K-Wave Update
Are you looking for something other than music to listen to while driving? Do you love Korean culture and music?
Welcome to K-Wave Update, your go-to podcast for the latest in K-pop, Korean dramas, fashion, and all things Hallyu! Join us each week as we dive into the vibrant world of Korean entertainment, bringing you the hottest news, trend analyses, and exclusive insights.
From chart-topping K-pop hits and thrilling drama plot twists to the latest fashion statements on and off the screen, we cover it all. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the scene, our engaging discussions and expert commentary will keep you informed and entertained.
Tune in to catch the wave and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of K-culture!
K-Wave Update
Unraveling History and Horror: "Gyeongseong Creature" Season 2 on Netflix
What if the past never truly stays in the past? Join us on a journey through "Gyeongseong Creature" season two as we unravel the layers of historical drama set against the backdrop of 1940s Gyeongseong, Seoul under Japanese occupation, and the unexpected leap into modern-day Seoul. Discover how survival takes on multiple meanings—fighting monstrous creatures like the Bulgasari, which symbolize deep historical trauma, and grappling with the brutal realities of occupation. With compelling performances from Tarkse, O'June, and Han So Hee, we celebrate the global success of the show and the director's commitment to evolving the series based on viewer feedback.
Enthralled by the tantalizing possibility of a third season of "Yagong Song Creature"? We are too! We delve into the director's masterful open-ended storytelling that leaves fans craving more, sparking endless discussions and creative speculation. Our passion for the series is evident as we recommend it to those yet to experience its depth and richness. Promising to leave you inspired and curious, this episode ensures you won’t want to miss a moment of our in-depth conversation about one of the most talked-about shows today.
All right, get ready to dive into Gyeongseong Creature season two.
Speaker 2:Yeah, season two, we're going deep unpacking this monster hit. Beyond the hype. You guys asked for it.
Speaker 1:Way beyond the surface.
Speaker 2:This season. So, Are you ready?
Speaker 1:Takes us from the historical drama.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:Of 1940s, gyeongseong.
Speaker 2:Okay, before we even get into it, which?
Speaker 1:by the way, is Seoul under Japanese occupation? Yeah, Okay, before we even get into it, which, by the way, is Seoul under Japanese occupation. Yeah, all the way to the neon lights of modern day Seoul.
Speaker 2:Remind me for those who haven't had a chance to check out the show.
Speaker 1:It's a trip. What is the heart of this story? Survival.
Speaker 2:Survival okay.
Speaker 1:And not just surviving monstrous creatures, right, but surviving against the suffocating backdrop of Japanese occupation. Yeah, a period where greed and darkness just seemed to consume everything.
Speaker 2:And these creatures yeah, we're talking about.
Speaker 1:Some pretty intense monsters. I mean, they're not your typical movie monsters.
Speaker 2:Right the creators. They cleverly designed them as reflections of the horrors of that time, For example, the Bulgasari, this monstrous, insatiable beast.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:It directly mirrors the brutality and oppression faced by Koreans.
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:During the Japanese occupation. Okay, it's like historical trauma brought to life.
Speaker 1:So it adds a whole other layer to these monster fights. Absolutely so how do our heroes navigate this monster-filled world Season?
Speaker 2:one. It's season two Saw them battling both literal and metaphorical monsters, but season two throws them a curveball. A reunion in modern-day Seoul.
Speaker 1:Wait hold on.
Speaker 2:A time jump, time jump.
Speaker 1:How did the writers even begin to pull that off without derailing the entire story?
Speaker 2:It's less time travel and more like destiny, connecting them across time.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:This jump highlights how the past echoes into the present. Okay, some wounds, some bonds, they just don't stay buried.
Speaker 1:See, that's what I find so interesting. Right, Because you'd think a show set in such a specific period might not resonate with a global audience. You would would think, and yet season one massive hit I was gonna say it was huge landing in netflix's top 10 in 69 countries. Wow and hold on 69 countries season two. That's wild. Hit the global top three just two days after release see, that's what I mean, those, those themes. Oh, resonating.
Speaker 2:Of survival resilience right.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Fighting for what's right. Oh yeah, they clearly struck a chord big time.
