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Run On Sentence – “Out In the Woods.” My inner grammar nerd gets a kick out of band names like this. What can I say? I’m easily amused. [ Download ]
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RECENTLY COMPLETED
so I stumbled upon this macro :
http://a.imageshack.us/img202/159/tumblrl7dxg82uxf1qa4uc1.jpg
so, it isn’t over yet?
( but Rain is smart by not standing next to Henney. or he’ll be in trouble.
“Daniel looks taller more than 3cm next to Rain! So who’s lying?” )
ah, forgot to credit : Marianne@fugitive625.wordpress.com
Oh, man…and I thought Comrades 18 was the sh*t…Holy Freaking *%^& ~ Ep.19!!!!!!!
Biting my nails for tomorrow, while at the same time, sooooo sad it’s ending.
ARRgghhhh!!!
That was just an anticipatory shriek. I’ve no idea what you’re referring to and I don’t want to know because I’m only up to ep13, but… COOOMRAADESSSSS!!! Arrrrrghhhhh!
(I guess the real nice thing about so few other people following Comrades is that I’m quite unlikely to be spoiled, yay)
OMG! I am a complete chocolate mess after eps 18 &19 of Comrades.
Just a tip to anyone who hasn’t seen them yet. It might be better to NOT watch them together. That was probably not the smartest thing I’ve ever done. Oy!
Yeah, I had six days to let 18 sink in before 19 aired.
Otherwise, I don’t think I’d still be breathing…especially after watching the first 12 minute of 19. It left me speechless. Then, the scene between Comrade Yong Taek (Kim Myung Soo) & Sung Il (Jung Tae Woo)…my heart…
One episode left.
I don’t know why. I miss the old format of drama beans. The new one is compact but the former is much more clearer to read on one particular article.
Count of Myeongdong:
Just some thoughts now that I’ve finished watching this series. It’s basically a biopic of a handful of influential Korean poets, artists, painters, feminists and gangsters (yeah, ya heard) alive from 1950s-1970s who were the heart and soul of Seoul’s Myeongdong district. The characters and their stories were real and enacted by some incredible drama and theatre actors, actresses. It’s narrated by Jung Bo-seok (yeah, THE Cho Pil-yeon) who walks in on random scenes at certain intervals and explains the scenario deeper with some historical facts.
It’s not everyone’s idea of entertainment but I truly enjoyed it. Some of the characters were terribly tragic whilst some were inspirational.
Just quick bullet points of my favourite characters:
- The married couple who left behind their two very young children as they fled for Seoul and how they persevere in their pursuit for their kids. Such a touching tale, which leaves a lasting impression, as it’s acted out with raw emotions, yet barely gets sentimental.
- The aging gangster who looked like a 60yr old version of Park Sang-min, complete with the Lee Seung-mo wise, sorrow-filled eyes.
And guess what? Just guess…? Yeah: Kim Doo Han shows up! Except he’s played by a completely boring old ahjusshi, I mean, we know the most famous portrayal of KDH to date is Park Sang-min’s (and he was only aged between 19-21 years at that time) see:
http://www.hancinema.net/korean_movie_The_General__s_Son-picture_11493.html?sort=Most_Popular_Pictures
(Sorry, I have this picture saved, I just love it so — it’s Lee Sung-mo!).
The actor playing the old gangster should have played him, but then I suppose the gangster had a more meatier role and KDH’s appearance wasn’t too long.
- The feminist, nay, humanist Jeon Hye-rin, fabulous, just fabulous. I liked her refreshing approach. She was very young, fiesty, opinionated and the prettiest thing around but her version of campaigning for feminism came in baby steps. She tried to rebel like say, smoking out in the street and garnering stares or getting drunk and acting as a man would. She had subtler, fun ways of pushing the boundaries. She went on to become and mother and have a daughter, but it was a world she struggled to live in and as a result there were tragic consequences.
I’m not really into poetry and painting and stuff as I’m not really the creative sort myself, as much as I found them all interesting at first I kind of lost interest in the poets and painters stories, eventually.
Overall, it was such a delight to watch, despite it being harrowing and traumatic at times.
Just woke up from a nap and immediately logged on to DB in hopes of Love Song male lead news. And what do I see? Shim Min Ah and Yoon Eun Hye!
I was like. What?!! Sa-weet! Even better than ML news, they are adding SMA! SMA and YEH in the same drama/ film/ heck, I’ll take any kind of production that has both of them!
Then in my dazed, giddy, still waking up state, smiled and blinked a few times before realizing it was just the banner and the first post is still I Am Legend: The Musical! Talk about shattered dreams!
My dream A-list casting for a complicated fated to love you rom-com where there are two main pairings:
Yoon Eun Hye
Shin Min Ah
Eric Mun
Joo Ji Hoon
Won Bin
Jo In Sung
Joseon X-Files (Episode 1 summary)
(Secret Investigation Record)
Kim Hyung Do
Opening scene; “The year 1609 of the severe mining contamination, unexplained natural phenomena occurred”.
A man is kneeling in front in front of some government officials, he is panting, and is clear that he have been tortured, it is the 25th of August 1609, Josun Year of the mining contamination.
A soldier approaches and sets a bowl of what seems to be a drink lace with poison, in a small table set by the side of the prisoner, the name of the prisoner is Ahn-sangpil, he start to argue with the government officials and the do not seems to understand as he is trying to convince them that he inded experience the “supernatural” and if they do not listen to him they are in great peril.
The soldiers get mad at him and start to force him to drink the poison, and all of a sudden a big noise in the sky start to create a big rumbling, and some sort of unidentified “ shinning flying disk” appears in the sky and moves across the land where is witness but people in about 5 different towns creating pandemonium and fear sweeps trough the population.
At night we see a meting in the “Kangwon Province” where the kings inspectors are meting and reading all the different accounts that they received concerning the
“Mysterious Lights in the sky”, the start to argue if it will be the right thing to do to inform the king or not, but some are reluctant since they do not know whether the king will believe such stories, and they think that may bring them harm in the long run, but what seems to be the governor of the province stamps the documents with the government seal and send copy’s to the other provinces in the region.
The messenger arrives at “Hyang-yang province”, and after the governor of the province reads the documents the messenger is arrested and the other is also put under arrest.
(Lee Hyung-go)
We are introduce to our main Character, “Kim Ji Hoon’s characters name is Kim Hyung Do. He is a secret government agent that is part of an special unit set by the king to investigate “administrative irregularities” in the provinces.
We finding in a small tavern playing some sort of ancient Korean card game that looks like “Poker”, he wins the hand at play but when he is about to collect another player claims the price on account of having better cards, he grabs the players hand and pulls down his sleeve only to find out that he was cheating and a big brawl ensues where he eventually gets hit in the back of the head and is render unconscious.
As he leaves the tavern a figure start to follow him at night t and at one turn he hides and jump on his follower, only to find that is his trusted side kick “Jang-man”, and he tells him that he is being summon at court (since he is also a Prosecutor) and he has just being assign to a new case or “Secret Record”.
When he arrives at the jail he can hear that some one is being tortured, only to find out it is his “Mentor and friend” the Governor of the Kang-won, he is in shock but it is unable to help his friend at the moment trying to help him now will put his own life in danger, the man in charge of the torture and investigation is non other then the Governor of the Hyang-yang province, and Kim Hyung Do was chosen because they tough that he is just a “Low” rank prosecutor that can be easily manipulated into convicting his mentor of conspiracy against the king and be condemn to die, so when the “Bad Governor” tell him to expedite things and get the quick conviction he refuses to do so , getting in the wrong side of the equation.
Next in a quick scene we are introduce to the other important character he is the “Pipe Smocking Man) played by the actor who play the step father in ‘Cinderella sister) he is chasing one of the small “Flying Lights” in the night .
We are introduce to our Second lead played by
“Im Jung Eun” and her characters name is “Heo Yoon Yi” she is also an agent of the government (Researcher). They are discussing the investigation that they are conducting concerning the “Flying Lights” and the disappearing of the people in a a whole town, I like that the drama shows the actual archival drawings from the original incidents and they also make reference of the incident in the “Myung Land” I do not know whether this is a direct reference to “China” or “Japan”.
Kim Hyung Do pleads with the governor to recant his testimony for the sake of his life but the governor refuses sealing his own fate.
Then our leads meet for the first time we see Heo Yoon Yi sitting at a table of a night restaurant and she is looking at the pictures of the ‘UFO’s” and Kim Hyung Do comes in and as he walks towards her she gets up to leave and they bump into each other and she drops all her papers and as he help her picks them up he notice the drawings but he is so distraught at the moment that it did not sink to him what he just saw in the drawings he apologizes and she tell him “No thank you” for helping her with her papers and she exits the restaurant.
The next day Kim Hyung Do and his side kick Jang-man set on a journey to investigate for themselves the case of the “Flaying Lights”.
The start their investigation at the house of the ex-governor of the Kangwon Province and the new man in charge tries to dismiss the incident as a mere “Meteor Shower”. While staying that night at the Governors house they start their investigation at the Governors library and the find some of the archives with the different accounts of the “UFO’s”.
