True. I wish that other kinds of relationships would be portrayed as being equally important in media. I absolutely hate when romantic relationships are presented as being the ultimate form of love. Love has many forms and none are less powerful than the other. They are just different.

The worst is the lack of strong long lasting friendships between a man and a woman that never toes the line of romance and/or sex ("Man and Woman can't be friend" is my least favourtie line). I have such a hard time thinking of examples of purely platonic friendships between people of opposite gender (mostly between heterosexual individuals) in the media. Friendship is so important to me. I have a hard time relating to character's that value romance over it. ("We are friends" "But I want more!" sigh-.- )

When will there be a character that is asexual (or demi-sexual) but that is not an alien or a socially awkward genius who needs to be "cured". I understand the obsession with sex but I cannot relate to it at all because it is such a small part of my reality. I am tired of feeling abnormal because of all this. I am glad that I am not alone :)

Oh @moonlight, first let me give you a hug as some one who is in a semi drama slump as well. I know how you feel.

I think there are kdramas which don't focus on the boy-girl relationship side of things, though I will agree with you that they aren't the norm. I actually think that Kdramas fare much better than say US TV shows in terms of sexuality and it's attitude towards sex. And I do feel that the fact that Kdramas focus on the relationship, rather than the sex to be why I prefer to watch them in the first place. But that is my non american biased point of view ;)

I went to an all girl school till I was 16 and I LOVED how uncomplicated my close group of girl friends were, no boys (definitely no sex talk!) at all, and it was undoubtedly the best time of my life. So I feel you when you wish Age of Youth was less about the boys/sex, even thought I just started watching it and am quite enjoying it.

Have you seen Kdramas Liar Game, TEN, Signal? Jdrama 99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi? I haven't watched many dramas but just off the top of my head those are the ones without much or any romance at all. Hope this helps you out of your slump!

@Moonlight I might be called prudish but the first and foremost reason for me coming to kdramas was to avoid hollywood forever. I got absolutely disgusted and sick with the current trend of showing obscene/vulgar/illegitimate relationships, mental filth is the worst to get over with. I can say names but I won't lol,just to save you guys off the hook. K-dramas,a little earlier times were full of romance,sweet and chocolaty, but this was the first reason I got to kdramas. The culture and how people interact in those societies were also one attraction point yes. May be boys over flowers or Princess hours were full of nonsensical,over the top tropes,but I liked those just because they showed romances of the youth for what it is.
But these days a good wife got a remake,and there was explicit scenes from the husband's affairs,and there were sounds that was awkward, uncomfortable to watch on screen, and I wondered if the drama was necessary. If anyone wants to see that drama they can just go over the american version,and be satisfied with it. The problem is american dramas/movies are experimenting a lot,and now there is no limit, kind of. End of the day I don't want to see a sci-fi,or an alien,or a girl with seven doppelgangers going undercover or running for her (seven) lives forever, or a man going loony having conversation with a call service operation voice..and even going to extent of trying to spending his life with her, really. I'm tired of the coolness. Cool is the new boring I think.. So I wish kdramas do not take resort of these excessive topics to make us audience happy. We want to watch kdramas for what it is...nothing more,nothing less.
On side note I do love age of youth,but I agree with the topic of sex being mentioned a lot. There are a looot more that gets covered in the girl talks, unfortunately boys take the center stage at dramas or movies like age of youth or sisterhood of travelling pants, but at least age of youth is also about the ghosts, or unfortunate sickness, or the pain of being an introvert. I absolutely loved the first episode and the timid girl could actually be the main lead of this drama if her story continued. She was the most innocent one out of all five and does not just think about kisses or hugs all the time it seems. But anyway, every other episodes also have a headline and the story circles around that, the concept is a lot fresh and unique that way.I would say age of youth is way better than a UF or DOTS or doctors. There are lots of side stories to the girls and the scenes are not just fillers.

Thank you all for your comments! Nice to know I'm not the only one who thinks like this.

I agree and raise a hand in solidarity, Moonlight. I try hard not to be too prudish in my comments. I realize what I think is too blatant and not for me may be just what others enjoy. But there seems to be a dividing line between those of us who were drawn to K-Dramas because they were so much more innocent than Hollywood TV--and those of us who want K-Dramas to "get with the times! How can a 35 year old woman be a virgin? It's inconceivable!"
I agree with (sorry, I don't remember who it was) who said that you can always change the channel--and that cable is usually where more avant garde shows are aired.
I quit watching "the second time" because there seemed to be too much sex talk in the first episodes. But if you like it, I'm glad for you. (We, of differing opinions can co-exist here on dramabeans, right? Right?)

it is true and I have also complained about the lack of other forms of existence and the greatness of solitude. being alone (with your brain) has given us many authors, scientific discoveries and ideas... next to psychopaths and serial killers. but those are necessary too.
watch Squad 38! the romance is pushed way to the background, no one pines obsessively after a guy, everyone has their own life and goals and generally it is about trust and the will to do a good thing in life and just make a difference. it is so perfect without romance.

