I know all you grandmotherly types out there have been waiting anxiously for this post. Yes, we'll be talking SEX!
Be forewarned that for the vast majority of Kdramas there is barely any kissing, much less sex featured in the shows. Hesitant hand touching or grasping a sleeve is more likely than any overt sex scenes. So if you were concerned about having your delicate sensibilities offended you should relax. For the rest of us who are voyeuristically hoping for sex on the small screen you will probably have to view lots of Kdramas to satisfy this desire.
But there is sex and sexuality so let me discuss a few interesting tidbits. I've been amazed at some of the scenes I've been exposed to including:
•Girlfriend tells boyfriend to get vaccinated for HPV and requests written documentation. Boyfriend agrees, and while at the clinic his 2 buddies drop by for a visit and he convinces them to get HPV vaccine too!
•Woman asks man if he has any diseases. Granted, she asked after they slept together but at least they had a discussion!
•Woman has menstrual leak and man she barely knows offers his shirt to cover up the stain. She asks him to keep silent about the situation and he says 'if you saw I had an erection would you share that information with others?'
•Man and woman climb into bed...presumably for sex although that is never shown.... and he stops and asks 'are you sure you want to do this?'
Now I ask you, is this typical for American shows? I try to imagine American men discussing some of these things and I fall short.
On to Drugs. Again, Kdramas are absolutely tame in this regard. The only 'drug' they feature is alcohol -and lots of it- or cigarettes. Okay, okay, in one Kdrama there is opium but that takes place circa 1900. There isn't any pot, cocaine, needles..... nada.
And finally Rock & Roll. In case you've been living under a rock for the past few years, Korea is a leader in music; specifically Kpop. I am not a Kpop devotee but I have looked at a few performances and they seem to feature lots of dancing. Korean society has been in an uproar for the last 6 months because the top boy band, BTS, have to begin their mandatory military service. These bands are hugely popular and have a worldwide following.
Even though Kpop isn't my thing I like many of the performers and songs that are featured on Kdramas. I have added to my personal playlist the following tunes:
•Opening Theme to Mr Sunshine by Nam Hye Seung & Park Sang Hee (oh that cello!)
•Diamond by Ha Hyun Woo (featured in Itaewon Class)
•Kiss Me, Kiss Me by Isaac Hong (featured in Lovestruck in the City)
•Start Over by Gaho (featured in Itaewon Class)
•Let Me Love You by Yurisangia (featured in Lovestruck in the City)
•Someday, the Boy by Kim Feel (featured in Itaewan Class)
•Hill of Yearning by April 2nd (featured in Crash Landing on You)
Most of the songs are in Korean but that doesn't stop me from enjoying them. And I may begin dusting off the dance moves...
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