Kwak DongYeon Shares Cute Pictures Of Him With The Script Of Drama “My Strange Hero”
Find out about the new sweet pictures of Kwak DongYeon!
Laure, Kpopmap Editor 2 min to read ·
Published : Dec 11, 2018
· Updated : Apr 4, 2023
Kwak DongYeon's Instagram
“My Strange Hero” just started to broadcast yesterday and already caught the attention of many.
It is romance drama that tells the story of BokSoo that was unfairly expelled from his high school because he was accused of being a school bully. When he is an adult, he plans to get revenge by going back to the school. However, it did not go as planned. He starts to get in trouble again and get linked to love again. Yoo SeungHo, Jo BoAh, and Kwak DongYeon are main actors of this drama. For more information and picture about the drama, you can check our updated cast and summary here.
Kwak DongYeon is the second male lead of this drama and many have high expectation as he is a rising actor. His fan base recently grew more with his acting in the popular drama “My ID Is Gangnam Beauty“.
On Monday, December 10th, the actor posted sweet pictures of him on his Instagram. In the caption, he is asking for people's interest in the drama "My Strange Hero" broadcasting on that day.
He posted several pictures of him holding the drama script with a white rose. The actor took various poses with his suit.
Kwak DongYeon's Instagram
Kwak DongYeon's Instagram
Netizens commented "Wow oppa, you are too handsome", "Wow, on the last picture, why are you smiling that prettily?", "The pictures are amazing", etc.
"Queen Of Tears" Theories & Predictions That Just Make Sense
"Queen Of Tears" is the hottest K-Drama on air right now and it has got us thinking about theories and predictions already!
Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap Editor 4 min to read ·
Published : Mar 26, 2024
tvN / Kpopmap
The most buzz-worthy K-Drama on air right now is undoubtedly, "Queen Of Tears". Starring Kim SooHyun and Kim JiWon in the leading roles, "Queen Of Tears" is a thoroughly engaging tear-jerker that tugs at your heartstrings mercilessly and we're only getting started! Despite being only 6 episodes in, "Queen Of Tears" has already established a tight storyline, which has us thinking up all sorts of theories and predictions.
So, if you're caught up with the latest episode of "Queen Of Tears", here are some of our "Queen Of Tears" theories and predictions that just make sense!
1. Hong HaeIn's Life Saving Miracle Is Going To Be A Pregnancy
tvN
Hong HaeIn (played by Kim JiWon) has lost a child before and has now been diagnosed with Cloud Cytoma. For all wondering, Cloud Cytoma is not a real disease, at least according to common knowledge. This leaves space for writer Park JiEun to bring in a miracle that will help HaeIn survive her terminal illness.
We're predicting that in true K-Drama fashion, HaeIn's miracle will be a pregnancy. Throughout the show so far, HaeIn emphasizes that she needs a miracle to save her life. The doctor himself also mentions that miracles do happen and that HaeIn may just survive this fatal illness.
So, it is safe to assume that as HyunWoo (Kim SooHyun) and HaeIn rekindle their relationship, which they inevitably will, and give in to their affections, HaeIn may end up conceiving a baby that will inadvertently improve her health.
Pregnancy, which is the miracle of life, will be the miracle that saves HaeIn.
2. Hong SooCheol Is Not The Father Of Cheon DaHye's Son In "Queen Of Tears"
tvN
In the latest episode of "Queen Of Tears", it is mentioned in passing that Hong SooCheol (Kwak DongYeon) and Cheon DaHye's (Lee JooBin) son, GunWwoo, is rather good-looking, as opposed to his father. While SooCheol firmly asserts that GunWoo is definitely his son, Cheon DaHye remains mysterious, sharing a look with Grace (Kim JooRyung) as if they're hiding a secret.
So, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to think that GunWoo is not in fact SooCheol's son. However, we don't think GunWoo is Yoon EunSung's (Park SungHoon) son either. Instead, the child may just be one DaHye adopted from Evergreen Hope Orphanage.
Either way, it seems quite certain that Hong SooCheol is not the father.
