This is just a rough outline. It doesn't follow typical formula.

A Korean executive with a promising future, around 30 years old, arrives in Hawaii (or the West Coast) for a business conference at an American corporation. There, he meets a lovely blond American woman (who is not Shelly) in middle management , in her early to mid 20s, and it's love at first sight for both of them. They instantly realize they're soulmates. [problem 1: The Korean actor playing the role should speak English moderately well. The actress should speak no Korean at all.] They're together for only a few days, then he returns to Korea. But they can't get each other out of their minds, and so they wind up calling each other constantly. After a couple of weeks, he can stand it no more, and flies back to wherever it is that he flew to in the first place. He proposes and she accepts without hesitation. They get married ASAP (I don't know what the laws are regarding this situation, but that's a technical detail to be ironed out). Only afterward does she call her family and tell them. Naturally, they shocked because it's so sudden, he's a foreigner, and he's Oriental (as opposed to Occidental ). She brings him home to meet the family and they accept it, but with silent (though slightly obvious) reservations. They're even more shocked when she tells them that they're going to move to Korea and live there.

After the newlyweds depart for the brides home on the West Coast (or wherever) to pack her things, her mother is clearly bothered by having a son-in-law who' going to take her only daughter to live so far away and in a different culture. She mentions her daughter's surprising marraige to one of her friends who tells her that she has a nephew who is married to a Korean woman. The new MIL asks if she can meet her, and an introduction is arranged. MIL goes to this Korean woman's house and discovers she's almost completely Americanized. She's been married for 20 years, has a couple of kids, drives a minivan, is a PTA member, is well liked in her neighborhood, and has a very good marraige to a great husband, etc. [problem 2: the Korean actress playing this role must be completely fluent in English. The actor playing her husband should know just a little Korean, which he's learned form his wife] They discuss the newlyweds and the MIL is somewhat reassured. However, the Korean/American wife becomes bothered by memories of her family in Korea, from whom she had become estranged because of her marraige to an American (who was a G.I. no less! ). There are a number of flashbacks recounting the anger of her parents and her husband against one another at the time of her marraige. She developes a longing to go back and mend fences because her parents are getting old and she doesn't want them to die while still mad at her. She talks to her husband and they decide to take a vacation to Korea so things can be settled and the grandparents can meet the grandchildren they've never seen (there has been no contact with her parents since she left Korea 20 years before).

Meanwhile, back in Koreadramaland, the newlyweds have arrived and his parents are just as shocked (and very perturbed) at what their son has done. He and his new bride live with his parents (in the best k-drama tradition) and that's where this storyline draws its impetus: the new wife must learn new ways, a new language, and how to deal with a MIL who is not necessarily evil, but certainly isn't pleased with her blond DIL. There will be rough times, outbursts of temper, crying, doubting, et al., but the love the couple feels for each other will overcome all obstacles.

Later (a few months? a year?), the other couple and their kids arrive in Koreadramaland and lookup her family. The reception is cool at first. The woman discovers her Korean isn't as good as it used to be. [problem 3: getting the Korean actress to speak Korean poorly, and use a lot of Konglish. This can be the comic relief.] She also has some culture shock as she tries to rediscover her youth. She meets her best friend from years ago and the friend tries to help her rediscover her cultural roots. The husband is having difficulties with his FIL and MIL, but gradually, the grandchildren bring them together (I realize that's very sappy, but it sells).

The husband's aunt calls him in Koreadramaland and asks if he could look up the other couple while they're over there. They meet and discuss what's been happening. The women have discovered something: home is where the heart is. Blondie has overcome her difficulties and developed a great love of and loyalty to her husbands family and they typical k-drama lifestyle. This is her home now. Korean/American woman feels like a stranger in a strange land. Korea is no longer her home. Her home is where she lives with her husband and kids.

The End.

hmmm... is this somehow autobiographical in any way? Have you chosen actors yet. What about a dog...no ...perhaps a cat or tortoise might do...tied to a dog house...on a short string...just for a little pathos...

I gave you some negative karma for your effort Jim.

 

I LIKE IT! 2 Thumbs up Jim! And some negative Karma for good measure!

Heck I'd buy it! Then again ...I buy anything...have you people SEEN all the Sh*t in my Room!

Well it's a very good start . . . but who's going to get cancer? Doesn't there have to be a miscarriage in there somewhere? There has to be at least one IV! And I didn't notice any scenes of drinking your sorrows away - so perhaps we need to add a few things here or there - know your audience!

V-

i love it because just the other day i was thinking someone should do a korean drama - start small for maybe WYBE, about an american marrying a korean and all the difficulties they face (and i wouldn't have to spend at least half the show reading subtitles!). good going jim!!!

Great outline!!

