Sage In The Meadow

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Tag: story structure

Deep Dive into K-Drama pt. 3

February 17th, 2023

Welcome to part three of our K-Drama story-analysis series. I took a short break during the holiday season, but I’m back at last, with the next installment. As a reminder, this is the series where I am discussing two of my all-time favorite K-drama’s, and using our knowledge of the Three Act Story Structure (by K.M. Weiland), to view the story through a writer’s lens. I have been an avid K-drama fan for several years, and it has always been my dream to combine the worlds of K-drama, and writing. If you missed part one of this series, you can click here to catch up, before continuing. Now, let’s begin our discussion of:

Link: Eat, Love, Kill

From the very first episode, I realized this series is a genre-bender. It’s a murder mystery/thriller, but there is a supernatural or magical element which sets it apart from the typical thriller genre. For this discussion, I am going to focus on the Character Arcs of the main characters, instead of the Plot. In doing so, I hope to avoid major spoilers, and showcase some of my favorite personal character journeys.

Let’s Meet the Characters

This series has many deeply entangled, and intertwined relationships but the main focus is on two. The first character is Noh Da Hyun, a girl trying to find her footing, as she navigates school and work, while living on her own in the big city. She is a bit of a mess, but her struggles are endearing in a way many people can relate to.

Next, we have an up-and-coming chef, named Eun Gyehoon. He is currently working as the head chef at a Michellin-recognized, restaurant, and is making quite a name for himself among his peers. Though he appears successful and happy on the outside, we soon see a troubling, darkness beneath the surface. We learn that a terrible tragedy occurred when he was young, and we sense that his old wounds never truly healed.

Now we get into the supernatural element of the series. Quite early on, we learn the specifics of Gyehoon’s tragic history. His twin sister went missing when they were just ten years old, and still no answers have been found, (nineteen years later). But Gyehoon and his sister shared more than a birthday, they also shared a strong emotional link. Gyehoon was able to feel every emotion of his sister’s as though they were his own. On the fateful day of her disappearance, that link was severed…until now. The intense surges of emotion have returned, but how and why?

How the Plot Gets Rolling

The story really takes off with the inciting incident, at the end of episode one. Dah Hyun and Gyehoon meet by chance in the city, but things don’t go so well. Dah Hyun gets a bad impression of Gyehoon after a misunderstanding, and thinks he’s a creep. Soon after, Dah Hyun is forced to move back home with her mother and grandmother. Surprisingly, Gyehoon has recently purchased a vacant building across the street, hoping to start his own restaurant. Without giving away any spoilers, suffice to say, something extremely unexpected happens to Dah Hyun, and her family decides to keep it a secret. The only problem is that Gyehoon is a possible witness. The family decides to keep a close watch on him, and in order to do so, Dah Hyun gets a job at his restaurant.

Now that we know a bit about our characters, and the premise of this series, we can dive a little deeper into the character arcs.

Noh Dah Hyun

A word I would use to describe Dah Hyun, is lost. Dah Hyun is like a lot of young people who deal with the pressures and expectations from family and the world, to have their life plans meticulously laid out. Her university plans didn’t work out, her part-time job is not all it’s cracked up to be, and moving back home feels like a major setback. She might have had a better time adjusting, and finding herself again, if it hadn’t been for the traumatizing event that happened in episode one, when she makes a lethal mistake, irreversibly changing her future. Throughout the next episodes, she continues to make bold, impassioned decisions, in a great display of Character Agency. If you’re not familiar with the term, (I’m still new to it as well), essentially, it is the character taking the reigns of the story.

K.M. Weiland describes it in three words, Choices, Conflict, Consequences. When our character makes a choice, (in this case, Dah Hyun hiding a major secret), it creates a whole host of conflict in the days to come, which inevitably leads to an even bigger set of consequences. In real life, none of us would ever dream of dealing with such a situation, but in fiction, it creates an almost infinite amount of source material for the story. With a character that is actively driving the plot, the viewer/reader can’t predict what may come next, which keeps them turning the page, or in this case, watching the next episode.

