Record of Youth Premiere: I’m on the fence about this. I don’t think it was the greatest of all premieres, but that’s okay with me. Sometimes shows need a bit of time to warm up and I’m keen to keep going because I really like Park Bogum and Park Sodam.
Off the bat, I really like Hyejun, but I’m not sure I would agree with all of his choices. I can empathise with where he’s coming from, but at the same time, I also understand what his dad and hyung are saying too (although I know my delivery would probably be vastly different 😂).
It’s not easy to chase your dream when the odds are stacked against you. Sometimes bowing out is just the best thing that a person can do, especially when they’re balancing the reality of having certain duties relating to e.g. filial piety (a big thing that I definitely relate to as someone who was raised with certain Asian values common to those underpinning the family setups in this drama). That’s probably the position that Hyejun’s family members are taking right now, so it’ll be up to him to resolve those things. Right now I’m feeling like his family members’ concerns are totally valid. Our boy only has 85,000 won in his bank account and he’s working what? Three jobs? Something needs to change.
I’m in my early twenties myself, so the coming of age theme is one that I do enjoy watching even if it can get a bit tropey/overdone. I just question the execution/some of the dialogue that we saw in the premiere. Interested to see where it’ll go from here.
Agree. He’s been at it for 8 years and from the looks of it his family did give him a chance and supported him at the start. Which is why I don’t dislike dad. He’s being a dad and doing what parents do. Worry about his son’s future in the long run. Of course, like you said, maybe he just needs to discuss it a lot more calmly. But disregarding the fact that we are suppose to root for our ML, he does come off a little snarky when speaking to his dad. I would never be sarcastic to my parents lol! I think the writers are doing it on purpose though and one of the biggest things I’m looking forward to (and that I’m a bit apprehensive about) is how Show is going to deal with the whole follow your dreams vs reality dilemma. Here’s to hoping it’s a little bit of both.
I hope the show does tap into the dreams vs reality part because what I’ve seen of yet seems like the parents are valid but he is too attached to his dream. That in itself is part of a reality that most dramas ignore but it is shown here. However, usually dramas don’t show the dreams vs reality divide and I’m apprehensive that it will go the “since he persisted his dream came true” path.
I think it’s very likely that he will succeed, but I’m hoping his success is more realistic that just success because he’s the ML. They did that really well in 2017’s Fight For My Way, where the characters “achieved their dreams” so to speak, but not in this picture perfect way that other dramas tend to rely on.
I’m going to hazard a guess and say the way he talks to Dad is probably a product of a. years of putting up with Dad’s harsh manner and b. resentment born out of Dad’s alleged favouritism towards Hyung. Not that that necessarily excuses it, but on that point, I kind of understand him.
As much as I agree with what Dad is getting at, I think the frustration and fear he has re: making sure Hyejun doesn’t waste his life on a pipe dream sometimes manifests itself in the wrong way, i.e. right message, wrong delivery for the intended audience. Then again, where would we be without the whole Asian Dad Who Can’t Communicate trope 😂
I’m with you on all of this. I’m mid-twenties – sometimes I say I’m in my early twenties, even though technically I’m straight in the middle of the third decade of my life – and I understand the “coming-of-age” theme and usually don’t mind it. I think my problem with this show is that the first episode seemed to strongly push a certain message about individuality, authenticity, and chasing your dreams without including enough complexity. As a result, it came off as a bit childish and naive to me.
I don’t want to make it sound like I hate young people trying to carve out a place for themselves in the world or that it’s bad to pursue goals. But I honestly think a dose of realism is appropriate in a youth drama as well. Real people have responsibilities – to themselves, to their families, to their friends, to the broader society – and these have to be balanced against the pursuit of individualistic goals. What that means in practice is that compromises are inevitable. Now, I’m not saying that the drama has to be make Hye-jun give up or something like that. However, I would like it if the show tries to get Hye-jun to properly grapple with this stuff and tries to portray his family’s concerns a bit more sympathetically.
I definitely agree with what you’re saying, although I do feel like his responses to his family, though somewhat immature/naive/selfish, are not wholly unrealistic/unbelievable. It’s probably a very natural thing to feel resentful of the fact that the people you believe should love you unconditionally seem to be antagonistic towards the idea of you going all in on your dream, even if your propensity to fail is high. It may not be a fair response, or a responsible one, but it’s one that I feel does happen in reality. Not everyone will feel as though the duties they have to others take precedence over the duties they owe to themselves, and I just happen to be on the side of the fence where that kind of attitude is not one that I can really sympathise with a great deal.
Having said that, I do hope the drama goes in the direction where he does realise where his family members are coming from so that they can reconcile/get to a place where they’re more willing to understand/communicate with each other. After all, that’s kind of what coming of age is to me—growing as person and realising how to be better, as opposed to just, success in a vacuum.
Lets be honest, I am 29…and I am doing things vastly different than I imagined when I started a career. Life is not predictable. Your aspirations are far more attainable when paying your bills, medical bills, saving is not plagueing you. We all have to fend for ourselves first and chasing your dream while doing that takes a lot. I hope they can send a realistic message here without you know being negative. I think Go Back Spouses did that super well while Itaewon class was the worst in terms of that. So, lets see.
4
0
Modal title
Modal title
Modal title
Modal title
A verification email has been sent to your new email address.
Please click the link in that email to complete the email change process.
Modal title
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit,
sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
protect junwoo
September 8, 2020 at 4:36 AM
Record of Youth Premiere: I’m on the fence about this. I don’t think it was the greatest of all premieres, but that’s okay with me. Sometimes shows need a bit of time to warm up and I’m keen to keep going because I really like Park Bogum and Park Sodam.
