Double Feature - Queen of Tears and Love Next Door

My co-host Sangeetha joins back for this very special episode with Sadhana - A travel designer and frequent traveller to South Korea. She is also one of the early listeners of our podcast and has always had encouraging words for us!Sangeetha has been to Seoul in 2016 and Sadhana has been there thrice since pandemic.In this episode -(1) Sadhana recommends her favourite 5 dramas to our listener: Reply1988, My Liberation Notes, Goblin, Signal and Moonlovers Scarlet Heart Ryeo.(2) Sangeetha and Sadhana share their travel experiences from Seoul.(3) Don’t miss the great tip that Sadhana shares at the end of the episode!Music Credits:  Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter. License code: LU8KUCTYYYAA2KKLContact Us:Email: crashlandedonkdramas[@]gmail[.]com Leave us a review or rating on the podcast app. Threads @crashlanded_onkdramasTwitter: @CrashLandedonKDInstagram @crashlanded_onkdramas

Host Minal is joined by Vipula and Benny to discuss the 2021 hit Kdrama Hometown Cha Cha Cha. The episode is full of spoilers so we suggest you watch the drama before listening to this episode. Hometown Cha Cha Cha is a 16 episode romance + slice-of-life drama that ran from Aug to Oct 21. The drama is a remake of the movie Mr. Hong starring Uhm Jung Hwa and Kim Joo Hyuk (Argon, Reply 1988 - Cameo Elder Taek)Director: Yoo Je Won - Oh My Ghost, Crash Course in Romance, Love Next DoorWriter:  Shin Ha Eun (The Crowned Clown, Love Next Door).Lead Pair: Kim Seon Ho/ Shin Min AhGongjin Gang Plot summary: Yoon Hye-Jin (Shin Min-A) a successful dentist and city girl moves to the small village of Gongjin and runs into Hong DuSik (Kim Seon Ho). Hong DuSik is a man with many skills and jobs. Their opposite personalities and outlook to life clash and sparks fly. Their journey combined with those of their village family makes this drama more of slice of life intertwined with a solid romance. Key themes:Trope Reversal: Ms. Grumpy meets Mr. SunshineFound familyWomen friendshipsPortrayal of strong women across all age groupsMature handling of a love triangle and its resolutionSome of our posts on Hometown Cha Cha Cha:Representation of women : Strong women from Little Bora to Gam Ri Haelmoni across all age groups Minal on the women in this dramaVipula on Hye Jin , Part 2Best Love triangle resolution in Kdramas? Hands down the best! Two scenes reflect mature handling of this triangle The HedgeHog: Why Minal thinks Dusik is the The Hedgehog and not HyeJinLiterary References in the showHenry David Thoreau‘s WaldenThe Doorkeeper Poem [ Dusik reads to Hyejin in E10]  Favourite Scenes mentioned:The First MeetingCinderella and The PrinceHyeJin - Dusik annoying each otherGamri and DusikGongjin FamilyPyo Mi Seon And Eun CheolMeet the parentsAll the confessions:Hyejin’s confessionDusik says I love youThe marriage proposalComedy scenes:Dusik running on his off dayNamsuk see Dusik asking JiPd for RamyeonDusik eats Hyejin’s badly cooked porridgeThings that didn’t work for us:HyeJin beating Dusik to hide their relationshipThe stalker episodeTrauma overdone:Assistant director blaming DuSik for his father’s investment woes from the financial market crashDuSik’s senior’s wife holding DuSik responsible for her husband’s deathMusic Credits:  Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter. License code: LU8KUCTYYYAA2KKLContact Us:Email: crashlandedonkdramas[@]gmail[.]com Leave us a review or rating on the podcast app. Threads @crashlanded_onkdramasTwitter: @CrashLandedonKDInstagram @crashlanded_onkdramas

