200 But Who’s Counting? We Are!

I guess it helps to be loquacious. That’s a nice way to say wordy. Face it, Judy and I could talk all day about Kdramas and all things Korean, which is what we’re going to do for our 200th post!

For the record, we wrote our 100th post September 6, 2023. Our 200th will be written just about nine months later. Our 100th was all about the positive things we liked about Kdramas. We made that post about everything we were enamored with, and it was so easy to write. Now we’re going discuss the things we’re not so crazy about. This list won’t be as long as the 100th, but it’s time for us to come to our senses. Don’t get me wrong: we’re still crazy about Kdramas. However, the flirtation period is over, and we’re now in the reality stage. What I’m trying to say is that THE HONEYMOON IS OVER, but we’re staying around for THE REST OF THE STORY (Shout out to John Cameron Swayze). (You’ve got to be in your 70’s to get this one. Email me if you want to know more about it.)

In no particular order:

•The Translations by Viki Rakuten

These are done by paid volunteers. They seem to work in different groups. I just finished watching The Red Sleeve, and the group 'Love Finds a Way' did the translation. They were excellent, easy to follow with short enough sentences to read before the next scene. The one I’m currently watching, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, is subpar. This one was done by the 'Team Immortal' and they are so difficult to follow. It’s helpful that the story is so compelling and the actors so good because I would have given up long ago if it were the other way round.

•The Time it Takes to get into a Kdrama

There are some kdramas, Mr Sunshine for example, that pull me in immediately, but many of them do not. It’s not unusual to hang in there until episode 7 or 8 to start identifying with the plot. Usually I’m glad I did. Usually. (Judy Here; I disagree with this; I like the slow build up. I watched a film recently and it was over before I even got involved!)

•Tears

Okay, we all like to see men cry... but THIS MUCH? Are they real, bonafide tears? I can’t cry that much even when my allergies have kicked in.

•Hitting

This is just too much. Mothers are hitting adult children, teachers are cuffing students, students are beating each other up, grandparents are smacking grandkids. ENOUGH ALREADY!

•Soju

Does everyone have to get blitzed so much? No wonder they have hangover soup as a National dish! Judy again, I really don't think it's the soju we object to it's the fact that they get totally bombed. Drinking yourself into a stupor isn't something the Gmamas find particularly entertaining.

•Fabulous Cars

Does anyone drive a junker in Korea? Not only do the actors drive the fanciest, latest model cars, they usually have several different ones during a season. Here we can identify people by their cars. There, not so much. For example, when an orange, mini van, (electric hybrid of course) pulls up, I know it’s blog partner Judy at the wheel. I look so incredibly sexy in this vehicle it's a shame I can't take it with me when I visit Korea... ~ Judy

•Peat and Repeat*

These are called flashbacks, I know. They can be repeated multiple times during the course of a season. Hey, I’m a grandma, but I can remember from one episode to the next what is going on. Mostly. *Remember that joke as a kid?

And from Judy:

•Judgmental Parents

The fact that parents are so involved in their adult kid's love interests is amazing. The constant concern about improving the family standing is objectionable to me. I'm still unhappy with the mom from Something in the Rain.

•Viki navigation tools

I hate the way Viki navigates between episodes. Netflix has this down pat & is much easier to figure out where you are in a series.

•Long or Fast Subtitles

I mean haven't the translators at Viki realized that they need to insert a line break so the subtitles are easier to read? One really, really long sentence with one short word underneath is hard to read; make both lines of the subtitles similar in length! And keep them on the screen till you must replace with a new one! I'm a fast reader but sometimes it's a challenge.

•Lack of American Grandmas

I mean couldn't they make a show where they need a silver haired, American grandma who can introduce herself in Korean? I am available...