3. Yoon EunSung Is Moh SeulHee's Son
tvN
This one might be a bit far-fetched, but we have a feeling that Moh SeulHee (Lee MiSook) is the biological mother of Yoon EunSung or he could be the son of Moh SeulHee's sister SunYeong, who gave birth in prison.
SunYeong, who looks identical to SeulHee but is said to have passed away thirty years ago, could have been Hong ManDae's (Kim KapSoo) mistress, which is why she was imprisoned for adultery.
SunYeong/SeulHee was 4 months pregnant when she was imprisoned three years prior to her death. This would make her son about 32 - 33 years old, which matches with EunSung's age.
tvN
If EunSung is SunYeong's son or if SeulHee is SunYeong and he is her son that she had with Hong ManDae, either way, it makes EunSung a rightful heir to Queens Group. However, he had to live a less-than-privileged life because he was an illegitimate son.
That explains why EunSung is back to claim the throne that he believes he deserves and is working in collusion with DaHye, Grace, and of course, SeulHee.
tvN
However, it does make it a little creepy that he's trying to get with his niece, but for the sake of this theory, let's look past that, shall we?
This theory would also explain why Hong ManDae's wife passed away after Moh SeulHee came into their lives. If his wife had anything to do with SunYeong's imprisonment and eventual death, that would make her terribly guilty and frankly mortified to see someone who looks exactly like her coming back as her husband's new mistress.
Whether any of these "Queen Of Tears" theories and predictions will come true is for our dear Writer-nim to know and us to find out!
What are your theories and predictions about "Queen Of Tears"? Tell us on X!
Korea Explained: Ancestral Rites Culture In Korea, As Reinterpreted In The Trending K-Drama "Queen Of Tears"
Learn all about ancestral rites culture in Korea, as many people grow curious after watching "Queen of Tears".
Kay Sesoko, Kpopmap Editor 5 min to read ·
Published : Mar 20, 2024
Kpopmap / tvN
You may have seen scenes in K-Dramas where Koreans perform ancestral rites (called 제사 (je-sa) in Korean) either on major holidays such as Chuseok (the Korean thanksgiving) or Seollal (the Lunar New Year) or even during the memorial gathering for someone's death. Usually in these K-Drama scenes, you might notice family members gathered (usually dressed in black or demure colors), in front of a table filled with traditional foods and a portrait of the deceased (sometimes not there).
Well, today we're going to explain all about the Korean ancestral rites culture, so that you can gain a better understanding of it.
Why do Koreans practice ancestral rites?
Koreans hold ancestral rites ceremonies/rituals to honor their ancestors, maintain family bonds, seek blessings and protection, and to uphold tradition.
A look into some of the history behind ancestral rites ceremonies
Ancestral rites can be traced back to ancient times as the tradition has continued for hundreds and hundreds of years. For instance, the tradition was a predominant part of Korean society especially in the Joseon dynasty where Confucianism and its principles were at the forefront.
Confucianism values filial piety (treating one's parents well) as one of its pillars. One of the footholds of this was through various ceremonies including the ancestral rites ceremony. The ideal that families who held these ceremonies were perfect examples of Confucian values was widespread and thus became the new normal over time, regardless of one's societal status.
In the later Joseon Dynasty, the caste system was starting to disappear. During this time, citizens tried to boost their societal status e.g. in the form of families buying noble genealogies, etc. To the same logic, ancestral rites became one way to represent a family's standing. The more abundant the offering on the table, the more abundant the family. This explains the scale of preparation that still happens for ancestral rites today.
Who conducts ancestral rites ceremonies/rituals and what happens?
Due to the conservative and largely patriarchal nature of the society during the Joseon Dynasty, ancestral rites rituals were another extension of those cultures and ideals. Men were in charge of leading the actual rites, whilst women (who had limited rights during this time) had to do all of the preparation.
In the trending K-Drama of the moment, "Queen of Tears", they show the reverse of this. All of the brother-in-laws who have married into the Queens Group family are in charge of the ancestral rites. They handle all of the food preparation and set-up, then the Queens Group relatives proceed with the ceremony.