Minal is joined by another resident guest of this podcast - Vipula to discuss the 2024 KDrama When the Phone Rings which took the world by storm in December. The episode is full of spoilers so we suggest you watch the drama before listening to this episode. The drama was 12 episodes and telecast from November 2024 - Jan 2025. The director is Park Sang-Woo and the writer is Kim Ji-Woon. The drama is based on a web-novel/webtoon and stars Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin as the lead pair. Plot Summary (Source: Asian Wiki)Paik Sa-Eon (Yoo Yeon-Seok) comes from a prestigious political family and he becomes the youngest presidential spokesman in Korea. His background also includes time spent as a war correspondent, hostage negotiator, and main anchorman. He ismarried to Hong Hee-Joo (Chae Soo-Bin) since 3 years in a marriage of convenience. She is the step-daughter of a major Korean newspaper proprietor. She has selective mutism due to an accident she sufferred in childhood. She works as a sign language interpreter in court and on television. For the past 3 years, they haven't communicated with each other. One day, Hong Hee-Joo is kidnapped by an unidentified person and this changes their marriage life. Favourite Scenes mentioned:E1: HeeJoo curses Baek SaeonE3 : She is my wifeE3 : Baek Saeon learns his wife can make soundsE4: HeeJoo is brand new languageE5: Interview sceneE6: Basek Seon searches for HeeJooE7: First confession and kissMr Kang bringing all the laughsSaeon and HeeJoo scene compilationYoo Yeon Sook Dramas: Mr Sunshine, Hospital Playlist , Interest of LoveMinal’s KDrama Romance Recommendations: Suspicious Partner, The Law Cafe , Crash Landing on You , Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo and Love All PlayMusic Credits:  Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter. License code: LU8KUCTYYYAA2KKLContact Us:Email: crashlandedonkdramas[@]gmail[.]com Leave us a review or rating on the podcast appTwitter: @CrashLandedonKDInstagram @crashlanded_onkdramasThreads @crashlanded_onkdramas

Double Feature: Queen of Tears and Love Next Door Hello Listeners, welcome to the first episode of a new season in the new year. Minal is joined by our resident guest Mun who is the co-host of Witchaar Podcast.  Mun and Minal discuss two the most anticipated and hyped dramas of 2024 Queen of Tears and Love Next Door. The lead pairs of both dramas are amongst our favourite actors/actresses. The writers and directors of these dramas are behind some of the most popular Kdramas such Crash Landing on You, Vincenzo, Hometown Cha Cha Cha.  To find out if these two hyped dramas managed to live up to to our expectations - tune in to our latest episode. Other KDrama recommendations for the leads: Kim So Hyun - My Love from Another Star, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, One Ordinary Day (Remake of Criminal Justice) Kim Ji Won : Descendants of the Sun, Lovestruck in the City, Fight for My Way  Jung Hae In: Something in the Rain, While You Were Sleeping, DP , One Spring Night, Prison Playbook Jung So Min : Because this is my first life Previous Episode : Jane Austen of KDramas featuring Park Ji Eun writer of Crash Landing on You , My Love from Another Star, The Legend of the Blue Sea, Queen of Tears Favourite Scenes: Did I ever tell you not to be by my side  Kim Soo Hyun - Best Crier Award Hae In tells Baek Hyun Woo if she were reborn a 100 times she would marry him every time Kdrama - Bollywood Crossover: Mun mentions Shahrukh Khan who is one of the superstars from Bollywood.  Minal mentions this famous SRK scene from the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. The scene’s famous background music was used by fans to edit the scene where Kim Soo Hyun is running on the bridge.  Queen of Tears - Love Next Door Crossover: Kim Soo Hyun calls Haein (Jung) Other Dramas mentioned in the episode 2024 Dramas: Mr Plankton, BlackOut,When The Phone Rings, LightShop Dramas pre-2024: King the Eternal Monarch, Mr Sunshine, The Law Cafe Music Credits:  Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter. License code: LU8KUCTYYYAA2KKL Leave us a review or rating on the podcast app.  Contact Us: Email: crashlandedonkdramas[@]gmail[.]com  Twitter: @CrashLandedonKD Instagram @crashlanded_onkdramas Threads @crashlanded_onkdramas

