[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the director’s cut version of Anna (Coupang Play, 2022) based on the novel Intimate Stranger by Chung Han-ah, adapted for the screen by female writer/director Lee Zoo-young. The show stars Bae Suzy, Jung Eun-chae, Kim Jung-han and Park Ye-young. Anna was marred in controversy because the executives of Coupang Play recut the show without the director’s consent or approval down to 6 episodes from the original 8 episodes. Grace recommends everyone to watch the direct...
Aug 14, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 137
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show King the Land (JTBC, 2023) written by Choi Rom starring Im Yoon-ah of Girls Generation and Lee Jun-ho of 2PM. Grace analyzes the show’s politicized recognition of emotional labor jobs like hospitality, retail and flight attendance occupied by women. Grace dedicates this episode to her late friend Tuim Kim Weaver who survived Japanese occupation, the Korean War, and immigration to the States. May she rest in peace. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitte...
Aug 07, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 136
No K-drama coverage today. Grace is on a saga. She goes to the ER after carbon monoxide exposure in her home. She records the podcast in real time with the event as it unfolds. She apologizes for the poor quality of the recording. She promises to cover King the Land next week. She also appreciates her beloved listeners. 🫰 Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit https://www.kdramaschool.com/ to learn more.
Jul 31, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 135
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show See You in My 19th Life (tvN, 2023) based on a webtoon by Lee Hye, written by Choi Young-rim and directed by Lee Na-jeong. The show explores the theme of past lives which Grace sees as a metaphor for negative flashbacks. How to let go of past memories that feel so real? Grace also discusses her experience of seeing Barbie (2023) in theaters, and her fantasy of working on a show for Cartoon Network. Grace talks about the history of South Korean animators (...
Jul 24, 2023•13 min•Season 1Ep. 134
No K-drama. Grace talks about World of the Married and why the ending of the pilot was so appealing to her. She also talks about Fight Club and the ending of that film, and what it means in terms of her mental/emotional/physical health journey up until now. Grace mentions that she is watching See You in My 19th Life and King the Land so those are two shows you can keep up with her until she discusses them in future podcast episodes. Stay tuned!
Jul 17, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 133
No K-drama today. Grace repaints a self-portrait she painted back in July 2013. What did she paint ten years later? Who is she today? Grace offers a few pointers for you to carry in your back pocket this week.
Jul 10, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 132
Grace plays with her caterpillar xylophone to honor her inner joy and talks about a baby pet pig neighbor she sees every week. She discusses the past week’s journey to taking care of her physical, mental and emotional well-being and what that’s triggered for her. Grace shows her appreciation for her friends, doctors, and figures like Tara Brach. [Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Bloodhounds (2023, Netflix) written and directed by Kim Ju-hwan AKA Jason Kim, which Grace considers the best s...
Jul 03, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 131
No K-drama this week. Grace has decided to continue dropping new episodes every Monday regardless of whether or not she has a show to discuss. Sans make-up, Grace celebrates meeting her weight loss goal, running into angelic saviors in the most unexpected places and finally understanding what all her defensive mental dialoguing means. This episode is dedicated to Minnie and K-Drama School fans who voted for weekly updates every Monday. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit...
Jul 03, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 130
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Lost (2021, JTBC) which stars Jeon Do-yeon and Ryu Jun-yeol. The show dwells on themes of existential loneliness, hitting rock bottom, and seeking a way to love freely. The show is directed by Hur Jin-ho and written by Kim Ji-hye. Grace discusses the culture of South Korean host bars that cater to women with money and stand-in services where sex workers and entertainers pretend to be a client’s acquaintance or friend at weddings and funerals. Grace wonder...
Jun 26, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 129
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Lost (2021, JTBC) which stars Jeon Do-yeon and Ryu Jun-yeol. The show dwells on themes of existential loneliness, hitting rock bottom, and seeking a way to love freely. The show is directed by Hur Jin-ho and written by Kim Ji-hye. Grace discusses the culture of South Korean host bars that cater to women with money and stand-in services where sex workers and entertainers pretend to be a client’s acquaintance or friend at weddings and funerals. Grace wonder...
Jun 19, 2023•29 min
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show The Good Bad Mother (2023, JTBC). Grace’s screen addiction is starting to improve while her tolerance for other people’s dramas is reducing, and she’s wondering aloud (again) how this might impact her podcasting in the future. Grace finally understands the significance of positive affirmations. Grace analyzes The Good Bad Mother and Ra Mi-ran’s character who faces her shadows and confronts them bravely. Grace also highlights Ra Mi-ran’s lead performance i...