All of a sudden the realized that some one was watching them and all they know that it was not a man but a girl who happens to be our second lead, the flee the scene only to be confronted by the night watch and soldiers they asked if the saw another person go by only to realized that the other guard are looking for some on also, as the go back to their rooms
Kim Hyung Do notice some one hiding in one of the pillars of the fortress wall, and he tell the person that if it comes out he will to tell the guards, the person comes out the shadows and is the first men we saw at the beginning of the drama ( Ahn-sangpil) he tells Kim Hyung Do that what he saw was the truth and ask him to help him to clear the whole matter, Kim Hyung Do ask him to tell him all he knows, as Ahn-sangpil start to tell him his story all of a sudden an “Arrow” hits him at the level of his neck splattering Kim Hyung Do’s face with blood and fallen to the ground with a mortal wound’
He confronts the Chief the reason why he kill him, and his reply that he was going to die the next morning so dying the night prior should not be such a big thing, Kim Hyung Do is starting to realized that something is a miss since people are starting to die around him.
The next day they arrive at the town where all the people where “Abducted”, and Jang-man is “freaking out” and begging Kim Hyung Do to live that place immediately but he tell him to “Cowboy UP” and keep looking for evidence, Jang-man scream from one of the dwellings and they find the drawings of a lot of ‘UFO’s” pin to the ceiling, Kim Hyung Do recognizes one of the drawings and ask Jang-man if he knows where the place may be and Jang-man recognizes the place as “Five Heads”, the argue all the way to Five Heads as the arrive they notice by the side of the road a “dead dog” that looks like was shot by some sort of “Laser Beam”.
This next scene is my favorite scene of the whole show it is a “Typical X Files” scene, the find the empty village and as the look around Jang-man notices a child’s rope sandal in the ground he chuckles at how small it is and picks it up and puts on top of a set of rocks that are nearby, and he is spook when a snake comes out of the rocks and jumps back in fear, they keep looking all around the empty village and for the looks of it looks like it was just left abandon, with clothes on the line food being prepare, as the keep arguing about what the are seeing we see a loaded musket being aim in the nearby bushes
and all of a sudden a small “Shining Sphere of Light” is levitating behind Kim Hyung Do and Jang-man, as they turn around they see it and Kim Hyung Do pulls out his sword and the sphere comes towards the and takes of into another direction, as Kim Hyung Doand Jang-man start chasing the sphere, the sphere finally comes to a stop and as it gets close to them Kim Hyung Do is swinging his sword and at the moment when he is about to strike the sphere, time comes to a complete stop for about three seconds and as the sphere fly’s away the scenery changes and Kim Hyung do and Jang-man are standing where the were just before Jang-man notice the child’s rope sandal, and as Jang-man puts it back on top of the rocks is “Deja Vu” as the snake appears again and the scene is repeated again , as Kim Hyung Do and Jang-man realized what has just happen the take fly and run away from the village ans as they are running all of a sudden Jang-man gets hit by a Ninja “Sleeping Poison Dart” and collapses to the ground, and then Kim Hyung Do is hit by a dart, and as he try’s to stay awake the ninja’s arrive and we see that the leader is “The Smocking Pipe Man” bringing the Xfiles full circle.
I hope you enjoy this summary, sorry for the lack of some of the names I still do not know them yet and some misspelled and grammatical errors!!!!!!
“Myung Land” refers to Ming China.
Thank you! for the history Bit!!!! :O}
I saw a little clip of this, and I think I might watch this later when the show is half finished or something. It looks interesting. Thanks for the review~
A little help from the pros around here: I’m in a schlump!
I watched a lot of dramas this summer and frankly, nothing appeals to me right now. I’ve tried to start watching about ten series this week alone, quitting each after episode 1 because it was going nowhere with my attention span.
So, any little gems that my re-light the spark? I know I’m operating on overload just now, so I’m just needing some drama to get me over this hump. I had hoped MGiaG would capture me, but I’m not buying the chemistry of the leads.
I’m really open to any genre except horror, and I’ve already watched all of the series off the recommended lists here, or tried to start them, as of this week.
I’d also go with a j-drama, but I’ve already plowed through many of them earlier this year (March to May).
Might I suggest a movie instead. I know when I get like this I turn to movies for a while.
The Good, The Bad The Weird
Guns And Talks
Tale of the Legendary Libido _(slightly porny but funny with cool music)
My Little Bride
Arahan
My Boyfriend is Type B
My Tutor Friend
Duelist(The director goes way over the top, but there are some scenes that are priceless)
Why didn’t my name come out that time…ah because I’m a silly goose
Erm …… definitely want your imput, diadda!
@Anonymous, there’s three movies on your list I’ve not seen, so off to find either Duelist or Tales of the Legendary Libido or Arahan. Thanks!
Hehehe
Anonymous=diadda in this case. But I can add more.
Almost Love(tear jerker)
Insadong Scandal(Thomas Crown Affair-ish and very good)
Musa
Shadowless Sword
The Art of Seduction
Also for Jdramas
Himitsu no Hanazono
Love Shuffle
Nodame Cantabile
Around 40(if for nothing else but to talk about it later)
Oh and please tell me what you think of the Deulist..I have been trying to find someone to discuss that one with for a while now.
@diadda
I just watched The Duelist and liked it very much, for all its faults (e.g., I find its humour too broad in many places). I stuck a comment into Thundie’s Prattle where Thundie did a review. I know she means to reply to me but hasn’t found the time (she’s busy subbing my current crack – Giant and Comrades – so I’m not about to disturb her!). Perhaps you’d like to come join our conversation there!
http://thundie.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/duelist/
Or start a conversation here, if you prefer.
@Serendipity
posted a similar reply on thundie’s as well since there was a spoiler in you comment
I thought the director was in love with what he learned in film school. Every and I mean EVERY cinematography trick was used in this. Sometimes it was very effective in the story telling and made it more of a pleasure to watch. Other times it dropped me out of the story completely.
All that being said THE sword fight was the sexiest bit of direction and choreography I have ever seen.
I love Duelist. My copy has been kidnapped by momochan.
Who claims it is her current favorite movie.
It’s one of those movies you either love or go “huh?” And I come down on love.
@diadda
Re: Duelist
Well, I don’t know all too much about film-craft, so I don’t always notice things like camera tricks. But I agree, it’s a very self-conscious film. However, once it got into its groove (and left behind its crazy sense of humour for more sensibility) I really got into the spirit of it. I found I could accept it for its overall effect and intention, and for a lyrical, poetic and heartfelt portrayal of thwarted love I thought it did very well. I was swept along in its mood.
And, of course, the sword fight scenes are awesome. Have you watched Wizard Woochi? It’s a hoot. And it was in Woochi that I noticed that Kang Dong Won is blessed not just with a pretty face but also a great deal of physical grace. As Wizard Woochi he tossed about his charm papers with great panache and style, and his physical presence was also used to great effect in the Duelist.
There are some pretty interesting reviews on imdb.com, btw. The love/hate dichotomy really shows up!
Sometimes a slump isn’t bad. This may sound shocking as I have very little time in the day to devote to anything but I don’t just watch jdramas and kdramas. I sometimes watch stuff from England or America.
lmao, janna, me too, me too! Haven’t missed a Jane Austen or Elizabeth Gaskell adaption EVER (okay, in the last 15 years) and I try to keep up with all things BBC, A&E, et cetera, in generic terms at least.
What I really don’t have time for is mainstream broadcast U.S. television and reality shows. In my blog, I likened the currently reality trend to the Romans watching lions eat Christians. More and more we are pushing envelopes of humans destroying one another emotionally for ‘entertainment’, only they are real people who have to live with the pain when the cameras are off. I think we may be headed down the wrong path with some of our entertainment, and I hope that some moral compass will come out and say, “We shouldn’t applaud real pain in a person.”
Boy, still obviously on that rant, lol!
I soothed my soul with Down With Love, (Jerry Yan vehicle from earlier this year), which I’m still in the midst of, and off to watch The Switch with hubby in a few.
I share your sentiments regarding American reality shows. I’m concerned for the message viewers are getting from them. It’s like as train wreck, shocking to see but you can help wanting to see the carnage.
I prefer Korean reality shows. We Got Married is my current favorite one. I love the Sweet Potato couple: Jung Yong Hwang and Seohyun, and I’ve recently fallen in love with Victoria and Khun.
As per The Duelist, I first saw it on the internet and I purchased it. I was shocked when I realized that the sexy mysterious assasin was Kang Dong Won.
Movie recommendations:
Departures (Japan, Oscar best foreign film 2008)
The King and The Clown [Lee Jun Ki]
Love So Divine [Kwon Sang Woo]
Jenny, Juno
Heartbreak Library [Lee Dong Wook]
Hello Schoolgirl [Yoo Ji Tae]
Antique Bakery [Joo Ji Hoon &
The Man Who Was Superman [Hwang Jung Min]
…ing [Kim rae Won]
Mr Socrates [Kim Rae Won]
Mr Handy aka Mr Hong [Kim Joo Hyuk & Uhm Jung Hwa]
Untol Scandal [Korean version of Dangerous Liasons]
Okay, thanks, first of all, Lisa, have seen:
Departures
The King and The Clown
Jenny, Juno
Heartbreak Library (own it)
Hello Schoolgirl
…ing (oh, I cried and cried)
Untold Scandal (own it)
Not able to find:
Mr. Handy (I’ve been trying for several months to locate it anywhere??)
