Nincompoop men in dramas

[Rosetta]

I have just about had it with Sang-jin -- and his ineffectual, babyish behavior reminds me of several other male characters in other dramas.

First, Sang-jin: Does anyone else feel like giving him a kick in the rear? He just stands around staring into space all the time, while other people make his decisions for him. Before his amnesia, Na-young sent him abroad to study, supported his whole family, and raised his daughter alone. Then Hjun-ja took care of him. Now, his mother's in charge, taking Eun-pyo away from Hjun-ja. Doesn't the dude have a tongue in his mouth? What a baby.

Reminds me of Moon-hee's father in To Be With You. He drove me crazy as well (though I love the actor who played him). He was perfectly willing to let his family live on the street and be supported by his wife and daughter. Moon-hee's husband Min-something-or-other was a big idiot too, happy to let Moon-hee suffer through all kinds of things while just looking on. I was really hoping that she'd choose Ji-won instead, though I knew it wouldn't happen. Ji-won's father, come to think of it, was a lazy, nincompoopish guy, too -- dragging his kids all over the countryside and making his son drop out of school to support the family.

For those who have seen many more dramas than I, is this type of male character common in dramas? And, if so, I wonder why. You don't really find a similar type of character in American TV or films.

[Lucy]

I totally, totally agree. That's why I find "Wife" impossible to watch. I've written a couple of comments in different threads about his annoying passivity and dopiness. Why do these people put up with him?

[Lucy]

By "these people," I meant the other characters in the drama, by the way!

[Michael]

Lucy said:

I totally, totally agree. That's why I find "Wife" impossible to watch. I've written a couple of comments in different threads about his annoying passivity and dopiness. Why do these people put up with him?

Haha.. "the passivity and dopiness" is a good description, but from a Korean perspective, you're only seeing the traditional Korean male ethos that has been mostly borrowed from Taoism (and little from confucianism)... I think it also carries in many others cultures, too... that as a man, you aren't supposed to show emotions... but in Taoism, it goes little deeper than that... in outer expression, you basically mold yourself to go with the flow of circumstances with the least resistance (natural?!)... which probably is very dopy. Good observation there. Being in a fishtank for a long time can make you think swimming requires a very complex philosophical understanding, so go figure..

And on the second thought, I see so many Westerners embracing Taoism, and such... dangerous sign perhaps?

[Lucy]

Michael, I didn't realize there was a possible philosophical basis for his behavior. Glad you didn't take offense at the "passive" and "dopey" comments. Still, though, he is the only man I've seen behave that way in a Korean drama. . . with the possible exception of Eun-pyo's grandfather. He kind of acts like that, too, doesn't he? Luckily, little Eun-pyo doesn't!

[Michael]

Lucy said:

Michael, I didn't realize there was a possible philosophical basis for his behavior. Glad you didn't take offense at the "passive" and "dopey" comments. Still, though, he is the only man I've seen behave that way in a Korean drama. . . with the possible exception of Eun-pyo's grandfather. He kind of acts like that, too, doesn't he? Luckily, little Eun-pyo doesn't!

I'm guessing there aren't too many Korean dramas which deal this closely with a man's private family life.