I am motivated at this moment, especially since we're all looking over at South Korea, to tell you about something that might be radical in the positive sense, given their culture is, not unlike North America's, culturally bound up in religio-philosophical patriarchy. They're infested with (Neo-)Confucianism, while we've got institutionalized "Christianity".
Honestly, this is more upbeat than patriarchy, though. One of the first Korean (Joseon) historical fantasies I watched - a genre roughly equivalent to (North) American westerns - is from 2021, Royal Secret Inspector and Joy. It's 16 episodes, and is a comedy in the Shakespearean sense. (We need a better word for these....)
Let me explain a few tropes and such before getting into the nifty parts. First, the Joseon period lasted an astonishing 500 years before its final dissolution, with what I have inferred was an amazing amount of consistency in its culture. There was more than 1 Chinese-based invasion; given the many tribes and dynasties, it's the Qing who must be specified.
This particular invasion (early/middle 1600s, Western calendar) took the king's two oldest sons as hostages; the Crown Prince eventually came home with many ideas learned during his captivity, which caused his father's jealousy, fear, and anger. He died under dubious circumstances, and this has been both a wound and a fascination for Korea.
There's at least three series, including our subject, with the Crown Prince's return and/or death as a plot anchor - Secret Royal Inspector (similar in many ways, but not at all identical) is one, and a Three Musketeers riff is another. It's a real alternate-history-type pivot point.
Cultural points/tropes non-Koreans might need to know: Age hierarchy is much more important overall, even in violation of manners. Shoes are always left outside. Meals are served with many side dishes to be mixed in according to taste or preference (unless you're too poor). Slavery was fairly common, but of other ethnic Koreans, often due to debt.
Due to Confucianism's concept of hair and the intactness of the body, men - especially upper class - wore their hair in a topknot, sometimes with hair jewelry. Hats were worn to protect the hair, but due to Korea's vehement weather, also provide comfort. Married women could wear bulky false braids, reflecting an old fashion - now it's just for weddings.
Fascinating sad story about why. Like many fashions, hair started to be braided up and got more elaborate, bejewelled, and bulky with padding as it went on. When a child bride, all done up in finest style, had her neck snapped from the weight of her headdress, the king banned the whole thing. From then on, simpler false braids and tiny pillbox hats.
Our series in question has unusual characters, which is part of why it's stealthily rebellious: A nobleman who would rather cook ("women's work") and run a dumpling shop (middle-class work); a would-be divorcee; slaves who act more like employees; a surprisingly sympathetic murderer; a ruthless trade prince who's female-bodied; and Returning Ladies.
Returning Ladies are a whole subject in themselves, and something that Joseon/Korea refused to learn from at least until now. Even now is dubious! At least there's memorials to them, and documentaries, and public reminders now.
[pauses meandering until after Friday things are done]
[pauses meandering until after Friday things are done]
A comedy ends in a wedding; a tragedy ends in a funeral.
mthorkveld: Sure, you know that; I know that. You say "comedy" to Netflix captions, and people are going to presume "hahaha" all the way through.
Like the original Italian "comedio del arte" is not all funny either. There may be some funny assumptions and twists but the main story is more serious.
sjonsvenson: See, we need a word, don't we!