On the subject of songs...

I've been completely obsessed by the Kim Bum number DB posted for us from the BBF special. It's on my "doing the dishes" playlist, so I listen to it a lot. Also the Biuret song DB put up a couple of weeks ago. Also the Connie Rae Bailey (sp?) number--I liked that enough to buy a couple more of hers on iTunes. Thanks!

I'm going to check out the songs on Samsooki's list which I don't already have, so thanks in advance for the introduction to them.

@198, bspanda

**sniff**

You're making me nostalgic for the "me" from a few weeks ago...when I was sitting right where you are today, ready to kill or maim anyone who dared interrupt me while I was watching City Hall.

Yeah, it's THAT good.

The Soompi CH thread is fantastic...you can rant to your heart's content and there will be dozens of people right there who understand completely and share your joy, pain, withdrawal sypmtoms...whatever you happen to be feeling at the time.

I'm glad this topic came up; I haven't been there in a while and it is such a great place for CH junkies who need a fix. And you WILL need a fix...reaching the end is both heaven and hell!

@ langdon813

you have a 24 yo old son? ..oohhh...that makes you... *grinning*

i should be chatting with you in a formal tone then....^-^

woaa....ockoala has a 20 yo, clestialorigin has a 30yo..., I am on my twenties and i havent had a boyfriend yet!!!! wwaaahhhhh!!!! *tapping my fingers, wondering* mmm....should i blame this on my conservative clan?! OMG, am such a Nerd!! *cowering in embarrassment*

TRIPLE- LOL! insurance commercials! aawww......
I hope Hwal and Haru will be together in the end..... *crossing my fingers and toes real hard*

CH- ooohhhhh..... I was watching the BTS last night (THANKS GUYS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION!!!)...... the viikii had a load of the BTS!!! I havent even finished watching all of it....they are all wonderfully funny....aaawww.... CSW is sooo down to earth... and KSA is soooo cute...I really love her and her hair style...she is truly like a doll (not the shrek one!) and that kissing scene....GOSH! how many "takes" was that?! *giggling*

ADD:

I hope Dramafever has plans on putting CH too.... I would love to watch the series again (without skipping..hehe) with a clearer view...

havent finished watching CH....^-^

@ bspanda

"ockoala has a 20 yo"

Really??? I do? She does? I think you might have misinterpreted my comment that our handsome Cha Seung Won has a 20 yr old son. As much as I dearly wish my son was 20 and out of the house already, he's just almost 5, and I have the pimply teenage years to look forward to. Plus, ockoala hubby is sharpening his knife collection for when my little baby girl hits puberty! Thanks for the shout out though! Our langdon813 and celestialorigin are forever young, inside and out! Drama loving keeps us alert and reminds us all to enjoy life to the fullest.

I cannot believe how the gods are screwing with your CH-watching schedule! Sheesh, if *anyone* had interruped me in the middle of episode 15, any scene in that episode of sheer ridiculous perfection, I would have turned around and smacked them upside the head, ala MR slapping JG in episode 4 for "groping" her. Regardless, during my CH watching marathon, I ignored all calls, phone and in person, and was really only able to pull me away if there was a 5 alarm emergency. And the week wait for episode 19-20 with all the Hallers was the worst and best week in recent memory, just imagining how the writer could possible end it was torture, and fretting that the ending could not possible match our expectations. And of course, how could I even have doubted the CH team, the ending exceeded my expectations and was a power hitter slamming one out of the park. Beyond satisfying on all levels.

I agree with langdon813, the CH soompi forums are a treasure trove of wonderful nuggets of information. My fave random item was reading the "body contracts" Scriptwriter Kim wrote for KSA and CSA (ala JG's body contract for MR), and it is freaking the most hilarious documents ever! It governs what KSA and CWS are allowed with do with themselves in terms of acting in future roles. I still snarkle when I think of it.

Oh, and in response to "and that kissing scene….GOSH! how many “takes” was that?! *giggling*"

I think the crew watching the filming must have either dunked themselves in cold water thereafter or else have incinerated already. That *kiss* was so beyond anything in any asian drama, it's on par with the best kisses in western shows. Our CSW and KSA sure know how to *bring it* I hate the Korean MPAA, cuz I'm sure it was censored to be able to air.

________________________________________________________

Dispite all the talk that I was gonna watch Black & White last night, I ended up starting Nodame Cantabile. So far, so great! 2 episodes, 9 more to go.

@ ockoala

lol!!! ooppsss! sorry bout the age thing...*grinning* i just woke up and went straight to my laptop... i didnt really read the comments all over again...hehe....

RE: kissing scene....