Jun 12, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 128
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Chocolate (2019, JTBC). The show is written by Lee Kyung-hee who also wrote Sang-doo! Let’s Go to School and I’m Sorry, I Love You. Chocolate is Lee Kyung-hee’s second collaboration with director Lee Hyung-min who directed I’m Sorry, I Love You . Grace mentions her impression of the second male lead actor Teo Yoo, and his performance in the new film Past Lives (2023). Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit https://www.kdramaschool.co...
Jun 05, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 127
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Black Knight (2023, Netflix) based on a webtoon by cartoonist Lee Yoon-kyoon, adapted for TV and directed by Cho Ui-seok—a former assistant director to Oscar winner Bong Joon-ho in his film Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000). Black Knight raises awareness around the plight of working-class laborers like delivery workers and environmental issues like air pollution. Grace notes how South Korea is increasingly developing narratives dealing with world crises like...
May 29, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 126
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Birthcare Center (2020, tvN) written by Kim Ji-soo. The show satirizes new parents’ anxiety over being the best parent ever, and putting all their money into proving it so, when really, it’s unknowable. Grace analyzes the show’s exploration of maternal guilt over wanting to be a working mom, and how women exhaust themselves by comparing their lives to others’. Grace discusses her kombucha brewing journey, and her interview with Time magazine. Follow @KDra...
May 22, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 125
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Queenmaker (2023, Netflix) written by Moon Ji-young. Queenmaker takes inspiration from Korean Air’s Cho family scandals related to staff abuse. Kim Hee-ae’s role as Do-hee is an exploration of how a person who tolerated and participated in corruption turns her life around through vengeance. Kim Hee-ae’s K-drama queendom also plays a meta role in crowning veteran indie and art house film actress Moon So-ri as a K-drama queen through this show. Grace’s gues...
May 15, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 124
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Mr Queen (2020-2021, tvN) based on a Chinese web series called Go Princess Go . The show is written by Park Gye-ok and Choi Ah-il. Grace compares Mr Queen to Jewel in the Palace ; whereas more classic hallyu K-dramas like Jewel in the Palace utilizes Korean food as a vehicle to promote wellness, healing and medicinal properties, Mr Queen appropriates aspects of that show to promote Korean food as pleasure and vice. Mr Queen also includes aspects of trans-...
May 08, 2023•21 min
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Divorce Attorney Shin (2023, JTBC) based on a webtoon by Kang Tae-kyung written by screenwriter Yoo Young-a. Grace praises the show’s writing and for exploring a public female figure’s experience as a victim of a digital sex crime. Grace also mentions how the people around her are starting to snap out of the matrix of their lives and entering a phase of self-realization. It is all very exciting to her. Grace’s guest is LA-based comedian Ruby Bockmeier (@b...
May 01, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 122
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Jirisan (2021, tvN) written by Kim Eun-hee starring Ju Ji-hoon and Jun Ji-hyun. Grace appreciates the chemistry between the two stars as well as Kim Eun-hee’s accomplished way of non-linear storytelling. Grace does question, however, the show’s expectation of disabled characters to reach a cure in the end, and without any explanation as to how they got there. Jirisan is chockful of gorgeous scenic views of mountains throughout. Grace’s guest is Korean Ame...
Apr 24, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 121
[Spoiler Alert] This is the first ever K-Drama School podcast live recording at Anchorage, Alaska with the B4UDie Comedy Festival at E Street Theater. Grace’s first comedian guest is Leah Mansfield (@leahmansfield on Instagram) who always brings friendly wit and joy to her comedy. Grace and Leah have a round of flashcard questions based on The Glory (2023, Netflix). Grace’s second comedian guest is Chip Nicholson (@chipnicholson on Instagram) who won Best of Fest at B4UDie 2023, and always bring...
Apr 17, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 120
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Beef (Netflix, 2023) created by Lee Sung Jin starring Steve Yeun and Ali Wong. While Beef is a Netflix production made in Hollywood, Grace sees a lot of Korean influence on the show like how Danny tries to kill himself using hibachi grills similar to the way Koreans use charcoal briquettes, having a billionaire character, and the jang-nam (eldest Korean son) pressure that Danny puts on himself to buy his parents a house. What makes the show arguably a Kor...
