To address the "not American" quality of international shows: at least with the Korean shows, it's much more pertinent with the rom-coms. It's a fairly socially conservative society and TV networks go harder on the morals, so their depictions of interpersonal relations -- especially with romance -- stray pretty far from Western tropes. But things like how people address each other in an age/sex hierarchal society create more nuance in the dialogue and the long, slow burn to the first kiss helps create more character depth. However, Netflix is pushing those boundaries, so that's been an interesting experiment as well.
My partner (who prefers British entertainment) and I are watching a Korean reality dating show called Single's Inferno and it's jarring at how wholesome it is. Contestants must withhold their age and profession until they're alone with each other "in Paradise," and even then, they generally avoid physical touch. The amazing feat is how, even without the trash, they manage to create vapid entertainment.
Two episodes into The Frog, and, yes, it's really good so far! There's a cinematic quality to it that's more elevated than the usual Netflix-ized Korean TV, so it kind of reminds me of A Model Family (2022).
You know, as a long time destroyer of things, I have to say I'm super jealous of this sentence: "The amazing feat is how, even without the trash, they manage to create vapid entertainment." Bravo. Very well done! I doubt I'd try the comedies and most reality shows from Asian countries (Japan, I'm looking at you) freak me out. But now I'm really intrigued about "A Model Family."
Man, coming from Korean cinema, I didn't think I'd fall for the comedies or reality shows, but Netflix made it too accessible. Obviously, the thrillers continue to be the country's A-game, but, as I stated before, I think I'm also not savvy enough to pick up on cultural nuances or language jokes that are impossible to translate.
As far as reality shows, I know "Physical 100" was a hit -- I was kind of surprised at how much I enjoyed it. As you mentioned with "The Frog," despite the competitive premise, all of the contestants pushed this "collective good" philosophy through genuine respect, rather than an American "me-first" mentality.
Basically, what I'm saying is your point about "not American" details are just way more apparent in those genres. And, maybe why the thrillers are more successful is because there's a universal formula they've mastered for more crossover success?
"A Model Family" was great execution for a pretty predictable crime drama, but worth it it for Park Hee Soon (who plays a lot of gangsters). Although, if you're going with Park-related dramas, you might be better off with the very excellent "My Name."
I went to the cinema yesterday and saw the trailer (which btw spoils all the movie) for Speak no evil. And I remembered seeing the original european version not long ago. So I was wondering why is this happening, like an US remake 1-2 years after the original. Same happened to "A hijacking/Captain Philips". Any idea?
There's an over-reliance on IP throughout the industry, especially TV now, catching up with movies, but the latter just runs a lot more in fear of failure. How anything good gets made is kind of a miracle.
Speaking of France...one series I enjoyed that I don't think I've seen mentioned here at all is Lupin on Netflix. (watched the first two seasons during the pandemic -- 5 episodes each, haven't seen the third season yet, apparently a fourth is coming)
I have been meaning to start Lupin for a while now. Either you or others here have mentioned it and I keep wanting to start. At first It thought it was based on the Miyazaki thing and was like wait what...
Okay, okay, okay, Tim, when you first mentioned The Frog, it just didn’t seem like my dish, but now that you’ve raved about it a second time, I’m on for it. (Just finished Season 2 of Kleo, sublime…)
Oh, that's great! I'm behind on my Kleo so I'm glad you liked it. Yeah, other than the two-timeline thing being confusing in "The Frog" I loved the slow burn weirdness of it and then 5-8 is just superb and a couple of storylines I was stunned by.
I think that, for many of us, the gateway drug for asian dramas (specifically) was the amazing Pachinko which, of course is in the midst of its' second season...
You read my mind, Tim! After listening to your podcast I was tooling around on the streaming services trying to remember the names of some of your top shows of 2024. It’s nice to see them all here as a guide! I am eyeing House of Ninja once I finish up a couple shows.
I am still watching Homicide: Life on the Street, which is terrific and yeah, suddenly my Peacock subscription has become more valuable.