OMG! yeah youre sooo right!!!! twas perfect.... was really observing the two after each take...for any "after-reaction" hehe!

@206 Meiko

Opps, my last post was supposed to be addressed to you, too (on the 20 yr old son issue), and then you and bspanda on all things CH-watching.

If I were Mrs. CSW, I would be standing next to his door staring at the back of his head during the kissing scenes making sure there was no "after-reaction." Ha ha, just kidding, I think a 20 yr marriage can withstand acting scenes involving kissing! The BTS footage show what consummate actors KSA and CSW are, plus their kidding around (along with the rest of the cast), is such a hoot.

Okay, this is a question for folks who have seen CH - has there been any other drama that involves so much kissing, hugging, genuine shows of affection between the leads? Seriously, I don't mean a few pecks littered throughout the show, or lots of slow mo staring in longing and affection - I want meat and potatoes loving! I want to know because that is the next drama I'm gonna watch. I'd say until CH, the best kiss and OMG sensual and hot-blooded kissing, grabbing, etc. occurred in MNIKSS and Que Sera Sera. I've seen both, so any other recommendations are greatly appreciated!
_________________________________________________________

I was just thinking about Shining Inheritance, and why I enjoyed it despite its plethora of cliches, and and I guess it's just so easy to watch, to enjoy the leads, the hate the evil stepmother, to wish for a cinderalla ending. The return to cliches just didn't work in Bad Love, it was so overwrought I almost had a hernia watching it, but I still finished, call it penury performed in the duty of drama-watching, to say I watched it.

Nodame is so cute, though I am a total OCD, and watching the pigsty that is Nodame's apartment, I cringe, and almost feel like retching even though it's just on TV. Funny, huh?
_________________________________________________________________

I hope bspanda has finished CH in one piece, and we don't have to hunt her down to revive her. =-)

OMG OMG OMG - I finished City Hall like 15 min ago, and already i was going back to my fav scenes!! 15 minutes!!!! Cause had to come here to let you all know that (whether you wanted to know is another thing : P )

hehehe Again the CH gods messed me up (ok well more like my tired self!) - nodded off (really! not sure what is wrong with me to do that when it is so awesome) for a little bit only to have another stair scene (this time in ep 20 - where I had to smile/giggle then rewind ASAP)!!!! Really I time my 'wake time' well eh?. Soooo did not mind it.

This series really is the BOMB! The emotions I experienced on this journey - wow! It is now in my top 5, if not THE fav kdrama - the chemistry, the humor, the drama and OMG the romance!!!!!!! OMG OMG (hmm need a new term...) This has set a sky high bar for the kdramas that follow. Pity the poor suckers that follow....

Also the sexiest kissing scenes ever! Really other k-actors need this drama to watch as a Masterclass on sexual tension AND how to passionately kiss on screen! Makes me giddy just thinking about it!

WAAAAHHHHHHH!!!
CSW is married!!!! and has a 20 yr old son?!!! Mrs CSW is one very lucky lady. Have a hot hubby who kisses (keepin' it PG!) like THAT. Honestly the chemistry in CH made me think/hope/wish that CSW and KSA really did have something goin'!

Really it is way way past my bedtime (or rather I should be in bed) - I kid you not when I tell you I literally heard birds chirping while I typed the beginning of this sentence! It is wasn't, I could be on Soompi like a drug addict undergoing withdrawal. Alas I am a very tired addict with stuff to do later.

Hmmm maybe a few more minutes of fav CH moments as I drift off....... :)

You guys have been warned that when I come back - you'll be reading from Rant-a-Nut-Case! (ok more nutty and longer, if possible, than usual)

@208, bspanda

Sweet CSW dreams! We definitely want to hear your rantings and ravings, as soon as you've had some recuperative rest!!

The above sentence was brought to you by the letter "R".

@ bspanda

Did you see the CH ending in full? I seem to remember your watching from a DVD set, which might have ended with the credit roll, if so - there're still scenes to come.

"This has set a sky high bar for the kdramas that follow. Pity the poor suckers that follow." For sure, it makes the withdrawal ten times harder as finding a replacement drama is just so hard. Watching CH is such an emotional and satisfying journey with everything almost to the perfection that anything on offer pales into comparison. (Luckily, I have stockpiled four or five of CSW movies.) Love to hear your rant after some well-deserved sleep!

@ ockoala
No, I can't recall any other dramas that have the range of hug and romantic kisses as in CH. The only BIG TIME kiss scenes are in QSS (as you know already) and in Lover (which is also a work of Scripter Kim but I can never have the same CH love for that one, probably a 6/10 drama for me).

