Here is your Open Thread, which is here for you to chat about anything you want, whether it be drama-related or not. Nothing’s off-topic here! Spoilers may be rife, so proceed accordingly.
Fifteen (15) years ago an extremely popular and perplexing American TV series ended in controversy. At the time, it was a cultural phenomenon. It was “must see” TV for millions. But it was a show that fit no genre: was it a mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, comedy or something else? And when those genres were shuffled like a deck of cards in each episode, it created a legion of fans trying to figure what the hell was going on.
LOST remains a pivotal and polarizing show. Its backstory is almost as compelling as its mysteries and questions. ABC green-lit a plane crash survival show because the castaway genre was a staple format. A large ensemble cast could fuel various stories and tensions. The show runners said they had the entire series plotted out before the pilot hit the airwaves, but that was not true. Originally, the show was to focus on the island leader, Kate. But handsome doctor Jack, who was supposed to be killed off at the end of episode 1, tested so well the network said he had to stay. The stories slowly began to orbit around Jack as the main character.
After the series concluded, there were many grumblings from inside and outside the show. Many actors had no idea what the show was about even while filming it. The show runners and writers claimed they knew exactly what they were doing, but later admitted that they only thought the show would last three seasons, not six. Most fans wanted answers to the questions the writers proposed in the series. Later, the producers copped out to say the show was never about answers, but it was “character driven.”
What the show did create were fan communities that used blog sites to review, discuss and theorize about the show, the characters, the events and its meaning. These fan sites became more entertaining than the show. I participated in a couple of them. In some threads, quantum physics was discussed while I translated the Egyptian hieroglyphs in background temple scenes (they were passages from the Book of the Dead) to try to find context in the plot points.
Season 6 ended with such confusion, more questions and disappointment for many viewers. About a third liked the ending where their favorite characters got their “happy ending.” About a third thought the show abandoned its premise, purpose and stellar writing to throw more concepts (flash forwards, flash sideways, new characters, etc.) without any thought of making the filler make sense. About a third were convinced that their original premise, “they were all dead” which producers always denied, was justified against those who believed in the supernatural explanation. I always believed that the cast was all in purgatory, being judged for their lives, before moving on.
There were talks about a spin-off or reboot of the LOST universe, but nothing happened. It faded from the collective television consciousness because it episodes did not fit syndication stand-alone hours of viewing. Even on-demand and now streaming...
..... seasons have not created a fraction of the original vibe and media buzz. Now, it is like an old smart and opinionated friend who you have lost contact.
Drew Goddard is a local hero in Los Alamos NM. His mom taught my son in 6th grade and would regularly send her students' writing to the team at the table on LOST. For fun, I guess, Drew would share their short stories with the writing team. Does this shed any light?
I never watched the show itself - felt it was too pretentious for my tastes from all the raves about - but dang, did I remember the hype))) Reminds me of TWIN PEAKS craze I was too young to personally remember, but heard so much later on. Anyway, the main point still stands - if you're starting your story without knowing how it'll end or even what it is about, then just don't bother, it'll only be a waste of everyone's time.
I am among the third who understood and loved the ending.
I was a big fan of Lost since it first aired and it's still one of my favorite shows ever. I enjoyed it so much.
There are so many memorable moments...
The whole story hadn't been a dream, as many disappointed viewers thought.
But all the characters had created such a strong bond that, when each of them died (some young, some old, some soon, some many many years later), they waited for the rest of the group in a space which looked like a church. Once all of them were together again in that place, they were able to go to Heaven.
I watched the 1st season of Lost when I wasn't familiar with the American tv seasons format. Before that I had only watched ongoing episodic series with no expected conclusion, and the one Prison Break which had had clear season endings. So when the 1st season ended on such a high mystery note I immediately binged the 2nd season. The confusion and absolutely no answer to any question at the end of season 2, completely turned me off and I dropped it. That was actually the time I decided to stick to kdramas and never went back to Western tv.
I watched the first two seasons of Lost (and I think the beginning of the third?) and then mostly got busier and forgot about it. I’m sure the experience watching it all the way through was totally different but I remember hearing about the ending later and thinking that they just had no idea how to end things. Lost wasn’t the breaking point for me (American tv-wise) but shows like it that go on for much longer than originally intended definitely were. Fringe is another great example (so fun at the beginning and so mediocre later!). I still watch US-made shows occasionally, but only if the season tells a complete story or if the whole thing is already out.
Ah, Lost... I only watched it years after it finished airing, and while I very much enjoyed it, I also think it's vastly overrated. I very much understand why it was so popular though. However, binge watching it after the fact does make it rather obvious that the writers didn't really have any idea as to what they were doing, despite the show trying very hard to hide that fact.
Sure, the show wasn't only about mysteries, but those mysteries were a very big part of the show. But is it really a mystery if you're just pulling random stuff out of your behind? Once the mystery facade breaks, the show loses a big part of it's appeal, and a big part as to why it was so popular. And I do think that's a big part of the reason as to why you don't really see people talking about it anymore, outside of people who were part of the "experience" looking back on it fondly.
But maybe we do need to bring back shows like Lost. A high-stakes serialized show with 20+ episodes a year, it's addictive, and something you just have to experience. But sadly that just doesn't seem possible these days, because most broadcast stuff is procedurals, while the serialized cable/ streaming shows release 8 episodes every 2 years. And then there's always the risk of cancelation. It's a big reason as to why I pivoted to Korean dramas.
Another thing though: when somebody says they have some kind of big 5-season plan or something like that, they're probably lying. There are exceptions, sure, but sadly those shows will often fly under the radar (12 Monkeys for example, great show that actually had it all figured out, but never became all that popular, though it was praised by those who watched it).
first of all rip Choi jung-Woo. he was a very pleasant, elegant ajussi.
Im on queue for a bus ticket for opera days, so I have to be quick
finished the korean cluture club season 3 and we made bojagi
also did the exam but I did better at the online test. I think I at least passed so I will be starting B2 level.
there was a lecture by a famous korean food blogger in Stockmann department store in Tallinn. Hong Jin-Kyung. So now she is in love with rye bread and meat jello and also talked about a possible fusion restaurant in Tallinn which is HUGE.
also could someone assist: I am looking for a site that had really good news videos with sign language interpretor where I could listen to news in korean. and there were dozens of news clips on different subjects you could watch for each day. but I cannot find it.
Fusion would be amazing. When I visited Korea I had some meat kimchi that was a culinary highlight.. It's a form of kimchi that is not made very often because its dangerous if you get it wrong. So now I am imagining some funky fermented meat jello....
yes, sült, haha. she said in the Facebook live that it was her favorite of the foods she tried here. she also really liked black bread, not the regular rye that is coarse and heavy, but the one made with lots of syrup.
Yesterday, I went to Zurich to eat Street Kfood and see Hallyu Wave exposition.
First, the restaurant was closed... I did watch on their website but not insta... It's kinda the risk with public holiday.
Then, the expo was pretty nice. I didn't specially learn anything but it was kinda funny to see things about Kpop, Kdrama, Kbeauty, Kfashion in Switzerland.
