[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the K-drama series Captivating the King (2024, tvN) starring Jo Jung-seok and Shin Se-kyung. Grace asks the question why Korean period pieces tend to have so many gay kings, and what’s progressive and regressive about this narrative choice. Grace explores Captivating the King ’s queerness in its defiance against status quo and going against the typical choice for a hetero expectation in an ending, referencing Jack Halberstam’s book The Queer Art of Failure. Grace ...
Mar 04, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 166
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the K-drama series Mental Coach Jegal (2022, tvN) starring Jung Woo and Lee Yoo-mi. Grace talks about how she became her very own birthday clown on her own birthday by flopping, and dives into the show Mental Coach Jegal which includes messages of female empowerment without compromising herself to save her family’s face as well as mindfulness of the present moment over racing towards milestones. Grace questions the relationship between a sports psychologist and hi...
Feb 26, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 165
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the Netflix K-drama series The Bequeathed (2024, Netflix) starring Kim Hyun-joo, Ryu Kyung-soo, Park Hee-soon and Park Byung-eun. This is a show created by Yeon Sang-ho based on a webseries entitled The Bequeathed. Grace wonders what makes a TV show noir, how the series uses incest as a metaphor, and her love for actor Park Sung-hoon and his hysteria. K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available for pre-order and a 20% disc...
Feb 19, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 164
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the latest Netflix K-drama series A Killer Paradox (2024, Netflix) starring Choi Woo-shik, Son Suk-ku, Lee Hee-joon and Kim Yo-han. The show is based on a 2018 webtoon entitled Salinja Nangam written by Ggomabi and illustrated by Nomabi. Grace is surprised that this show is not a Netflix top 10. K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available for pre-order and a 20% discount until April 23, 2024! Use code KDRAMA20 at the check...
Feb 12, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 163
K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available for pre-order and a 20% discount until April 23, 2024! Use code KDRAMA20 at the checkout on the Hachette Book Group webpage: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/grace-jung/k-drama-school/9780762485727/ Exclusions apply. This code only applies at the Hachette checkout for hardcover copies of the book, and expires on April 23, 2024. [Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the series Like Flowers Over Sand (2023-2...
Feb 05, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 162
K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available for pre-order and a 20% discount until April 23, 2024! Use code KDRAMA20 at the checkout on the Hachette Book Group webpage: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/grace-jung/k-drama-school/9780762485727/ Exclusions apply. This code only applies at the Hachette checkout for hardcover copies of the book, and expires on April 23, 2024. [Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the series Like Flowers Over Sand (2023-2024...
Feb 05, 2024•18 min
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show My Demon (SBS, 2023-2024) which stars Kim Yoo-jung and Song Kang. Grace takes issue with director Kim Jang-han who appears to have taken too many liberties ripping off the mise-en-scene from Goblin (2015-2016), but admires his earlier work for directing a K-drama about erectile dysfunction. Hell yeah! Grace’s returning guest is Berlin-based comedian Tobias Hauser (@hahahouser on Instagram) and they discuss working in America, German Nazi landlords, Tina T...
Jan 29, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 161
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses three shows at once to review Korea’s colonial history during Japanese occupation including Gyeongseong Creature, Mr. Sunshine and Snowdrop, and how they always include huge hallyu stars to promote Korean nationalism and to critique Japan’s imperialist history over Korea. Grace discusses what does the Gyeongseong creature represents, and how K-dramas on globalized streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ can work as a means of decolonization. Grace’s new book ...
Jan 22, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 160
No singular K-drama coverage today. Grace is watching three in a row and hasn't finished any of them yet as they are still releasing throughout the rest of the month. She has a quick chat about them and asks listeners to email suggestions on shows they've seen lately. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available now for pre-order on Amazon. Release date is April 23, 2024: https://shorturl.at/fAFY1 . Please visit K-Drama School’s Patreon p...
Jan 15, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 159
No K-drama today. Grace wonders what it takes to be a balanced artist while maintaining oneself and achieving their dreams. How can one be both a slacker and ambitious at the same time? Grace also discusses her latest clown workshop and how her body responded when she was moving freely at a dance studio over the weekend. Grace is almost alarmed at how much she is at peace with her life. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available now for...
