Thanks for sharing your recapping process. It's a good idea to take notes while watching, hadn't thought of that.

hi JB-- this is my first time posting, so just wanted to say i love your site and thanks for all your hard work.

re: drama recaps... i noticed that you haven't recapped any recent episodes of sons of sol pharmacy house and was wondering if you'd be interested in a guest recapper? i would love to do it! it's my new favorite, thanks to your recommendation.

btw, i just sent you an email about this same subject, but i realized that the whole reason you did this post in the first place is because your inbox is overflowing. sorry for the redundancy!

Thanks for this wonderful column! I usually don't watch Korean dramas that often because I'm very busy with school. I'm usually watching Japanese dramas b/c I'm studying Japanese right now in university and it's pretty time consuming. But I'm sick of watching Japanese dramas (this past season has been pretty bad IMHO). THANKS for introducing A MAN'S STORY. I just finished Episode 14 and I will finish in about a week. (I can only watching 1 ep. a day since I have class 5 hours a day, 5 days a week). I can't tell you how much I love the drama. It's as good as when I was watching All In about five years ago. BTW...I just watched this movie called "Udon" in my Japanese class. If you like eating udon, you should watch it. It's scrumptious! LOL.

Question for javabeans:
What are your favorite U.S. television shows (past and current)? If I had to pick four, they would be: The Price is Right, Charmed, Alias, and Lost. :]

Coz earlier my computer had a little bit problem, i'm only able to open it now... and spending almost an hour to read 100 posts
i'm LOL'ed hard at Samsookie's questions and post #67...
i never failed to visit your site everyday since i found it back in Hong Gil Dong days, but just had the courage to comment on something or just say anything just a few months back :P
questions?? i think most of them are already answered and the most question i'm qurious about, which is the age range is already answered too, so nothing to ask about...
oh i have two question, when are you going to continue recapping Return of Iljimae, and are you going to continue recapping The Sons of Sol's Pharmacy House/My Too Perfect Sons?

I read Kang Ji Hwan will be posing in the August issue of Esquire. http://www.allkpop.com/index.php/full_story/kang_ji_hwan_goes_playboy_status_for_esquire/ Will you be posting the pictures for us?

"In a drama, I’d be the observant and cynical side character who sighs at all the stupid romantic leads who just can’t see how in love they are with each other and HOOK UP ALREADY. HAHA."

Hahaha....same! Though I'm more towards the "I get frustrated with those misunderstandings that just need to be communicated. feel like making them sit down and sort out everything rather than mope alone somewhere else."

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your site, javabeans, ever since i found it. always have to restrain myself from going to your site more than once a day...just to read comments and your replies!

One question: what kind of music do you like and listen to?

Thanks for the introduction to bands like Loveholic. Because of your posts about them, I like Loveholic lots, esp Jisun's voice.

@Samsooki:
"What did you do with Belleza and Sere and a few others that haven’t been around? Is their disappearance have anything to do with off-topic commenting and the scary men in sun glasses and black suits that have been following me home lately?"

Nothing else to say but: ROFL.

Hey Javabeans! I'm writing because I want to ask if you have ever seen any other Kdrama or kmovie with a complex and evil character like the character of Do-woo in Story of a Man- I really love watching really complex characters, even if they are really evil like Do-woo was (plus he was an evil hottie!). I especially like how he had a huge soft spot for his sister, which proved he did have some human emotion..... while we are on it I was wondering if you could tell me if you have ever seen a drama/movie where the villain of the story falls for the heroine? I would really like that plot line- I would love to see the villain who is evil but falls in love but doesn't know what to do about it...Or it could even be that the hero is kind of villain-like and falls for her-....thanks

I am in LA too :o)). I've saw kogi roach coach on a freeway once, almost jumped out from the car from excitement :o)). Friend of mine waited for it for 2 hours once, but she liked it still.

I just wanted to thank you for all your time and effort. It means a lot to me and my kdrama addiction :o).

Hi there- I'm an avid reader of the recaps and article translations but I've never actually commented. I'm hoping you can help demystify me on a couple of things, though.

