Posted on: Sunday, July 3, 2005
Conservative issues given modern look
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By Jeff Chung
In this era of Korean dramas reflecting the social issues and trends in South Korea today, one soap writer has remained a traditionalist.
Last week, we asked whether Korean dramas portray trends and the changing social issues in South Korea today.
You answered:
Of the 182 votes, the overwhelming majority said yes. The vote was 131 yes to 51 no. Her latest work can be seen from 9:25 to 10:25 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays in "Letters to Parents." Adding this show to the lineup brings a complete lineup of subtitled programming from 7:50 to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Kim Soo-hyun picks and trains actors, using a specific style of talking that draws emotions. This is one of the reasons her works are successful. She personally gets involved with the production process. Other writers may leave it to the producers.
Kim Soo-hyun wrote "Letters to Parents" without any regard for ratings. (Nowadays, many other writers do.) She wrote this specific drama to give her thoughts on current social issues and what the future may hold.
"Letters to Parents" had successful ratings in Korea. The setting takes place in a traditional old Korean-style home. The family consists of parents, two boys and two girls. This drama was written to reach people in their 30s, 40s and 50s.
Even the dining style is traditional: The whole family eats together on a large table with endless ban chan (side dishes). The father, a former school headmaster, writes to his deceased parents every day.
In the letters are his deep thoughts and his feelings on how he deals with the issues of society and raising children in today's Korea. Issues include having a grandchild with autism, a daughter abused by her husband, infidelity and marrying among social classes.
If you're looking for more subtitled Korean programming, at 9 p.m., we also have 25 minutes of Korean National News from KBS, and from 9:25 to 10:25 p.m., more subtitled dramas. Our final KBS daily dramas are telecast 10:25 to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday.
"Letters to Parents" is worth a look, particularly if you can't make it to the TV for the 8 p.m. K-dramas.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD, which televises all of the K-dramas. If you have a K-drama question or comment, call KBFD, Channel 4, at 521-8066.
Kim Soo-hyun is one of the most popular K-drama writers largely because she takes a unique approach to her shows. She doesn't just reflect today's ever-changing South Korea; she writes with depth, picking the actors herself and looking at family and old conservative issues and how they relate to the changing times.
Last week's poll
