Open Thread #92
July 17th, 2009 // by javabeans
Hello, Open Thread day!
SONG OF THE DAY
The Eccentric Opera – “Jupiter,” because I felt like going for something a little different today.
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Hey guys.
Friday is here and it looks like it’s going to be a longer and even more boring day than usual.
Remember that I had that movie poster signed by So Ji Sub? Well, it’s sitting in my car trunk right now and I’m about to throw it away because I really have no use for it. BUT, I feel really bad about throwing it away because I know that people probably would want it so. . .if anyone wants it before I trash it, I can mail it to you for free (I’m not a psycho stalker, lol, I promise).
(Or if you live in NJ or NYC, I can just give it to you).
I just feel really bad about throwing it away.
THAT SAID. I downloaded some Arashi music last night and was totally cracking up. Does anyone here like Arashi? Please tell me why??
Mishane, I LOVE ARASHI!!!!!!! I don’t know why I love them but I do, plus it doesn’t hurt that they have 10 years of songs to their credit. I love their old stuff like *ARASHI and their new stuff like Sakura Sake, Believe, Truth and even their solo stuff. I could go on and on forever coz they are so multi-talented…plus I am crazy about Matsujun….kekekeke
I’m a little sad coz only 4 more episodes of Brilliant Legacy is left….Here’s hoping “My fair Lady/Lady castle/ Take Care of the Young Lady” is a good replacement.
I am so going to miss my weekend viewing pleasure.
@mishane
arashi’s most recent music has been mediocre at best. but they’ve had some great albums. i personally really like their “iza, now” album. some great songs by them that might change your mind (and make you laugh less) are:
sakura sake, kotoba yori taisetsu na mono, subarashii sekai, jidai… (just off the top of my head).
yay! hp6 tonight! <3
Re: Arashi
I downloaded their popular singles.
Has anyone seen the Japanese horror movie Suicide Circle? You know how there’s that girl pop music group who’s kind of the center of the story? And how they are really creepy?
THAT’S what Arashi reminded me of! And it kind of got me a little freaked out.
Maybe I have to listen to a different album? The one I was listening to was really sickly sweet pop music.
That said, that’s the only Japanese music group I’ve ever listened to. Someone reccommend some good ones! Like, more recent, more poppy/hip hop kinds or maybe some rock/punk ones?
I downloaded a whole bunch of Korean music (FT Island, Suho, Clazzique) and really liked them so I wanted to branch out to J-music also.
Happy Friday everyone!
This week has seemed especially long to me. Maybe it’s because I’m in the middle of planning my winter Asia trip and it’s gotten a lot more complicated than it really needs to be! Plus, the nordstrom anniversary sale starts today and there are a pair of boots I apparently need.. Yes. NEED. haha.
Finished Black and White this week – so effin good. The twists and turns keep coming through the last episode. I can’t wait for the movie.. Kinda in love with both Mark Chao and Jason Zou.
Caught up with Shining Inheritance and am so mad about it because now I have to wait and their cliffhangers are killers! So grateful for viikii and all who work to sub.. I don’t know what I would do without fansubbers. Probably be stuck watching only tw dramas and not grasping the full concept of those either haha.
@mishane – i do have some Arashi music, but only because of Matsujun. And I think the only songs I have are the theme songs from the Japanese HYD (still my favorite version, even if the Korean F4 are prettier than all my girlfriends combined). I don’t really have an opinion on them because I haven’t listened to much of their music. I’m not a fan of jpop as much as I am of kpop and mandopop. What songs did you dl and what part made you laugh? cuz now imma have to go take a listen to it!
Oh ya, I recently bought an intro book/workbook to learn how to read and write Hangul. I’ve wanted to learn how to speak it for a long time, but I think learning how to read and write it will make me learn how to speak it correctly easier. Hangul is all phonetics right? Anyone have advice on the best way to approach learning to read/write/speak Korean?
@mishane
my favorite japanese group is ellegarden. they sing a lot in english (one or two of them came from the states? don’t know their personal details). they’re sorta punk rock (i think? i’m bad at delegating genres…).
and my all-time favorite japanese song is gackt’s “last song.” (youtube his live performance for the real deal)
you’ll usually find that drama ost songs are of great quality.
@mishane: i only know Arashi from Hana Yori Dango but to be honest they kinda got on my nerves after some episodes so i always fast-forwarded the intro
(i think the sang it .__.) or the ending…dunno i forgot
some good jmusic utada hikaru and ai otsuka
( i LOVE her song ‘planetarium’…YAY)
and ehm…Nana Mizuki maybe? or Younha?
but personally i think K-music is muuuuch better..well, just my opinion
today i learnt how my name is spelled in korean
thank you google translator
and i got a twitter account..wuhuuu xD
5 lovenyc52
OH NO. DO NOT REMIND ME OF THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE.
GAH. I’ve vowed never to step foot in there again, they are evil and take all my money (which I give willingly, but WHATEVER).
They are opening a Nordstroms in Delaware in 2010 which will equal death and disaster since Delaware has no sales tax so I will finally be able to buy my Chanel purse that I’ve been drooling over forever without have to pay an extra $100 or so on tax.
O, “Jupiter” almost climbed the crossover threshold! But some bits were shrill, not ethereal, which grates. My fav is still British Airways’ use of The Flower Duet. TGIF, and have a good weekend, everyone!
@ lovenyc52
Re: learning Hangul
If you have an iPhone, there’s 3 applications that I downloaded (free) that are flashcards and they teach you basic words in Korean.
There’s Japanese applications too (which are MUCH better than the Korean ones), they go much more in depth and teach you a lot more. The Korean app is more just flashcards, though there is one that’s really nice, it teaches you the letters.
You’re in NYC right? I assume from the name. Did you buy the book in NY or online? I’d be interested in actually buying a book, since all I have right now are applications and I don’t think that would be enough to help me learn. I’d like to buy an actual workbook to maybe do exercises in.
@Mishane…if no one else wants it I would gladly take if off your hands! I don’t live in NYC/NJ so you would have to mail it to me.
I got my E-2 visa in the mail the other day, booked my ticket for 8/21 and now on to trying to pack all my stuff without going overboard. I have been sick all week so hopefully I feel better by Monday and can start working out again.
Dramabeans:) can’t wait for the next recap of Triple. Are you thinkiing about checking out Swallow In The Sun?
Has anyone check it out, it looks so beautiful that I kind of want to watch it after Shining Inheritance ends.
@ 6 mie
Thanks! I’m totally noting those and next week I’ll go on a hunt to try to find and download them.
@ 7 summerrain
YES. I downloaded Utada’s newest English album and fell in love with the club song “Poppin”. It’s so sexy and has a fun beat.
There’s one Japanese girl I always see when I read about J-music. Ami Namuro or something like that? She’s got long hair, tattoos and she’s got a kid? I think she sings hip hop or maybe pop. Not sure. Is she any good?
Interesting song, JB! It has the exact same melody as a hymn played at Easter mass every year at my church. Random…
YAY, music discussion!
Here are my two favorite songs on my Ipod this week:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G4E9nKPdDk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXFXjh9a8lY
I’m just starting to get into Epik High (late to the party as usual).
Tablo = Brainy = Sexy!
@ 11 Dele
You got it!
If you want to PM me your address, my e-mail is michennae04@yahoo.com, I’ll mail it out next week. Like I said, I feel really bad about tossing it since I know there are big fans of So Ji Sub.
Question, how long did it take you to get your E2 visa? Because I need to start applying for it (I haven’t gotten my documents apostilled yet) and I have to go to the Korean Consulate and I really hope it’s not a long process. All this paperwork is getting me down, there’s just too much of it.
Hey guys, happy friday!
Just a quick question to throw out there… I’m currently watching Jamyunggo and as it is ending soon I was thinking about starting up on Queen Seonduk. Have people been watching it? How is it?
@ langdon813
that second youtube video is great! thanks for sharing.
@10 mishane – actually i have a blackberry
I can’t handle the whole touchscreen business of an iphone. when i try to text on my friends’ iphones it’s a jumbled mess haha. I bought the book online cuz i went to my local barnes and noble and they didn’t have much of a selection. I was going to get Rosetta Stone, but I can’t afford to spend $250 at each level. i actually bought this book because it’s affordable at each level and it got pretty good reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Integrated-Korean-Beginning-Textbook-Textbooks/dp/0824823427/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247846647&sr=8-10
In the reviews it says even though it doesn’t come with an audio cd or anything, you can find the audio clips you need online. Plus I think watching all the kdramas that we do, it’ll help with the pronunciation
Oh and I’m not in NY.. I’m born and raised Californian
But I just really adore NY and if it weren’t for the weather I’d probably have moved there by now. But I can’t stand the summer humidity and the winters there are kind of harsh too. I’m totally spoiled by the Cali weather, especially being in SoCal the past 10 years.. it’s perpetually spring-ish weather haha!
@Mishane…YOU MADE MY DAY:)
I will email you…
It took me 3-5 days once I got my notice of appointment from SMOE. I mailed it to the LA consulate so they got it on Monday mailed it out to me on Tuesday, and I got it on Wednesday only because I chose overnighting it back since it was my passport.
If you live close to the consulate and can go to it instead of mailing it you might be able to get it the same day, or by latest the next day.
I really like CHEMISTRY, Utada Hikaru, and FreeTempo when it comes to Jap music. No one beats Utada in my book.
I wanna see 500 Days of Summer this weekend! I read it has a killer soundtrack like Garden State. I can’t wait for it to come out.
Re: Arashi… I have a few of their songs, I downloaded them because of Matsujun. But I eventually got tired from listening to their songs, but not of Matsujun, I still loff him!
All the paperwork is a bit much…lots of little fees add up to a lot of money, so just keep that in mind. What program are you with?
