Most abusive drama father ever? I think we have a winner.

[dangermousie]

WHO THE FUCK DOES THIS TO THEIR KID?????!!!!!!!!!!

I think I was audibly yelling things at the screen when Tae-In's Dad literally beat him into unconsciousness. As a punishment. WTF! The kid ended up in the hospital! He had blood all over his face and there were broken things in the room that the Dad used on him. He freaking lost consciousness!

WTF!!!

And his stepmom is talking to her brother and is 'Well, he volunteered to go into that room for punishment himself, what am I supposed to do?' WTF!!!!

And then she discusses, as if it's totally weird that it's probably worse than it is because Tae-In is terrified of his father, goes pale when he is near him etc etc. Really? I wonder why? I mean, why would any kid be terrified of an abusive parent? How bizarre of him.

Are there no child protective services in Korea? I mean, seriously, is it just drama gap or a culture gap too? Seriously, WTF? I mean, does Tae-In's Dad pal around with the Dad from Bali? What????

GRRRRRR.

I did love that whole preceding scene though, because Bori has been kicked out of school because of photos Jemma (secondary girl) has posted (btw, here is another person to hate. She is doing the whole 'but why are you mad at me for wrecking someone's life, you'll totally come back to me, your Mom died waiting for your Dad, I'll do the same, let me bring up some complexes here' diediedie).

And she thinks Tae-In has posted them and he came to apologize (but didn't explain it wasn't him) and she wouldn't talk to him and then finally is pissed and to get rid of him 'go tell your Mom and Dad to reinstate me' and he goes and does it. OMG. Because he's been in hiding from his family, but he actually goes to the family residence (and I love how terrified he is, and the longest pause before he rings the bell) and then OMG, his Dad is ranting and raving and Tae-In is on his knees, saying that he was at fault, he won't cause trouble any more, go to school blahblah but can they reinstate Bori. And (and this is kills me) he looks at his Dad and tells him he knows Dad wants to lock him up (WTF, what kind of a messed-up family is it. No wonder Tae-In is messed up, I don't think it adds to your mental health to know your father wants you in a loony bin out of the way), and he basically agrees to it, but can he let him out on the 20th (it's the anniversary of his Mother's death).

And his father just snarls at him to go into his study and Stepmom is all 'should I talk to your Dad first' and Tae-In is all 'it's all right, I've prepared myself' and then we get him being beaten to unconsciousness. I HATE THIS FRELLING FAMILY WITH A PASSION I USUALLY RESERVE FOR OTP INTERLOPERS AND SHIN'S FATHER. And even as he is lying on the floor there, almost passing out, he is continuing to plead to be let out on the 20th.

ARGH.

THIS DRAMA WILL GIVE ME HEART ATTACK.

And then I had to run.

Did I mention that despite the above, this is also screamingly funny? It is. Oh, and Bori's Dad is a Buddhist Monk which is super awesome.

Comments

[saturnhime.livejournal.com]

And her younger sister is Shin's sister from Goong :D

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I was wondering why she looked familiar!

[saturnhime.livejournal.com]

I thought the same thing when I watched it so I looked it up.

[fivil.livejournal.com]

Sounds like Kdrama: the Videogame's mini-games would be in order. :D

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oh heck yeah.

[lesbiassparrow.livejournal.com]

I firmly believe that kdrama parents exist to make people feel good about their real life parents. No matter what they do to you it will never be as bad as what you see on the telly. It's sort of the opposite of wholesome Western fare where you have these lovely parents who apparently understand the inner workings of all their children's minds.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

No matter what they do to you it will never be as bad as what you see on the telly.

That makes sense. Half these dramas make me want to call my parents and thank them. Seriously.

Also, the parents are 'Tae-In is such a juvenile delinquent' but all he does is skip school and gets into fights. Not so great, but hardly setting cars on fire. If I got greeted with a smack on the face with my father when I came to live with him at age eight after suicide of Mom (and thus the kid was understandably not a happy camper), I'd be torching the house by the time I hit my teens.

But the thing that struck me the most about this scene in HMT wasn't even the beatdown (it is, after all, a kdrama, and angst is expected) but the attitude of everyone towards it. It's a 'Tae-In's Dad is a major jerk' not 'Tae-In's Dad is an abuser and in the country I live in, would likely, if caught, spend a decent chunk of time behind bars.'

