meganbmoore (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
meganbmoore) wrote2008-04-04 01:45 pm
meganbmoore) wrote2008-04-04 01:45 pm
Entry tags:
Hello Miss eps 4-8 (and pomdering on manager/commander and subordinate pairings)
Before I get started on the show itself, I want to throw something out to maybe get feedback(largely because I'm trying to completely figure it out myself.) In jdramas(and manga) and kdramas both, it's fairly popular for a pairing to be a manager/commanding officer(or equivalent) and a subordinate. In jdramas and manga, it never really bothers me, and there are times I really, really like the pairing(Hotaru no Hikari, Fullmetal Alchemist, and even though it's a US show, I'll even throw in Stargate SG-1 as an example, too) but in most kdramas, it causes a kneejerk back away reaction. Some of it, I can pin down pretty easily:
In jdramas/manga, one party is typically extremely no nonsense, and one or both(and if it's only one, it's the one in control) has a very clear line drawn that personal concerns are not to enter into the work zone. In addition, in most cases here, if there's textual pursuit(whether there's resolution or not) it's the subordinate doing the pursuing, and if the pairing is understood but not stated, it still seems to be the subordinate who calls the shots in that area, and it seems understood that, if a move IS made, it'll be the subordinate making the moves.
Kdramas, though, (and mind you, I have a fairly select pool of kdramas I'm looking at here, as I bounce off of 2 our of 3 I try out pretty hard, most of the time) almost always fit into the category of a financially dependent female being in the position of needing to be saved by a well off male. Usually, the male does the pursuing, and in most cases, the female ends up working for his company, be it briefly, or for an extended period. And almost always, the "I'm your boss, you have to do what I say" card is used in a non-work context. Now, while I've seen it in most kdramas I've seen, I've never for one thought that the guy would ever back it up, don't get me wrong there. But there's the fact that, even though he would never actually carry through on the implied threat, it still occured to him that he could use the threat, and in most cases, the female, very aware that he COULD do it, does what he wants, not being willing to risk it. Even if it isn't a direct case of manager/subordinate, there's usually still the element of the female and/or her family being dependant on the male's good will, in one way or another. While there's never anything behind the threat, and it's never used for anything bad, there's still the fact that the possibility has been brought to the table, and that both sides realize who has the power, and who is dependent.
(As a quick aside, for the modern kdramas I've seen that lack this element, I can really only think of Fantasy Couple, 1% of Anything, and Lovers. And I had to think for a minute to decide if Lovers counted. One of its appeals is that the heroine is a mature, capable, financially independent and successful woman with a career, but at one point, she is put in the position of having to be finacially rescued by the hero. However, she was in that position at least partly because of him, and it was resolved in a way where there was no power imbalance, and where it gave him no control or influence over her, so I decided to let it pass.)
And if all that made sense, I think that's part of why the trope works for me in one instance but not the other, but I get the feeling that there's something else to it that I'm missing. If anyone has any thoughts about that, or about why the pairing type does/doesn't work for you, I'd love to hear them.
I'm also still a bit confused as to the dynamics/reponsibilities/authority of a traditional clan heir in modern Korea, and keep thinking I'm missing something by not understanding it better. Maybe I'll see what I can find out if I stay on the internet computer at work.
In jdramas/manga, one party is typically extremely no nonsense, and one or both(and if it's only one, it's the one in control) has a very clear line drawn that personal concerns are not to enter into the work zone. In addition, in most cases here, if there's textual pursuit(whether there's resolution or not) it's the subordinate doing the pursuing, and if the pairing is understood but not stated, it still seems to be the subordinate who calls the shots in that area, and it seems understood that, if a move IS made, it'll be the subordinate making the moves.