Have added to my watch list:
Love So DIvine
Antique Bakery (was already on my list)
The Man Who Was SUperman
Mr. Socrates
Thanks so much!~ Ya’ll are the best! >)
If you’d like a little more soothing from Jerry, I recommend his album “Jerry for You” (which I just happen to be listening to at this moment)
He’s not a great singer, but his soft voice calms my nerves.
I just learned that a 2-dvd set with a collection of his music videos (33 MVs) is now available, so I’m off to order mine at YA for my upcoming BD.
(Have you seen “The Hospital”? Jerry plays a doctor in that drama).
Your wish has been granted [link to Mr Handy]:
http://www.megaupload.com/?f=SHUDFKVQ
Here are a few more film titles:
Married to the Mafia [Comedy trilogy, but first movie has no relation to MTMM I and II ]
My Wife is a Gangster [I only liked the first part of this trilogy]
100 Days with Mr Arrogant [Ha Ji Won, Kim Jae Won]
My Sassy Girlfriend [Cha Tae Hyun]
Daddy Long Legs
If you are recommending…
My Sassy Girl, you gotta do so for Windstruck as well.
My Mighty Princess
The Classic
A Moment To Remember
A Millionaire’s First Love
Seducing Mr. Perfect
A Wolf’s Temptation
Baby and Me
The Naked Kitchen
Speedy Scandal
Sunflower
… just a few…. enjoy! wiii~
Giant RANT:
I’m on ep 11 and I’m loving it but this drama has sent me over the edge with “mothers in Kdramas.” Honestly, I really might have to stop watching them for this very fact alone. I have been watching dramas for awhile now but I am really at the point that the self-serving, deviously ambitious, racist, overprotecting, slightly blind, demonically malicious, Korean mother has truly unnerved me to the point of exhaustion. I really have ZERO patience for it. For one, I don’t understand why every mother in this drama, exception for the main characters’ carries several if not all of those traits. It boggles my mind why in every family drama or romantic comedy or melodrama or revenge plotted story, there has to be this character! This woman makes me ashamed!
Its true, I’m not Asian, so maybe that’s why its harder for me to stomach but every time the dramatic reincarnation of this character slaps an undeserving character I am waiting for the return. In many instances, I understand the “respect” angle but definitely not most. I always wonder don’t these women ever think about their own children and fear God?
Honestly, I don’t have children of my own(children) but everyone is SOMEONE’s child and its beyond important to treat everyone as well, consciously, as you can. Its just human decency to at least be civil and refrain from conniving, malicious, unwarranted antics!
I know I’m not the first nor the last to have this issue but isn’t there something wrong in the system where this type of character is reproduced over and over? Does no one have an issue with it? Are Korean viewers understanding and respectful of such characters?
In every culture there is a stereotype, which believe me, I am very aware of, and its true that in many ways there is little that can be done to obliterate their utter existence, but I find that things are at least getting to a point in Western culture where I can pick and choose films and media that is less bias or blatantly racist.
[i][This interuption was brought to you by recent pent-up reactions to the following: Creating Destiny, Smile,You, Dandelion Family, Tamra Island and just moments ago... GIANT. ][/i]
I apologize for my blabbing.
@ GIANT viewers
Anyway, GIANT has become as show that I just love. I have to admit there are some issues I have with the over-dramatics, the bare misses, and the unbelievable sexiness of Kim Beom Soo but other than that, I adore the story, so far. I am glad that I have begun this journey with these three children. I can’t wait until they reunite and take on the powers that destroyed their world. Ultimately, I’ve loved how the writers have woven characters that aren’t innately or entirely evil, which of course speaks to the human condition. Especially in ways of motivation, whether it be fear, greed, ambition, self-entitlement, or at times association.
Those of you who have been watching from the beginning, I’d love to read initial thoughts that I’m sure were shared on this thread. Just point me to the thread and post!
Till my next batch of eps
I agree with you that the character if the B!tch mom is over used in dramas. But it most certainly is not only found in asian culture and media. The west is just as rife with it.
1.) There is good reason to fear the step-mom. Firstly all mothers are over protecting and hateful to anything that threatens their family as a rule. Add to that an outsider that you don’t think is good enough or matches your child…Ooooo. I have seen relatives and friends in real life go through this kind of thing here in the States. Should moms let go and give their children space to find the happiness? Yes. Does it happen smoothly and without friction? Heck No!
Any and all TV dramas have had a mom like this show up in the states. (ie. Dynasty, Cosby Show, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, All day time Soaps, The Kardashians) If there is a mom, there will be conflict with “the thing that married my baby”. Granted usually it is over in one lovely sitcom episode and they accept the outsider into the family, but it still happens.
2.) Is your child working at their potential? The self serving mom and the ambitious moms love to push their children into their own dreams of imagined success. I have seen countless parents on American TV yell, slap and berate their children for not succeeding the way they wanted them to. Usually it is the Father, but moms do it too and often. Mostly it is with guilt and subtle digs to show the character’s weakness in their life choices.(ie. Seinfeld, Desperate Housewives, Sopranos, Grey’s Anatomy, and All the day time soaps ever) Honestly I can’t think of a main character that has had a mother come into their lives that did not bring about some horrible situation.
All drama writers have done a number on “Mom”. In my opinion it is far more rare to see them decent and giving without being flighty and/or dumb.
They go for the jugular regularly and often for the dramatic effect but also because on some level it is true. Absolutely Fabulous is the show with the mom I relate to most. (dead ringer for my mother’s behavior) She is loving in her own way but has few morals and even less responsibility. Call me Saffy from now on! Go ahead and try it.. which TV mom is yours?
I…hope you didn’t watch Shining Inheritance. To me, that Mom is one of the Evil Queens. Diadda makes a good point though, evil moms aren’t exclusive to kdramas. I sense a little worked up schadenfreude with the kdrama viewing audience anyways. Who doesn’t want to see someone brush it off, get up, and win despite all odds.. and the evil person getting their just desserts at the end usually.
As far as which TV mom is mine.. no comment. It can be worse that TV.. and that’s why TV is for watching y’all! – Not emulating.
Supah and I have watched Giant since the begining so.. whenever that was.. months ago. We started chatting about it then. And since then we’ve talked about Giant so.. that’s like every thread has something in it. Just do the @Giant and you can find stuff~ Happy Giant watching!~
Hehe. You said schadenfreude. All I hear now is the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTbpt6Rtgrc
I also agree with you that watching the severely beaten underdog win, and punish or convert the bad guys, is a BIG recurring theme in Kdramas.
@diada and janna
Oh I never said they were. Evil moms are everywhere but I find them “excessive” in these dramas, that is why I am so irritated. And I don’t think I like the “evil” term, though I used it. I think that “hateful” works better. “Evil” conveys other worldly influence or mentality that is beyond human sanity and that isn’t usually the case in these dramas, or if it is, it isn’t portrayed effectively enough for me. The only “evil” mom I’ve seen recently has to be Madam Shin in BG. I also can’t agree more that mothers are portrayed in similar ways in every form of media, in every nation under the sun, however, again for dramatic purposes I find it ridiculous the overuse of this characterization.
Also my issue isn’t the shock or initial issue of ignorance or intolerance, for that is apparent everywhere, in anything within humanity, of which I would venture to say we are all guilty. My issue lay in retaliation, disdain or constant and consistent stabs at another individual’s psyche and well being. This of course is still found in every culture and language but I find it almost incessant in this genre (and done almost without fail more frequently by females and mother figures) and that truly not only boggles the mind but infuriates and saddens me.
And yes I did see Shining Inheritance:)
@diada TV mom
]
Well I really don’t know. Never given it much thought. My mother is a rather normal 57 yr old. [Who loves Kim Nam Gil by the way
I’m also not the type to compare or wish I had something that I don’t. Even as a child, I never thought… “oooh I want to be like that” or “have what she has,” “wish my mom was like that one” or dad even [and he's a complete mess], but as an adult I see how having a healthy, friendly, loving and trusting relationship with one’s parents influences human life as a whole. We all bring to every drama whatever baggage we carry (all our experiences etc.) and I’m sure that is more than half the reason why the moms I mentioned and the countless others I see dramatically and in reality are hard (for me) to relate to. Therefore, I find myself very grateful for what I have and hate to see others or know of others (in reality or dramatically) that have never had pleasant experiences with at least one or both of their parents, guardians or adult influences.
@notoriousnoona
I had an earlier rant in this thread or the previous one about drama families that take the “hateful” acts too far. I was commenting on I Am Legend and how yet another wicked mom and family persecute some overly innocent person to the point where it just doesn’t make sense any more. Loving You a Thousand Times, Smile You and several others, where an entire family is made to be so distasteful you don’t really want to even see them on the screen. What is worse is somehow you have to accept them as merely flawed characters and then watch as most of them are redeemed while very few are punished to the end. So I get where you are coming from on this. It gets old seeing the same meanies doing the same stuff time after time.
