Learning From Writer Sunbaes: MDL Articles Revisited Part 2

Introduction

Picking up from where I left off in Part One of this article series, I contacted 83 writers for their consent. As of the time when this article was ready to be submitted for editing, 55 writers replied and gave their permission. Some were surprised and gave happy comments like: “This almost makes me laugh, cry, idk. This article was SO long ago I can’t believe you can find it!!” [SeRose] Most of them expressed their excitement as represented by this comment: “I worked so hard for these articles and I wouldn’t want them to get buried.” [Yoon Na Rae] As I am experiencing writing articles I can only agree with the writer’s statement. Now I can appreciate how every MDL writer poured out their heart, mind, creativity, and time creating each of their articles.

Articles Featured

In Part 1, the articles are from VIP_Nerd, Old_Anime_Lady, Brownie, JojoOnDatBeat, KatiaSchwarz, twinklelie & SeRose, Akage Girl, azyjtevol , Kate, and Lumiere.

Product Placement in Korea

"VIP_Nerd researches the frequent use of product placement in Korean dramas. Is it cleverly done or overused to the point of brainwashing? More opinions inside!"

In this article, the writer took the time to analyze a drama feature we have a hate-love relationship with: product placement (PPL). We hate it as they can be shown blatantly in every episode, but we ‘love’ them because they funded the drama production.

Article Ideas

Of course, PPL is not exclusively in Kdramas. You can write funny and weird examples of PPL like this in dramas from every country you watch.

Trailers, Articles, People, Episodes, And Titles: 5 Ways To Help!

"How to add content to MDL and raise your Total Edits and Karma score. Oh, and make MDL more awesome!"

The writer wrote about five features of MDL and called all of us to contribute. First, she gave step-by-step guidance on how to add drama/movie titles and people. This information is important up until today since I still see people asking for certain titles and people to be added, not knowing that they can add the information themselves. Second, the writer gave an example of article types MDL members can write: Currently Watching, Weekend Movie Reviews (I have not seen this for a long time, the last one was in January this year), and Stalker’s Guide (now it’s called Ultra Fan Guide). Lastly, she also explained how to add trailers and episodes. Personally, out of these five features, adding episodes is still a mystery for me, and I noticed that the Episode Guide is rarely used. It seems we are still unsure of what is a spoiler and what is not, thus we are reluctant to add anything to the Episode Guide.

Article Ideas

Though we can ask or search around, articles about MDL features (especially after updates) are sincerely welcomed.

My Appreciation of Thai Lakorns

"A look at why I feel more people should watch Lakorns."

This article was about the writer’s personal journey on how she discovered lakorn (Thai dramas). Although the article was written in early 2019, the writer has stayed faithful as a resident lakornian (avid lakorn watcher) until now. In her article, she gave reasons for what to like in Thai dramas and why we should try them.

Article Ideas

Writing articles on personal adventures on how we ‘converted’ from one country/genre/subgenre/form to another is always fun to read. By reading those articles, we can also reflect on our own journeys in dramaland.

Important Figures in Korean History and Their On-Screen Portrayals

"From the pages of history books to the pages of drama scripts, a look into the people who placed Korea on the map."

The writer also wrote an article sequel: Important Figures in Korean History and Their On-Screen Portrayals (Part 2)

Being only a year into Asian dramaland, I have missed watching some great historical Kdramas. Therefore, it was a pleasure reading both articles and learning about Korean history, with the bonus of seeing the familiar faces of actors and actresses. In addition, I got to see treasured artistic paintings, literature, and ancient musical instruments from a specific era in Korean history.

Article Ideas

Besides Korea, other Asian countries we watch dramas from are rich in history and culture. Writers may pick up any historical or cultural attribute from one or several dramas: historical figures, events, places, buildings/homes, literature, paintings, costumes, food, and many others.

The Art of Light and Colour: Rurouni Kenshin

"There are many visual tools in the movie maker's arsenal - and two of them are lighting and colors. In this article, we're going to analyze some shots from the movie Rurouni Kenshin, and see how much a simple beam of light can say about a person!"

Most of us enjoy a drama/movie based on the plot and/or the characters/acting. In addition, there are other ways we may enjoy a show. In this particular article on Rurouni Kenshin movie, the writer chose a different way to look into a drama/movie: lighting and colors. She discusses the dark and light color palettes, the light in the dark, and the character’s emotion through color and lighting representation. Commenters then chimed in with other drama/movie examples connected to the topic.

