PODCAST

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes

40somethingahjumma

Reflections on Asian Dramas 40somethingahjumma.substack.com

All Episodes

95:11

Drama Watch 3 May 2024

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2024/05/06

1:16 The Legend of Shen Li — We opine about the show overall, characters and the resolution.23:41 Queen of Tears discussion. We also go into length about Park Sung-hoon and fans’s response to his role as the interloper; Our response to Kim Ji-won not being nominated for a Baeksang this time round.50:21 A brief tangent discussing the Baeksang nominations and acting awards53:08 absoluteM gives her views on Twenty-Five Twenty-One that co-starred Kim Tae-ri and Nam Joo-hyuk.56:14 absoluteM discovers Li

94:06

Drama Watch 25 March 2024

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2024/03/26

This recording was made on the 25 March 2024.4:43 A conversation about Doctor Slump starring Park Hyun-sik and Park Shin-hye. We talk about the rise in clinical depression, burn out and taking time out of the rat race.15:15 An extended discussion of Queen of Tears in which we talk about the leads, characters, plot points and themes. We also praise the writer and the script. The drama boasts a stellar cast headed by Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon, Lee Mi-sook etc etc53:47

79:55

Drama Watch March 2024

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2024/03/11

1:05 We discuss Amidst a Snowstorm of Love and our problems with low conflict dramas.27:54 Wang Xingyue from the Scent of Time and the Story of Kunning Palace. Beware of spoilers. We go off on various tangents about rebirth dramas, Wang Xingyue, pairings we prefer and even Lin Gengxin.59:07 absoluteM talks about what she’s watching. A Shop for Killers and the controversial ending? A Killer Paradox starring Choi Woo-sik and Son Suk-koo. Who’s the male lead? That’s the question. Doctor Slump starring

78:17

Drama Watch 9 February 2023

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2024/02/13

This recorded was made on 9 February 2024.1:17 Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023-24) discussion.18:37 Death’s Game (2023-24) discussion. 31:46 Song of the Bandits (2023)35:10 Big Bet (2023)39:35 A Shop for Killers (2024)45:05 Dr Slump (2024)49:52 Twinkling Watermelons (2023) first impressions53:15 Amidst a Snowstorm of Love (2023) and low conflict dramas 1:01:18 The importance of conflict in stories and life1:06:06 Short C dramas tropes This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other

99:05

Drama Watch 29 December 2023 - Yearly Wrap

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/12/30

0:00 - Intro, Lee Sun-kyun obituary and trial by media10:20 - The “Best Of 2023” Lists: Are they reliable?13:30 - We opine about the current state of K dramas more generally — “Too many dramas” and the streaming wars20:30 - Moon in the Day as an example of what’s wrong with the streaming war22:52 - Sequelitis 24:32 - MDL ratings28:42 - My relationship with low conflict dramas and I go into my early impressions of Tan Jianci’s Love Me, Love My Voice40:02 - My two favourite C slice-of-life dramas from

75:12

Drama Watch 29 November 2023

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/11/30

In this episode we natter about current offerings and completed watches. So nothing new. :D As far as drama titles are concerned, we will also be talking about drama contract marriages, reincarnation and second chance stories. I apologize for the blocked nose but I’ve been suffering some really bad hay fever in the last month or so. 0:00 Introduction0:57 Contract marriages and a little bit of makjang — The Story of the Park Marriage Contract, My Demon, Perfect Marriage Revenge16:57 I review and

90:57

Drama Watch 1 November 2023

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/11/02

0:37 The Worst of Evil discussion. ***Beware of major spoilers*** Last three episodes and ending24:59 Critique of The Kidnapping Day35:43 My Dearest — Episode 15-16 *** Some spoilers***1:12:42 Evillive — Starring Shin Ha-kyun, Kim Young-kwang, Shin Jae-ha This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 40somethingahjumma.substack.com

66:21

Drama Watch 18 October 2021: Special Bonus Episode

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/10/19

I’m thankful to absoluteM for making herself available for this episode.0:00 Introduction2:10 We begin our long discussion of My Dearest38:47 Our conversation about The Worst of Evil begin here1:04:56 Brief mention of The Kidnapping Day This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 40somethingahjumma.substack.com

98:12

Drama Watch 25 September 2023

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/09/27

0:00 Greetings and a lament (again!) about the numerous dramas on offer.6:47 absoluteM talks about The Kidnapping Day currently airing on Prime featuring Yoon Kye Sang and Park Sung-hoon11:00 Our really long discussion of My Dearest begins here44:40 We launch into our review of Fake It Till You Make It.51:00 Johnny Huang and Wang Ziqi’s latest drama, Brightest Eyes in the Dark.52:43 I do a quick review of the latest Stand By Me featuring Zhao Jinmai of Reset fame adapted from a novel by Tong

75:41

Drama Watch 25 August 2023

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/08/28

In this recording we talk about:0:20 Not Others 25:20 absoluteM recommends My Dearest44:00 absoluteM talks about Moving 46:29 We chat about the strengths and weaknesses of Miraculous Brothers55:08 I mention that we watched Oppenheimer 58:06 I rave about Lost You Forever and Tan Jianci (Spoilers alert)If you enjoyed this podcast, please like, share or leave a comment. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