Yea, they do talk about sex rather a lot. And I agree that not all young people focus on that.

And I don't think the way they talk about it is excessive. To my knowledge, only Ji Won is rather obsessed about getting a boyfriend, and getting laid. The others take a different approach. Eun Jae, of course, sees everything about a relationship is new. Senior Yoon is rather busy with work, study and trying to ignore her mom's debt (and wanting her brother dies already). Ye Eun is, well -- she's also probably obsessed about the idea of having an ideal relationship. We don't know much about her character arc beside this. I wish the show can give her something (it's episode 7 already). The other girl (I can't remember her name) played by Hwayoung is not obsessed about sex, but uses it.

I rather see the talk on sex as a way of saying that it's okay if you (a girl like Ji Won and the rest of the casts) talk about sex or if you want it. It is not abnormal if a girl wants it. Because girls are often depicted as people without sexual desire, or that they should be on the passive side. And that boys are the ones obsessing over it, and it's totally fine. So, the show refutes this by doing that. The way I see it, the show is portraying different sides of growing up, and developing friendship at that. Even Ji Won who is constantly obsessing over sex/guys is portrayed positively at that. I mean, if she's that sad about being single, will she be jumping around happily, bursting with positive energy like that? Talking about sex is just one facet of hers.

But I understand your last point. Many k-drama (and drama from other countries) focus on a relationship. But as many other commenters before me already made a list, there are also many dramas that don't focus on that. You just have to look further.

hi there

so I am not dumb since I have been on Beans of Wisdom twice. Don´t trust IQ tests, but I can trust BoW, right?

since 38 TAsk Force /police unit / squad / team / Fellowship of the Con /the drama with 38 in it as it has become known ended, I have been watching bts and stuff and ... you know, I admire Seo In Guk as an actor a lot and his ability to transform himself, but since I am not keen on probing into the personal stuff about celebrities I didnt know his background till now... I just happened to watch a clip I didnt intend to and find out he´s had weight issues and even an eating disorder. Oh my god. this makes me anxious, since he does seem to have lost weight wince I Remember You, I hope it was just for the role of Jung Do. To keep things fair and balanced after finding out his personal detail I give mine: I have had an eating disorder too. it is a mind trap that is very hard to defeat and takes a very strong will power. Ingukkie, stay healthy, I will too. I sympathize with him even more now if that is possible.

see, that is why I dont usually probe... hard enough to live with your own secrets.

I have been hanging on to the hope of a season 2 but that hope grows thinner by every sceptical comment. and why is there a layer of sugar on my tabel (random note since I am writing in the dark and the table is sticky). and how the heck did it happen that after getting the carpet pulled from under my feet by this show so many times, I have, instead of learning my lesson and doubting juicy promises, I fall for them even harder and become more trusting? me, the queen of skeptics, mental twin to Fox Mulder?

Oh man....

So, another week of my life flew by. at least I got work done, the postcards have been ordered, my exhibition pieces printed (word cloud pillows, they are).

watched:
I am a little scared to mention the count but rewatched I Remember You ... ok, 28. I have watched it 28 times.
W - what is with this series... the beginning, to me, was rather dull. But Lee Jong Seuk has improved in acting a little in this episode. Not so bored out any more, but not a favorite of mine. let´s see if it gives enough brain food by next ep to interest me. I would have been such a gonner for this 6 years ago, having always considered fantasy characters as real as people, but...
I get it that since that world is a webtoon it can be immature and illogical but to the expent of why go around the mountain if you can travel around the world to the other side of that mountain...olympic shooter with a gun under his pillow jumps down a bridge to kill himself? why am I laughing so hard? oh man... and then why draw a male character after being inspired by a girl? is the writer of this drama a guy, huh? news for the writer: girls draw girl heroes. they dont draw princesses cause they want to be one - they draw them because the princesses have the main part in the stories. though it may be different with teenagers... but teens are...

delete the current 2.1,

, I have copied the same thing that the first part:

continued message

they dont draw princesses cause they want to be one - they draw them because the princesses have the main part in the stories. though it may be different with teenagers... but teens are terrified of being found out, I doubt they would have a picture of a guy lieing around. this drama is trying to claim every female subconsciously dreams of a male savior or knight and a romance with him. Nope. every girl dreams of being self-sufficient. in general, there is too much chauvinism in W for my taste. obsession with marrying someone off by the end ( so marriage = happy end? oooh nopw what end) and mentalk in the back room without the girl knowing. dont like.

tried to watch bad guys, but I keep getting distracted.

QUESTION: has your drama preference changed over time? By how many degrees, is it a complete reversal? Is there a drama that you like now that you couldnt have imagined liking back in the day, and vice versa, is there a drama you liked immensely but either grew out of the style or genre or your horizons just broadened so much that you started seeing the flaws of something you used to worship?