But the museum should rethink its security... I did all the expositio without showing my ticket. I thought it would be at the beginning of the expo but no. It's only at the checkout of the shop, I asked and she controlled my ticket :p
I was hoping to pick the brains of some Korean language- understanding Beanies. Just realised that the korean title of Tastefully yours translates literally to 'Your taste'. Does it sound less weird in Korean?
I'll Take the Trip for You, now cleverly retitled My Lovely Journey 🙄, is finally getting out of limbo and being released in August. It's been under wraps for so long that my original notes were, "Yay, a romantic lead role for Kim Jae Young at last!" lol
There are FOUR more (that I'm aware of) in various stages of production:
Blossom in Darkness (filming completed)
Blossoms of Power (filming now)
Blossom Through the Clouds (filming soon)
Blossom (upcoming project) -- because why not just repeat straight up BLOSSOM? It worked for Tencent 😆
Happy Friday, Beanies! This week we're saying goodbye to TPOB, welcoming EB2 and celebrating Carnation 5.0 all at once – poor overwhelmed me^^ To be fair, summer looks even busier... Also Yuning just filmed posters for his concert tour, preparations seem entering final phase – the long awaited album is coming!
Starting with a new OST - “All I wish” for animated movie ENDLESS JOURNEY OF LOVE. Haven't found any subs yet, but from official description it's about “sorrow of losing beloved one to time” - nuff said. The way he sings it is just... telling, for the lack of better word. I'm in awe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JkyN48HHpQ
Moving on to Carnation – in case you forgot/new to the topic, that's the title of LYN's free livestream concerts he usually holds around his dramas run to thank old fans for their support and welcome new ones. Name comes from very first Carnation being held on Mothers Day. My personal first one was 3.0 during AJTL era, and as a newly minted admirer at the time I was shooketh with such one of a kind fanservice. Difference between then and now is stark though – insane hate train back then made him super sentimental and downcast, but now? Man's cheerful, energetic and shines like a new coin. Not in the least by wearing silvery (not sure about material – metal? fake leather? seems custom made/tailored - it fits his, ahem, curves rather well) abstatic cuirass over formal dress shirt and necktie lol – because his character is an armored warlord, according to him, but I suspect to also further troll everyone daring to drool over that 6 pack he briefly flashed in TPOB))) And trended for such bold fashion statement ofc. Anyway, see for yourselves, description alone are so NOT enough! Song is Chen Moyi's “What you promised me” and sounds very bland ballad-ish, not something I'd choose myself, but this is the only track he didn't wear a coat over The Tin Foil Tube (cnetz words – guess they don't know much about plate armor), so... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6dp1hqQH0A
As you probably noticed, this time he rented a fancy spaceship-themed filming studio AND human cameraman (that's first!), likely to avoid repeat of Carnation 4.0 mistake of relying on flawed face-recognition software. Plus all dolled up and hence looks breathtakingly good – sorry, shiny fake abs, The Face above you still held most of my attention, along with The Voice))) Next is the banger – first of many this time, he wanted an upbeat set-list – from late 90's Elva Hsiao, “Suddenly missing you”. He sang it before and I loved it every single time, esp with MD trademark rock arrangement – that guitar riff! Connection was a mess sometimes tho, at some point audio and video stop being fully synchronized. But that's Ning-ge, no stream ever could handle his passion lmao: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NseYIg_MGwU
Man must've heard my grumblings over THE TREASURED VOICE shaky soundwork and sand “Savage” solo once again – not as aggressively as on that program (fearing to strain his voice too much with just this song), but still in his sexy rock voice, mmm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zolooL0jEQ
More TTV flashbacks with “Seat” in brand new arrangement – it's super different, but also interesting. Still not the biggest fan of the song itself, so mostly just stared at his perfectly done this time hair, sorry))) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuCO2KSGOZQ
Another familiar song – Cui Jian's “Greenhouse girl”, one of his most annoying (affectionate) beloved tracks. Feat even more annoying trumpet AND brand new kazoo (I was mad wrong to rejoice over him losing the previous one... dude deadass bought 3 or 4 more, just in case! *cries*). Sorry, ge, but your lips and breath are way too good for this abomination of musical instrument as we just saw in the drama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMJecl79kcY
And the last for today, his own song “You say love”, that he (well, mostly SZE, who LOVES this track) somehow made his costars to learn during filming and now they're blasting it in karaoke together regularly, awww! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L5f_jDcf1w
Bonuses – once again, so many: interview focusing on his character's portrayal. I find it rather funny that he bluntly admits finding intense makeouts on camera LESS embarrassing than showing some skin, not that there was anything objective lacking in either... Btw, that romantic gift choice roast (what's wrong with war horses? she may not want them, but I do!) - paper flowers he talked about in his old livestream footage - were not just origami alone, they were meant to form an installation. Placed on bed. Yeah... No one is doing TMI like him, not even yours truly!))) https://x.com/LiuYuningIntFC/status/1927309064964391039
Making – at the time of release naive me thought that was already quite bold for him... hahaha, little did I knew! But dang, she's so smol))) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdkmPY09hWw
Thank you @gikata! ENDLESS JOURNEY song was right in his wheel house, well suited to his range.
The interview segment where he reminisces about Wei Shao crying "in the hall" reminded me that one of the criteria of a first-rate drama is vivid scenes that stick in your head ("Xiao Jingyan, you stop right there!" from NIF, epitomizes this).
That Wei Shao emotional collapse scene is so good. For me, TPOB moment-to-remember is the "everyone like ants" scene in ep. 4, time stamp about 5:50, where SZR rounds on LYN (for treating her like dirt) and then crouches down in a fetal position and sobs for her lost world. She's mortified and terrorized. He's shocked and appalled at his own behavior. Those are real grown up emotions, pivotal to the story, and SZE/LYN crushed it. This is such a well done drama, kudos to the director for pulling it off.
OTH, I'm up to ep. 26 and holding steady until the whole drama is fully loaded ... so more to come. What a great year this is shaping up to be for LYN.
@cliosservant1846 guess it's safe to say that it was TPOB teaching him proper onscreen crying - perhaps, some pointers from SZE herself.
Ahaha, when she smacked his Adam's apple instead of cheek because poor girl couldn't reach any higher? Yeah, that was priceless, his shocked Pikachu face))) And Greek chorus of generals "smoothly" exiting the stage, adding to the overall hilarity. I also love the moment right before that - when he bear-hug-twirl-catches her, shielding from arrows, and briefly glances back at ex-fiance with utter raging disgust, like "is THIS how you love and cherish her?!" Btw, it was the very last day of filming, they must've fully settled in characters at that point.
Heh, you're almost there to the wildest stuff, be ready^^
Ok, tell me. How in the world do you know the "ant" scene is from their last day of filming? How does one even find out these things?
If true, totally makes sense. To date (ep. 26), may be the most emotional, most difficult, on-the-money scene in the drama. If that scene felt false, you lose the audience. That scene is pivotal to the main character's emotional journey, it just reaches across the screen, it's that good.
This is how you know a good drama. There are some other good scenes too, with Liu Duan Duan and the merry men. And Lordy, Peter Ho is a gas. Robber!
@cliosservant1846 don't make it sound so weird, I wasn't even a fan back then to dig this deep intentionally lol! From the wrap up ceremony/party footage - there are photos and videos of them going straight from doing takes to celebration while still in costumes and full battlefield makeup. Rather funny to pose for group photos in that look, imo, but that's a tradition.