Wow it’s Friday again already!! Been looking for a part-time job- especially in my field- so I won’t go into major debt for grad school and so when I graduate, I’d have a sparkling resume to show off- but it’s been hard. Darn recession!
As for drama news, i haven’t watched much. I watched episodes 2 and 3 of Partner. Sadly, i found watching the people involved in the case more interesting than all the other characters. That first case and how it was tearing the family apart got me shedding tears. Ahn Suk Hwan had put on a very emotional and riveting performance.
@18, Snikki
The soundtrack from 500 Days of Summer is where I got the second song I listed @13…it is AMAZING. I can’t wait to see the movie.
I’ve listened to music by Arashi, SMAP, and KAT-TUN, and to me they all have pretty much the same style (sweet, perky, catchy tunes), the same Johnny-boy look, and the same level of talent (pretty mediocre). Their stuff is OK, I guess, sort of like Backstreet Boys only slightly off-key, but what I find criminal is the way they keep the really talented Japanese artists out of the limelight. (Johnny Kitagawa, you have SO much to answer for!)
Anyone heard of R’in, the ‘girl group’ that uses traditional Japanese instruments in really inventive ways? Probably not…
I’m still going through City Hall withdrawal and struggling to find interest in a new drama. The recaps are helping as I can relive the memories and realize bits I didn’t catch the first time round. So thanks Samsooki and crew for the recaps!
Having said that, I must admit to watching The man who can’t get married. Hasn’t got to me like CH but it is funny and entertaining. I want that DOG! Not sure if my 2 Labs will feel the same way.
I had to work an extra day which seriously messed up my week. Going back to work tomorrow seems way too soon. Oh well gotta earn some money to pay for my trip to England in Sept. Not sure how I’ll handle 3 weeks without Kdramas as I’m truly addicted now. May need rehab first!
Have a great weekend everyone.
@langdon813….I am now in love with that second song. It just makes me smile:)
I Love Arashi too! funny how I used to ignore the HYD intro when I was watching the drama. I liked the other songs like blue mind and Planetarium instead. Its not until after when I was looking for the soundtrack that I realized Matsujun was in that band that sings the themesong lol. Anyways, I like Arashi’s older songs, they’re just so darn happy. Puts me in a good mood whenever I listen to their songs…. but really, I like the goup so much more than their music.
Anyways, I just finished watching Soulmate on dramafever.com. You know, I thought it was kinda slow in the beginning but I ended up really liking it! I just wish they showed a little bit more of the 2 main actors together. And yeah the soundtrack is pretty good too. Love C’mon through
to chajjye–who recommended that i watch My Father w/ Daniel Henney… and i absolutely LOVE IT!!! 10million times better than the acting in Seducing Mr Perfect… the emotional range was fantastic!!! Excellent work by DH. and i came away just BALLING my eyes out.. i’m so glad i spent the $6 to buy it
i’m not into jpop… barely getting started w/ Kpop… only listen to UN and 2PM… starting to get into SuperJunior bit by bit… can’t stand the sweet cutesy voices of the female groups… i’m sure i’ll like the Grace, if i ever find time to search for them. LOVE the voices of V.O.S. and Fly to the Sky… other than that, i’m totally outta the loop on music… the only other music i listen to is Thai… and i’m not into what out there right now either… tho i love me some CLASH, Dan Worrewech and Bird Thongchai…
all this talk about going to Korea really makes me jealous. i’ve been planning my trip to Thailand for 10 years now, and i’ve still not gone… my passport’s about to expire… i better go soon!!!!
oh i forgot a j-artist i really like is tamaki hiroshi. probably better known as chiaki from nodame canatabile (my favorite drama of all time!). he has a pretty awesome voice – it has an interesting quality and texture to it. and of course gotta love utada.. awesome songs, awesome voice…
@miki – i only wish it got high enough ratings to warrant the 2nd season it needed!!! wonderful soundtrack and the c’mon through song is so good. it was totally on repeat on my ipod during and immediately after i finished the series.
@15 RIFAE I am currently watching QSD and it is GOOD. I like the storyline alot and the actors are super too, especially MiShil (the evil one). It is choppy in certain areas but I think it is coming together nicely. It is quite addictive. I watch it raw and then watch it again when it is subbed. I just can’t wait for the new episodes. I am waiting patiently every weekend!!! Watch it and give it time to engulf you! lols.
Shining Inheritance has 4 more episodes to go! It is very cliche but addictive! LOVE IT!
The song of the day is based on the very patriotic English hymn.
Check out this version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nw62YHlJos
@24, Dele…I know, right? It’s so cheerful!
@25, Miki…love C’Mon Through. I never get tired of hearing that song.
I’m watching Triple and The Man Who Can’t Get Married faithfully (sometimes even before the subs come out). I’ve watched the first episodes of both Partner and Friend; maybe this weekend I’ll get back into them, but who knows…
I watched Il Mare last night; SO much better than that crappy Sandra Bullock/Keanu Reeves US version. I hated that movie. So between Il Mare and Triple, I’m becoming quite the fan of Lee Jung-jae and plan to start catching up on the rest of his work. I also watched Attic Cat on Dramafever recently with Kim Rae-won (cute!) and I’m thinking of watching Gourmet next. Any LJJ or KRW suggestions are welcome!
Ah, City Hall. Even better the second time around with recaps!!!
@langdon813
Loved it! Thanks for sharing! Makes me wanna go on a road trip, haha… it’s a good long driving song.
Gosh, I had to go through hoops just to listen to it. Our work blocked all the sites that I usually go to.
@23 coco
Just to say I also have a lab, her name is Diana. I am not into small dogs, but I must say I kinda enjoy watching that dog in the TMWCGM.
JB, Thanks for the song. It was exactly what I needed.
Before anyone wants to correct me I know the music is by Holst /Jupiter but the words are so moving and always remind me of the young men and women who gave up their lives in service for their country.
There was bomb explosions this morning at Ritz Carlton and JW. Marriot Hotel, Jakarta, Indonesia.
I lived not to far from the location, but I didn’t hear and knew anything until I arrived to the office and my boss was in a hurry going to the hospital, because our branch’s staffs wounded.
One of the security guard is severely injured but now already safe.
It was really devastating. I don’t understand with the terrorists’ way of thinking, how bombing can be a way to show their presence, their minds, or anything?
And if they were targeting any side, why should they bombed in their own country and hurt their own fellow citizens?
We still don’t know who’s behind this action though.
It happened at the same place the bomb exploded 6 years ago.
My deepest condolences to all the victims and their family.
Today, the Manchester United team is supposed to be arrive and stay at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Now they’re canceled their visit.
Streets were empty this night when I leaved the office…which is unusual on Friday nights. It’s sad.
anyway, on the lighter note, I just came back from the cinema watching Harry Potter 6.
After few bad comments I’ve read in my friends’ Facebook statuses, I didn’t have high expectation – I haven’t finished reading the book, I just lost interest, i don’t know why. It was okay..nothing’s spectacular, just..okay. Maybe because I’m not a big fan of Harry Potter.
I’m currently watching Triple without sub, and while I love the story, I feel kinda scared with the story’s development. I don’t know I think I’m not ready if eventually Haru will end up with Hwal. I’m not against them, but the idea a little bit bothered me…but I really want to know what’s the writer up to, and so I decided to keep my open mind and be ready for any kind of twists.
@ 30 langdon813
KRW was excellent in the movie ..Ing. i watch it all the time.. i watch him mostly in movies, but i’m branching out to him in dramas too.. i just found him to be so adorkable in ..Ing so love-able, so flipping CUTE!!!
watched him in Mr Socrates, Sunflower, My Little Bride, My love Patzzi… can’t think of the others off the top of my head rite now… but i LOVE KRW…
djes–be safe. thanks for informing me. my prayers will be w/ the families affected by this event.
@ 27 lovenyc52
SHUT UP. SHUT UPSHUTUPSHUTUP!!!
Tamaki Hiroshi sings?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just finished the Nodame SP 1 and I am honestly in love with Tamaki. Does he go by his name or does he have a stage name and WHERE CAN I FIND THIS?!
@ # Rifae, Queen Seonduk is pretty good. It reminds of Iljimae (Lee Jun-ki version) in that they’re both entertaining despite having many plot holes. I would recommend it.
@ lovenyc52..
At the link below there are 3 videos teaching exactly how to read and write Korean. They are videos taken from my in-class course and are all explained in plain English: the sounds, how to write and say each one, and then how to read them with consonants and vowels together.
They’re totally free, don’t worry. Check them out if you’d like, at…
http://www.learnkoreanonline.net/learn-to-read-and-write-korean-now
Hope they help!
@35, djes
How terrifying…please be safe!! I can’t even imagine. I guess there’s something to be said for living in Nowhere USA.
@36, lb_tmi
Thanks for the recommendations, looks like I have a lot to look forward to this weekend!
@37, mishane
I don’t know who Tamaki Hiroshi is, but that reaction alone makes me want to know more!
@35 djes,
Safe travels and fervent hopes for peace for your country, and every other place in the world.
@budsdiana
Gotta luv those Labs! I have an ancient yellow lab called McVitie aka Big Mac( a little on the large side!) and a younger chocolate called Cocoa (I see we also use our pets names as our alias on-line).
@ 40 langdon813
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Tamaki_Hiroshi
That’s his wiki. He’s a Japanese actor
I ADORED him in Love Shuffle (j-drama) then watched him in Nodame Cantabile (another j-drama) and loved him again in that.
Saw him in the movie KIDS and Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru.
I’m not as familiar with j-dramas as I am with k-dramas but he’s quickly becoming my favorite j-actor.
Has anyone seen the j-drama Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi? He stars in that with Ayase Haruka who I adore (from the j-movie My Cyborg Girlfriend) and I wanted to see it just for the pairing but the plot sounds ridiculous! (Tamaki teaches a girls high school where Ayase plays a strange girl and he turns into a deer?) Is it good? Or just weird?