My top 4 are also the same as many others: City Hall (number one by a big margin), then Coffee Prince, My Girl and MNIKSS. As a starter, I'd also recommend MNIKSS which happened to be my first kdrama that set off my addiction to Kdrama, and much less extent T- and J-dramas. It is fun, easy to watch and highly 'relatable' to the contemporary viewers from the West.

@ 142 Maria
Be Strong Geum Soon - Highly recommended, especially if you are a KJH fan. This is his breakout drama and I adore his coupling with Han Hye Jin to bits. It is hugely long and I admit having fast-forwarded a lot in my first viewing. In the end, I love all those characters and watch in full in my second viewing. If you are only interested in KJH, then start from about Ep 20. In my retired or next life, I don't mind watching those family dramas because they are all so lovely and heart warming for the few that I have watched. I will definitely watch Sons of Sol Pharmacy perhaps during the X'mas break as my comfort food.

@ Langdon813
I had a few CH ep fix in my flight but I also started watching the first two episodes of Black and White. It is pretty good and doesn't feel like your usual T-drama. Will definitely follow this one. You know what Vic Zhou and Mark Chao remind me of............... Chow Yun Fat (as in VZ) and Tony Leung (as MC) in their early TVB days. They teamed up at one stage for a drama for similar cop roles with total opposite outlook and character. The only trouble I have with B&W are the female leads. They don't give you the sense of gravity (or charisma) like the male leads, which is a problme for most other T-dramas.

Got to go now.

@ bspanda and epyc

Yes, I want to reiterate epyc's warning about episode 20 of City Hall on the Chinese DVDs currently on sale. Episode 20 quality is terrible, but more importantly, it cuts off 2 scenes during the episode (which add up to almost 10 minutes), and the ending, it cuts off during the photo montage, and there is an adorable gem waiting for us immediately afterwards, so cute, so perfect.

As for there being no other hot hot sexy dramas with so much actual affection between the leads (I almost forgot, but Bad Love started off super sexy before falling into "melodrama, oh the melodrama), this makes me sad and mopey now. Anyways, maybe in 2 years we'll be gifted with another CH (like the wait between MNIKSS and Coffee Prince).

Just watched HP6 tonite, it was alright, slightly underwhelming, but enjoyable.

@ epyc and ockoala

Ep 20 - Missing scenes
Yes I got the a 'china editon' (LOL) DVD - but I don't think they cut anything out. The one I got also featured NGs at the end of some of the episodes (just the subtitles were sometimes missing or way off). My dvd has the scenes after credits, with (oh cute!) photo montage, then some scenes - YEP I got those. (the whole ep 20 was 1:06 hr on my dvd - is that the full length?)

What was the other scene that was suppose to be MIA?

(BTW when I was watching and got to the scene when the credits rolled I was thinking (screaming in head) - "they bloody better not end it like this!!!?" When it continued - Phew!!! Should have had more faith - of course it had an awesome finale to round off an awesome series!)

I'm going to check out Viikii just in case - at the moment I have all of Part 7. Suprisingly the quality of this DVD was great, with only some eps that had subtitles that were so out of wack. Must be due to the strong acting in CH, sometimes words were not necessary. Now of course I have awesome recaps from DB and bimibap as 'supplementary' materials! LOL

Re: HP 6
ockoala I also caught it today! After my post CH marathon, and running on (too) few hrs nap, I drifted off to snoozeville for a portion of the beginning!!! What the hell!? Never mind - CH made it well worth missing a few minutes of my longed for HP6 (besides can catch it again with friends that missed it today!)

Really - I'm going to put THAT snooze on the CH Gods tab - they are still messing with me. They also mocked my love for CH. How? I went to Soompi before thinking to check out CH thread for a fix and a rant, only for it to be undergoing the 1 hr maintenance! @_@

But then again they could be doing me a favour, telling me to get some shut eye......course now I am tired and heading to bed Soompi is back up! *shakes fist*

@ockoala
there's some pretty intense skinship at La Dolce Vita aka Bittersweet Life, if you like something dark and it's about extra-marital affairs.

Time flys, it's Sunday already and I haven't done anything constructive than re-watch CH! *toinks*

enjoy the rest of the Weekend Folks! I'm off to see the Blue Angels and the hydroplane races before my summer ends.

I think it's all City Hallers left lingering around in this OT.

In that case, I'm in the mood to savor some equisite dialogue with folks. If you are in the mood, then read along, otherwise, skip the rantings of an addict suffering CH withdrawal.

* DIALOGUE SPOILER BELOW * - CH dialogue coming courtesy of Jo Gook:

“A woman should know how valuable she is.”