Imo, strongest scenes of both (together and separately) are still ahead, will elaborate on it tomorrow, right now in process of writing that piece. But Ep4 was great as well.
Tin Foil Tube sounds just about right. It is un-armoury as one can get. Perhaps that is the look LYN was going for. Wearing it over a formal shirt and tie is definitely a choice. 😂
The TPOB content is really interesting. I agree war horses make a perfect gift.
Actually it's quite close to Mediterranean Bronze Age armor, just turned into corset instead of proper vest. Fit and, uhm, molded curves are just right)))
I bet he wore it as a deliberate "take that!" to fans who were asking for abs selfies after bath episode. Man is such a mean cat sometimes^^
That was the biggest anachronism in the entire series, worse than even gym episode. But I get it - poor girl was hoping for a different kind of ride from him...
I've been travelling for the past month by trains, planes, and automobiles hence the radio silence. It's been a good Spring trip and I'm ready to head back and settle back into work for the rest of the year (and to catch up with all the K-Dramas I'd left hanging).
Here's this week's Korean women's news:
1. South Korea’s Female Free Divers May Have Evolved to Thrive Underwater, Study Finds
South Korea's Haenyeo, or “women of the sea" are trained from a young age to plunge into cold ocean water year-round, throughout their lives.
“They dive throughout their whole pregnancy,” Diana Aguilar-Gómez, a geneticist at the University of California, Los Angeles, tells NPR’s Ari Daniel. She describes stories of women diving until shortly before giving birth, then returning to the water just days later.
Today, however, the practice is dwindling, and the current average age of the Haenyeo is about 70 years old. Many of the divers consider themselves to be the last of their kind.
Aguilar-Gómez and her colleagues wanted to know how the Haenyeo built their remarkable underwater resilience—and whether evolution, rather than just training, played a role in their abilities. The scientists found a variety of genetic and adaptive traits among the Haenyeo and published their work this month in the journal Cell Reports.
2. No women on the Korean presidential ballot, no gender policies on the platforms
Korea heads into its 2025 presidential election with a glaring absence: For the first time in nearly two decades, not a single woman will appear on the final presidential ballot.
At the same time, gender equality was left out of the top 10 pledges by major presidential candidates. Following criticism, several front-runners vowed to introduce women's policies, though observers note these efforts still fall short.
3. Women in 30s driving S. Korea’s sharpest employment growth
More South Korean women in their 30s are working today than at any point in the country’s history, driven by changing views on marriage, childbirth and career, along with a labor market that is slowly adapting in response.
Public sector labor researchers say much of this growth reflects a major cultural shift. More women are delaying or opting out of marriage and childbirth, and instead choosing to stay in the workforce.
@reply1988 Yes, it was. I'm ready to get back in the saddle again with work and K-Dramas!
And of course, *Somebody* and his posse are being discharged from the military on my birthday in less than 2 weeks so there's that craziness to look forward to...
It's very hard to ignore *Somebody*'s discharge date because:
1. It's on my birthday
2. My friends who are ARMY are all a-twitter about it (though it has temporarily halted because Hobi just had to show off shirtless pics featuring his 8-pack abs.
Those darn pictures are all over my social media feeds now LMAO!!!
NOTE TO BEANIES WHO ARE ARMY: No, I'm not saying who *Somebody* is. No, it ain't Hobi.
This past week I went over the list of my watched kdramas chronologically to write down my top 50 dramas. Surprise, surprise, I passed number 50 at year 2018.
Yeah.
I shrugged and continued.
By the time I got to year 2025, I had 70 top favorite dramas. And let me tell you, crossing 20 off of that list was harder than any top 10 I had ever done.
I finally gave up and went to sleep on it.
The next day I started from the beginning, this time putting on my most critical lenses. Lo and behold, I was able to finish at number 48. And gleefully added two more.
My favorite dramas are those that have given me intense satisfaction in one way or another, regardless of genre or faults.
I have listed them by air date to avoid any choosing and ranking.
1) What Star Did You Come From
2) Que Sera Sera
3) 9 End 2 Outs
4) Accidental Couple
5) Partner
6) Shining Inheritance
7) God of Study
8) Protect the Boss
9) Scent of a Woman
10) What’s Up
11) Wild Romance
12) King 2 Hearts
13) Faith
14) Miss Korea
15) Punch
16) Pinocchio
17) The Three Musketeers
18) Bride of the Century
19) Bubblegum
20) W
21) Jealousy Incarnate
22) Memory
23) Chief Kim
24) Go Back Couple
25) Lookout
26) Defendant
27) Circle
28) Deserving of the Name
29) Wok of Love
30) Room No.9
31) My Fellow Citizens
32) Welcome 2 Life
33) Special Labour Inspector Jo
34) Stove League
35) Confession
36) 365 Days: Repeat the Year
37) The Game: Towards Zero
38) Nobody Knows
39) Hyena
40) Train
41) Please Don’t Date Him
42) The Red Sleeve
43) Secret Royal Inspector and Joi
44) Ghost Doctor
45) Blind
46) Brain Works
47) King the Land
48) The Perfect Deal
49) Dong Jae
50) The Trauma Code
Lol yes, I knew I often don't like shows that other beanies love, but @kmromrell 's list last year was quite eye-opening in that I couldn't find a favorite until I scrolled way past number 30 I think lol
From your list I have only watched 9 end 2 outs (loved it), Accidental Couple (aka That Fool. Such a cute show), Shining Inheritance, Pinocchio, W, Go Back couple (loved it), Chief Kim (so funny!), Deserving of the name (aka Live up to your name. It's on my top 10), Stove League, Train (very good but so dark and depressing), The Red Sleeve and The Trauma Code (very entertaining!).
There are quite a few dark and depressing dramas on my list 😅 (Punch, Memory, Defendant, Circle, Nobody Knows, Train, The Red Sleeve, Blind, The Deal...) It's not that I like the depressed feeling, but they all have some phenomenal acting that took my breath away and made me rewatch again and again (the 2 male leads in Punch, Lee Sung Min in Memory, all the cast of Defendant and Circle and Nobody knows...)
From time to time I'm in the mood for something "dark and depressing" too, so I take note :)
Btw, I wouldn't include The Red Sleeve in that group because I thought the most part of it was a light watch.
Train is dark and depressing with capital letters, in my book.
In The Red Sleeve I was the most affected by the relationship between the king and his grandson. Everything else was like side dishes to me.
The first things I remember about that drama are the scenes between those two and how real and heartbreaking they felt, so to me it was very dark and depressing.
Train just rips my heart every step of the way, so yes, capital letters indeed.
If I think of Red Sleeve, which I watched last year, my first thought is "such a big disappointment" (exactly like now, while I am watching Moonlovers).
But I agree the relationship between the ML and the grandfather was moving and the best part (awesome actings).
I was aghast they sold it as a love story (whilst hiding the fact that it was arguably more like the greatest unrequited love ever in Joseon imperial history). The greatest love story is the one that Deok-Im had with herself, and her court ladies sisters, with the King coming third.
