Stagione 1
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show The School Nurse Files (Netflix, 2020) written and directed by Lee Kyoung-mi, based on the book by Chung Serang. Lee Kyoung-mi is a fascinating auteur who brings a unique touch to all of her movies and most certainly on this drama series which unabashedly explores the realm of the gross. The School Nurse Files has some big star hitters like Jung Yu-mi and Nam Joo-hyuk but an underappreciated veteran actress Moon Sori. She is a force to be reckoned with. Go see any movie starring Moon Sori—you will not regret it. Grace’s guest is LA-based clown, actress, writer, filmmaker and improv comic Nalini Sharma (@nalsbarkley on Instagram) who has a one woman show playing at the Elysian Theater in November. Details are available on her social media. They discuss their love for movies shot on film, clown basics, Apocalypse Now by Coppola, and always turning to the gift of the present joy in life. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit https://www.kdramaschool.com/ to learn more.
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Little Women (tvN, 2022) written by Jeong Seo-kyung who frequently collaborates with filmmaker Park Chanwook, co-writing for films like Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, I’m a Cyborg but That’s Ok, Thirst, The Handmaiden and his latest movie Decision to Leave which opens this month in US theaters. Little Women stars Kim Go-eun, Nam Ji-hyun and Park Ji-hu, and the show includes themes of intergenerational trauma revolving around war and parental or national abandonment. Grace discusses the international controversy that Little Women had in Japan and Vietnam. Grace analyzes the show against the book Little Women written by Louisa May Alcott, and how In-ju, In-kyoung and In-hye compare to Alcott’s characters Meg, Jo and Amy March. Grace sees plagiarism in how the screenwriter Jeong Seo-kyung uses a ghost orchid that has hallucinogenic effects which is a concept found in the film Adaptation written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit https://www.kdramaschool.com/ to learn more.
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Run On (JTBC, 2021) starring Shin Se-kyung and Im Si-wan. Grace comments on the difficulty of viewing Im Si-wan as a leading man in a rom-com, and how he’s better at playing weirder roles. She also mentions how Shin Se-kyung appears more connected to herself in her performance as Mi-joo in Run On which is refreshing. Grace’s guest is California-based artist and author MariNaomi(@MariNaomi on Instagram and Twitter). They discuss the process of healing after a break-up with a best friend, the tricks of memory and time, “best friends forever” as a cultural construct, writing a book about friendship, the artistic process of producing a memoir that functions as an art book, comic, collage, coffee table book, and documentary, loving ourselves as misfits, riding out a cosmic wave aligned with intention, and the greatness that is Yoko Ono. Support MariNaomi’s campaign to get her book I Thought You Loved Me published with Fieldmouse Press, which you can preorder here now: https://crowdfundr.com/fmp-marinaomi?ref=ab_aBJSkd_ab_4dy8mGPkTuM4dy8mGPkTuM. Visit MariNaomi’s website https://marinaomi.com/. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit https://www.kdramaschool.com/ to learn more.
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show A Model Family (2022, Netflix) which she finds lackluster due to the fact that it includes premises and topics already covered by Hollywood like Ozark and Breaking Bad. Grace questions the show’s originality and what its larger purpose is but fawns over Park Hee-soon’s impressive performance. Grace’s guest is New York-based comedian Reggie Kush (@reggie_kush on Instagram). They discuss the difference between rap music and rap battle, the similarities between stand-up and rap battle, how to maintain one’s pose and grace onstage while getting killed during a battle, how to cook and eye-roll at 8 Mile. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit kdramachool.com to learn more.
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Encounter (2018, tvN) written by Yoo Young-ah—the same writer of the series Thirty-Nine. Encounter stars Song Hye-kyo and Park Bo-gum. Grace analyzes the Cinderella-story in a gender-swapped scenario wherein the woman is in a higher income bracket than the man, and what that looks like in a K-drama. Grace’s guest is Berlin-based comedian Saeed Green (@saeedgreen.ent on Instagram). They discuss how and why Saeed became vegan, his tour in Iraq when he served in the US Army, the peace he felt in the Iraqi desert, how PTSD for a young Black American from Philly prepares one for combat during war, mindfulness & presence in the face of life-threatening situations, speaking to one’s inner child with understanding, teaching in German, and healing found in creative outlets such as woodwork, stand-up and music. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit kdramachool.com to learn more.
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Narco-Saints (2022, Netflix) which is a Netflix original K-drama written and directed by the prolific filmmaker Yoon Jong-bin. Narco-Saints stars Ha Jung-woo, Hwang Jung-min, Park Hae-soo, Jo Woo-jin and Yoo Yeon-seok. This episode has no guest today but Grace does chat it up with returning flashcard series pal Marisa Llamas (@dapplegreen on Instagram) who applies her improv expertise to Grace’s questions after three drinks. It’s a wild ride. (Thank you to Will for filming it!) Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit kdramachool.com to learn more.
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Start-Up (2020, tvN) starring Bae Suzy of Miss A, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Seon-ho and Kang Han-na. She discusses the unconvincing love triangle in the show, wonders what Dal-mi’s real dream is, and the show’s relatable illustration of imposter syndrome among young people trying to pursue their dream career despite their lack of resources and experiences. Grace’s guest is LA-based artist Joe Biel (@joebiel20 on Instagram) who originally hails from Iowa. They discuss Joe’s upbringing by two musicians, starting art classes as a young boy, the darkness and lightness of tough learning, grounding, channeling the spirit through creativity, overcoming addiction, coping with trauma, the artist’s imposter syndrome, and BTS fandom. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit kdramachool.com to learn more.
Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses the show Another Miss Oh (AKA Another Oh Hae-young) written by Park Hae-young, who also wrote My Mister and My Liberation Notes. Grace sees a consistency in all three of Park’s shows in how they represent the patriarchy, three-sibling dynamics, and women in their 30s and 40s vulnerably expressing their need to be loved. Grace also talks about the chemistry between Seo Hyun-jin and Eric Mun, as well as Eric’s two-decade long K-pop career as a member of SM’s Shinhwa. Grace’s guest is Bruce Baek and they discuss how to get over hatred for auditions, how to cope with disappointment as an actor, how to remain optimistic and brave in the face of art, and spiritual practice for grounding. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit kdramachool.com to learn more.
[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses Extraordinary Attorney Woo written by Moon Ji-won, and how it weaves in multiple narratives related to politics including disability, misogyny, queerness, religion, childhood, liberation, and more. Grace’s guest is Kristen Cunningham (@kris10cc on Instagram) and they discuss mothers showing up at the house without invitation, negative self-talk, fashion, education, how to take notes, racism, and moving closer towards the things we want in life. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit kdramachool.com to learn more.
[Spoiler Alert] In this episode of K-Drama School, Grace discusses season 1 of show Penthouse (2020, SBS) written by Kim Sook-ok, and how makjang dramas queer the moral boundary between a villain and a hero by allowing characters to change personas. Grace also compares makjang dramas’ excessiveness to German expressionist cinema. Grace’s guest is comedian Joe Wong (@joewongcomedy on Instagram). They discuss the writing process of his book Not This Shit Again!: A Comedian’s Guide to Tackling Anti-Asian Racism, comedy in China, being Asian in the American entertainment business, and more. Joe appeared on Ellen, The Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Joe hosted The Radio and TV Correspondents’ Dinner in 2010. Joe hosts a television show called Is It True? in China. Follow @KDramaSchool on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Visit kdramachool.com to learn more.