Chicago Typewriter
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Chicago Typewriter
Chicago Typewriter is a compelling 2017 South Korean television series that masterfully blends fantasy, romance, comedy, and historical drama. The narrative intricately weaves together the lives of three individuals in present-day Korea – a celebrated writer experiencing a slump, a passionate fan, and a mysterious ghostwriter – who discover their past lives as resistance fighters during the 1930s Japanese occupation of Korea. The series explores themes of reincarnation, friendship, love, and betrayal, set against a backdrop of historical struggle. Targeted at young adults and adults, particularly fans of K-dramas with complex plots and emotional depth, the show has received age ratings such as TV-14 and 15, suggesting content suitable for viewers aged 14 and older. It offers a unique blend of genres, engaging viewers with its mystery, humor, and poignant historical elements, making it an appropriate watch for those looking for a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Things to Consider
Disrespect & Rebellion
A central theme of the series is rebellion against oppressive authority. The historical plot focuses on Korean 'resistance fighters' during the Japanese occupation, depicting their struggle for freedom and acts of defiance. This is a significant and positively portrayed aspect of the narrative.
The series depicts 'three resistance fighters who lived during the 1930s Japanese occupation of Korea'. It explores the idea that 'stories can be acts of rebellion, that memory itself is a form of resistance', and conveys a 'patriotism message specifically dedicated to the angst of single adults, who are whistle-blowers of a corrupt government'.
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Violence
The series includes violence primarily stemming from its historical setting during the Japanese occupation of Korea, depicting resistance fighters and their struggles. It mentions 'dead threats,' 'murder attempts,' and 'action' elements, with the term 'Chicago Typewriter' itself referring to a gun. While described as 'very mild' in some contexts, the presence of a rebellion inherently involves conflict.
Romance and Sexual Content
The drama features a significant romantic storyline, described as being 'in large quantities' and employing an 'enemies to lovers' trope. While romance is a central element, there is no indication of explicit sexual scenes or graphic nudity, consistent with K-drama conventions for its age rating.
Witchcraft & Occult
The series prominently features supernatural and occult themes through its core plot device of reincarnation and the presence of a ghost character, Yoo Jin Oh. A mysterious typewriter also serves as a catalyst for recalling past lives, suggesting magical or supernatural influence rather than explicit witchcraft rituals.
Scary & Intense Content
The show contains suspenseful and intense moments, particularly within the 1930s historical storyline. Descriptions include 'high stakes,' 'suspense,' 'dead threats,' and 'murder attempts,' stemming from the dangerous reality of resistance fighting during a colonial occupation.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
No evidence was found in the provided search results to indicate the presence of LGBTQ+ characters or themes within "Chicago Typewriter (2017)". The content warnings and reviews do not mention any such representation.
Profanity
While general age ratings (such as 15 or TV-14) can sometimes imply 'strong language,' there were no specific mentions or detailed descriptions of explicit profanity or frequent use of strong curse words directly attributed to the content of 'Chicago Typewriter (2017)' in the reviewed sources.
Substance Use
Similar to profanity, the general age ratings (e.g., 15 or TV-14) may broadly suggest 'drug use' as a possibility for such a rating. However, there were no specific details, warnings, or descriptions in the search results indicating active, explicit, or central substance use in 'Chicago Typewriter (2017)'.
Anti-Christian Themes
No evidence was found in the search results to suggest the presence of anti-Christian themes, mockery of Christian beliefs, or sacrilegious acts against Christian symbols or figures within 'Chicago Typewriter (2017)'.
Chicago Typewriter presents a rich narrative that, from a Christian worldview, offers both points of alignment and divergence. Core themes revolve around camaraderie, friendship, love, and betrayal, echoing biblical calls for loyalty, self-sacrifice, and forgiveness. The historical plot, focusing on resistance against oppression, aligns with a Christian understanding of justice and standing against evil, though methods of resistance may vary from biblical teachings of non-violence in some contexts. The show highlights the lasting impact of past actions and the desire for redemption and resolution across generations, which can resonate with Christian themes of atonement and reconciliation. Characters are generally shown wrestling with moral decisions, with consequences for both virtuous and flawed choices, suggesting a form of moral accountability. The worldview presented leans towards a transcendent view of life, given the central role of reincarnation and a ghost character. While biblical doctrine rejects reincarnation, the concept within the show serves as a metaphor for unresolved issues and inherited burdens that affect present lives, akin to generational sin or consequences in a Christian framework. The show emphasizes the power of stories and memory as a form of resistance and identity preservation. Family values are implicitly explored through friendships that become as strong as familial bonds, and the show focuses on the formation of strong interpersonal connections. Faith representation is absent in terms of specific Christian faith, but the underlying quest for meaning, justice, and enduring love can be seen as universal human longings that ultimately point to a Creator. The show offers an opportunity to discuss the nature of love, sacrifice, and the impact of history from a redemptive perspective, even while acknowledging differing beliefs about the afterlife.
Additional Context
Best For Ages
14+. The series is officially rated TV-14 by Netflix in the US and Canada, and 15 in the UK, with Viki rating it PG-13. This recommendation is due to its complex themes, historical violence related to a rebellion, supernatural elements involving a ghost and reincarnation, and romantic storylines, which may be more suitable for a mature teenage audience.
Good to Know
The dual timeline narrative means that some of the more intense elements (violence, rebellion) are concentrated in the historical 1930s storyline, which is presented as flashbacks or through the collaborative writing process in the present. The series is generally well-regarded for its writing and emotional depth, particularly concerning patriotism and the connection between past and present lives.
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