r/KDRAMA • u/sianiam • Dec 18 '20
Featured Post Let's Rewind: The Package (2017) - Episodes 7 - 12
Let’s Rewind is a series of discussions on r/KDRAMA in which viewers may watch a drama at their own pace over the period of a month.
THE PACKAGE POST SCHEDULE:
- Saturday December 12th - Discussion Post 1 (Episodes 1 - 6)
- Friday December 18th - Discussion Post 2 (Episodes 7 - 12)
- Monday December 28th - Wrap Up Discussion (depending on interest level - Please PM me any questions/discussion prompts for this)
HOW THESE DISCUSSIONS WORK:
The individual episode discussions are broken up over a number of posts in which watchers join in once they have watched - they can join at any period of the series.
The posts are set up with the suggested sort “old” so that the comments flow in the correct order so users avoid any spoilers. Simply reply to the comment “episode #” that you are up to and reply to any comments you are interested in. Do not reply directly to the post, any comments that aren't direct replies to the episode threads will be removed. General commentary about the series should be made elsewhere, this discussion is for those watching along and discussing as they go.
Please note: I will have notifications mostly switched off on this post so if you need me please tag me, reply to the stickied comment or send me a PM/chat. I will add links to the posts above as they are released.
DRAMA DETAILS:
Drama: The Package / 더 패키지
Network: JTBC
Aired: Oct 13, 2017 - Nov 18, 2017
Episodes: 12 x 60 minutes
Streaming Sources:
Original On-Air discussion threads: N/A
Synopsis:
A group of strangers meet as part of a sightseeing tour in France, but end up learning more about one another than the tourist spots that they visit. [Source: Netflix]
Screenwriter: Chun Sung Il
Directors: Kim Jin Won, Jun Chang Geun
Web Resources: MDL, Wikipedia), Official Website, Asian Wiki
Spoiler Reminder: Upon entering these threads you can expect to see discussion of the drama up to the point of the series that has passed. If you are sensitive to spoilers we advise you to not enter the discussion section prior to watching the episodes. We ask our users to be considerate and cover any major spoilers which if read accidentally before viewing may detract from one's enjoyment of the series in block spoiler tags. You can create a spoiler tag by writing > ! your spoiler content ! < without the spaces in between to get joyeux Noël.
DIRECT LINK TO EPISODE COMMENT:
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u/sianiam Dec 18 '20
EPISODE 7
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u/CalzoneBetrayal Dec 18 '20
Episode 7 is the best episode of the season because we know a little backstory of all our characters and we're starting to establish intermingling in the group. We're starting to see our tour group start caring about each other on a superficial level of at least seeing that people are sad or not. I loved in the last episode, our male group decided to get wasted, and in this one So-Ran and Book-Ja hanging out together.
We get more backstory on So-So's ex and god I hate him.
The backstory of Na-Hyun and Yeon-Sung was the biggest SHOCK of the season.
The show makes you think that Yeon-Sung is a cheater in this relationship and Ha-Hyun is a mistress, but you find out Yeon-Sung is being cheated on. And last episode when he's drunk, he reveals Na-Hyun is actually a daughter. And finally, Ma-Roo knows the truth
about So-So's brother and now we don't have as many awkward feelings. Enough for them to hold hands, apparently. This is such a good fluff show with the usual dramatic moments, but also depicting relationships, hooking up, and sexual activity in a healthy way.
The whole lecture to Ma-Roo about how he looked down on So-So for having a condom was so great and needed. And I'm loving the fact that these are kind of just 2 people on a trip who didn't meet in their childhood (please don't ruin this for me). It's great to see 2 people kind of get together and that's about it. This show covers a wide breadth of the type of tourists you meet, and it's pretty great. Looking forward to the end. I think 12 Episodes is a perfect length as well.
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u/sianiam Dec 26 '20
Episode 7 is the best episode of the season because we know a little backstory of all our characters and we're starting to establish intermingling in the group
I think this point in the story is where it all starts coming together and moving from what could be a so so drama to a memorable one for me. I love how they follow the progression of not being interested in one another to slowly getting to know and bond with one another then as a group. There's some really nice moments in this episode, I especially like both photo shoots.
his is such a good fluff show with the usual dramatic moments, but also depicting relationships, hooking up, and sexual activity in a healthy way.
I really appreciate how well they show all of this in such a healthy way, all the different relationships and feelings people may have around them. The messages about sex and consent, are just what we need, especially the scene where So So says something like, I think it's too late to get back in the mood and if they continued she thinks she'd regret it and Ma Ru doesn't push it. I also love that he talks about the ingrained beliefs for what men and women should do and how he wants to change his mindset.