Speaker 1:Worldwide universally.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it makes you wonder, though, right, despite all of our progress, all the advancements we've made as a species, Right. Those inner monsters. Yeah, they seem to stick around.
Speaker 1:They really do.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:The show's writer, kang Eun-goong, said it best Okay, those who threaten, divide and exploit the world for their own gain still exist. It's true, chilling Right. It's true, though, a truth that transcends time.
Speaker 2:Yeah it does. It does so speaking of transcending time.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:How did the creators amp things up for season two?
Speaker 1:They upped the ante on everything Like what the director Chung Dong-yoon actually went back and re-edited parts of season one based on viewer feedback. Really To make the pacing even tighter Wow.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he specifically focused on clarifying the Noijin concept.
Speaker 1:Okay, we're going to get into that.
Speaker 2:Which we can delve into a bit later.
Speaker 1:Noijin. I'm intrigued, but I want to hear more about how they upped the ante.
Speaker 2:Right, right, and they went back, they re-edited.
Speaker 1:They did it.
Speaker 2:Based on what the fans were saying. Wow, they wanted to make it tighter. Talk about dedication.
Speaker 1:Talk about dedication they really wanted to create a gripping experience.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely For the viewers, and they succeeded.
Speaker 1:Okay, good.
Speaker 2:The action is nail-biting and we get to dive deeper into the characters.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Their pasts, their motivations, everything that makes them tick.
Speaker 1:Especially I'm assuming the leads. Oh yeah, right, of course.
Speaker 2:Tarkse, o'june and Han, so Hee, come on Now. I mean their chemistry.
Speaker 1:Off the charts, undeniable, you said it, and their commitment to these roles, yeah.
Speaker 2:Off the charts. Off the charts.
Speaker 1:The director even said that he sometimes forgot how famous they were.
Speaker 2:Really.
Speaker 1:Because they were so down to earth, on set.
Speaker 2:Wow, like he would so they weren't caught up he forgot In the fame. Yeah, yeah, they were just there to work.
Speaker 1:They were there to work, they were there to embody these characters.
Speaker 2:Wow, that's what I call dedication.
Speaker 1:That's commitment.
Speaker 2:So did he share any insights-?
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Into how he got such powerful performances from them.
Speaker 1:He was incredibly impressed by their willingness to take on a story so deeply rooted in Korean history.
Speaker 2:He saw it as a testament to their desire to share this part of their culture with the world.
Speaker 1:It's one thing to take on a role like that.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But to know that the entire world is potentially going to see it.
Speaker 2:Exactly, Is a lot of pressure Absolutely A lot of responsibility too?
Speaker 1:Yeah, they could have easily gone with something a little bit more generic, for sure, a little bit more, you know, safe, safe, yeah With something a little bit more generic, for sure A little bit more you know Safe. Safe yeah a little safe. But instead they leaned into it.
Speaker 2:They did, they leaned into the history.
Speaker 1:The history.
Speaker 2:Biding all those layers of complexity.
Speaker 1:Yeah, they could have easily made this another monster of the week.
Speaker 2:Right, right of show, exactly. But by grounding it in a specific time and place, exactly grounding it in a specific time and place they made it and, exploring themes of colonialism and resistance, they crafted something truly unique.
Speaker 1:Unique, unique. So it sounds like the director really played a huge part. For sure In bringing this to life.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:What else did he have to say?
Speaker 2:He did say About tackling this challenging season. One of the biggest challenges was making the romance between Tai Tsang and Che-Ok believable.
Speaker 1:Okay, I was going to say After a 79-year separation. That's a hurdle.
Speaker 2:It's a long time.
Speaker 1:That is a long time.
Speaker 2:It's a long time.
Speaker 1:How did they even?
Speaker 2:79 years.
Speaker 1:I mean long-distance relationships. Got nothing on that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly 79 years, 79 years.
Speaker 1:How did they make that work?
Speaker 2:Well, he focused heavily on those reunion scenes, using subtle expressions and nuanced acting to convey that enduring connection, despite the years.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:He said it was all about finding the emotional truth of their extraordinary situation.
Speaker 1:That's a tough one.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:Now I'm even more curious to see how it all unfolds.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But before we get completely swept up in this whole time jump thing.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:You mentioned the director, clarifying the Najin concept.