Thank you for sharing, Midnight. I've watched 8 shows in your list and I think I liked them all (but W was definitely least liked of the 8). Now you made me want to list my top 50 too 😅
I've been thinking about my top 10, and then I realised those are the shows whose main characters I miss and often think of, and always want to see again. Like, today, while cooking dinner, something triggered my memories and made me think of Yihwan and Jaeyi in Our Blooming Youth, and my mind wandered to a plotpoint in @minniegupta1's fanfic, and all of a sudden I really want to watch the show again.
That's interesting. For me, I remember the feelings a lot more than the characters.
Take Memory as an example. Any mention of this drama immediately takes me to Lee Sung Min panicking. It's not at all about what kind of a character he was, or what happened in the story. It's those inatances of amazing acting where he panics, and I panic right along with him...
Or take Special Labour Inspector Jo. I probably can't tell you the story now even after having rewatched it many times. But my heart starts to beat at the thought of young men confronting their high school teacher in less than ideal situations. Struggling, pretending they are grown ups now not needing a teacher, trying to justify themselves. It's the sweetest feeling.
Thanks for acceding to my request to compile and show your top 50 list - it's always such a mammoth task (emotionally) cos you almost have to relive every single memory again and recall how that made you feel
It's very interesting that you say this, because I had thought choosing 50 titles would be a breeze. Just go through and write down those that make you go squee or aww.
But when I started reading the list I was shocked at how I started "reliving every single memory again and recalling how that made me feel." I immediately recalled all the scenes that had broken my heart in every single drama, and it was so hard paring down.
Like, I might be the harshest critic of the 2 villains in King 2 Hearts, they drove me crazy with all the plot holes and uncharacteristic decisions. But I simply couldn't leave it out of the list.
Or, I might recommend you to skip at least three fourth of Faith if you decide to watch it, but it's still THE performance of Lee Min Ho for me so it'll always be on the list. And so on, amd so forth...
Yay!! Thank you for sharing, Midnight!! 🤗♥️ Wow that really took a lot to pare down your list... it's fun to see the dramas we share in common, and dramas that are on my Watchlist!!
Huge effort! There are several on there that I love (Shining Inheritance, King2Hearts, Bride of the Century are three stand outs at a quick glance) and many I haven’t seen.
Do you find that your taste changes with time (and exposure to more dramas)? I find when I revisit some that I watched early on they no longer hit the spot that they once did - but then some really do. Also I will go through cycles of what I enjoy - pure rom com, something more murder-y 😂, more thoughtful etc
I wasn't into crime thrillers at all back when I started watching Kdramas, so I do often wonder what gems I have missed 😄
But the favorites that I have listed I have rewatched many many times, some very recently, so I know that I still love them.
Thank you Midnight. I really appreciate the time and effort and hand wringing it must have taken to even list out the dramas. Smart thinking in simply listing them chronologically because I am sure it is near impossible to try and rate them. Wow!! Well done you. 😊🤟
Not related to anything "K": I watched Conclave last night and enjoyed it so much. I never thought a film full of older guys would be so beautiful :). Well, most of them were my favorites.
True story: I randomly began watching this, and was completely engrossed by it, until partner says, "Oh, you're watching the new Pope being elected?" Huh?! Turns out, it was to the day and minute... I switched on the live stream and watched the white smoke simultaneously in the movie and IRL!
![[Rate and Review] Hunter with a Scalpel](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/HunterWithAScalpel_reviewb.jpg)
![[Drama Chat] Dramas that should have stopped at one season](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/dc_squidgame3.jpg)
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1 welh
May 30, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Fifteen (15) years ago an extremely popular and perplexing American TV series ended in controversy. At the time, it was a cultural phenomenon. It was “must see” TV for millions. But it was a show that fit no genre: was it a mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, comedy or something else? And when those genres were shuffled like a deck of cards in each episode, it created a legion of fans trying to figure what the hell was going on.
LOST remains a pivotal and polarizing show. Its backstory is almost as compelling as its mysteries and questions. ABC green-lit a plane crash survival show because the castaway genre was a staple format. A large ensemble cast could fuel various stories and tensions. The show runners said they had the entire series plotted out before the pilot hit the airwaves, but that was not true. Originally, the show was to focus on the island leader, Kate. But handsome doctor Jack, who was supposed to be killed off at the end of episode 1, tested so well the network said he had to stay. The stories slowly began to orbit around Jack as the main character.
After the series concluded, there were many grumblings from inside and outside the show. Many actors had no idea what the show was about even while filming it. The show runners and writers claimed they knew exactly what they were doing, but later admitted that they only thought the show would last three seasons, not six. Most fans wanted answers to the questions the writers proposed in the series. Later, the producers copped out to say the show was never about answers, but it was “character driven.”
What the show did create were fan communities that used blog sites to review, discuss and theorize about the show, the characters, the events and its meaning. These fan sites became more entertaining than the show. I participated in a couple of them. In some threads, quantum physics was discussed while I translated the Egyptian hieroglyphs in background temple scenes (they were passages from the Book of the Dead) to try to find context in the plot points.
Season 6 ended with such confusion, more questions and disappointment for many viewers. About a third liked the ending where their favorite characters got their “happy ending.” About a third thought the show abandoned its premise, purpose and stellar writing to throw more concepts (flash forwards, flash sideways, new characters, etc.) without any thought of making the filler make sense. About a third were convinced that their original premise, “they were all dead” which producers always denied, was justified against those who believed in the supernatural explanation. I always believed that the cast was all in purgatory, being judged for their lives, before moving on.
There were talks about a spin-off or reboot of the LOST universe, but nothing happened. It faded from the collective television consciousness because it episodes did not fit syndication stand-alone hours of viewing. Even on-demand and now streaming...
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welh
May 30, 2025 at 5:08 AM
..... seasons have not created a fraction of the original vibe and media buzz. Now, it is like an old smart and opinionated friend who you have lost contact.
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Alluvial_Fan
May 31, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Drew Goddard is a local hero in Los Alamos NM. His mom taught my son in 6th grade and would regularly send her students' writing to the team at the table on LOST. For fun, I guess, Drew would share their short stories with the writing team. Does this shed any light?
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Gikata
May 30, 2025 at 6:55 AM
I never watched the show itself - felt it was too pretentious for my tastes from all the raves about - but dang, did I remember the hype))) Reminds me of TWIN PEAKS craze I was too young to personally remember, but heard so much later on. Anyway, the main point still stands - if you're starting your story without knowing how it'll end or even what it is about, then just don't bother, it'll only be a waste of everyone's time.
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Isa is always time travelling
May 30, 2025 at 8:21 AM
I am among the third who understood and loved the ending.
I was a big fan of Lost since it first aired and it's still one of my favorite shows ever. I enjoyed it so much.
There are so many memorable moments...
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Snow Flower
May 30, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Just finished my annual LOST rewatch. Still the best...
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Isa is always time travelling
May 31, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Wow! Anual rewatch! 👏
I have never rewatched it since it finished, but a lot of times I have thought that I should do it.
But I'm not a rewatcher of series (it's easier with movies), I always think I have too many "new" shows on my list yet 🙈
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Snow Flower
May 30, 2025 at 9:34 PM
And the music!!!
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Isa is always time travelling
May 31, 2025 at 12:48 AM
The music by Giacchino is a masterpiece.
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alasecond
June 1, 2025 at 10:10 AM
so what is the ending about?
