Yes, I think my main problem with You're Beautiful was that it felt like the narrative set up Mi-nyeo to be not entirely likeable in the beginning (because of her naivete, etc., which didn't seem to be presented as entirely good characteristics at first) but failed to really follow through on her development (having her broaden her horizons, grow more self-assertive). I mean, she is more self-assertive at the very last episode, but the transition is never really shown on screen.
Against the notion of nobility/yangban, it may not be much
This is getting tangential, but I find it interesting that a lot of sageuk in recent years have actively criticized the yangban in favor of the jung'in (middle class) or common people. I suspect a lot of it correlates to economic problems in South Korea itself. Though it would be interesting to know how much of it is actually a recent trend; I've been reading a manhwa that was published in the late 80s-early 90s, and it has a similar critical view of the yangban.
no subject
Date: 23 Nov 2010 05:19 pm (UTC)Against the notion of nobility/yangban, it may not be much
This is getting tangential, but I find it interesting that a lot of sageuk in recent years have actively criticized the yangban in favor of the jung'in (middle class) or common people. I suspect a lot of it correlates to economic problems in South Korea itself. Though it would be interesting to know how much of it is actually a recent trend; I've been reading a manhwa that was published in the late 80s-early 90s, and it has a similar critical view of the yangban.