Slight dissent: I enjoyed English Teacher and will keep watching. I actually prefer network sitcoms to “half hour” shows on cable that aren’t actually funny. So that’s my perspective. I will also say this show would never be allowed on ABC network given its subject matter. Gawd, there would probably be Congressional hearings if they did! (Remember when Disney censored a Blackish episode? Good times.) So yeah, that’s why it’s on FX. Not for you, but definitely for me (I also like Ghosts and Abbott Elementary) One FX show I think we agree on is What We Do in the Shadows, which is back for its final season on 10/21. Can’t wait. That’s also a good rewatch show.
Great topic - we're finding some good stuff out there, or at least stuff worth trying.
I did watch "Alice in Borderland" on your suggestion, and really enjoyed it. I lucked into "Squid Game" early but like the direction "Alice" went as well. For a great Korean show - "Kingdom"...but only if you like kung fu, swordplay, palace intrigue, period shows, and zombies...together.
Well I like Kleo (as you know) and she's on her own mission now in her wacky way. I don't mind the change; they've earned my trust so we'll see how it goes.
Along those lines the "Deutschland (83/86/89)" series is rather good.
If you want a Paris fix until "The Bureau" is available again, you can try "The Paris Murders" on PBS. It's part of the "Walter Presents" curated list they have - all international stuff and it's been generally good (and nothing awful). A couple from that list that I enjoyed were "Professor T" (Belgian original) and "Munch", another wacky but entertaining French show. And Netflix has "Call My Agent" for escapist Frenchness.
To address the "not American" quality of international shows: at least with the Korean shows, it's much more pertinent with the rom-coms. It's a fairly socially conservative society and TV networks go harder on the morals, so their depictions of interpersonal relations -- especially with romance -- stray pretty far from Western tropes. But things like how people address each other in an age/sex hierarchal society create more nuance in the dialogue and the long, slow burn to the first kiss helps create more character depth. However, Netflix is pushing those boundaries, so that's been an interesting experiment as well.
My partner (who prefers British entertainment) and I are watching a Korean reality dating show called Single's Inferno and it's jarring at how wholesome it is. Contestants must withhold their age and profession until they're alone with each other "in Paradise," and even then, they generally avoid physical touch. The amazing feat is how, even without the trash, they manage to create vapid entertainment.
Two episodes into The Frog, and, yes, it's really good so far! There's a cinematic quality to it that's more elevated than the usual Netflix-ized Korean TV, so it kind of reminds me of A Model Family (2022).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3Pu78FXrak
You know, as a long time destroyer of things, I have to say I'm super jealous of this sentence: "The amazing feat is how, even without the trash, they manage to create vapid entertainment." Bravo. Very well done! I doubt I'd try the comedies and most reality shows from Asian countries (Japan, I'm looking at you) freak me out. But now I'm really intrigued about "A Model Family."
Man, coming from Korean cinema, I didn't think I'd fall for the comedies or reality shows, but Netflix made it too accessible. Obviously, the thrillers continue to be the country's A-game, but, as I stated before, I think I'm also not savvy enough to pick up on cultural nuances or language jokes that are impossible to translate.
As far as reality shows, I know "Physical 100" was a hit -- I was kind of surprised at how much I enjoyed it. As you mentioned with "The Frog," despite the competitive premise, all of the contestants pushed this "collective good" philosophy through genuine respect, rather than an American "me-first" mentality.
Basically, what I'm saying is your point about "not American" details are just way more apparent in those genres. And, maybe why the thrillers are more successful is because there's a universal formula they've mastered for more crossover success?
"A Model Family" was great execution for a pretty predictable crime drama, but worth it it for Park Hee Soon (who plays a lot of gangsters). Although, if you're going with Park-related dramas, you might be better off with the very excellent "My Name."
https://youtu.be/ZOl7iOrD31Q?feature=shared
I went to the cinema yesterday and saw the trailer (which btw spoils all the movie) for Speak no evil. And I remembered seeing the original european version not long ago. So I was wondering why is this happening, like an US remake 1-2 years after the original. Same happened to "A hijacking/Captain Philips". Any idea?