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Isa is always time travelling
June 1, 2025 at 10:26 AM
The whole story hadn't been a dream, as many disappointed viewers thought.
But all the characters had created such a strong bond that, when each of them died (some young, some old, some soon, some many many years later), they waited for the rest of the group in a space which looked like a church. Once all of them were together again in that place, they were able to go to Heaven.
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alasecond
June 7, 2025 at 8:35 AM
so plane crash was real
time travel was real
that dungeon/cabin was real
that smoke and predatory voices were real?
Isa is always time travelling
June 7, 2025 at 9:17 AM
@alasecond
Yes, everything was real.
alasecond
June 7, 2025 at 1:47 PM
so that's exactly where the confusion is right..
was time travel involved?.. lost played with multiple themes during initial years
Isa is always time travelling
June 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM
@alasecond
I have never rewatched it but yes, if I remember correctly, there was time travel and even different timelines.
Becky
May 30, 2025 at 9:12 AM
I also believed we were viewing a version of purgatory. I loved it from start to finish. And participated in and enjoyed all the hype.
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 9:32 AM
I watched the 1st season of Lost when I wasn't familiar with the American tv seasons format. Before that I had only watched ongoing episodic series with no expected conclusion, and the one Prison Break which had had clear season endings. So when the 1st season ended on such a high mystery note I immediately binged the 2nd season. The confusion and absolutely no answer to any question at the end of season 2, completely turned me off and I dropped it. That was actually the time I decided to stick to kdramas and never went back to Western tv.
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Unaspirated
May 30, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I watched the first two seasons of Lost (and I think the beginning of the third?) and then mostly got busier and forgot about it. I’m sure the experience watching it all the way through was totally different but I remember hearing about the ending later and thinking that they just had no idea how to end things. Lost wasn’t the breaking point for me (American tv-wise) but shows like it that go on for much longer than originally intended definitely were. Fringe is another great example (so fun at the beginning and so mediocre later!). I still watch US-made shows occasionally, but only if the season tells a complete story or if the whole thing is already out.
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kay4625
May 30, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Ah, Lost... I only watched it years after it finished airing, and while I very much enjoyed it, I also think it's vastly overrated. I very much understand why it was so popular though. However, binge watching it after the fact does make it rather obvious that the writers didn't really have any idea as to what they were doing, despite the show trying very hard to hide that fact.
Sure, the show wasn't only about mysteries, but those mysteries were a very big part of the show. But is it really a mystery if you're just pulling random stuff out of your behind? Once the mystery facade breaks, the show loses a big part of it's appeal, and a big part as to why it was so popular. And I do think that's a big part of the reason as to why you don't really see people talking about it anymore, outside of people who were part of the "experience" looking back on it fondly.
But maybe we do need to bring back shows like Lost. A high-stakes serialized show with 20+ episodes a year, it's addictive, and something you just have to experience. But sadly that just doesn't seem possible these days, because most broadcast stuff is procedurals, while the serialized cable/ streaming shows release 8 episodes every 2 years. And then there's always the risk of cancelation. It's a big reason as to why I pivoted to Korean dramas.
Another thing though: when somebody says they have some kind of big 5-season plan or something like that, they're probably lying. There are exceptions, sure, but sadly those shows will often fly under the radar (12 Monkeys for example, great show that actually had it all figured out, but never became all that popular, though it was praised by those who watched it).
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alasecond
June 1, 2025 at 10:09 AM
wait they did NOT have a plan?
Surely for 1st 3 seasons they had a plan right?
How can they pull off all that mystery with no plan.. stupid people
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2 redfox
May 30, 2025 at 5:23 AM
first of all rip Choi jung-Woo. he was a very pleasant, elegant ajussi.
Im on queue for a bus ticket for opera days, so I have to be quick
finished the korean cluture club season 3 and we made bojagi
also did the exam but I did better at the online test. I think I at least passed so I will be starting B2 level.
there was a lecture by a famous korean food blogger in Stockmann department store in Tallinn. Hong Jin-Kyung. So now she is in love with rye bread and meat jello and also talked about a possible fusion restaurant in Tallinn which is HUGE.
ah it is my turn balli balli
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redfox
May 30, 2025 at 7:14 AM
also could someone assist: I am looking for a site that had really good news videos with sign language interpretor where I could listen to news in korean. and there were dozens of news clips on different subjects you could watch for each day. but I cannot find it.
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bomibeans
May 30, 2025 at 4:19 PM
"meat jello"
Sült? I ADORE it. So tasty! So unique to Easter European cuisine.
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Neolttwigi
May 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Fusion would be amazing. When I visited Korea I had some meat kimchi that was a culinary highlight.. It's a form of kimchi that is not made very often because its dangerous if you get it wrong. So now I am imagining some funky fermented meat jello....
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redfox
May 31, 2025 at 3:45 AM
yes, sült, haha. she said in the Facebook live that it was her favorite of the foods she tried here. she also really liked black bread, not the regular rye that is coarse and heavy, but the one made with lots of syrup.
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3 Kurama
May 30, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Yesterday, I went to Zurich to eat Street Kfood and see Hallyu Wave exposition.
First, the restaurant was closed... I did watch on their website but not insta... It's kinda the risk with public holiday.
Then, the expo was pretty nice. I didn't specially learn anything but it was kinda funny to see things about Kpop, Kdrama, Kbeauty, Kfashion in Switzerland.
But the museum should rethink its security... I did all the expositio without showing my ticket. I thought it would be at the beginning of the expo but no. It's only at the checkout of the shop, I asked and she controlled my ticket :p
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4 Saya42
May 30, 2025 at 6:12 AM
I was hoping to pick the brains of some Korean language- understanding Beanies. Just realised that the korean title of Tastefully yours translates literally to 'Your taste'. Does it sound less weird in Korean?
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 6:18 AM
I often prefer the statightforward Korean titles.
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5 zindigo
May 30, 2025 at 6:22 AM
I'll Take the Trip for You, now cleverly retitled My Lovely Journey 🙄, is finally getting out of limbo and being released in August. It's been under wraps for so long that my original notes were, "Yay, a romantic lead role for Kim Jae Young at last!" lol
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Kurama
May 30, 2025 at 6:36 AM
The coming back of the word Lovely!
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Gikata
May 30, 2025 at 6:57 AM
This and cdrama blossoms just refuse to die!
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zindigo
May 30, 2025 at 9:47 AM
There are FOUR more (that I'm aware of) in various stages of production:
Blossom in Darkness (filming completed)
Blossoms of Power (filming now)
Blossom Through the Clouds (filming soon)
Blossom (upcoming project) -- because why not just repeat straight up BLOSSOM? It worked for Tencent 😆
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Gikata
May 30, 2025 at 10:40 AM
I'm legit horrified that there will be MORE.
Isa is always time travelling
May 30, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Why? Why?
That's a comeback we didn't ask for 😅
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Kurama
May 30, 2025 at 9:09 AM
I guess people who chooses these English titles lacks vocabulary 😅
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mmmmm
May 30, 2025 at 12:47 PM
My Lovely Runner
My Lovely Liar
My Lovely …
Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 12:54 PM
@mmmmm
My Lovely Boxer
Kurama
May 30, 2025 at 12:56 PM
@mmmmm
My Lovely Girl
zindigo
May 30, 2025 at 6:29 PM
My Lovely Samsoon
zindigo
May 30, 2025 at 9:48 AM
😂😂😂 TRUE
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6 Gikata
May 30, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Happy Friday, Beanies! This week we're saying goodbye to TPOB, welcoming EB2 and celebrating Carnation 5.0 all at once – poor overwhelmed me^^ To be fair, summer looks even busier... Also Yuning just filmed posters for his concert tour, preparations seem entering final phase – the long awaited album is coming!
