Note 2: Initials in Media
In Korea, almost all media reports use initials. It’s because the bar for winning a defamation lawsuit is incredibly low in Korea. You can say the truth and still lose a defamation lawsuit.
For example, a few years ago, a married man had an affair with a female coworker, a woman who knew the man was married with children. When the man’s wife found out, she filed for divorce and sent a huge cake in a clear box that read: “Happy birthday, Adulteress!” to the coworker at work. (FYI - Adultery is heavily frowned upon in Korea, to the point that it can work against you professionally. For example, you may not be chosen for promotions or special projects, your colleagues may not want to associate with you, etc.)
The coworker sued the wife for defamation and won 1,000,000 Korean won in damages. However, the wife also sued the coworker for pain and suffering due to the adultery and won 8,000,000 Korean won in damages.
Note 3: The Primary Residence
The primary residence is generally where the parents live with their older son and his family. Other children (younger sons and daughters) live there as well until marriage. Yuna moves out earlier, however. This is allowed / acceptable in modern times.
Note 4: Banchan
Banchan is a side dish often served with Korean meals, which come with steamed rice, at least one soup and one type of kimchi and some banchan dishes.
Banchan can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian. In general, banchan dishes are time-consuming to make. These days, many people buy pre-made banchan from stores.
In Korean table d’hote, you get 3, 5, 7, 9, or 12 banchans (or cheop) in addition to the soup and kimchi. There is no grilling at the table, like Korean barbecue. This is what Yuna and Declan have when he decides to take her out for Korean food.
An interesting trivia for you:
During the last dynasty, Korean kings were served 9 or 12 banchans. Because the attendants and so on ate what he couldn’t eat, the royal kitchen prepared a huge quantity of everything.
However, when a king was upset with his officials or if there was a famine, he’d order the royal kitchen to prepare only banchans, or even nothing but rice and water (or porridge).
Since nobody in the palace could eat better than the king, all the officials, the queen, the concubines, attendants and guards had to eat whatever gruel(?) was the royal choice.
Note 5: Taegyo
Taegyo is the belief that a pregnant woman should only be exposed to—and have—lovely and moral thoughts, lovely and pure words and things to ensure the best outcome for the baby in her womb.
Swearing, drinking, smoking, stress, shock, anger, etc. are all considered terrible for taegyo. It’s a staple in Korean romance for a woman to lose her baby due to poor taegyo (mainly from shock and extreme stress).
Note 6: Food as Gifts
In Korea, people often give food as gifts. For example, when you visit somebody, you bring a basket of fruit. And the food isn’t limited to just fruit. It can be fish (which made my editors go, “huh?”) and meat. When you’re giving food as a gift, you have to buy the highest grade items. Otherwise, it’s an insult.
Note 7: The In-Law Conflict
The in-law conflict can be significant in Korean marriage. It’s usually between a woman and her husband’s mother and/or a woman and her husband’s sister(s). It can be so bad that some married couples divorce over it.
It can be rather ridiculous and petty because some of the ones you see in popular dramas and books go something like this (Thankfully, I myself have never experienced in-law drama, but I heard it does happen from many people):
Scenario 1:
MIL: Did you have breakfast? (meaning: Did you make my son breakfast?)
DIL: No.
MIL: (scolds for neglecting the husband and being lazy)
MIL: Did you have breakfast? (meaning: Did you make my son breakfast?)
DIL: Yes.
MIL: What did you make?
DIL: (lists what she made)