__________
Mom envy? hehe, nope never had that either. Without the mom I have I wouldn’t be who I am today. And I am grateful to her for that. Only asking what matching characteristics you may find in other moms from other dramas. Most characters in your own life can be found on the TV in some way shape or form since they are made to appeal to some part of our lives we can identify with and then fantasize about. For me Eddie from AbFab was so close to my real thing it almost bit me. Never thought of comparing the character. I still think Jennifer Saunders was filming in my house to make Eddie up
And heaven knows I don’t wish to have the actual Eddie for a mom…not many would 
I’m glad you get it. I’m also glad about the mom thing… I would hope that most feel the way you do. I’ve yet to feel I’ve been used as dramatic influence, my life is rather ordinary, though fantastical and fun. I think there are only a choice few that live life in dramatic proportions. We all have heartbreak and hardship, love and laughs. So I consider us all pretty normal but wonderful, you know?
I’m assuming you’re hating on Jung-shiks Mom/Tae-subs wife. This is not much of a spoiler but the Moms in Giant are kind of blink and you miss them (aside from Jung Yeons Mom).
Min-woos mother in particular seems to be rolled out like a red carpet for guests, and then put back in some sort of cryogenic stasis when not needed. I’m such a jerrrrkkkkkk. Oh well. I tried, Supah. I tried.
@janna
Have you d/loaded part 3 of the OST yet? I linked it above, the mediafire link. Cannot, simply cannot listen to the main Giant theme, it gives me serious goosebumps. It takes me back to the closing credits of episode 1, when Yeo Jin-gu (GM) and Nam Ji-hyun (JY) meet for the first time and she’s like ”tch, tch, pickpocket… thief!”
and he’s like *glowering* ”brat! I’m no thief!”
She replies: ”Then what the hell are you?”
He answers: *still glowering*”I’m Lee Gang-mo. That’s the name my father gave me, Lee Gang-mo.”
Aigooo, goosebumps. Guess it makes his story from 21-28 all the more ironic, in terms of name and stuff.
I mean, the opening part of the main theme. Whereas the main body of the theme reminds me of the train scene and er, pretty much everything that’s tragic about the Lees. Very evocative music.
Very valid points. Here are my two cents though:
The mothers:
I agree with diadda, it’s not only a Korean thing.
It doesn’t really bother me too much in Giant, as it’s part of the fabric of the story, but doesn’t overtake as there’s far too much other stuff going on to dwell on relatively small characters like the following two.
Jung-shikeeh’s omma isn’t actually as bad as some TV mothers I’ve seen, I actually kind of (gasp!) like her, not a lot but I’m nowhere near hating on her. She’s just insecure, miserable (et tres a la mode!) and her husband completely disregards her (and er, pretty much everyone else in his family for that matter). In a way her and her son are MEANT to be insufferable and a royal pain in the butt to Jung-yun, indirectly prompting her to run away or attempt to run away from home many times.
Min-woo’s omma: hahahaha!@janna!
I often thought, how about if CPY simply had an old and matronly housekeeper who served up hot homecooked meals and did the odd underhanded thing to save a teen Min-woo from getting in serious trouble from his abheoji? But then as the show progresses you figure CPY NEEDS a wife, it’s better for his image to have a happy, functional family thing going on, I suppose… But whatevz.
Racism? You mean… the controversial boxing match in episode 4?
You know, I’m usually amongst the first to launch into tirades about stereotyping a group of people and I hate, absolutely hate how black people are covered in Asian-ent (See Hana Kimi, Women of the Sun, Hana Yori Dango and more.)
However, hand on my heart, I don’t think Giant set out to offend in the same way as other shows I’ve seen do.
Firstly they needed an American who was taller and bulkier than Kim Soo-hyun, so it was believable seeing KSH being beaten to a pulp. Since Kim Soo-hyun is almost 6foot I think that narrowed the options, if the one person they found with the right height, build and was believable as a champ boxer — happened to be black, so what? He had to be American, right? Even if he had been a white man, the impact would’ve been the same people would’ve been disgruntled about that too. I’d take it for what it was: a Korean vs an American. And there was meant to be animosity between the American military and Koreans during 1970 Korea, with the ongoing Vietnam war.
I can’t expect everyone to be happy about the way that went but it made sense to me (and I’m not American, so I got a kick out of the ‘Americans are dumb’ digs, haha!) And hey, for Seung-mo he got Major CPY’s attention and so the boxing match served its purpose.
Argh, about the Giant comments, mine are kind of embarrassing, I just go spazztastic and always cringe if I ever have to re-read my own words.
I liked the show pretty much from the get-go, but I’m one of the guilty party who thought to EoE during the first episode, but I soon corrected myself as realised it’s a completely, completely different animal.
I found Giant’s rags to riches story arc, its villians and its two central protagonists the Lee brothers fantastic, absolutely, mindblowingly fantastic but I only truly fell in love with the show from episode 3. I was lured, caught in fishnet, lightly grilled and drizzled with lemon juice by Show at that point.
LOL! I find that my RANT has made for plenty to discuss. I did want to clear up one thing… I wasn’t saying that GIANT has “all” the aforementioned characteristics, [nor the issue being solely Asian or Korean]. I was referring to “the straw.” The mothers in GIANT are mild at best but still annoying as heck. Honestly I am just overwrought at this point with the concept and the staple character. My feelings toward such dramas and characters at this point are about 4 yrs and over 200 dramas in the making.
And yes I did notice the boxing match, and though it did give me pause… as most references to Blacks in dramas, I wasn’t offended, nor was I referring to it. I had quite forgotten it. Overall though, my ideas were no different than yours when I watched the initial scene.[Though I will say that every "American" I've seen next to an Asian on television looks as though he could eat them up. Therefore, the man used was for dramatic purposes but definitely not the only viable option, ie Skinny Asian, beats Big Black man, David defeats Goliath.] Its still stereotypical but I believe the portrayal was believable and most likely true in more cases than not when such things occurred in reality. It was definitely racist and discriminatory in reality, however, with GIANT would, I don’t believe so. Plus, I find myself not too upset with such portrayals when I can’t rationalize it being out of the realm, in my own reality or cultural history.
As for the drama examples you mentioned, though I wasn’t offended when I saw them (with the except of WotS), such instances/portrayals always hit a nerve. When experiencing media outside my culture, I always try to make allowances for the culture I am entering. If one doesn’t do that, life would be rather upsetting and I’d make quite a few stereotypes come to life myself
Oddly enough the American digs also don’t usually bother me. It truly depends on reference or context. As an American, even I feel the injustice America has dished out through its messy history, with other nations and peoples, therefore, a dig here or there at times, I can get behind or at least empathize with.
Yeah, it’s totally understandable, we all have our vices and we ALL hate b!tchmoms.
Sorry dude, you’d meant things in a more general sense and I was like… Racist? Racist where? Boxing match? (Yeah, that raised quite a few eyebrows that).
It’s not only them though, shades of racism still exist even in western entertainment and in their society despite them being a leading example of tolerance.
Yeah, the whole David vs Goliath thing was predictable, depite the brutal beatings he took, you knew he was going to win that day, because you just don’t screw with the Lee siblings. Like everrr. But it wasn’t about both brothers and their parallel fight scenes in themselves — Gang-mo’s street brawl and Seung-mo’s boxing match — it served as a symbolism where they were accepting the gauntlet life had thrown them and standing to deliver their turn. It worked both as a very important plot point, nay a milestone, but more importantly it was symbolic.
And with Seung-mo you come to realise everything he does has a dual purpose and there’s something very poetic about it *tear*. That tragic child. *sniffle*
Anyways, which episode are you up to now? Oh and it’s Lee Beom-soo… Kim Beom-soo is a singer, hahah. Yeah, LBS haz presence, yo. And I love how the adult actors are very freakily similar to the kid versions. Down to the finest details. Apparently the kids often visit their adult counterparts set, too – which explains a lot. What do you say about Park Sang-min?
@supah
Sorry, when I speak about him I say Lee Beom-soo and when I type its Kim. I don’t know what that’s all about.
And I haven’t caught up to current eps but that is purposeful on my part. For 1, my drama buddy is just starting the show and 2, I want to be a few eps behind so I can always watch at my leisure.
Anyway, as for Park Sang-min, I adore Lee Seung-mo! I know I don’t owe this entirely to PSM because Soo-hyun was wonderful but he has carried on flawlessly as this heavy-hearted kid. Truly this is the first time that my fave male character isn’t the male lead. I truly wish he had more screen time.
SM’s isolation and loneliness is far greater in my eyes than KM’s. Obviously, KM will be the one to succeed in tipping the scale of justice for Daddy Lee and their familly but SM has carried so many burdens, living virtually with little desires outside of rectifying that horrible tragedy, that I can’t help but empathize more with him. I think also its the “responsibility” factor that I can identify with as an eldest child.
