What I liked about Beef the most is that I felt sympathy for all of the characters, everyone was so wonderfully written and while I hated the choices some of the characters made, at the same time I understood the reasons why and everything was unfolding the way it was.

So many themes this 10 episode show was able to cover. Revenge might be the biggest one. But it also touches on depression. The alienation of modern society/capitalism. The many cultural and class pressures that lead to isolation, alienation, and depression, and how those same factores make it hard to address the core problems. What was so unique was how the shows themes surrounding capitalism and modern society didn’t boil down to “rich people bad.” But actually showed how everyone, even the better off, are trapped in this society. Though of course, those with money have it significantly better. While I’m not Asian, most of my friends are and their perspectives were really illuminating. There was a lot of pointed nuanced criticism and insight into the unique and often self destructive struggles Asians Americans (specifically Korean, Chinese, and Japanese) face in assimilating into American society. The show showed examples of how money, racism, cultural norms, and more work together to alienate these people and even sometimes bastardize their cultures (the selling of the chair was very symbolic here). Many of these issues stemming from an unwillingness to address and talk about these and other problems. Ultimately an unwillingness to prioritize connectedness in a world that asks us to prioritize ourselves. But all of these issues served as unique yet tangential experiences of being alienated from others (even your own family) as a result of generational trauma and the pressures of living in a modern world that pushes us to climb to the top to survive, by any means necessary. That is something anyone can relate to. The interesting thing about the beef in Beef is that it was an outlet to achieving the illusive desire to connect in an authentic and raw way emotionally to another human being. In this case because it was through anger, it led to the absolute worst outcome for both involved. But it was almost inevitable.

both of them were waiting to snap out of the endless cycle and let everything out without even realising it. super good video!!

Danny and Amy both needed help but refused to get it and I think thats what the show was about. A cautionary tale about how avoiding to admit you need help can lead not just to self destruction but also can hurt all the people around them.

I was eerily relating a lot to Amy. Just days before I watched this series, I honked continuously at this guy in a car at a Taco Bell drive thru for cutting me in line. I screamed a lot, very angrily and loudly, total ape shit. And I’m a very quiet introverted person. If he had gotten in the car I might’ve hit him. Plus my driver license was expired..I’m sure you can see where it could’ve went super wrong. Some people walking by laughed (my window was down), which made me feel embarrassed and I stopped. I was like..why did I act like that?? And this show gave me the answer. I love this show. It’s so realistic yet funny. I love how it balanced the two.

I found it very poignant how you say that self-destruction doesn't free you, it just makes the prison permanent. I have found this to be true in my own life as well. You may feel something in the moment, but it doesn't fix this root issue of emptiness. This is something everyone spends their entire life chasing. That is why I found this show so scary. And to the finale.. what is the fix of this emptiness? Connection? Self forgiveness? I don't know. I'm trying to figure it out myself. Until we do, we have to whote knuckle our lives and not just blow them up bc we can't fake it anymore :/

dude this was seriously amazing!! you have a talent for phrasing and pulling apart text in a way that is truly metaphorical! keep going!!

This is a powerful show. Seems like they're trying effortlessly to break out of the nightmarish circumstances they're forced to deal with. There's so much more to BEEF than just being all about the back and forth arguments.

This review was very insightful. I cried by the end of the show, and maybe a little before that lol. It reminded me so much of moments of my own rage and need for self destruction when I’m at my worst.

Amazing analysis! Another theme that I felt is underlooked in this show is Money. The show displayed how money can be both the fulfillment and the poison in our lives. Money can be lifechanging, but it can also destroy everything around you when you get too greedy.

If only Danny had look for his receipt while waiting in line, he would have found it and stayed in the store a little longer for the refunds, and Amy would have driven by and none of this would have happen. But that doesn't mean their lives are better...

Great video! Succinct while capturing the emotions the series invoked so eloquently. Something that really stood out to me was how unselfish (in a subverted way) the characters were. Had they merely looked for themselves and looked after their own interest, treated the road-rage incident as an incident instead of treating it as an offence, they could have gone on with their lives. But they chose to go out of their way to hurt each other. They put in time, effort, emotions, and so much more to hurt each other. Once they made their moves in what they thought was a game of chess, the dominoes started tumbling. I absolutely loved the show! I watched it a couple of weeks ago, and it has been on my mind since then!