Speaker 2:Najin yeah.
Speaker 1:What exactly is that and why is it so important to the story?
Speaker 2:The Najin.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:It's like the beating heart of this monster filled world. Remember how we talked about those creatures being more than just CGI spectacle.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Well, the Najin is the source of their monstrous forms. It's this ancient mystical force, almost like a lifeblood, that grants them power.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:But it also warps them, twists them into those terrifying shapes.
Speaker 1:So it's what fuels those amazing creature designs we see.
Speaker 2:Exactly Okay. But it's not just about aesthetics. The NatGen, it taps into human desires. Ooh, think of it as a mystical wish granter. Okay, but with a dark twist, it can give you what you crave.
Speaker 1:Oh.
Speaker 2:But those desires that power.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It comes at a steep cost. It warps you.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Turning you into something monstrous both inside and out.
Speaker 1:So it's like a deal with the devil, but with a supernatural twist.
Speaker 2:That's a great way to put it, and that moral complexity is what makes the Najin so fascinating.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:The show doesn't shy away from those gray areas. It asks how far would you go to get what you want? What lines would you cross if it meant survival Right, Even if it meant losing a part of yourself in the process?
Speaker 1:And in a setting like Japanese occupied Korea.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Where survival is already a daily struggle.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:I mean the temptation to use the nausea.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:Even knowing the risks, huge Must be immense.
Speaker 2:It's the ultimate test.
Speaker 1:It's like the ultimate test of your morals.
Speaker 2:Of your morals absolutely.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Imagine living under that constant oppression, right Facing those impossible choices. The nausea, with its promises of power and vitality.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Must have seemed like a lifeline to some.
Speaker 1:Right, even if it meant becoming something monstrous in the process. So how does this whole Najing concept play out in season two?
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Does it become even a bigger threat?
Speaker 2:Well, without spoiling too much, let's just say Teh Sang's connection to the Najin. Yeah deepens in season two.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Remember, he's already got those incredible fighting skills. He's a beast. But the Najin amps everything up, oh, to a whole new level.
Speaker 1:So he was already a force to be reckoned with.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:Now with the Najin in the mix.
Speaker 2:It's a game changer.
Speaker 1:He's practically unstoppable.
Speaker 2:Right or.
Speaker 1:Or.
Speaker 2:Knowing this show.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It could all backfire spectacularly.
Speaker 1:Right, right, because that's the question.
Speaker 2:That's a question.
Speaker 1:Is the Najin a blessing or a curse?
Speaker 2:Million dollar question right there. The creators leave that for the audience to wrestle with.
Speaker 1:It's true.
Speaker 2:They show us both the allure and the danger of this power.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:How it can be used for good or for evil. It all depends on who's wielding it.
Speaker 1:It reminds me of that line from Spider-Man which one? With great power comes great responsibility. Yes, Only here it's less about responsibility and more about the very real risk of losing yourself to the power you crave.
Speaker 2:Precisely, and the consequences of losing yourself to that power. They're not just metaphorical. In this show, the nausean has a way of turning those inner monsters into terrifying reality.
Speaker 1:And I think that's what makes Guyang Song Creature more than just a monster show.
Speaker 2:More than just a monster man.
Speaker 1:Right, it's a story about the monsters within us all. Within us all About the choices we make when we're pushed to our limits. Right, exactly I mean those themes of greed exploitation.
Speaker 2:Oh, they're universal.
Speaker 1:They hit even harder with that nausea and element. They do.
Speaker 2:And the brilliance of the show Right Is that it tackles these heavy themes while delivering that heart stopping action, those stunning visuals and, yes, even a touch of romance.
Speaker 1:Oh, we can't forget about the romance.
Speaker 2:The romance the fans are living for those T'Seng and Jae-ok moments.
Speaker 1:Those are my favorite parts, because it's like even in the darkest of times you can still find a little bit of light a little glimmer of hope, you know.
Speaker 2:Exactly Amidst those battles against literal and metaphorical monsters, a flicker of humanity, a spark of connection, yeah it can still exist.
Speaker 1:It's beautiful and it makes you root for them even more.
Speaker 2:You're rooting for them.
