Romance Versus Renunciation

Hindu Shastra (text) divides life (Asrama) of an individual into four categories. These are :

Student’s life or Brahmacharya

Householder’s life or Garhasthya

Forest Walker or Dweller’s life or Vanaprastha

Renunuciate’s Life or Sanyasa

These stages of life are supposed to follow one after the other.

My present stage , therefore, ideally should be Vanaprasthya or the stage previous to that of a renunuciate’s – a forest walker/dweller who should gradually develop a state of detachment to all worldly things and relationships and move towards Sanyasa.

In sharp contrast to this ideal state of mind, I am still into  the quagmire of complex emotional turmoil. Let me explain.

It so happened that I was searching for watch worthy serials on Netflix when it prompted me to a Korean Series. It was limited episodes. So I started watching it. At first the pace seemed slow and the narrative just okay. Being an emotional drama I was watching it halfheartedly – one episode a day.  But soon after it became so engrossing that I could not leave it. As I finished watching it Netflix brought up more such series on the screen and I kept on  viewing them one after the other. I , a confirmed crime thriller addict, was now wholly and solely into romance. Can you beat it?

Even during my school/college days, when the entire class would be into Mills & Boons and Barbara Cartlands, I was guzzling down Poirot, Perry  Mason, Ms Marple and the likes. But when I am supposed to get mentally ready to pursue a life of renunciation I am getting dragged into a whirlpool of bittersweet dramadies. It is so anti to my nature and post-retirement plan that I am appalled at myself. My brain is in a swirly whirl. What’s this happening to me? 

Having said all that, let me confide that I have an issue with emotionally rich narratives. You see, I cannot handle too much of emotions – be it in reality or on screen. I shy away from situations where I know there will be an excess of ronaa-dhonaa, for example, tearful exchanges and bidaais (goodbyes) , last rites or funerals and even confessions of  deeper emotions right in front of me. I have observed that when narratives become thick with drama and high strung emotions I have a tendency to put off the TV and start doing something else. I do go back and watch the play but little by little, in instalments, as much as I can take  in a day’s time. Odd isn’t it? Even I find it strange… very, very strange.

While on the topic, let me give you a glimpse of the serials I have been watching. All Korean, of course, and all said and done, highly recommended and binge worthy.

Home Town Cha Cha Cha

A young accomplished dentist, Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a), disillusioned by the mercenary way dental clinic is being run in Seoul, leaves her job and moves to  the sea side town of Gongjin where she had once visited as a child with her parents. Seeing that there are no dental clinics in the vicinity she decides to open one.

While setting up the clinic, she comes in constant interaction with a Jack-of-all-trades-handyman who is addressed as Chief Hong by the towners. At first, she finds him irritating and nosy but as time passes she is involuntarily drawn towards him.

But why is Chief Hong so reluctant to share his  past with her even after their bond has developed into something deeper, stronger and more intimate?

The unparalleled charm of Kim Seon-ho as Chief Hong and his magical chemistry with Shin Min-a are the highlights of this series.  

Summer Strike

In this heartwarming drama, Lee Yeo-reum (Seolehyn), decides to leave her job and move out of Seoul after her mother’s sudden death. She settles down in Angok , a charming sea side village, attracted by it’s library and the quiet librarian ( Im Si-wan as Ahn De-beom ). The villagers find it odd that a young girl like her should choose a sedentary life and do nothing for a living.

Gradually she makes friends who come to accept her as a kind and helpful soul. But Lee does not know that the property she has rented has a dark history which is to soon disrupt her peaceful life. Will amidst all the mysterious happenings Lee be able to find the anchor she is looking for?

This serial has a mesmeric Zen like quality. It’s appealing and soothing  The narrative meanders on like a mountain stream taking the viewers along. Finding peace, self sufficiency and happiness in the littlest moments of life is the ultimate philosophy of this narrative.

King The Land

Against the backdrop of a stiff inheritance battle, the chaebol of a rich business family, owning the King’s Group of Companies, falls in love with his beautiful and hardworking employee with the most winsome smile. How against all odds and oppositions their relationship evolves is the pivotal plot of this rom com.

Despite an overload of romance and a hearty dose of comedy, the series is surprisingly classy and dignified. Every episode is able to bring a smile on the viewers’  lips. The awesome chemistry between Goo Won (Lee Jun-ho) who looks like a Greek God  and the petite Cheo Sa-rang (Im Yoon-ah) is swoonworthy..

