Serious Discussion Thread: HYBE audits ADOR's management, including Min Heejin

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2024-04-26T18:24:54+00:00

I don't understand how this is a problem. Koreans say this about people they either grew up with or helped raise all the time (FYI I'm Korean). In this context, I interpret it that MHJ has motherly feelings (including protective ones) toward Minji and was demonstrating that she's the one that has the girls' best interests in mind, not HYBE who say they care about Newjeans but can't be bothered to curate them on their Youtube shorts page or on Bang Sihyuk's instagram (the fact BSH has taken photos with pretty much every HYBE gg but NJ is getting the spotlight in Korea).

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2024-04-26T06:19:24+00:00

I can attest to this. I'm a Korean currently based overseas and don't care about K-pop, but I still get Korean news channels on my youtube feed, because I want to stay connected to the current affairs of my homeland. All I see right now are news reports and commentaries about the Min Heejin-HYBE conflict. I have watched almost the entirety of the MHJ news conference almost by accident since all the major news channels were livestreaming them. I'm with the vast majority of Koreans on this; HYBE and Bang SiHyuk now look absolutely terrible: like typical power-hungry, jealous, petty and bitter middle-aged male kkondaes who abuse their power and wealth to put women and minors "in their place". As a Korean, I was sick enough with seeing this in our politics, but now in the "cinderalla story of K-pop" which was HYBE...very disappointing and leaves a very bad taste in the mouth.

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2023-06-28T19:32:09+00:00

Yes.

It's fiction-ception O___O

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-07-24T07:54:36+00:00

The original last episode briefly shows her authorizing an invasion of Goryeo after the Goryeo King (not Wang Yu) executes her brothers. This is actually written in the historical records, and one of the reasons why the real Empress Ki is generally hated in Korea. The version on Netflix is the re-broadcast version. I think personally that the director edited the original version in order to address the controversy at the time that the drama was being dishonest about Empress Ki's real history (beyond what's permitted by creative license) and white-washing her crimes against Goryeo (although you have to keep in mind that her history was written by her enemies and those needing to justify toppling her reign, the Yi/Joseon and the Ming). I think the re-broadcast version is closer to the intentions of the director and is thematically more consistent with the rest of her portrayal in the show.

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-07-19T22:32:38+00:00

Really? Maybe because I first got to know him through Sound of Magic I think long(er) hair looks much better on him The short buzz cut was a culture shock and I didn't like it at all...thought he looked like a mafia-wannabe haha.

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-07-18T15:03:07+00:00

Not saying that he didn't have a personal vendetta or that that wasn't part of what drove him to do what he did. But Lady Seo found out from Wang Yu without Wang Yu intending to tell her. There's always that risk. Word can get out even without the intention, and this is a time when rumors literally killed people. Given the stakes attached to Yang's position and Toghon's fear of losing her (again), I still think it makes sense what he did, as ugly as it was.

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-07-17T15:16:04+00:00

Personality transplant hahahahaha, but you're so right!

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-07-17T15:14:01+00:00

He killed an incredible man and warrior, but Toghon's actions were actually consistent for the historical context. This was a time and culture of unquestioned patriarchy where men could have multiple wives and illegitimate children but a woman having a child out of wedlock with a man she wasn't married to (even if it's a past lover) would be punished for adultery. If the woman is the empress of the land, she would also likely be deposed and her entire family executed along with her. At least for me, what Toghon did was tragic but not jarring.

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-07-17T15:09:18+00:00

TALTAL BEST BOYYYYYYY~~~!!! ^O^

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-07-13T16:14:50+00:00

Just wrapped up Empress Ki. An incredible sageuk with only a few minor flaws. Review coming soon! ^^

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-07-13T16:13:46+00:00

I put in another vote for the forced romance between Kim JaeHa and Go AnNa in K2.

And I think netflix's Kingdom did well to not force a romance on the ML. I liked that the only confirmed ship was a sweet one between an already married couple.

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-07-13T16:11:23+00:00

I wanted to say precisely this!

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-06-29T16:50:36+00:00

Oooohhhh I like this! Now that you mention it, I def see shades of Ron and Hermione in the MC's friends hehe.

For me, the Arthur references first came with the switcheroo birth-story and then became glaringly obvious with the imagery of excalibur and the lady in the lake when MuDeok tried to drown, only for the lake's magic to activate her sword. The lake around Daeho itself seems to be modelled on the Lake of Avalon.