In the drama, you can see the intensive nature of the preparations too in the scene where Kim SooHyun cries as he cooks.
This is unlike the typical conservative Korean tradition where women are mostly in charge of preparing for the ancestral rites. This includes all of the food preparation too, which can take anywhere from one to a few days depending on the family and the scale of the ceremony.
More about ancestral rites food
You might also have noticed that most ancestral rites tables look the same. This is because there are symbolic foods that are placed on the table in most households.
There is also a meaning to the positioning of the food/objects on the table. For instance, the main dishes (such as rice and soup) are placed in the center of the table as they symbolize sustenance. Things like meats and fish are arranged surrounding those. There is also a directional pattern, like some items having to face either the west or the south.
The placement of these foods is not the only aspect that gets paid extreme attention to. There is even a certain way that the items should be placed on the table to ensure the ultimate respect for their ancestors.
Kpopmap
Other foods/beverages/items commonly found on the ancestral rites table but not pictured above: kimchi, rice cakes, rice cake soup, tofu, soy sauce, cutlery (spoon and chopsticks), alcohol, incense, etc.
In some cases, if the deceased like a very particular dish or snack, then you might see that on the table, as well.
The ceremony itself
If the ancestral rites falls on a memorial day, the ceremony is usually held in the evening on the anniversary of the deceased's death.
Usually, a representative member of the family (e.g. the oldest male) leads the ceremony. This person is called the 'jeju' (yes, like the island - 제주 in Korean). The person who assists them is called the 'jipsa' ('집사' in Korean).
The jeju lights incense and alcohol is poured for the ancestors. The glass of alcohol is turned a couple of times over the incense. You might have seen this in "Queen of Tears" when Kwak DongYeon is scolded by Kim JungNan for turning the glass too quickly. This alcohol will be offered to the ancestor three times by different people, depending on the family.
tvN
tvN
Family members then bow deeply to show respect before they offer the food on the table to their ancestors. Thereafter, the family will gather for a meal of the foods that were prepared. This links them to the ancestors through the symbolism of enjoying a meal together. If you'd like to read the extremely detailed steps of the ceremony, check them out here. (You can translate the page to English with the Google translation tool).
These are only some of the more basic steps to the ceremony. There are several symbolic steps in between which vary from family to family. Some families might do things differently depending on their respective customs. For instance, there might be differences like some families not allowing women to attend the ceremony at all or women bowing a certain number of times and men bowing a different number of times, etc. Whilst the basis of the tradition is the same - it can be quite complex in terms of different nuances.
How do Koreans feel about ancestral rites ceremonies/rituals?
Modern sentiment about ancestral rites
Whilst many believe that ancestral rites are an important part of Korean tradition. There is a growing sentiment among Koreans that the tradition is slightly outdated and needs to change to fit the modern context a bit better.
As a result of the grandiose food offerings at these ceremonies, a lot of labor goes into the process of preparing for ancestral rites - which modern day Koreans are trying to find a solution to as it can be quite time-consuming. Many feel that they don't have the time to invest and there are many other issues being raised about the tradition in general.
This also applies to feminist issues of gender inequality rooted in the tradition, as women are expected to do all of the preparation for the ceremonies in most households. This is why some viewers found "Queen of Tears" to be so refreshing, whilst others hoped for a reality that is somewhere in between the K-Drama and the current tradition.
The discontentment also comes from the economic implications of holding ancestral rites as Korea faces a high inflation crisis. Many argue that it is not financially feasible to hold ancestral rites on the same scale as before because simply preparing the food has become too expensive. By minimizing the scale of ancestral rites to fit more to the family's lifestyle, many Koreans feel that they can continue with the ceremonies without any complaints.
What do you think of the Korean ancestral rites culture?
Top 5 K-Dramas To Have On Your Watchlist This March 2024
Looking for new K-Dramas? Check out our curated list of five K-Dramas coming in March 2024 that you absolutely do not want to miss!
Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap Editor 4 min to read ·
Published : Feb 27, 2024
MBN / MBC
2024 is proving to be an amazing year for K-Dramas, and we're only 2 months in! As we step into March 2024, there are even more incredible K-Dramas waiting for us.
From highly-anticipated screen comebacks to iconic pairings, thrillers, romance, comedy, and more, March is packed with entertainment, thanks to these upcoming K-Dramas.
So, we compiled some of the most exciting March 2024 K-Dramas in a watchlist for you!
Here are 5 March K-Dramas of 2024 that you absolutely do not want to miss!
Note: This watchlist is not a ranking. It includes select K-Dramas airing on Korean national television as well as Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ original series.
1. "Wonderful World"
MBC
When & Where: March 1, on Disney Plus
Cast: Kim NamJoo, ASTRO's Cha EunWoo, Kim KangWoo, Lim SeMi
Summary: When a mother loses her son to a crime, and yet the perpetrator gets away scot-free, she takes the law into her own hands. In the process, she meets other people who have suffered from similar injustices and helps them solve their cases, healing each other's inner wounds in the process.
Reasons To Watch: Veteran actress Kim NamJoo's small-screen comeback is highly anticipated and is reason enough to tune in to this drama. Additionally, Cha EunWoo, who has proved his mettle in thrillers with "Island" before, is raising anticipation for his performance in "Wonderful World" even more. It will be interesting to see their dynamic in this K-Drama when it comes out in March 2024.
Cast: Kim SooHyun, Kim JiWon, Park SungHoon, Kwak DongYeon, Lee JooBin
Summary: A chaebol heiress and an ordinary employee got married with the promise of a happily ever after. However, three years in, they are facing the biggest marital crisis of their lives. Will love bloom amidst chaos?
Reasons To Watch: "Queen Of Tears" has been one of the most highly-awaited K-Dramas for over a year now and we are finally getting it in March 2024. Fans all over the world are waiting to see the dream pairing of Kim SooHyun and Kim JiWon on their screens, and so are we! Moreover, it's giving elevated makjang, and we're here for it!
3. "Night Photo Studio"
ENA
When & Where: March 11, on Genie TV
Cast: Joo Won, Kwon NaRa, Eum MoonSuk, Yoo InSoo
Summary: "Night Photo Studio" tells the story of a supernatural photo studio run by Seo KiJoo (Joo Won), who takes portraits of the deceased. He gets involved with a passionate lawyer named Han Bom (Kwon NaRa).
Reasons To Watch: Even before its broadcast, the cast of "Night Photo Studio" is winning hearts. From their script reading session to promotional content, we just can't get enough! If you liked "Hotel Del Luna", you will love "Night Photo Studio", so don't forget to tune in to this K-Drama in March 2024.
4. "Missing Crown Prince"
MBN
When & Where: March 13, on MBN
Cast: EXO's SuHo, Hong YeJi
Summary: The crown prince of the nation has been kidnapped by a woman fated to be the princess! As they flee, a gentle romance blooms between the two.
Reasons To Watch: EXO's SuHo impressed K-Drama viewers worldwide with his role in "Behind Your Touch". So, fans are eagerly looking forward to his lead role in "Missing Crown Prince". Alongside SuHo, we have rookie actress Hong YeJi, who has gathered a significant fandom from "Love Song For Illusion". This Joseon-era rom-com is not to be missed!
Summary: "Chicken Nugget" tells the strange story of how a beautiful young girl, Choi MinAh (Kim YouJung), is turned into a fried chicken nugget because she happens to enter a mysterious machine. It follows Choi SunMan (Ryu SeungRyong), her father, and Go BaekJung (Ahn JaeHong), an intern, who join efforts to turn her back to human and discover deep dark secrets in the process.
Reasons To Watch: K-Drama and webtoon fans have been waiting for "Chicken Nugget" since it was first announced in 2021. Needless to say, just the premise itself has intrigued fans worldwide, and regardless of your genre preferences, we recommend you tune in to this at least once. The story will captivate you in unexpected ways.
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