King The Land has an overwhelming, fairy tale like aura which stays on even after you finish watching it. I found it difficult to move on to other serials for quite sometime even after the happy ending! 😁

Something In The Rain

Yoon Jin-ah (Son Ye-jin), a woman in her mid thirties, having a troublesome history of getting dumped by her boyfriends, falls deeply in love with her best friend’s younger brother, Seo Joon-hee (Jung Hae-in)who is in his early twenties. Things become terribly messy when her parents, having come to know of their relationship, starts meddling in their affair because they feel it’s an unequal and inappropriate match.

Against mounting parental pressure to make up with her ex just because (according to them – her parents) he is the right catch  (well connected family, alumnus of a  prestigious University, promising career etc.) Jin-ah graduates into a strong, decisive woman anchored on Joon-hee’s selfless love. Will they have a forever bond?

This award winning serial deals with emotional and relational equations and complexities in  multiple layers. Again the chemistry and outstanding performance of the lead pair makes it extremely worthwhile to watch this sensitively directed and presented serial.

Beautiful Gong Shim

A rom com having a side dish of thrilling suspense, this serial is the story of young Gong Shim (Bang Minah) suffering from Alopecia. She hides her bald patch under a wig. In a bid to earn more money to fulfill her dream to go to Italy to learn painting she lets out her rooftop room to a cheesy, cheeky lawyer, Ahn-Dan-tse (Namkoong Min), not knowing that her life is not going to be the same ever again.

This wholesome entertainer is a must watch as the award winning performance of the lead pair takes the viewers on a roller coaster ride of romance , comedy, suspense and emotional rock ‘n roll.

Flower Of Evil

This is a highly disturbing suspense thriller with a strong love track. Detective Cha Ji-won (Moon Chae-won)  starts investigating a cold case of serial killings taken place twenty six years ago  not knowing that her loving husband, Baek Hyun-soo (Lee Jun-gi), will turn out to be  the prime suspect as the unidentified  accomplice of the murderer.

The serial is a tense , edge of the seat crime thriller which also delves into the complexity of love and relationship in the cat and mouse game between a cold blooded  psychopath and a conscientious cop.

Duranga Seasons 1 and 2 (streaming on Zee5)  is a remake of this Korean Psychological drama. For Indian viewers, I suggest Duranga be watched first, to assimilate the story as this serial is too terse and uncompromisingly complicated even while delving into the emotional quotient of the characters.

Post Script

Watching crime thrillers does not convert a viewer into a criminal. Having an interest in police procedurals and crime investigations I watch suspense movies and serials with an objectiveness which is cerebral.

But gulping down romances has a different kind of  impact. As a viewer you are completely involved and engrossed in the lives of fictional characters. This involvement is  emotional and sentimental. For a person who avoids emotions, it is, in one word, disruptive.

Having a detailed conversation on the subject with my school buddy we agreed to disagree. She says that there is no age bar for watching romances. I stick to my preconceived notion of attaining the mindset of spectating the world as a web of bewitching illusions. 

Now, on whose side are you ? 

Pray tell.

Foot Note

There are two more serials which I am watching simultaneously at present (i) One Spring Night and (ii) My Liberation Notes.

One Spring Night is another serial from the maker of Something In The Rain. So,  you can expect a hefty emotional walk through the lives of the protagonists. In this serial Jung Hae-in ( as Yoo Ji-ho) is paired with Han Ji-min (as Jeong-in). The story delves into the emotional conflicts Jeong-in goes through unsure of her  relationship with her long time boyfriend and the deep attraction she feels (while being in her present relationship) towards Yoo Ji-ho who is  a single parent.

My Liberation Notes is a serial which has made me think. The protagonists (two sisters and a brother) in this serial are dissatisfied with their present lives.  Living in the country side (Sanpo) and working in Seoul,  they are torn between two worlds.   Knowingly or unknowingly, each of them hankers after  liberation from their daily rut. While for Yeom Chang-hee (the brother – Lee Min-ki) a lot of money is the vehicle which can transport him to his dream life. For  Yeom Gi-jeong (elder sister – Lee El) it’s falling in love with Mr  Right and for the quiet and beautiful Yeom Mi-jeong (younger sister – Kim Ji-won) it’s her relationship with the alcoholic Mr Gu (Son Suk-ku) in exile from  a rough past of notoriety. Of course! It’s Mr. Gu who dominates the entire narrative with his verbose reticence amidst an ensemble of characters  battling  their respective demons. It’s a dialoguic narrative wherein all the players are extremely vocal and emphatic about their thoughts and feelings. The immense  psychological build up of the serial lies in invariably invoking an inner dialogue in the minds of the viewers leading them on a quest to identify situations wherein  they feel entrapped and seek liberation from.

So tell me what books and serials you have been reading/watching that have had a profound effect on you.

All pics from Google