Kdramas, though, (and mind you, I have a fairly select pool of kdramas I'm looking at here, as I bounce off of 2 our of 3 I try out pretty hard, most of the time) almost always fit into the category of a financially dependent female being in the position of needing to be saved by a well off male. Usually, the male does the pursuing, and in most cases, the female ends up working for his company, be it briefly, or for an extended period. And almost always, the "I'm your boss, you have to do what I say" card is used in a non-work context. Now, while I've seen it in most kdramas I've seen, I've never for one thought that the guy would ever back it up, don't get me wrong there. But there's the fact that, even though he would never actually carry through on the implied threat, it still occured to him that he could use the threat, and in most cases, the female, very aware that he COULD do it, does what he wants, not being willing to risk it. Even if it isn't a direct case of manager/subordinate, there's usually still the element of the female and/or her family being dependant on the male's good will, in one way or another. While there's never anything behind the threat, and it's never used for anything bad, there's still the fact that the possibility has been brought to the table, and that both sides realize who has the power, and who is dependent.
(As a quick aside, for the modern kdramas I've seen that lack this element, I can really only think of Fantasy Couple, 1% of Anything, and Lovers. And I had to think for a minute to decide if Lovers counted. One of its appeals is that the heroine is a mature, capable, financially independent and successful woman with a career, but at one point, she is put in the position of having to be finacially rescued by the hero. However, she was in that position at least partly because of him, and it was resolved in a way where there was no power imbalance, and where it gave him no control or influence over her, so I decided to let it pass.)
And if all that made sense, I think that's part of why the trope works for me in one instance but not the other, but I get the feeling that there's something else to it that I'm missing. If anyone has any thoughts about that, or about why the pairing type does/doesn't work for you, I'd love to hear them.
Now for Hello Miss, the actual topic of the post:
I'm glad that we finally got an explanation for Su Ha's family situation. It is, as expected, fairly complicated, with her father having had two wives(and apparently, they were both legal wives?) and having chosen his family in Seoul over Su Ha and her mother. It was, however, thankfully handled in a way that did not villainize any of the parties, but instead, largely showed them in a sympathetic light and as being stuck in a complicated situation. Even Su Ha's stepmother, who views her as competition even though she doesn't want to, is shown as being sympathetic. Her lawyer brother, of course, is a darling, and her sister is starting to seem less bitchy.
For that matter, I'm glad that BOTH families are shown to be likable and sympathetic. One of my big problems with kdramas is that so often, families are shown as something that you have to beat to be happy, not as something to be happy with. Yes, there are problems in Su Ha's family, and rivalry between Dong Gyu and Chan Min(and, it sometimes seems, the aunts) but Su Ha's family is shown as wanting the best for all involved(bitchy sister aside) and Dong Gyu's family is shown as supportive, not as overbearing or manipulative, or as overly interfering Dong Gyu and Chan Min's lives, outside of the matchmaking and wanting Chan Min to focus on his job more. There are lots of issues on both sides, but (so far) none of the villifying I normally see. I'm even getting used to Su Ha's family elders, despite my need to tell them to butt out.
I like that Dong Gyu remains so well adjusted. I'm all for angst, but it seems most kdrama guys take it out on the heroine in one way or another, and that I don't like. I'm also thrilled that (even though we're sadly in love triangle-but not Love Square of Doom-land with Dong Gyu/Su Ha/Chan Min) the issues between Su Ha and Hwa Ran(shaping up to be my favorite in the series, to no one's surprise) aren't remotely about Hwa Ran chasing the guy who wants Su Ha. Actually, I'm not sure Hwa Ran even realizes Dong Gyu exists. There is a bit of that element with her(unfortunately) wanting Chan Min and Chan Min wanting Su Ha, but that seems to be more of an excuse for her, and her interest in Chan Min more about winning a game against him than actual romantic interest. Hwa Ran's problems with Su Ha are much deeper and more important than that. And yes, I do love that, instead of the normal romantic melodrama, the angst/drama center of the series revolves around a woman wanting modern life but stuck in a traditional role/responsibility, and that the central conflict isn't a romantic rivalry, but rather a conflict between two women brother on by that role and the expectations that come with it, and the roles it casts others in. In do get, though, why it doesn't work as well for others.
