It’s time for another new episode of Miss Korea and I’m so excited! I like to think that MBC‘s success with its far-out Empress Ki on Mon-Tues is allowing the network to bankroll the vastly underrated MK without cutting it short or decreeing “makjang twists for all” to try and revive its ratings. This is one drama that is nearly perfect for me, with its flaws so utterly insignificant when viewed opposite its strengths. The new stills are out for episode 11 and it shows the Miss Korea pageant contestants headed to the hotel retreat to prep for the big night. I’m hoping for lots of laughs and less bullying, even if I think Ji Young can more than hold her own. I just think it’s a cheap shot however realistic to show the contestants going for underhanded tricks over a genuine skills test. As Madam Ma and Madam Yang’s repeated training tactics have shown, this competition isn’t about looks at all but about presentation. It’s about embodying the image of Miss Korea inside and out, a symbol for the Korean public to hash over especially in a time of great financial worry and uncertainty. A recent article in TV Report discusses how MK is a critically lauded drama that is getting kudos for presenting the realistic concerns around future and finances and shows how people who are pushed to the brink (Ji Young with no job or prospects, Hyung Joon with his company on the line, Teacher Jang with his fate tied to Hyung Joon) have the guts to try obtain a solution however impossible it seems. Apparently MBC did their homework with in-depth research and interviews with Miss Korea contestants and is candidly showing the real mental backstage battle between the contestants. The article also goes on to say that the sweet romance between Hyung Joon and Ji Young is also beloved by the audience, especially the realistic and low key break up when the college Hyung Joon and the not interested in college Ji Young had different priorities in life. I totally agree with this assessment of what makes MK such a well produced drama and I must add that the OST continues to get better with last week’s release of a new track called “Hero” by J-Min which is the song used when Ji Young is struggling. I love it to pieces and have a listen below after you scroll past the entertaining sneak peek pictures of the upcoming episode 11.

J-Min’s “Hero” OST for Miss Korea:

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