@mishane – hehe ya my friend is the one who actually found out he sang when she searched youtube for clips of him and there he was on stage singing. and we both melted like m&ms on a hot summer day. He just goes by his real name and if you search yesasia you can find both his old and new stuff. He’s been recording since 2004ish i think? Ya, who knew!? So multi-talented hehe. After nodame I watched him on different variety shows and he seems like such a fun guy!! CANNOT wait for the Nodame movies to come out!!! I’ll be in Japan for a week this winter…hopefully when the first movie comes out. maybe i’ll get to watch it while i’m there!
If you want, I can send you some of his songs that I have.
@ 44 lovenyc52
OMG, if you could, I’d be so happy. No really, so happy. Does he have a nice voice? Is it deep?
Didn’t you adore him in Nodame?!? I just watched the first SP this week (watching the next SP next week) and I just about melted. I think Chiaki is my new drama boyfriend, lol.
@39 RobJ – thanks!! I’ll have to check that out when I get home
Any help I can get will be useful as I’m learning from scratch hehe.
@35 djes – please be safe. it’s crazy how the world is lately
so many tragic events happening in such a short period of time.
@43 mishane – I’ve only seen him in Nodame and Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru (cried my eyes out at that one….) but I’m dying to see Orion in Midsummer and MW, his new movies that come out this year. I did not watch the one where he turns into a deer cuz I find that really weird haha. Oh but i think there is a little tanpatsu for MW that came out the end of June that I need to check out. Still have not gotten around to Love Shuffle because I can’t make it past the first 20 minutes haha. Will have to give it another try because I do love me some Tamaki Hiroshi screen time
@ 46 lovenyc52
Love Shuffle was fun! I adored the relationship that sprung up between him and his OTP (heh, which kept you guessing at which one he would actually end up with). He’s so adorably geeky in that one that when I saw him in Nodame, it was such a strange jolt.
And I just googled the movies and they sound like interesting action movies which are nice. But I’d LOVE to see him in a nice romance or romantic comedy.
@35 djes
Be safe. I hope everything works out for you and your friends/family.
A great Japanese drama is Orange Days…I loved it. I need to watch Nodame Cantible…I have Love Shuffle on my hard drive as a need to watch drama because it has Shota and Tamaki in it.
I like dramas with multiple relationship in it.
mishane and lovenyc52
JUST WHAT I NEEDED…something (someone) else to obsess over! Just caught some scenes from Nodame on YT and…I’m sold. Done deal. If I go missing the rest of the afternoon and evening, y’all know where I’ll be.
I love Open Thread Friday!!!
@47 mishane – ok so Love Shuffle is worth a 3rd try? hehe. Just from what I saw, his character is already SO different than from Nodame. I just loved him sooo much in Nodame – he was the arrogant can-do-everything man but also very funny. The chemistry between him and Ueno Juri was tooo cute! I wish he’d do another nodame-style drama but I guess 2 nodame movies will have to do hehe
@ 49 Dele
Then you’ll love Love Shuffle! Shota plays a playa, lol, there’s a lot of silk pajamas, shirtless shots and sexy times with him. Plus, I’m pretty sure I remember him kissing Tamaki at one point.
And Love Shuffle is extra special because all the relationships ’shuffle’ so you really aren’t sure of who ends up together at the end.
@ 50 langdon813
YAY! Tell us how you like it. It took a few episode for me to warm up to it, but after that I was hooked. And it’s worth it just to watch the SP. The SP is amazing.
@ 51 lovenyc52
Do it! It’s funny! He’s geeky, and has this great friendship with one of the girls (played by an actress called Karina), seriously they are like two little kids who fight and bicker but are best friends.
And it includes scenes like:
1) Matsumoda Shota kissing Tamaki!
2) Tamaki posing naked! (well his bits are covered by a brush, or something ridiculous like that)
3) Tamaki being ridiculously geeky!
4) Shota getting his face licked by a girl! And then Shota seducing a girl!
5) Catchphrases! And puns! And ABBA! Also, The Bangles!
Can I please have your So ji Sub poster!!! email me at Thabobsmith@hotmail.com.
@ 54 Tha
Sorry! I already promised them to Dele. Sorry!
I need to watch Nodame Cantabile, it’s been sitting on my DVD player, and my sister (who started watching City Hall at my pestering), has been politely requesting that I return it to her if I won’t start watching. But my reluctance to pop it in the DVD is due to style – I love J-dramas, watching so many in my teenage years, but lately it’s been all k-dramas for me, with a smattering of t-dramas (Fated to Love you, It started with a kiss, Prince turn into Frog), that my viewing winds have shifted and it’s hard to shift back. Plus, I’ve flipped through the Nodame comics (I’m an even bigger fan of Manga than even dramas), and it just doesn’t click for me. Nonetheless, I shall start Nodame soon, if only to overcome my City Hall addiction (which is bordering on not quite healthy if you ask me).
I started to read Java’s Triple recaps, and have now watched a few episodes, and wonder if this is a drama that the set-up (and what Java and us were expecting), is completely different than what has been delivered. I would have never expected a Hwal-Haru possibility even while reading Java’s Triple countdown for the months leading up to it. But I don’t have any problems if it goes that way, it just odd the Coffee Prince folks would pick this k-drama taboo (or lack thereoff – just the implication of taboo) to throw in the mix. Doesn’t seem like their style. Oh well, I watch for Lee Jung Jae, after watching Cha Seung Won in City Hall, I’m in the mood for the mature men to woo me with their gravitas.
@49 Dele – omg. another jdorama that I love!! Orange Days was really good! I adored the cast and the pairings! Oh and Eita who plays Keita in Orange Days is a pretty main character in Nodame as well – and a totally different character!! i love the Shanghai Honey song too hehe.
And how could I have forgotten about Shota in Love Shuffle!! He’s actually the reason I heard about the series My jdorama timeline is all off. I didn’t watch Nodame until the last few months after Love Shuffle had already began airing, but cuz I loved Shota in HYD, i wanted to check out Love Shuffle.
Sometimes I have to laugh at myself. I have the attention span of a three year old child when it comes to dramas.
“I want to watch all of Lee Jung-jae’s movies…or maybe all of Kim Rae-won’s dramas! Or maybe I should finish the other shows I started 2 weeks ago…but wait! Now there’s a new Jdrama to investigate, so I’ll do that!”
Anyone else want to show me something shiny and distracting today??
Plus, somehow I have to fit the new Harry Potter movie into all of this.
Sadly, activities like housework and laundry are things of the past. Personal hygiene is probably the next to go.
My poor husband.
@53 mishane – ok you’ve convinced me. I was gonna say reason #4 convinced me (Shota gettin licked by a girl? yes please!) but then i realized all 5 you listed all warrant love shuffle being given another chance. And here I was, worried that I wouldn’t find another drama to fill the emptiness after Black and White and Shining Inheritance haha!
Holy crap I have gotten no work done today. Oh well, time to hit up nordies sale and buy me some ‘necessities’
*tee hee!*
Ah! I’m watching Triple and I can’t read ANY kind of speculation on it. I haven’t watched enough to get any romantic couplings formed yet (I’m currently watching 2 episodes a week, at my own pace and this was my first week). So far, ALL I KNOW, is that supposedly the coupling is supposed to be Hwal and Haru? I have no objections to that, because they are not related and in the first 2 episodes Hwal emphasizes that they are of no relation to each other, blood or anything. So that’s the the part that bothers me. The only thing that bothers me is the age difference. And it’s not THAT big of a deal (I know some bigger differences) but Haru just seems so young to me (isn’t she only in high school?) while Hwal is, what, mid-30’s? Early 30’s? It’s a big jump. If she was maybe out of high school and in college, maybe it’d be a little better? Anyways, if anyone does respond to my post about Triple, please don’t post anything that happens past episode 2 because I really don’t want to be spoiled for this drama.
@ 56 ockoala
I know how you feel re: j-dramas. They just have such a different tone than other dramas and I find that I have to be in a ‘mood’ for them. K-dramas, no problem, I can watch anytime but for me to sit and watch a j-drama, I’d have to have become overwhelmed by a specific genre (IE, tooooooo much damn romance or angst in a k-drama will have me running to a refreshing j-drama).
@ 58 langdon813
I started a schedule, lol, because I find that I get confused on what drama I’ve been watching. So, Monday – Thursday I designate as drama watching days (after work when I’m exhausted I go home and pop my DVD’s in the TV) and keep my weekends free for ACTUAL SOCIALIZING, lol.
IE, Mondays/Wednesdays = Robbers (kdrama), ToGetHer (tw-drama) and Triple (kdrama) and Tuesdays/Thursdays = What’s Up Fox (kdrama), Kekkon Dekinai Otoko (jdrama) and Legend (kdrama). Of course, some days I can’t watch it but it’s nice to stick to a schedule and not get all confused.
Sorry for yet another post! Doing the laundry at the same time so I can justify the time spent on line.
Just visited the k-popped sisters and they have a post that made me think of all you Binnie fans (especially Samsooki). Looks like you need to get your hands on the Korean Cosmo for Aug09. The k-popped girls have a preview for you!
@ samsookie… where can i find streaming vids of BON subs? i thoroughly enjoy their fansubs… if you don’t wanna post here, email-ing me is ok: lovebird_tmi@yahoo.com
thanks, in advance!
@ langdon812
haha.. a fellow “oooh, shiny thing” person. that’s actually what my co-workers call me “oooh, shiny thing” it used to be “bling” haha..
@lovenyc52
you weren’t kidding, huh? open thread much?
@63 lb_tmi
That’s why I love this place…so many kindred spirits!
Actually, I’d like to ask the same question of Samsooki (who must be doing actual real work today, perish the thought)! I’d love to have access to the BON subs too if such a thing is possible.
My email address is lal1964@yahoo.com (if you need it).
