Ajooma Reviews: Kdramas and Mental Health

In early 2020, my friends from work egged me to watch Crash Landing On You on Netflix. Averse from watching Pinoy telenovelas, I always replied with an eye roll. When the pandemic forced the entire world to retreat in the comforts (or otherwise) of their homes, I gave CLOY a shot. The rest is history.

Watching Kdramas since March 2020 has been a form of bibliotherapy for me. It is something I share with my grown-up kids, my friends from work and communities, and new found friends in the BTS fandom, ARMY. Kdramas as fantasy is a form of escape. A space and a place where one's imagination merges and connects with the characters and in there, one can find identification, catharsis and to some extent, healing. Since most Kdramas pursue the good, the true and the beautiful, viewers emerge from the experience comforted and hopeful of better days to come. We all need hope and comfort regardless of the circumstances.

Since October is Mental Health Awareness Month, here is a list of Kdramas I have seen in the past two years that take on the issue of mental health. Included are my key takeaways.  

1. Hyde, Jekyll, Me (by Kim Jiwoon; Directed by Jo Young-kwang, 2015) Normalize treatment and therapy for people with mental health issues and those with challenges in learning.

2. True Beauty ( by Lee Si-eun; Directed by Kim Sang-hyeop, 2020-21) Look out for each other. Always lend an ear; a helping hand; open arms. Blessed are the teachers who can stand up for students with learning challenges and disabilities.

3. When the Weather is Fine (by Han Ga-ram; Directed by Han Ji-Seung) Trauma is real. Surviving and healing from a traumatic experience takes years to endure.

4. Bad and Crazy (by Kim Sae-bom; Directed by Yoo Seon-dong) Recognize that teh first person who can help you, is you.

5. Touch Your Heart (by Lee Myung-suk and Choi Bo-rim; Directed by Park Joon-hwa) More laws and protection for the disabled and marginalized.

6. Move to Heaven (by Yoon Ji-ryeon; Directed by Kim Sung-ho) Children, especially those in the spectrum need a community to raise them well. 

7. Extraordinary Attorney Woo (by Moon Ji-won; Directed by Yoo In-shik) Not all people with ASD are savants.

While the Kdramas I mentioned above ended happily ever after and the antagonists got what they deserve, I am well aware of the harsh realities that surround the treatment and stigma of people with mental health issues as well as the family and friends who care and love them. One thing I always take away from shows and series mentioned above is to hold judgement of another. We do not know the burdens nor the past of every person we meet. Empathy and compassion are traits we all need to grow and nurture.

For a less romanticized and non-fictional rendition on mental health, I turn to documentaries by credible content creators. Should you feel any disturbance from watching the Kdramas listed above, know that I am open for a decent and respectful discussion.

Ajooma Speaks: 2020 was My Kdrama Year (2 of 2)

CLOY has a very engaging story line, though predictable. The amazing actors all look good, well groomed, dressed appropriately to the role and aesthetically compelling. They always match the elaborate background, panoramic cinematography and enticing music of every scene. In most Kdramas, the lead characters’ arc or gradual development is the most exciting part. It seems that everyone is constantly evolving and continuously changing. By the end of the long but engaging series, any ordinary viewer would be able to relate to the endearing protagonist, realize an important life lesson and understand a truth about the human condition. SoKor film makers are good storytellers to combine all film elements in one enjoyable show.

As a fan, I can effectively plot and differentiate each of the Kdramas by closely looking at the theme, characters and their development, problem and solution and ending or closure.

Who would have thought someone like me would be a fan of Kdramas? When my friend learned about my new fascination and leisure activity, she reminded me of that time when she felt alone as she was the only one watching Kdramas among us. I assured her that she now has a fan to talk to about the interesting themes and awe inspiring aesthetics of Kdramas. She looked at me with a half smile on her face and said, “but with you, it was not a matter of if-she-ever-watches-Kdrama-moment. It was a question of when. When will you watch Kdrama? I know you will come around.” With that, we both laughed at the memory.

I was definitely hooked watching Kdramas during the quarantine. The amazing thing is, all four of us - my husband and our two children watch it now. We all have our personal favorites, but it is Goblin that we would re-watch on days when we want to see something epic. We all have our reasons different as they may be, it brings us together. My daughter loves the discussion of destiny and faith. My son enjoys the music and the official soundtrack. I love looking at the scenes. They are visual narratives where I discover layers of meaning that are not expressed through dialogues. As for my husband, he watches with us for moral support.

I love the happy endings, if not the triumph of overall goodness against evil or adversity. I love it because I believe in happy endings, in goodness and in persevering over hardships. I watch it when I want to escape the bad news all around especially during this time of the pandemic. I have to thank my friends for this.

Reflecting more on my fascination with Kdramas, I realize that I learned two things from this experience. The first is to hold off personal judgment and assumptions. The second is to be more open to new things outside my comfort zone. I definitely am learning about Korean culture and literature from watching Kdramas. This is an opportunity to appreciate others and understand their humanity that is common to mine.