The drama also thankfully seems to NOT be going in a Hwa Ran/Chan Min direction. Chan Min has grown on my and doesn't remotely seem to be the skeevy lech he originally did, but I'm still not sure how much I like him. Hwa Ran and Lawyer Brother apparently had Crushes on each other as children. Naturally, they shall fall in love again.
I also like how the grandfather(he and the equally matchmaking grandfather in 1% of Anything are currently at war for the adorableness award) seems to be trying to come to terms with his theft from 50 years ago, and to win the clan's acceptance. And maybe reconnect with his old girlfriend.
But in case anyone was wondering: Yes, I am very much bothered by how both Chan Min and Dong Gyu use work as an excuse to spend non-work time with Su Ha.
I'm glad that we finally got an explanation for Su Ha's family situation. It is, as expected, fairly complicated, with her father having had two wives(and apparently, they were both legal wives?) and having chosen his family in Seoul over Su Ha and her mother. It was, however, thankfully handled in a way that did not villainize any of the parties, but instead, largely showed them in a sympathetic light and as being stuck in a complicated situation. Even Su Ha's stepmother, who views her as competition even though she doesn't want to, is shown as being sympathetic. Her lawyer brother, of course, is a darling, and her sister is starting to seem less bitchy.
For that matter, I'm glad that BOTH families are shown to be likable and sympathetic. One of my big problems with kdramas is that so often, families are shown as something that you have to beat to be happy, not as something to be happy with. Yes, there are problems in Su Ha's family, and rivalry between Dong Gyu and Chan Min(and, it sometimes seems, the aunts) but Su Ha's family is shown as wanting the best for all involved(bitchy sister aside) and Dong Gyu's family is shown as supportive, not as overbearing or manipulative, or as overly interfering Dong Gyu and Chan Min's lives, outside of the matchmaking and wanting Chan Min to focus on his job more. There are lots of issues on both sides, but (so far) none of the villifying I normally see. I'm even getting used to Su Ha's family elders, despite my need to tell them to butt out.
I like that Dong Gyu remains so well adjusted. I'm all for angst, but it seems most kdrama guys take it out on the heroine in one way or another, and that I don't like. I'm also thrilled that (even though we're sadly in love triangle-but not Love Square of Doom-land with Dong Gyu/Su Ha/Chan Min) the issues between Su Ha and Hwa Ran(shaping up to be my favorite in the series, to no one's surprise) aren't remotely about Hwa Ran chasing the guy who wants Su Ha. Actually, I'm not sure Hwa Ran even realizes Dong Gyu exists. There is a bit of that element with her(unfortunately) wanting Chan Min and Chan Min wanting Su Ha, but that seems to be more of an excuse for her, and her interest in Chan Min more about winning a game against him than actual romantic interest. Hwa Ran's problems with Su Ha are much deeper and more important than that. And yes, I do love that, instead of the normal romantic melodrama, the angst/drama center of the series revolves around a woman wanting modern life but stuck in a traditional role/responsibility, and that the central conflict isn't a romantic rivalry, but rather a conflict between two women brother on by that role and the expectations that come with it, and the roles it casts others in. In do get, though, why it doesn't work as well for others.
The drama also thankfully seems to NOT be going in a Hwa Ran/Chan Min direction. Chan Min has grown on my and doesn't remotely seem to be the skeevy lech he originally did, but I'm still not sure how much I like him. Hwa Ran and Lawyer Brother apparently had Crushes on each other as children. Naturally, they shall fall in love again.
I also like how the grandfather(he and the equally matchmaking grandfather in 1% of Anything are currently at war for the adorableness award) seems to be trying to come to terms with his theft from 50 years ago, and to win the clan's acceptance. And maybe reconnect with his old girlfriend.
But in case anyone was wondering: Yes, I am very much bothered by how both Chan Min and Dong Gyu use work as an excuse to spend non-work time with Su Ha.
I'm also still a bit confused as to the dynamics/reponsibilities/authority of a traditional clan heir in modern Korea, and keep thinking I'm missing something by not understanding it better. Maybe I'll see what I can find out if I stay on the internet computer at work.