Speaker 1:Right and I feel like for a show set during such a brutal period.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Those moments of humor.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Those quiet scenes of human connection. Oh yeah they really stand out. Was that intentional?
Speaker 2:100%. The director talked about showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Even in the face of unimaginable hardship, those moments of humor, of tenderness they remind us that, even when surrounded by darkness, there's still light to be found, connections to be made.
Speaker 1:That's beautiful.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:It really is that blend, I think, of darkness and light that makes Gyeongseong creature so captivating.
Speaker 2:It's true.
Speaker 1:Because you have these epic monster battles and then it goes to these quiet moments where you remember the humanity and those moments hit even harder because they're earned.
Speaker 2:Yes, these characters have been even harder because they're earned yes. These characters have been through the ringer.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:But they still find ways to support each other, to laugh, to love.
Speaker 1:Right, and it makes their bond that much more powerful.
Speaker 2:More powerful because of it.
Speaker 1:Right, exactly, and you root for them even more.
Speaker 2:And it resonates with viewers on such a visceral level.
Speaker 1:Yes, you know, because it does level. Yes, you know, because it does. We all go through stuff been through stuff. We all need that support we all need some we all need that connection you go through it with so exactly you mention yeah how impressed the director was with park seo, june and han, so he yes their dedication oh yeah what else did he share?
Speaker 2:he raved about how they both completely immersed themselves in their roles. Like I said before, there were times he forgot how famous they were. Wow, because they were so focused on embodying Taesang and Chaeyuk.
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:He was particularly moved by their desire to authentically portray this specific period in Korean history. And that's a big deal because it would have been very easy for them to say no no no, let's make this applicable to everybody.
Speaker 1:Right, let's not make it so specific.
Speaker 2:Let's not focus so much on this very specific time.
Speaker 1:It could have been any time period it could be, set in the future, whatever Exactly, but they leaned into.
Speaker 2:But they were very adamant that this is a story. The history of it About this very specific time in this very specific place.
Speaker 1:And it makes you wonder.
Speaker 2:It does.
Speaker 1:If that's part of the reason for its global success.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think you're on to something Right. In a world of increasingly homogenized entertainment, the Young Song creature stands out, it embraces its Korean identity, its history, its social commentary, and that resonates.
Speaker 1:And people want that. I think deep down inside.
Speaker 2:They want to be challenged.
Speaker 1:People want to be challenged. They don't want the same old, same old. You know.
Speaker 2:Exactly the stuff we've seen a million times. They want to be surprised, right?
Speaker 1:They want something new and surprised in a good way.
Speaker 2:Exactly, right, right. They want something new and surprised in a good way. Exactly. Right and you know, with an ending like that, Ooh the end. Who knows what unexplored territory season three might uncover?
Speaker 1:See, now you're going to make me want to watch it even more.
Speaker 2:I know right.
Speaker 1:So, without giving anything away, of course, what are your thoughts?
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:On where this story might go.
Speaker 2:Well, let's just say, the director left the door wide open.
Speaker 1:Okay, so there could be a season three.
Speaker 2:For a continuation. There are threads of the story still waiting to be untangled, Questions that demand answers.
Speaker 1:Ooh I like that.
Speaker 2:It's almost as if he's inviting the audience to step into this world and imagine the possibilities alongside him.
Speaker 1:That is so cool and that's what's so great about a show like this is it leaves you wanting more.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:And it gets those creative juices flowing.
Speaker 2:It sparks conversation.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:It sparks imagination.
Speaker 1:You've convinced me.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:It's going straight to the top of my watch list.
Speaker 2:I'm so glad to hear that. I have a feeling you won't be disappointed. It's a wild ride from start to finish.
Speaker 1:Oh, I love it. I knew you would Well for our listeners out there who haven't taken the plunge. I highly recommend adding Yagong Song Creature to your watch list.
Speaker 2:Check it out.
Speaker 1:We've only just scratched the surface here.
Speaker 2:We've only just begun to unpack.
Speaker 1:But there's so much more to explore.
Speaker 2:Oh, so much more, so much depth to this show. We'll leave that to you guys to discover to check out and thank you thank you for joining us for this deep dive for going on this journey into the shadowy world with us of gayoung song creature we'll catch you next time.