Giant has this wonderful way of creating these 3 different worlds for these children, that overlap in an area or two and keep them separate but equal. Therefore, my feelings and desires for the brothers are relatively equal, though I may sway from side to side. I do believe for now, I love the scenes I’m watching now the most, concerning KM(eps 19-22). I wish we could see more SM but I’m thinking that there isn’t much for him besides worrying about KM and these are extremely huge eps for understanding KM later. I like that now it seems that KM is feeding himself from the pain that was afflicted upon him as a kid. Its kind of cool that he set that aside for so long and now is putting it to good use.
Haha, don’t worry, I always somehow type impactIVE instead of impactful and other similar dumb stuff like that.
I say SM and Gang-mo both played protagonists, like how the first episode had more Kim Soo-hyun, the second focused on Yeo Jin-gu and Nam Ji-hyun but after that it was 50-50 screentime between both brothers, give and take some. LBS keeps being touted as the sole lead but I never really felt that way. The poster misleads. Maybe with the current arrangements he gets more screentime but they never really lessen the importance of SM’s character either.
But, either way I’m happy as both of them have a special place in my heart but pretty much from the get-go, it’s been SM who haunts my thoughts, GM is more outspoken, more expressive (OMG, episode 22, LBS was mindblowing). But with SM, he has such depth and everything’s below surface level. Such a solid performance by the actors who play(ed) him.
I don’t think they would write him off as a lesser character as GM rises up and above. Simply because of his promises, and his relationship with CPY. (He makes CPY cry!! Come on, not even MW is THAT dear to his father, or his wife or Jae-chun). When that ”one day” finally comes when SM finally speaks, I can imagine it will be epic on so many levels.
I just don’t want it to happen too soon, that flashforward worries me.
He has sacrificed a lot, other than the obvious things… if we think back to him, pre-events-of-1970, he was a wholesome, genteel teen who had this dorky smile, and then we saw his transition over time, he wasn’t naturally cut out for it, he really pushed himself hard, and it took him some time and effort before he overcame his fear. Then there were moments like where the military doctor who befriended him said SM scares him the most and he can’t wait to leave the military base, and SM was almost pleading for him to let him leave with him, revealing how much he hated it himself. And recently even CPY said, ‘I know you’ve felt oppressed here in the KCIA all these years, don’t worry, boy… We’ll move on to… ” and my heart bleeds just thinking about him feeling trapped yet obligated to continue. Like when he says to GM: ”my heart burned, my blood ran dry, I lived in misery…”. I cried big gulping sobs at that revelation, they’re simple words when spoken but we know that with SM that is his reality, we see him in a lot of pain, even when he’s supposedly happy and smiling in his old dorky way, you can feel the tragic undertones.
SM simply has to be one of the finest TV/Film characters ever written, and acted.
Anyway, it’s nice that you’re savouring it in tentative portions.
”Giant has this wonderful way of creating these 3 different worlds for these children, that overlap in an area or two and keep them separate but equal.” — Ditto!
I’m trying to watch Secret Investigation Record. I’m at the 30 minute mark. I hope something interesting happens soon because I’m rapidly losing interest.
It does get better at the end of the episode, I guess the first 45 minutes its the introduction of the plot and main characters , but the last 10 is worth the waiting!!!
Will we ever see a page 2 again?
No
I stand corrected!
I just realized this reply thingie inadvertantly punts us back to the old old days, before pages were introducted, when I used to scroll down my Iphone like mad for like 5 minutes before getting to the end of a thread.
My husband always knew I was on OT if I was flipping like a crazed woman then laughing at some snark between hjkomo and samsooki.
That freakin weekend belleza and momosan went crazy live-capping the end of the year awards shows almost herniated my finger.
@ notoriousnoona – I’m rarely the type of drama watcher to watch and discuss minutae episode by episode, so while I am watching Giant rabidly each week, I won’t be joining in on the discussion. If anyone wants my two cents on anything in particular, hollar and I’ll chime in. Otherwise, I tend to let it soak in and vent at the end. I think it’s a habit built up from starting my drama watching by inhaling dramas in its entirety. My review probably makes it clear how I feel about each character in this sprawling epic, but ahem, sorry while I make a public announcement:
@ serendipity – sweetheart, you had your chance to share, or maybe pet a few times, but you professed not to see the hotness in bodyguard lemur, or lover lemur, and only after he’s prison gangleader lemur and now finally intelligent revenge lemur you want sample? Uh, no. Lee Bum Soo aka Gang Mo = MINE. Thank you.
Because of Giant and IAL, I now look forward to Mondays. Laughable, yes, but clearly not a bad thing since Mondays are going to come anyways.
Q: Would it help to make each page show 50 threads instead of 100? I can do that if the threaded replying makes these pages too massive.
Oh, that sounds like a handy solution, JB! I have no problem with the scrolling forever since I used to do it all the time and had no problems with it. I actually got really good at it, too! I mentioned it only bc it really does remind me of the old days is all.
Likes it! Thanks, JB, you are jjang!
Bless you!
The page was full
sad face we pull
Then java heroic
with a simple codec
easing all the bull!
You can have Gang-mo, I want James Lee.
Tsk tsk – potayto, potahto, he’s MINE, too!
James Lee? I hear he’s a pretty cool guy. With hater shades. Glasses. Shade like glasses. Glass-shades. He’s American!
@episodic discussion
Its cool, I understand. Its just easier for me as a viewer to get out how I feel over the course of about 5-6 eps as opposed to 20 or 50 because my thoughts and feelings may change. I like to examine why that occurred through the course of a show. I usually don’t truly fall in love until ep 5 or 6 so by that point I have very clear views/opinions.
Is there someone who didn’t fall off their chair the moment Kim Beom Soo entered ep 8? I’ve never been a KBS swooner but he grabbed ahold of me this time and won’t shake loose…evil married bas… oops, Meanie!
Hi notoriousnoona
His name is Lee Bum Soo, not Kim Bum Soo, who is the famous singer.
@ serendipity – ALL incarnations of sexy lemur = MINE. You can come visit lemur in a suit if you play nice.
But… but… but… I WANT the Lemur in a Suit!! *bursts into tears*
I’ve noticed this before: I like my men to be competent (don’t like beta males), and find it hard to resist powerful men. Hmm. I wonder what this says about me, but let’s not go there…
Re: Giant — I’m all caught up now, with subs out so fast, so I’m not afraid of spoiling at the moment. But, yeah, I’m with you, I’m just not too interested in going over what happened, blow-by-blow. I wouldn’t mind a *meta* discussion, though. Or just a general comment.
Like, to be honest, I think Giant is largely predictable. Take the progression of the relationship between MW & MJ, it’s so utterly predictable. But instead of rolling my eyes or opening up another window on my computer to read the news simultaneously, I’m actually watching, which I think is testament to (1) the solid acting, and (2) the solid construct of back-story and context which are just beneath the surface of what is really quite a pedestrian affair. I mean, I don’t quite know what to make of all the cutesy mood music they play for those scenes, and really wonder how they are going to make a smooth transition to a Situation of Shakespearean proportions. I reckon that quite likely they wouldn’t bother with a transition at all and will veer off the main road at full speed, straight into Tragedy-Land!
btw, I’m not expected a reply. I too am happy to just inhale my dramas, and am content with the odd cryptic exclamation. Like, “OMG!! Cooomraaaadess!!”
(mild spoilers)
I was interested in the fact, (for lack of a better analogy) that MW put all his eggs in one basket. He kind of gave up JY pretty quickly. Even when Kang-Mo is, you know, “not around” MW doesn’t really care. What can we say, a robot can only function with one goal in mind.
I assume it will be abrupt. KM is going to rip the sanity carpet from under MW. Until then enjoy this blah-blah love is magic sparkles interlude (I guess we’re supposed to feel for him, but c’mon. Really?)
@ Janna — Oh, you don’t think MW’s interest in MJ is real? I think it is. In the first place I don’t think he gave up JY too quickly. I think he hung on for longer than was really sensible to, even when he knew that she didn’t love him, but really there came a point when there really wasn’t any point in hanging on to JY any more, and I don’t fault him for being an unfeeling man for letting her go eventually, I credit him with good sense. I think he did care for JY – the way he looked at her yearningly, the way he was crushed in his emotions (not just thwarted in his scheming) when he realised that JY was in love with GM. It so happened that his affection coincided with his self-interests (isn’t that often the way?) which didn’t hurt, but which didn’t invalidate his feelings, imo.
One of the things I like best about Giant is how MW is, imo, crafted as a complex, realistic man you both despise and feel sympathy with. Starting with his exam cheating – who can respect that? On the other hand, who can blame him when his parents were screwing him so royally over? I don’t think he is an evil man. In the evil stakes he’s not a spot on his father. But he’s morally weak to order the death of a man; even though that man is threatening to take everything away from him, which makes it kind of understandable, still it’s inexcusable. At the same time, the relationship with MJ is played straight and I feel we are meant to take it straight, i.e., he really is falling in love and he really is, somewhere in his heart, a big softie who has fallen in love with the purity and joyousness of MJ, qualities he must know have eluded him because of the choices he has made but which attract him to MJ and make him genuinely love MJ.