Now we need to add the details. Somewhere you have to have a car accident where someone loses their memory. That could be the Americanized Korean woman, who was hit by a car 20 years ago, and someone gave her a new identity. Then, when she returned to Korea, she was hit again by another car and regained her memory, and she discovered that she is really the mother of the Korean man who married the blond American woman.

Somewhere in the story, someone needs to pass out and be carried on someone's back. At some point someone's cell phone will ring, but the person won't want to answer it, and instead of turning it off, the person will simply take out the phone battery.

There will also be a confrontation between two of the characters. This will take place on a rooftop, facing the view instead of each other.

The blond girl and her Korean husband will be in a restaurant and have a fight, and she'll get up and run out. The husband will throw his napkin on the table and run out after her. We'll never know how the bill gets paid.

We'll need to work out many more details, such as the fatal illness that begins with a nosebleed....

Very Nice!! The only thing missing is a Chipmunk Girl!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I want to avoid formula! No diseases. no amnesia. no getting dru...well, maybe a little...

As I said, it's just a rough outline. It might make a good joint Korean'American venture. Maybe MBC and A&E or Bravo.

Actors? Hmmm...I have thought about it a little. I'd like to see Shim Hye Jin as the the older American/Korean woman. She's about the right age. But I doubt she would be fluent enough in English. The obvious choice would be Kim Sun Ah. Are there any American actresses fluent enough in Korean to handle it? Grace Park would be too young, although she certainly has the talent. Her husband? We'd need a guy in his 40s that doesn't look like he's in his 20s, so that leaves out all the pretty-boy types. How about Kevin Sorbo? Or Ben Browder? Or me? I just don't want the producers to cast the role with their typical ex-pat pickup-off the street-bozo that we see playing Americans in these k-dramas. Any young, blond actress with a reasonable degree of competence could play the young American bride. As for Korean actors for the male lead...I'll let the ladies decide since I pay scant attention to them, although Yeon Jung Hoon would seem a likely candidate.

The theme: Two women from different cultural backgrounds, one trying to adapt to a new culture and new values, the other trying to reconnect to her old culture and values but having difficulty. The Korean husband trying to support his new wife in an environment in which she's having obvious difficulties, and having to find a middle ground between his loyalty to his family and his love for his wife. The American husband having to gain acceptance from his in-laws who still look down on him after 20+ years, and trying to support his wife, despite his mixed feelings regarding what she's doing.
Above all, I'd like to avoid the love triangle thing. However, maybe there could be another woman that the Korean family of the young man had wanted him to marry. They really aren't interested in each other except as friends, and she could (after appropriate misunderstandings) befriend the American bride and act as a kind of mentor in Korean customs.

Nancy wrote:

hmmm... is this somehow autobiographical in any way? Have you chosen actors yet. What about a dog...no ...perhaps a cat or tortoise might do...tied to a dog house...on a short string...just for a little pathos...

Indeeed. I suppose all authors inject some things from their own life experiences into their works. The trick is to avoid overdoing it. For example, I greatly admire Amy Tan for her writing talent, but she's mired in just writing about things Chinese, instead of exploring other areas. She could become a great figure in American literature, but she's boxed herself in.

A tortoise (like Mr. Green) would end up dragging the house all over the place. You have no idea how powerful these animals are...

What about Linda Sue Park?
I know she does kids books but she is a great writer and would do an excellent love story.
She might want to break out with it.

Sorry to have forgotten her name, but the other lead in KSS who plays Hee-jin speaks the best English of any Korean actress I have ever heard. I know you want to cast your favorites Jim, but she is good and let's face it, you need the stereotypical eye candy if you were actually being realistic about doing it (or rather the producers would pretty much make you LOL).

Jim wrote:

For example, I greatly admire Amy Tan for her writing talent, but she's mired in just writing about things Chinese, instead of exploring other areas. She could become a great figure in American literature, but she's boxed herself in.

You can call it boxed in if you like, but that's a simple and somewhat condescending view I think. I call it being honest. She writes about her experience and about what she is passionate about. As an artist and a composer I write music in a certain vernacular. Am I boxing myself in for not writing more of a Pop style or a Country style? The answer is no, I write what I hear and what comes to me and it will always lean towards certain core influences. I can completely understand her in this regard. She doesn't have to prove anything to anybody and I doubt she ever set out to be a "great figure" or claimed to be one. She is just a writer writing about what she knows and I am sure feels very blessed to have achieved such success and popularity and brought enjoyment to other people through her books.

Other actresses who speak very good English:

Kim Min (the bad girl from "Love Story in Harvard")
Kim Yoon-Jin (the actress from the ABC series "Lost" and the Korean movie "Ardor")
Kim Eugene ("Save the Last Dance for Me" and "Wonderful Life")
Kim Tae Hee ("Love Story in Harvard" and "Stairway to Heaven")

I think the KIM family genetic pool includes an English-speaking gene, at least in the females.