Article Ideas

This article, which analyzed the lighting and ‘coloring’ of a show, and another article in Part One of my article on visual cues, showed us a variety of supplemental elements that added to our enjoyment as a whole. Writers may obtain any writing ideas on editing, costume, makeup, props, film set, music, or even how the production teams marketed their dramas/movies.

A Detective’s Corp. Journal in Dramaland

"Seen that house before? Or that castle? Or that park? Thought it looked familiar? Join the Rose and Twinkie Detective Corp. as we investigate locations in Dramaland (in a little Blue Box) "

Following these two writers (or as they called themselves, detectives) is so much fun with their hilarious dialogues. I only wished that the pictures with their logos were bigger, maybe because I am just a traveling aficionado wanting to see those beautiful places in Japan and South Korea.

Article Ideas

When you watch lots of dramas from a certain country, eventually you will be able to recognize familiar places used more than once for location settings. Writers can get similar ideas on ‘investigating’ the filming locations used in Taiwanese, Chinese, and Thai dramas, overseas filming locations, or even the reusing of the same filming locations in different dramas.

Characterization: A Case Study

"According to the Oxford Dictionary, characterization is the “creation or construction of a fictional character” which is an incredibly limited and boring way to describe something so magical. Who doesn’t love or hate a good character?"

After one year in Asian dramaland, the writer found four defining drama characteristics that guided her decision to keep watching a drama or drop it: characterization, dialogues, the art of conflicts, and the moral of the story. In this article, she discussed how heroes/heroines, villains, antiheroes, couples, and supporting cast either enhance the plot or become the sole reason for her to keep watching. Below are her other articles discussing the rest of the aspects:

Article Ideas

The first year of someone’s drama journey is likely to be memorable, as it formulates the person’s watching style (what dramas, the reasons, the habits, etc.) that will be established later in the years. Writers have extensive options to write about their memorable characters, dialogue quotes, conflicts (fights, war), and lessons learned from the dramas they watched.

Pegasus Market: Finding the Easter Eggs!

"Here's a little analysis of Pegasus Market, the K-drama that highlights some of the best Korean inside jokes some of you might have missed out on. ;)"

Honestly, by just looking at the modest poster of a group of people standing and unpopular cast, Pegasus Market was almost off my radar. I only added it to my PTW list since actor Kim Byung Chul was in it. Commenting on the article, I wrote that I would look for the ‘hidden objects’ discussed by the writer. By the time I picked it up to be watched for my first drama in 2020, I completely forgot about the ‘eggs’, as I was busy laughing my head off at its hilarious story.

Article Ideas

Anyways, this unusual perk (the inside jokes) became an attractive topic of this article. It indirectly recommended this drama to be watched. The writer categorized three of her findings: quirky names, a parody of Korean ads, and a tribute to older dramas and movies. Any writer can use similar attributes from a different drama(s).

[SPOILER!] Extraordinary You: Ending from a Different Perspective

"When in stories the main characters end up together, we are led to believe it's a fairytale ending that will make everyone happy but is it always the case?  What if the end is just yet another beginning, and what the future holds is unknown and scary?"

Since I haven’t watched Extraordinary You, though I read the article, my thought here is about drama endings in general. As mentioned by the writer “A fairytale ending will make everyone happy”, we see in any romantic drama pages questions/comments such as: is it a happy ending? who ends up with whom? when did they get together? etc, etc. But honestly, do we want every romantic drama to end happily?

Article Ideas

Drama endings may become an interesting subject to discuss and articles to write about. How about unhealthy romantic relationships? Writers may choose to write about toxic relationships in dramas with happy endings. Are fairytales unrealistic and unreliable? Lastly, other drama endings that are meant to have many interpretations may also be another interesting article topic to write.

The Fangirl vs. the Brain: Why Did I Watch This

"This is a pathetic rant between a fangirl and her own brain who blames her for making him watch dramas he doesn't approve of. *Note: The writer claims she's mentally stable.*"

This article is hilarious and although it was written 7 years ago, it’s still relatable. Anyone who at least once watched a drama/movie only for its beautiful cast is guilty of doing “a noble sacrifice of a loyal fan-girl” as coined by the writer. I haven’t watched any of the dramas mentioned by the writer, so I couldn’t relate to her fangirling.

Article Ideas

Any fan can use a similar idea and write an article based on personal confession watching bad movies/dramas just because of pretty things! And if the battle between heart and brain for watching drama also includes beautiful cinematography, then anyone who loves costume C-dramas (including me) may be guilty too.