Apr 10, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Grace is going to be in Anchorage, Alaska for the B4UDie Comedy Festival! On April 8th, she is recording a live episode of K-Drama School podcast at E Street Theater at 1PM. Please stop by! The show is free. [Spoiler Alert] Grace lost $650 because she made some booking mistakes for her trip to Alaska but she talks herself out of grief. Grace discusses a greatly underrated throwback show entitled City Hall (SBS, 2009) starring Kim Sun-ha and Cha Seung-won written by hit-maker Kim Eun-sook. Grace ...
Apr 03, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 118
[Spoiler Alert] Grace calls season 1 of Big Bet (Disney+, 2022-2023) starring Choi Min-sik, Son Suk-ku and Lee Dong-hwi written and directed by Kang Yoon-sung “the worst K-drama” she’s ever seen in her entire life. Grace goes off about how much she hates Disney+ productions of K-dramas which hog all the good actors but put them in terrible shows made by inexperienced filmmakers who don’t have a sense of TV pacing. Disney+ and Kang Yoon-sung’s greatest offense when creating Big Bet is making a se...
Mar 27, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 117
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses Juvenile Justice (Netflix, 2022) starring Kim Hye-soo, Kim Mu-yeol and Lee Sung-min. Grace compares the success of Juvenile Justice to the failure of Extracurricular in that there’s a complete story arc following Judge Sim’s hero’s journey. Grace praises Kim Hye-soo’s controlled performance on this show, as well as the show’s conscious awareness in how a society’s perpetrators come into formation through systemic and structural problems. The show poignantly states...
Mar 20, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 116
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses part 2 of the show The Glory (2022, Netflix) written by hit-maker Kim Eun-sook in her second collaboration with Song Hye-kyo. Grace starts out by admitting how she cried while watching Ke Huy Quan’s and Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar acceptance speeches telling artists not to give up on their dreams. Grace questions the concept of a public apology, and questions the adults involved in the latest media scandal around director Ahn Gil-ho. Grace critiques The Glory ’s backwar...
Mar 13, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 115
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Crash Course in Romance (tvN, 2023) starring Jeon Do-yeon and Jung Kyung-ho. Grace goes into actress Jeon Do-yeon’s impressive entertainment career which she’s been in since the year 1990. Grace is speaks highly of Crash Course in Romance ’s noble attempt at raising awareness around mental health, emotional well-being, childhood trauma, and overachievement despite physical incapacitation but is disappointed at the show's failure to address any of them suf...
Mar 06, 2023•1 hr 50 min•Season 1Ep. 114
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Summer Strike (GenieTV, 2022) starring Im Si-wan and Kim Seol-hyun. She analyzes the character Bom and her moments of female outrage in light of the tragedies she faces, which are highly in contrast with how Yeo-reum handles herself. Grace also encourages you to quit your job if you hate it so much. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit https://www.kdramaschool.com/ to learn more....
Feb 27, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 113
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Save Me (OCN, 2017) starring Seo Yea-ji, Ok Taec-yeon, Jo Sung-ha and Woo Do-hwan. Grace analyzes the show’s illustration of religious fanaticism to critique South Korean cults that take advantage of emotionally vulnerable civilians. She also examines South Korea’s conflicting viewpoint around mental illness—how patients suffering from mental disorder and their families are unwilling to accept a clinical diagnosis from psychologists but willing to seek fa...
Feb 20, 2023•1 hr 55 min•Season 1Ep. 112
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show The Interest of Love (JTBC, 2023) starring Yoo Yeon-seok, Moon Ga-young, Keum Sae-rok and Jung Ga-ram. Grace appreciates this “chewy” melodrama that has substance, humanity, heart, and profound breakthroughs for all the characters. Grace is discusses why she was the most heartbroken by Jung Ga-ram’s character Jung Jong-hyun. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit https://www.kdramaschool.com/ to learn more....
Feb 13, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 111
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Curtain Call (KBS, 2022) starring Kang Ha-neul and Ha Ji-won. Grace appreciates the potential incest romance the show dangles, as well as Ha Ji-won finally playing a strong female character on TV. Grace breaks down what a classic K-drama melodrama is made of. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit https://www.kdramaschool.com/ to learn more.
Feb 06, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 110
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the Netflix show Somebody —a Netflix series starring Kang Hae-lim, Kim Yong-ji, Kim Soo-yeon, and Kim Young-kwang. Grace is impressed by the show’s diverse way of exploring female sexuality and agency, but questions the choice behind making the autistic character a pathological killer. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit https://www.kdramaschool.com/ to learn more.
Jan 30, 2023•13 min•Season 1Ep. 109
