Wonderful and worthwhile post javabeans (as always)! It was definitely an interesting read ^_^. I noticed that the family theme does run strong in most of the kdramas I've watched, espeically when it comes to children's obedience. At times, I find it really frustrating. Sometimes it can be touching; at other times, I just want to reach over and slap whoever's obeying their overbearing parents just because they're "elders," especially when the elders' demands are obviously selfish or in the wrong. Being an american, I wasn't used to it, and I didn't GET it. If you put in an overbearing kdrama parent in an american show, you'd get instant rebellion and move toward independence from the kids. So I often grew frustrated when I didn't see the same thing happen in kdramas; the characters' obedience made them appear weak. But I've slowly grown to understand a part of this is cultural, and its made it more tolerable. Also, its not always frustrating; there are a whole lot of dramas where I've felt the theme of family and family-bonds was admirable and inspiring. (Bad Family, Thank You, and, to a certain extent, Dal Ja's Spring comes to mind...)

hehe julie, sorry, didn't mean to be hard on the ajummas. it's just a reaction when your Little Engine That Could gets demolished by the competition to blame the rival. especially when this show is so different, and "ajumma dramas" are mostly very familiar productions, even when they're well-done and entertaining.

i go to the library to watch the hana yori dango series!and i request the books!

Hi ummm i totally agree i totally think rui hanazawa is so cute i wish tsukushi could have ended up with him!:(

Gosh javabeans, you always gave such great summaries. I'm enjoying the Flowers very much. So thank you, thank you!! I just talked to an ajumma friend who just finished watching My Man's Woman and she absolutely loved the series. Since I'm an ajumma also I'm pretty sure I want to see the series. LOL....You are too precious, girl!! Love you, javabeans. So young and talented (that's you!). The best to you.

your sarcasm amused me. lol.

Thanks for the great explanation! I'd figured with the melodramatic qualities of these dramas, some of it had to be for show. But that doesn't make it any less frustrating to watch!

anybody know is this drama avaiable on dvd yet
http://www.fuiyoh.com

I just got finished watching episode 15 (in L.A we get everything later) and after the pregnancy announcement i jumped on the internet to satisfy my craving! I know i cheated but i could not take it anymore, i was driving myself CRAZY just thinking about having to wait a full week! I don't know how I found this blog but i'm happy i did. Not only because I couldn't deal with not knowing but because javabeans I hope where ever you may be that you are a writer by profession. I started watching K-Dramas because i don't have cable and they're subtitled. I've been hooked for the past 3 years and everyone thinks it's the weirdest thing to have this african-american record label working, chick always at industry parties, unwilling to leave the house on Fridays because a Korean Drama is on! The looks i get when i tell people "What time does it start? I can't miss my drama!"

Javabeans you are awesome! Thanks so much for all of your wonderful insight.

LOL, go easy on the ajummas! Being an ajumma doesn't mean you don't have taste, but it does mean that you see the world differently than you did at 25, and what appeals to you changes. I've been married 16 years, and I really appreciate a good ajumma drama every now and then. I have always thought that Korean dramas do an excellent job of handling the complex issues of marriage. However, like "cancer" dramas, I limit my intake of "affairs" dramas. I haven't seen My Man's Woman, but the title alone made me want to skip it. However, I too didn't want to see Thank You based simply on the story line, when in fact, it turned out to be this absolutely beautiful drama (really javabeans, you gotta watch it!). As much as I like Flowers, I hate the fact that it is a cancer drama, and I find myself wanting to pull back from it. But, I've liked it so far, so will probably put myself thru the tears. As always, thanks for your summaries, screen caps, songs etc. I really enjoy your blog.