I'm currently watching Jewel in the Palace, and while watching episode 17 (whew, long way to go yet!), two questions I've always wondered about resurfaced. I believe you've said on your site that you haven't seen the drama, but the questions are moreso about Korean culture than series-based:

1- I've noticed in Kdramas that sometimes when people pray, as they bow they raise their hands a little above the height of their ears, palm up. What is the meaning behind this gesture exactly? It is possible that this is a common Buddhist practice, but I've only seen it performed by Koreans, so I'm not sure.

2- It may be that I'm just totally ignorant and I'm making connections that aren't at all there, but in Goong and now in Dae Jang Geum, I've found that some of the livelier, more upbeat traditional music in the shows reminds me a lot of Celtic music. Is that me being an uneducated listener, or is there really some commonality in the music/instrument styles used?

Thanks for providing such an interesting blog (with such a lively and colorful forum of people commenting).

if you don't mind me asking, what did you major in at college?

how old are you?
do you hear Kpop?

HI Javabeans...

Eversince I found your website, I am a fan. I love your style of writing. I am just started with getting crazy over kdrama so I got lots of catching up to do. I am not very familiar with all the actors/actresses and sometimes get confused with their names...but in the future, I know I will know them by heart..lol

Anyways, I got a question. Who do you think is the best kisser among the actors?

The dramas/movies that I had seen, there is not enough to judge. But I saw some clips in youtube and I think the actor in Coffee Prince is the most passionate one..:)

Have a great day...I truly enjoyed your site.

Just want to say a big THANK YOU to you for your time and effort! I really appreciated that you spend your time writing up recaps and posting news about dramas. I had been following your site since coffee prince recaps. Thanks a million once again.
One question: You say you would be moving soon, you mean moving to another state? or would still be in LA?

ok...who do ya think has got the best butt ???
Kang JiHwan?
Kim Kang Woo?
Song Kang Ho?
So JiSub?
any dudes from G.O.D?
Bae Yong Jun..(i hear screams???)?
Lee Byung Hun?
Lee Min Ho?
Eric Mun...?
Hee Chul..?..(someone found his handphone...)

p/s: love ya drama recaps...

Hi JB

I don't really have a question - actually just been enjoying the Q&As posted. Definitely some funny ones.

Just want to say a huge THANK YOU for this website. I am addicted to your writing and of course, K-dramas etc. I appreciate all the work that you've put into this blog.

who you love more big bang,DBSK or super junior?

Hi sarahbeans!

1) Craft. Content. Which is more important to you?

2) Do you finish a draft and then go back and edit it, or do you edit as you go?

3) How would you describe your writing style? Eclectic? Breezy? Tongue-in-cheek? Ruminative? Others?

4) Your definition of "pretty good writers"?

5) Top grammar peeves? (Wretched hyphens, for example.)

6) If a blogger does not take notes while watching and instead writes recaps off the top of her head with no plan in mind at all, resulting in chaotic chronology of plot developments and a severe lack of corresponding screencaps, would you take her aside for a good spanking and then sit her down for a one-to-one lesson on How to Write Drama Recaps the Right Way? How much would you charge for that lesson?

hi JBeans :D its nice to read the basic-questions you got from your readers .and your feedbacks are very fun to read too ^^...I've been following your blog avidly since last year and you don't know how much I am grateful to have found it. heheh...(well semi-feeling of gratefulness to be truly honest LOL...your blog-writing have basically taken over my time and life :P...although not all the time.....really.)

& I really wonder how you make the time to recap all the dramas in your site so far..@__@<----this is an emoticon of both wondering and confuzzle-ness to your time management...seriously.

But truthfully, I'm just here to say A HUGE THANK YOU to you dramabeans, JavaBeans, SarahBeans for every effort you've put here ;D..(..and to be quite honest, sometimes I think you're crazy for doing this without profit...no offense though...I just have that thought sometimes after following this blog for almost...a year in a quarter?...lol. but that's just me -__-;)

Hi JB!