Bad choices. Lies. There is a path to happiness and contentment but they continually choose against it.

Well done with your analysis, it encaptured my unspoken feelings when I was watching this show. I went to watch the show without knowing what it was ( I didn't watch trailers or anything) And then it was just a painfully interesting and entertaining rollercoaster of a story. I loved it, and I loved your take on it.

I like the way you interpreted this. Cause this movie felt like a rollercoaster, very relatable and emotional.

I’ve been waiting on a good Beef analysis!! Brilliantly thought out 💫

Dude, this is gold. Hope this video is your tipping point which takes this channel on an exponential path. Will subscribe now, hope you put more such content. Good luck.

Why do I cry every time Amy cries? This show is so crazy, yet so relatable... Minus what Amy does with a glock 😂

It hit hard when you mentioned the parallel of distractions in most of us through checking social media, finding hobbies and recipe. When do you get to stay with “me”, the good, bad and ugly！

This video was truly impressive! Please keep using your gift of storytelling to break down more shows! Loved this!

I have not had a video personally hit me this hard in a long time. Self destruction is a something I regularly participate in and it is something that is so prevalent in the lives of those I love. Thank you for not just appraising art but issuing the challenge to us consumers to really engage with life, not run from it.

This got randomly recommended to me, very good video essay, you will blow up.

I went into the show thinking it would be like an out there comedy, but the second the hibachi grill scene happened did i know i was in for something completely different and much more profound, disguised as a comedy.

I loved the hell out of this show for the exact reasons you mentioned. Awesome video my man, more in depth dives such as this would be awesome!

it was honestly a show about self love

I love the music in this show, it kicks off at the first episode's last scene.

Hey! I have seen the show like three times now, rewatching some of the moments that I liked most. Every time I discover something new. There are a lot of details, for example Amy's last visit alone to the psychiatrist and the face expressions. It was like she was trying to say the truth. The tong behind the lips. Maybe its not related, but I just read it that way. Anyway, very interesting video and thank you for sharing your thoughts!! Cheers!

Maybe it's more about being true to yourself and learn to let things go. At the very end they opened heart for each other and finally let go of anything else while hugging together. This drama is so great to explain the deep layer of life.

Correct me if im wrong but it seemed like everytime the sought each other out was at a peak of a problem or emotions they were struggling with

Loved your analysis! It was the most insightful compared to others I have watched.

Loved this show sm and it was very relatable and also the soundtrack was amazing

I think this analysis of the series is just like Jordan in Beef. Asian or especially Korean struggle seems inaccessible to the majority of American culture. Yes, the protagonists cage is self made but it’s also inherited. Just like the movie hints at inherited expectations towards the protagonists (you do realize that both of ‘em take their moment of solitude, their escape away from the ‘hunt for beef’ with chicken sandwiches) and hints at deeper struggles (Isaacs mention of his childhood) unrecognized by the characters themselves, there is no acknowledgement of uniquely Asian or Korean struggles in this analysis. Just like Jordan is unable to really understand the people around her, Asian Americans seem to remain not understood, not seen. Maybe not by the protagonists themselves cause they’re entangled in their own hunt for beef (cause there’s beef and then there’s beef, right. Supermarket beef a lot in between and then there’s Hanwoo beef), for a better life, for being seen. And this cycle gets only broken when everything is stripped away and their dependance on each other is made obvious by the situation of being stranded in somewhat of a no man’s land. Only then Amy and Danny start to rid themselves of their baggage

a24 is a huge middlefinger for hollywood serving the same shit over and over again.

This is such a great video . I really enjoyed Beef and this video essay does a great job breaking down the meaning of this show. Look forward to season 2.

Your analysis of the series on this video is unbelievable!!

This show is straight Fight Club

Such a great show and breakdown in this video! Bravo!

Great synopsis

Alienation is universal. Brilliant series. Helpful summary. Thanks

Really good analysis! I hope you make more content like this!

Amazing video, you've got a new sub. Excited to watch you grow man!!

Surprisingly insightful analysis

The shows tone and storytelling is similar to breaking bad and better call saul. But the ending is similar to bcs, aka them losing everthing first in order to change and embrace that theyre the problem in everyones life including themselves.