I like it! -KARMA I've always wanted to see an American play a major role in one of these dramas. It kind of sounds like my cousin's life. She's a pretty blue eyed blond who married a Korean man last November. (very nice, but a little stiff). She didn't have to move to Korea though, only to Seattle, Washington. His immediate family lives there in a big Korean community. His family did want them to move in with them, but my cousin nixed that!!!! His family were all at the wedding in their hanbok and bowing and all. It was really neat. They kept to themselves though and were kind of quiet which made it hard to approach and talk to them especially when the American relatives were doing the "worm" to the song "SHOUT".

Good job Jim!

Quote:

As an artist and a composer I write music in a certain vernacular. Am I boxing myself in for not writing more of a Pop style or a Country style? The answer is no, I write what I hear and what comes to me and it will always lean towards certain core influences. I can completely understand her in this regard.

And yet, Lucas - also speaking as a musician - if you walked into a room with a band or a group of people jamming that were playing a pop melody or someone was singing a song and others were accompanying her - could you not sit down at the keyboard and contribute, playing in somewhat of the style that was being utilized even though it might not have been your forte? (No pun intended! LOL) It doesn't have to be only one way for an artist - and part of the greatness of music and art to me is the ability for people to create something that didn't necessarily come from themselves alone -

just imho, that is . . .

We now return you to your regularly scheduled k-dramatopic . . .


V-

Lucas wrote:

Sorry to have forgotten her name, but the other lead in KSS who plays Hee-jin speaks the best English of any Korean actress I have ever heard. I know you want to cast your favorites Jim, but she is good and let's face it, you need the stereotypical eye candy if you were actually being realistic about doing it (or rather the producers would pretty much make you LOL). Jim wrote: For example, I greatly admire Amy Tan for her writing talent, but she's mired in just writing about things Chinese, instead of exploring other areas. She could become a great figure in American literature, but she's boxed herself in. You can call it boxed in if you like, but that's a simple and somewhat condescending view I think. I call it being honest. She writes about her experience and about what she is passionate about. As an artist and a composer I write music in a certain vernacular. Am I boxing myself in for not writing more of a Pop style or a Country style? The answer is no, I write what I hear and what comes to me and it will always lean towards certain core influences. I can completely understand her in this regard. She doesn't have to prove anything to anybody and I doubt she ever set out to be a "great figure" or claimed to be one. She is just a writer writing about what she knows and I am sure feels very blessed to have achieved such success and popularity and brought enjoyment to other people through her books.

I agree that Jung Ryeo Won speaks the best English of any Korean actress I've heard so far, but can she be made to look in her 40s? Maybe. If so, she would be a good choice.

I can't agree with your objections to my criticism of Amy Tan. If Mark Twain just wrote about things pertaining to his own experiences, we wouldn't have A Connecticut Yankee... or The Prince and the Pauper, both classics. Somerset Maugham didn't confine himself to writing about the medical profession, despite the success of Of Human Bondage. John Steinbect didn't confine himself to stories set in the Salinas Valley. Zola wrote about all aspects of French society in his Rougon-Macquart series of novels. Pearl Buck didn't just write about China. My criticism of Tan is that she hasn't made a real attempt to expand her horizens beyond her immediate experiences, which is too bad, since I consider her a great talent, someone who has the potential to become a truly great figure not just of writing, but of true literature. No, she doesn't have to prove anything. But I'm just pointing out that her potential is largely still untapped.

neegee wrote:

What about Linda Sue Park? I know she does kids books but she is a great writer and would do an excellent love story. She might want to break out with it.

Yeah, this idea does need a good writer to give it substance. Actually (I know this may sound like I'm boasting, but I'm really not), I'm a pretty good writer. During grad school, I was complemented on my style by Prof. Jean Quataert, herself considered an exceptionally good writer. But I really lack the time, patience, and experience to put it into script form. It might even make a decent novel. Anyway, since I first brought it up here, I guess I own the copyright!

Jim wrote:

No, she doesn't have to prove anything. But I'm just pointing out that her potential is largely still untapped.

One of my favorite quotes of all-time, from Peanuts -


"There's no heavier burden than a great potential! "

- Linus Van Pelt

Quote:

"There's no heavier burden than a great potential! "

That's a good one Victoria! So true.

Lucas wrote

Quote:

Sorry to have forgotten her name, but the other lead in KSS who plays Hee-jin speaks the best English of any Korean actress I have ever heard.

I think she's Australain, no?