This is the finale of our special showcase on Moving Kdrama. Our host Minal is joined with our two wonderful guests Benny and Vipula.   In this episode, we cover the final 4 episodes 17 to 20 which capture the final battle between the superheroes/spies from North Korea and South Korea and the battleground is the school. We discuss what we loved about the finale , what we would like Season 2 to cover  and what the show could have done better. A big thank you to all of our listeners who tuned in! Have a wonderful new year and I hope to be more regular with this podcast in 2025.   Episode Outline: 2 battlegrounds at School and Gym North Korean agents vs Juwon, MiHyun and the teacher Choi Ill Hwan MiHyun’s take down of the NK agent (Janitor lady) and the Ace shooter JaeMan comes to the rescue of his son Kang Hoon JuWon and Yongdeok fistfight Bongaeman comes to the rescue Gym : Hisoo, Bongseok and the NK Flying man Dusik’s missions in NK - The slow motion gunfire scene which reminded Minal of the Quicksilver scene in X Men Days of the Future Past in terms of the slow-motion shots The backstories of the the North Korean soldiers - YeongDuk and Jae Seok The parallels between Deok Yoon the NK commander and DuSik The NK soldiers revolt Reunion - Dusik reunites with his family & Yeongduk finds a family with HiSoo and Juwon Episode Clips: Episodes 18-20 Trailer What we would like to see in S2: DukSik - Juwon Reunion Dusik - Bongseok relationship Bongseok - HiSoo love story  Kang Hoon’s journey in NIS Frank’s backstory CIA angle Music Credits:  Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter. License code: LU8KUCTYYYAA2KKL Contact Us: Email: crashlandedonkdramas[@]gmail[.]com  Leave us a review or rating on the podcast app.  Twitter: @CrashLandedonKD Instagram @crashlanded_onkdramas

Our host Minal is joined with our guests Benny and Vipula.  And for this recording, we have another Moving and fellow K-drama enthusiast, Anna.  Anna’s Top 3 Kdrama recommendations: Happiness, Reply 1988, My Mister In this podcast episode, we are going to cover Episode 14, 15 and 16 of the Moving Kdrama. These two episodes will work towards bringing us to the present timeline and provide context to the history of our heroes with the government spy organization.  Episode Outline: Lee Jae-man’s backstory Jae-man’s promise to his son, Kang-Hoon Battle of the Hulks: Jae-man and Ju-Won Min Yong-Jun reveals further evil agenda Choi Il- Wan’s arc as coach to superheroes Min scouts for 2nd generation superhero weapons North Koreans super soldiers arrive at the school Ju-won & Mi-Hyun reunite after years Hui-Soo & Bong-Seok run towards danger against all common sense Mi-Hyun still has serious fighting skills Ju-Won raising his daughter as a single dad Episode Clips: Episode 14 highlights, Episode 16 highlights Moving Beyond Jae-man and Ju-won being the best fathers they can with their constraints is the core undercurrent in Episode 14. Parenting relationships continue to be well sketched out - whether it’s Ju-won with Hui-Soo or Mi-Hyun with Bong Seok or Jae-man with Kang Hoon. We see different parenting styles, all driven by the same core values of love and protection. Moving reinforces the recurring theme that beyond superpowers and circumstances, it's the power of love that actually drives people to be heroes. The excellent writing and script demands that we know how BTS the show came together to create magic Other dramas/movies discussed in episode: Kim Sung-Kyun is a veteran Korean actor and one of his most memorable performances is in Reply 1988 and DP.  Kim Hee-Won performance as a villain in Man from Nowhere Han Hyo-Joo new 2024 drama Blood Free Actors Rediscovered: Park Bo-Kyung plays a completely diametrically opposite villainous role in Little Women Yang Dong-Geun, who plays the North Korean flying superhero, has an extensive filmography. Jun Suk-Ho was in the very popular K-drama Kingdom . Other dramas: Hyena, Blood Free, Strong Woman Bong Soon Benny’s Corner: Marvel Vs Moving Universe Superhero Match-Ups Benny: Ju-Won vs Hulk;  Ju-Won & Ironman Anna: Mi-Hyun & Black Panther Minal: Elastic Girl (Incredibles) & Du-shik    Vipula: Mi-Hyun & Black Widow 2024 Baeksang Awards for Moving Music Credits:  Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter. License code: LU8KUCTYYYAA2KKL Contact Us: Email: crashlandedonkdramas[@]gmail[.]com  Leave us a review or rating on the podcast app.  Twitter: @CrashLandedonKD Instagram @crashlanded_onkdramas