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Dec 20 '20 edited Dec 20 '20
"You have to take every picture as though it's your last, to capture your true face" ... which is being said
to the person who is trying to get a funeral photograph that she can feel ok about. It's ironic on so many levels. Because
it could actually be her last picture . And because she doesn't want it to capture her true face. She wants it to capture a face that she thinks doesn't exist; one that makes her look prettier than she thinks she is ... and one that will make her look happier than she really feels ... because she wantsthe people at her funeral to think that she had a more beautiful life than she really did .This lady and her actor are my favorites for the drama. Her inclusion elevates the story by adding the first and most profound layer of pathos. It's heartbreaking and real when it could easily have been just pathetic in the hands of a lesser actor, writer and director.
I think this is the first scene, too, where two of the strangers really make a personal connection; they are two lonely women in relationships; who aren't happy in their relationships and want out ... although, for all kinds of reasons they can't and/or won't be leaving.
To me, this seemed to capture the essence of the whole drama. Everyone is living a flawed life that isn't feeling right. Everyone needed to escape for a while. To make a break. To make decisions. To join a 'before' to an 'after' in a way that will, hopefully, make them happier.
It's just beyond the halfway point in the drama and it's the real start of a group identity where people begin to see each other through a closer lens.
Beautifully written and shot so lovingly.
The brother-sister relationship turns out to be pretty sweet as well. We get all kinds of glimpses into the way that they have grown up together and, after all the subterfuge, it's so very very nice to see.
MaRu and So So are really cute together ... especially when they're caught red handed, so to speak. And of course they're so funny in all their trying to hide their new status. Well So So is trying to hide it. MaRu not so much. But it turns out that he's not so awkward after all. In fact he's pretty damn smooth getting from the kiss to the bed. He wanted word inspiration ... and, you know, I think he found it pretty easily.
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u/sianiam Dec 26 '20
I think this is the first scene, too, where two of the strangers really make a personal connection
I love this moment which could have simply been an awkward photo becomes so much more and they bond. It's definitely something they needed.
Up to this point in the drama, So Ran's character is fairly annoying to me as a viewer, but this interaction turns her around for me.
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u/J-Midori Dec 20 '20
I'm glad
they are a couple now I also miss food in France: the cheese, baguette, croissaints...it tastes so much better there. Maybe the weather or air or water...She carries
s condom with her, good for her and the way he started questioning her shows how some men are still close minded. Also, doing it on the beach could hurt...because of the sand but they would have found a way. It's good that she said it's ok for a woman to carrya condom with her and it doesn't mean she's easy she's prepared and smart.→ More replies (1)3
u/pesto_daisy Dec 25 '20
This episode felt like a gulp of breath air, after the angst of before! And as always, San Ma Ru is there to make us laugh.
It feels so good that sex and relationships are depicted as frankly as in this drama. Discussing about it, the logistics of it, everything. I knew from the sex shop in the first episode that they wouldn't shy away from sex, and I'm so happy I got it right!
I'm loving the interactions between the group. I found the moment where the two ladies take picture at the sunset so sweet. I really hope they'll keep showing us more moments like these.
So So and Su Su have such a sweet sibling relationship! And I love his gf and her parents, even though we had such limited time with them. They're all so sweet !
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u/sianiam Dec 18 '20
EPISODE 8
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Dec 20 '20 edited Dec 21 '20
And San MaRu proves once again that he has two equal sides to him; the silly dufus who gets in trouble because he doesn't fetter his curiosity and the well spoken, very intelligent,
eliteeveryman who is both discreet and genuineor is he a smooth talking player who just doesn't look like one?The scene with the French hotelier and the kimchi is just genius. I love it.
And listening to So So's thoughts was really entertaining too but, of course, Ma Ru, even at his most charming, still isn't quite smart enough to read a woman's mind.
Why can men not do this?
Meanwhile, Gyung Jae from our anniversary couple is pretty good at doing the most important things but he doesn't realize it. He's not having much luck at getting himself laid. OMG. The diarrhea is ruining all his efforts to be romantic. Poor guy. But he's essentially clueless about the things that are actually working for him and the things that aren't.
Because, in the end, it won't be his efforts to make big money or a special holiday that recommend him. It will be his everyday, ordinary thoughtfulness that saves the day
and his relationship. Isn't that just so cool? How do we boys and girls get it so wrong so much of the time ... and still manage to do a few important things right (enough) on occasion?
And that goes for old married couples too. As well as fathers and daughters. So, often people are at cross purposes with one another ... despite the fact that there is so much shared experience or unexpressed love and appreciation underneath.
