ditto what was said earlier
"Thanks for being so brave :) This is a great first effort. "

hi javabeans & girlfriday!

have always loved (and am loving) both your recaps (girlfriday, please write more!), so this aural version is lovely. however, i feel that the podcasts can be kept shorter or at least break the podcast up into either themes or dramas. the 1st one was really long! Could have been split into another podcast from "Woman Who Still Wants to Marry" onwards. As im usually checking this site out while im working (procrastination keeps me sane and awake), its difficult to listen to the entire thing in one sitting, and if its paused and i come back to it i feel like im missing something (vs i can locate where i've stopped in a post and easily backtrack). but this is just my thoughts - you know what's best for you!

And i gotta agree to the point of how Koreans are actually not all THAT conversative - it comes from personal experience! i started watching kdramas a really long time ago (around the time of Dae Jang Guem) but only started having Korean friends a few years later. So when i first met my first Korean friend, i was so shocked at how different she was from my stereotyped impression! tsk tsk tsk...i feel brainwashed. but of cos, that has changed. ^^

I am in love with your podcasts. And I somehow feel like dramabeans and girlfriday have become more real, since I've heard your voices. After listening to what you guys have said about The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry, I feel like watching the show immediately. I enjoy shows which portray realistic characters, and that aren't just centred on plot devices. Their friendship sounds amazing. And that kind of friendship is also the main reason why I loved watching 9 End 2 Outs.

It's a gret idea, I really enjoy your podcast, and your subject is so true!

I want to thank you. I can't wait to listen the next!

Fighting! ;)

I think these are wonderful! Keep them coming please!

I LOVEEEE THIS PODCAST :)

It's the first one I've ever listened to and it's really entertaining, keep up the good work Javabeans and girlfriday!!

Good job! I quite enjoyed this.

It sounds like my friend and I talking. Though she's been watching a lot longer than I have.

OMG, you guys are so cute!!!! =D My impression was like that XDDD Thank you for doing all this, I hope you'll record more podcasts, because it's really awesome listening to them!!! : )

All the best.

Can u post the songs if u guys have a copy? Love the podcast! More to come pls!;)

Thank you ladies. Your voices are truely LOVELY to listen to, and the enunciation - American accented but CLEAR.

Already love your blog now the voices and content. Also agree with @ 46, would be nice to know the face behind the voices and writing but would also advise to withhold for your privacy.

I still love PT but pity that even with the acting being so spot on, it could have been so much better. If only the script writing, directing and music directing did not hamper it. Especially with such an interesting story plot.

pretty good for the 1st podcast :)

but first thing first. perhaps u guys can loose/reduce on the use of background music? at one-point, background music were kinda overused? and a little annoying.

another point u guys might wanna consider is to tighten up on the content? at several points of the podcast.. it was pretty random.. perhaps each podcast could stick to just 1-2 themes?

anw. looking forward to future podcasts~

Congratulations ladies !

for a "premiere" it was really entertaining ^^

As a technical aspect : the musical background was disturbing at first because it was running while you guys where talking... Unless one of you might be a sound editor, it is tricky in general to have your mind focused on a discussion while another sound is around... Simply because we just have the sound to focus on (you know like where you're on the phone or something)
But it really worked better when musics were used as intermissions.

I was so happy about the food part lol I'm pretty sure now that it is one of the MOST important appeal of K-dramas... And YES, I'm craving for those typical snacks such as brown noodles with some soju to drink :)

About the women's repressed sexuality, I couldn't help but think about Bad Couple's drama. And I now I understand why it was so much fun for once to see the female lead looking forward the sex intercourse (even if sadly it had to be justify by the willing to have a child *sigh* ) while the male lead was the one with his arms sticked to his body.
But in this area, I think that MIN-AE from Soulmate's drama has the palm for her natural way of expressing it. I would never forget her move on Ryo-Hei at the bar... Pure hotness without any vulgar vibes (from my point of view).

Thank you again for all your efforts to share with us and entertain us... So inspiring !

p.s : Sorry I don't remember who talked about it first but I second that a male point of view might be really great!
And you might even add a "newbie" non-korean related point of you too ^^

Ok NOW I stop. (sorry for such a long comment)

I was so dumbfounded to hear your voices DB & Girlfriday!!! You both sounded just like how I imagined...& sounded just like your writings!!! i envy your discussions because..I would so LOVE to have friends w/ whom I could talk KDRAMA"talk" with, much like what you guys are doing...but unfortunately they are just a handful & not that "into KDrama" as much as I am!!! That's why I LOVE your website soooo much JB...cuz I get to share my drama opinions w/ fellow KDAddicts, who know what they're talking about ...get to read your interesting articles & your lovely & comprehensive RECAPS!!!
Keep up the good work guys...this podcast thingy is sooo enjoyable & informative...the music is great & DRAMABEANS is THE PLACE to go to, to feed ALL our drama NEEDS!!! Love you, guys!!! MORE!!! MORE!!! we want MORE!!!

Two thumbs up! Enjoyed the podcasts very much. Great idea. I think it definitely works. Lots of energy and interest and fun.