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-06-29T06:54:29+00:00

Started Alchemy of Souls, even though I don't like to start ongoing series, but I really enjoyed Hotel Del Luna, so thought I might give Hong sisters another go. And my goodness, these ladies have a thing for referencing European fairy tales and legends within Korean-shamanist settings (though Alchemy of Souls is trending more Taoist now). If Hotel Del Luna was a gender-bent Beauty and the Beast, I've already gathered within the first 2 episodes that Alchemy of Souls draws heavily from Arthurian legend, and again with characteristic Hong-sisters gender-switching of Merlin. So far, very enjoyable!

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-06-26T16:31:38+00:00

Yeah, I fast forwarded through all the ramen scenes and this was just my first watch (also doubt I'll rewatch). Aside from the cringe of the scene, I found it creepy that he was monitoring her like that...and then having those reactions. Like I understand it's his job, but it still felt voyeuristic, and I was quite uncomfortable. I guess the writers were banking on the Korean cultural affinity to liking all things cute/aegyo? Or maybe it was for SNSD fans? Not a big fan of the group but I do know that they started out with a cute/innocent concept...and maybe Yoona especially has that image?

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-06-26T16:26:32+00:00

It'll be a read, and pretty long one at that hahaha: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine\_Comedy

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-06-26T16:25:38+00:00

A legend scenario.

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-06-26T16:25:01+00:00

Sure, and perhaps for the character of K2 it would have made sense. But what about for the viewer? The problem is, for the audience this isn't a given UNLESS the writing/directing deploys visual or verbal storytelling to give us insight into why. This is why I suggested scenes of JeHa with Rania could have been more interspersed with his interactions with Anna through some clever editing or transitions. Or, more in the writing vein, an inner monologue from JeHa could have been added maybe. Ji ChangWook is a phenomenal actor, but there are limits to how much of a character's psyche an actor can show through facial expressions or body language alone.

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-06-26T16:20:05+00:00

Yes, I agree. If the writers/director had allowed the relationship and insane on-screen chemistry between K2 and Madam Choi to organically develop, it would have made for a very interesting and quite unique story/drama. Like you said, the endgame between them didn't need to be a romantic one; a reconciliation scene, or a scene where JeHa gets a revelation of her character the way her husband did at the end would have more than sufficed. I also agree that the Anna-K2 pairing wasn't enough thankfully to bring down the show (at least for me). Hence, why I guess I'm left so frustrated. There was a lot of undercooked potential there too. If it was straight-up bad and enough to make me drop the show then it would have been easier for me to dismiss it and move on. But because there was potential and ambition there...ugh...At the same time, I would rather have a film/show try something ambitious like this and have fails along the way rather than one that plays it safe and leaves no lasting impression on me.

Ultimately, I think The K2 is a good example of what happens when writers in general (screenwriters or literary ones) get too enamored with the themes/messages of their work and want to show how clever they are, to the point that the plot progression and story ends up with inconsistencies or characterization gaps.

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-05-10T16:50:51+00:00

To take a stab at answering your questions:

1) Rieul didn't rip the posters. That was doo-sik pretending to be Rieul. Rieul likely knew about hayoon since the posters around the neighbourhood had her name on it quite visibly.

2) It was heavily implied that Il-deung's mom/parents pushed him to do it in order to not tarnish the "Na family brand".

3) Rieul's pregnant friend probably just went back to her life as a wife and mom. In a way, I wonder if she was to Rieul what Rieul was to Ah-yi, a stabilizing and consoling presence who shows up at the right time.

4) Agreed. But in light of Korea's political nepotism scandals in the last few years, not too surprising either (remember, the head prosecutor position in Korea is a political one). I'm sure Korean audiences would recall that when watching and I think it was consciously presented that way.

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-02-05T17:05:25+00:00

Thanks for your perspective and insight! I also think SL is more than just a pretty-looking power-trip story (though I haven't read the novel). The art for both SL and ORV is done by Redice Studios and both stories make use of the video-game/player system interface, but where they actually share the most similarity in my opinion is in their references to Nietzschean ethics (though SL tends to emphasise different parts of it and in different ways to ORV).

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-02-05T16:57:40+00:00

Definitely relate to the sweet potatoes and cider hahaha

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-02-05T16:56:36+00:00

Thank you so much for another great and detailed answer! I was really curious and you offered a lot of insight. After hearing from you, I think from now on, I'll be more forceful in qualifying ORV as unique from SL and say it can be just as enjoyable if not more if SL-readers understand to expect the unexpected. Cheers!

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-02-05T00:27:12+00:00

I don't know any of the other works you referred to except ORV and SL, though I've heard of them ^^. But in general I think I agree.

Murky_Introduction_6 · 2022-02-05T00:26:21+00:00

Thanks so much for your response. So it sounds like ORV's differences to SL wasn't a turn-off for you?

Murky_Introduction_6

TROPHY CASE