To be a Na Ra

Recently I started watching this Korean drama with the somewhat awkward title of “Exhibition of fireworks.” Except for the one scene where the main characters watch a display of fireworks, the relevance of the title is at best, tenuous to the story and themes in this drama.

One thing I find interesting in the drama is the expression “Aigoo!” I think the closest counterpart in Chinese would be “Aiyaa” it’s a verbal expression of dismay, surprise, resignation, annoyance – well basically, it can be used quite liberally at the beginning of each sentence. I watch the version with English subtitles. Everything would be translated just fine into English except for this expression. So the subtitles will literally say, “Aigoo! How could do this to my daughter? Aigoo!” It tickled me to read the translations and the word appeals to me in the same way “droogie” from Clockwork Orange appeals to me.

So what have I learned from this drama? The main character is 30 year old Shin Na Ra, a woman who was dumped by her boyfriend of 7 years and then promptly falls in love with a younger guy who, unfortunately for her, believes himself to be in love with another woman. That woman, coincidentally, was the same woman that her 7 year boyfriend left Na Ra for. Now you see how the plot gets interesting.

Although not much happens in this drama besides the usual petty jealousies and misunderstandings and fits of possessiveness, what I like most is the character of Shin Na Ra. She ultimately realizes that she can’t place her hopes in men. They will disappoint, as they have demonstrated repeatedly. Instead, she has pulled herself together admirably after being successfully “dumped” by two guys, each time for the same woman no less. She throws herself into her work and she is determined to do her best at something other than relationships and matters of the heart. I applaud this determination and willingness to strive for independence and achievement.

The Korean culture is very interesting. In the home, you can see how the man tries to dominate the woman. Many times, their tyrannical father has thrown Shin Na Ra, her mother and sister out of the house. That is something I can never imagine happening in my own house. Yet on the other hand, the show also portrays a successful business woman who obviously holds tremendous power and influence over all the characters in the drama. I suppose this is a reflection of the times. Even as traditional Korean culture favors male dominance, modern influences, rising numbers of capable and financially successful females are nonetheless changing the fabric of society. In this respect, the Chinese are somewhat more advanced than the Koreans because there is less of the alpha male mentality in Chinese households and I’d like to think that we are moving towards a more egalitarian mindset regarding the gender roles. However, I do concede that among Chinese familes, there is still this strong preference for male heirs.