Great insight. Look forward to your new reviews

Love the breakdown. Felt every bit of it but didn’t know how to express it. 🙏

I remember the bit where they both drive each other off a cliff the first thing i'd thought was "is this a Park Chan Wook homage?" After they're revealed to have survived I realized I was wrong.

u a underrated channel fr, well made vid

This was a good distraction. Thanks!

Wow. You said exactly how this show made me feel

I really saw myself in both Danny and Amy. I even have some close friends who have issues like the two and have known those who were like Isaac and Jordana.

Just a fantastic, original series. LOVED IT

Immediately subscribed. As a former film minor, this hit me in the feels. Thanks for this.

Very insightful take..deep dive on such shows and movies are what i am looking for..Beef was how Fargo season 3 and 4 should have been but failed to take off after a masterful season 2...subscribed !!

Beautiful analysis :)

Although I don’t agree that these characters are “who we truly are” I enjoyed this video.

Great work, subscribed

I was blown away by the show and your review was great. I wonder if you have reviewed the rehearsal

Beautifully put

I really dont understand the hype for this show. I wont say that it exactly glorifies much of the self destuctive and at times just horrific behaviors of the characters, but theres something bizarre about people sort of giving a pass at behaviors that outside of the show said people would easily have an aversion towards. Its as if it's sort of ok, because ultimately these characters are charismatic or even attractive. And it takes the entire series for protagonist to have any sort of redeeming interactions. I don't know, its not lost on me that there are small arcs of redemption but its only at the end where theyve done an intense amount of damage to not just themselves but to others where a carthasis is finally reached, and I think some people will walk away with the wrong idea about these protagonist.

this was such an interesting video :) i may go watch the show this was convincing

Wow this has inspired me so much, thank you

What a beautiful beautiful video

This is so good!!

Beautiful explanation with a smart and warm voice. Hope your channel achieves more and reaches 1k sub soon 🎉 Im sure you will.

Wonderfully told!! Thank you

Great video man. Keep up the good work.

0:45 - I was literally waiting for "Everything Everywhere All at Once"

Hi, thanks. We can go deeper. Explore TMT or terror management theory. ✌🏼💀

i love beef wen it is cooekd and served between a bun and i get i tfrom mcdonald

This was fantastic view and video. Btw what was the music in the background? Thanks!

why is the music so loud

great video! :) was nice watching it

This video was beautiful 🥲

This is very nice

Superb!

Nice reflection on the series. I think a huge part you havent identified though is the racialised part. Theres a reason they made the cast mostly Asian americans . This show is full of racialised micro agressions that many people will miss (especially white people). Also Danny is a child of immigrants . We see the struggle of his family and therefore himself as the pressure to 'make it' and create a better life for his family is placed on him. The immigrant storyline is important as we never seen it being told in media.

that was deep...

Great video

Well-done.

moments of this video felt like slam poetry lol

It grieved me that it seemed the things they assimilated to in America were alot of the bad things.

What’s the background music?

Its just about woman having it all and still being miserable and of course a man has to paid for it and make him a miserable as she is inside

Great video, but I would appreciate a better choice of background music. The A minor vibe got old. But your insights are great.

the sad piano made this an annoying watch cause ur words were more than enough emotion alone

It’s not yoon, it’s steven yeon.

yea i wish i could get over that sad pattern repeating over and over jesus

The sad song a the background was just too much, couldnt take it seriously

That wasn’t Steven Yuen when you said who it stars 🙃

Can you do Beau is Afraid next?

this kinda felt like spoken word

It was just a soap opera with a high budget. Needlessly stretched out to fill a season of content just like every Netflix show.

"Promosm"

I ruined the show for myself by watching Trixie and Katya watch it. Now I can’t watch it seriously.

Bruh, it’s a critique of capitalism, class war, and white supremacy. You claim they are stuck in “self made prisons” but fail to see that the prison is made by the bourgeois class (aka the ruling class, the capitalist class, the 1% , or the owning class).

i agree with almost everything except that danny could have saved enough to start a business. not in this economy

no shit

This video was such a waste of time. You literally said the same thing 20 times. Why would you upload smth like that??

i didn’t like the show but this analysis was so good 🤍 “self destruction doesn’t free you, it makes the prison permanent.”

i think it would help if you lower the volume of your BGM in your video coz it seems a little distracting in here, especially since you're narrating and also showing clips of the show