There's an over-reliance on IP throughout the industry, especially TV now, catching up with movies, but the latter just runs a lot more in fear of failure. How anything good gets made is kind of a miracle.
Guess the idea jar is completely empty?
Speaking of France...one series I enjoyed that I don't think I've seen mentioned here at all is Lupin on Netflix. (watched the first two seasons during the pandemic -- 5 episodes each, haven't seen the third season yet, apparently a fourth is coming)
I have been meaning to start Lupin for a while now. Either you or others here have mentioned it and I keep wanting to start. At first It thought it was based on the Miyazaki thing and was like wait what...
Very entertaining. Long wait for the 3rd season, hopefully the 4th not so much.
Probably why I haven't seen it yet! At this point, might as well wait for S4 to drop.
Lupin good. Luther gooder.
Okay, okay, okay, Tim, when you first mentioned The Frog, it just didn’t seem like my dish, but now that you’ve raved about it a second time, I’m on for it. (Just finished Season 2 of Kleo, sublime…)
Oh, that's great! I'm behind on my Kleo so I'm glad you liked it. Yeah, other than the two-timeline thing being confusing in "The Frog" I loved the slow burn weirdness of it and then 5-8 is just superb and a couple of storylines I was stunned by.
I think that, for many of us, the gateway drug for asian dramas (specifically) was the amazing Pachinko which, of course is in the midst of its' second season...
You read my mind, Tim! After listening to your podcast I was tooling around on the streaming services trying to remember the names of some of your top shows of 2024. It’s nice to see them all here as a guide! I am eyeing House of Ninja once I finish up a couple shows.
I am still watching Homicide: Life on the Street, which is terrific and yeah, suddenly my Peacock subscription has become more valuable.
Slight dissent: I enjoyed English Teacher and will keep watching. I actually prefer network sitcoms to “half hour” shows on cable that aren’t actually funny. So that’s my perspective. I will also say this show would never be allowed on ABC network given its subject matter. Gawd, there would probably be Congressional hearings if they did! (Remember when Disney censored a Blackish episode? Good times.) So yeah, that’s why it’s on FX. Not for you, but definitely for me (I also like Ghosts and Abbott Elementary) One FX show I think we agree on is What We Do in the Shadows, which is back for its final season on 10/21. Can’t wait. That’s also a good rewatch show.
I'm so excited for What We Do In the Shadows. Wheeee.
Great topic - we're finding some good stuff out there, or at least stuff worth trying.
I did watch "Alice in Borderland" on your suggestion, and really enjoyed it. I lucked into "Squid Game" early but like the direction "Alice" went as well. For a great Korean show - "Kingdom"...but only if you like kung fu, swordplay, palace intrigue, period shows, and zombies...together.
Well I like Kleo (as you know) and she's on her own mission now in her wacky way. I don't mind the change; they've earned my trust so we'll see how it goes.
Along those lines the "Deutschland (83/86/89)" series is rather good.
If you want a Paris fix until "The Bureau" is available again, you can try "The Paris Murders" on PBS. It's part of the "Walter Presents" curated list they have - all international stuff and it's been generally good (and nothing awful). A couple from that list that I enjoyed were "Professor T" (Belgian original) and "Munch", another wacky but entertaining French show. And Netflix has "Call My Agent" for escapist Frenchness.
Looking forward to the suggestions from everyone!
"But only if you like...." Ha. Yeah, loved that. Oh and Walter Presents, yes. I need to explore more. Great suggestions!
I liked English Teacher. Call me obtuse.
As Tim said in a previous post, humor is very subjective.... and I'm sure you way more acute, than obtuse!!!
I've watched the first two. Didn't love it, but it had its moments. I just might continue.
So, I won't be calling you obtuse.
I didn't love the first episode but I will admit that I laughed several times during the second one. I plan to keep watching.