![[K-Drama] Reply 1988 ep. 9](https://img5.nokimo.com/storage/12/vm/mc/fb3178-019e7912-337d-7b12-b26d-3c98cccc7ab6.jpg)
[K-Drama] Reply 1988 ep. 9
Added 2024-05-10 13:30:22 +0000 UTC
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Ah, what a good one. Some responses to things that came up! *OK first things first, haha, about the end and the whole temple storyline. The man we saw was the Korean dictator throughout the 1980s Chun Doo Hwan. By early 1989, the country had had elections but there was a lot of holdover from the recent violent military government (as is clear from Bora's ongoing protests), BUT at least Chun Doo Hwan himself was somewhat disgraced already for a record of political murder and torture. He was a supposedly devout Buddhist, and for a period of time lived at this famous rural temple in order to publicly seem regretful. This was really scandalous for many reasons, not least that he had severely persecuted pro-Democracy Buddhist monks. Jeong-bong's shock and fury at seeing him is played for bittersweet laughs but reflects a very real moment of crisis. Chun would later be tried for his crimes and sentenced to death, only to be commuted by President Kim Daejung (whom Chun had previously had imprisoned. It's an amazing story). *Anyway, yes that is a Buddhist temple. I'm a Korean Buddhist myself so will try not to proselytize too hard, but they're well worth visiting if in Korea. Templestays run the gamut from really strict and religious/spiritual to relaxed and relatively open-ended. The food is strictly vegan but really good! Big rule though-- no wasted food. Jungbong's request for a second bowl is a big bet on himself to finish it, haha. * Koreans had gradually been allowed exit visas and general-tourist visas throughout the late 70s and 80s. By the time Deoksun gets a passport here, it was much easier for average citizens to be allowed to leave but still a novelty kinda. As for why men had longer processing times, I'm guessing it's to evaluate their mandatory military service status. *Last fun fact-- the funny little dance that Noeul copies well from the TV that Deoksun can't do is the iconic move from singer Park Nam-Jung, aka STAYC Sieun's dad
John Kang
2024-05-10 19:29:34 +0000 UTC
