Sunday Salon: Historical Drama; Social Influencers in Novel and Kdrama

 Watching on TV

I watched all 16 episodes of this historical drama and romance set in the Joseon era in Korea.The actor playing the King, Jo Jung Suk, is in contention in Korea for a best actor award this year, and I can see why. 

From The Economic Times, English edition: 

Netflix's latest historical K-drama, "Captivating The King," has gripped audiences with its tale of war, revenge, and love set in the Joseon era. As viewers delve into the intricate political landscape, where a game of baduk (the board game of Go) becomes a strategic tool....

Exploring the Plot:

"Captivating The King" unfolds against the backdrop of the Joseon era, weaving a captivating narrative around Prince Jinhan, portrayed by Jo Jung-suk, and the enigmatic baduk player Kang Hee-soo, played by Shin Se-kyung. 

The strategic game of baduk/Go transforms into a political maneuver as Prince Jinhan employs it to secure the release of hostages. Simultaneously, Hee-soo, disguised as a man, weaves her way into the prince's life, driven by a larger agenda of revenge. (from The Economic Times).

You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto ( August 2024) put me in mind of Celebrity, (June 2023) the influencer Korean drama on Netflix I just finished. 

                                                Promotional poster (Wikipedia)
In Celebrity, (see trailer) Seo A-ri achieves social media stardom overnight, but deadly consequences await in this glitzy, glamorous world of influencers. (with subtitles and dubbed on Netflix). The influencer plot in both Kdrama and the new book seem similar.

 Now reading

River East, River West  by Aube Rey Lescure

Publication: January 9, 2024; William Morrow, NetGalley.  Genre: literary fiction, historical fiction, China

Description:

Set against the backdrop of developing modern China, this mesmerizing literary debut is part coming-of-age tale, part family and social drama, as it follows two generations searching for belonging and opportunity in a rapidly changing world.

In a stunning reversal of the east-to-west immigrant narrative and set against China’s political history and economic rise, River East, River West is an intimate family drama and a sharp social novel. Alternating between Alva and Lu Fang’s points of view, this is a profoundly moving exploration of race and class, cultural identity and belonging, and the often-false promise of the American Dream. (publisher)

My tv watching has eaten significantly into my book reading! But I'm having fun watching drama series. Don't know when my infatuation with Kdrama will come to a close....Watch this space...

What are you reading/watching this week? 

Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, and Sunday Salon, Stacking the Shelves, Mailbox Monday