Another way to describe Dah Hyun, would be disillusioned. In the world of writing, we would note that Dah Hyun is living in the vast, dark world of her Lie. But it’s not just a simple truth that can bring her out of that darkness. She is suppressing a lot of emotions, as a result of the traumatic events surrounding the Inciting Incident, which then grows into a larger piece of what is known as the Ghost, an event from her past that is overshadowing her present. The Truth that Dah Hyun needs to recognize may be as simple as accepting her true self, as someone more satisfied by simple things in life. That Truth is disguised from Dah Hyun, as the traumatic event and failure from her attempt at success is keeping the forest hidden behind the trees.

Eun Gyehoon

From the beginning, we see that Gyehoon is a complicated guy, many times coming across as cold, or even rude. And while the tragedy of his past doesn’t excuse that behavior, it creates an interesting layer to his persona. Pieces of Gyehoon’s past are slowly revealed over the series, and with the new information, our understanding of him grows. The character Eun Gyehoon, is one of my favorite examples of the literary device known as the Ghost, that I mentioned above. (Ghost: an event from the past, that heavily influences a character’s behavior/choices.) His character shows that no matter how successful, or “okay” someone appears on the outside, they may still be struggling deeply within. For nineteen years he has been battling with the pain of losing his sister, and the difficulties in life that followed. The unsolved nature of her disappearance prevented him from ever finding true healing or solace.

When Dah Hyun steps into his life, it is both a blessing and a curse. She quickly begins to upset the Lie that has been governing his life for nearly two decades. As an act of self-preservation, Gyehoon has hardened his heart, guarding it strongly against any future hurt. The viewer knows that the Truth he needs to acknowledge, is that letting others into his life may bring hurt, but more importantly, may bring love, and healing, that he so badly needs. Stubbornly, he holds onto the Lie. As viewers, our hearts are deeply saddened by this, as we also feel proud of him for pushing through the pain, and not giving up.

Gyehoon’s determination to find the truth about his sister’s disappearance is both gripping, and emotional. But as Gyehoon, and Dah Hyun start to form a bond, the viewer will begin to see troubled waters ahead. The Truth that each of the characters need, is reflected in the eyes of the other. But in order to see that Truth, and accept it, great conflict and even their worst fears must first be recognized, as every skeleton in the closet is brought to light.

In the next part, and conclusion to this series, we will see the climax and resolution of Dah Hyun, and Gyehoon’s character journeys. We will touch on the beauty of settings, and how they can become characters in their own right. And how the seemingly separate stories of side-characters can tie into the bigger picture. Be sure not to miss it!

Until next time,

Lady S

Annyeong!
Deep Dive into K-Drama: pt. 2

October 13th, 2022

Welcome to part two of the Kdrama Analysis series! This is the series where we are taking apart, piece by piece two of my favorite Kdrama’s. And with the eyes and ears of a writer, we are examining the different elements of the Three Act Story Structure as they play out on the screen. The first series we are discussing is, Doom at Your Service. If you haven’t yet read part one, you can go back and read that first, then come back here to continue the discussion. Let’s get started!

Most stories, be they books, or film, contain sub-plots– “a secondary strand of the plot that is a supporting side story for any story or for the main plot. Subplots may connect to main plots, in either time or place or thematic significance.” Doom at Your Service is a great example of sub-plots done well. I never used to be a fan of sub-plots, since I felt they were only distractions from the main part of the story. But after watching Doom at Your Service, I changed my mind. I realized how a sub-plot that is artfully placed within the main plot, can bring a new dimension to the story and create an even more memorable, and impactful impression on the reader/viewer.

The sub-plot within the world of Doom at Your Service, focuses mainly on two characters– Mr. Cha, Dong Kyung’s supervisor at the publishing house, and her best friend, Na Ji Na, a writer at their company. There are some cinematic and thematic parallels between the two story-lines, which helps tie the stories together. We are first attracted to these characters because of their relationship to Dong Kyung. Mr. Cha is a bit mysterious, and not very friendly, yet we get the distinct impression he cares about Dong Kyung greatly. Similarly, Ji Na has been close friends with Dong Kyung since high-school, and we can see the strong bond of sisterhood between them. Their story picks up, when the ratings of Ji Na’s serial novel begin to tank, and Mr. Cha offers her a personal deal to assist her on her next project. Mr. Cha is a no-nonsense, straightforward person, not easily swayed by emotions. Ji Na, on the other hand, is a much more passionate and hot-blooded person.