Off the bat, I really like Hyejun, but I’m not sure I would agree with all of his choices. I can empathise with where he’s coming from, but at the same time, I also understand what his dad and hyung are saying too (although I know my delivery would probably be vastly different 😂).
It’s not easy to chase your dream when the odds are stacked against you. Sometimes bowing out is just the best thing that a person can do, especially when they’re balancing the reality of having certain duties relating to e.g. filial piety (a big thing that I definitely relate to as someone who was raised with certain Asian values common to those underpinning the family setups in this drama). That’s probably the position that Hyejun’s family members are taking right now, so it’ll be up to him to resolve those things. Right now I’m feeling like his family members’ concerns are totally valid. Our boy only has 85,000 won in his bank account and he’s working what? Three jobs? Something needs to change.
I’m in my early twenties myself, so the coming of age theme is one that I do enjoy watching even if it can get a bit tropey/overdone. I just question the execution/some of the dialogue that we saw in the premiere. Interested to see where it’ll go from here.
yongsital 🐧 ❄️
September 8, 2020 at 8:35 AM
Agree. He’s been at it for 8 years and from the looks of it his family did give him a chance and supported him at the start. Which is why I don’t dislike dad. He’s being a dad and doing what parents do. Worry about his son’s future in the long run. Of course, like you said, maybe he just needs to discuss it a lot more calmly. But disregarding the fact that we are suppose to root for our ML, he does come off a little snarky when speaking to his dad. I would never be sarcastic to my parents lol! I think the writers are doing it on purpose though and one of the biggest things I’m looking forward to (and that I’m a bit apprehensive about) is how Show is going to deal with the whole follow your dreams vs reality dilemma. Here’s to hoping it’s a little bit of both.
wapz
September 8, 2020 at 9:32 AM
I hope the show does tap into the dreams vs reality part because what I’ve seen of yet seems like the parents are valid but he is too attached to his dream. That in itself is part of a reality that most dramas ignore but it is shown here. However, usually dramas don’t show the dreams vs reality divide and I’m apprehensive that it will go the “since he persisted his dream came true” path.
protect junwoo
September 9, 2020 at 4:29 AM
I think it’s very likely that he will succeed, but I’m hoping his success is more realistic that just success because he’s the ML. They did that really well in 2017’s Fight For My Way, where the characters “achieved their dreams” so to speak, but not in this picture perfect way that other dramas tend to rely on.
protect junwoo
September 9, 2020 at 4:27 AM
I’m going to hazard a guess and say the way he talks to Dad is probably a product of a. years of putting up with Dad’s harsh manner and b. resentment born out of Dad’s alleged favouritism towards Hyung. Not that that necessarily excuses it, but on that point, I kind of understand him.
As much as I agree with what Dad is getting at, I think the frustration and fear he has re: making sure Hyejun doesn’t waste his life on a pipe dream sometimes manifests itself in the wrong way, i.e. right message, wrong delivery for the intended audience. Then again, where would we be without the whole Asian Dad Who Can’t Communicate trope 😂
Maq
September 8, 2020 at 11:16 AM
I’m with you on all of this. I’m mid-twenties – sometimes I say I’m in my early twenties, even though technically I’m straight in the middle of the third decade of my life – and I understand the “coming-of-age” theme and usually don’t mind it. I think my problem with this show is that the first episode seemed to strongly push a certain message about individuality, authenticity, and chasing your dreams without including enough complexity. As a result, it came off as a bit childish and naive to me.
I don’t want to make it sound like I hate young people trying to carve out a place for themselves in the world or that it’s bad to pursue goals. But I honestly think a dose of realism is appropriate in a youth drama as well. Real people have responsibilities – to themselves, to their families, to their friends, to the broader society – and these have to be balanced against the pursuit of individualistic goals. What that means in practice is that compromises are inevitable. Now, I’m not saying that the drama has to be make Hye-jun give up or something like that. However, I would like it if the show tries to get Hye-jun to properly grapple with this stuff and tries to portray his family’s concerns a bit more sympathetically.
protect junwoo
September 9, 2020 at 4:38 AM
I definitely agree with what you’re saying, although I do feel like his responses to his family, though somewhat immature/naive/selfish, are not wholly unrealistic/unbelievable. It’s probably a very natural thing to feel resentful of the fact that the people you believe should love you unconditionally seem to be antagonistic towards the idea of you going all in on your dream, even if your propensity to fail is high. It may not be a fair response, or a responsible one, but it’s one that I feel does happen in reality. Not everyone will feel as though the duties they have to others take precedence over the duties they owe to themselves, and I just happen to be on the side of the fence where that kind of attitude is not one that I can really sympathise with a great deal.
Having said that, I do hope the drama goes in the direction where he does realise where his family members are coming from so that they can reconcile/get to a place where they’re more willing to understand/communicate with each other. After all, that’s kind of what coming of age is to me—growing as person and realising how to be better, as opposed to just, success in a vacuum.
We shall see!
gem28
September 8, 2020 at 6:54 PM
Lets be honest, I am 29…and I am doing things vastly different than I imagined when I started a career. Life is not predictable. Your aspirations are far more attainable when paying your bills, medical bills, saving is not plagueing you. We all have to fend for ourselves first and chasing your dream while doing that takes a lot. I hope they can send a realistic message here without you know being negative. I think Go Back Spouses did that super well while Itaewon class was the worst in terms of that. So, lets see.