CRASH LANDING ON YOU
This is one of my all-time favorite television shows. Yoon Se-ri is a businesswoman from South Korea who founded a successful fashion company but also hails from a family of business titans. In a twist on Wizard of Oz, Se-ri is startled to wake up in North Korea after a tornado carries her across the DMZ. One of the most delightful attributes of the show is how successfully the creators manage to nod to aspects of the Wizard of Oz without being trite. Se-ri meets soldiers who have the characteristics of the tin man and cowardly lion, but it is done subtly to add whimsy to a situation that could otherwise only be conveyed in the tone of a mystery or thriller as Se-ri tries to escape North Korea. This adds emotional depth to the show as the viewer becomes attached not only to the main character but the entourage of soldiers who she ultimately befriends, with loveable and somewhat familiar personalities.
Se-ri and North Korean soldiers
Crash Landing on You deals with one of the most challenging political dynamics in the world between North and South Korea. The show was inspired by a real event when a South Korean actress accidentally strayed into disputed waters between North and South Korea in 2008 but is largely an imagination of how the dynamic could have transpired. It is especially interesting as it conveys the South Korean perspective of North Korean life beyond the monolith of a repressive regime. Although the plot centers around Se-ri's attempts to avoid the likely punishment if her identity is discovered, North Korean citizens are displayed as loyal and close-knit. On a trip to Pyongyang, passengers enjoy a delightful song from the snack crew that almost makes one forget global politics and reach to buy a ticket to visit. When the train is stopped due to an electrical outage, Se-ri and Jeong Hyeok join other passengers who disembark and enjoy each other's company by the fire, setting up one of the top romantic scenes of the movie. When the North soldiers join Se-ri on the other side of the border, they watch a soccer game between Japan and South Korea. The North Korean soldiers fit right in chanting for Korea, reinforcing one of the central points that both sides share the same heritage and are only divided by politics. Indeed, by adding the element of unrequited romance between North and South Korean citizens, the show could not underscore the main point more strongly: the ills of political division.
Which country is ultimately good and bad? In a world where the rhetoric on rogue states taught us we thought we know the bad apple is North Korea, Crash Landing on You makes sure that the answer is not so straightforward. One can only be sure that Kansas is South Korea and Se-ri desperately wants to return home. Beyond that, we find that even South Korea is filled with complex dynamics where greed causes family members to turn on each other. The plot exposes how the dynamics of wealth corrupt what should be the strongest human bond -- family. Yet if one thinks this show is simply an indictment of capitalism, it is not hard to find equally deplorable characters in North Korea who are corrupted by an attempt to gain power within the regime at any cost. The viewer is satisfied when the protagonists from both countries risk their positions -- and even their lives -- to protect each other. It is a beautiful picture of humanity when you see that beauty and darkness are not defined by borders but by humanity itself and the people living within their man-made conceptions of nations.
How does the show handle the concept of gender? I argue that this show supports feminism. Although the first part of the show contains scenes where Jeong Hyeok risks his life for Se-ri, the viewer is satisfied when she is a hero for him and shows amazing intelligence and bravery to protect his life. Likewise, one might imagine that Se-ri would ultimately remain by the side of the love of her life, but she chooses to return to her life and live independently. I cannot think of a single American show where the woman chooses to walk away from her partner when she loves him (surely Sex and the City fans will debate with me about Carrie and Aiden). However, I argue both characters chose to put their families first, hoping that they can eventually find a way to navigate complex political relations and choosing ultimately not to pursue a deep love that costs them everything else in their world.
Train scene
Business woman
The show also displays how much one can change because of the influence of another person, for better or worse. Because of the influence of her stepmother, Se-ri became guarded and distrustful. Originally having a deeply upsetting family dynamic, Se-ri notes, "I have been only loving myself and hating myself. I have been only protecting myself and abandoning myself". As a result of the experience with Jeong Hyeok, Se-ri opens up to have better relationships with her employees and family. Both characters change but they also don't give up the most important parts of themselves. The simpleness of love might be lost in some of the grand romantic gestures of the show. I think this is what true love is as neither tried to hold the other back. During a scene in South Korea, Jeong Hyeok holds Se-ri knowing he needs to return home but letting her know “Next year, and the year after that, and the year after that will all be good. Because I’ll be thinking of you. I’ll be grateful you were born into this world. I’ll be grateful that the person I love is still breathing. That’s why your birthday will always be a good day.” The romance is beautiful and truly touching.
If you need any other reasons to watch this show, check out the trailer and head over to Netflix to enjoy season one.