The Problematic of the Unproblematic

In a KDrama, the setting is sometimes more important than the story.  Where an event takes place can show a lot about a character.  Whether you are are alone crying in your beer, or partying with a bunch of your best-and-brightest, the correct watering hole will set the perfect tone. “People who drink to drown their sorrows should be told that sorrow knows how to swim.” – Ann Landers TYPES OF KDRAMA DRINK LOCATIONS - POJANGMACHAS Pojangmachas are one of the most prevalent locations in KDramas to drink.  CNN included p’machas as part of their Travel site:  CNN's Guide to Pojangmachas!    In 2012, there were approximately 3,100 of them in Seoul alone.  There’s a reason for this: they offer cheap eats and lots of alcohol. ( Just a quick side note: I only included the CNN P'macha link, but in that article there are also links to various makgeolli or mixed drink bars in Seoul, in case, yunno, you want to do further research. ) They co...

This is my first guest post on Kakashi’s wonderful blog. I hail from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on the east coast of the United States.  As the other people on this blog have focused (correctly!) on the individuals and shows that make our lives brighter, I thought I would look at common themes in almost every drama, no matter what country creates them. One of them is alcohol.  It can make you confess, spill secrets, have accidents and mad bawling sprees, seal a deal, or give you something to do with your hands when showing disdain. According to the World Health Organization's Global Status Report on Alcohol (2004 - 2005), South Korea is 13th for all alcohol consumption at 14.80 liters per capita per year, and first for distilled spirits! “Alcohol may be your worst enemy, but the Bible says ‘Love your enemy’.” – Frank Sinatra TYPES OF  KDRAMA ALCOHOL - SOJU In South Korean dramas, the primary drink of choice is soju.  The Lonely Planet Gui...