Dramas are such a wonderful escape into romance, action, mystery and
comedy. But what can be even sweeter and bizarre are the real stories that
emerge.
Story 1: Drama worthy - Romance
Married for 30 years, Toshiyuki Kuroki and his wife Yasuko reside in the Miyazaki Prefecture. She began having issues with her vision and went blind within a week.
As a great showcase of his love for her after, he spent years planting thousands of pink shibazakura flowers and making a beautiful garden to attract visitors to their home so his wife would not feel lonely.
What an amazing gesture of love.
Source: Daily Mail
Story 2: Drama Worthy Melodrama/Suspense
Anyone for a love triangle? Due to preference for sons in China there is a very uneven ratio of boys to girls born. It is estimated that China will end up with 30 million bachelors. While rich guys would probably be the main option for most available ladies, what about the poor guys?
A drama based on this could highlight a fierce competition for love or arranged marriages by the parents.
Source: CCTV America
Story 3: Drama Worthy Comedy/Slice of life
Dramas featuring impressively talented senior citizens that the lead can look up to and learn from are often heart warming and full of deep character connections. How about this for one: Wang Deshun, 80, is known as China’s hottest Grandpa.
He literally looks like he stepped out of a fierce anime right onto the catwalk.
What an inspiration to be a model and such a sensational one at that!
Source: New York Times
Story 4: Drama Worthy Romantic Comedy
Old news but still interesting (and not yet a drama that I know of): Boyfriend Rentals in China.
With so much parental and peer pressure at a certain age to be married, some women are resorting to "renting a boyfriend" for dates and appearances to ward off some of the mounting stress. Maybe this could be a solution for the impending bachelor crisis? The "left over women" might have a second chance at love!
(model photos below)
This could make for an interesting rom-com.
The rates seem to be negotiable; with extra costs for hand holding, kissing, etc. However, not everyone agrees with the idea of a "rented boyfriend."
Source: CBC
Story 5: Drama Worthy Weekend Family/Long Running
Need to fill the wedding hall, but don't have enough friends or too many frenemies? Rent some guests to fill it up!
Many South Koreans perform on the side, in what we might think of as "actor-extra" work, to attend and fill seats in actual weddings as a supplemental income.
The rental biz has also filled some roles for fake parents, fake employers, fake spouses, fake boyfriends, and fake girlfriends from other rental requests. This sounds like all kinds of story scenarios could come out of it. There is some effort, like in maintaining a tidy appearance and fulfilling the job the performer/guest filler has booked.
Source: NPR
As for an actual film, based on a true story:
My Love Don’t Cross That River
Married for 76 years, this highly acclaimed documentary on the loving relationship between 98 year old Jo Byeong Man and 89 year old Kang Kye Yeol known as the ‘100-year-old love birds’.
This film is sure to move your heart.