[Spoiler Alert] Grace welcomes in the Lunar New Year by setting new intentions, including always making an effort to humanity’s good even in light of the mass shooting in Monterey. Her thoughts are with her Asian American community in SoCal. Grace discusses the show Would You Like a Cup of Coffee? (2021, KakaoTV) written by Huh Young-man, Lee Ho-joon and No Jung-wook. Grace calls this chamber piece a K-drama that feels like “tapas”—small and manageable bites that are easy to digest. Follow @KDra...
Jan 23, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 108
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Inspector Koo (2021, JTBC) written by Sung Choi. Grace delves into the writer’s feminist logic behind conceptualizing Inspector Koo, inspired by the rage and sorrow over digital crimes, sex trafficking, and misogyny in Korea. Inspector Koo demonstrates how having empathy and understanding for the villain helps the heroine come full circle with her own inner battle. This part of the show works as an effective metaphor for accepting one’s own shadow to reco...
Jan 16, 2023•16 min
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show My Unfamiliar Family (2020, tvN) written by Kim Eun-jung, and the show’s creative uses of the theme “unfamiliarity” in the context of family. Grace’s returning guest is Berlin-based comedian Tobias Hauser (@hahahouser on Instagram) and they discuss how quitting drinking changes one’s social circle, boredom, Joni Mitchell, buying and selling guitars, aging, drag queens, prime ministers and new year’s resolutions. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter ...
Jan 09, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 106
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Glory (2022, Netflix) written by hit-maker Kim Eun-sook in her second collaboration with Song Hye-kyo. The Glory also features Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Yeom Hye-ran, and Park Sung-hoon. Grace is impressed by Song Hye-kyo’s frightening portrayal of woman obsessed with vindication, and her sensitivity in delivering a PTSD survivor’s behaviors. Grace problematizes The Glory and other K-dramas’ regular insensitivity when depicting drug addicts while framing ...
Jan 02, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 105
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Reborn Rich (2022, JTBC) starring Song Joong-ki, Shin Hyun-been, and Lee Sung-min, and how the show has a couple of overlaps with HBO’s Succession although writer San Kyung wrote the web novel Reborn Rich a year prior to Succession airing. Grace dives into how K-dramas that display a giant ego meltdown is what makes it a K-drama. Grace also mentions a category of K-dramas that fall under the "National Self-Reflection" umbrella like Reborn Rich, the Reply ...
Dec 26, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 104
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show My Secret Terrius (2018,MBC) starring So Ji-sub and Jung In-sun. She delves into Jung In-sun’s versatile career starting out as a child actor in some dark films like Memories of Murder by Bong John-ho and Han Gong-ju by Lee Su-Jin. Jung In-sun was also on the show Baek Jong-won’s Alley Restaurant as an emcee. Grace is impressed by Jung In-sun’s ability to draw out So Ji-sub’s comedic side in spite of his usual struggle with comedic roles. Follow @KDramaSc...
Dec 19, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 103
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show One Ordinary Day (2021, Coupang Play) which is a show produced for streaming starring Kim Soo-hyun and Cha Seung-won. Grace discusses the metaphysical meaning behind the characters’ diseases like eczema and asthma, how the show makes hints at the 2016 Gangnam Station femicide Post-it Note protest, and the inevitably insufficient justice system in the face of a lost life. Grace praises Cha Seung-won’s performance. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter...
Dec 12, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 102
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Under the Queen’s Umbrella (2022, tvN) starring Kim Hye-soo, Kim Hae-sook, Choi Won-young and Moon Sang-min. Grace admires Kim Hye-soo and Kim Hae-sook’s veteran performances go head-to-head on this show. She wonders why the actor Moon Sang-min is suddenly popping off. Grace is disappointed by the soundtrack composer of Under the Queen’s Umbrella for copying Rupert Gregson-Williams who composed the soundtrack for season 1 of The Crown—particularly the sco...
Dec 05, 2022•15 min
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Moon Embracing the Sun (2012, MBC) starring Kim Soo-hyun and Han Ga-in. Grace’s guest is Berlin-based comedian Julieta Degese (@dgcjulieta on Instagram). They discuss unicorn outfits, drinking vermouth, how inflation is impacting their shopping and traveling habits, the advantages of being labeled a “bitch,” and how to cope with urban loneliness. The two friends celebrate K-Drama School ’s 100th episode. Cheers! Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter ...
Dec 04, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 100
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Was it Love? (2020, JTBC) which stars Song Ji-hyo and Son Ho-jun. She commends both actors’ versatility and mentions how the show points to the stigma that single mothers live with in Korea society. Grace also talks about where all her energy’s been focused on in the month of November. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit https://www.kdramaschool.com/ to learn more.
