Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History

From 기황후, artwork by Two_ii

https://www.sageukparadise.com/sageuk-paradise/p/wellbehavedwomenstickers

Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History — 사극 Paradise

A common saying here in the US among those of us who lean strongly toward feminism is "Well Behaved Women seldom make history." I find this to be particularly apt when I watch the 사극. It's not the well behaved and virtuous women who get celebrated or remembered.  It's the ones who decide to cross a few lines.  And, I like many of these misbehaving characters.  Some of whom are leads, and some of whom aren't.  

Some people think I'm a bit out of my mind for liking Princess 숟명 from 화랑. For instance, she tries to "dispose of" 아로 many times, and has an interest in 선우, which is a major threat to 아로. To which I say: "So what?" 아로 was somewhat of a boring character anyway.  The Princess is interesting because she is precise in what she wants. She is not whiny, and she most certainly is not "wishy-washy."  And when she wants something, she doesn't hesitate, she doesn't have lengthy conversations with her girl friends highlighting all of her insecurity.  Instead, she just goes for it. (My kind of lady)!  It's also awesome that in spite of her chronic illness, she is excellent at martial arts, and at making political decisions.

Some people said 한희재 from 나의 나라 was too pushy, nosy, and bossy.  What? She's only demonstrating great leadership skills.  Does she screw up in the beginning, and have to learn the hard way the disastrous consequences of her actions? Yes, she does, but...she learns from the mistake, and goes to great lengths to improve so that she doesn't make it again.  That is what good leaders are supposed to do.  And again, what makes her likeable to me is that she doesn't whine, or engage in long, extended conversations with her girlfriends about all of her insecurities.  I find that very annoying.

Meet 황진주, from "Warrior 백동수."  She is the leader of a gang of mostly male bandits who are doing what they need to do in order to survive. Sometimes, ability and skill trumps gender.

기황후 is my favorite.  If we really want to talk about overcoming systemic/institutionalized xenophobia and sexism, she is a perfect example.  Sexism in the sense that a more dominant nation felt entitled to receive a specified number of women every three years to serve the emperor. Yikes! Can you imagine? That would be the equivalent of sending a large number of teenage girls every three years to Donald Trump! Ew!!  So, she had to be taken away against her will to serve an Emperor in a political system that very strongly looked down on her culture. From the intense judgement, prejudices, and pressure, she was able to break past these barriers and become an Empress.

Chu Qiao from "Princess Agents," because I haven't watched the show yet, I do not know much about her.  Awhile ago, someone had requested her image, and I delivered.  I do, however, plan on watching this show very, very soon.  Perhaps this is what I should watch after I finish "Love Between Fairy and Devil."  And once I do, I will most certainly talk a little more about her.

These stickers are on holographic paper, and are much more versatile than my other stickers.  Because they are holographic, it is challenging taking good pictures of them, but trust me, they look really nice, and they are suitable to stick to your water bottle.