Really fleshes you both out as real people and gives DB a warm, human touch. And it's neat that you are demonstrating what you say about the importance and the fun of having good friends! :-)

Congrats javabeans and girlfriday on your first podcast! I truly enjoyed your discussion. Brought a smile to my face while I was marking away. ;p

Keep up the good work!

This was awesome and really fun to listen to.

JB and GF, I love your voices, espacially your sweet giggling, laughinfg JB, you made me laugh with you.
I wondered how young your voices sounded :)

It was interesting to listen to your insights of K-Drama world. I loved mostlyyour comments about kissing (I always wondered why the k-lead girls stiff like a surf-board while kissing) now I am a little bit enlightened :)

And, let me tell me about the wrist-gripping scenes. For me its K-Drama Trademark. They should licence it :)

Thanks again, I am looking forward to your further podcasts

It would be nice, at the and of an recapede drama, all recapers should do a common PC on their drama (Just a little suggestion)

PS: I have to say, that the backgroundmusic was the only disturbing thing. First of all it was to loud. :P

Merci +++

You guys sound great! I'm still listening to part 1 and it's easy to listen and enjoyable! keep going and you know we'll be tuning it! :)

jbeans, this is just lovely! I haven't been watching k-dramas for a while now, and so sadly will have to avoid the second podcast, but the first one is just terrific. I hope that you will do this more often. I love listening to radio -- and always have - and this podcast was comforting.

I didn't care for Women Who Still Want To Marry at all, and I found the leads quite stereotypical and...worse...dull...but it was fun to listen to your points.

Quoting @38cingdoc (thanks for your words)

Thanks JB and girlfriday, I know this podcast probably requires many hours of preparation and coordinations. Both of you sounded just as beautiful as you write.
It never ceases to amaze me how much you care about us,JB…doing ALL these goodies for us (special pix, hehe; great recaps ALL the time, and NOW this).

Thanks so very much JB and girlfriday! You are great!!! :-) JB, you really spoil us, I can't love you more! :-D

I still want Eun Jo and Ki Hoon to end up together!!!

and I totally agree with you guys about Chun Jung Myung's smile.....it makes me melt

What an awsome surprise!
As a regular reader of this blog, I think the idea of a podcast is just great. I'm halfway through part 1, and totally loving it. Interesting, fun, lovely. And it's so nice being able to actually *listen* to your voices! It feels like being with friends chatting about kdramas (something I can't do in "real life" since I have only a couple of friends who share this addic... ahem, enthusiasm;-)) and just having fun ...
I really hope you'll keep these podcasts coming, 'casue they only add to the enjoyment of reading your great articles and recaps, but even if this is just a one-shot kind of thing, thank you so much JB and Girlfriday for taking the time to do it! You guys rock!!!

Thanks for fixing the sound. The podcast was wonderful!! More please! :D

It is so nice to hear your voices!
I loved your comments and critiques. It was fun listening to you both.
I am definitely looking forward to another podcast if you decide to continue with it. :)

Awesome. I love this!!!
I hope you guys can do this often. I love podcasts.

I love hearing people talk about things that I'm into - like kdramas :D

haha totally agree about the whole "pulling the wrist move." It's everywhere XD

Fabulous! Sounds like conversations I have! I definitely agree with the "wanting to drink because of dramas", I have my soju missions every other week.

More please. *applause*

You two sound like lovely people!

I LOVED IT!

Best idea ever!!

I really hope you guys do more, I love listening to your opinions and incites. Since it is rare to find someone who watches as many dramas as I do, I don't get the chance to hear other opinions and I thought this really made me feel like I wasn't "alone" in the drama world. Please, pleeeease continue!!!

Really enjoyed the podcast and it was nice to put a voice to the type.
The sound quality is ok and I agree with the other poster about the music in the background being disturbing. I was glad when it faded out although I know what you are going for by playing the relevant cue. Still I vote for just voices.
You might consider a better microphone and a "pop" shield that will reduce the "P's" and breaths from blowing out the mike.
Just get a coat hanger and stretch an old stocking across it and put it in front of the microphone. An old trick but a good one.

About the music in Korean Dramas. I feel it's usually very poor and I think it has to do with a cultural difference and the way composers are treated. Really good writers are not attracted to this area because they usually have to sign away their rights to the music and receive a flat fee. So the company will make all the money on video sales and repeated airing in different countries but the writers will make next to nothing. Also the music is just given away on various sites. Income to writer = 0.
Pay peanuts and you get monkeys.
And that's why the music in Personal Taste (Preferences) sounds like it was made by one monkey locked in a room with very little equipment.
I swear it sounds like demented carnival music made by an evil child.
It beggars belief that the directors and producers don't know that this music is destroying a lot of their good work.
On the other hand there is the score to Cinderella Sister which at times is quite moving. Amazing what a good composer and some money for an orchestral cue or two will do. It adds so much to the vision and raises the emotional level a few notches.
Clearly the people who made Coffee Prince understood what a great soundtrack would do for their work.
I've also heard songs in Korean dramas that are clearly in breach of copyright but seem to fly under the radar.
There were a couple of BeeGee's tracks in "Triple" that would have cost more in Sync Fees than the entire drama's production.
But they really made the scene work. It's amazing how good you can look when you stand on the shoulders of others.

