Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 10 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jyung-hun as King Cheoljong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: The songs we featured during the recap: Palace and Secrets of the Well, both by Howl How everyone in this episode seems to end up at the well How the tiny queen rescued the king from the well by carrying him on her back The king’s unsuccessful att...
Oct 20, 2023•59 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 9 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jyung-hun as King Cheoljong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: The songs we featured during the recap: Onestar by Im Han-byul and The Secret of the Well by Howl How the king is looking at the queen differently because the queen defended the king when they were eating at the restaurant outside the palace, and b...
Oct 13, 2023•53 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 8 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jyung-hun as King Cheoljong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: The song we feature during the recap: Here I Am by Jo Hyun-Ah. It seems both the king and the queen are looking to the other to see them as they really are. How the queen’s memories are back and this is really messing with Jang Bong-hwan’s mind. Ho...
Oct 06, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 7 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jyung-hun as King Cheojong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan.. We discuss: The songs we discuss in this episode: Other world by Howl and To my one and only you by Xiumin. Why the episode is titled “The Mask” - lots of people in the palace are wearing masks and those masks are starting to come off. How we see the state tha...
Sep 29, 2023•57 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 6 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jung-hyun as King Cheojong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: The songs we featured during the recap: No Touch by Howl and Venus by Moon Jong-up. How this episode was aptly named Between Understanding and Misunderstanding; there are so many misunderstandings between nearly everyone in the palace, but especiall...
Sep 22, 2023•59 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 5 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jyung-hun as King Cheojong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: The song we feature during the recap: Puzzle by SoYou and Park Woo-jin The Queen or Jang Bong-hwan’s motive in admitting that she tried to commit suicide How the queen’s actions continually surprise and confuse the King The amazing dancing in the ra...
Sep 15, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 4 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jung-hyun as King Cheojong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: Then songs we played during the recap: Conspiracyby Kim Deuk-su and Lost Memory by Howl. Last week’s episode was so funny, while this episode is really dark and there are bad guys everywhere. The Queen has figured out that it was the King who tried ...
Sep 08, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 3 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jyung-hun as King Cheojong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: The song we feature, The Great Recipe by sEODo. The awesome puns and double entendres in this show. The Royal chef calls the queen’s ramen Samyang ramyeon, or literally ‘three fragrance small pot ramen’, but this is also the name of a popular ramen ...
Sep 01, 2023•58 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 2 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jyung-hun as King Cheojong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: The song we feature from the OST, Like a Star is by Hanbyul Jang, an Australian-born singer and songwriter. We wonder if modern day Koreans would know about the reign of King Cheoljong, including the Andong Kim and the Pungyang Jo families. How noth...
Aug 25, 2023•51 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 1 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jyung-hun as King Cheojong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We discuss: The historical context for the show. King Cheoljong was a real king! He was illiterate and untrained when he came to power, and was a known womanizer and drinker. The name of this K Drama in Korean is Queen Cheorin. The different characters in the s...
Aug 18, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 1
*** We know that the audio quality of this episode is not great. We are sorry! *** We are in between seasons. In this episode, we recap and analyze the movie “Be With You,” the hit Korean movie starring Son Ye-jin as Im Soo-ah, So Ji-sub as Jeong Woo-jin, and Kim Ji-hwan as Jeong Ji-ho. Be With You was released in 2018 and directed by Lee Jang-hoon. The film is a remake of the 2004 Japanese film of the same name, which is based on a novel by Takuji Ichikawa. Special guests Dayna and Carolyn join...
Aug 04, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 16 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. Ernabel Demillo is back as our special guest! She was a reporter and news anchor in New York, AND a reporter in New York during 9/11. This is a long episode, so we hope you stick with us and enjoy this long discussion. We promise some laugh-out-loud moments! We discuss: The beautiful songs we hear in this episode: Starlight by O Dong Jun and New Beginnings...
Jul 28, 2023•2 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 15 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we feature in this episode: Dreaming Day by Kim Ji Young and Propose by Lim Ha Young. How Ko Yu-rim asked Baek Yi-jin to break the story of her move to Russia, and she wants him to say that she is doing it just for money. How Baek Yi-jin always hides his pain, something that makes Na Hee-do really unhappy; this echoes episode 2, when ...
Jul 21, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 5 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we heard during the recap: Their Friendship by Yoo Jong Hyun and Will by Byon Dong Wook. Ko Yu-rim’s decision to switch her nationality and fence for Russia because of her family’s financial troubles. Coach Yang’s efforts to secure the best deal for Ko Yu-rim and how devoted she is to Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim. How Sung Hee blames Baek Y...
Jul 14, 2023•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 14
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 12 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we heard during the recap: Missing you by Byon Dong Wook and Whispers of Love by Lim Ha Young. How Baek Yi-jin is sending Na Hee-do mixed signals. He’s declared his love for her, he’s affectionate around her, he is very solicitous, and he wants to spend time with her. But when she gives him a kiss, he pulls away from her! How Baek Yi-...
Jul 07, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 12 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The two songs we discuss: Free by Xydo and Free (guitar version) by Jeong Gu Hyun. How Koreans believe that blood types are associated with specific personality characteristics. How Baek Yi-jin is seeing Na Hee-do in a new light: first, when he sees her speaking French, and later being fierce at the restaurant. The French terms we keep hearing ...