“You’re not a light wind, you’re a typhoon… One can avoid the wind, but you’re helpless in a typhoon.”

“What kind of woman are you that you've made me so helpless before you.”

“I have a dream now. I want to be the President. And on my inauguration day, I want to dance with my wife like today. Will you dance with me on my inauguration day?”

“You can hide yourself in as many people as possible. I’ll still be able to see you. Why? Because you’re mine. How can anyone not be able to find what’s theirs?”

“I’ve just realized what’s in my heart, but everyone’s against me, asking for death. In front of me is a cliff, behind me is bluff… It’s killing me that I love her so much… I want to hold on to her so much that it’s killing me. But if I hold on to her, she’ll die. And if I let go, I’ll die.”

And last, but not least, for today, I shall close with the speech JG made to his campaign crowd but addressed to Mi Rae:

"That's why I have to make a choice. Will I give you up for my happiness, or will I suffer for your happiness. For who would think this kind of choice is easy. With this choice, I may lose all which I possess. But I am more afraid that I will lose you. So, even if you can't be by my side, I ask you not to go too far away. Even if you stand opposed to me, I ask that you stand nearby."

Next installment might be all Mi Rae lines, equally as devastating.

@214, ockoala

WOW!! Great post! Just reading that brought joy to my heart. I think I feel another CH viewing coming on, because...

I just finished Air City. I feel like I should get paid or something because that was WORK! It wanted to be good, I think it tried to be good...but it wasn't good. The best thing about it was the unbelievable number of beautiful men; from the main leads all the way down to no-name Criminal Number Three (or Twelve, I lost count). So if you want to spend 16 hours with some truly yummy eye-candy, and don't mind plot holes big enough to drive a truck through, then I can recommend this drama wholeheartedly.

Dramafever just loaded 9 End, 2 Outs, and the summary sounds really good. I think this is one that Samsooki is currently watching, how about anyone else?

I've officially given up on Swallow the Sun. Again...it was too much like work. If I have to force myself, it ain't worth it. Unless Lee Jung-jae is in it, obviously. ;-)

@ 214 ockoala

Thanks for that CH month old anniversary treat. (CH ended on 2nd July.) So wanted to do a CH marathon from Ep 14 to 20 last night. CH spirit was willing but me flesh was too weak. I will make another attempt tonight. And yes, it does look like the CHallers are keeping this OT alive!

@ 215 langdon813

I so agree with you regarding Air City. I thought the weak link was Choi Jiwoo. Loved and respected her as an actress before Air City, but lost that feeling after I watched AC. I think CJW's personality just didn't have enough gumption to carry this role well. Plus the plot holes were waayyy toooo obvious. On the whole, I didn't enjoy this series all that much. LJJ and CJW's kissing scene was the only highlight, but even then, I didn't think it was all too hot. And now, after CH, all other kissing scenes are way too tame.

Thanks for the Swallow in the Sun warning. I was tempted to try because the ratings are better than CH. Anyway, I have decided not to watch another drama while it is still airing. Swallow in the Sun has 24 episodes. Imo, dramas that are greater than 16 episodes long, other than CH, tend to drag. Funny how I keep making references to CH. ;-)

@214 ockoala *screams!* THANK YOU x million! *hugz*

All those Jo Gook dialogues are awesome gems! As I was reading them i pictured the scenes!!! LOL Also you helped solve the mystery of what he said in the 'dream' speech. My subs were spazz, but the acting/chemistry made it very clear the significance of the speech. Warms my heart just thinking about it <3 *swoons* *faints*

Hmm going head to soompi after this - wonder if CHers I see here on JB use the same names? hehe

How powerful is City Hall? This is one example of it's power - I had been keeping an eye out to see if MY Kang Ji Kwan's 'Civil Servant # 7' DVD was out, checking so frequently the DVD shop must have thought I was either had OCD or just a nutty (not far wrong there!). Now I don't care when it comes out! OMG yes - CH is more powerful than MY KJH (at the moment) and others combined!

Another sign - Really I have this whole pile of DVDs waiting gathering dust, and I swear I can hear them say 'pick me! watch me! watch me next!'. My only reponse is 'meh... whatever... gotta play the CH DVD again!'

And this is a pile that includes some kdramas/movies that i HAD been dying to watch/read awesome reviews of eg 'Glass Slipper (vintage So JI Sub!!!), Insadong Scandal (Kim Rae Won!!), The Good The Bad The Weird (Lee Byung Hun AND Jung Woo-sung). Holy hell this lotta hot men cannot match CH - and I have been in love with these men for YEARS.