Nov 21, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 99
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Avengers Social Club (2017, tvN) which stars Lee Yo-won, Ra Mi-ran, and Myung Se-bin. This is an ajumma drama based on a webtoom that was published on Daum back in 2014. Grace dives into Ra Mi-ran’s career post Reply 1988, the supreme feminism of Avengers Social Club , her love for her favorite neighborhood in Seoul—Buam-dong, and the greatness of Kim Hyang-an who was once married two great modernists Yi Sang and Kim Whanki in her lifetime. Follow @KDrama...
Nov 14, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 98
[Spoiler Alert] Grace is back from San Diego and she’s back to drinking coffee! Grace discusses the show Tomorrow (2022, MBC) starring Kim Hee-sun, Ro-woon, Lee Soo-hyuk, Yun Ji-on and Kim Hae-sook. Grace appreciates the show’s camp aspects particularly the episode in Tomorrow with a suicidal dog while the rest of the show felt a bit redundant. Grace delves into the prolific career of actress Kim Hae-sook who has spent the bulk of her career playing a mom on screen. Grace’s guest is LA-based com...
Nov 07, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 97
[Spoiler Alert] Grace takes a moment to reflect on the tragedy that took place in Itaewon leaving 153 people dead and many others wounded. Her thoughts are with them. Grace discusses the show My Roommate is a Gumiho (2021, tvN and iQIYI) starring Jang Ki-yong and Hyeri, and iQIYI's production on a K-drama since THAAD. She analyzes Shin Woo-yeo’s characteristics as metaphors for male struggles with restraint and just how much the show rips off of Goblin , just like all the other fantasy K-dramas ...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 96
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show A Gentleman’s Dignity (SBS, 2012) written by hit-maker Kim Eun-sook ( Secret Garden, Descendants of the Sun, Goblin: The Lonely and Great God, etc) starring Kim Ha-neul and Jang Dong-gun. Grace admires Kim Ha-neul’s comedic performance on this show, placing her up on the mantle alongside Son Ye-jin and Jun Ji-hyun while problematizing Jang Dong-gun’s character Kim Do-jin as pervy, immature, and toxic. Grace’s guest is LA-based comedian Prateek Srivastava ...
Oct 24, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 95
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show The School Nurse Files (Netflix, 2020) written and directed by Lee Kyoung-mi, based on the book by Chung Serang. Lee Kyoung-mi is a fascinating auteur who brings a unique touch to all of her movies and most certainly on this drama series which unabashedly explores the realm of the gross. The School Nurse Files has some big star hitters like Jung Yu-mi and Nam Joo-hyuk but an underappreciated veteran actress Moon Sori. She is a force to be reckoned with. G...
Oct 17, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 94
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Little Women (tvN, 2022) written by Jeong Seo-kyung who frequently collaborates with filmmaker Park Chanwook, co-writing for films like Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, I’m a Cyborg but That’s Ok, Thirst, The Handmaiden and his latest movie Decision to Leave which opens this month in US theaters . Little Women stars Kim Go-eun, Nam Ji-hyun and Park Ji-hu, and the show includes themes of intergenerational trauma revolving around war and parental or national ab...
Oct 10, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 93
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Run On (JTBC, 2021) starring Shin Se-kyung and Im Si-wan. Grace comments on the difficulty of viewing Im Si-wan as a leading man in a rom-com, and how he’s better at playing weirder roles. She also mentions how Shin Se-kyung appears more connected to herself in her performance as Mi-joo in Run On which is refreshing. Grace’s guest is California-based artist and author MariNaomi(@MariNaomi on Instagram and Twitter). They discuss the process of healing afte...
Oct 03, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 92
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show A Model Family (2022, Netflix) which she finds lackluster due to the fact that it includes premises and topics already covered by Hollywood like Ozark and Breaking Bad . Grace questions the show’s originality and what its larger purpose is but fawns over Park Hee-soon’s impressive performance. Grace’s guest is New York-based comedian Reggie Kush (@reggie_kush on Instagram). They discuss the difference between rap music and rap battle, the similarities bet...
Sep 26, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 91
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Encounter (2018, tvN) written by Yoo Young-ah—the same writer of the series Thirty-Nine . Encounter stars Song Hye-kyo and Park Bo-gum. Grace analyzes the Cinderella-story in a gender-swapped scenario wherein the woman is in a higher income bracket than the man, and what that looks like in a K-drama. Grace’s guest is Berlin-based comedian Saeed Green (@saeedgreen.ent on Instagram). They discuss how and why Saeed became vegan, his tour in Iraq when he serv...
