Bori’s fascinating way of speaking

[mikey]

Am I the only one who’s noticed how Bori’s speech seems very different from “normal” Korean? Her sentences always come out in a kind of sing-song manner, with the pitch of her voice rising and falling as she speaks.

Personally, I rather like it - but I wonder if there’s some meaning to this? She’s supposed to be a rural island girl, so is this how the country folks speak in Korea?

[Lucy]

Yes, you're right about all of that, Mikey. I don't remember where she's supposed to be from specifically, but there are some areas of Korea where the accent is stereotypical. (At the moment, I can only think of Busan, or maybe it's Daegu.) My guess is it's instantly recognizable to Koreans as a "rube" accent, especially with the sing-song cadence and the "shushing" sounds.

[mikey]

Thanks, Lucy! Although I’m not as excited about MPY as I’d hoped to be, I could sit back and listen to Bori talk all day long.

Big-city Koreans may consider her a rube, but I think the way she talks is just charming.

[teacher]

On the other side of the coin, I really don't care for Bori's voice. I know that she is portraying a "country bumpkin", but her voice is too much.

In Pure In Heart, Gukhwa played by Goo Hye Sun, and in Really, Really Like You, Bongsoon, played by Yeo Jin both played country girls, but they voices were not as grating.

When Bori speaks, I often turn off the volume.

[mikey]

Feb 18, 2009 16:10:59 GMT -5 teacher said:

When Bori speaks, I often turn off the volume.

I do get where you're coming from. ;D

And Bori was obnoxious as all heck in the early going. Even I could hardly stand her for more than a few minutes.

But, she's grown on me as the show's progressed. However, I'm also six episodes ahead of Chicago. So, maybe Bori will even begin to grow on you a little as the show wears on.

Then again . . . maybe not!

[teacher]

I'll keep watching with an open mind. I have been known to change my mind.

[sayuri]

Yes, I enjoy her dialect.Idid notice that in "My Father Loves Trouble" they spoke like this.I really like it.It would be nice to explore this further in the Korean culture. And yes I like Bori alot.She is fun!

[badtz]

Why do poor people on these dramas always have nice clothes. The pink and white coat Bori was wearing in ep 26 (i think) was really pretty. I want one!

[zorro]

Her voice was a little off putting at first as was her personality, but as time went on how could you not like her for her spirit and integrity?

Her character has grown literally and figuratively to the point where I think I like her the best of anyone as far as holding my interest. Yeongju is giving her a run for her money tho lately.

The actress, who I've never seen before, is outstanding as Bori. I also give the writers credit for not making her into a whiny trudge along purse dragger like we've seen in too many other dramas.

I hope it stays as interesting once the baby comes.