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Thing vs. Thing: Time-traveling Heroes

javabeans: Maybe we’re loopy from all this drama-watching, or maybe it’s that sixth glass of wine talkin’, but we’re bringing a new feature to you that we’re calling Thing vs. Thing, where we compare apples to oranges. Mostly ‘cause somebody told us you’re not supposed to do that. Challenge accepted!

girlfriday: We laugh in your face, rules!

javabeans: For this inaugural edition, we decided to take up a topic that’s been on our minds lately (‘cause it’s everywhere): time travel. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say we were rambling on about this topic and had to figure out a new feature just so we could make it marginally DB-relevant. What, eggs can lay hens, right?

girlfriday: What? We are always relevant!

javabeans: Relevant like a cross-eyed water mongoose!

girlfriday: That makes no sense.

javabeans: I rest my case. So, time travel. So many heroes, so many hijinks.

girlfriday: You’d think there was a fire sale on wormholes.

javabeans: Does fire sale make anyone else instantly replay the Arrested Development bit in their heads? “OH MY GOD it’s a FIRE…sale!” And why’s it always the hero skipping around in the warp zones anyway? Is it because of the dignity? Is it just not as funny to see an uptight lady dealing with modern craziness? Although I could totally see it being cute, like Shin Mina in Gumiho. Somebody get her a wormhole, stat.

girlfriday: She’s too busy being spectral, but maybe we can order her one for next year. At least Faith has a time-traveling heroine, but she goes the other way, from present to past, just like the OTHER backwards-traveling drama, Dr. Jin. Because apparently time-skip dramas need to come in pairs. Is it a cosmic balance thing?

javabeans: Is it balance if one is trying to sue the pants off the other one and prevent it from airing?

girlfriday: Okay, so maybe it’s more of an angry stomping thing.

javabeans: With Rooftop Prince and Queen In-hyun’s Man you’ve also got remarkably similar premises, but actually thanks to some key differences, I think they feel the farthest thing from being the same drama.

girlfriday: But because they’re airing at the same time (and again, because we can), we’re going to pit hero against hero. It’s Thing vs. Thing: Future King versus Future King’s advisor.

javabeans: I think Future King’s advisor has got the category all sewn up for Whose Time Travel Sucks Less? First off, he’s got an element of control over it, and we all know how we feel about having control of things.

girlfriday: But he has to risk his life every time he wants to go forward.

javabeans: But he KNOWS he’s safe. (I’m just hoping he doesn’t ever forget to take that nifty talisman with him…)

girlfriday: I still feel very unsafe every time a sword goes flying at him, and the only thing keeping him from dying is that piece of mystical PAPER.

javabeans: But Boong-do gets to warp with his horse! Mr. Rooftop Prince got thrown from his.

girlfriday: I agree on the horse thing: he wins because that means he gets to bring things along, from the past. That could prove very useful later.

javabeans: Plus, he brought the horse back to Joseon without even touching it that time.

girlfriday: Though the dead guy dissolved, so why didn’t the horsie?

javabeans: Because the horse didn’t die?

girlfriday: Oh. That’s simple enough.

javabeans: Haha. On the other hand, I will contend that Princey’s mystery sucks less than Boong-do’s, if only because Boong-do is facing death at every turn, while Yi Gak just has to deal with a dead wife. I mean, dead wife is SAD and all, but yunno, time heals all wounds, etc.

girlfriday: I wonder if wormholes come with super-speed healing too. They should.

javabeans: “I’m dying! Shoot me! All better now!” To put one in the prince’s corner, though, does it suck less that he gets reincarnated? If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again?

girlfriday: I dunno if doppelganger is the most satisfying way to get a second chance. Selfishly, I’d kind of want it to be ME who gets the second chance, and not my possibly evil clone. Although I still don’t really understand how connected the reincarnated souls are in that world.

javabeans: I’m not convinced the drama knows that either. So Boong-do wins on that score, in that I’m pretty sure the rules make more sense to both him and us.

girlfriday: Princey gets to travel with friends, which definitely makes him less lonely and less scared.

javabeans: That’s true. And Princey gets to assume the chaebol lifestyle, so there’s that whole unlimited wealth thing to cushion the difficulty.

girlfriday: Like that black card that buys everything?

javabeans: I’m not even sure if he understands what credit is, but I love his faith in the magic black card.

girlfriday: Yeah I think to him it’s just a mystical black rectangle that lets him have whatever he wants.

javabeans: In regard to the bit where the hero gets to travel back and forth, though, I guess Queen In-hyun’s Man is more like Operation Proposal, where the mode of travel is clearly defined (though not necessarily any less magical) and allows him to bounce back and forth at will. I guess that makes it Thing vs. Thing: Quantum Leaping.