Starting with a new OST - “All I wish” for animated movie ENDLESS JOURNEY OF LOVE. Haven't found any subs yet, but from official description it's about “sorrow of losing beloved one to time” - nuff said. The way he sings it is just... telling, for the lack of better word. I'm in awe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JkyN48HHpQ
Moving on to Carnation – in case you forgot/new to the topic, that's the title of LYN's free livestream concerts he usually holds around his dramas run to thank old fans for their support and welcome new ones. Name comes from very first Carnation being held on Mothers Day. My personal first one was 3.0 during AJTL era, and as a newly minted admirer at the time I was shooketh with such one of a kind fanservice. Difference between then and now is stark though – insane hate train back then made him super sentimental and downcast, but now? Man's cheerful, energetic and shines like a new coin. Not in the least by wearing silvery (not sure about material – metal? fake leather? seems custom made/tailored - it fits his, ahem, curves rather well) abstatic cuirass over formal dress shirt and necktie lol – because his character is an armored warlord, according to him, but I suspect to also further troll everyone daring to drool over that 6 pack he briefly flashed in TPOB))) And trended for such bold fashion statement ofc. Anyway, see for yourselves, description alone are so NOT enough! Song is Chen Moyi's “What you promised me” and sounds very bland ballad-ish, not something I'd choose myself, but this is the only track he didn't wear a coat over The Tin Foil Tube (cnetz words – guess they don't know much about plate armor), so...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6dp1hqQH0A
As you probably noticed, this time he rented a fancy spaceship-themed filming studio AND human cameraman (that's first!), likely to avoid repeat of Carnation 4.0 mistake of relying on flawed face-recognition software. Plus all dolled up and hence looks breathtakingly good – sorry, shiny fake abs, The Face above you still held most of my attention, along with The Voice))) Next is the banger – first of many this time, he wanted an upbeat set-list – from late 90's Elva Hsiao, “Suddenly missing you”. He sang it before and I loved it every single time, esp with MD trademark rock arrangement – that guitar riff! Connection was a mess sometimes tho, at some point audio and video stop being fully synchronized. But that's Ning-ge, no stream ever could handle his passion lmao:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NseYIg_MGwU
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Gikata
May 30, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Man must've heard my grumblings over THE TREASURED VOICE shaky soundwork and sand “Savage” solo once again – not as aggressively as on that program (fearing to strain his voice too much with just this song), but still in his sexy rock voice, mmm:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zolooL0jEQ
More TTV flashbacks with “Seat” in brand new arrangement – it's super different, but also interesting. Still not the biggest fan of the song itself, so mostly just stared at his perfectly done this time hair, sorry)))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuCO2KSGOZQ
Another familiar song – Cui Jian's “Greenhouse girl”, one of his most annoying (affectionate) beloved tracks. Feat even more annoying trumpet AND brand new kazoo (I was mad wrong to rejoice over him losing the previous one... dude deadass bought 3 or 4 more, just in case! *cries*). Sorry, ge, but your lips and breath are way too good for this abomination of musical instrument
as we just saw in the drama:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMJecl79kcY
And the last for today, his own song “You say love”, that he (well, mostly SZE, who LOVES this track) somehow made his costars to learn during filming and now they're blasting it in karaoke together regularly, awww!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L5f_jDcf1w
Bonuses – once again, so many: interview focusing on his character's portrayal. I find it rather funny that he bluntly admits finding intense makeouts on camera LESS embarrassing than showing some skin, not that there was anything objective lacking in either... Btw, that romantic gift choice roast (what's wrong with war horses? she may not want them, but I do!) - paper flowers he talked about in his old livestream footage - were not just origami alone, they were meant to form an installation. Placed on bed. Yeah... No one is doing TMI like him, not even yours truly!)))
https://x.com/LiuYuningIntFC/status/1927309064964391039
Another interview about voice acting, ad-libs, understanding the character and someone's jealous streak flaring up lol.
https://x.com/Bigsislilred/status/1928101126362010045
As the drama went on, so did the heat level of leads promo clips (BGM choice!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecobyZyVlEM
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Gikata
May 30, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Making – at the time of release naive me thought that was already quite bold for him... hahaha, little did I knew! But dang, she's so smol)))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdkmPY09hWw
Movie date – editing in the end cracked me up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtUPbDqElJI
Making:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t2-UcAifig
Mr Right – it surely helps that his waist is this tiny... and at exact height her shoulders are:
https://x.com/Lou_Anne0404/status/1927870716747120988
Wei Shao always choosing his wife, no matter the era or situation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ai-fxZug0Y
Polaroid trend solo shoot – release the pics, you stingy man!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2quu9KJhzM
Entire photoshoot vlog – the difference between before and after word “Cut!”)))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgYuEdVdlfA
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Gikata
May 30, 2025 at 8:14 AM
@kiara, @jillian, @zindigo, @isagc, @wonhwa, @seeker, @mochakat9, @wishfultoki, @cliosservant1846
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Clios Servant
May 30, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Thank you @gikata! ENDLESS JOURNEY song was right in his wheel house, well suited to his range.
The interview segment where he reminisces about Wei Shao crying "in the hall" reminded me that one of the criteria of a first-rate drama is vivid scenes that stick in your head ("Xiao Jingyan, you stop right there!" from NIF, epitomizes this).
That Wei Shao emotional collapse scene is so good. For me, TPOB moment-to-remember is the "everyone like ants" scene in ep. 4, time stamp about 5:50, where SZR rounds on LYN (for treating her like dirt) and then crouches down in a fetal position and sobs for her lost world. She's mortified and terrorized. He's shocked and appalled at his own behavior. Those are real grown up emotions, pivotal to the story, and SZE/LYN crushed it. This is such a well done drama, kudos to the director for pulling it off.
OTH, I'm up to ep. 26 and holding steady until the whole drama is fully loaded ... so more to come. What a great year this is shaping up to be for LYN.
Gikata
May 30, 2025 at 11:19 AM
@cliosservant1846 guess it's safe to say that it was TPOB teaching him proper onscreen crying - perhaps, some pointers from SZE herself.
Ahaha, when she smacked his Adam's apple instead of cheek because poor girl couldn't reach any higher? Yeah, that was priceless, his shocked Pikachu face))) And Greek chorus of generals "smoothly" exiting the stage, adding to the overall hilarity. I also love the moment right before that - when he bear-hug-twirl-catches her, shielding from arrows, and briefly glances back at ex-fiance with utter raging disgust, like "is THIS how you love and cherish her?!" Btw, it was the very last day of filming, they must've fully settled in characters at that point.
Heh, you're almost there to the wildest stuff, be ready^^
Clios Servant
May 30, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Ok, tell me. How in the world do you know the "ant" scene is from their last day of filming? How does one even find out these things?