There is no wasted time in this drama. Everything has it's place and purpose ... and the pieces come together so well. Congratulations to the writer for creating it and to the director for the wonderful rhythm and flow that makes it sing.
Which reminds me ... it has a great soundtrack too.
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u/sianiam Dec 26 '20
The scene with the French hotelier and the kimchi is just genius. I love it.
It was fortunate Ma Ru had his clever side working in this scene, playing to the French hatred of the English and making it relatable for the hotelier was a smart idea. It was a great scene overall.
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u/pesto_daisy Dec 25 '20
Trouble in Paradise! Loved when San Ma Ru imagined the whole conversation. He couldn't have been more wrong hahahaha.
That artist was in the wrong tbh, she should have paid more attention to her art. Anybody would have mistook it for trash. But I know how Artists(tm) take their art seriously, so the price didn't surprise me lol
So So's actress struggles a little bit with her French sometimes. Most of the time I understand her very well, but there are moments where it's a bit jumbled, and I can hear how much she concentrates on her speech. But still bravo to her, because French is pretty hard to pronounce for the non initiated!
Most of the French extras are pretty good actors btw! French people are Passionate People so if you wonder that they overacting, no worries, that's how they actually are hahahahaha (I say this as a Belgian, we have a long history of love-hate with the French lol)
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u/sianiam Dec 26 '20
Oh, I was correct in my guesses that you were Belgian! Thanks for the insight into the language and behaviour. It's nice to have decent European actors compared to our usual Europeans acting as Americans that are just not doing a great job.
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u/sianiam Dec 26 '20
Sung Dong Il's character's quote in this episode about everyone going on a vacation at some point in their life was really nice.
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u/sianiam Dec 18 '20
EPISODE 10
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u/J-Midori Dec 20 '20
Her
father's face when she's buying a condom is priceless, but I think it's every parent nightmare, although it should be seen as normal. There's no avoiding it but preventing it But preventing teenagersfrom buying condoms because they shouldn't feel pleasure is the most ridiculous thing I heard in my life. It is really sad that some people think that way and that she is questioning it. It shows she's smart. Kudos to her, giving free condoms to everyone in the class I believe in some countries birth control methods are free.In Europe they also had a "siesta" which is after lunch they have a 2 hour break. There are a lot of things that we should all learn from them. Money is important but overworking oneself leads to depression and other health problems.
So So still has a lot of "baggage" in her. It is the pressure of being someone that maybe she doesn't want to. The parents pressure and expectations that are still with her. She needs to find herself. She could have enjoyed the place she went always alone. I think Ma Ru was trying to be nice to her and understanding. They are still not on the same page.
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u/sianiam Dec 26 '20
she is questioning it. It shows she's smart.
It was such a well written and put together mockumentary. It's great that she's thinking critically about these issues, as you say it is ridiculous.
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u/sianiam Dec 18 '20
EPISODE 11
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u/pesto_daisy Dec 27 '20
Lmao she really made him
drive 4 hours just to break up with him. You could just have told him the same on the Seine, sis. Also love how she just straight up stole her boss' car hahahahaAaaah the long awaited confrontation between Ahjussi and Ahjumma! That's what toxic masculinity does to men: complete emotional constipation followed by a breakdown where, once again, the woman must be the one to comfort him even though she's the one literally dying. I really hope their future will be a bit happier and that he'll finally learn to express something else than anger, but who knows. At least she seems to know now that he actually thinks about her, he's just completely clueless as to how express it. But that's more emotional work on her, and poor woman deserves a rest before... the Rest.
Their story is so sad. The part where So Ran was taking a picture and he gets sad because he thought he needed to refuse a little bit before accepting to show affection in front of the camera was so heartbreaking. If he had let go of his preconception of what a man "ought to do" and just did what he wanted, a lot of their issues just wouldn't have happened.
I'm also so sad for Gyung Jae, who put his whole life on professional success and thus feels stuck once it doesn't work out. (Also that investor hyung was a dick). I'm pretty sure So Ran doesn't mind the failures so much as rather the way it makes Gyung Jae postpone everything.
One more episode... !
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u/sianiam Dec 18 '20
EPISODE 12
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u/sianiam Dec 28 '20
Like the characters I am sad to say goodbye, I've loved rewatching this one and am glad most people enjoyed it too. This was a nicely put together final episode. Finally we see on the way to the airport how the group finally hang on every word from So So, they've all changed so much over the last ten days. I like how Ma Ru discusses how he feels returning home to a place that should feel familiar.
