Part 2 - Our 2023 Year End Review with Erin

Sarah and Grace are joined by Youjeong Ssaem, one of Grace's Korean teachers, for a chat about the South Korean educational system. We go into technical details before discussing broader issues currently impacting students and teachers, like school violence and pressure to academically excel. In the language section, we talk about Konglish.

Find Youjeong ssaem on iTalki at: https://www.italki.com/i/reft/ABDHece/FeBBCe/korean?hl=en&utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=share_teacher

Correction: 

During Grace's comments about early college admissions in the US, she misremembered the relevant terms - "early decision" generally describes early admissions applications that are binding, while non-binding early admissions applications are usually called "early action." 

This Valentine’s Day, the feeling of sticking to the single log bridge with us until it’s dark is not too bad! Finally, we’re covering the Untamed, starring Wang Yibo (王一博) and Xiao Zhan (肖战). Yes, one of the most watched series in Asian television history with 10 billion views domestically as of 2022 in China on one service alone, never mind the huge international success and acclaim it garnered. This all with a cleverly crafted and nuanced production that captured the spirit of the original novel, while being able to stay within the framework of China’s strict onscreen morality laws. 

Franziska (@wanderingfranzi) and J (@theflowerthatbloomsalone) are joined by enthusiastic fandom guests and fanfic writers Jie (@JieJie_AiNi), Kaey (@Firebrd86) and PaidSubscription (@PaidSubAO3) for a deep dive into autistic-coded Lan Wangji. 

In this part one of two, we discuss which of Wangji’s traits resonated the most for us, what we loved about his character development as an autistic-coded character (is it one of the best arcs ever?), and how and why his relationship with ADHD-coded Wei Wuxian just works so well. 

Join us as four fandom nerds and one very enthusiastic cohost (who wants to binge watch it all again) theorise a possible reason why the Lan clan has those 3000 rules and if in a modern alternate universe, Lan Wangji would make his own phone calls.

Note: this pod contains spoilers

Plus be sure to listen to part two (to be released shortly) where we will discuss the Cloud Recessess as a haven but also a constraint on an autistic Wangji, as well as how Wei Wuxian was the first one to really perceive Wangji and hear “the melody of his heart.” Add in queer symbolism, how an autistic Wangji articulates the drama’s themes, and a chat about the fics our authors have written. Don’t miss it! 

Link: 
The link to the translated portion of the interview with the author MXTX mentioned in the pod: https://asksythe.tumblr.com/post/716755273102082048/mxtx-interview-with-risa-wataya-for-subaru/amp

#kdramapodcast #kdramapodcasts #Idrama #cdramas #cdrama #chinesedrama #xianxia #koreandramapodcasts #asiandramas #asiandramapodcast #autisticcoded #autisticpodcast #theuntamed #mdzs #chenqingling #lanwangji #weiwuxian #lanzhan #weiying

We're back with a very special guest, Lia from our sister pod, Afternoona Delight! Lia made a trip to Seoul, her first to South Korea and she's on our podcast to chat to us about how she found it, what KDrama locations she saw and how being in Seoul made her feel.

Tune in to listen to how she found her trip and pick up some travel tips for your own future trip to Seoul!

Notes from Show mentioned in episode:

1. Sinchon Graffiti Tunnel 
2. Hakdong Park, Gangnam
3. Goblin walk - Doeksugung Stone Wall
4. BTS Rookie restaurant - Yoojung Sikdang 
5. Leeum museum
6. Singer mentioned - Mesani and his EP, Jungle
7. Skincare place in Gangnam - Lienjang Plastic Surgery
8. The 2 palaces - Changdeokgung and Changyeounggung 
9. Korean Dramaland - for Drama locations
10. Papago - also available as iOS/Android apps

Fellow podcaster William Han joins Grace and Sarah to discuss the history of wuxia, as well as its cultural context and significance. He discusses how men--and women--with a "particular set of skills" and an unshakable code have played a notable role in Chinese history and literature, why Jin Yong's wuxia novels are a lingua franca of the Chinese speaking/reading world, and how wuxia concepts have been embraced by Western creators. Join us for a deep dive into the origins of some of the most familiar C-drama themes and character archetypes!

For more from William, find The Master of Demon Gorge on your favorite podcast platform. Or @w_t_han on Twitter/X. His book, From the Wall to the Water, is available via your favorite bookseller. 

In another episode examining autistic coded characters in KDrama, we discuss the popular Korean BL's Semantic Error and Light On Me. Sarah, J and Fran discuss what autistic traits we saw and how the dramas handled their characters autistic traits. We talk about what worked and didn't work for us about these two dramas.

Show Note:
Light on Me BL Express blog mentioned in the show by J.

We invited along fellow members of the Patreon to discuss our 2023 year in dramas - this is a bumper three episode edition, which we are releasing on the last three days of 2023. This is Part 3, and here Tania and Heather are here to chat to us about their favourite dramas, performances and underrated dramas of the year. Be sure to check out the other 2 episodes in this mini-series!

We invited along fellow members of the Patreon to discuss our 2023 year in dramas - this is a bumper three episode edition, which we are releasing on the last three days of 2023. This is part 2 and here we have Erin, who is here to chat to us about her favourite dramas, performances and underrated dramas of the year. Then Grace goes through what 2023 in drama land has been like for her. Be sure to check out the other 2 episodes in this mini-series!

We invited along fellow members of the Patreon to discuss our 2023 year in dramas - this is a bumper three episode edition, which we are releasing on the last three days of 2023. First up is Katie, who is here to chat to us about her favourite dramas, performances and underrated dramas of the year. Then Sarah goes through what 2023 has been like for her. Be sure to check out the other 2 episodes in this mini-series!

Sarah is flying solo for this episode and was delighted to welcome Liliana from Tea and Soju Podcast for a chat about Chinese Dramas, what 2023 has been like for CDramas and get a shedload of recommendations for you all on your next CDrama. We hope you enjoy!

Show Notes mentioned in the pod

KDramas vs CDramas Podcast with Tea and Soju Podcast - guest host spot with Sarah and Lia from Afternoona Delight:

Follow Liliana on her social links which are all here:

Five Dramas to get to know Liliana
•Till The End of the Moon 
•Go Ahead
•Hidden Love
•Maiden Holmes
•Under the Skin

Recommendations/Comps:

Xianxia:
•The Starry Love
•Back From The Brink
•Feeling Brave- Ashes of Love

Romcom:
•Once We Get Married
•The Day of Becoming You 
•The Romance of Tiger and Rose 

Slice of Life:
•Meet Yourself
•Go Ahead
•Memory of Encaustic Tile 

Thriller
•Reset
•Under The Skin
•The Bad Kids
•The Long Night

Classics - Nirvana in Fire, Joy of Life, Story of Ming Lan

Hosts Sarah and Grace tackle the first in a multi-episode series on Confucianism, a topic that has been on our minds, and planning spreadsheet, since the beginning of the pod. We give a brief primer on what Confucianism is and how it impacts numerous aspects of life in Korea. We also discuss how it has influenced our lives and where we see it pop up in the Asian dramas we watch. In the language section, we talk about pesky romanizations and how to pronounce Yoo Teo's name, plus a refresher on how to say Lee Minho's name.

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