If true, totally makes sense. To date (ep. 26), may be the most emotional, most difficult, on-the-money scene in the drama. If that scene felt false, you lose the audience. That scene is pivotal to the main character's emotional journey, it just reaches across the screen, it's that good.
This is how you know a good drama. There are some other good scenes too, with Liu Duan Duan and the merry men. And Lordy, Peter Ho is a gas. Robber!
Gikata
May 30, 2025 at 1:31 PM
@cliosservant1846 don't make it sound so weird, I wasn't even a fan back then to dig this deep intentionally lol! From the wrap up ceremony/party footage - there are photos and videos of them going straight from doing takes to celebration while still in costumes and full battlefield makeup. Rather funny to pose for group photos in that look, imo, but that's a tradition.
Imo, strongest scenes of both (together and separately) are still ahead, will elaborate on it tomorrow, right now in process of writing that piece. But Ep4 was great as well.
🌸 Seeker 🌸
June 13, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Tin Foil Tube sounds just about right. It is un-armoury as one can get. Perhaps that is the look LYN was going for. Wearing it over a formal shirt and tie is definitely a choice. 😂
The TPOB content is really interesting. I agree war horses make a perfect gift.
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Gikata
June 13, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Actually it's quite close to Mediterranean Bronze Age armor, just turned into corset instead of proper vest. Fit and, uhm, molded curves are just right)))
I bet he wore it as a deliberate "take that!" to fans who were asking for abs selfies after bath episode. Man is such a mean cat sometimes^^
That was the biggest anachronism in the entire series, worse than even gym episode.
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7 9TailedVixen Loves Hanging Upside Down
May 30, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Hello, Beanies! Long time no chat!
I've been travelling for the past month by trains, planes, and automobiles hence the radio silence. It's been a good Spring trip and I'm ready to head back and settle back into work for the rest of the year (and to catch up with all the K-Dramas I'd left hanging).
Here's this week's Korean women's news:
1. South Korea’s Female Free Divers May Have Evolved to Thrive Underwater, Study Finds
South Korea's Haenyeo, or “women of the sea" are trained from a young age to plunge into cold ocean water year-round, throughout their lives.
“They dive throughout their whole pregnancy,” Diana Aguilar-Gómez, a geneticist at the University of California, Los Angeles, tells NPR’s Ari Daniel. She describes stories of women diving until shortly before giving birth, then returning to the water just days later.
Today, however, the practice is dwindling, and the current average age of the Haenyeo is about 70 years old. Many of the divers consider themselves to be the last of their kind.
Aguilar-Gómez and her colleagues wanted to know how the Haenyeo built their remarkable underwater resilience—and whether evolution, rather than just training, played a role in their abilities. The scientists found a variety of genetic and adaptive traits among the Haenyeo and published their work this month in the journal Cell Reports.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/south-koreas-female-free-divers-may-have-evolved-to-thrive-underwater-study-finds-180986673/
2. No women on the Korean presidential ballot, no gender policies on the platforms
Korea heads into its 2025 presidential election with a glaring absence: For the first time in nearly two decades, not a single woman will appear on the final presidential ballot.
At the same time, gender equality was left out of the top 10 pledges by major presidential candidates. Following criticism, several front-runners vowed to introduce women's policies, though observers note these efforts still fall short.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-05-27/national/politics/No-women-on-the-Korean-presidential-ballot-no-gender-policies-on-the-platforms/2315563
3. Women in 30s driving S. Korea’s sharpest employment growth
More South Korean women in their 30s are working today than at any point in the country’s history, driven by changing views on marriage, childbirth and career, along with a labor market that is slowly adapting in response.
Public sector labor researchers say much of this growth reflects a major cultural shift. More women are delaying or opting out of marriage and childbirth, and instead choosing to stay in the workforce.
https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10496653
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Reply1988 - 🍊Mother Bean🍊
May 30, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Welcome back, sounds like a well deserved break.
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9TailedVixen Loves Hanging Upside Down
May 30, 2025 at 10:40 AM
@reply1988 Yes, it was. I'm ready to get back in the saddle again with work and K-Dramas!
And of course, *Somebody* and his posse are being discharged from the military on my birthday in less than 2 weeks so there's that craziness to look forward to...
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Reply1988 - 🍊Mother Bean🍊
May 30, 2025 at 11:50 AM
I love that you have become a disinterested but very attentive fan (I know you keep saying you are not a fan but…!)
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9TailedVixen Loves Hanging Upside Down
May 30, 2025 at 11:57 AM
It's very hard to ignore *Somebody*'s discharge date because:
1. It's on my birthday
2. My friends who are ARMY are all a-twitter about it (though it has temporarily halted because Hobi just had to show off shirtless pics featuring his 8-pack abs.
Those darn pictures are all over my social media feeds now LMAO!!!
NOTE TO BEANIES WHO ARE ARMY: No, I'm not saying who *Somebody* is. No, it ain't Hobi.
JH LOVES KDRAMA
May 31, 2025 at 11:31 AM
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
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9TailedVixen Loves Hanging Upside Down
June 3, 2025 at 12:30 AM
@JH LOVES KDRAMA: I see you're ARMY!
The purple hearts gave you away hehe!
8 Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 9:06 AM
This past week I went over the list of my watched kdramas chronologically to write down my top 50 dramas. Surprise, surprise, I passed number 50 at year 2018.
Yeah.
I shrugged and continued.
By the time I got to year 2025, I had 70 top favorite dramas. And let me tell you, crossing 20 off of that list was harder than any top 10 I had ever done.
I finally gave up and went to sleep on it.
The next day I started from the beginning, this time putting on my most critical lenses. Lo and behold, I was able to finish at number 48. And gleefully added two more.
My favorite dramas are those that have given me intense satisfaction in one way or another, regardless of genre or faults.
I have listed them by air date to avoid any choosing and ranking.
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 9:07 AM
1) What Star Did You Come From
2) Que Sera Sera
3) 9 End 2 Outs
4) Accidental Couple
5) Partner
6) Shining Inheritance
7) God of Study
8) Protect the Boss
9) Scent of a Woman
10) What’s Up
11) Wild Romance
12) King 2 Hearts
13) Faith
14) Miss Korea
15) Punch
16) Pinocchio
17) The Three Musketeers
18) Bride of the Century
19) Bubblegum
20) W
21) Jealousy Incarnate
22) Memory
23) Chief Kim
24) Go Back Couple
25) Lookout
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 9:08 AM
26) Defendant
27) Circle
28) Deserving of the Name
29) Wok of Love
30) Room No.9
31) My Fellow Citizens
32) Welcome 2 Life
33) Special Labour Inspector Jo
34) Stove League
35) Confession
36) 365 Days: Repeat the Year
37) The Game: Towards Zero
38) Nobody Knows
39) Hyena
40) Train
41) Please Don’t Date Him
42) The Red Sleeve
43) Secret Royal Inspector and Joi
44) Ghost Doctor
45) Blind
46) Brain Works
47) King the Land
48) The Perfect Deal
49) Dong Jae
50) The Trauma Code
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Clios Servant
May 30, 2025 at 10:13 AM
This list is an achievement. I'm in awe.
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM
😊😊
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mmmmm
May 30, 2025 at 12:53 PM
We really have different tastes! Lol. The only show from your list that I’d say I loved it is Deserving of the Name (aka Love Up to Your Name).
