That was me watching the start of Episode 16.

Is anyone else watching this drama? If you are but aren’t up to date or if you plan to at some point- WARNING: SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS!!!

I won’t go too much into the synopsis of this drama as many people probably already know or are watching themselves.  There are so many Korean dramas, so what makes this one different? Well, personally, it is one that both my husband and I are watching. It’s pretty rare for us to agree on a drama. He usually watches the more serious ones and I prefer lighthearted ones. A Gentleman’s Dignity seems to have everything though. My husband loves the friendship of the four male leads and the aspects of male friendship he can relate to, while I love watching the romantic and comedic elements.

This drama has raised some questions for me and we’ve talked about some differences between Korean culture and Western culture. The obvious difference in this drama for me is the big deal having a son from a previous relationship is. In Western culture, it might be something a bit difficult to deal with but not necessarily a deal breaker. Blended families are normal to us, if a couple really loves each other, does it matter that he has a grown son from another relationship?

It is a big deal for Koreans though. My husband explained that while some people may be able to deal with it, in Korea where bloodlines and families are important, it is a deal breaker. People are very judgmental of that situation – as we saw in that scene where the other high school teachers were gossiping about it. As a Westerner my view is “so what?” but obviously this is a much bigger and more scandalous issue for Koreans.

Some things are not as strange to me though. For example: if your sister who is seventeen years younger than you was in love with your best friend? That would be a problem in Western culture too.

While this drama has comedic elements the serious scenes are done so well. If you did not feel sad watching the beginning of Episode 16, where it shows the friends helping Yoon after his wife has just died, then you have no heart!

Now the count down to the next episode…