I think my drama preference has always been a little tilted towards quirky comedy, dark thriller and action with a little bit romance, I used to not like sageuks at all (it was perhaps too odd, too new in my world, cause we dont really do historic dramas in such a manner here?), but now I can handle them. especially after Six Flying Dragons. Also I didnt mind the romantic clichés before, I could put them on repeat and rewind in secret, though I´d never admit it, but now these same scenes make me cringe. I would prefer no romance at all to scenes that are in every drama ever... just give me something new not what you think I would like.

@redfox--Suddenly, I know the definition of devotion. Devotion = watching a drama 28 times or more!!! Hahaha... but your comment in response to Erratic's comment made me wonder if you meant "28 times" as a joke, too?

My confession is that since I was a teen until perhaps college, I must have watched the 1980s Cantonese kungfu drama series, "Return of the Condor Heroes," starring Andy Lau and Idy Chan, over 30 times at least.. And just so you know, it is probably 3-4 times longer than a Kdrama.. my guess is 50+ episodes.

The copy I first owned was in VHS tapes, then later VCD, and now (finally) I own it on DVD. HAha... It was my absolute favorite drama to watch and I could even recite different characters's lines.

Oh, I forgot to add...sorry to hear about your eating disorder, redfox. And, it's disheartening to hear that Seo In Guk has one too, or had one. It must be hard living in the spotlight, so I'm sure more than one star struggles with weight and self-image issues.

I'm sorry to hear about your eating disorder, redfox. It is a real struggle. I have eating tendencies similar to the newly DSM 5 approved, avoidance restrictive food intake disorder. I'm glad yours seems to be past tense.

I remember that SIG's vocal cords were in danger/damaged because of it. Which is an added pain for a singer. But he got that sorted out. He does seem to have lost weight. And he's always working. I hope he is looking better when Shopping King Louie starts. I'd hate for him to tape back to back without the stamina. I wonder how it will be during his military duty.

Fighting, oppa!

also cant wait to see park so dam again, also im loving the chemistry i've been seeing with park so dam and jung ilwoo. ive been craving a good rom com and this one promises a heart racing one. i need something like that, i feel like its been a while.

I was sad there was no 'W' yesterday but UF episode 12 made up for it. It was Good (I didn't know I could say this for this show). Suzy was better But no, her delivery of lines feels still awkward to me.
I am also excited to Jung Il-woo and hope the show is available by the time I get home.

Doctors - Noooo! How dare they go there! A pox on them! I am looking forward to Hye Jung's plan to take on Seo Woo's Dad. I really hope Seo Woo continues to throw shade at her Dad. It's the coolest she's ever been.

I tend to be pretty hit or miss with the Taiwanese dramas but I do really like Aaron Yan. I really enjoyed Just You, despite the apparent mental illness of the second female lead (why does everyone just accept rich girl crazyness?).

Aaron Yan is hot! Just You was great but I couldn't stomach Tia Lee's expressionless face in Fall in Love With Me.

Episode 16 totally turned me off Doctors, and not because of what happened to Puppy Minsuk. All of the doctors are either incompetent or immature or unconscionable! Drove me batty with how ridiculous everyone was acting, except for Yoon Do, but he wasn't enough to save the drama for me.

But I think the writer has something against puppies because Ji Soo got flung off a motorbike with a broken neck, and now MinSuk gets a brain tumour and seizures. She can't leave the puppies alone!

oH MY DAYS BE CAREFUL -- ahem. sorry. I didn't mean to shout lol, I was just skimming and 'saw Itazura na Kisu 1996' and it was like the world going into black and white slow motion right before a car crash. My reaction's out of my hands X'D

Anyway, basically just wanted to give you a fair warning: if you're a fan of the original manga (like my poor naive innocent self was), the 1996 drama adaptation REALLY changes things around. Tbh I barely even remember most of the changes, what really sticks out in my memory is just that numb feeling of horror I had after finishing it and spluttering 'THIS is the only live action adaptation they made?!' (which, at that point in time, it was lol)

So yeah, fair warning given. If you're looking for something that's a little closer to the manga's story, then I strongly recommend the Taiwanese adaptation, 'It Started With a Kiss'. The other jdrama adaptation, Love in Tokyo, is okayyyyyy but skipped some things/added unnecessary things, and frankly I feel the two leads just...lacked some chemistry. They were still good together tho! But just, not Ariel Lin and Joe Cheng good lol. I mean obvs it being an adaptation, the Taiwanese adaptation is not 100% the same either, but it changed very little compared to the other adaptations, the writing was much better, and the leads, I feel, had very strong chemistry.

But yes. Shutting up now. Sorry for the disturbance ^^;;

(in my defence I have a very special place in my heart for Itazura na kisu so I tend to overreact when it's brought up... X'D sorry again)

Purple Owl,

I talked about my drama related dream a few weeks ago in Open Thread! lol

Now, I don't really remember what is was about. Something about cafeteria food and avocados. With spies!

I am watching Second to Last Love and enjoying it (especially parts related to drama making heh)