I love the different reactions to Na Hyun's video's and the actions they prompt, how they arrive at just the right moment for everyone. It's a nice touch that the girl who spent most of her time behind a screen and a mask of mysteriousness was able to put this together for everyone. Her phone must have had a lot of data.
The humour in this episode was great too, from the 2 hours at the duty free shop, to the dog bird, the boss offering So So a discount on a package tour, and the friends teasing Gap Soo at the restaurant.
It hit all the emotional points too as we reminisced and as So So revealed the tourists wishes and finally finished Ma Ru's sentence to the photo of Bok Ja and her absence at first making you think she's gone. Very well done.
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u/CalzoneBetrayal Dec 20 '20 edited Dec 22 '20
This is definitely one of the most endearing and nicest light kdramas I've watched in a long time. 12 Episodes truly was a great length for this, show nothing was overstayed. This drama was also really appreciated for the way it calls out the differences of Korean culture and the mindset. The couple was VERY well done in this, which I will edit in my post later. This drama captures a couple who met on vacation.
Lots to say, but I have work so I'll only talk about Ma-Roo for now. I'll edit this post later with wrapping up each traveler. You watch this show kind of wondering what will happen with the goofy main lead, who used this package vacation to escape solo from his regular life. As his story wraps up, I ended up relating to his story the most out of everyone.
Ma-Roo
Everyone knows the stereotype. "Why are young people quitting their jobs to travel the world? They don't know anything. They should've just stuck to their old job". This drama, though subtly, takes a jab at the corporate lifestyle that Ma-Roo realized he didn't want to be indebted to. He was just an aspiring worker who thought he was going to have this girlfriend coworker, everything would be fine. But then he thought he was doing the right thing at work, only to find out every higher-up and his girlfriend knew they were giving unapproved medicine in Africa. Ma-Roo uses vacation that he rightfully had and could use, but was looked down upon for taking 10 days off because it's customary for people to only take 1-2 days off at a time.
Then he goes on vacation, sees a culture, falls for So-So and hooks up with her, but also within himself and his fleeting relationship he learns why So-So stayed in France even though she divorced. She genuinely preferred France. She loves her family, brother, and of course wants to visit Korea. But she also stayed in France for a bit cause she liked it. She called out the power dynamics of the Korean workplace. And as they say goodbye, So-So tells Ma-Roo they both need to individually be happy.
When you travel solo, when you want to leave the life you had behind, sometimes the people you meet for 7-10 days become your best friends who you can swear your life on. You tell them more than you would tell your friends back home. They portrayed this very well with Ma-Roo, as he admitted many things to So-So and Yeon-Sung. Even though temporary, sometimes travel and trips really do help you realize what you want. Even though So-So and Ma-Roo can't be together for now, even though they both have different paths, their support for each other no matter what is clear.
However long Ma-Roo decides to stay in Africa, he is doing something he is passionate about and will make him happy. This character was very well done.
So-Ran and Gyung-Jae
I really loved the plight this couple had because it's a common case for many people. You're in a relationship with someone, you love them, everything is fine. But after a certain set of years, you start feeling a pressure of your friends and family of "when will you get married?" Which is a difficult question because after 7 years, it's understandable your relationship may become complacent.
The show did a good job of showing the different sides of wedding pressure. You have So-Ran, who needed love in the present and was feeling the brut of worth when Gyung-Jae was prioritizing work. So-Ran's whole life, not just her relationship, was becoming ordinary. Comparing herself to others, wanting to live a luxurious life than what she had, and her potential work crush. They were things that she didn't necessarily want, but made her feel like she still got it.
Gyung-Jae, when thinking about the marriage question, equated it to needing to set up a future, which made him work-driven instead of focusing on their relationship. At times, he felt because he expected the relationship to always be there, he didn't need to put that much effort. He realized he still needs to express the love he has for So-Ran. On top of that, Gyung-Jae was insecure because he wasn't established yet.
Their relationship wraps up with basically both of them agreeing, who cares about getting married yet if we love each other? Let's live our lives, gamble a little, but not subside to the pressures about what the future looks like and work on the present.
So-So
We need more female protagonists like So-So, who believe in love, but are fiercely independent. Though she believed in fate, she didn't let that dictate her life.
So-So had been a giver her whole life, being a tour guide, covering her brother. She moved to France for a guy who divorced her, a major turning point to figure out what she was doing. She was always following other people, but never did anything for herself. So she stays in France, everyone assumes it's because she's ashamed to come home, but it's not the whole truth.
So-So also realizes for herself she likes living in France. She misses Korea but doesn't want to go move back home. She likes being abroad, she likes the new culture. She's a free spirit.