@63 lb_tmi, @64 langdon813
BON’s position is that it no longer allows its subs to float around on any streaming sites. If you find BON subs being streamed, it is being done without permission.
You can, however, still download hard-subs of each episode of, say, City Hall, and you can find them at http://bonchu.net46.net/city-hall/. There are other dramas that are also available, I believe. Please check out their website.
***
[start editorial]
There are happenings and occurences, things and whispers, rumors and real facts, that are coming down the pipeline with respect to how production companies are dealing with volunteer subbing. My interest is two-fold, since I joined BON and have volunteered my time to help translate, and because I am an attorney and my ears perk up whenever I hear things like “copyright.”
The big issue here is not really copyright, but how production companies can realistically make a profit in the distribution of their work to foreign countries outside Korea. It costs a lot of money to produce something and distribute it in, say, America, especially if you aren’t going to make back the cost of investing in an US-friendly DVD set for the American audience. And so, Korean companies have either not produced an US version, or have sub-contracted out the US rights of distribution to other companies (like YA Entertainment).
Subbing in general, and hard-subbing more than soft-subbing, can be problematic because it is a based on a medium of distribution that the production companies have not been able to successfuly tap into yet. While sites like Dramafever.com are being to pop up and do a good job of distributing online with some ad-space for commercials (like hulu.com), it isn’t yet proven to be viable and nobody knows yet whether and to what extent it will turn into a paysite.
Because of all the uncertainty that is out there, volunteering subbing is sort of in a flux, unable to peer into the future to see if we will be forced to change the way we do things or be forced to stop altogether. Some subbing groups, like the acclaimed WITHS2, create soft-subs, and are likely to be more robust from a legal standpoint than those that create hard-subs.
But, make no mistake about it, the legal issues, the technical legal issues, are extremely, extremely complex, and they go faaaaaar beyond the issues of “fair use” and “copyright.” And even beyond the legal issues, the practical issues of how to legitimize some groups or websites or subbers but not others, how to police and enforce, and whether to do any of this at all because it will end up killing the golden goose, all of these questions are just not answerable right now. Too many unknowns.
Subbers and fansites and even blogs do a tremendous service to support the drama industry. Look at what JB does and how much of her life she has put into enriching the lives of everyone who has ever visited this website.
I think (and I really, really hope) that in the end, there will be a happy medium (more or less) to be found that will allow production companies to earn real income on the products they make, while giving due deference and respect to those who work so hard to help support and spread the enjoyment of these same products to everyone around the world.
[/end editorial]
Interesting perspective on fansubbing, thanks for that Samsooki. Just gotta speak up here in case some people get the wrong idea: Dramafever is and will continue to be FREE. They’re committed to their model and extremely business-savvy, so I have very high hopes that they will manage to take streaming kdramas to the next level rather than just half-assing it. They’re not half-assy guys at all. (IF a premium model ever emerges on Dramafever, it will not hold back content from free users; premium may mean ad-free but the site won’t turn into pay-to-view.)
JB,
The only reason I said, “nobody knows yet whether and to what extent it will turn into a paysite” is mostly because of the recent dramafever survey which I completed, which asked me to give a price range as to what I would be willing to pay per month for subscribing to dramafever, whether I would willing to pay per episode, and how much, etc.”
If Dramafever does stay as a free site, I am extremely happy for it. I have my parents and my wife’s parents both on dramafever. And to be perfectly honest, even if it was just a few dollars per month, I daresay my folks would probably stop due to instinctual frugality (another way of saying they are knee-jerk cheap, lol).
I’m not particularly looking for a streaming site so much as access to available subs. For instance, I’ve been watching Triple on Viikii, which is great, because those guys are super fast at loading new episodes. But unfortunately the last few eps either aren’t subbed at all or are only partially subbed, so watching isn’t the problem, understanding what I’m watching is. JB’s recaps go a LONG way towards helping me out with this…but I’m so impatient, LOL!
Believe me, I would love to be able to download everything but my company has a strict policy against it. Since I’m on a company-owned laptop, my hands are tied; I’m blocked from being able to download any new programs that weren’t on the laptop when I got it.
Dramafever is hands down THE BEST streaming site and I’m making my way through their catalog, but for currently airing or new dramas I must go to alternate sites.
Happy Friday everyone! my first time to post something here although I’ve been following this site (hmm is that the right word to use?
) or been on it few times as I love reading all the stuff here.. and of course they’re mostly about Kdramas/news/bits&pieces so it’s ALL good to me 
)
) and yeah I’m trying to learn Korean too…
I’m currently addicted to Queen Seon Duk so hmm can’t wait for the next episode!
Annyeong!! (for now
have a great weekend everyone!!
P.S. thanks javabeans/dramabeans for creating this web/blogsite..
@lb_tmi – HAHA no i wasn’t kidding. it’s been a pretty unproductive day on my end. Well productive open-threading and nordies anniversary sale-ing… but other than that….
speaking of…just got back from a quick lunch trip into nordies and it is INSANE people..insane. it looks like a tornado hit. damn me and wanting to try things on before i buy it..shoulda just ordered it online and skipped the madness.
ok. really need to get work done today. sigh. work gets in the way of fun!
Lol…I am going to have to watch Love Shuffle first….Shota seems to do the player role well:)
Haha, I read through this whole thread while avoiding books, studying, and other such fun interesting things.
@mishane, about Arashi… I’m an Arashi fan, kind of… As in, I like the flamboyantly gay music videos when de-stressing (Kitto Daijoubu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akMR7erPCtU), and I got obsessed with three/four of their songs, out of their ten-years worth of albums. So I’m not exactly a fan of their music. But the individual acting that the boys in Arashi do? I love most of them. Ryusei no Kizuna with Nino, Uta no Onii-San with Ohno, Kimi wa Petto with Matsujun… it’s all amazing.
I really didn’t like Tamaki’s character in Love Shuffle =.= It was Shota that captured me and kept my attention throughout the series. I fell in love with Shota’s haircut and his acting. And it got me and my friends saying, “Say it ain’t so, Joe!” and “Panda” puns like crazy.
I’m currently going on a KimuTaku old-dramas spree and watching Long Vacation. My jdrama-watching is a nice break from the City Hall and Black and White marathon watching I did two weeks ago. KimuTaku is absolute lovelovelove. His round extremely-1980s glasses that he wears when teaching the piano on some scenes is just too adorable for words!
What a wonderful Friday it is today ^_^
@ Samsooki, Dramafever gave me a survey in regards to paying a montly fee or episode fee when I first signed up with then, which is when they first introduced themselves. I have not heard anything about it since. They are testing the waters on whether people will pay to view or not; which is pretty reasonable but a lot of people just don’t want to pay extra if they can get it for free somewhere else. I guess the best thing for them to do is keep their commericals.
@ langdon813
r u my long lost mom? however, i don’t think u should really adopt me back, because we’d both get distracted and then where would either of us be? we can just meet here at DB, cuz no matter how shiny some things are, we seem to make it back here.. haha
@ samsookie
i’m w/ langdon813, streaming is the easiest for me to access as opposed to dl-ing, only due to hard-drive storage restrictions. once i make enough money to buy one of them terrabyte hard drives, i’ll be able to dl more. was just hopeful that i’d be able to access right away, but i can live w/ dl. it’ll just take longer for me to get around to watching it. i function better infront of a computer screen instead of a tv. that way i can watch vids on youtube and watch the drama at the same time. LOL!
i am also on dramafever, but for now, there are limited selections, so i’m just looking for another avenue. thanks for the site.. i’ll check it out when i get home.
@lovenyc52
i’m picturing a David’s Bridal rush for the $99 wedding dresses… was it that bad?
You guys, you really need to stop posting your intact emails here. Instead post your emails in broken format. For example, mishane at g mail dot come. Otherwise, internet bots are going to spam your email account to hell. I made the mistake a couple of months ago and had to close that account.
About streaming sites: I will be unpopular here in saying that I do feel frustrated when I cannot access streaming versions of subbed material. I completely understand why subbers don’t want their work publicized. OTOH, it is impossible for me, and possibly many — because the sites collating streaming vids are extremely popular — to download all the shows I want to watch. I don’t have enough hard drive memory, do not have a DVD burner, have slowish internet speed so downloading takes forever, do not have software to compress avi files to mpeg or dvix in order to burn to a CD, and so on. The amount of work it takes is overwhelming. Also, streaming sites allow one to sample shows. I watch a handful of dramas a year, and I sample all each month before settling on one or two. Downloading all the samples would be impossible to manage.
I recognize that fansubbers do all this work and more and I shouldn’t be whining about how hard it is to download shows, but for me, it doesn’t matter how hard subbers work, if I cannot access the shows anyway, I won’t be watching them.
Would B.O.N or WITH S2 subbers be willing to download and burn their hard subbed material onto DVDs and sell them to fans who cannot download? Or, if they want the fansubs to be free, just let us pay for S&H?
The reality is that if K-companies wanted to enforce copyright, they won’t only look at streaming sites to locate people. They will go straight to the downloading sites and torrents. And it is obvious that these companies are fully aware of the main hubs, evidenced by how quickly U.S. copyrighted K-shows are pulled off of these fansites. That is, the legal teams working for these companies are not oblivious to what is going on. These people spend millions to produce a show — and I am sure that they are not relying on streaming sites to find what shows are being distributed without copyright.
Korean companies are being completely stupid on this front. I have no idea why they have not courted fansubbers yet. Although, I think dramafever and crunchyroll are examples of companies working with fansites now. Obviously, MBC and other studios are giving these sites permission to legitimately show their programs, while using fan subs. The reality is that, if the anime industry is any indication, fansubbing, and FREE fansubbed material, is here to stay (at least as far as I can see).