I mean, everybody, even Tae-In's only normal relative, an Uncle by marriage, is all 'this sucks, poor kid, this is not surprising though, everybody knows his Dad isn't nice' and not 'where are the cops? And I need to punch his father!' It's some sort of a cultural gap, really. I understand the whole 'more in tune with corporal punishment than Western society' thing but if this lands the guy in the hospital? My 'other cultures are different' mantra doesn't really hold any more.

I'd say in the US, if (as I am sure he did) Dad was doing this when Tae-In was in early teens and not late teens, the hospital would have a duty to report this. But hey, his Dad owns the hospital so I don't think even in the US it would get anywhere much.

[lesbiassparrow.livejournal.com]

In kdramas people seem to roll with the most awful abuse in their families. Apparently money = never having to say you're sorry when you beat the living daylights out of your kid.

Handy that the dad owns a hospital. Must cut down on the bills if he does it a lot.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Apparently money = never having to say you're sorry when you beat the living daylights out of your kid.


And the annoying thing is, these awful family members never get what's coming to them. Even in Bali, would it have been too much to ask for Jae-Min to shoot his father before embarking on his little murder-suicide spree? Really? (Btw, I saw someone on soompi once comment that they felt bad for Dad in Bali because JM was such an undutiful son. If it is possible for a non-anime-non-Bertie-Wooster person to goggle, I goggled then).

There are a number of people I want to punch out in this drama. But Tae-In's father is first on the list. I am usually amused by normal kdrama angst handles: sick sister, beautiful terminal illness, orphan status, hideous vests. But I have a huge button about abuse, and seeing someone beat on someone who is offering no violence back or even any defence drives me up the wall, worse if it's a family member.

Handy that the dad owns a hospital. Must cut down on the bills if he does it a lot.

Also convenient for locking up kid in psych ward. Really, I applaud Evil Dad's financial planning and foresight.

[lesbiassparrow.livejournal.com]

Btw, I saw someone on soompi once comment that they felt bad for Dad in Bali because JM was such an undutiful son.

...

Seriously? SERIOUSLY? You know I think it works both ways: it is usually seen as your duty as a father *not* to beat your son unconscious with a golf club when they don't want to marry the woman you've selected. The dad in Bali tops my bad father in kdrama list, amidst some very tough competition. My only hope at the end of that dorama was that he lost everything and that that would be a better fate for him: sitting around watching his empire crumble.

Really, I applaud Evil Dad's financial planning and foresight.

For all they usually end up pwned the Evil Dads are pretty good plotters.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Seriously? SERIOUSLY?

Yup, somebody in the Robbers thread (the same actor was in it in a tertiary role).

It took a lot of willpower not to reply.

it is usually seen as your duty as a father *not* to beat your son unconscious with a golf club when they don't want to marry the woman you've selected

But clearly the kid had it coming to him because he didn't want to be a good little robot. Seriously, I remember watching Bali and JM would always sport bandaids or what not and his Dad would throw things at him and I was really uncomfortable but thinking maybe I was being culturally oversensitive or what not but then we got to the 'beat him to a bloody pulp' scene and yeah...

Oh, and the whole threatening to kill (and meaning it) son's girlfriend, is also probably not good parenting.

That Dad was the worst Dad in kdrama, though depending on how HMT goes, this one might end up sharing the pedestal.

My only hope at the end of that dorama was that he lost everything and that that would be a better fate for him: sitting around watching his empire crumble.


Oh, I hope so, but I worry he would be able to weasel out of it. God, I think all of Jae-Min's family, including his %^&* of a wife, should be tied together and thrown into a pit. Bali brings the rage out in me :)

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

I mean, does Tae-In's Dad pal around with the Dad from Bali?


For some reason, that makes me giggle. I think all the abusive dads happily play golf together on Sundays or something. They compare notes. What is the best thing to beat your son with? A golf club or a globe



I hate that no one in kdramas ever call the police or try and stop the abuse. Cultural differences, I suppose. I mean, most of the men (because, the girls usually just get slapped by their parents - the dumped ex or someone else's parents beat the girls), could totally take their dads if they tried. But, when someone's been beating you since you were a child - you're going to be so very scared of that person. Where the hell was protective services during their childhood years? I guess because they are rich, no one ever thought to call.


I just have the idea that South Korea is a country where people (usually middle aged) randomly beginning beating people in the street.


