It's official: I'm addicted

Roughly translated, Catch Me a Star <or for some reason, "Stars falling from the sky">, this Korean mini-series has become my latest obsession. This has actually become a out-of-proportion because Korean dramas have the ability to hook one like no other media/TV show/whatever can. Korean dramas actually induce drug-addicted/alcoholic behavior. I have stayed up to hours without any rational reason, been willing to sacrifice my health and school work regiment, and stare blankly at my computer screen half brain dead. This is precisely why I try my very best to stay away from Korean dramas during the school year as much as possible, and I have been good until now. Every episode ends with a cliffhanger (guaranteed), and when all 20 1-hour long episodes are available to you at once...let's just say that I could have used my last 5 days in a much more worthy ways.

But, I know it's not just me. You Koreans (for the most part) know what I'm talking about.

Not to justify my addiction in any way (because that's what addicts usually do...), this drama is so spectacularly cute and makes me miss home like no other. Yes, my family isn't actually very Korean, but the drama has 5 little kids as part of its starring cast and they are all charming and adorable kids. They make me miss family in Korea, not to mention the title character reminds me a bit of my mommy.

Also, Korean dramas are extremely idealistic about love. Basically a glorified Cinderella story, this particular drama has the main character come into the house of a big-shot lawyer as his maid, and slowly chip away at his icy character with her kluzty-cuteness and inability to bite her tongue at appropriate moments. A revelation for me through a character like hers is the value placed on unique characters in many Korean dramas. Usually, there's a character with some sort of quirky characteristic that sets them apart (personality or situation-wise) from different groups. They are individuals that ultimately have special and happy endings. This is a huge departure from what I believe characterize the general Korean population- homogeneous. Not that all Koreans are the same, but there is a strong Confucian legacy of communality and conformity. These characteristics are at the core of the differences between the East and the West- rugged American individualism vs. submissive Korean groupness.

I just spent a Monday night, when I could have spent more time with my friend for his 21st/done more readings/slept to analyze this drama. As if 20+ hours wasn't enough...