I’ll keep this terse because I feel like I’m clogging the OT up with Giant stuff so here goes:
Does MW Like MJ in an honest way? I’ll say yes on this. Do I think MW had emotions for JY? No. There was always this added benefit of besmirching Kangmo whenever he got to hang around JY. It was odd. Really odd. I mean, his ears were buzzing when he first heard JY call out for Kangmo in the bathroom; he was always amused with putting down JY. If he truly wanted to get with JY and had feelings for her, he had the perfect chance while she was in the hospital. Instead he was really wooden, and went “there, there” and got up and left. I mean, even if he wanted to be her friend or close to her he could have been a little more cordial. At times he’s really painted with a broad stroke of a psychopath. But lately we’re supposed to feel all bad for him. …Sure.
Perhaps there’s something underneath. And yes, the conditioning of his parents did a number on him. I mean, in a recent episode MW displays being upset in front of MJ, but she’s literally asks if he’s upset to confirm it. He can’t really emote well. I know he says stuff about sailing away and leaving it all behind, but the minute he finds out who put away his father it will probably be switch flipping back into rage mode. I can’t really romanticize him with all the weird mannerisms. He did try to, you know, with JY. Sooo…
@ janna
I guess we’ve taken different things away from Giant, because I got the impression that MW did like JY. I really didn’t get the feeling that he disrespected her. Under-estimated her, perhaps, but not disdained her.
I think it was a double blow for MW when JY declared for GM because not only was it a blow to his pride in his age-old competition with GM, but also because he was genuinely hurt by JY’s rejection of him. That’s what I got from Joo Sang Wook’s acting, which I’ve found to be wonderfully expressive and sympathetic, especially when MW has been given few words to rant (mercifully). And from that whole JY-MW incident I came away with quite a different conclusion from you.
When MW walked away from JY and didn’t go all angsty and clinging and demanding and recriminatory, I respected and liked him more as a person and as a character he fleshed out more the aspect of him being essentially human. I can’t really pin-point the scenes, my memory is like a sieve, sorry, and I’m not going back to watch hours of Giant to pick out the scenes!
By JY in the hospital, are you referring to her collapse when she overheard her brother & mother? I can’t remember the wooden scene you describe, but my take is actually the opposite of yours. If MW had swooped in when she was weak and harangued her into marrying him in the midst of her crushing bereavement, then he really would be an evil automaton! But because he quietly walked away without fuss, having the decency to know that he could not possibly make *any* demand of the woman whose lover he had just done in (whether as lover or even as friend), that for me made him a living, breathing, real human being with a sliver of a conscience. So for me it’s not been a stretch in the overall arc of his character for him to find refreshment and balm in an innocent like MJ. Actually, personally I think MW the character and JSW the actor are both doing fine emoting with MJ!
As I said, I guess we just come away with very different things. I actually find MW one of the more fascinatingly complex characters in Giant.
I’m sorry if it came off that I wanted to be MW as clingy or anything, that’s not what I’m going for. I’m not out to berate the actor either. Lately they’ve really ramped up the pity parade for Min-woo, so watching it all at once will do that. Watching it week by week left a sour taste of him in the beginning that made me wish for greater things with his characters. Now he seems like a doofus they could throwaway.
I was just trying to make connections that Min-woo goes about things in a certain way.. It’s not necessarily a bad way, but it’s not normal. His father is constantly dogging him down and telling him not to show his emotions, and in the beginning of the show he often had rage fits in the gisaeng house. To the point of breaking stuff.
His father has even told his mother to stop crying (and it doesn’t seem like this is the first time he’s done it) and you’re half taking it in jest, but really? This is CPY we’re talking about. He’s probably told her to not show emotion before that scene came about. It’s very much CPY choice in warfare, words. Anyways, the innocent love stuff is wearing me thin, but yes Min-woo is an interesting character in Giant.
@ janna
We can certainly agree to agree that that Min Woo is interesting, and that Giant is good!
Sorry couldn’t resist pitching into an already closed discussion: MW does remind me of his dad in the sense that he strictly follows a (flawed) logic and lives in some kind of parallel universe. And if his little universe isn’t in order, he’ll do anything — anything to try restore it. Logic, schmogic.
But there is something I kind of liked about teen MW, exam-cheating, delusions of grandeur and threatening the blossoming romance between GM and JY aside, he was a very layered, intriguing character.
One thing that’s been consistent with (and what steers him away from being his father entirely) is that he respects people — whoever he deems is worthy of it, even if he considers them his enemy. He had a quiet respect for GM, he probably respected him more than he hated him. And there’s a respect element towards MJ too.
But he’s volatile, it won’t take much to upset his balance. I mean, there’s bad boys and then there’s MW.
The only part where I pity him is where he belittles people (GM, JY, MJ) thus challenging them, thus healthily encouraging them, thus an open invite for them to rise above him and step all over him in the process. He always loses his own games, always. Poor Min-woo.
Dude, I love your Comrades bias, but Giant is bet.ter as it’s more creative and entertaining, admit it, heh?
Yeah, absolutely, the writing starts off quite conventional and it pretty much tells you the character destinations and how it’ll all end from the get-go. I like that isn’t masquerading itself as clever, it knows exactly what it is and what it’s doing and doesn’t oversell itself. It’s something quite clever masquerading as something conventional — if you take into context the very tightly wound plot, the ironic twists of fate, the character nuances and complexities and the use of symbolisms, the attention to detail. But all of us that are watching have picked up on this anyway.
But had it been ‘really’ predictable, Gang-mo would’ve started out as a pickpocket/thief, given how they flirted with that idea in the first episode. Seung-mo would’ve wound up with amnesia after all the beatings (though he did try faking it and was unsuccessful) and then gone off with Hampton and co to America or something, as with most tales of revenge and come back as a muscly tank-top wearing, Bruce Willis-esque Die Hard kinda guy.
But then they didn’t, they did something else entirely and I so appreciate the writing for that.
OK, OK, I’ll stop, haha!
I think had I marathoned this series my comments would’ve been more general or brief too, or barely ever spoken of it, like say, Sandglass.
I think me and janna should’ve set up a Giant blog or something after all, then I wouldn’t have needed to swamp OT with spoiler-esque comments every week, but hey, we’re past the halfway mark already and I will be mindful not to spoil now that more people are watching it.
PS. I HATE the cutesy mood music.
@ Supah — Seriously? Are you watching Comrades too, and you really think that Giant is more creative? Well, it’s all subjective of course, and of course you’re entitled to your opinion. But if you ask me, my opinion is that while Giant is good, solid, quality stuff and I’m enjoying it, Comrades is a heartbreaking, breathtaking, brilliant work of art that is owning me!
And I think I have to beg to differ from you on “predictability ” as well.
I think “predictability” can take several paths, each of which is predictable. I actually think that both GM and SM’s respective paths (as trusted and talented lieutenants) were predictable, not that they were the only plot options, but I feel they were fairly obvious plot options for a revenge story.
Comrades, on the other hand… (I know I should stop making comparisons, but you have kind of compelled me to by inviting me to agree that Giant is more creative than Comrades!). I’ve finished episode 13 and the story is now in a place where I would not have predicted a mere three episodes before. And those who have finished watching the series (last episode aired over the weekend) have been in AWE at the last 3 episodes (but are kindly not spoiling with details) and I have absolutely NO IDEA what they are awed by because I have no way at all of predicting this show, it has surprised me so often, and I can’t see where the story will go from ep 14. And this happens within episodes too, I’m frequently left breathless with shock from the turn of events.
So, I have no compunction nailing my colours to the mast and declaring that, nope, in my opinion, Giant is not more creative than Comrades! But of course there’s more to a drama than predictability – that’s not the be-all-and-end-all criterion of quality. And it also doesn’t detract from the goodness of Giant in its own right, nor is it meant in any way to undercut your enjoyment of Giant, which I know you love, or your right to your opinion of the superiority of Giant.
Oh, noes… I was totally teasing there about your ‘Comrades bias’. Like: ”you know you luuuurve it! You know you want moar Chames Ree!” kind of thing.
I should use this: :p emoticon more so people can tell when I’m being serious or not since it doesn’t always come across in writing.
The whole deal about predictability was a separate thing. Sure, Giant is a certain level of predictable in some cases like you said and especially with MJ and MW. But then they were also promoted together even before the show aired (no really, even the main opening credits have an illustrated picture of them two together from even when the childhood portion was still underway). So I don’t think they really kept that as some kind of wildcard. The wildcard will most likely be Lee Jun-mo, everything else we’ve been told almost upfront. I think with the majority of the show we know WHAT’s going to happen, the real question is: How? Which is what keeps us watching, I guess.
I think we’ve established that neither drama can be compared, their both so very different.
MW? MW’s just baaad… So very baaad. But I totally agree with you, as right now there’s no reason for him not to be genuine.
Comrades is AWESOMESAUCE of CitC proportions.
As Serendipity has already heard from me…
the last three episodes of Comrades took an already masterful work of art to a whole new level. Each of those eps surpassed the one before it – something I did not think was possible.
THANK YOU, COMRADES!
*We are not worthy*
@ hjkomo
Oh, I’m so excited! I already think Comrades is the best thing since sliced bread and I’m worried about how it can sustain its awesomeness going into episodes 14 & 15. Ep 18-20 go into a whole new level? I can’t even imagine! Oo, so excited!