As the story between Ji Na, and Mr. Cha unfolds, we find out that they share a rather complicated history when we had previously thought they were strangers. We learn of this, as Ji Na is prompted to finally confront her past, which she has been unwilling to let go of, until now. Mr. Cha is the driving force behind this change, and we begin to see a transformation in him as well. Much like Dong Kyung, Mr. Cha is pushed to find strength, and courage, to take hold of his life in pursuit of his own goals. This tale explores themes of forgiveness, and letting go.

This is one of my favorite sub-plots in all of fiction, because of how perfectly it is carried out. The story-line is solid, and could easily have had an entire show all on its own, but instead, it’s like an extra cherry on top. It is gripping, and intriguing, and helps flesh out the world of Doom at Your Service, and the characters who live there. Within this sub-plot there is a clear structure, with the major plot points occurring independently, yet simultaneously with the main plot. The writers of the show knew just how much screen time these characters needed to allow their story to be shown, without overriding the main story. And in a short amount of time, this series delivered a second, fully developed story that was just as deep and meaningful as the main plot.

The takeaway: striking a balance between the sub-plot(s), and main story, can be tricky to get right, but when done well, can enhance the overarching story-line, creating a final product with even greater depth, and memorability. Finding complimentary themes that spread across the differing narratives helps keep the reader/viewer grounded, and avoids any feelings of separation from the main plot.

The sub-plot within Doom at Your Service ticks all of these boxes, and gets a double thumbs-up from me.

Back to the main story.

At the end of part one, we left our main characters, Doom, and Dong Kyung, just as they are beginning to realize the flaws in their Misbelief. When the series began, the characters thought they had each other and the world at large, pegged. Doom thought that all humans were the same– unworthy of kindness, or empathy. And Dong Kyung thought it her duty to accept the fate that has been given her, denying her truest self. The characters take a huge step towards accepting the truth, but it is not yet absolute. This moment coincides with the Second Plot Point, a.k.a., the Midpoint. The Midpoint is a defining moment for the series, as the true nature of the situation comes to light.

At this time, Doom is the character undergoing the most change. His cold- as-ice demeanor is melting quickly, and there is even warmth where previously there was none. Dong Kyung has given Doom a new name– Saram, meaning “person” in Korean. It’s ironic that she gives someone with only a shadow of humanity, a name that reflects the exact opposite, and the irony is certainly not lost on Doom. But the person he was, in the beginning of the series is vastly different from the one we see now. After centuries of his cold, judgemental, dismissive view of humans, Dong Kyung has finally managed to breach the impenetrable fortress of his heart, and bring light into his dark and dying world. He displays this change of heart by his willingness to give up his life for Dong Kyung’s.

I mentioned in part one, that when the series starts we are lead to believe that Doom is the villain–yet now it is evident that someone else has been pulling the strings. I can’t say too much without giving away spoilers, but we come to understand that there are limits to Doom’s capabilities and certain boundaries he can’t cross. As this mysterious force begins to tighten the ropes around Doom, and Dong Kyung, we see them pushed to the limits of their will. For Dong Kyung, she is pushed to finally admit the truth– she wants to live. But when she is standing in the face of death, that is a terrifying admission to make. Dong Kyung’s one hundred days are almost up, and the rules of the deal are still in play. In order for Dong Kyung to live, Doom must perish. The main characters come to their ultimate realizations, and the heartbreaking consequences, just in time for the Climax.