Congratulations on your 1st very enlightening and entertaining podcast.

I fully agree with 38 and 74 and once again thank you for indulging us so much first with your insightful and profound recaps and now this.

Looking forward to more recaps, podcasts, whatever!

Thanks for all the lovely feedback! And for saying we sound young! :) Although that's probably because of all the laughter? We crack each other up quite a bit, snerk.

I think the suggestion for a Q&A is awesome. You guys should totally throw up questions for us! I can't promise enlightened answers, but we'll at least give em a go. It'll be like one large conversation with the whole Dramabeans community.

Cheers!
GF

ps : here's a small conversation between me an hubby last night while I was listening for the n-th time your lovely podcast : (loosely translated)
hubby: why on earth are you listening for the nth time ?
me : I'm learning english pronouciation !
hubby : LOL

no complaints whatsoever from me about quality. thanks again! more podcast please !

This was awesome and really fun to listen to.
I’m smiling like mad :D :D :D thanks !

Javabeans and Girlfriday, what a great idea! I really enjoyed your perspectives about K-dramas, esp. your approach on reviewing them for Dramabeans, insight about Korean society as reflected in K-dramas, and the evolution of K-dramas over the years. Can't wait to hear your next podcast!

@14 Mellowyel -- I know EXACTLY what song you're talking about. I've been trying to find that song also. Tried googling some of the lyrics, but still couldn't find it. Hopefully, JB will know!

QUESTION:

whats up with all the daytime rain [heavy rain without overcast conditions]? I know this happens in some tropical places, but does that actually happen in Korea? Or is that due a tight filming schedule + uncooperative natural weather?

Just wondering, I see it fairly often in dramas and it always cracks me up..its temporarily 4th wall shattering

Congrats on your fist podcast. I really enjoy your input on kdramas. You should also publish your podcasts on iTunes. You can get lots of subscribers. So thanks for the podcast.

KUDOS to JB and girlfriday!! This is the reason why we 'fan-readers' keep coming back for more. You guys are unstoppable wooot! :D Loved your voices, you seemed like you had heaps of fun!

Very entertaining hour spent in your company -- good to do housework by, hee hee.

All that talk about makgulli ... you guys could do a Drunk History version of a recap! (http://www.funnyordie.com/drunkhistory) Or maybe just a Slightly Intoxicated Summary of a show -- or invite someone with the 'capacity' to do it! :p

As for a question ... We know what are some of javabeans's favourite dramas (http://www.dramabeans.com/about/ratings/) -- what of girlfriday's?

Ooh, another question -- What are javabeans's favourite characters and girlfriday's favourite plots, amongst all the ones they've encountered (and can remember) thus far?

Cheers!

oh! and maybe the strike at mbc is in some way responsible for some of the production aspects of PT being lacking?

haha that was funny! please continue the podcast!!! So funny!!!!! i was cracking up along with you guys!!!

@92 bippa, yes, it happens pretty frequently during the spring and summer months in Korea. That kind of rain is called sonagi, and because of a popular k-novel by the same name, sonagi is considered a romantic motif for many Koreans.

Questions/topics for javabeans and girlfriday for your next podcast:
After reading the comments left by the readers on your blog, I noticed many people commenting a variation of "I like this drama (character, kiss scene, etc) because it's unlike a typical k-drama."

I think this kind of stereotyping of what is a "typical" k-drama is found commonly among non-Korean k-drama watchers. Perhaps you can discuss about whether there is a difference in the kind of dramas that end up going Hallyu and those that do not, and the trend in k-drama cliches over the years (the 80s melodramas, the 90s family dramas, the late 90s good girl/bad girl stories, the revival of the melodramas in the late 90s and early 2000s, the cohabitation rom-coms, the "Candy" leading ladies, the recent rise in makjang dramas, etc).

Question from a non Korean. We keep hearing about and seeing the Korean dish "Kimchi".
I've looked up a few recipes but was wondering if the chilly content was so high that it would just blow our heads off.
So can Kimchi be experienced by those who can't even mange a spicy Indian style curry?
I mean we can handle "mild" and enjoy chilly with a lot of our meals, but that Kimchi looks really dangerous!

2 questions for the next podcast -- I'm relatively new to K-dramas (started watching them ~ 8 mo. ago), so there are references related to the history of K-dramas that I don't understand.

(1) In your podcast, somebody made a reference to "Candy," which I think was also mentioned by "JIn-Ho" in Personal Taste and by @98 Sallynally. What does "Candy" refer to?

(2) I've sometimes heard people mention "banjun" dramas. What are these dramas?

Following up on @98 Sallynally's comment, I would be interested in hearing more about evolution of K-dramas. I thought that this was one of the more interesting segments of the podcast.

Thx again for the podcast!