girlfriday: Yeah Rooftop’s rules on leaping are totally absent. They THINK that solving the mystery by retreading their steps will reopen the portal, but how the hell do they know?

javabeans: Yes. I totally buy that that’s the logic driving their actions, but the whole time I’m here with my eyebrows in the air, going, “Really? You’re SO SURE? And what happens if you marry the wench and then you’re just STUCK WITH THE WENCH?”

girlfriday: Right? That’s what I’m screaming the whole time! That’s one show that could use an oracle or an old scroll or something.

javabeans: Yes, a Samshin Grandma to deus ex machina her way down and set some parameters.

girlfriday: At least some crystal ball-reading quack, to say that this plan is the plan that’ll get them back to Joseon.

javabeans: Or maybe they could’ve found Tae-yong first, and he’s all catatonic and mumbling stuff about Joseon time skips and stuff, so everyone thinks he’s crazy.

girlfriday: Ooooh. I like that. Much better use of the doppelganger.

javabeans: Mostly I just laugh everytime Tae-mu tries to kill somebody. Is he the worst villain ever or what? Princey gets another tally mark in the column of Sucks Less, since his villain is so ineffectual.

girlfriday: He and his honey are the Worst. Villains. Ever.

javabeans: At least Se-na is a good liar. Tae-mu has no reaction control. If anybody bothered to look at him closely in any crucial moment, they’d be all, “…you killed him, didn’t you?”

girlfriday: He’s definitely got guilty attempted-murderer face.

javabeans: On the other hand, Spy Eunuch and Minister Min are much more devious, so Boong-do’s way higher on the danger meter.

girlfriday: That eunuch is SO CREEPY. Such awesome casting.

javabeans: Yes, he’s the perfect snivelly underling. I was thinking how it would fuck with my head to see him in a nice-guy role. He’s like Steve Buscemi.

girlfriday: He really has the most interesting look of any villain I’ve seen lately. Just straight out of a comic book. So Boong-do loses points for his formidable foes. But then, he’s got badass swordfighting skills, while princey sticks his finger up in the air for a paper cut.

javabeans: Though Yong-sool is supposed to be the best swordsman in the nation… And with his sidekicks, at least he has, essentially, three shields.

girlfriday: I’m pretty sure it’s one shield with two accessories. I don’t really see Chi-san doing much in the way of shielding.

javabeans: I don’t see him or Man-bo fighting… but in the sense that they could take a bullet for the prince (or sword, whatever), that’s worth some protection points, isn’t it? By sheer virtue of being soft padding for a sword to NOT hit the prince?

girlfriday: Haha, poor minions.

javabeans: Then there’s the matter of royal support. Boong-do is in a more precarious situation, because although he’s a trusted advisor, he can’t just go off spouting accusations without adequate proof. Whereas, Princey can just go to Fictional King Daddy, right?

girlfriday: That’s a fundamental problem I have with that drama’s NEED for the time-skip. I mean, I get it when it comes to the main couple–thwarted fates and all. But in his mind, it’s to solve the mystery, and I’m like, isn’t that easier with your endless resources back home?

javabeans: I’m expecting some sort of explanation for the time mechanism in Rooftop—I haven’t been bothered because I’ve been thinking we’ll get it. If we don’t, well, that’ll be lame.

girlfriday: The thing that keeps it sensical for now is that he didn’t choose to time-skip, but was tossed there, so I’m just going with a he-misunderstands-the-point explanation.

javabeans: IF Rooftop pulls out that mystical explanation (it’s not a given that it will, but I’m working on the assumption that it is), I’d give it the edge for fantasy warparoo. ‘Cause in In-hyun, I love everything about the plot and characters and premise, but I do sort of trip on the very mundaneness of the time-warp mechanism. A monk wrote a talisman? That’s it? I actually want it to be more magical.

girlfriday: But the way the hero handles the time-skipping feels the opposite — Rooftop is about the mundane, adapting to modern life funny bits, while Inhyun is about purpose, the impact of knowing your destiny before you’re supposed to, etc. I like that, because to me, it’s a fundamental question of time travel. Yunno, horrible butterfly-effect-headaches notwithstanding.

javabeans: Yes, I’d even go further to say that Rooftop’s approach to the butterfly effect (which isn’t the same as ITS butterfly… effect) is that they’re meant to change history. They’re using the future as a tool to change the past, albeit in a minor way—not for power or gain, but to bring justice. As though Fate were thwarted and needs help getting the smack down. Which is funny, since in every other drama ever, Fate is the invincible one.