”Take the progression of the relationship between MW & MJ.” Gahh! *headdesk*
You were on about the progression and not about the relationship as a whole. NOW I get it. D’oh!
I blame it all on work, where I rushedly read the comments. Not my fault, it’s work’s.
Yeah, undeniably there is something very kdrama cliche about the progression, we’re safe to be trusting the writer on this one… just not the guy in control of the background score.
No worries! I misread you too, sorry, didn’t realise you were joking about the Comrades comparison. We’re even now!
I was genuinely puzzled as to how anyone could watch the heart-attack inducing roller-coaster ride that is Comrades and think it is more predictable than Giant! Now all is as it should be in the order of the universe!
(half-joke)
“That freakin weekend belleza and momosan went crazy live-capping the end of the year awards shows almost herniated my finger. ”
Ah, fun times.
And it wasn’t like we really did it on purpose, either. 
What I remember most was a) wondering why SJS showed up in a uniform b) ragging on Ku Hye Sun for showing up in what looked like a cosplay version of Jan Di – I think asking why she was let out of the house dressed like that was the kindest thing we may have said. 
SHUNMAO is back!!!
The reunion of Oguri Shun and Inoue Mao (Rui x Makino !!!) for the fall season, Belleza is ready to party like it’s 2005! Or 2007! Or 2008! Whateverz . . .SHUNMAO!! SHUNMAO!!!
@belleza sama
Just as it happens, I’m reading this in Japan(24hrs only) and searched it.
http://natalie.mu/comic/news/36601
Not only It’s Shunmao but also that 成宮寛貴kun of late Ynakeekun & meganechan!!! It sure sounds promising.
@ockoala & momosan sama
Lol, I still remember that madcap live cast
OMG!!! Oguri Shun, Mao AND Hiroki Narimiya? ::thud::
::gets up again::
wait, in a show about cute wittle aminals? ::THUD::
the potential cute is off the meter!
Fangirl-ing wildly in anticipation!!!!
@ BG watchers (Uh, not talking about Bad Guy)
Sorry I wasn’t clear, I’m a Helo-Athena girl, but I was asking btw Anders and Apollo. I also love Jamie with his English accent (when he guested on Dollhouse it was one of the rare eps I watched live), but I totally preferred Anders. Don’t know why either.
@hjkomo – did you ever finish Caprica S1? Should I catch up?
The full-length MV for Athena’s first single dropped.
I Love You by Park Hyo Shin. MV contains all scenes from Athena, all of the OTP, with some Kim Min Jong in has candy colored blazers thrown in for good measure.
Yeah, so my cup of tea, these two sexy sexy people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B7QJ1j6saU
Giant 29 — oh my goodness, solid episode!
The veterans are veterans for a reason really, Lee Deok-hwa and Jung Bo-suk were especially great this episode, ’nuff said.
Oh and janna, the Hwang house of fashion does not disappoint this episode, you’re just going to love what Jung-shik wore today.
Oops, that’s me.
Giant 29 — oh my goodness, solid episode!
The veterans are veterans for a reason really, Lee Deok-hwa and Jung Bo-suk were especially great this episode, ’nuff said.
Oh and janna, the Hwang house of fashion does not disappoint this episode, you’re just going to love what Jung-shik wore today.
Sooo this week on Giant, a zeebra died. But it made a pretty faaaabbbuloussss coattt! And Tae-sub found his L.L. Bean flannel. Sensitive people dress down.
I don’t know Supah, the disney tie might be even better.
Dude, not sure about HTS, but I loved the zebra-print suit and the million-won brown overcoat even better.
Did you notice his glasses were white when he was in his car and then later they were black?Was that two pairs of glasses? Like.. special driving glasses?
OHEMGEE! YES!
I thought that was just me who’d noticed that. I guess the black ones are business appropriate glasses, whereas the white ones are for pleasure, like when being chauffeured across town, I guess.
I always notice the stupidest things. But in particular, stupid Jung-shik things. I bet he has a closet full of glasses. I mean, why not have the interiors of his coats lined with alternative glasses choices?
Glasses are a powerful weapon in the Giant world.
Oh man, Buddy Holly glasses on Min-woo. I don’t have time tonight, but definitely tomorrow at work in my spare time… will be devoted to that.
Random but you know stupid Jung-shik (Kim Jung-hyun) was in Sandglass as the young Park Tae-soo (Choi Min-soo), he was really good as a heroic lead with noble airs (and that kind of stuff) and he got his ass kicked on his first day of school, wearing the same school uniform the kids in Giant wore. That’s like drama karma – backwards?
This week is off to a great start drama-wise:
Both Zhong Wu Yen ep5 and I Am Legend ep7 have just took a giant leap from potentially great to probably great in one episode. I was squeeing like a stuck pig watching upcoming scenes from ZWY ep6 (and drama wise I was close to calling it quits last week on this one).
Fingers crossed, but man I feel like a cat drinking organic cream. And I’m waiting for my Giant subs to come out, come to me, subs subs subs.
Oh, and I have been pretty entertained watching OB/GYN in the evenings, like a guilty pleasure.
I totally have to do work, but if you say I am Legend is good.. well.. I’ll take any excuse not to do work. Also I need to uphold the honor of being Lee Joon Hyuks #1 worst-fan-ever because I watched Giant first. But I totally love you Joon Hyuk, at least you kind.. of… rock the facial hair… dot dot dot.
I’m not going to lie. I hope this facial hair plague clears up quickly. You can’t be doing this to me guys. Is this some sort of dude bonding against Gillettes mach 5 razor? Is 5 blades really too much for your gentle skin? We can take it back down to 4. I will even let you use skintimate mango if you want. Whatever it takes. Please. If only I could play a magical flute that mustaches enjoyed, so I give them a short drop off a long cliff.
Er, I wouldn’t watch IAL for Lee Joon Hyuk, he’s barely registering a presence and window dressing at least has a spotlight on it. IAL is the Kim Jung Eun one woman show, with Kim Seung Soo trying his damndest to make us hate him and instead making us feel bad about ourselves because we love and loathe him at the same time.
As for IAL being good, still can’t say for certain. At least its not getting worse, but still hasn’t quite found its footing, or a clear direction. But KJE carries the entire show on her shoulders, and is a damn fine presence on screen to spent time with.
Oh, I’ve noticed. I’m kind of partly watching; the divorce thing dragging out is ruining the mood. I’d rather have zany adventures with the band. LJH is supposed to be mean and at the same time super sweet to his son or something….they’re not giving him much to work with.
Hotaru no Hikari fans, I’m sure you’ve seen this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpWZZbK7lJ8&feature=channel explain yourselves Also, that is so NSFW, or safe for me to watch in general. Because half the time I busted out laughing at these commercials, I’m so mature…
SHUNMAO is back!!!
The reunion of Oguri Shun and Inoue Mao (Rui x Makino !!!) for the fall season, Belleza is ready to party like it’s 2005! Or 2007! Or 2008! Whateverz . . .SHUNMAO!! SHUNMAO!!!
SHUNMAO?
Yawn. Call me when YamaKi returns for round 3 – this time we’ll actually have them make out, but no tongue, alright, Pi?
Kidding. I totally squeed when I read your post. This is the closest we’ll see Rui and Makino in any incarnation together.
It’s not like Vic and Barbie (could the blood get any badder, uh, yes it can – both of them need to just stop talking now) or Leader and Korean female Charlie Chaplin will be making any rom-coms for our degustation in the near future.
Hail to SHUNMAO!
[And no, I am not kidding about wanting more YamaKi - until the day I perish, Johnny owes me for making me watch Kurosagi for nothing but more WTF?].
And here I was thinking I was the only one excited!
As much as i love love love all things K and k-drama, I have to admit, the best smile in the world to me is Jerry Yan’s. Totally feeling like a traitor right now.
Mine is PIE, no contest except the minutes when I ogle at a Kim Gap Soo smiley twitpic
I An Legend hit the mid-way mark today, and I am finally ready to make up my mind.
I love this drama, it makes me laugh and cry, and constantly makes my heart constrict in a good way.
Seol Hee and Ji Wook (KJE and KSS) are OTP until someone pries the OTP moniker out of my cold dead hands and slaps it on Tae Hyun’s head, and even then it wouldn’t fit right. Sorry lil Jo Gookie, this is not looking good for you.
KJE has a best actress nomination about sewed up, I never knew she could act this way, such exquisitely moving acting. And singing, too! Wahhh, I am very impressed.
Does anyone read the Korean netizens opinions – because I cannot imagine that not more ppl are going rabid for a reconciliation, however undeserving, because they have so much chemistry doing nothing more than looking at each other it makes my computer about explode.
I think the PD is leaving this possibility open – if you watch IAL you’ll know what I mean.
Okay, end of IAL ponderings, must go hug my lemur now and tell him it’s all going to be okay, just don’t forget to call your WIFE sometime soon, dude! You married her, don’t you remember?
I just finished ep 8 of IAL and I am on the ship for reconciliation. Why? Considering the fact that JW has been a royal ass the entire drama, there is a ton of chemistry there. TH, poor boy just isn’t making the grade. Cute as he may be.