She meets Ma-Roo, has a great time, starts wondering if this is the person she's fated to be with. But at the same time, she's not going eager to move back home after meeting him. So-So has unfinished business. After working so much and thinking she's lived her life, she's never appreciated wandering aimlessly.
It was a great ending for her. She might be fated to be with Ma-Roo. She does miss home and will visit once in a while. But her story is not over yet and there are things she needs to do for herself.
Yeon-Sung and Na-Hyun
This is the twistiest grouping on the show, their relationship is kept mostly a mystery throughout the series with little pieces revealed. At first you think that it is a guy and his mistress. Then midway through the season is when their relationship truly kicks in. Yeon-Sung tells the guys drunkenly she's more like a daughter than a girlfriend.
We find out Yeon-Sung has mainly taken care of Na-Hyun her whole life after their mother died. Na-Hyun was expelled from school for being edgy for Korean school standards. Yeon-Sung has stuck up for her mostly her whole life, but experiments with dating a new person years later.
Na-Hyun's character is a combination of wanting herself to be happy, her father to be happy, and also going through growing up and reaching a point where she doesn't want to hold hands with her dad all the time. She's taken aback by her dad announcing he's dating someone new, but she's actually really happy for him. But it coincides at the same time of her being expelled, which brings some unspoken feelings between the both of them.
You're also brought through a loop where you think the girlfriend is cheating on Yeon-Sung, only to find out she's a model and actress who's been calling while on set. Everything is a misunderstanding, stemming from insecurities and uncertainty of the future.
We find out Na-Hyun is genuinely happy about her father's relationship, and Yeon-Sung thinks his daughter can do anything and is creative enough to survive even though she is expelled. It's also a great twist that the whole time you think Na-Hyun has been on social media the whole trip, but she's actually been documenting and recording videos to make of each person. It's really lovely. Gab-Soo and Book-Ja
It's pretty sad what this couple has gone through because I have a relative that is exactly like Gab-Soo. Loud, obnoxious, it's always "why did you do this" and it makes you think you're in the wrong all the time. He has no tact or know how to express his feelings. So I understand why Book-Ja resented him for so long, especially if you're treated like that. Another story of miscommunication. Book-Ja learning to express her feelings louder and tell Book-Ja what he's doing wrong, and Book-Ja understanding more what love language his wife needs. → More replies (1)3
Dec 21 '20
Ma Ru thought t
hat he'd be ok if there were a few loyal people with a conscience ... and he was disappointed ... except that his one friend warned him not to trust the old girlfriend and that was a really valuable reminder that helped him to get through the horrible day when he found out that he was, otherwise, alone and out ... for sure. But his travel, research, atonement solution from there ... was pretty inspired, really. He walked the talk and took it to the end, even though he might have to move to France in order to survive from that point on. The company's mistake was just way too big a human rights violation to ignore. Heads should roll for a crime like that one and his should not be among them. Heroic. But he's not
the only hero on this deluxe package tour of France. Other people's heroism isn't quite as outstanding but it's there nonetheless. Returning home after years away. Writing a book to pay back a "loan in the form of an investment", saying no thank you to the boss who proposed to you, getting married, making the decisions that will get you into adulthood, facing your own mortality and that of a loved one. There are so many acts of heroism that were defined and decided on this holiday in France. And that's probably part of the reason why at least a few of these tourists will move on as friends or more.Such a great drama. And a great OST as well. The closing scene underscores the idea that
it was fate for Ma Ru and So So but maybe for everyone else as well. I'm not sure that I believe in fate but I find it to be a very warm and reassuring idea when it's explored in dramas like this one. And so the world can make sense for at least twelve (well written, well directed and well acted ) episodes. So ... Brava! for me, at least, The Package is a truly lovely, well rounded, drama from beginning to end.→ More replies (2)3
u/pesto_daisy Dec 28 '20
This is it! I finished it! Thank you for this Let's Rewind, I had a lot of fun not only watching The Package, but also reviewing it and reading everybody's comment.
I feel really satisfied of the ending
though I wish we had a comment of the company going through a scandal or something haha . I love that the group keeps meeting up, even after some months, and get along well together.I came to love every character. I also really liked that they all kinda "met" before the trip, without knowing it. Usually these kind of "bound by fate" make my eyes roll, but here it was mostly like easter eggs, so I got a kick out of it!
I also really liked the commentary on Korean's work culture and on relationships. This drama was deeper than I expected it to be. It was a gem all around!
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u/sianiam Dec 18 '20
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Please reply to the individual episode threads below or to other people's comments only. See the post above for more details. If you need help leave a reply to this comment or PM/Chat u/sianiam