My sense is that Korean drama and even Japanese anime companies have not reached out to U.S. audiences because of trade laws. When shows are licensed in another country, that country gets a piece of the pie. If K companies trade directly with the fans, U.S. doesn’t get anything. Maybe dramafever pays taxes to the U.S. gov., in which case I can see how the dramafever can be the next step in streaming.
I would be willing to pay for DramaFever service, just as I am paying for Viikii, and as I was for a while for crunchyroll. I don’t visit Soompi often enough to warrant becoming a “friend,” but if I did and they asked for money, I would donate. It’s not that I am rich — far from it — but the way I see it, without the fans, I would have zero access to these shows, and for the price of a small pizza per month, I am getting more than a bargain and keeping all that extra fat off of my thighs.
@lb_tmi – IN. SANE. just absolutely ridic. hordes and hordes of people everywhere. i think the shoe and handbag department had it the worst. boxes of shoes were strewn everywhere. i looked for 5 minutes before finding an associate to ask for my shoes (i didn’t even see it on display but i knew exactly what I wanted). The second i said the brand name of the boots i was looking for, he laughed… before i ever described the boot he knew it was the one that was pretty much sold out. but i got lucky and he was able to order them. and haha yes it’s like the David’s Bridal $99 dress rush lol
we women are crazy when it comes to shiny pretty new things! especially when those shiny pretty new things are discounted!
@Nom_Kitteh -
Hehe. Lots of points you have. Lemme just say that many avenues are being explored, but not all avenues lead to the same place.
As for whether BON would be willing to burn DVDs and then give them away for S/H. I cannot speak for BON, I am merely a worker bee.
But I will say this from a legal persepctive, the closer that hardsubbing gets to mimicking the distribution method favored by production companies, like packaging DVD sets, the more likely it is that there will be repercussions sooner than later. It would be a mistake to go down that road, although at this point, I am not sure how long hard-subbing will last as a method of distributing subtitles anyway.
That said, this is all speculation. This area of the law is not settled, and courts and legal teams can’t even wrap their brains around the technology (as quickly as it moves), much less define it for legal principle sake, and obviously, for the sake of coming up with rules as applied that make sense for everybody.
@35 djes
I’m so sorry to hear this… Sometimes, it’s just so unfathomable that other human beings just like me can do such things… Trust you are in a safe place surrounded by love and support.
J-dramas, Aww, summer drama season is here! New series are out. So far, haven’t had a chance to really check them out yet since my time has been occupied with Triple, partner and MWCGM, It’s more than handful and I’m ignoring my duties like paying sales tax I’ve collected for the State of California which is due by the end of this month… Amongst the ones I’ve tried,I sort of like “Reset”, it’s interesting enough. And about “Nodame”, you all know that it’s based on the manga series which is still on going? my brother and sister, both of them well into their 40th own all the volumes of the comics(manga books), and I can’t wait to catch up till my next visit to Japan next month. It’s so hysterical,outrageous and touching, all in one!
65 Samsooki
Hummm, this is an interesting issue. To be honest, I’ve never even thought of it from those angles. Thank you for posting this here, For now, while it still is possible, I just would like to be able to catch dramas as soon as they are available… Like “Partner”, somehow, I really got into it and am checking Viikii site several times a day, a bit pathetic on my part… and while waiting, I even started to contribute a little bit of subbing for j-dramas there. On the other hand, I’ll be upset if somebody use my graphics without my permission…. Hummm… that hasn’t happen so far anyway…
Anyway, happy weekends for all of us and thank you for JB for this site, I really do appreciate this community.
Well, I’d better get away from this computer a bit and get on with my task
@ 75, Nom_Kitteh
Thanks for the email warning…great advice, I’ll remember to do this next time!
@74, lb_tmi
It’s quite obvious that I’m your long-lost mom, as you seem to have acquired all of my good (or bad? hehe) habits!
Forgot to say in one of my earlier 1000 posts…I watched Departures a couple of nights ago, have you guys seen it? It was so beautiful. I’ve really been looking forward to it and it didn’t disappoint me at all. A couple of scenes literally took my breath away…just a quiet, wonderful movie.
@77 Samsooki,
Thanks for your response. I agree with you that selling DVDs would be courting disaster for subbers.
If I may disagree with you a bit: I think the legal terms are extremely clear on this. Several court rulings, starting with the French ruling on Yahoo (LICRA vs Yahoo) which pretty much ended the “world wide web” concept of the internet , along with actions against torrent sites have sent very clear messages on fan service and copyrights. I am assuming that the only reason Korean companies have not moved aggressively against fansubbers is because they are making money off of free publicity and fanservice.
My point is that if subbers are worried about streaming, they should be also worried about the work they do openly, on their blogs, which are registered sites — and they are MUCH more at risk because a company can go after Google or any other hosting site for damages. Also, the subbers are doing this work, I am assuming, without layers and layers of proxies.
If I were subbing, I would never put my username on my sub (I would advertise it as part of a team or just say that is a free fanservce and nothing else), I would use anonymous proxies on top of dynamic IPs, and I would never ever host a blog with downloadable links to my subs. I am sure that subbers have more insight than I, but to me enforcing streaming bans seems rather naive . But I am just commenting on this as a bystander so welcome an education.
To subbers reading this: I don’t mean to undermine or denigrate your streaming policies. I am simply stating my understanding of this. Again, I am more than happy to understand where you are coming from, if you are willing to explain it to me.
P.S. The LICRA vs Yahoo case might seem completely unrelated to fanservice or torrenting but it was actually every much the beginning of the end of what the internet was envisioned to be — a place without borders.
Waaaaaaahhhhhhh.. Not having a job makes me lose track of what day it is. I didn’t realize it was Friday until just now. ^^;
@26 lb_tmi – OMG, CLASH. I’m new to the Thai music scene, and I love CLASH. (I only have, like, three of their songs though.) Do you know a group called Potato? I’m kind of addicted to them.
@ mishane – Tamaki Hiroshiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~ That’s such a gorgeous man, and so hilarious.
As for Love Shuffle, I pretty much had the pairings figured out by the second shuffle. I wasn’t 100% sure until the end, though, so I was pleased when it did turn out the way I expected after all.
And you’re watching ToGetHer? I loved that show.. It’s surprisingly good, and not at all like most other Twdramas I’ve seen. The end made me squeal like a little girl. :3
Yay panda!
@ Samsooki & Nom_Kitteh – I like reading this debate on the future of fansubbing. You both raise excellent points..
Now here is a completely random question that has absolutely nothing to do with anything else.. On my trip home from college a few months ago, my father and I stopped for dinner at an Italian restaurant in Kokomo, Indiana, where I ordered the most wonderful spinach lasagna I have ever encountered. Since then, my father and I have tried multiple recipes, but we can’t quite seem to find anything even close to that taste. Do any of you happen to have any good spinach lasagna recipes? I’m not looking for anything strictly vegetarian, but I would like something without meat and with a cheesier taste. If you can help, you’re awesome.
Wew this is really great! its friday and I loved it. I’m having a break with Korean drama coz so far I haven’t seen something that interests me after the astounding CT and much disappointment with Triple. The good thing is I’m tying my hands with Black and White a Taiwan drama. So far I’m enjoying it and hope to finish it soon before some real business comes up.
@82, kender:
If you find a good recipe, please share.
My wife and I went to Napa Valley, and had lunch at Rutherford Grille in Rutherford, a small town in the heart of Napa Valley south. We had the best, I mean, the best, cornbread we’ve ever tasted (served on a cast iron skillet). We asked for the recipe, and they refused, saying it was a secret. We went online to try to see if we could find it, and apparently, it is well-known that Rutherford Grille’s cornbread is spectacular and that the recipe is secret. When we got home, we tried several variations, but we can not duplicate the taste. We know that it has fresh corn shucked off the cob and diced jalepenos. It is slightly sweet, and slightly spicy, and completely delicious.
So, I’ll add Rutherford Grille’s cornbread to the request list. =)
No one here interested in the upcoming drama of the Hong Sisters, You’re Beautiful? I hope I’m not the only one anticipating it.
Love Shuffle…………..Yah Panda!!!
@langdon813
I loved Departures!!! I think the classified ad confusion was really funny… hehehe.
And don’t you think Masahiro Motoki has got some nice tight tush?
On a side note… few years ago I was actually considering on switching careers — I wanted to become a mortician.
Can anyone tell me how Boys Before Flowers is doing in Japan (has it even aired?). Is it well received or not? Suddenly I’m curious.
@mishane
Damn! Too late on the open thread and missed out one getting my hands on yr SJS poster. But then again probably not sure what i would do with it….aside from oggle for a few days. That would have replaced my oggling him in person (if I could have) at NYC hehe
@djes
Take care – and hope you, your family and friends are all safe. The world really can be a crazy place. I can never understand the motivation for acts of violence on people, let alone innocent people who were just going about their lives. Whatever the ‘message’ the terrorists were thinking to send with their violence – the only response I have is revulsion.
Ok now back to lighter note…..
Ok should be watching CH (I KNOW – late comer!) but just watched the first ep of Triple – so damn cute. JB your recap was awesome – but the episode was even cuter than what i had expected. And Lee Jung Jae……..what can i say? Hottie even with that (detested..well by me) Spock-like hair!
For those who are looking for Lee Jung Jae and Kim Rae Won (*sigh* he is going to the military next month…) here are my suggestions…
LJJ – IL MARE.
One of my fav movies ever. And if you have seen that sad excuse of a remake ‘Lake House’ – this is a thousand times better. Do not let a crap remake turn you off.
The Affair – like previously mentioned, the acting is really top notch. Bonus to see LJJ’s bod!
KRW – Movies: ….ing, My Little Bride. Kdramas: Attic Cat. Gourmet (esp if you like food!)
Re: SUBBING
Interesting to read the discussion about subbing. As one of the ‘users’ of fan subs – cannot express my thanks enough! Fan subbers are awesome. Really without fan subbers – i doubt whether as many people would be hooked on K-dramas.
