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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Sunday, June 26, 2005

Dramas reflect social issues in South Korea

 •  'Mr. Housewife' features hot-tempered husband
Reader poll: Do you feel Korean dramas portray current trends and the changing social issues in Korea today?
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Got a question or comment? Post it on our K-drama message board.

By Jeff Chung

"Mr. Housewife" is a new drama specifically aimed at the current social issues in South Korea of unemployed husbands. The traditional role of man and woman has reversed.

Last Week's Poll

Last week, we asked a question about a "Super Rookie" character: "Kang Ho got a job at LK by a computer fluke. Will he make it up the corporate ladder?"

By 160 to 47, readers voted "Yes."

The man is not the breadwinner of the family nor is the woman the homemaker.

Women are more empowered in today's South Korea. The competitive job market for men has steadily been increasing and we now see more men without a job.

We see this in "Super Rookie" with Kang-ho's best friend and now with "Mr. Housewife." The Korean title of "Mr. Housewife" is "Bool-yang Joo-boo," which literally means, defective homemaker.

It's clear in this drama that the roles have changed between husband and wife in this country. Soo-han, a featured character, is faced with being the homemaker, taking care of their daughter and making meals. The challenge is that the man has never been educated in homemaking nor has he had much exposure to it. You can still see many dramas where men hardly ever go into the kitchen. Not even to help with dishes or help cook.

So, where would one go to get home education? You will see many scenarios where Soo-han is challenged with the daily chores of homemaking and raising their little daughter.

"Mr. Housewife" added a little twist to traditional drama format by adding at the end of each episode a quick bit on how to make chores around the house easier. This quick bit of information has made this drama very different from other dramas.

Jeff Chung is the general manager of KBFD, which televises all of the K-dramas. If you have a K-drama question or comment, call KBFD at 521-8066.