Welcome to the K-drama treasure hunt, where we all go looking for K-drama treasure in the form of tiny drama details that we know and love. Sometimes these details take the shape of well-worn tropes (oppa Band-Aiding) or storytelling devices (Top Secret Deadly Allergy), but other times it’s just details we know we’ve seen in other dramas, but need help putting all the clues together.
Each week we’ll put you on the hunt for a piece of K-drama treasure, and you can report your findings in the comments.
There’s no umpire in this game, so if you find the detail we’re looking for, drop the drama title (or even better, drama title + episode number) in the comments, and we’ll all take your word for it. Or, we’ll go binge watch just to see it play out.
And remember, we’re here to map our way to the treasures not to the plot twists! We know how exciting as it can be to have all the hard-earned details stashed in your head, but let’s try to keep the spoilers out of the comments.
This week’s treasure:
Claw machines
Your mission:
Who doesn’t love winning prizes? And in dramaland, the best place to win a prize is the neighborhood claw machine. Usually it’s the heroine, with a stack of coins to one side, tirelessly grasping at that one stuffed bear that will prove once and for all she’s not a failure, by gum. If she could only get ahold of it! But whether it’s the heroine, the hero, or a childhood flashback — if you’ve found a claw machine, you’ve already won.
Reference drama:
Doona! (Episode 2)
Have an idea for the next treasure hunt? Email your topic to hello @ dramabeans.com!