Our host Minal is joined with our guests Benny and Vipula. We are at  Episode 12 and 13 of the Moving Kdrama. These two episodes bring us to the present timeline and provide context to the history of our heroes with the government spy organization.  Episode Outline: Doo-shik & Ju-Won bromance brings comic relief The Gun In The Pocket - What happened between Mi-Hyun and Dooshik Doo-shik’s plays the long game Mi-Hyun & Doo-Shik’s new beginning Apple Orchard fight sequence Life moves on for Ju-Won & Ji-Hee North Korean superhero makes an appearance A devastating strategy and a masterclass of acting by Ryu Seung-ryong. Episode Clips: Episode 12-13 trailer Moving Beyond Why does Doo-shik not connect with Ju-Won when he returns to lead a secret life? Are they really not that close?  Episode 12 title ‘Partners’ applies to both Doo-shik and Juwon work relationship plus Doo-shik and Mi-Hyun’s personal relationship. Other dramas/movies discussed in episode: Reference to Better Call Saul’s grief scene in Season 6 May I Help You , a show set in a funeral home with every episode centered around  death, grief and the people left behind. Move to Heaven, a dad and autistic son, help clear the belongings of a recently deceased person. Actors Rediscovered: Jo Bok-Rae as the North Korean soldier with super strength. Recommended dramas for more of his work Navillera and The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract Benny’s Corner: Favourite Non-Romantic Pairing in Kdrama Benny : Shin Min Ah and Gong Min Jeung in Hometown Cha Cha Cha , Ju Ji Hoon and Kim Sang Ho in Kingdom Minal:   Kim Nam-gil/ Jin Seon Kyu in Through The Darkness, Song Joong Ki & JinGoo in Descendants of the Sun , The trio in Be Melodramatic Vipula: Son Hyun-Jo/Jang Seung-Jo in The Good Detective; Lee Se-Young/ Joo Hyun-Young in The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract Music Credits:  Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter. License code: LU8KUCTYYYAA2KKL Contact Us: Email: crashlandedonkdramas[@]gmail[.]com  Leave us a review or rating on the podcast app.  Twitter: @CrashLandedonKD Instagram @crashlanded_onkdramas

Our host Minal is back with our guests Benny and Vipula. At halfway mark, we will review  Episode 10 and 11 of Moving Kdrama. These two episodes focus on Jang Ju-won’s backstory - the superhero we lovingly call the Hulk. Episodes 10-11 moves between different timelines as we learn how JuWon goes from a life of crime to a government agent. And we get to experience another great love story as he meets the love of his life, Hwang Ji-Hee.  We have aptly titled this pod review as ‘Rivers of Blood’, because of the sheer Tarantino level violence dotting the script. Again, spoilers from the drama, so we suggest you watch it first and then listen to this Deep Dive.  Episode Outline: The ‘Monster’ in the opening night club sequence Ju-won’s self-employment tactics Ji-Hee & Ju-Won meet and the two lonely souls save each other Ju-Won’s life in the underworld & Min-gi’s betrayal The Hulk’s Courting Style Hee-soo is Ji-Hee’s daughter Director Min puts Ju-won through the ultimate test Iconic hallway fight sequence Dooshik makes an interesting choice and we swoon over him Ji-Hee finds a better future Episodes Trailer: Episode 10-11 trailer  Moving Beyond More information about the concept of coffee girls or ‘Dabang’ in Korea Recurring theme is that superpowers are a burden. This is yet another tragic origin story of betrayal and violence. Who’s the real monster that can cause actual harm ? The one with the superpowers (Juwon) or the one with evil intentions (Director Min) ? Other dramas/movies discussed in episode: Iconic Hulk breaking down the wall imagery referred when Juwon’s breaks the motel wall here, here and here Watch the iconic hallway fight sequence from the Korean movie Old Boy  Benny’s Corner: Favourite Romantic Pairing (Series/Movies): All 3 : Hyun-Bin/Son-Yejin in Crash Landing on You +Minal:  Ji Chang Wook/Nam Ji-Hyun in Suspicious Partner +Benny : Shah Rukh Khan/Kajol in DDLJ Bonus: Favourite Confession in Kdramas [All from  Hometown Cha Cha] Vipula: Marriage Proposal  Minal:  Hye-Jin’s confession to Dusik  Benny: Dusik and Hye-Jin’s confession at the beach  Music Credits:  Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter. License code: LU8KUCTYYYAA2KKL Contact Us: Email: crashlandedonkdramas[@]gmail[.]com  Leave us a review or rating on the podcast app.  Twitter: @CrashLandedonKD Instagram @crashlanded_onkdramas