79:39

Drama Watch 7 August 2023

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/08/07

This podcast episode was recorded on the 4 July 2023.0:55 absoluteM opines on the current state of romance and the popular King the Land12:18 The relationship dynamics in Not Others and the actors31:26 Raving about Park Sung-hoon — Upcoming and past projects37:40 My Dearest plug38:42 We wander our way into Shadow Detective41:19 I bring up Revenant and recommend it48:56 Miraculous Brothers51:55 absoluteM gives DP Season 2 a plug55:25 I am asked about Fireworks of My Heart1:01:17 We move on

57:32

Drama Watch 4 July 2023

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/07/06

In this meandering conversation we go into multiple dramas. At some point we go into some length over See You in My 19th Life which I’m currently watching.2:37 I mention Gaus Electronics3:48 I launch into a quick review of My Perfect Stranger8:58 We start our discussion on The Good Bad Mother15:21 absoluteM cautiously makes reference to Miraculous Brothers, a newish crime drama.16:27 I mention my interest in Bloodhounds and absoluteM gives a quick review.18:06 absoluteM mentions she’s watching King

64:38

Drama Watch 30 May 2023

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/06/01

IntroductionDrama endings 0:35Bo Ra! Deborah / True to Love: The good, bad and incomprehensible 2:37Stealer: The Treasure Keeper. The ending and the villain. 18:39Family: The Unbreakable Bond. absoluteM recommends it. 20:50Rant about Disney Plus. 28:36Race. absoluteM recommends it highly. Office drama. 31:52 Teaser’s out for Ji Chang Wook and Wi Ha-joon’s drama The Worst of Evil. 34:59The Love You Give Me. Comparisons with other similar C dramas. 37:03Nothing But You. 40:33Cute kids 45:35Oh No

60:46

Drama Watch 1 May 2023

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/05/04

Audio Notes0:00 Introduction0:59 Taiwanese dramas1:54 My relationship with the recently aired Duty After School and we rant about splitting dramas2:53 I talk about Decoy and make special mention of Heo Seung-tae. Splitting this drama hurt its visibility and continuity.4:27 We move on to Duty After School and why I watched it.6:42 absoluteM talks about her latest watches — the C drama rom com The Love You Give Me (Wang Ziqi) and Family: The Unbreakable Bond starring Jang Hyuk and Jang Na-ra. Bad subs

57:33

Drama Watch 12 April 2023

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/04/14

In this conversation we have chin-wag about* Decoy Parts 1 and 2. A decent noir detective series starring Jang Geun-suk, Seo Heung-tae and Lee Elijah about individuals related to a pyramid scheme. * 8:45 : Our Blooming Youth. An unengaging sageuk. Comparisons with Warm on a Cold Night. Imperial Coroner gets a mention.* 16:43 : What fictional “strong” female leads look like… apparently. A study in extremes* 18:32 : Divorce Attorney Shin featuring Cho Seung-woo, Jung Moon-sung and Jang Hyung-geun

28:38

Drama Watch 3 March 2023: Taxi Driver S2 and other...

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/03/06

This is the third of three parts in a conversation that I had with absoluteM from Janghaven Forums where we discussed Taxi Driver S2 for the first 10 minutes or so. From there we went on to discuss other shows that we’ve been watching.* Taxi Driver S2’s themes and attractions* Shin Jae-ha’s role in Taxi Driver S2. * Shows with multiple leads and their own romances. I mistitle A Gentleman’s Dignity during our chat.* I talk about Unchained Love and A League of Noblemen. * I look forward to more Jing

16:36

Drama Watch 3 March 2023: Crash Course in Romance

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/03/05

This is Part 2 of a 3 part conversation between absoluteM and myself about recent K dramas. This segment mainly covers Crash Course in Romance up to Episode 14. We discuss our views on the recent controversies about what the show’s primary genre should be. There be spoilers.* the crime angle of the show* the chemistry between the leads and the purpose of the romance* performances especially Shin Ha-jae’s outing as Ji Dong-hui* the younger members of the cast* speculations about the final episodes*

26:38

Drama Watch 3 March 2023: Strangers Again

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/03/04

In this segment, the first of three parts in my latest drama chat with absoluteM, we critique Strangers Again’s resolution and finale. We go into the weeds of the show’s narrative and inevitably drop spoiler bombs. The words “disappointing”, “cynical” and “pessimistic” escape my lips repeatedly.* Why we don’t like the finale* Where’s Eun-beom’s character development?* Is this show really “realistic”?* Bad endings are becoming a bad habit* What’s the show trying to say? This is a public episode. If

19:04

Drama Watch: Taxi Driver S2 Part 2

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/03/02

Daughter Liz and I had a conversation yesterday about Episodes 3 and 4 broadcast last weekend. We start by giving a short synopsis of the second arc of the season — the villain(s) and their modus operandi.We also discuss the obvious differences between the two seasons. We also speculate over whether romance is in the air for two of the characters and if Shin Jae-ha’s new addition is worthy of suspicion.Liz makes comparisons with the story of a game she’s been playing. This is a public episode. If

23:02

Drama Watch: Taxi Driver S2 (2023) Part 1

The Urban Lily Talks Tropes ·

2023/02/23

My daughter Liz and I recorded this podcast episode on Tuesday, 21 February 2023. We discussed* bits and bobs from Season 1 (contains some spoilers from the “Maria” story)* ratings* the first couple of episodes from Season 2 with some spoilers* Liz’s fangirling over Lee Je-hoonPlease let us know what you think. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 40somethingahjumma.substack.com

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