Ajooma Reviews: 2020 was My Kdrama Year (1 of 2)

What experience gave you a big surprise that changed your mind and attitude towards an object, an event or a person? Was there a specific event you participated in that made you a believer of some truth or reality? What did your friends push you into doing that turned you into a solid fan of? In my case, it is the experience of watching Korean dramas (Kdrama) since my friends relentlessly nagged me. I had a 180 degree turn after finishing Crash Landing on You on Netflix eight months ago. This is my story of the change, not only in my mind but also of my heart on Kdramas.

I used to think that watching KDramas is a waste of time. Why would I spend an hour watching a telenovela when there are more productive ways to use my time on. I held on to the belief that telenovelas have the same troupes and patterns of storytelling. I have seen one. I have seen them all. But, my friends were bent on making me a Kdrama fan.

My friends at work convinced me that it is the kind of entertainment we deserve to watch. According to her, Kdramas have the aesthetics and production value. Another said that it is worth one’s time and Netflix subscription because the Kdramas offer a new spin or a novel way of presenting a story. In previous years, friends would tell me to watch Descendants of the Sun or Goblin. These Kdramas were highly recommended. I considered their opinions. Well produced series. Aesthetic appeal. A different and unique way of telling stories. I stopped the eye-rolling and listened to my friends.

My first KDrama to see on Netflix is Crash Landing on You (CLOY). After watching CLOY, I finally understood what my friends were saying. Take for example the story line of CLOY. A beautiful rich girl with family issues got lost in North Korea. Blame it on a tornado on the day she went paragliding. She landed on the Demilitarized Zone between NoKor and SoKor. This is no man’s land for Koreans living on either side. Apparently, a captain of the NoKor army who is on patrol found her. At that particular moment, when the two lead characters met, the conflict was established. It posed a lot of questions and because the actors have chemistry, it promised a lot of surprises and discoveries. I was not disappointed. My questions were answered. Though the story was not really new, the telling was. 

Venturing Into Kdrama Land: My Top Ten Takeaways on Goblin: The Lonely Guardian

The first Korean Drama (Kdrama) that I watched in Netflix is Crash Landing On You (CLOY). I enjoyed it. Kinilig ako, sobra! I shipped #RiRi on social media. I clipped photos of Hyun Bin and so far, I have seen two of his Kdramas Memories of Alhambra and Hyde, Jekyll and Me. Yes, I am on my way to being a full fledged Kdrama Ajooma.

If CLOY gave me all the romantic feels, Goblin, on the one hand, reminded me of what love is all about. CLOY is inspiring. It encouraged me to dream and to appreciate the simple things in life. It is an ode to living life to the fullest despite challenges and hardships. Goblin, however, is something else entirely. 

Goblin is epic. 

So, when my Kdrama support group asked my opinion of Goblin, I gave them my Top Ten Takeaways. 

1. No one else can wear a turtleneck the way Gong Yoo does.

2. Lee Dong Wook is the most adorable Grim Reaper ever. I was rooting for him from start to finish!

3. What difference a killer lipstick can do kaya pag gusto kong magtaray in a given day, I should be wearing blood red lipstick!

4. I will take more walks with the hubby when this (pandemic) is all over.

5. I will not wait for a good day or a remarkable moment to eat steak with a salad on the side. Seize the day!

6. I love the official sound track (OST). Bigla kong naisip at naalala ang mga favorite songs namin na naging anthem na ng aming buhay. We should sing them more often!

7. It takes time to forgive. Dumadaan sa proseso ang pagpapatawad. Wag pilitin kung hindi pa ready. Pero wag namang hintayan ang 900 years para magpatawad. 


8. Second chances are precious. Value them like your life.


9. There is destiny and fate, but to achieve forever is hard work. In fact, investment ito, mare! Kaya, mag risk ka at wag matakot.

10. Our God is a generous and loving god. He allows us to live our lives the way we want it. Life (and death) is how we make it. 

Last, there are no new stories under the sun. But there are many ways to fashion them into exciting and engaging narratives. The producers of the recent three K dramas I have seen know this so well. 

To date, I have seen Touch Your Heart, which stars Lee Dong Wook  and Yoo In-na who played the Grim Reaper and Kim Sun respectively in Goblin. Right now, I am watching Itaewon Class, Life and The King Eternal Monarch. I intend to watch more Kdramas in the future!

Collage: World Book Day 2020 and KDrama

It’s World Book Day today, so let us celebrate! Post a photo of the book you are reading today and your recommended top 5 Kdrama in the comment section.

Of course, we have this to wrap up today’s photo collage series for World Book Day. Happy World Book Day everyone! Post a photo of the book you are reading right now and your top 5 recommended Kdrama.

Here is another photo collage for World Book Day. Imagine Hyun Bin as the school librarian or university librarian! Celebrate World Book Day! Post a photo of the book you are reading right now and your top 5 recommended Kdrama.

Photo source: VAST and ctto