Post by JadeEyes on Nov 25, 2003 18:13:51 GMT -5
It took me a while to figure it out -- actually, I'm embarrassed how long it took me to realize -- that Hae-ran's family's landlord is gay. Thus the affectation, the fussiness w/ his clothes and w/ neatness, the jeers made by the goons. At first, when he commented on how nice Hae-ran's hair smelled, I thought it was going to be this thing where the landlord would be interested in Hae-ran and would offer to put up the money in exchange for her favor. But the next minute they were talking about how nicely decorated his apartment is and how well the drapes coordinate w/ the wallpaper. Only then did it hit me what the deal is w/ this guy and I really laughed.
For one thing, it took me by surprise. I don't suppose we'll see much of the landlord again, but still it surprised me to see an unambiguously gay character in a Korean drama. This is only the 2nd or 3rd one I've seen, so I don't know how common it is to have a gay character in a Korean drama, even for only an ep. or two.
I know a lot of gay American men watch US daily dramas and I'm always seeing comments on the internet boards for these shows from gay fans that they wish US dramas would put more gay characters in their shows. I guess it's unusual to have even a throwaway character be identified as unmistakably gay, as was done in OMR by the 2nd or 3rd ep.
I guess the other point is, I'm not sure how positive it is to have the character be so stereotyped. I really wonder how this plays for a Korean audience. I'm guessing they see it as comic relief, whereas in the US it's more likely to be a much more sensitive topic, where people might be offended to have a gay character portrayed in such a stereotyped manner, and the networks would be afraid to touch it.
In any case, I'm kind of sorry to see the character go. He seemed to offer a great deal of comic potential. I especially laughed over his comments to the female villian on the historic costume drama he was watching.
I was quite surprised, though, that the scent of soap and vinegar in someone's hair would be appealing to anyone. Also, I was quite surprised to hear anyone -- particularly a young woman -- would consider soap and vinegar rinse a good way to shampoo and condition one's hair. Ordinary soap is very harsh on hair, and I don't know what benefit the vinegar would offer...except maybe that it's so acidic, it might restore the hair's PH balance thrown way off by the soap. I can't imagine it would smell appealing though...unless it's just that bringing to mind a salad would be enticiing. LOL!
Jade
For one thing, it took me by surprise. I don't suppose we'll see much of the landlord again, but still it surprised me to see an unambiguously gay character in a Korean drama. This is only the 2nd or 3rd one I've seen, so I don't know how common it is to have a gay character in a Korean drama, even for only an ep. or two.
I know a lot of gay American men watch US daily dramas and I'm always seeing comments on the internet boards for these shows from gay fans that they wish US dramas would put more gay characters in their shows. I guess it's unusual to have even a throwaway character be identified as unmistakably gay, as was done in OMR by the 2nd or 3rd ep.
I guess the other point is, I'm not sure how positive it is to have the character be so stereotyped. I really wonder how this plays for a Korean audience. I'm guessing they see it as comic relief, whereas in the US it's more likely to be a much more sensitive topic, where people might be offended to have a gay character portrayed in such a stereotyped manner, and the networks would be afraid to touch it.
In any case, I'm kind of sorry to see the character go. He seemed to offer a great deal of comic potential. I especially laughed over his comments to the female villian on the historic costume drama he was watching.
I was quite surprised, though, that the scent of soap and vinegar in someone's hair would be appealing to anyone. Also, I was quite surprised to hear anyone -- particularly a young woman -- would consider soap and vinegar rinse a good way to shampoo and condition one's hair. Ordinary soap is very harsh on hair, and I don't know what benefit the vinegar would offer...except maybe that it's so acidic, it might restore the hair's PH balance thrown way off by the soap. I can't imagine it would smell appealing though...unless it's just that bringing to mind a salad would be enticiing. LOL!
Jade