OK now for a completly unrelated to kdrama question
Re: iPhone 3Gs v’s Blackberry Bold/Storm
Since this is an open thread – hope my fellow dramabeaners can help me. Am at the moment considering a new phone, as my contract has ended. Looking at options, I can get for the same cost phone plans either an iPhone 3Gs or Blackberry Storm (the Bold costs $10 more a month…or is it the other way around? oops). I am sick of lugging around my phone and ipod. So need to streamline before my shoulder collapses.
As I have never had a touch screen phone are they easy to use? Also for users of either of those phones – have you got any feedback on the pros and cons of them. Yes I know I can go to the website et al but I always find feedback from real users more useful (for obvious reasons).
Blackberry – does it sync with itunes? or just the usual drag and drop? As I want to listen to music on the phone when I am stuck somewhere.
Thanks!
First of all….Tamaki Hiroshi sings???!!! Really??!! I’m going to have to check it out. Nodame was a great drama (I had read the manga first which is why I saw the drama). I haven’t seen Love Shuffle yet, but Matsuda Shota is probably one of my favorite Jactors. But yeah…I’m totally looking forward to Liar’s Game season 2 (though i hope it’s not too episodic).
Okay, so I finally saw/finished Black & White and can I say I was incredibly impressed. While it had it’s flaws (it got a bit too convoluted in plot towards the end, imho), the story was interesting and I was really surprised by the solid acting across the board. ZaiZai has really improved as an actor….I thought he did a great job in this. I also was surprised at how well Mark Chao acted for a newbie. Though was there anyone else who was rooting for ZaiZai/Mark Chao to get together? They really did have awesome chemistry and the almost kissing scene…I really thought Vic was going to kiss Mark. Really, I thought they were more compatible w/each other than w/Ivy who played Chen Lin. Oh I thought the whole Cheng Nuo/ Yi Xing tangent was pretty cute. Jason Zou is cutie!
@mishane
You are watching ToGetHer right? Is it any good? would you recommend it?
@bspanda,
I have the Blackberry 8900 for ATT wireless. It has wi-fi, edge, enterprise software, a better screen than the BB bold, and a 3.2mp camera. The only thing that it doesn’t have is 3G, but 3G is kind of overrated. I post on dramabeans and soompi with it, even, in addition to doing yahoo mail, gmail, gchat, etc.
The only thing that I don’t have it do is mp3 / video playing. For that I carry my 120GB iPod. Yes, its bulky but I hate draining my bberry battery for mp3 playing.
I would suggest getting the 8900 over the storm and the bold, and I would keep your iPod for the music and video.
@90 Taohua – Sorry to butt in, but I would definitely recommend ToGetHer. So very, very cute, and I got surprisingly attached to the characters. (I usually have a superficial attachment to Twdrama characters, as opposed to the deep emotional attachments I form with Kdrama characters, so this is a huge deal for me.) Jiro Wang is amazing, and Rainie is really sweet and adorable. Plus, it has the added benefit of being only 12 episodes, absolutely the perfect length for that series. Things weren’t too drawn out, and the pacing was surprisingly consistent and good. You should definitely give it a shot.
On the subject of Triple (someone up there brought it up), am I the only one who can’t quite make up my mind about it? I like the atmosphere, the soundtrack, the plot, the actors, and the characters (with the exception of Soo-in, who bothers me; I even love Hyun-tae, even though his stalker tendencies weird me out), but there’s something about it which keeps me from getting too attached to the show itself. And although I ship Hwal and Haru, I frequently find myself yelling at them (especially Hwal) to stay away from each other. Is anyone else having this sort of reaction?
@ bspanda – i personally have the blackberry curve and i LOVE it. but that’s because i don’t like touchscreen and both the iphone and storm is a touchscreen. if you want something like an ipod then i’d just say to go with the iphone – then for sure it’s all compatible. blackberry has it’s own media manager program so i can play songs and videos on my blackberry but i usually just use my ipod for that kinda stuff
a friend of mine got the storm and returned it within a week. she didn’t really say why but she just hated it…later she got the bold (which i want once my contract is up!)
@ taohua – you think jason is hot too?!?! i dono what it is, but he is super attractive to me!! haha. part of it is his lankiness and build…and i LOVE his smile and dimples. plus the way he speaks and…. pronounces his words or something? haha i dono. i can’t explain it but i loved him and i wish they expanded on the cheng nuo/ xi ying tangent too..maybe in the movie? i liked chen lin in the beginning..but then she just got annoying. and yes zaizai has improved SO much since the MG days
interestingly enough, I only know 3 japanese songs (2 from dramabeans: ayaka and sakanaction) and HYD (arashi-one love or something like that.).. I love ayaka’s voice! it’s so different and very powerful!
I’m always late with the news, but I’m sorry to hear about what happened in Indonesia.
My condolences to the family and friends who have lost their loved ones with this senseless act.
@bspanda i used black berry and changed to iphone 6 months ago..
if u like texting and email go with black berry because iphone is pain in the as* when it comes to typing..it took me 3 months to master texting without misspelling..
but if u like music and games go with iphone, good thing about iphone is i dont have to carry my ipod anymore..and they have a lot of cool app and game if u into those kind of gadget..
i dont recommend iphone if u used your phone a lot through out the day becos as of now they dont have replacement for battary..u can only charge it. iphone battery will barely last throughout the day so keep that in mind too..
@bspanda
I got a new phone today as a matter of fact, a Samsung Epix. It’s a little early to review performance yet but I’ve had some fun with it the last couple of hours. I really wanted an iPhone, but it’s a company phone so this is what I ended up with. So far so good; it seems pretty user friendly!
It has some cool features, but I don’t know what all of them are yet, so here’s a link:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-details/?device=Samsung+Epix(TM)&q_sku=sku3030219
i was wondering if korean subtitles exist for korean dramas. or does anyone know where i could get the transcript in korean for korean dramas?
when i watch kdramas with english subtitles, i notice that i ignore the korean dialogue and just focus on the subtitles. this sort of defeats the purpose of using kdramas as a tool for learning korean.
also, does anyone know where i can buy the Lee Byung Heon GI Joe action figure? the ones online all have the ninja mask.
@97 kb – If you look at the top of JB’s blog here, you’ll see a link for Kdrama scripts. She doesn’t have all of them, but she has a lot. You might need a special program to view the hangul, but the comments section of that post has some links and recommendations. Good luck!
I own several English movies which happen to have Korean subtitles.. Sometimes when I’m bored I mute the sound and put on the Korean subs. Since I know the stories pretty well, it helps me figure out the vocab from context, which I really like. It’s also really funny to see how the Koreans translate certain things from English.. They don’t always pick direct translations, which I find amusing.
kender 98
hahaha… it was right under my nose.
thank you.
@kb
Re: LBH G.I. Joe action figure
It’s series 2 and not released yet but it’s trickling out slowly. Best bet is HasbroToyShop.com or ebay. But I would wait a couple of weeks.
@91 Samsooki, @93 lovenyc52, @95 spoiledmm and @96 langdon813
Re: iPhone v’s Blackberry
Thanks gang for giving me user feedback to my question! God I love this blog!
OMG you really are wonderful people! *hugs*
At the moment am still considering my options (no hurry…except for me itching for a new phone LOL) but this really helps.
spoiledmm you raised a great point about texting on iPhone. I was playing briefly with the one on display and I was totally not hitting the right keys at all. That was one of my concerns.
At the moment the iPhone pros: syncs with my itunes, no need to lug ipod etc, applications which can inc games. The cons: texting, battery life (*sigh* one thing really I thought Apple would have changed esp given their ipod battery fiasco of none changable battery unless you pay an arm or a leg!! That totally sucks!)
Blackberry – based on feedback seems pretty postive. Can you replace the battery on BB or is it like Apple’s rip off of being real $$$ and/or that you need a technican to replace the battery? I am hoping it has the ‘normal system where you can get another spare, charge it and take it with you in case you need it on the road. I would hate to be having to sit next to a power point just to keep using my phone.
Once again thank you. Look forward to whether any one else can tell me what their experience has been with the phones. It’s amazing how generous people are on this blog. I suppose that’s why it’s one of the sites I visit daily, and repeatedly!
@djes…heard about the bombings. Some speculated that one of the bombs were targeted at the Manchester United players – it would make quite a huge stir since they are considered one of the best soccer teams in the world (they are the best if you ask me). But someone must have gotten the dates mixed up – wrong intel…
back to drama…anyone watched Ja Myung Go? Do you like it? I heard that it was shorten because of low ratings. It’s on the local Korean station here and I happen to catch an episode and thought it was quite interesting. I’m contemplating watching it. Of course will have to catch up on the 22 missing chapters. I seem to get the feeling that it has a sad ending – not sure if I want to watch 39 episodes to have it end with everyone being dead.
@bspanda
my husband just got an iphone. he really loves it esp. the aps. i decided against switching to at&t since i’ve been really happy with verizon. since music is more important to me, he got me an itouch. it has all the features of the iphone minus the phone. i’ve learned to type on the touchscreen. it really isn’t too bad just takes some practise.
sorry for the long post. did not get a chance to check out open thread earlier. work has been crazy this week.
The newer blackerry 8900 curve is better than the bb bold except for the 3G aspect, but 3G is not so easy to come by everywhere and if you are on the road, you could be going in and out of 3G coverage which is really annoying.
The new iPhone is pretty impressive, but if you do posting or emails or texts, then the touchscreen isn’t going to cut it. With a blackbery keyboard, my thumbs fly around and are always on the buttons. On an IPhone, you gotta keep you fingers off unless you are pinpoint pushing a single key. It is slow slow slow and even though my wife says that her iPhone begins to learn how you type, it still is slow with a lot of backspaces.
