Meditation 41 – 0
Exercise 49
To Korean Drama, Because this is my first life or 이번생은 처음이라.
This is the first Korean drama that defies past stereotypes and honest dialogues without additional fanfare and dramatization. Like, when a woman falls and the man appears out of nowhere to catch her. The sudden swooping of romantic gestures and motions.
No, this one feels honest. They enter into a contracted marriage (tested, tried and exhausted scene). Between two regular folks, with one not overly rich, and woman not dying of terminal illness. A marriage based on her need for a room without a large deposit, him to help with expenses, his cat and recycling. Such a basic plot, with characters repeating and acknowledging one another. There is honesty and humility with every act. When the protagonist narrates, “every love is pure and true. But when they come together, they take different shapes and turn ugly” when looking at the husband’s father who made him separate from his ex girlfriend. His love for her. Her love for him. Everything is valid. Validity of feelings don’t take away the impact of reality, however.
A couple who’s been together for seven years full of love and joy break up. Dating and marrying are different, and he doesn’t have the means to provide for her in the way she needs him to. He is barely responsible for himself. Immature and not ready to create a life. Not honoring his commitment to deposit KRW500,000 towards their future. She was consistent in her efforts, and he never honored his promise. While they had loving and sweet time together, they were never building together. One insuffient to make up for another’s slack.
Another couple. A woman who is seen and appreciated by her friend’s contracted husband’s best friend. “You never stood your ground against the world. using your mother as an excuse. Getting mad and starting a fight. Once you get up the courage to do so, I will be at your side. Being with you is like being with pointy objects, but with me, I can feel you getting rounder and softer. So while it pains me, I am happy to be with you. I am so happy with you!”
This, after she recants her reality. “You think your parents will let you marry me? I have to take care of my crippled mother for the rest of my life, and I don’t even know who my father is. Do you think the society will let us live happily after? Don’t be nice to me. I’m going to start leaning on you.”
The ways in which we see ourselves, relationships and situations, with honesty and sincerity. As portrayed in the drama shows the evolution of Korean dramas. The value of having the younger and up and coming generations re-write the narrative of, what comes to my mind is abundance.
I’ve learned about myself and the society around me. Also learning that watching series and online scrolling is part of life. Something I try to distance myself away from. The all or nothing. The balance… the elusive fulcrum that continues to move.
Here is to evolving and re-writing the narrative. Widening the keyhole lens from which to view the world.
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