In a shocking twist of events, which I will not tell you about, there is a moment when everything comes undone. All of the change, all of the progress, is seemingly destroyed. But our characters are not the same ones that started this series, for if they were, their actions and the outcome would be vastly different. Doom and Dong Kyung prove, not only to the viewers, but to themselves, and the mystery controller, that their transformation is real after all. Their acceptance of the Truth is whole-hearted, and though there may be obstacles in the way, the Truth is still stronger. In hindsight, the viewers will realize that the events that have taken place were a test, orchestrated by the mystery person. And no matter the outcome, the characters will have new meaning to their lives.

The admission of the Truth is of greater importance to them than clinging to the false comfort that the Lie had ever brought them.

The series concludes in a way that leaves the viewer satisfied, yet with plenty to think about afterwards. We are certain that the transformations which took place in the characters are permanent, and that they are forever changed. This series displays a creative use of the Three Act Story Structure, and gives a subtle twist on a lot of common tropes in fiction. Doom at Your Service is a story about change, acceptance, and sacrifice, and it offers an in-depth look at what it means to be human, and the intricacies therein.

I hope you enjoyed this conclusion to the first series of our Deep Dive analysis into Kdrama. I learned a lot from this study, and I hope you have too. But we’re not done yet, and I’m so excited for the next series! You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time,

Lady S
Deep Dive into K-Drama: Story Analysis for Writers

September 14th, 2022

A truth universally acknowledged, is that people love drama. And my personal favorite kind of drama happens to come in the form of K-drama–the genre of South Korean TV shows. By now, I think everyone who knows me, knows how much I love K-drama. I love the way these stories use subtle undertones to express strong emotion, instead of over-done on-the-nose acting. Before I discovered K-drama, I had never really seen such deeply developed characters, and plots, outside of books. Since then, I have watched dozens upon dozens of shows, and have become so invested in the lives of each character, that I can feel their joy, their pain, and even their sorrow. As a writer, I began to study some of the intricacies, and take note of the shape and structure behind each series, and I started to recognize a pattern; that same unbeatable formula found in every story throughout history. So today, I’m starting a brand new, four-part series where I am going to dig down and dissect two of my very favorite K-drama’s, and study the science that holds them together and examine just what it is that makes them so great.

The first series we are going to discuss is, Doom at Your Service. A supernatural/fantasy/romance drama, and one of the most original, funny, and gripping emotional-roller coasters that I’ve ever seen. This post is going to contain some spoilers, but I’ll try to include only what is necessary to the discussion. Throughout this study, I will be referring to elements of the Three Act Story Structure, as described by K.M. Weiland, in her various teachings. If you’re not familiar with the Three Act Story Structure, you can find out more here.

Doom at Your Service.

The story picks up with our main character, Tak Dong Kyung, during an unfortunate, yet ordinary day in her life. Currently working as an editor for an online web-comic publishing house, Dong Kyung, is accustom to working long hours, and leaving little time for herself. Misfortune has followed her all her life, but on this day, Dong Kyung’s luck is the worst it’s ever been. Over-due student loans, and a humiliating public break-up are the least of her worries, after she pays a visit to her doctor, and receives the devastating news that she has a life-threatening brain tumor, with very limited options for treatment. Even with these grim prospects Dong Kyung seems unfazed, and indifferent to the information. Since losing her parents at a young age, Dong Kyung feels like this is simply the cherry on top of her already miserable life. She keeps the news to herself, and returns to her apartment. Later that night, after a few drinks, she recklessly makes a wish on a shooting star–wishing for doom upon the whole earth.

From the very first scene, we sympathize with Dong Kyung. We have all had bad days, and while they might not be as bad as Dong Kyung’s, we can still understand what she is feeling. So too, do we understand why she wishes for doom upon the whole earth. Often, when we are going through a difficult time, it’s hard to understand how the rest of the world can simply carry on, while our own world is crashing down all around us. At this point in the episode, things start to get interesting, because little did Dong Kyung know, Doom is a person, and she has just summoned him.

Enter, Doom, (Myeol Mang), an immortal being, who’s only purpose is to exact doom upon the human race. When you get a flat tire on the way to work, spill a cup of coffee on your laptop, or even face the consequences of a crime you have committed, you can thank Doom for visiting–the personification of misfortune. After living for centuries, watching continuously as humans live, die, and repeatedly make mistakes and cause terrible atrocities, any empathy that could have existed in him has been long buried. So when he hears the call for world-wide doom, it’s an opportunity he can’t pass up. Every year on his birthday, he grants one wish to a human, and Dong Kyung is just the human he’s been waiting for.