Negee wrote:

Quote:

What about Linda Sue Park? I know she does kids books but she is a great writer

LOL, Negee. I like her too! In fact I recommended her in another thread (kinda scary ... ha ha... I need to read more adult books ). Her book on the Japanese occupation of Korea - "When my Name was Keoko" - is excellent . (written on a 5th or 6th grade reading level ).

skimmer8 wrote:

Lucas wrote Quote: Sorry to have forgotten her name, but the other lead in KSS who plays Hee-jin speaks the best English of any Korean actress I have ever heard. I think she's Australain, no?

Jung Ryeo Won.

Typical dialogue (as I imagine it). All names are working names:

The young American woman arrives at her parents home with her new Korean husband (whom sh'e known all of one month). She opens the door (who would ever knock at their parents' door? ), walks in,

Linda: "Mom! Dad!" We're here."

The mother comes into the living room from another rome.

Mrs. Janoske: "Linda! My baby!"

She embraces her daughter, then lets go, and looks at her new SIL.

Mrs. Janoske: "Oh, you must be Mr. Lee. It was quite a shock to us..."

The father then comes in from another room.

Mr. Janoske: "Honey!"

Linda: "Daddy! I've missed you so much."

Father and daughter embrace, separate, and he slowly, deliberately, extends his hand to his new SIL.

Mr. Janoske: "Mr. Lee?"

Linda: "Daddy, it pronounced 'ee'."

Mr. Janoske: "Ee? But I thought your e-mail said his name is 'Lee'?

Linda: "That's just the way we spell it, Dad. It's pronounced 'ee'."

Lee Jae Yong smiles weakly, and looks a little embarrassed.

Mr. Janoske: "Oh? Well...Come in and sit down, both of you. Jake and Billy won't be home from school for another hour, at least. That'll give us some time to talk."

Linda and Jae Yong sit down on the sofa. Mr. Janoske sits in a chair at right angles to the sofa. Jae Yong is closest to him. Mrs. Janoske drags an extra dining room chair from a corner of the room and sits closest to Linda.

Mr. Janoske: "Well, this sudden event caught us completely by surprise."

Mrs. Janoske: "Yes. So unexpected. Of course we've always imagined giving Linda a big, formal wedding, with all the guests, and family...Well, you know..."

Jae Yong: Yes. I think you must be disappointed. I'm sorry. Is that the right word?"

Mrs. Janoske: "Yes. To say the least..."

Mr. Janoske: "We never thought Linda would do something like this. She was never this spontaneous."

Jae Yong looks puzzled.

Jae Yong: "Spon...?"

He looks quizically at Linda.

Linda: "Spontaneous. It means very sudden, like, you know, doing something without making plans first."

Jae Yong: "Ah! I understand."

He looks at Mr. Janoske sheepishly.

Jae Yong: "I think my English isn't so good."

Mrs. Janoske: "Oh, you sound fine. Doesn't he David?"

Mr. Janoske: "Yeah. You're doing allright Mr. ...Um, what should we call you? We can't call you Mr. Lee...I mean Ee. What's your first name? Jae something?"

Jae Yong: "Jae Yong, sir."

Mr. Janoske (with a chucle): "Hah! Don't call me 'sir'. Did you hear that Ruth?"

He laughs. Mrs. Janoske smiles weakly, but is clearly bothered. She's wringing her hands.

Mr. Janoske: "Call me 'David'. That's my name."

Jae Yong: "Excuse me. I couldn't do that. In Korea we can't call parents or wife's parents by name. It's not...proper."

Mrs. Janoske: "Oh, what do you call them then"?

Jae Yong: " We say, 'Abonim and Omanim'."

Mrs. Janoske: "What does that mean"?

Jae Yong: "Abonim means 'father', 'omanim' means 'mother'. It's formal way to speak, to talk to older peoples."

Mr. Janoske: "I see. Well, okay."

Jae Yong: "I think you are surprised your daughter married a Korean man. And so suddenly."

Mr. Janoske: "Yeah. To say the least."

Jae Yong: "Does it bother you?"

Linda nudges Jae Yong.


etc.

I nominate Sandra Oh. She is awesome. Her English is perfect; but she probablly never bothered to learn Korean.

Yeah, Jason! She rocks!! Another great Canadian to add to the list!!!

Maybe a good choice. Her age would be about right, but she would have to know Korean.

Sci Fi's "Kolchak, the Night Stalker's" last two episodes were set, in part, in LA's Koreatown. There was a Korean/American actress, Esther something-or-other who played Dae. She seemed just right for the part.

Another possible choice for the actress might be Jennifer Tilly.

How about a musical version alla The Umbrellas of Cherbourg?

Never try to create via a committee. Go hide in a dug out and write your own thing.

Um...Jennifer Tilly won't work because, of course, she doesn't speak Korean...