Jan 08, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 158
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Boyhood (2023, Coupang Play) starring Im Si-wan, Lee Sun-bin, Lee Si-woo and Kang Hye-won . Boyhood addresses the absurdity of bullying culture while exposing toxic behaviors found in every facet of patriarchal Korean society whether it’s in the underworld with gangs, political office, or a high school. Grace declares Im Si-wan the greatest living actor of this era not just in Korea but in the world. Grace also lists her top five favorite K-dramas of 2023...
Jan 01, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 157
No K-drama today. Grace has a heartfelt message to all K-Drama Schoolers. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available now for pre-order on Amazon. Release date is April 23, 2024: https://shorturl.at/fAFY1 . Please visit K-Drama School’s Patreon page to support the show at http://www.patreon.com/kdramaschool . Visit the K-Drama School Store at http://www.kdramaschool/com/store . Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, and TikTok. Visit https:/...
Dec 25, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 156
No K-drama today. Grace discusses the push and pull process of creativity and intention. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available now for pre-order on Amazon. Release date is April 23, 2024: https://shorturl.at/fAFY1 . Please visit K-Drama School’s Patreon page to support the show at http://www.patreon.com/kdramaschool . Visit the K-Drama School Store at http://www.kdramaschool/com/store . Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, a...
Dec 18, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 155
No K-drama today. Grace discusses her recent manic-depressive episode and her coping mechanisms. This episode is dedicated to mental health awareness for those who feel isolated and are hunting for more coping tips. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available now for pre-order on Amazon. Release date is April 23, 2024: https://shorturl.at/fAFY1 . Please visit K-Drama School’s Patreon page to support the show at http://www.patreon.com/kdr...
Dec 11, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 154
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Castaway Diva (2023, tvN) written by Park Hye-ryun starring Park Eun-bin, Kim Hyo-jin, Chae Jong-hyeop, Cha Hak-yeon of VIXX and Kim Joo-hun. Grace admires actress Park Eun-bin and her extraordinary acting abilities where she shines playing weirdo characters. Grace critiques the ridiculous ageism and sexism of the Korean entertainment industry by treating a woman in her late 30s as washed up. Grace highlights the relationship between two singers Ran-joo a...
Dec 04, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 153
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses an old school K-drama called Into the Sunlight (1999, MBC) starring Kim Hyun-joo, Kim Ha-neul, Cha Tae-hyun and Jang Hyuk. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available now for pre-order on Amazon. Release date is April 23, 2024: https://shorturl.at/fAFY1 . Please visit K-Drama School’s Patreon page to support the show at http://www.patreon.com/kdramaschool . Visit the K-Drama School Store at http://www.kdra...
Nov 27, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 152
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Destined with You (2023, Netflix) starring Rowoon and Jo Bo-ah. Grace is disappointed by K-dramas’ boring trope of past lives coming back to haunt couples in the present life. She wants to see something new. Grace discusses Jo Bo-ah’s co-hosting gig on Baek Jong-won’s Back Alley with chef and restauranteur Baek Jong-won and Kim Sung-joo. Grace also admires Rowoon’s charm. Grace also discusses how art is given to loved ones as a gift and wonders what the f...
Nov 20, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 151
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Daily Dose of Sunshine (2023, Netflix). The show stars actress Park Bo-young and tackles mental illness stigma, socio-cultural factors that contribute to mental illness, and the helplessness that people feel. Grace is still battling a cold, and her psychologist is telling her to quit therapy because she’s all better. Grace also discusses her first sangha experience at the Won Buddhist Center with a Korean monk. Grace also talks about the Korean Friendship...
Nov 13, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 150
No K-drama today. School is closed because the host is ill. Get your flu shots!
Nov 06, 2023•25 sec•Season 1Ep. 149
No K-drama coverage today. Grace is home visiting her parents for the first time in 7 years and is having mystical encounters with friends, animals, and family. It’s a wild time. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available now for pre-order on Amazon. Release date is April 23, 2024: https://shorturl.at/fAFY1 . Please visit K-Drama School’s Patreon page to support the show at http://www.patreon.com/kdramaschool . Visit the K-Drama School ...
Oct 30, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 148
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Doona! (2023, Netflix) starring K-pop star Bae Suzy formerly of Miss A and actor Yang Se-jong. Grace borrows a concept called the “superfemale” named in Richard Dyer’s 1979 star studies text Stars to analyze Doona’s K-pop star figure as a superfemale archetype. Grace is also humbled by the show’s ending and pleasantly surprised by its maturity. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available now for p...