Or just beat the crap out of their kids because, "Oh, my son/daughter skipped school/likes a poor girl/(boy)/tried to dump his/her rich girlfriend/(boyfriend)/likes his/her brother's(sister's) girlfriend(boyfriend)/gave me a look/whatever. He/She must be beaten until he/she bleeds."



Or just beat the crap out of some girl/guy they don't even know, because, "Oh, that brat likes me son/daughter and this brat isn't even rich/this kid is a slut/manwhore, because my kid is chasing after this person. He/She must be beat until he/she bleeds."




And then, these parents just walk away, as if nothing happened. Are all middle aged parents in Korea insane or is it just a huge culture thing? I mean, there are lots of lovely parents in the kdrama world. Maybe they spend too much money or maybe they are snobby, but they aren't beating their kids or their kids love interests.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

For some reason, that makes me giggle. I think all the abusive dads happily play golf together on Sundays or something. They compare notes.

LOL. I can so see that. The whole scene started with Tae-In's Dad holding a golf-club and I so flashbacked back to Bali (btw, being hit with a golfclub. Not that I've ever been, thank God, but the thing is metal. That's got to really hurt).

I hate that no one in kdramas ever call the police or try and stop the abuse. Cultural differences, I suppose.

That drives me insane. At least in Bali all of his family was portrayed as evil/selfabsorbed/nutters, plus he was old enough that I could see a person thinking they should stay out, but in HMT, not only is the kid a teen (19 in Korean years is what, 18? 17? in Western style?) but his Uncle is at least portrayed as a nice guy but nobody even thinks to remonstrate with the Dad. WTF?

And definitely cultural difference. Someone on soompi once posted they felt bad for Dad from Bali because JIS' character was so undutiful. Whaaaaa?

But, when someone's been beating you since you were a child - you're going to be so very scared of that person.

Exactly. I mean, in HMT, Gong Yoo's character could so take his Dad. I mean, he's been street brawling for how long? And his Dad is hardly martial arts champion. But the way stepmom describes it, it's almost classical abuse victim pattern, with him being terrified of the guy and freaking out. What strikes me most is that is not the way she is thinking of it but a 'well, if he wasn't so scared, this wouldn't be as bad for him because there wouldn't be a freakout on top of it all, so it's his fault.' WTF, lady.

I just have the idea that South Korea is a country where people (usually middle aged) randomly beginning beating people in the street.

LOL. I'd pay money to see this.

And then, these parents just walk away, as if nothing happened.

Exactly. I will never get that. I am thinking of the scene in Lovers where secondary male's mother is literally dragging his then-gf by the hair. Are they all insane?

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

Getting hit with things like golf clubs and belts do hurt. They hurt worse if there's a lot of force behind the hits. And if these guys are bleeding afterward - it hurts.



I could see a person thinking they should stay out, but in HMT, not only is the kid a teen (19 in Korean years is what, 18? 17? in Western style?) but his Uncle is at least portrayed as a nice guy but nobody even thinks to remonstrate with the Dad. WTF?


WTF? is right. When someone - kid or not - is getting beat, you call the cops. 'Specially if it is a kid. And yet. . . apperently rich people never think to call the cops, even if they are nice.



What strikes me most is that is not the way she is thinking of it but a 'well, if he wasn't so scared, this wouldn't be as bad for him because there wouldn't be a freakout on top of it all, so it's his fault.' WTF, lady.


WTF, lady, indeed. I mean, yes maybe if he wasn't so scared of his dad, he might. . . wait, no. I'm sorry I don't get that lady's crazy logic. He's gettig beat by his abuser - of course he's going to freak out!




LOL. I'd pay money to see this.


And, I would charge money to let people see it.



Exactly. I will never get that. I am thinking of the scene in Lovers where secondary male's mother is literally dragging his then-gf by the hair. Are they all insane?


Drug her by the hair? OMG. It's crazy. You just want to tell them, "Stop that." They are all either insane or Korean drama writers have some serious parent issues they need to work out.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

When someone - kid or not - is getting beat, you call the cops. 'Specially if it is a kid. And yet. . . apperently rich people never think to call the cops, even if they are nice.

It's like some sort of creepy unwritten code. Same thing with attempted rape in jdramas or anime or manga. The girls/relatives never seem to think to call the cops. WTF. We are supposed to think Uncle is sweet because he comes to the hospital and sleeps by the bed on the floor (side note: the kid is still unconscious hours later!) but all I am thinking is if he was so sweet, he'd call the cops.