Your host Minal is back with our guests Benny and Vipula. In this episode we cover Episodes 8 and 9 of Moving Kdrama. These two episodes narrate the story of the ‘parents’ and we are joined by a very special guest - Paroma. Paroma is well known in the KDrama podcast and online circles as she is the co-host of Kdrama podcast Drama Over Followers. You can also follow her on instagram and twitter where she posts about all things KDramas as TheDramanotes.  Episodes 8-9 takes us back to the 90s where we discover how BongSeok’s parents Lee MiHyun (Han Hyo Joo) and Kim Dusik (Jo InSung) meet and fall in love. Moving moves into the ‘Romance’ genre while keeping the spy thriller brewing in the background. Again, spoilers from the drama, so we suggest you watch it first and then listen to this Deep Dive.  Episode Outline: Kim DuSik’s entry and his superability - opening scene Director Min sets up MiHyun for a special mission Dusik - JungWon Bromance MiHyun - Dusik - A perfect slow burn romance Operation Seagull Episode summaries in 5 mins Episode 8 ‘Black’ main scenes Episode 9 ‘Humanists’ main scenes Beyond Moving [Key Themes Emerging] Underlying sexism in the agency The Genetics - BongSeok is totally his parents’ kid imbibing the dorkiness of his father and the kindness/empathy of his mom along with their super abilities.  Love Confessions in Moving - The writer has consistently aced these.  The Color Purple - The second date, the curtains, the roof of her restaurant.  Weaving true events into fiction to build the NK angle - The opening scene is based on the Korean Air Flight Bombing (1987) and DuSik’s mission is aligned to Kim Il Sung’s death (1994)  People with superpowers are more vulnerable and exploited by the state. Super Heroes choosing morality vs loyalty to NIS Other dramas/movies discussed in episode: Paroma mentioned her early KDrama viewings - Shining Inheritance (Han Hyo Joo) and You are beautiful (Park Shin Hye)  Call out to Characters & Actors: Park Byung Eun - Plays MaSang Gu the rogue SK NIS Agent. Other notable performances - Kingdom S2 and Because This is My First Life.  Our favourite love stories (Series/Movies): Paroma: Boman Irani/Shabana Azmi in Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd. Vipula:  Ethan Hawke/Julie Delpy in Before Trilogy Minal:  Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle in Pride and Prejudice (BBC 1995 Series) , Swapnil Joshi/Mukta Barve in Eka Lagnachi Dusri Goshta Benny : Irrfan Khan/Nimrat Kaur in The Lunchbox Music Credits:  Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter. License code: LU8KUCTYYYAA2KKL Contact Us: Email: crashlandedonkdramas[@]gmail[.]com  Leave us a review or rating on the podcast app.  Twitter: @CrashLandedonKD Instagram @crashlanded_onkdramas

The Host Minal, is back with our guests Benny and Vipula to take the story of Moving KDrama forward. In this episode we discuss the stories behind 2 lonely men covering episode 6 & 7 of Moving.  Episode 6 is all about Bungeman’s origin story, and in episode 7 we complete Frank’s murderous arc.  Again, spoilers from the drama, so we suggest you watch it first and then listen to this Deep Dive.  Episode Outline: Bungaeman’s early life High School’s role in the conspiracy becomes clearer Bungaeman fixes a bus and changes his life Teenage love triangle begins The CIA involvement angle Bad foreign actors syndrome Nail-biting cliffhanger, will Frank get to MiHyun Bungaeman chases Frank in what is a homage to ‘Speed’ Frank races through Seoul in a brilliantly shot sequence The matchup of 2 Wolverines - Frank & Hulk clash Bongseok’s rebels against his weighty shackles and confronts MiHyun Drama moves into espionage genre - NK is now interested in the school.  Episode summaries in 5 mins Episode 6 main scenes Episode 7 main scenes Beyond Moving [Key Themes Emerging] Superheroes have real life struggles that make them more human Difference in parenting styles ‘Small actions of kindness can be life changing’ is a recurring theme  Benny lays out why the drama is aptly titled ‘Moving’ Other dramas/movies of the cast discussed in episode: Watch  Cha Tae Hyun in My Sassy Girl - Benny’s first K Movie and amongst his favourite romcoms. Listen to Benny and Minal discuss it on Talking Talkies Shaktimaan is an iconic TV character from India. An Indian superhero who was wildly popular in the 1990s and 2000s. Watch Speed for the ultimate traffic chase action experience.  My Name - Park Hee Soon is the main antagonist in this thriller (plays the NK captain in Moving) Call out to Characters & Actors  Kim Joon - Excellent child actor who was very watchable in Hospital Playlist. Music Credits:  Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter. License code: LU8KUCTYYYAA2KKL Contact Us: Email: crashlandedonkdramas[@]gmail[.]com  Leave us a review or rating on the podcast app.  Twitter: @CrashLandedonKD Instagram @crashlanded_onkdramas