Honestly, if you don’t text/email/post/chat with a phone much or at all, the new iPhone probably can’t be beat, with all of its features. But then again, MAYBE YOU WOULDN’T text/chat/email/post much because the iPhone isn’t built for that. If you had the bb 8900, maybe you would post from everywhere.
And the battery thing is another key consideration. Bb batteries are just matchbook size things you can remove and replace. And if you listen to mp3’s on your iPhone, you really gotta bring a charger with you.
to all, thank you for your concerns!
Jakarta is quiet for a weekend,just back from a mall and it was quite empty, But this is a long weekend here ( Monday is public holiday ), so I guess many people go out of the city too…and some of them of course avoiding malls and hotels.
Anyway, regarding to IPhone and Blackberry thingy, I also own Blackberry 8900 Javelin, and I love it to pieces. My housemate owns BB Storm, I tried it once, and I hate typing on it – I have to admit that IPhone has better touch screen. But she said, you’ll get use to it, and now I think she types faster than me on her Storm..but I am lousy typist anyway.
IPhone surely has more applications – but like the others had stated, I think it’s better to have different gadget for different uses. I also own ITouch – I love it too, what can I say, I just love gadgets – I use it for listen to music and play games. BB is for mails and chats..
BB 8900 is nicer than Bold, IMO, and the camera is awesome! I know other phones have better and higher pixels for the camera – ie. Nokia, LG and Samsung have types with 5+ MP camera, but I think I’m pretty satisfied with 3,2 MP. If I need to take better pics, I use real camera!
It is hassle having those things in your bag – that’s why I never use small bag, hehehe – but for me, I love my gadgets so I don’t mind. I even bring 2nd phone! ( I used to bring 3 phones around! Not that I get calls that often!
)
i know am quite late…^-^
so i wont even make a comment….
just for JAVABEANS:
LOVE YOUR SONG!!!!!! (am into this type of music…)
THANKS!!!!!
YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER BUT AM WONDERING IF THE SINGER IS KOREAN TOO….CANT FIND THIS ANYWHERE…
ADD:
mmm…everybody was talking about their phones……
i dont own a single Iphone or Blackberry….am totally clueless on these…..
uummmm…*in a small voice* i have an old old motorola cellphone and a couple of bulky hospital pagers…..^-^
…but am getting some good info though…..
^-^
TO JAVABEANS:
OH! IT’S JAPANESE DUO……^-^
Okay, have you guys actually seen the trailer for Blood: The Last Vampire?
It actually looks good! (the preview looks good, the movie, who knows)
I just saw it, because I was researching something for a future CH episode recap (hehe, don’t ask), and it is pretty interesting!
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/bloodthelastvampire/
I hope it is okay to plug a movie that I’ve not seen.
Sorry Samsooki but the film is awful.
I am soooo excited that Dramafever is officially going to launch on August 6th and they’re having the launch party right here in NYC, aka, in my neck of the woods. WHOOHOO! But I probably won’t be able to go anyway. BooHoo. =(
@Samsooki, those trailer really looks good! in fact the only scene that was soo good in the movie is when the Old Man fighting all those ninjas and when….(aww shucks, can’t say the spoiler, let’s just say this is the best part JJH played in this movie)!
I only went to watch it because i really like JJH. So, it’s a give and take. I didn’t thoroughly enjoy the whole movie, I was cringing from some of the really obvious fake CGIs, repeated lines (ie. faster! go faster!! faster!!) and very predictable ending (i never seen the anime).
I’d say, wait for someone to upload it online. Actually some (good souls) already did, and I downloaded it because my nephew wants to see. I’m in the process of hardsplitting.
speaking of posting movie trailers here? has anyone seen the new installment of Japanese Horror movie, Ju-on?
WARNING: WATCH AT YOUR OWN RISK OF GETTING SCARED OR SHOCKED!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blHFeprh71M
Is it available online? I wanna watch it.
@ samsooki
I havent seen Blood too and i did like the trailer….thought it was good….
apparently…. from what i have been reading, looks like it was just a very well-done trailer(good job, good job!!)….
But i will still watch it!!!!! ^-^ anything with cool martial arts, and koyuki in it!
Had a City Hall Marathon last night/this morning (well 5 eps – and I was only going to watch one! Got minimal sleep) and I so so get why it is loved. <3 Not sure why people said the first few eps might be hard to get into cause I loved them.
Have to say, the chemistry between Kim Sun Ah and Cha Seung Won was sizzling, even from Episode 1 (where it was basically just an intro to them too LOL). It was suprising how 'fast' they ramped up the chemistry! Great actors. Sexy indeed!
When i first saw the pics of Cha Seung Won – I did not think much, he looked so sleepy. Silly me should have known – another guy I once thought sleepy (So Ji Sub) I discovered later to be hot and talented. CSW is looking like he is heading towards the MINE! territory. Given that comments in this blog have said the series gets better….hmm KJH, LBH and SJS might need to make some room
To City Hallers – thanks for raving about it. Your 'campaign' worked! And am so glad to have discovered CH! *hugs* To the awesome recappers – said it before but thanks. Your recaps have been extremely helpful since I got dud subtitles on my DVD
Speaking of which – does anyone know where I can get soft subs/translated script for CH? Please please please help me. With my DVD the first ep i watched had just passable English. Ep 2-5 have been ok (but sometimes they just skip parts). But it's going to kill me if the rest of the eps have non-English subtitles!
I know there is a hardsub fansub going – but given I have the DVD (as well as a internet connection that would not cope) I was hoping (praying) if anyone can help me!!! Even if it is transcript of translations – I don't need to be timed etc. I'd be willing to get softsubs/transcripts print them out and watch it! (trust me have done that before!) Can anyone help?
BTW if anyone would/could provide softsubs I promise I would NOT use them to upload to streaming site. Promise! Besides, that's way too complicated for – I just manage to understand how to watch with softsubs on my own PC.
(JB if this is the wrong place to ask, I apologise. If you find it inappropriate to ask for soft subs in yr blog kindly can edit this request out)
@ 114 bspanda
Welcome to the City Hall club, glad you like it!
Try bimbibap.com. They have fully translated summary of each episode: .
http://bimbibap.com/category/sbs/city-hall/
@ 114 bspanda
Oh, one more thing: if your DVD set is the same version as what my hubby bought me from Asia…..please note that they have cut out the last scene from Ep 20 – which is a two-minute finale ending of this drama. It was a scene after the rolling of credits. You will probably have to watch the final segment of Ep 20 from Viikii, where CH fans have now also uploaded all the BTS specials with subs.
I finished Cinderella Man last night. I couldn’t wait for MBC America to show the last 2 episodes this week, so I went on dramafever and I finished it about at 2 a.m. last night. Hehe. If there is a drama that has more k-drama stylized plot points than CM, I don’t know it.
Fashion company with competing heirs. Rich guy-poor guy. Rich guy-poor girl. Rich girl-poor guy. Orphan guy is poor guy. Poor girl is good girl, orphan guy is good guy. An unhappy engagement to the wrong person because of parents and expectations. A final episode fashion design contest with the grand prize being a scholarship to study abroad. Twins! Mistaken / intentional secret identity with twins! Sins of the earlier generation causing problems in the next generation. Family secrets as to what happened in the past. Bitter proxy fight within corporation. The antagonist female character won’t let go of the main lead male, antagonist male character won’t let go of the main female lead. Poor guy lets go of girl he loves because he doesn’t want her to lose her dreams. Matriarch of the corporation family in a coma! Secret will. Jealousy based on unrequited love leads to evil. All within 16 episodes!
There, I just recapped the entire series without any screen caps, in less time than it takes for me to think about a single scene from City Hall. LOL.
Still, Cinderella Man was actually very enjoyable. It was enjoyable enough that I had to stay up til 2 a.m. on a school night to finish it, and even though the acting was not spectacular, and it was about as cliched as you can get, I still enjoyed it. You can say that Yoona isn’t that great of an actress, and that KSW’s acting was a little bit over the top, but this watching K-dramas is supposed to be for fun, and it WAS fun to watch.
My review of Cinderella Man can be summed up in 14 words:
Yes, it is good enough to watch. Yes, it is fun enough to watch.
Next up to finish will be New Heart, hopefully I can finish that up in the next few days. Gotta clear the drama plate before I can load up on Triple, Partner and Friend!
I also like New Heart, although in the beginning I was just like, “meh.” Ji Sung in this drama is a little different than when I saw him in Save The Last Dance For Me, but there is still the same little boy smile and warmth in both characters.
I wonder how he will do Swallow The Sun.
@ samsookie–u just reminded me what my next drama is gonna be after City Hall. thanks to your recaps, i have to watch City Hall. then i’m going back to finish New Heart. i love me *MY* Ji Sung. (nobody’s claimed him yet, right?)
@ Kender
i’m so mad i missed the CLASH concert in MN on July 2! everything i read said they really ROCKED the house! i was gonna go to Chicago’s then it got cancelled. I’ve actually got all of CLASH’s cds except for SoundCream. I’m still looking for that one, as it’s not available at my drug store. heehee.. I only got into CLASH because of Bank (lead singer) and his hotness. i’m shallow like that.
I’ve only recently started listening to Potato… have you seen PUP? holy abs!!! i only checked them out because someone said that Pup really toned up, so i had to check out who they were discussing… and WOW am i glad i did. I have only heard a few of Potato’s songs, i really like Circle.
@ langdon813
seeing as i’ve finally met my mom, you wanna send me some cash so i can buy some more kdramas? i’m not shy to hit you up for money right away. heehee… i mean, i did inherit the compulsion from you and all…
@119 lb_tmi
Did you see Save The Last Dance For Me? I thought he was not very memorable in his scenes. Eugene was the center of that drama, and Ji Sung was sort of a secondary character.