girlfriday: Gah, I’d give my left arm to see a drama where Fate loses.

javabeans: Except… how would you depict that, unless your drama is Meet Joe Fate?… which we could do.

girlfriday: The problem is, no matter what the outcome, Fate will just step in and say, I meant to do that! like a bitch.

javabeans: You just can’t argue with Fate. “I meant to do that.” “No you didn’t! You totally messed up!” “No, you were supposed to think I messed up, so that things could happen this way.” “You’re totally making that up. I saw you writing down what you meant to happen in your Fate Diary yesterday!” “But you were supposed to SEE it…” and on and on. Fate: really just a whiny 13-year-old. Just unkillable.

girlfriday: I think Boong-do has one up on style. Princey’s tracksuits are like minus ten points. At least.

javabeans: And that hair minus a hundred. You couldn’t find a ponytail holder earlier?

girlfriday: *shudder* How come barbie hair makes him look…

javabeans: …like a Troll doll?

girlfriday: It was decidedly a mane of unglory. A mane of…

javabeans: Shame.

girlfriday: Yes. A mane of shame. Although, he regains a lot of points for the poignant hair-cutting scene. Boong-do just has a runaway-Bourne-in-a-bathroom thing, but Princey’s got a really heartfelt formal parting with his hair, complete with photo memorabilia.

javabeans: But now I’m wondering if Princey loses some of those points because it didn’t occur to him to just wear a beanie.

girlfriday: HA. Idea fail.

javabeans: Yi Gak wins for helpful guide, though—Park-ha clothes and feeds and houses him, while Hee-jin makes Boong-do find his own way to the park (replete with threat to life). Park-ha even gives him proper Living 2012-Style lessons, while Hee-jin totally makes up stories about what things mean.

girlfriday: But her rules are awesome.

javabeans: You mean because she’s conning the hottie into giving her hugs and kisses?

girlfriday: Yeah. Like you wouldn’t?

javabeans: Hey, Hee-jin totally wins in the heroine round. But if we’re comparing from the perspectives of our time travelers, I think the honest girl wins.

girlfriday: Yi Gak has one major downside: he has to work a DAY JOB.

javabeans: But it’s his company!

girlfriday: Still. It’s a corporate job with meetings and dinners and paperwork. I dunno if I’d want to go from actual prince to corporate prince. Although he conspicuously does not dress properly for work. What’s up with that?

javabeans: The acid-washed skinny jeans and leather jackets, you mean? The perks of being the boss. I think Yi Gak’s bigger downside is that it’s less evident how he can stay with his honey, because he’s gotta go back home. You can say the same of Boong-do, but let’s say he’s believed dead in the past—then he can just stay in the future and live happily ever after!

girlfriday: Yes, the happily ever after is definitely rockier for Yi Gak. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re supposed to accept their doppelgangers as extensions of their souls, so that they find their match in their own eras.

javabeans: BAH. Cop-out. I’d be more satisfied if they did the sillier thing in sending Tae-yong back in time, Enchanted-style.

girlfriday: I think that’s a distinct possibility, but also completely insane.

javabeans: I think insane wins over BLERG! At least then, Tae-yong can go and draw all day and marry that pretty girl who looks awfully familiar, but whom he didn’t get a chance to know so there’s no real emotional conflict of swapping one incarnation for the other.

girlfriday: The only way it’ll actually be satisfying is for the doubles to die, and it leaves the main couple as the only ones in the equation, and so they have to traverse the divide to be together. Down with the doppelgangers!

javabeans: Kill all the Horcruxes! But whose time do they live in?

girlfriday: His makes the most sense.

javabeans: Aw, why’s the girl always gotta move households in a marriage?

girlfriday: Ha. I KNEW you were gonna say that! Not because she’s the girl, but because he’s got way more on his shoulders, crown prince and all.

javabeans: But maybe that’s what makes his sacrifice more meaningful.

girlfriday: Maybe he’s got a little brother who can be king, and then he can just stay in the future in the rooftop room.

javabeans: Eating whipped cream and mints. All in all, not a bad way to live your life.

girlfriday: Don’t forget the kissing your honey.

javabeans: I’m counting on that for both boys, so that one’s a draw. But let’s see, if we’re tallying up all our points, that gives Princey… eighty-two park-ha peppermints and Boong-do gets fifty-nine near-death experiences.

girlfriday: And then we process them in the wormholoplex… WINNER: seventy-two apples.

javabeans: WHAT!

Fate: I meant to do that.