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Comment was deleted
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Lol yes, I knew I often don't like shows that other beanies love, but @kmromrell 's list last year was quite eye-opening in that I couldn't find a favorite until I scrolled way past number 30 I think lol
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Isa is always time travelling
May 30, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Thanks for sharing your top 50!
From your list I have only watched 9 end 2 outs (loved it), Accidental Couple (aka That Fool. Such a cute show), Shining Inheritance, Pinocchio, W, Go Back couple (loved it), Chief Kim (so funny!), Deserving of the name (aka Live up to your name. It's on my top 10), Stove League, Train (very good but so dark and depressing), The Red Sleeve and The Trauma Code (very entertaining!).
There are a few I'd like to have a look at :)
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 9:28 PM
There are quite a few dark and depressing dramas on my list 😅 (Punch, Memory, Defendant, Circle, Nobody Knows, Train, The Red Sleeve, Blind, The Deal...) It's not that I like the depressed feeling, but they all have some phenomenal acting that took my breath away and made me rewatch again and again (the 2 male leads in Punch, Lee Sung Min in Memory, all the cast of Defendant and Circle and Nobody knows...)
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Isa is always time travelling
May 30, 2025 at 11:10 PM
From time to time I'm in the mood for something "dark and depressing" too, so I take note :)
Btw, I wouldn't include The Red Sleeve in that group because I thought the most part of it was a light watch.
Train is dark and depressing with capital letters, in my book.
Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 11:15 PM
In The Red Sleeve I was the most affected by the relationship between the king and his grandson. Everything else was like side dishes to me.
The first things I remember about that drama are the scenes between those two and how real and heartbreaking they felt, so to me it was very dark and depressing.
Train just rips my heart every step of the way, so yes, capital letters indeed.
Isa is always time travelling
May 31, 2025 at 12:00 AM
If I think of Red Sleeve, which I watched last year, my first thought is "such a big disappointment" (exactly like now, while I am watching Moonlovers).
But I agree the relationship between the ML and the grandfather was moving and the best part (awesome actings).
empressgirl
May 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Oh TRS is definitely depressing for me -
I was aghast they sold it as a love story (whilst hiding the fact that it was arguably more like the greatest unrequited love ever in Joseon imperial history). The greatest love story is the one that Deok-Im had with herself, and her court ladies sisters, with the King coming third.
Kurama
May 30, 2025 at 11:04 PM
This list doesn't make me any younger 😅
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 11:17 PM
😆🫰
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Healer’s
May 31, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Thank you for sharing, Midnight. I've watched 8 shows in your list and I think I liked them all (but W was definitely least liked of the 8). Now you made me want to list my top 50 too 😅
I've been thinking about my top 10, and then I realised those are the shows whose main characters I miss and often think of, and always want to see again. Like, today, while cooking dinner, something triggered my memories and made me think of Yihwan and Jaeyi in Our Blooming Youth, and my mind wandered to a plotpoint in @minniegupta1's fanfic, and all of a sudden I really want to watch the show again.
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Midnight
May 31, 2025 at 3:20 AM
That's interesting. For me, I remember the feelings a lot more than the characters.
Take Memory as an example. Any mention of this drama immediately takes me to Lee Sung Min panicking. It's not at all about what kind of a character he was, or what happened in the story. It's those inatances of amazing acting where he panics, and I panic right along with him...
Or take Special Labour Inspector Jo. I probably can't tell you the story now even after having rewatched it many times. But my heart starts to beat at the thought of young men confronting their high school teacher in less than ideal situations. Struggling, pretending they are grown ups now not needing a teacher, trying to justify themselves. It's the sweetest feeling.
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 9:09 AM
@hopefulromantic @joanna
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empressgirl
May 30, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Woohoo!! 👏👏👏
Thanks for acceding to my request to compile and show your top 50 list - it's always such a mammoth task (emotionally) cos you almost have to relive every single memory again and recall how that made you feel
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 11:28 PM
It's very interesting that you say this, because I had thought choosing 50 titles would be a breeze. Just go through and write down those that make you go squee or aww.
But when I started reading the list I was shocked at how I started "reliving every single memory again and recalling how that made me feel." I immediately recalled all the scenes that had broken my heart in every single drama, and it was so hard paring down.
Like, I might be the harshest critic of the 2 villains in King 2 Hearts, they drove me crazy with all the plot holes and uncharacteristic decisions. But I simply couldn't leave it out of the list.
Or, I might recommend you to skip at least three fourth of Faith if you decide to watch it, but it's still THE performance of Lee Min Ho for me so it'll always be on the list. And so on, amd so forth...
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zindigo
May 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Love it! I've noted a few for my watchlist 😉
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 11:02 AM
😁😅🫰
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
May 30, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Yay!! Thank you for sharing, Midnight!! 🤗♥️ Wow that really took a lot to pare down your list... it's fun to see the dramas we share in common, and dramas that are on my Watchlist!!
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Midnight
May 30, 2025 at 11:54 AM
🤗🫰
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beffels
May 31, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Huge effort! There are several on there that I love (Shining Inheritance, King2Hearts, Bride of the Century are three stand outs at a quick glance) and many I haven’t seen.
Do you find that your taste changes with time (and exposure to more dramas)? I find when I revisit some that I watched early on they no longer hit the spot that they once did - but then some really do. Also I will go through cycles of what I enjoy - pure rom com, something more murder-y 😂, more thoughtful etc
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Midnight
May 31, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I wasn't into crime thrillers at all back when I started watching Kdramas, so I do often wonder what gems I have missed 😄
But the favorites that I have listed I have rewatched many many times, some very recently, so I know that I still love them.
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🌸 Seeker 🌸
June 13, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Thank you Midnight. I really appreciate the time and effort and hand wringing it must have taken to even list out the dramas. Smart thinking in simply listing them chronologically because I am sure it is near impossible to try and rate them. Wow!! Well done you. 😊🤟
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9 mmmmm
May 30, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Hey Beans,
Happy Friday and let me just say I loved The Haunted Palace ep13!!!
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10 stove
May 30, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Not related to anything "K": I watched Conclave last night and enjoyed it so much. I never thought a film full of older guys would be so beautiful :). Well, most of them were my favorites.
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bomibeans
May 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Rented it on Youtube after new Pope was "sworn in." I'll be watching it tonight!
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Procrasti-NationFirstCitizen
May 31, 2025 at 3:18 AM
True story: I randomly began watching this, and was completely engrossed by it, until partner says, "Oh, you're watching the new Pope being elected?" Huh?! Turns out, it was to the day and minute... I switched on the live stream and watched the white smoke simultaneously in the movie and IRL!
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11 DancingEmma
June 1, 2025 at 8:56 PM
If you’re in the States, try and see the following expansive exhibit in November: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/arts-theater/20250602/lee-kun-hees-korean-treasures-to-land-at-smithsonians-national-museum-of-asian-art-this-fall
Hopefully, the MAGA virus won’t lead to its cancellation.
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12 TwoCentsWorth
June 3, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Goodness. I don't know where else to post this. But 🥳 🥳 🥳 What great news to wake to.
Exit polls predict Lee Jae-myung win
https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10501691
Nothing is guaranteed in SK's political quagmire but we can hope.
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