In New Heart, I feel like Ji Sung IS the center of the drama, and so everything revolves around him. I think he plays a very sympathetic character and I like him in that role. I’m not really feeling his love interest though, although she is a good actress – the chemistry doesn’t seem to be there yet. Have you already started watching New Heart, or will you be starting from episode 1?
As for other stuff, MBC America is also showing “Good Job, Good Job” with Chae Rim. And, while I am continuing to watch, I don’t really feel the chemistry in the romance there, and the story lines are all convoluted. The scary crazy “I can’t give you up” guy in this drama is so unrealistic, it makes it frustrating to watch.
With all guys (or girls) who are like, “I still love you, and I won’t let our relationship die even though you hate me now,” there are ways to do it so that it doesn’t seem totally contrived.
Good examples of the “right” way to do it (in my view): the girl who played the “I’m crazy and I won’t let you go” character in Save The Last Dance For Me. Her performance I believed and I thought was good. Another crazy girl whom I believed – Temptation of Wife’s Min So Hee. Finally, in Dal Ja Spring, I thought the “i’m still hanging on’ guy was pretty good.
Good examples of how not to do it: the characters from Cinderella Man who played those respective roles: just not believable. Also, in DGCH, I sort of feel like the girl who wanted to be with JaeHee was not believable. Finally, in Goong and in My Girl, the guys who didn’t get the girl weren’t really that believable to me either.
Oh, btw, watching New Heart right now, episode 11 on dramafever. About 14:05 into the episode, there is this song that plays in the background.
This is the song on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMKiTwsJHYQ&feature=PlayList&p=4D01951FABE4EE9E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=11
Hong Kyung Min – Gamsa
I have to say, I am really getting into New Heart…. hehe.
LOL, I’m still here! I just finished Ep 15! Marathon session! It got good after about 10 episodes. Episodes 11-15 are really good!
I am really liking the drama series now. I don’t know if it has the legs to go another 8 episodes, but right now, it is really good. Ji Sung is way better here than in Save The Last Dance For Me.
@ Samsooki
Would love to hear your review of New Heart after you finish it. I started half of Ep 1 and then dropped out although every now and then people are saying it is quite alright. I dropped Good Job Good Job after about 15 episodes. The first six or seven episodes are really lovely as a heartwarming family drama and I love most of the characters (ie until the mum turns to a different person). For the love of Chae Rim, I sustained a little bit longer….
There is no way on this earth that I would even start Cinderella Man, though!
@119, lb_tmi
Sorry, my child…you have two long-lost brothers who are currently draining me dry financially. Although they have moved away from home, they haven’t quite figured out the whole “live within your means” concept.
So unfortunately I must now ask you, in true Kdrama fashion…can you please work 2 or 3 extra jobs and send your poor web-mom some money to help with HER Kdrama addiction?
Look on the bright side…by doing this you’re almost guaranteed to snag yourself a gorgeous chaebol, thus cementing both of our positions (and cash flow problems) for life.
Love ya!
@123, epyc
I am very surprised.
Usually, I am pretty good about judging dramas early on, as to whether I would like it. And I didn’t really like New Heart all that much as I started watching around episode 3 or 4 or maybe it was 5. They all sort of ran together and there really wasn’t much that was that interesting.
And I didn’t really feel the chemistry between the main leads.
But two nights ago, I finished Cinderella Man’s last two episodes by going onto dramafever.com and just skipping through it to finish it. And i thought i could do the same with New Heart. (Actually, I really thought I was only a few episodes from finishing). But when I got to dramafever.com last night, I found that I was only on like Ep 9 or 10 of the series! I had no idea, since the television series on MBC America doesn’t list which episode you are on. I just thought it was almost over. But it was just getting started and I was kind of depressed because I hate just dropping a series and not finishing it. So, I thought I could just watch maybe 5-10 minutes of each episode to see how it ends.
But starting Ep 11, they got their act together and the script, the acting, the directing, the music, everything came together. And I said, “hmmm! what’s this that is catching my eye, making me proscrastinate from doing my BON subbing and the 30 other things I have to do tonight…. maybe i’ll just watch this one episode and then get back to work… ”
Then, about 4-5 hours later, well past my bedtime, I found myself finishing Ep 15, and thinking, dang, where did my time go?
LOL.
@ samsookie
Save the Last Dance is one of 3 dramas i actually own (the others being Green Rose and My Love Patzzi). I have watched and re-watched it over and over again… more than i ever thought i would, and have come up with only this… I am completely shallow. i can’t get passed *MY* Ji Sung’s lips. i thought he was wonderful as Changho, i thought the first 3-4 eps were very well acted by Ji Sung. I didn’t like him as much as Hyunwoo, but that was probably because of the story line. i do have to agree with you on the point that Sujin was one of the best “i love him, can’t leave him, but i’ll never be w/ him because of the main girl” characters.
New Heart, i watched it when it first started airing… i think i’m on around ep 9 or so. But i have to disagree, i think the Dr. Choi steals every scene he is in. his presence is so strong.. at least so far that i’ve watched… i will pick it up again JUST for Ji Sung tho.
@ langdon813
chaebol is sugar daddy or husband? i already got me a husband, and lemme tell ya, he’s a disappointment… can’t handle any of this kdrama obsession by his wife. i may need to get hooked up w/ a sugar daddy so that me and my mama can fuel the obsession some more… which part of the world should we attack, i mean look for this sugar daddy? and whip them bros of mine in shape… have them obtain a sugar mama to support my mama and me!!!
@126 lb_tmi – Jul 21, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Save the Last Dance is one of 3 dramas i actually own (the others being Green Rose and My Love Patzzi). I have watched and re-watched it over and over again… more than i ever thought i would, and have come up with only this… I am completely shallow. i can’t get passed *MY* Ji Sung’s lips. i thought he was wonderful as Changho, i thought the first 3-4 eps were very well acted by Ji Sung. I didn’t like him as much as Hyunwoo, but that was probably because of the story line. i do have to agree with you on the point that Sujin was one of the best “i love him, can’t leave him, but i’ll never be w/ him because of the main girl” characters.
New Heart, i watched it when it first started airing… i think i’m on around ep 9 or so. But i have to disagree, i think the Dr. Choi steals every scene he is in. his presence is so strong.. at least so far that i’ve watched… i will pick it up again JUST for Ji Sung tho.
1. Okay, I own Save The Last Dance For Me, one of our very very first purchases of k-dramas ever. We started watching k-dramas in January 2009, and our first purchase was MNIKSS and our second DVD set purchase was Save The Last Dance For Me. I bought it because I liked Eugene when she was a member of SES. Anyway, the soundtrack is killer! Edward Chun, duuuuuuude! So, this drama has a very special place on our DVD shelf, and even though the drama itself wasn’t that awesome, it is still immensely watchable and it is a favorite of mine.
2. New Heart – Dr. Choi is a scene stealer, no doubt. But, to me, it’s a side story. As with most dramas, New Heart is a love story and about the road that is travelled by Ji Sung and Hesok girl (played by Kim Min Jung). I thought the first part of the drama (before Ep 11) was kind of about the hospital and to me that’s just not as interesting because it is just a bunch of cllches walking around and butting heads.
The story really really really comes to life at the end of Ep 10 and Ep 11-15 is just great.
@ Samsooki and lb_tmi
Thanks for sharing your view on New Heart. Perhaps I’ll pick it up again when I have the time. Save the Last Dance is actually pretty good – it is a very well-done cliche drama. Highly watchable is how I’d describe it. In fact, I think I watched it more than once. Both Eugene and Ji Jung are so gorgeous in it and their actings are not bad at all. KJH, of course, is the added bonus as the doctor admirer of Eugene (and his scenes are those I could re-watch more than once, especially the one where he comes to pick up Eugene for their first date).
I like My Love Patzzi too. Jang Nara is lovely in this drama together with Kim Rae Won. I’d always prefer her quirky character and acting here than her other more famous drama: the Successful Delightful Girl (?).
in Save the last dance, more should have been developed between Eun soo and the Dr. there was potential for so much more in that relationship!!
and the OST ROCKS!!! i LOVE edward chun’s voice. AMAZING! all the songs are so beautiful… i still listen to it at least once a week on my mp3. (but i only found it for DL about 4 months ago).
My love Patzzi.. i bought for the sole purpose of Kim Rae Won. i think i’ve said numerous times, i’m quite shallow… i LOVE staring at good-looking guys… it’s a plus that these guys are talented. i think i would have liked the drama better if i didn’t have to concentrate so hard on figuring out the subtitles… they were horrible! my understanding is that the korean is translated to chinese, then chinese translated to simple english… so ALOT is lost in translation. it’s been a while since i watched it, but from what i can remember, the bad girl was a real sneaky witch… and something about dolphins and scraping up poo! LOL!
GI JOE exclusive clip WITH an LBH speaking line!
This movie looks like it totally rocks. For this kind of film, there is no thinking or reflection or time to think about sociological and / or ethnic, racial or other considerations, or wonder whether asian-american should get more meaningful roles on tv and on the big screen. If the entire movie is like this, then I am thrilled and excited, and I will see it twice in the theatre, then buy the DVD. The second time I watch, I would have to watch it alone, to re-live the period of my life where if I had cooler parents I would have had GI Joe action figures:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RziPkSWPWrs
(LBH’s english is pretty good!)
Well, crap.
I’ve been out of town for two days with very limited internet access (SO much reading to catch up on here) and came home to an email that Dramafever has changed the player on their wonderful, fantastic, addictive, awesome site that I visit EVERY SINGLE DAY…and of course I can’t download the new player because of the restrictions on my laptop (company computer).
OH MY GOD!!!
I am going to need rehab…not to mention psychiatric care. Seriously, I’m so upset. And not one single person in my life will get why this is such a big freaking deal to me.
samsooki 130
whoa, that clip looks awesome.
i remember when i was litlle, i would have a nightly one-on-one death match between my two storm shadows before i went to bed. the one without the broken thumb always won.