Oct 23, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 147
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show The Light in Your Eyes (2019, JTBC) starring veteran K-drama actress Kim Hye-ja. Kim Hye-ja’s first Korean TV series entitled Frog Husband (1969) which was controversial but showed MBC and its competitors that TV viewers want scandal. Kim Hye-ja is also famous for speaking up on her frustration for being older and more experienced and a better actress in her older age and yet having less and less roles written for her. Grace gets into the significance of ...
Oct 16, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 146
Grace reviews a few shows from the past that are ideal for autumn viewing to chase those fall blues away such as Autumn in My Heart, Something in the Rain, and Now, We Are Breaking Up. All three shows are romantic K-dramas with a depressive tone that captures the seasonal changes that people feel around this time of the year. Grace recommends watching Autumn in My Heart to compare against Now, We Are Breaking Up even just to track Song Hye-kyo’s acting improvement jump between two decades. Grace...
Oct 09, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 145
[Spoiler Alert] K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television now has a pre-order link available on Amazon! Release date has been updated to April 23, 2024. Grace discusses the show Behind Your Touch (2023, JTBC) written by Lee Nam-kyu and directed by Kim Suk-yoon who also directed My Liberation Notes . Grace brings up the concept of the gireogi dad, dabang, and rural villages with serial killers. Please visit K-Drama School’s Patreon page to support the show at http:/...
Oct 02, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 144
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Miraculous Brothers (2023, JTBC). The show is written by Kim Ji-woo whose TV screenwriting days date back to 2001 with Stock Flower . The show stars Jung Woo, Bae Hyun-sung, Park Yu-rim, Oh Man-seok and Lee Ki-woo. Themes include rationalizing one’s personal shame and the importance of tending to one’s own pain rather than only externalizing through action in the name of “justice.” Grace discusses modernist Korean poet Yoon Dong-ju and the Woody Allen fil...
Sep 25, 2023•48 min
No K-drama today. Grace’s SoCal comedian buddy Viet Nguyen returns as a guest. They chat outside a coffee house in Long Beach. Viet teaches Grace how to say “cheers” in Vietnamese and drops knowledge on the Vietcong’s history. They talk about bulldogs, Japanese dogs, Asian aliens, Transformers, Shia Labeouf, parents, war, independence from authoritative influence, and autonomy. Grace recommends that you visit K-Drama School’s Patron page: http://www.patreon.com/kdramaschool . She'll upload weekl...
Sep 18, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 142
No K-drama today. Grace discusses how long it took her to go completely blonde, and her experience drinking cacao. Grace recommends that you visit K-Drama School’s Patron page: http://www.patreon.com/kdramaschool . She'll upload weekly posts covering all shows and movies that are not K-dramas. Grace also recommends that you visit the K-Drama School Store at http://www.kdramaschool/com/store . She is selling mugs and notebooks that she designed personally. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitt...
Sep 11, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 141
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Glitch (2022, Netflix) directed by filmmaker Roh Deok and written by Jin Han-sae who also wrote Extracurricular and. It stars Jeon Yeo-been and Nana from the K-pop group After School and the series Mask Girl. Grace observes the show’s exploration of UFOs, aliens, queerness, and objective/subjective reality. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit https://www.kdramaschool.com/ to learn more....
Sep 04, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 140
[Spoiler Alert] Grace celebrates the early phase of the full moon in Pisces—this month’s second Super Moon, and it is blue! She also celebrates finding a hat she loved and lost from five years ago. This week, Grace covers the show Mask Girl (2023, Netflix) which stars Lee Han-byul, Nana, Go Hyun-jung, Ahn Jae-hong and Yeom Hye-ran and explores lookism through black comedy and psychological thrill. Grace also notes a wonderful trend of complex feminist discourses on television that take inspirati...
Aug 28, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 139
[Spoiler Alert] Grace is obsessed with a new Korean sparkling water called Cloop which is grape flavored and comes with a plastic cap to keep the water carbonated longer. Hell yeah. (Not a sponsored ad!) She also plays the xylophone a bit as promised. This week, Grace discusses season 2 of DP and male Korean filmmakers’ infernal cynicism which she is tired of. She also sees the goodness of show’s characters who are brave enough to stand up for what they believe in and fight the system. Grace ann...
Aug 21, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 138