The arrival of Doom signifies the Inciting Event, bringing a tipping point for Dong Kyung, and the entire plot. We were given a brief look at Dong Kyung’s “normal” world prior to this moment, and now we are about to witness its complete reversal. Doom’s presence foreshadows this upcoming change, as his mere existence challenges Dong Kyung’s understanding of the world. The doorway to a new reality has just been unlocked, and already, she can see a glimpse of the other side.

Upon entering her apartment, Doom gives Dong Kyung an offer she can’t refuse: live pain free for the remainder of her life, (exactly 100 days), and after that, bring ultimate doom on the earth. She scoffs at the offer, and tries to get him to leave. She thinks she imagined the entire scenario, until the next day when the debilitating pain from her tumor is miraculously lifted by a simple touch from Doom. Frustrated, and at the end of her rope, Dong Kyung questions what she has done to deserve this. She doesn’t actually want to destroy the earth, simply because she is going to die. But when she tries to break the contract, Doom makes it clear the penalty she will face for not following through on their deal– Dong Kyung will live, but the person she loves most will die in her place.

Dong Kyung is horrified at this turn of events, as the person she loves most is her younger brother, the one whom she has worked most of her life to protect and care for after the loss of their parents. This moment conveys the First Plot Point, the final nail in the metaphorical coffin, ensuring that the old view of reality is gone forever. Dong Kyung, has now stepped through the doorway into this new world, but it is only the beginning of her journey.

Moving on, we see Dong Kyung’s Reaction as she grapples with this extreme change in her life. Dong Kyung despises Doom for making her agree to his offer, but she is determined not to let him win. She comes up with a way to save her own life, while not losing anyone else close to her. Her plan? Fall in love with Doom, so that he will die in place of her brother.

This is where the magic of Kdrama comes into play, promising an extremely painful road ahead for the characters, as well as the viewers. In the beginning it is clear that Doom is the villain in this story, but after a few episodes you will begin to second guess that notion. It appears that Doom is the one person that can help bring a change in her life, and likewise, she is the only one who can bring a change in him, too. It is the unlikelihood of two opposite souls, both broken, and hurting, that makes them a perfect pairing.

Doom first appears as a ruthless, uncaring soul, devoid of any heart or feeling towards anyone or anything. But as the story progresses, that hard exterior begins to show cracks, and Dong Kyung, recalls a faint memory that is in direct contradiction to what Doom has repeatedly claimed:

“I don’t eat, I don’t sleep, I don’t cry.”

For Dong Kyung, this situation proves that for too long, she has sat back and allowed the world to run right over her. For most of her life, she has not understood or acknowledged who she truly is, but Doom begins to show her that maybe there is more to this life than she first thought. Consequently, as Doom and Dong Kyung become closer, she also realizes there may still be some humanity in him yet.

Now let’s review what we have covered so far. Doom at Your Service, flawlessly delivers an incredible Hook within the first few minutes, in the form of Dong Kyung’s shocking diagnosis. And it immediately follows through with the Inciting Event, as the appearance of Doom, himself. From the moment he is introduced, every aspect of the story, and Dong Kyung’s life begins to teeter in the balance. And while all of these outward events are occurring, it’s as if they were specifically designed to poke and prod at both Doom, and Dong Kyung’s deepest, personal, inner-conflict, and the Lies they each believe about themselves.

In the next part of this series, we will find out that that is exactly the case. Dong Kyung, and Doom, will both have to examine and confront the Lies they have clung to, as the Truth becomes so blindingly clear that they can no longer ignore it.

In my next post, we are going to get into the magic of sub-plots, character realizations, and epic climaxes, so be sure not to miss it. I hope you enjoyed taking a deeper look into the world of Kdrama’s with me, because there is more to come!

As always, thank you for reading,

Lady S

❤