City Hall Love is nuclear!

Ahem City Hall Gods - please STOP messing with me!
How are they STILL messing with me?...like this.....

I had written a comment here, hit submit. Poof! It is now somewhere in the mysterious cyber land of missing posts (where all odd socks also live).

Then I thought fine - I'll check out (and rant) at the Soompi CH tread.....

Only to be met with:
'Soompi.com Daily Maintenance. Please be patient as we complete our daily maintenance. This process should take no more than approximatly 1 hour. '

AAAARRRRRRGGGGHHH!!!
WTF?
^&&%*O%*

Perhaps this is punishment for being tired when i watched CH and had drifted to sleep? But come on! This is getting just plan mean! :(

Ok - summary of what my comment was to have been before it went Poof!
@214 ockoala
Thanks x million for your Jo Gook dialogue 'greatest' hits. OMG you also solved mystery of what he said in the 'dream' speech (my subtitles were spazz, but the chemistry/acting made it perfectly clear it was a significant and lovely lovely moment! ) Smile/warms my heart just thinking about it!

CH love is Nuclear!

So powerful I have neglected a pile of my long awaited series/movies which feature Lotta Hot Men that I have loved for YEARS eg, Kim Rae Won (Insadong Scandal), So Ji Sub (Vintage 'Glass Slipper'), Lee Byung Hun AND Jung Woo-Sung (The Good The Bad The Weird). Put it this way - I HAD been religiously checking to see if (MINE!) KJH movie 'Civil Servant #7' DVD is out yet BEFORE City Hall. Now my attitude is like 'whatever, whenever it comes out. It's ok I'll just watch CH again.....' @_@ See what i mean by CH power! Supernova!

BTW if my previous 'mysterious' post DOES happen to have appeared here (which would be weird) - sorry to have ranted twice :P (but then again i always rant LOL)

@ ockoala

Love, love your JG dialogue quotes. A major achievement of CH is the exquisite dialogues.

"“You’re not a light wind, you’re a typhoon… One can avoid the wind, but you’re helpless in a typhoon.”

If you know Chinese, light wind comes from the Chinese characters " wind passing" which also means a passing, short term romance. It is therefore the total opposite to a romance of typhoon magnitude.

The double-edged campaign speech is brilliant, isn't it? Really clever writing!

Did you read the quiz by Alodia & Co at Soompi?

@ langdon813

Yes, Air City is sheer eye candy. It is however not satisfying as a one-story drama. This is why I suggested watching it like watching an episode-based drama. For your LJJ fix, have you watched his movie "Il Mare", the one that Hollywood remade into Lake House?

@ bspanda:

Ha ha, I shall call it the CH psuedo-jinx, what you got. Actually, your earlier post did go through. =-) I am enjoying your CH induced madness, as the power of having watched CH is such that it reduces us to semi-coherent blobs of romantic, epic jelly. I're sure you'll still enjoy KJH, all the other great Korean actors and movies/dramas, but CH will always have a place in your heart. And for me, I cannot imagine that it will ever be replaced.

Also am happy I could clarify for you JG's dream speech to MR in the garden, it was soooo simple, so eloquent, and the meaning packs such a sucker punch (tying together his lifelong dream with their lifelong future, sigh).

@ langdon813

So, you're the only other person that responded/mentioned something related to my very early post about who was watching Swallow the Sun. I, too, am giving it up. Like I am giving up Easy Fortune, Happy Life as well. If EFHP had cast Joe Cheng as the lead, I would be continuing despite the near mentally debilitating lameless of the plot. Alas, Swallow the Sun and EFHP are both DOA for me right now. I will probably power forward through both in the future just to see how it ended. Like your comment about Air City, it is just so much WORK to watch it, I've discovered that re-watching CH is better drama viewing than 99.9% of the new dramas out there. I am waiting for Dream to pick up steam, then I may start it.

As for 9 Ends, 2 Outs, I started it, got about halfway through, thought it was cute, light, nothing mind-boggling, then stopped because I was busy with other stuff, and never picked it up again. I want to finish it, but really, there is no motivation, but I still think it's a good drama.

@ epyc

Yes, I totally concur that the scriptwriter must have hit her creative zenith with CH, as even the seemingly insignificant dialogue has purpose, and the literary, linguistic choice of words requires second, third, fourth viewing to fully appreciate or catch it all.

I rave about the acting, the tightly constructed plot, the chemistry, but I thought about the dialogue, and just typing it made me feel it's emotional impact. I love the wind/typhoon references!
_________________________________________________________

As for all the discussion of Air City, me love tons and tons of hot guys, but I enjoyed reading Javabeans recaps of this show so much, and realized how silly the plot was, I doubt I can ever be tempted to watch it.

I thought Choi Ji Woo was great in A Star's Lover (but she was probably playing herself), but that drama, though slow, plodding and prone to melodrama, does have a nice lyrical quality to it, and she and Yoo Ji Tae have a sweet chemistry. Check it out on a lazy weekend, it's not bad.

@219, epyc

I've seen both Il Mare and An Affair and thought they were both very good. LJJ was the best thing about Air City, no question. It just could have been such a better show than it was, it had so much potential! I found Choi Ji-woo to be a bit stiff and sort of cold, but since I've never seen her in anything else I don't know if that was a choice just for that character or what. I thought she had more chemistry with Lee Jin-wook than with LJJ, but I think they're dating so that might explain that, LOL!

I hated The Lake House. I saw it in the theater (and paid full price, what a rip-off) long before I ever heard of Kdramas or even knew that it was a remake of a Korean film. Hated it with a passion, and now I understand why!

I watched the first 2 eps of 9 Ends, 2 Outs last night and it is CUTE! I guess The Man Who Can't Get Married ends this week too. I'll miss it; it has definitely been my go-to drama for laughs over the past few weeks!

@ 221 langdon813

Is An Affair good? I am tempted to buy the DVD. You are right - Lake House is drop dead boring. And after Speed, why they would team up SB and KR is beyond me? There is zil chemistry between them.

My view of 9 Ends 2 Outs is similar to ockoala. It is cute and nice but not compelling enough to turn me into a fan of it. I have started A Star's Lover but never come back to finish it although I plan to.

@222, epyc

I thought An Affair was very good. Lee Mi-sook is absolutely wonderful (so is Lee Jung-jae, but it is her movie, no question). It's very subtle and moving and powerful, and you'll think about it long after it's over. I had certain expectations going in but found it to be a completely different movie than I anticipated. I initially wanted to see it because of my new obsession with all things LJJ, but came away from it wanting to see more of Lee Mi-sook's work. Her character feels alienated, practically invisible to the husband and child who take her for granted. Then this handsome younger man, her younger sister's fiance, comes into her life and seems destined to live a very similar fate to hers (living the life that other people want him to lead, rather than the life he truly wants). He recognizes himself in in her, and she in him...it's immoral and wrong but they can't resist. And then we go from there...

Buy the DVD, you won't regret it!

Thanks, langdon813. I'll get the DVD - sounds something that I'll like,

Looks like Euna Lee and Laura Ling are being released. I am happy for their families and for them, it looks like they will be fine.

On the flip side, right now there is a photo of them on cnn.com, but I cannot believe that the only picture of Laura Ling is one where she is smiling and holding a 6 inch Subway® - BMT® (Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest) Sub. The photo people over at cnn.com must seriously have a grudge against Laura Ling.

Couldn't they find a better picture of Laura?

@225 Samsooki

Amen, brother! What great news to kick start August. Since their capture, news pictures have been using somber pics, so this one is so random and off the charts unintentionally hilarious. Plus, the sandwich looks more like a Bahn Mi than a Subway, ethnic sterotyping much, CNN? All joking aside, looks like Bubba is coming home to some estatic folks in the US.

What a fantastic outcome to this situation! I'm pretty impressed with Mr. Clinton right now. I can't wait to hear more from the two reporters themselves, hopefully well after they've had a chance to reunite with their families and get reaclimated to life at home.

You guys have got to watch 9 End, 2 Outs. I just started Ep 9 and it is just WONDERFUL. This is the first drama since City Hall that I'm tempted to stay up all night to finish. Granted, it has the worst name for a drama I've ever heard, but it is so very very good! I had no idea it was going to pack such an emotional wallop, but I figure anything that has me running for Kleenex is worth a mention on our wonderful Open Thread!

I think some people might think it's a sports drama, but it isn't. Other than one of the leads being a college baseball player, it doesn't spend much time on the subject but rather uses baseball terminology as a metaphor for relationship issues. And in a most interesting twist, the four leads are all extremely loveable; so much so that it's really hard deciding who should be with whom.

I'd go on but I can't stand it; I have to go watch some more!!

@98

COFFEE PRINCE!!!!!

Dear Samsooki,

I note most of your songs are also in my playlist! It confirms my hunch that you like coffee prince very much.

Beethoven Virus' OST is fantastic too. Though I don't understand Korean, the love songs and original orchestra pieces truly move me.

12:30 a.m. my time and I'm about to start Episode 13 of 9E2O. I wasn't kidding about the all-nighter! This show is so great.

OMG OMG OMG - and all these OMGs are totally unrelated to CH for a change! (Well ok has a slight CH connection.......
Samsooki - Excuse me but please remove all sharp impliments from your surroundings before you read further....OK now you can read....)

Just read that Hyun Bin and Song Hye Gyo are dating!!!! YES DATING IN REAL LIFE! And have been for two months already!!!

Binnie and Song Hye Gyo!!!!!

WOWOWOWOW

While I am tooootally jealous - really they are one cute and hot couple! One hottie + one cutee = a super hot cute couple. So so happy for them as they are among my favourites!!!
(here was where I read it from http://www.allkpop.com/index.php/full_story/hyunbin_and_song_hye_gyo_are_dating/
Now if anyone who can read Korean can keep us updated on the news that i am sure is flooded the korean websites that would be HUGE! *hugz*)

I am still not sure why 'The World's They Live In' did not recieve much love. I really enjoyed it and thought the pairing was great. Could it be because of the fact that I love both leads....and this was before they really hooked up!? But then again there have been dramas that I loved this year that others have not eg Cain and Abel. But then of course there is that ONE blockbuster that has a room in my heart now!

Speaking of which - there would be ONE other on-screen to real life pairing that would make me happier. But that would mean that CSW was not really married. Alas it was not to be. But hey still have CH

(*how this news links to CH => Samsooki of course!!!
Now Samsooki - please slowly step away from the ledge! Are you ok? *pat pat* It's OK. You do want Binnie to be happy right? You are a very giving person - you shared with us the love of CH so surely you must let Hyun Bin be happy too! You are lucky and have found Mrs Samsooki - Hyun Bin needs to find his. So please please don't let his news upset you too much that you can't continue the recaps ok? please......)

It's like sending your kid away to college.

You feel sad, you hope you've done all you can, and you wish for their success. What more can you do? I told Binnie to treat her well, to respect her wishes, but be a man. Nothing matures a person faster than having to be responsible for someone other than yourself.

I wish them both godspeed and success in their lives, whether they make it as a couple or not. They are officially in the "living 100% of their lives in a fishbowl" maybe not to the extent of Jolie / Pitt, but Gyobin... Bingyo.... well, hopefully, they will be strong enough to make it through together.

No longer "my" binnie, but that's okay. I still have KJH anyway. That's why you always have a backup.

@234 Samsooki

"I still have KJH anyway."

Ahhh the trauma of Binnie really DID hit you hard my friend! Delusional again!!! KJH could never have been your backup as have kept telling you - KJH is MINE MINE MINE! Even with your awesome recaps, KJH will never be yours. But perhaps you can join me and KJH in having some soju and snacks one day.....only when your restraining order is lifted. Which could be awhile

Checked out the article and accompanying photos and...dang, that's just too much pretty to take this early in the morning. Guess I'll have to add The World They Live In to the list now!

Funnily enough, I was reading the World Journal online yesterday (Chinese newspaper), and there was an article about Song Hye Gyo - in which the by-line was that she was DONE dating hot guys. The story goes on to say that she used to only be attracted to hot handsome guys, and it never worked out. And how she thought she'd marry Lee Byung Hyun when they dated, but it still fizzled. So now, she was going to pick a man she could depend on, someone to be there for her and take care of her. I guess the unspoken implication was that said man need not be hot or handsome and can still apply.

Okay, then wham bam, 6 hours later, news leaks that she and Hyun Bin are dating. Binnie, one of THE hottest of hot korean male stars (if not seriously the hottest - I know, I know, my CWS and KJH are hot, too, but Binnie's so young and already has so much charisma - hard to come by). SHG's management needs to vet her interviews, this is unintentional foot in mouth hilarity of the highest order.

Good luck to the happy couple, it's total k-entertainment royalty. Hope this pairing has a happy ending. I love happy beautiful couples. Strangely enough, I did not think they had chemistry together in World's Within. Just my 2 cents.

Hyun Bin - Song Hye Gyo.

Bin-Gyo.. Hye-Bin.. Gyo-Bin...

Gyo-Bin is the name of the evil tool in Temptation of Wife, so I really doubt they will like Gyo-Bin. That leaves Bin-Gyo and Hye-Bin, neither of which rolls off of the tongue.

Still, it's all good, all around. Song Hye Gyo certainly was able to reel in someone even cuter than a baby panda bear. And Binnie might find himself maturing rather quickly now, which is good since he still has to go to the army and he is a little too old for the boyish roles of the past.

I've only got 3 more eps of 9 End, 2 Outs to watch and I'm procrastinating like mad...I don't want it to be over. :-( Oh, but hey! I just remembered I have the last ep of The Man Who Can't Get Married to watch too...yay me! Another hour killed, the inevitable postponed for just a little bit longer!

I think I'm losing it. I honestly thought, up until around 1:00 p.m., that today was Tuesday. I obviously spent all of yesterday and last night and the wee small hours of this morning in a 9E2O haze. I'm embarrassed to tell y'all what time I went to bed. Ah, the heart is willing, but the body is weak.

Samsooki, you doing okay? You seem to be taking the Binnie news rather well. I suspect that when the same thing is posted about Lee Min-ki I will be inconsolable. In the spirit of solidarity, I am now claiming Su Ae for my own. If Samsooki can claim KJH (and formerly Binnie), then I think I can claim her, as I officially love her now. Maybe even more than Yoon Eun-hye...

@207, ockoala

Sad but true - I woke up this morning and thought about what you said earlier in the week:

"Okay, this is a question for folks who have seen CH – has there been any other drama that involves so much kissing, hugging, genuine shows of affection between the leads? Seriously, I don’t mean a few pecks littered throughout the show, or lots of slow mo staring in longing and affection – I want meat and potatoes loving! I want to know because that is the next drama I’m gonna watch."

To which I say - 9 End, 2 Outs!!!

Newly loaded on Dramafever in the last week and absolutely wonderful. TONS of hugging and kissing and awesome chemistry and affection between the two main leads and damn near everyone else on the show too. I loved this drama so much. Easily my number three, right after City Hall and Coffee Prince.

I know tomorrow brings a brand new OT but I couldn't wait. I guess I just hate to see a good thread die, LOL!!

@240 langdon813

Thank you!!! You're the final little nudge I needed to resume my 9 Ends 2 Outs watching. I really liked Su Ae in the drama, thought the male lead has lots of charisma, and for some weird reason last year wasn't terribly compelled to continue watching after I took a break.

I'm watching Nodame Cantabile right now (will have lots to share tomorrow), so will watch this afterwards.

I always read OT until the new one starts, who knows what little gems might pop up at the very end, like your post. I'm so happy you followed got to enjoy a new drama so much!

Wow...

Dramafever added Triple (first 13 eps), Job Well Done (first 37 eps) and East of Eden. Their current title list is huge!

Air City
All About Eve
Attic Cat
Bad Love
Beethoven Virus
Boys Over Flowers
Cinderella Man
Coffee Prince
Couple or Trouble
December Fever
Dr. Kkang
East of Eden
Fireworks
Goong
Goong S
Gourmet
H.I.T.
Hotelier
I Really Really Like You
Jewel in the Palace
Jumong
La Dolce Vita
Last Scandal
My Lovely Sam Soon
New Heart
One Fine Day
Over the Rainbow
Phoenix
Queen of Housewives
Que Sera, Sera
Sad Love Story
Snowman
Soulmate
Strike Love
Strongest Chil Woo
Super Rookie
Sweet Spy
Thank You
The Kingdom of the Wind
The Return of Iljimae
The World That They Live In
Time Between Dog and Wolf
Triple
What Planet Are You From?
What's Up Fox?
White Tower
Who Are You?
Yi San

@Samsooki

I know, right?? It's an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of drama delights! I can't wait to hear about the launch party.

My fear (although I don't really think it will happen) is that they might decide to drop something before I get a chance to watch it, so for the moment I've decided to hold off on watching anything brand new and just work my way through DramaFever. I can always catch up on newer stuff down the road, and if lightening strikes again and a really excellent drama should pop up (a la City Hall), I'll hear about it here and jump into the fray.

I wish DF would put up My Girl since so many of you raved about it! Right now I'm eyeballing Last Scandal of My Life and Gourmet. I might finish Strike Love now that they've got it.

I am currently drama-less (drama-free?)! Finished Triple, The Man Who Can't Get Married, and 9 End, 2 Outs. I'm ready to load my plate up again.

The Veronica Mars movie : we are many for it, but the studios doubt..
.The creator Rob Thomas has said about the premise : it would be in the last year of Veronica's college, just before her graduation and of course with Keith and Logan. So no more FBI idea, the creator (and me too) was not interested by this idea it was the network who aired the show.

Don`t watch City Hall!
Because once you enter the world of City Hall and City Hallers, there is no way getting out, this is the kind of addiction that you can`t resist and it will hunt you even in your dreams. So, If I`m going to have an amnesia just for a couple of days, I`ll be glad, cause I want my normal life back without City Hall....hehehe!
So, make a decision, I bet....you can`t handle it!