I'm asian-american, and the thing that strikes me the most about family in kdramas I've seen is the inability for elders to consider their children's feelings. It's incredibly frustrating to see all the parents or family elders do stubborn, hurtful things to their kids and I wonder if the dramas are exaggerating things or being realistic?

examples: Attic Cat, Hello Miss, My Name is Kim Sam Soon, Que Sera Sera ...

(Love your blog!)

Regarding the accuracy of family dynamics portrayed in kdramas... Just speaking for my own opinion and experience, I'll say that that basic themes and issues are generally true. As in, most of that stuff is familiar to me in concept, and many of them I see in my own (large, extended) family. But I wouldn't necessarily say that those are "typical" families -- not every family has overbearing elders, for instance. Many things are taken and exaggerated for dramatic effect -- just as you don't always have a poor girl meeting a rich handsome man in real life, for instance. A type of person can be very common in real life (the strict patriarch, for instance) and therefore familiar to most Koreans, but people can be familiar with a concept without experiencing it in their own family.

I think the "inability for elders to consider their children's feelings" is pretty exaggerated in kdramas -- because it's such an easy source of conflict, dramas tend to overuse it. Just like not all pretty, nice girls are self-sacrificing and smart and perfect. That said, there is a tremendous emphasis placed on children obeying their parents that can seem kind of foreign in concept to Westernized audiences... But it's not always the parents demanding things of their children, it cuts both ways -- the children also feel a need to make parents proud, and family loyalty is definitely a strong precept.

I will say that the one stereotype that is all too common in real life, which is sometimes not even exaggerated in kdramas, is the mean mother-in-law. Eek. Thank god for Korean women that many newlyweds are setting up their own nuclear family homes rather than living with the in-laws, because that can be one nasty setup for the daughter-in-law.

How true!
What a great post, and collection of dramas~ The clips were lovely, and defintely so touching...thanks so much!
It's true that whether it's handled seriously or in a campy way, the family themes do pull together dramas and make you remember the characters~

Oh my god!! Thankyou so much!! I watched every second of the show from the first episode, and only half of the last episode taped...so you are my hero :)

Thank you for posting such a profound post. i never watch Nonstop 5, but that shared episode was great :) thanks again!

"deeta:Are the things portrayed in tv pretty accurate? I've seen a lot of dramas where sometimes elders could be very stubborn and insisting. Do elders really have a big power over the younger generations?"

I'm wondering about that too, especially after I finished watching Be Strong, Geum Soon! Geum Soon's in-laws had so much power in their hands and the children were all obedient and reluctant to do anything against them. sometimes I feel so frustated cuz the elders are super stubborn!

I have yet to watch Bad Family, but I will soon. I enjoyed reading your entries!

I agree. I think family element is one of the most appealing qualities of KDrama. I guess Western is more into living independently, and their take on family is usually along the lines of 'drunk aunty' or 'butt pinching second uncle' and stuff. True, some go out of their way to actually focus on family (like Brothers and Sisters, which I absolutely love), but in general, family isn't really a big theme in Western entertainment, which doesn't imply something is wrong. It's just different, I guess.

I, myself, is an Asian through and through, so there are many family things portrayed in dramas and movies that I could relate to. And I was wondering about the same thing as Jessica above. Are the things portrayed in tv pretty accurate? I've seen a lot of dramas where sometimes elders could be very stubborn and insisting. Do elders really have a big power over the younger generations?

I'm Mexican-American and I love watching Kdramas because of exactly that, the wonderful family dynamic. Latin culture is actually very similar to Asian culture in that we are taught to respect our elders and take care of the family. Family is very important to us as well! However, it is also true that some generations lose touch with this concept especially those that lose practice of their traditions. That is one of the reasons that I like my sister-in-law, who is from Taiwain, because she makes continue those traditions with her family and share them with us. (Love Chinese New years, the red envelops rock!)

On another note: Thank you so much for your blog, I just love it. I hope you continue to do this especially blogin Bad Couple which has become my favorite after Dal Ja's Spring.

Awww i Love NONSTOP 5! My favorite cast out of almost all of them.