction. She is probably exactly what he really needs in his life and I can already see why she is right in thinking that he is right for her life. I can also see why DH is not yet showing any chemistry with SB- because his current 'girlfriend' has been manipulating his emotions for a while. He is all tangled up to the point that he does not know whether he is coming or going.
Your point about how the show is dressing KYJ is spot on- she is not being dressed in any way different from the other actresses (except for her friends where there is an attempt to create a contrast). The difference is that KYJ would look great if dressed in a burlap sack.
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Hanabi
June 22, 2020 at 6:27 AM
I agree that the girlfriend is using DH BUT SB doesn't know it, that is my problem. I don't care if the girlfriend is shitty, SB straight up said that "I am gonna break you guys up, be ready" without knowing anything about their relationship. I can't and won't justify cheating or ruining relationships. If SB saw how miserable DH was and asked him if staying with the girlfriend is worth it, I wouldn't say a thing. That said, If you are okay with it, that is your decision, I am not and never will. be.
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50 ssen18
June 21, 2020 at 7:06 PM
I am liking this drama so far. I will finish this regardless of how the story takes us.
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