Sep 19, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 90
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Narco-Saints (2022, Netflix) which is a Netflix original K-drama written and directed by the prolific filmmaker Yoon Jong-bin. Narco-Saints stars Ha Jung-woo, Hwang Jung-min, Park Hae-soo, Jo Woo-jin and Yoo Yeon-seok. This episode has no guest today but Grace does chat it up with returning flashcard series pal Marisa Llamas (@dapplegreen on Instagram) who applies her improv expertise to Grace’s questions after three drinks. It’s a wild ride. (Thank you t...
Sep 12, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 89
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Start-Up (2020, tvN) starring Bae Suzy of Miss A, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Seon-ho and Kang Han-na. She discusses the unconvincing love triangle in the show, wonders what Dal-mi’s real dream is, and the show’s relatable illustration of imposter syndrome among young people trying to pursue their dream career despite their lack of resources and experiences. Grace’s guest is LA-based artist Joe Biel (@joebiel20 on Instagram) who originally hails from Iowa. They dis...
Sep 05, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Another Miss Oh (AKA Another Oh Hae-young) written by Park Hae-young, who also wrote My Mister and My Liberation Notes. Grace sees a consistency in all three of Park’s shows in how they represent the patriarchy, three-sibling dynamics, and women in their 30s and 40s vulnerably expressing their need to be loved. Grace also talks about the chemistry between Seo Hyun-jin and Eric Mun, as well as Eric’s two-decade long K-pop ...
Aug 29, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 87
[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses Extraordinary Attorney Woo written by Moon Ji-won, and how it weaves in multiple narratives related to politics including disability, misogyny, queerness, religion, childhood, liberation, and more. Grace’s guest is Kristen Cunningham (@kris10cc on Instagram) and they discuss mothers showing up at the house without invitation, negative self-talk, fashion, education, how to take notes, racism, and moving closer towards the things w...
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 86
[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses season 1 of show Penthouse (2020, SBS) written by Kim Sook-ok, and how makjang dramas queer the moral boundary between a villain and a hero by allowing characters to change personas. Grace also compares makjang dramas’ excessiveness to German expressionist cinema. Grace’s guest is comedian Joe Wong (@joewongcomedy on Instagram). They discuss the writing process of his book Not This Shit Again!: A Comedian’s Guide to Tackling Anti...
Aug 15, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 85
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Jealousy Incarnate (2016, SBS) starring Gong Hyo-jin, Jo Jung-suk and Go Kyung-pyo and how the show is based on actual people who work at SBS in the news department. Grace also talks about trying to get closer to gratitude, how she’s working on trying not to lecture so much, and how much this podcast grounds her every single week. She’s grateful to her listeners. Grace’s guest is LA-based comedian and artist Killian McAssey (@killian_mcsassey). They talk ...
Aug 08, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 84
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show My Love from the Star (2014, SBS) starring Gianna Jun (Jun Ji-hyun) and Kim Soo-hyun. Berlin-based comedian Tobias Hauser (@hahahouser on Instagram) answers a few flashcard questions based on the show off the top with hilarious answers. Grace’s guest is veteran Korean American actor and comedian Steve Park (@stephenpark62) on Instagram) who is in Fargo, A Serious Man, The French Dispatch, In Living Color , and dozens of other films and shows over a span o...
Aug 01, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 83
Grace has no guest or K-drama to cover today. Instead, she does a short ASMR mukbang video with two cans of soda, talks about the state of academia today, and recommends making lists in the face of nothing mattering. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit kdramachool.com to learn more.
Jul 25, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 82
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Oh My Baby (2020, tvN) starring Jang Nara, and how the show exhibits challenges faced by single women in their 30s who wish to become single mothers, as well as how the IVF laws negatively impact queer couples who wish to conceive in South Korea. Grace’s guest is LA-based actor, comedian and clown Juzo Yoshida (@juzoyoshida on Instagram). They talk about clowning, being Asian in Hollywood, pursuing acting and comedy with English as a second language, fili...
Jul 18, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 81
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Worlds Within (2008, KBS) written by Noh Hee-kyung, and how the show addresses struggles of female TV directors trying to make it in a male-dominated industry in Korea, and Noh’s meta storytelling on the show by including a writer character, and the upsides and downsides of a tightly-knit community that works more like a dysfunctional family. Grace’s guest is Teruko Nakajima (@terukonakajima on Instagram) who is currently playing in her very moving one-wo...
Jul 11, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 80
No monologue or K-drama coverage today. Sorry! Let’s enjoy the long holiday weekend. Happy fourth of July. May your dogs and cats brave the fireworks. May you enjoy a wholesome time with good food, sun, and great company. Grace’s guest is Dr. Karla Jay who is Grace’s former college professor—now professor emeritus. They discuss activism in today’s political climate and how to maintain a sense of humor and grace while sticking to one’s values and standing up for those who often go unheard. Follow...
Jul 04, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 79