I squealed while reading thru the posts and comments.... hahaha...our taste is so similar both in US and K-dramas, books, etc. It's probably why I love reading your posts.

Thanks for your commitment. I find myself relaxed and amused every time I visit your site. Since I have such a stressful job, your postings are a great source of entertainment for me. I may disagree with you sometimes, but hey, we are all entitled to our own opinion.

Btw I am neither Korean nor American. I am actually a Filipina living / working in Singapore. I love the fact that this site brings a lot of different cultures together. We all get to celebrate the things we love and share our opinions on Kpop culture and other stuff. So I hope you stick with the site...we will be waiting.

Thanks JAVABEANS everybody knows it’s not easy. It takes an extraordinary person to have an extraordinary site/blog like yours. We’re really grateful, for sharing a part of your passion and welcomed us in your world. Though a lot of us sometimes misbehave and go overboard but you shamed us with your understanding and maturity.

Reading your blog is already a part of my daily routine and I’ve never regret joining and putting my things on the table. Hope you carry on, to be inspired and be blessed with knowledge and wisdom so that you could continue your love in reading and making your dream a reality.

Thanks again!

Hi Javabeans

I absolutely love your site. I discovered your site at about similar time I discovered Kdrama. I'd never have thought that I will love Kdrama but by chance watched a couple episodes of MNIKSS - and the rest is history. It is always a joy - and now a daily ritual - to come to this site. Thank you for bringing us the latest news, and sharing your thoughts and insights with us. You have built this haven and community for everyone of us here. THANK YOU!

@111 rikufallon -

"It may be that I’m just totally ignorant and I’m making connections that aren’t at all there, but in Goong and now in Dae Jang Geum, I’ve found that some of the livelier, more upbeat traditional music in the shows reminds me a lot of Celtic music. Is that me being an uneducated listener, or is there really some commonality in the music/instrument styles used?"

My wife and I noted the same thing when watching Goong! Traditional Korean folk music played on the horizontal stringed instrument thingie - gayageum (가야금) will have a certain tonal quality because the instrument is tuned to a pentatonic scale. And I believe a lot of tradtional Celtic music uses pentatonic scales too, so, that might be why? Stringed instruments playing simple upbeat folk single melodies on a pentatonic scale... might end up sounding similar...

Haha! It's cool that the FAQs you have is 25% about city hall!
Looking forward to whoever will do the recaps

Hey JavaBeans - about your writing, I totally agree with a couple of the other posters who said you seem like you could write something I'd want to read. And your dream cast...hmmm, maybe you could write a script, post it online, and you'd get so much love from us fans, the k-studios would love to offer to buy it from you??!? Wishful thinking??? Yeah, I thought so, but it would be so cool if you did!!!

Anyway - I love this site and I really respect the fact you haven't lost focus. There are many k-pop gossip sites, yet this is the only site that gives such detailed, informative, and fairly unbiased drama news. The reviews and recaps are amazingly balanced and entertaining - I always look forward to them as well as open thread day!

Thank you and keep up the great work!

jb, your insights are really funny and quite "on the spot" I hated Twilight! Not a fan at all. I have tried reading the series but I could not get into it for the world. Bella is just stupid!

I love your site because your drama recaps are very detailed and thorough. Keep up the great job. Is your ego getting bigger? Mine would after all these praises! lols

fairly new to dramabeans... prolly like 2 months now.

really like ur style of writing. informative, objective, yet opinionated. works for me. makes me come back for more.

love the open threads on friday. so thanks. keep at what ur doing and how ur doing it and when. it's yours, so i take it as it comes. no complaint, even if we don't have the same view, but that's why everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

thanks!

Hi JB,

I love your site and the running commentary from visitors is just as fun. I noticed a few years back you were able to have people vote on their favorite end-of-year drama. I really appreciated that page.

I want to say that it is nice to come to a site where people are helpful and kind. I'm sure it is a reflection on you (birds of a feather..)

That's all. Thank you for the daily escape and cup of happiness.

This is one of only two blogs (other is not related to Korea) I follow.