Jul 01, 2023•58 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 11 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo-hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The beautiful songs during our recap: Your World by Hoseung and When We Was Young by Byeon Dong Wook. How the relationship between Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin is getting deeper. How Na Hee-do is seeing different sides of Baek Yi-jin, including his life as a student during the concert at the school when Baek Yi-jin wore the school uniform and play...
Jun 23, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 10 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The song With, which is sung by all five stars of the show; how are these actors so talented? How Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s relationship is continuing to evolve now that Baek Yi-jin has confessed his love to Na Hee-do. How Na Hee-do’s life has been transformed by Ko Yu-rim’s friendship and Baek Yi-jin’s love. How Ko Yu-rim is less lonely, now...
Jun 16, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 9 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. This is a special episode. Ernabel Demillo is back! Ernabel is Department Chair of the Communication and Media Culture Department at Saint Peter's University and host of the Emmy-award winning "Asian American Life" show on CUNY-TV. Ernabel shares her experience being a reporter and news anchor, and provides amazing insight into this episode, including: How ...
Jun 10, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 8 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: How Na Hee-do is rescued by Baek Yi-jin again How Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s relationship is changing and unnerving Na Hee-do How Na Hee-do is starting to develop feelings for Baek Yi-jin but he treats her like a kid How Na Hee-do is the most honest of all the characters with their feelings How Baek Yi-jin goes to see the creditor to whom he pr...
Jun 03, 2023•58 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 7 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we featured in this episode: Match by Lim Ha Young and Understand by Lim Seung Bum Na Hee-do’s origin story, how she got introduced to fencing, and why her dad means so much to her How Na Hee-do’s dad taught her that skills don’t improve in a straight line, but rather in a stair step fashion Na Hee-do’s gold medal win against Ko Yu-rim...
May 26, 2023•54 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 6 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: How funny this episode how was How we loved the forward momentum of both Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s characters Why Baek Yi-jin decided to go back to Seoul, apply to become a reporter, and not sell Na Hee-do that he’s back in Seoul How Na Hee-do got a boyfriend and then broke up with him as a sort of experiment in love How Baek Yi-jin came to Na...
May 20, 2023•58 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 5 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: How Baek Yi-jin has left town without a trace, to the angst and sadness of Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim. How Baek Yi-jin and Na Hee-do manage to communicate with each via messages left on each other’s pager voice mail. The contrast between Na Hee-do, who is confident and gets what she wants, while Baek Yi-jin has lost all of his confidence, he leaves...
May 12, 2023•59 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 4 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we featured in this episode: Go by DOKYEOM and Sinin in the Rain by Shin Min Yong. How we love Kim Tae-ri’s acting in this episode. How Coach Yang’s training regimen, while tough, almost sadistic, is paying off for Na Hee-do. How the relationship between Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin is changing and we start to see a hint of something deve...
May 05, 2023•55 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 3 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs from our recap: Existence by Wonstein and Warrior by Daniel Ri. How Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s relationship is getting closer and deeper. How this was a tough episode for Baek Yi-jin. He has lunch with his brother, who is getting bullied by classmates. He nearly misses seeing his dad. He gets caught between Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim. He...
Apr 29, 2023•54 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 2 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The songs we feature in this episode: Very, Slowly by BIBI and Shining Man by Shin Min Yong The many encounters between Hee-do and Yi-jin in this episode The contrast between cheerful and emotional Hee-do and the stoic, sad and burdened Yi-jin How we learn more about Yi-jin’s life: how his family split up, his short stint in the military, his li...
Apr 22, 2023•45 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Today, we’ll be kicking off Season 4 of K Drama Chat by discussing Episode 1 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss: The song Starlight by Taeil The main actors of the show: Kim Tae-ri Nam Joo Hyuk Kim Ji-yeon, better known by her stage name Bona How age is calculated in Korea vs. internationally, which is why there’s confusion over how old the actors in this show are The origins of the 1990s Asian financial crisis and h...
Apr 14, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 1
We’re in between seasons 3 and 4! Today, Joanna and Sung Hee has a conversation with Jeanie Rhim, Sung Hee’s sister. Jeanie specializes in newborn photography and is another K Drama lover. We discuss: The K Drama shows we’re watching now. Our list of K Drama elements (we’re up to 23!) and examples of these elements in our favorite K Dramas. How to say hello in Korean. How the subtitles in K Dramas don’t always match what’s actually being said, especially when it comes to characters’ names and ti...
Apr 07, 2023•47 min•Season 3Ep. 17
We’re in between seasons 3 and 4! Today, Joanna has a conversation with Professor Ernabel Demillo, Department Chair of the Communication and Media Culture Department at Saint Peter's University and host of the Emmy-award winning "Asian American Life" show on CUNY-TV. We talk about: The many different genres of K Dramas. The K Dramas we’re watching now: Tomorrow, Business Proposal, The Glory. What Ernabel thought about Mr. Sunshine, including the cinematography, the characters, the music, Korea h...
Apr 01, 2023•49 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 24 of Mr. Sunshine, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Lee Byung-hun as Eugene Choi, Kim Tae-ri as Go Ae-shin, Yoo Yeon-Seok as Goo Dong-mae, Kim Min-jung as Hina Kudo, and Byun Yo-han as Kim Hee-sung. We discuss: How we love this final episode of Mr. Sunshine and will miss these characters, whom we’ve come to love and admire! The lovely and amazing music in this K Drama. How the ending is heartbreaking but the show’s creators told us all along that we would h...
Mar 25, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 15