The thing that is getting me so much in HMT is that the kid is on his knees. He isn't fighting or resisting. In fact, by time of beatdown, Evil Dad already gotten what he should want (i.e. promises of kid to behave. Seeing that he swore on his mother's grave, he is unlikely to lie).

I mean, yes maybe if he wasn't so scared of his dad, he might. . . wait, no. I'm sorry I don't get that lady's crazy logic. He's gettig beat by his abuser - of course he's going to freak out!

It's like a line from a textbook of creepy abuser logic: 'it's all your fault.' Geee, I wonder why the kid is literally terrified to come home? And we are clearly meant to think of her as not-too-bad, but I just can't, when she tolerates her husband's behavior and doesn't view it as weird at all. The way she sees this is the way I'd treat someone grounding a kid over a minor infraction 'harsh, but OK.' Which is just so insane, my mind boggles. I really want someone to beat that Dad to a pulp (see how he likes it) but I am pretty sure it won't happen.

Drug her by the hair? OMG.

Yup. Did I mention that at one point she thinks Secondary Guy (who is awesome) and Heroine would make a nice couple, but it doesn't work out and as she is pissed off and also hates Hero (various plot reasons), to make Hero miserable, she orders Heroine to be murdered in nasty fashion (and other things too, even if they only hint). Now, granted, she is a mob boss' wife, but WTF.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

Same thing with attempted rape in jdramas or anime or manga. The girls/relatives never seem to think to call the cops. WTF.


Yes, thank you! I hate that in jdramas/animes/mangas. The guy attempts to rape the girl, and she's all: "No, no. . . okay, I do like you and it does feel nice." WTFH? NO! Kick him, run, and blow your rape whistle, girl!



but all I am thinking is if he was so sweet, he'd call the cops.

Yes. This Uncle guy would be great if he called the cops or at least gave the money to secretly change his name and leave south korea.


The thing that is getting me so much in HMT is that the kid is on his knees. He isn't fighting or resisting. In fact, by time of beatdown, Evil Dad already gotten what he should want (i.e. promises of kid to behave. Seeing that he swore on his mother's grave, he is unlikely to lie).


God, Evil Dad and Stupid Stepmom are indeed evil and need to die. I think they just like hitting the poor boy. Thank goodness he has his beloved teacher/future girlfriend. 'Cause it sounds like he's surrounded by crazy, abusive, people.



Yup. Did I mention that at one point she thinks Secondary Guy (who is awesome) and Heroine would make a nice couple, but it doesn't work out and as she is pissed off and also hates Hero (various plot reasons), to make Hero miserable, she orders Heroine to be murdered in nasty fashion (and other things too, even if they only hint). Now, granted, she is a mob boss' wife, but WTF.



Mob boss' wife or not, she sounds like a nutter. I mean, I would assume she likes Heroine, and really some romances just don't work. Does she really have to kill the girl because of it?



I think the main issue with a lot of crazy parents in kdramas is that they get involved with the love lives of their kids - and once the kid is 18/19 and out of high school, it's none of their damn business.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Mob boss' wife or not, she sounds like a nutter. I mean, I would assume she likes Heroine, and really some romances just don't work. Does she really have to kill the girl because of it?

I think at that point it's because she really hates the hero and would do anything to hurt him. But can we say, overkill?

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

Beyond overkill. Crazy woman.

[kittykatz.livejournal.com]

I don't know if I can watch this now. :(

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

It's largely funny thiugh and stuff like that is pretty much in the background.

[main-hoon-emily.livejournal.com]

Okay, so I'm just watching this episode, and I can't believe that nobody -- not the stepmother, not the art teacher/step-uncle, not the brother, not the doctors in the hospital, NOBODY has said anything to Tae In's dad. Is it just considered a normal, everyday occurrence for a 19 year old to be admitted to the hospital having been beaten so badly he passes out BY HIS OWN FATHER??? With golf clubs and who knows what else, no less?

That is seriously messed up.

On a lighter note, though, Gong Yoo? Wow. So much hotness.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Exactly. They are all horrific. The hospital is owned/run by Tae-In's Dad, so docs don't say anything. Stepmom is heartless so she doesn't care and Uncle is awfully passive so he won't do anything. But it makes me hate them all.

If you like Gong Yoo here, you are going to love Coffee Prince.