Very long story short, my wife (we married in Korea in 1978) and I began watching Korean TV when her parents visited us in NJ last year, and I found two Korean channels were available on cable. We got hooked on Coffee Prince (great drama to start with) and have watched off and on, via TV and Internet, ever since.

We never would have tried Sons of Sol Pharmacy without your recommendation. It is terrific.

I suspect your parent's tastes (our youngest is 30) and ours is pretty close. You Are My Destiny was bad (I actually did stop watching - wife stuck it out) but we both enjoyed Likable or Not to the very end. Did you parents enjoy that one?

Thanks for your always entertaining and enlightening blog.

It's been really interesting reading all the questions and answers and finding out a little bit about you Javabeans.

I've only been a fan since Boys Before Flowers (good times, good times) but I'm totally hooked on this site. I constantly check it everyday - I love how you write, comment, stamp your opinion on stuff etc..

Thanks again Javabeans!

(P.S. I used to loveee Buffy too!)

@ JB

As soon as hubby's finished staining the fence, I'll set him to roasting some more coffee. :)
Now, I can't remember if that was the car song (memory is always failing me), but it's a great song nonetheless. Thanks!

And a big thanks for all the music you post...I'm one who doesn't really keep up on music (Western or Korean), so it's great to hear stuff from someone with similar tastes.

i have been a silent reader a little before the coffee prince hype until NOW.

i was swept away by the korean wave when i saw "autumn in my heart" then stopped soon after that. and started again on "my lovely samsoon."

later, i was introduced to your site. it was totally godsend. i'm so addicted to it and read your site everyday.
i really admire your writing skills. =)

i'm also a big joss whedon fan. have u watched dollhouse?
what about dr.horrible sing along blog?
NPH was fantastic there.
plus, veronica mars totally rocks. she is sweet, has spunk and sass!

thank you so much for your time and energy.
u have contributed alot to k-dramas.
=D

JB,

Do you watch any of the current American tv dramas like NBC Kings, HBO True Blood, or some other ones? I recommend checking out NBC Kings because it's a different kind of show that you don't see often or at all. True Blood is a fun show with lots of mysteries, gory, and some funny stuff.

What books would you recommend for summer reading?

Do you have a goodreads page at goodreads.com? If you don't have one, will you make one? I would love to read your reviews on books you read. ^_^

I thank you in advance for answering these questions.

OT - JB, I am browsing your website in Mozilla and since yesterday it would not show up correctly, all posts under your main banner are pushed down, so it looks like it is empty, unless you scroll down a lot.. it was fine before yesterday..

Also about books: do you have any absolute favourites or just very strong recommends (that you'd be willing to share, of course, lol)? Thank you:)

where did you go to college/grad? for some reason i imagined you as a bruin, but i'm sensing that i'm completely wrong since i drew the conclusion solely from the fact that you're in LA, lol.

Hey javabeans,

I don't have any questions, just wanted to commend you on your work. I don't know how you manage to juggle life and this wonderful blog. Keep up the great work.

wowzer!

:)

The Book Thief is really good. I haven't read I Am Messenger but I was impressed with The Book Thief.

Thanks for always recapping shows and posting up news javabeans!! I visit your site everyday! Anyways I have a question, if you could pair up any 2 korean celebrities (pick a male & female), to star in a drama or movie, who would you choose?

I want Won bin and Son Ye Jin to do a drama together!!
Sorry if this is a repeat qst!hehe.

Javabeans,

If you're recapping Delightful Girl Chun-hyang, I will definitely read it for sure. I'm curious to read your opinions all about it. ^^

LOL. So the one who impersonated you is irrashional. Wahaha! ^^

Hehe...Javabean have you been to any matchmaking lately since your parents are asking now?

Well, want me to read you palms? Still free charge for you in one setting!! Hehe...don't ask me how I know it was you who post that message? ^__________^

jb #53

'Trust me, Korean girls can be biznatches — we’re more fun that way! Ain’t nobody that pretty, sweet, pure, and good'

hahaha... thank you for clearing that up.