I believe it is very insightful to study a language and culture through the film industry. Unlike books, you can see people in action dealing with situations which show the peculiarities with each culture.

Although, if you believe everything you see in k-dramas you would probably believe that every person is currently dating the wrong person and will eventually run into a 3- or 4-person love triangle which will end up with the perfect couples together in the end (and along the way someone will probably die or be injured very badly).

I’ve watched so much Korean TV, I’ll try to do some reviews for stuff I’ve seen in the past. By no mean will these be comprehensive, I just want to post a few thoughts for all of the movies, dramas and music I have watched or listened to.

I loved 엽기적인 그녀! I am a romantic-comedy lover and this is definitely a classic. Yes, it’s a little long but you will appreciate it in the end when everything comes together. The chemistry between the actors is very well developed. The main girl breaks the traditional girls-are-weak image and is outlandishly blunt and open. She writes horrendously horrible stories, constantly hits and makes jabs at the main guy. He of course is thrown into the relationship and just rides along as he begins to realize he likes her even though she’s a little crazy. Like most Korean love stories, in the end fate is what really decides if you should be with that other special person.

Music Video

Culture Notes

1. There are some great scenes that really seem to show how parents are to their children, especially about education and punishing children. A lot of Korean parents use a round-stick (which has a special name, but I forgot what they call it) that is basically the American version of the belt.

2. Drinking is very integral in the Korean social culture so you get to see that, I love how Koreans drink 소주 and then make the throat sound (hard to describe, you have to see this in the Movie). A few of my friends do the same thing so I have gotten into the habit of doing it.

3. Gang culture is very big at least in the Korean film industry. You get to see some fun jabs at it.

4. The issue about what level of language to use between people of different ages is brought up. I spoke nothing but 존댓말 (used to show respect) for two years so it’s still a little hard to switch to 반말 (spoken between friends) sometimes. I usually forget to switch 나 for 저.

Just a side note, I saw the American-remake and I was a little disappointed. Stick with the original.