Of course with reconciliation there will need to be a LOT groveling first. And something will have to be done about Mama. Maybe she could go abroad to study?
Mama should die of a instantaneous stroke – quick and painless. Like all the fast and furious digs she subjects poor Seol Hee to all the time.
As for a reconciliation – I am just insanely curious as to what the writers and the PD are going to do about this pickle the have on their hands.
On one hand – between the two males leads, I would say 9 our of 10 ppl watched this drama for Lee Joon Hyuk rather than Kim Seung Soo. And yet, its undeniable and I hear it everywhere that its pretty the majority opinion that Kim Seung Soo is radiating wayyyyy more chemistry and spark with Kim Jung Eun.
Will the writer have the guts to change the OTP? Normally, probably yes. But Ji Wook is not just an equally appealings male lead, he was set out to be the villain of the tale. Ottoke? What to do?
In a J-dorama, I believe they would go for it and allow for a reconciliation. In a TW-drama, hell would freeze over first before an OTP switch happens, esp. in the case where the other option involves a character who has done bad things to our heroine.
But in K-dramaland, the chances exist, but it’s still very slim. Frankly, I’m crazy about wanting to reach into that screen and fix their relationship. I was bawling during the court scene when she played the video.
Oh IAL, please make it work, I can accept it as long as it makes sense and feels right. Right now, TH does not feel like he fits into the drama at all, much less as an OTP for Seol Hee. Sigh.
@ockoala & trixicopper
I’m up to ep7, and I so agree! KJE is just rocking it. KSS is also killing the emo. I feel quite sorry for Jang Young Nam because she’s a competent actress who has been given a caricature to play, I’m sure she’s capable of better. Lee Joon Hyuk is sadly not bringing it, but I’m not giving up on the cutie-pie yet because with experience I think he might yet learn to work the camera rather than do snippets (though probably not in the span of this show).
You have far more faith in k-drama sense than me! I think there’s zilch chance of their switching OTP. I think the most we can hope for is a truce between Ji Wook & Seol Hee, maybe even with grudging admiration and affirmation from him such that he escapes being the show’s arch villain but will still be its loser, while Seol Hee will ride off into the sunset with Mister Cute Facial Hair, and Seung Hye will be sacrificed and go completely to the dogs (sans Ji Wook).
In any event, they need to get the story out of the courtroom, and fast, because I don’t know how much more risible court procedure I can take…
Oho. Watched IAL8 and now totally see what you mean. Up to ep7 I thot both KJE and KSS were rocking it, but in ep8 their sizzling chemistry (even when wordless) went OFF the SCALE, baby!! Oh the pain! Oh the killer angst!
And with Pretty Boy? Zip. Not one spark.
That’s it. I’m invested in this one for the long haul. I too am dying to see how they deal with this!
Besides which, the show has its moments. For all its flaws, e.g., the other band-members, let’s be honest, either can’t act or over-act. For instance, the start of ep8 was epic! So moving! Oh, wait, that scene had both KJE and KSS emoting their butts off. Oh. Yes. Houston, we have a problem…
IAL – you gave me Lee Joon Hyuk singing with a beautiful voice and sucked me in and then WHAMO – evil hubby turns out to have chemistry out the wazoo with wifey. WTH Show?
Why do you simply have LJH lurking and being shocked and setting him up for evilness of evil ex-wifey? Because honestly, at the moment he’s milquetoast rock star until he SINGS you evil show you. Either you put him on stage and let him croon at me until I melt, or make evil hubby see the error of his cheatin’ ways and make evil momma fall into a sinkhole the size of a Starbucks and be swallowed alive.
Are you listening IAL?
Um, Supah? (Giant Spoilers, but I’m so vague anyways)
The hair? I’m Mcdonalds style lovin’ it. Also todays episode is all CPY. Man, you be so evil. I was going to say something earlier about how he’s so zen, and there he went doing his meditation stuff. Like you said before he was in High Kick Through the Roof? I only saw the last 5 dismal minutes of that show but somehow I can’t even fathom that possibility.
There’s a great saying you know, an eye for an eye makes.. something something. Oh forget it. Commence buying stock in pirate patches, this is gon’ get ugly.
Y’know SM kept to himself all the golden nuggets of goodness that he learned at the Cho institute of world dominion like hello, the Swords Before Words rule — duhh!
Yeah, I love the hair too.
You watched THAT ending of High Kick? Bravo.
Giant 30:
Huge developments. Period.
Just a note on the background score and that I love it. Hadn’t heard JY’s weepy violin music, since probably the Nam Ji-hyun era and it brought a nice wave of nostalgia with it. I also lovelovelove the soft, evocative cello piece of Lee Mija’s Mother.
But… there’s anything worse than Loving Yooou… it’s that damn ‘cutesy mood music’.
Argh. Giant ep 30. Shit. The writer clearly hates me and my dreams. Off to cry in Thundie’s arms. Whywhywhy? But I can’t say it’s predictable.
Between IAL and Giant this week, I need to take some Prozac.
Zhong Wu Yan
Please oh please let the secondary couple pairings go through. They are infinitely better. Just finished episode 5 and I seriously want the secondary leads to succeed in love. I like them too much. I think I like them more than the lead characters. They are more dynamic and fun. More screen time for Chris Wu and Wang Si Ping! Gimme Now!
this is what happens when you can’t wait for the next episode of MGIAG and you are putting off your real work for the night.
http://www.4shared.com/file/Z81yoCw-/D-inside.htmlD-inside.m4v
> since youtube stripped the audio from my first version the previous post was a download of that original version. With slight modification to the order. I think this still makes sense with the following:
Shinee/A-yo
MGIAG episodes 1-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ESv_aSh3Y
@ trixicopper, serendipity, momosan
Let us four hold hands and say a prayer to drama gods -to make Ji Wook-Seol Hee happen.
I even compiled video and photographic evidence of said chemistry.
http://ockoala.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/whiplash-i-am-legend/
@ serendipity – your analysis, as always, is spot on, and 99% the way its going to unfurl. But then why the NO movement on the Tae Hyun front? He had 3 scenes in ep.8, and nothing happened in said scenes! If I have more energy left in my I’d be pissed for cutie pie LJH. Sigh, my shippy radar is all wack now, after the IAL out-of-left-field shipwreck coming, and Giant raising my blood pressure from simmer to ragerageboilrage.
I was working on edits all day on current screenplay, and I thought of you lovely ladies and your critiques of dramas: while they may not be about film, one thing I get is that a character should not be there just to say one line. I’ve gone back and heavily edited some parts because I know better than to allow some random stranger to spout the pivotal line of the movie, let alone giving my secondary leads pointless convo just to move forward the leads.
See, and my husband wonders why I waste so much time on dramas ……
It’s not a waste of time. It’s called…research(?).
I just started to watch “Nihonjin no Shiranai Nihongo” and I am all ready “Hook” the female lead is the same from “yankee kun to megane chan” I think she is wayyyyyyyy! to beautiful and the drama is a cool comedy!!!! I highly recommended!!!!!
I didn’t write this, hard time writing or reading numbers at work, let alone weave an emotional, cohesive thought and on top of that, put it in effective prose.
The original Chinese letter is written by 李慧玲a writer/commentator on the AM730 HK free newspaper.
http://mogushek.blogspot.com/2010/08/blog-post_25.html
A Letter to Mrs. Leung
‘I would take a bullet for you’ is one of the romantic cliches we’ve heard often, but who would take it literally? Especially for a fortunate Hong Konger, we may not have the ‘chance’ to ‘prove’ it in our whole life. But if we’ve paid enough attention to court news, we can tell how many couples turn into ugly enemies for a little bit of stinky $. That’s when we know, diving to take a bullet for you is just a line of lyrics in a ballad.
Yet, in the hostage tragedy in Manila where a group of HK tourists were hijacked at the gun point of an M16. We witnessed, with our eyes glued to the live broadcast, a husband diving to shield his wife, taking bullets for her.
In her own words, Mrs. Leung told us how in the midst of the flying bullets, her husband dashed from the very back of the bus to hurl himself to the front, taking the bullets for her and other passengers. Who can not be moved? Mrs. Leung, Mrs. Leung, we know your heart must be shattered to million pieces now. You are under tremendous unimaginable pain. But having spent precious decades with a husband who took bullets for you, it’s a life worthwhile.
Mrs. Leung, when you are at the worst of your pain, feeling living is too hard, please remember: the instant when Mr. Leung took the bullets for you, he must have wanted to you stay alive, live a good life. Mrs. Leung, for Mr. Leung, you have to persevere and live on!
(Mrs. Leung said to reporters at that instant she really wanted to take the bullets as well and die with her loving husband, but she immediately thought of their 3 children and knew she had to survive to take care of them. Both their daughters Jessie (14) and Doris (21) were killed. Their only son, her only remaining immediate family left is in very critical condition with a severe head trauma, fighting for his life, his baby sister Jessie dived to shield him with her back when she saw the hijacker aiming at her brother’s head)
RIP
No words are enough to express what’s going on in my head and heart.
I’m confused, Jae Hee’s wiki profile lists Tekken 2010 under movies he’s in …. but I’ve not read a whisper of this?? JB, GF, anyone?