January’s closed. A done deal. February waltzed into the scene faster than I could say, “Stop!” For the most part, I still pause every time I type or write “2024.” That’s the general state of my mind this year.
In the past couple of days, I managed to get sick and overwrite my blog. Thank goodness for modern medicine and automated back-ups. I am forever grateful for those two. Meanwhile, I am going to have a talk with my remaining two brain cells.
Also, what do you think of my new header? I have fully embraced my persona as a millennial kdrama girl. 😁 But let’s talk about other things that spark joy and creativity. I mean, the world could have more of those, right?
“Doctor Slump” is the the kdrama I didn’t know I needed
This kdrama depicts the story of how life can hit us hard, the different ways we cope, and how having an unexpected person be there with you and for you can make all the difference
I watched it thinking I was getting myself another romcom with a side of drama, and oh boy! I was wrong. I was utterly, delightfully wrong because it was better than I expected.
The two main characters, Yeo Jeong Woo and and Nam Ha Neul, are sworn enemies during their high school years. They were always at each other’s necks, competing for the top spot in anything academics. Years later, they see each other again, when they’re both at their rock bottom.
Aside from the main leads’ enjoyable chemistry and well-timed comedic scenes, their dialogues will probably resonate with you, especially when you’re at a rocky place in life. Or maybe you’ve been there and you know the feeling all too well. This is one of my favorite lines from Nam Ha Neul, played by Park Shin Hye:
“When the life I had worked so hard for fell apart, I was expecting something grand to comfort me. However, ttebbokki, the arcade, his ridiculous words of comfort. These three things will bring me peace tonight.” – Nam Haneul
“Doctor Slump” Korean drama, 2024
To make this romcom even more perfect is the mystery subplot. Yeo Jeong Woo is a very successful and popular plastic surgeon. Then everything he has worked for goes down the drain when a patient dies during the procedure. It looks like someone has framed Jeong Woo and the big question is who?
I think what makes these two characters relatable is how they’re both experiencing the impact of their choices and the different ways they’re coping. Ha Neul, fed up with the way she’s being treated at work, impulsively resigns and then finds out shortly afterwards that she has depression. Jeong Woo struggles with PTSD after experiencing a client of his dying right before his eyes, and he tries his best to move on from it. Except that the mind is not so easy to trick into thinking what we want. He gets nightmares, he reacts strongly (and negatively) at the sight of blood and unconscious patients.
As these two navigate life on rocky terrain, they turn to each other for support and strength. It’s a beautiful unfolding of a story about life, its difficulties, learning things about yourself, and finding out pleasant surprises in the little things. It makes for a great heartwarming story.
“The Multi-Hyphen Life”
I’m currently reading this book from Emma Gannon called “The Multi-Hyphen Life: Work Less, Create More, and Design a Life That Works for You.” Do you know how being a “Jack of all trades; master of none” used to be a bad thing? In this digital modern age, it seems to be a strength. We can have a 9-to-5 job while still dabbling on other things that give us a sense of purpose, while also earning from those. Now we can use the different skills we’ve equipped ourselves with. We can create what we want and actually try earning from that.
We can experiment, take risks, and try something for almost nothing, and the world will not crumble if it doesn’t work because we can try these things alongside our jobs. But the point remains that we are all free to give it a go.
“The Multi-Hyphen Life”, Emma Gannon
As someone who does the occasional side hustle based on my skills outside work (e.g. web design and writing), this book has been an enjoyable read so far. If you’re the type of person who enjoys doing different things, this book might be for you.
A romantic thriller: the plot
Warning: Very messy first draft. And the names? HAHA. Don’t even get me started on how I can’t even make up my mind about the male lead’s name.
The story so far: Leif wants nothing more than to forget his past, but someone is making sure he never moves on. Not with a sinister stalker and endless nightmares resurfacing after running into a complete stranger. He’s beginning to think none of this is coincidental.
A freelance translator on a break from work, Saffi just wants to enjoy her trip to a foreign land. All is going well until she gets reassigned to another room in the hotel and starts experiencing strange and unsettling incidents. Then she meets Leif, whose past is darker and more twisted than both of them could have ever imagined. And anticipated.
I have only started with the first few chapters, but I’m planning on releasing it in my Patreon for free. Do I have a Pinterest board for this story? You bet! It has to wait, though. That one’s a mess right now. 😅 What I do have ready is a Spotify playlist. Let me know what you think. 🤔🙂
This week felt like it dragged on too long and I cannot wait to chill during the weekend: Me, my kdramas, and I. There are things in between, too, such as:
- write and release episodes for “The Secret Wife” (a romantic comedy that’s all fluff and laughter)
- writing drafts for my writing and kdrama newsletters
- getting ready for an Instagram story on how to properly do a boyfriend soft launch 😏
- some Korean lessons
I hope you get a good weekend. One that works in your favor. One that brings you joy. ✨
This week in photo:
