Park Shin-hye is tired but happy

87 October 27, 2009October 27, 2009

by javabeans

The following is an interview with Park Shin-hye in Movieweek about her role as the crossdressing nun (apprentice) in You’re Beautiful. I think she, like Jang Geun-seok, had shown a lot of potential at a young age but sorta glided by in average performances for a while. But in this spunky trendy drama, I find both are really bursting with personality, and it sounds like the fun is alive both in front of and behind the cameras.

You’re Beautiful‘s Park Shin-hye: “I have dark circles under my eyes… The new challenge is thrilling!”

MOVIEWEEK: I didn’t know you had such a bright side.

PARK SHIN-HYE: “I’ve taken on a lot of quiet, sad roles till now. That’s why a lot of people have told me that they’re seeing a new side to me in this drama. But actually, Go Mi-nyeo is a bit like me. We’re similar in how we bump into things left and right, and how we mean well with good intentions, but end up causing accidents and trouble.” (Laughs)

What was your biggest reason for taking on the role of Go Mi-nyeo?

“The roles I had taken in the past were mostly older than my real age. [Park is 19.] In Radish Kimchi [깍두기], I played 23 years old [when she was 17]. Since I was playing twentysomething adult roles since high school, I wasn’t able to show my true personality. When I received the synopsis to this drama, Mi-nyeo was so lovable, and she was my age, too. I thought that I would be able to bring her to life. I read the script without putting it down, like I was reading a manhwa book. The biggest reasons were that I would be able to show a different side to my acting and that I would finally be able to act appropriate to my age.”

Said the manager next to her, “This was the first time Shin-hye said she wanted to do a project as soon as she read the synopsis.”

PARK: “Before that, when a project came in, I deliberated a lot over it, thinking, ‘Will I be able to perform this role well? She’s older and has a soft image…’ But as soon as I read this synopsis, I thought, ‘This must not go to anyone else. I absolutely have to do this.'” (Laughs)

Did you feel the burden of having to dress as a boy?

“Honestly, a little. Dressing as a boy usually means you have to speak with a lower voice and swagger and trudge along. Maybe that’s why after the first episode aired, there was a lot of talk about, ‘What kind of boy-acting is that?” A lot of people said, ‘Her voice is high and the way she talks and acts is like she’s trying to be cute.’ However, I think of it not as me as Park Shin-hye trying to act as a man, but Go Mi-nyeo trying to act as a man. Mi-nyeo is really cute and lovable. She has to act as her twin brother Go Mi-nam, so if we get rid of her feminine side, I think Mi-nyeo would completely disappear. So although there was a lot of that kind of talk following the first episode, the nun’s grace that Mi-nyeo possesses can’t change overnight just because she is forced to act as a man to take her brother’s place. I think the important thing is to mix these particular characteristics of Mi-nyeo’s.”

Visually, you’ve undergone a big transformation. Did you feel sad to cut your long hair?

“In Episode 1 when Mi-nyeo cuts off her long hair with scissors, I was really cutting my own hair. Because of that scene, the director wouldn’t let me cut my hair for a while. However, in the filming schedule we shot Mi-nyeo with her short hair first, so in some scenes I used a wig. That’s why there are some scenes that look a little awkward. But I’d already cut my hair short when I filmed Radish Kimchi. Back then, I did cry back in the salon. (Laughs) The end of my nose is roundish and I have a dimple in my chin. Maybe that’s why when my hair is short, I think I look androgynous.”

You’re getting a lot of envy from female viewers because you’re surrounded by such pretty men as Jang Geun-seok, Jung Yong-hwa, and Lee Hong-ki.

“That’s why I thought I would gain anti-fans. But if you look at the drama homepage, there really are no anti posts at all. Or maybe they don’t see me as a girl. (Laughs) In any case, I’ve gained a ton of female fans. On my personal homepage, there are really a lot of posts that say, ‘Shin-hye unni!’ or ‘Ms. Shin-hye, I’m a few years older than you…’ It makes me think all that much more that I chose well with this role.”

From the recently released photos of the filming set, it looks like you’re good friends with the actors.

“The news has already spread that our shooting atmosphere is great. We really don’t have any unsociable people. Even if we’re all tired and have dark circles under our eyes, we laugh as we film. (Laughs) Geun-seok oppa and I have been close since shooting a cosmetics CF together. It was hardest to become friends with Hong-ki. Contrary to his appearance, he hides his feelings well. We’re the same age, but at first we didn’t really communicate easily. But then, as we were talking about something, it’s like we totally hit it off with a bang. So now Hong-ki says to me, ‘Shin-hye, I think even if I went on a trip with you, we wouldn’t cause a scandal.’ He means we’re good friends, but still, it made me wonder if he didn’t see me as a girl.” (Laughs)

It’s only in the drama, but how does it feel to experience life as part of a popular pop group?

“I’d always wanted to try living together [with other group members]. You can do as you like at home, but no matter how friendly you are with your group members, they’re still not family so there’s a line you can’t cross. While filming, the thing I felt most was, ‘If we don’t look out for each other, we can’t stay together as a team for long.’ If you look at the groups that have stayed active together for a long time, it’s really amazing. I’m sure they have personal ambitions, but they learn to compromise with each other and stick together as a team.”

You sang songs yourself for the drama, didn’t you?

“Yes. In Episode 1, there’s a scene where Mi-nyeo sings in front of Tae-kyung [Jang Geun-seok]. That song is my theme, and I sang it myself. It’s a style of song I like and it seemed to suit my voice, so when that scene came up, I felt glad. This is the first time I’m participating on a drama OST. People who know that I had initially wanted to debut as a singer think that I have a really good voice. But although my dancing was okay, my voice was lacking. (Laughs) It turned out that I got another chance to change my path and act, and I’m glad that I’m able to show a new side to myself this time.”

Do you have any thoughts of pursuing singing activities in reality?

Phew, I don’t think I could do it. Hearing from Hong-ki, it’s pretty tough. Plus, I get to sing on a drama OST like this. That’s why I think, ‘Ah, I’m happiest here, right now in this spot. Let’s not get greedy.’ (Laughs)”

Via Movieweek

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1 fizzle

October 27, 2009 at 8:54 PM

Gosh she is SO adorable. One of my favorite young Korean actresses.

I really want to start You're Beautiful, but first I gotta get back into my Asian drama-watching groove...

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2 dragonfly

October 27, 2009 at 8:56 PM

Thanks for this interview, JB!! (It'll help the wait until tomorrow's episode.. hahaha). I always thought that Park Shin-Hye had an awesome career in front of her ever since Stairway to Heaven and Tree of Heaven (I mean, she shed So. Many. Tears.), so I'm really happy that she can finally play her age in such an awesome and fun drama. She's definitely not playing the same role as YEH in Coffee Prince, and it's really fun to watch. How could she get anti fans?? Both her and her character are too sweet and nice for that! Everyone in the cast seems to have great personalities, and it really just gives this drama an extra something in its appeal. Not that it needs any!! :D

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3 missthiri

October 27, 2009 at 8:57 PM

i was actually reading the spoilers on net. :) i am 10 years older than her and i can't get enough of TK and MN

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4 mossderf

October 27, 2009 at 8:59 PM

nice interview..thanks jb.

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5 Lisa

October 27, 2009 at 9:06 PM

Thanks for this JB!

I have never loved Park Shin Hye until this. I guess she found out about Hongki's true side huh? He's reserved.

I hope they perform as ANJELL but only a few performances.

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6 Laura

October 27, 2009 at 9:09 PM

What a cute girl, really. When I saw her at the Etude's with JGS I do feel envious about her, haha and I thought she was just another arrogant girl, and so on when I saw her with LMH. But I was really surprised when I found a very fresh character as Mi-nyeo.

For sure I'll look forward on her projects.
Thanx for this dramabeans.

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7 xiaoSxin

October 27, 2009 at 9:19 PM

oh good! this post helps me get through the days as I wait until the next episode will be out!!!!

Happy Wednesday and Thursday is coming now!!!! Woot woot!!!!

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8 Snikki

October 27, 2009 at 9:21 PM

'Shin-hye, I think even if I go on a trip with you, we wouldn't cause a scandal.'

That's a hint, Shin Hye! Reverse psychology! haha! :P

Wednesday couldn't come any sooner!!!

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9 belleza

October 27, 2009 at 9:22 PM

Both PSH and JGS were considered for BBF, so I'm glad it worked out for everybody in the end,

"always thought that Park Shin-Hye had an awesome career in front of her ever since Stairway to Heaven and Tree of Heaven "

Plus there was that Drama That Shall Never Be Spoken Of Again. (Actually thought that show would have been much better had she been given the lead spot.)

She's only 19 and already has a long list resume for drama and variety shows. Still surprised she didn't eventually join a girl group, since her dancing chops may be close to BoA level. Here's her dancing to Gee. Notice how she throws her hips into it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAgGITo-8rM

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10 jacq

October 27, 2009 at 9:27 PM

I like PSH. She is adorable and has a natural cuteness to her without it being too forced. Wed-Thur almost here!!!!!! It feels like YEARS have past since the last 2 episodes of You're beautiful aired. Cant' wait can't wait can't wait.........

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11 EyebagsnDramathons

October 27, 2009 at 9:28 PM

Thanks!!

She has a nice voice I think. Got potential. :)
Did you see the trailer for episode 7 already? Spoiler Alert, TK might get into an accident...

if you have not seen it (and wants to), I posted it on my blog.

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12 MEIKO**** ^-^

October 27, 2009 at 9:29 PM

I like her. She's true to herself!

"Ah, I’m happiest here, right now in this spot. Let’s not get greedy.’ (Laughs)”

I agree. Moderation is not bad. She does has sweet voice though.

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13 jo

October 27, 2009 at 9:31 PM

you know, PSH has no idea that she sings better than a handful of idol-group members out there. No joke.

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14 susie

October 27, 2009 at 9:33 PM

She is so cute... without being annoying in her role as Go Mi Nam. Who would want to be her anti-fan?

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15 tohru19

October 27, 2009 at 9:38 PM

<3 <3 Shin Hye. She's so humble and honest. She's the same age as me and she's so mature while I feel like I still haven't grown up at all, still immature and acting stupid all the time ~~~ I gotta learn from ShinHye ~~~

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16 MEL

October 27, 2009 at 9:40 PM

she's so cute and great in the show....she pulls off "innocent" really well, the "tingling" feeling she feels with TK is such fun!!!!...........A N Jell such adorable kids, love this show and thanks so much for the recaps....this show brings on such great laughs!!!!

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17 thankyou

October 27, 2009 at 9:49 PM

Oh my god, she is so adorable. And she sounds so humble and honest. So refreshing. Alot of times, you hear actors say how they choose it because they wanted to pursue dreams other than singing and dancing. She is too cute. Says "hey i was lacking as a singer". Too too sweet. I'm a fan.

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18 ar_arguably romantic

October 27, 2009 at 10:02 PM

thank you for translating this! loved reading it! my favorite line: "‘Ah, I’m happiest here, right now in this spot. Let’s not get greedy.’ (Laughs)” It's true- take things one at a time and do what you're good at.

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19 Chocolatetree

October 27, 2009 at 10:08 PM

Ahh!! I love her and I love this article!! I'm currently eating up anything that has to do with "You're Beautiful" and am constantly refreshing this site for random tidbits of the drama.

.... I really should be doing my essays....

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20 Harlene

October 27, 2009 at 10:08 PM

Sweet young lady.

How I wish I'm 19 again. lol ;)

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21 Shay

October 27, 2009 at 10:18 PM

@18, Same here! I have 2 tests tomorrow, hehe.

Park Shin Hye's so likable. Her acting's on point⎯Mi Nyeo/Mi Nam NEVER gets annoying.
I'm relieved that she & Jang Geun Suk weren't cast in Boys Before Flowers. It was all for the better ;)

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22 mawar

October 27, 2009 at 10:19 PM

Yup.. Thx JB for the interview. I like PSH act very much! she was adorable. And she playing as GMN with perfectly awesome! I don't even known she as PSH if I saw her as GMN. Excellent......!

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23 karened

October 27, 2009 at 10:28 PM

I think being able to work with people of your own age (and at an age where you can still do dumb things freely) makes the filming fun. It's like a high school club project or something! And I'm amazed that she did sang the Panis Angelicus herself! I did the song in choir before and it's really difficult.

Well, I think she might be one of the few to manage being surrounded by so many guys and not get many antis...meaning there's something to her that makes her accepted by the viewers.

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24 pabo ceo reom

October 27, 2009 at 10:29 PM

Oh to be 19 again....without the embarrassing parts. :)

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25 xAimee

October 27, 2009 at 10:29 PM

wow, first time for being first!!!

I love park shin hye in You're beautiful!! :D
<3

EDIT: Aww..I;m not first.
This edit comment thing is cool! :D

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26 julia

October 27, 2009 at 10:33 PM

aww i love psh! her character is so awesome! and i love the TK X MN pair! my fav and she has chemistry with all 3 men!

here's another article, hopefully someone can translate this!

http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/view.php?tsc=002004000&a_id=2009102810512526286

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27 xiaoSxin

October 27, 2009 at 10:37 PM

BELLEZA

i did not get your post? what is that drama that you mentioned? and what is that part that would be better if she was given the lead role????

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28 apeach

October 27, 2009 at 11:39 PM

awww..such a loveable girl.. :)

When you see the BTS footage, it does seems that all of the cast are having fun filming this. Oh can't wait for Epi 7 & 8..

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29 biniBningPunkista

October 27, 2009 at 11:57 PM

those are pretty smart answers for an interview... makes me like her more. >_<

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30 Nom_Kitteh

October 28, 2009 at 12:22 AM

Thank you for translating, JB! I cannot get enough of YAB stories! If there are JGS stories, please post them. To me, his is the outstanding performance so far.

Park Shin-hye is doing a great job in the show, but then she is also a part of a pretty terrific ensemble cast, all with great chemistry with each other, so she has some solid actors (predominantly JGS) to bounce off of. And then PSH herself has some serious chemistry with JGS -- like, serious-serious chemistry ;-) . All the adorable scenes with banter between the two are just so natural, and that's because, based on BTS, they really are good friends and comfortable with each other and seem to like each other a lot.

How surprising to hear that Hong Ki is reserved! He is playing such a ...flamboyant character, and playing it so well!

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31 belleza

October 28, 2009 at 12:57 AM

@xiaoSxin,

"i did not get your post? what is that drama that you mentioned? and what is that part that would be better if she was given the lead role????"

You mean, the Drama That Shall Never Be Spoken Of Again? That would be Goong S of course. ;) (Actually I can't really say Goong S is that much worse than Goong. The cinematography is great. The music is good. The backstory isn't that bad. It's just the acting is . . . uhhh, Taiwanese Idol-esy? ;) )

The truth is, I see Park Shin Hye in a lot of shows. She hosted this one kid's show last year on MBC, and it was always on late at night. I think she did some hosting duties for one of the year-end awards show. They did some haunted house show last year, and she nearly had a nervous breakdown. I watched a little bit of the Kimchee Radish Cubes. There's Stairway to Heaven and Tree to Heaven. She was in Seoul 1945. Moon Geun Young did the movie career. PSH did everything else. ;)

Both PSH and JGS are handling their parts like pros. You're Beautiful has really strong writing. Besides the well-crafted punchlines, there's such rich characterization here that both PSH and JGS have so much to work with. PSH handles her part with finesse. JGS plays up the Kang Mae-meets-Zoolander vibe of his character. With Edge! ;)

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32 kish-me

October 28, 2009 at 1:03 AM

used to hate her in goong s
now hate her even moar
JGS is mine :p

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33 waimee78

October 28, 2009 at 1:16 AM

such a lucky girl.
she knows how to sing
and she's also good at dancing, ,i wanna learn that SSSatisfactionnnnnn...
HA! i'm going to learn that!

5 hours left (from my watch) till YAB ep7

all the best park shin hye unni.

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34 avidYABfan

October 28, 2009 at 1:19 AM

I like your writing style and fast becoming an avid 'You're Beautiful' fan. Both JGS & Shin Hye are great - full of charms and potential. Am following u closely. Thanks for bringing us all the update on the show. Truly appreciate it. Keep up the good work!!

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35 Memo

October 28, 2009 at 1:38 AM

love her answers in the interview :)
i didn't use to like her much .. but here she's so cute and adorable it's good for her to play the roles of her age suits her more :D
yay can't wait to today's ep (^^,)

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36 Rachel

October 28, 2009 at 1:38 AM

She come across as really nice person and I love her in You're Beautiful. I quite like her with short hair.

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37 lollyobsessed

October 28, 2009 at 2:11 AM

Thanks for translating!

I've watched her in Stairway to Heaven only, but I didn't like her role because it was so goody-goody, but omg she is awesome in this drama!! I love how she can be cute and innocent without coming off too try-hard, and I am so envious that she's surrounded by three hotties! Can't wait for the next episodes! :)

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38 Brendel

October 28, 2009 at 2:20 AM

I was never a PSH fan but watching You're Beautiful made me one. She's really good. She's really funny and adorable.

I'm so excited about Ep. 7. Thanks in advance for the recaps, JB. :-)

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39 Bel

October 28, 2009 at 2:26 AM

cool interview, i think park shin hye is a good actress. (:

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40 shinwoolove

October 28, 2009 at 2:35 AM

Am I the only one that thinks PSH is starting to look more and more like a boy? :O

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41 its_trish

October 28, 2009 at 3:21 AM

reply to #39

I think that goes to show how well she is pulling off her role..
You should check out some of her CFs to see how much of a (beautiful) girl she is ^^

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42 xiahkixiri

October 28, 2009 at 3:39 AM

She's adorable and insanely likeable! YAB is so vibrant in its characters and situations, its a breath of fresh air! I'm surprised at how much I like her, Tree of Heaven (OMG she must have been a baby there, how did she ever handle all of Lee Wan's intensity?) didn't do much for her, I only liked her when she was crying, when she was happy at at the beginning (Oppa. Oosutda. Oosutda! Eehee!) she was SO incredibly annoying! She really has taken on a new life with this role. WITHS2's subs came out for 5+6, happy times are here again!!! DAMN UEE looks like Sohee.

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43 sophia

October 28, 2009 at 3:40 AM

I utterly adore Park Shin Hye. I'm very shallow normally and tend to tune in for the hot guys....(I can say that here, cos I don't think I’m alone in doing that eh girls - plus there is also the anonymity of the web hee hee)

But I have to say, I find her extremely genuine and believable. I often find the females in these roles, either too sickly sweet or odd to find believable and often the actors are lacking in someway....probably because the role is too sickly sweet to be believable.

But Park Shin Hye pulls if off so well, I really like Go Mi-nyeo - I'm utterly charmed by her, rooting for her to do well ...I actually care what happens to her in fact. - Now that is something new!

Count down to tomorrow – waiting a week between episodes is killing me!!! Ohhh what’s going to happen next….poor Go Mi-nyeo, probably doesn’t understand what she’s feeling….god love her.

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44 Porcelain

October 28, 2009 at 3:43 AM

She seems like a well adjusted young girl with a good head on her shoulder... And oh yeah, she cried so much in Stairway to Heaven and wasn't particularly attractive character-wise in Goong S... glad this drama is giving her a chance to live an alternative dream. It seems there are really many actress that almost debut as part of a group or solo singers but it seems they are more suited for acting... offhand like Kim Sun Ah, Gu Hye Sun, are also almost singers...

Hwaiting PSH... ah... I need to catch this drama... Hongki ^o^

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45 latish

October 28, 2009 at 3:46 AM

wow thanks so much jb....this is an awesome interview......man i love her more for it.....your rock girlfriend

god bless and may you have more successes ahead of you

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46 Atsirk

October 28, 2009 at 3:50 AM

I loved her since "Tree of Heaven" with Lee Wan...she's awesome both as a quirky and serious actress :)

Thanks Javabeans :)

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47 belleza

October 28, 2009 at 4:03 AM

"Am I the only one that thinks PSH is starting to look more and more like a boy?"

Not so much that PSH does a beautiful job conveying her character's wide-eyed innocence at people and her coming-of-age. The writing helps a lot, but she actually approaches it as a dramatic, rather than comedic, actress would. Her performance is full of well-thought out motivation. When she gets tasered, you really believe she accidentally zapped herself onto Mr. Zoolander, because she's SO curious about her beautiful boy. When she and Zoolander get lost, she genuinely looks shocked they've visited the same ice cream shop 5 straight times. She's SO intent on being a good team player, even though she's not a good navigator at all.

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48 ginko

October 28, 2009 at 4:39 AM

Thanks JB for the translation. OMO, can't get enough of YB.
I also translated this to VNese and posted at KST forum.

PSH, this is the first time I've seen her act, so adorable and lovely. And her interview, she seems so honest, and really likable.

Can't wait for Ep7 tonight, 3 more hours.

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49 Rika

October 28, 2009 at 4:44 AM

@39 “Am I the only one that thinks PSH is starting to look more and more like a boy?”

The first photo really gave off that vibe. It makes me think she could really have made GMN look and feel like a boy, but as she said Go Min Nyeo is very girly so she couldn't lose that part of her.

I have to say that was very smart of her, the director and the writers...

also i just finished watching episode 5/6. My internet was down for four days. Only calmed my YB urge by reading the recap the comments... Must say I loved it even though i knew what was going to happen... Made me laugh so much..

Only good things can be said...