 
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oh this is great! i love both characters and i think both guys are cute, not necessarily great actors, but really both are cute =)

On to reading...

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in Rooftop prince, i've always wondered why Manbo never thought of reading the history book to know the past, if their disappearance is recorded or not. I know Park-Ha did and the writers wants us to know that it was sad coz PH became sad reading through it.

I think QIM is more intelligently written given that both main characters turned to history books to give them knowledge of both the future and the past.

Still, whatever the loopholes, i still love both dramas and all the characters in it =). Thanks JB and GF for this Thing vs. Thing. Again, both of you deserves an applause =)

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Probably their era is fictional. They don't really give the exact year which the Prince came from. At least, in another drama, it is clearly about queen InHyun and the fictional- historical facts.

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i wonder what i will get if i read the history books

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I thought of that too - the history book. I also was concerned that Park-Ha would borrow it and take it home for the guys to read, but was relieved that she didn't. I don't know, maybe I'm too concerned about the ripple effects of anything that one changes in the past, knowing what's in store in the future. But I am curious too, as to what saddening story Park-Ha read - if it is about what happened to the Prince or the kingdom, or if it's about the Crown Prince's death.

I haven't seen QIM as I'm trying to manage my kdrama addiction to one drama at a time. I have K2H next in the queue, but QIM seems equally-interesting that it's presenting a (non-)dilemma. Add to the fact that the next batch of dramas (I Do, I Do and Big) are making me excited as well.

I no longer think much of the consequences or logic of time travel in tv or movies coz it poses so many questions that, for me, erodes the story - it all started for me in the Terminator and BTTFuture movies. Whenever there's time travel, I mostly just sit down, strap on, and enjoy the ride. :)

I don't know what's wrong with me, but whenever I read "Park-Ha," I read it in my mind as "Pak-Ha." I almost wrote the name as "Pak-Ha" above, I had to edit it to the correct spelling. :)

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*Crown Princess'
not Crown Prince's

(sorry Yi Gak. :( )

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I can't for the life of me remember whether this has already been answered but why isn't there a Joseon era doppelganger for tae-mu?

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There is one, in episode 20: Prince Mu-chang.

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:) i love both the dramas! they are done so unqiuely, and yet have the same time travel as the base theme, both joseon era too, i'm just soo in love with them!

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LOOOL! LOVE THIS! u guys should have more of this!

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ditto

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Real winners? Dramabeans readers! Thanks for the post chicas!

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OMG BAHAHAHAHA this is hilarious!!! XD The Mane of Shame... *dies*

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Yeah, that was the line that got me too. And the picture to go with. HAHAHA!

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Ring the bell!
We have a new best thing ever: Mane of Shame

Problem is there are a lot of them out there...The Emperor of the Sea cast all had to wear them. Yee-urgh!

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I only know one drama character who makes scruffy hair look good: Geol-Oh (skks). If there are others, I wanna know. ;)

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You girls are a hoot!

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NICE! :)

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I can proudly say that I haven't watched even one of the time tracelling saeguks. So there. :D

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You are missing out. RTP's got the funny and QIM is so refereshing. I'm enjoying both and its better to throw away logic and enjoy the ride.
I promise myself I will wait to watch QIM until RTP is over but I fell in love with it by just reading the recaps. After eps 4 I couldnt help it anymore lol.

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I second this!

Admittedly, some RTP episodes have been hit and miss for me but there is just so much cute that it's hard to stay away for fear of missing out of the cute-nuggets.

QIM, on the other hand, has been bringing it hard and hitting it OUT OF THE PARK every. single. episode. You're doing yourself a disservice by not watching it, I can assure you. It is slick with a capital AWESOME.

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Awesome is soooo right!!!

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I agree wit Kiara and spjork. You are DEFINITELY missing out on two daebak dramas. I was going to watch QIM AFTER finishing RTP but waiting a week for the next episodes was way too long. I started reading the first two episode recaps for QIM and that's all it took to get me hooked. Totally different stories and while I enjoy RTP because of the funny, I am loving QIM even more because of the storyline and characters. I'm disappointed that the subs aren't coming out as quickly as I'd like and I'm trying to be patient but thank goodness for recaps (I found a blogger who is up to date on her QIM recaps and just recently posted Ep 8). You have to watch QIM--you won't be sorry!

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why "proudly"?
Yea they both have time traveling elements but they are completely unique dramas. To say that they are similar is to make an illusory correlation: time travel=same drama? WRONG!!@#$%^&#$@!#*&

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Love this post, girlfriday and javabeans! Especially the part about Tae-mu. LOL!!

"wouldn’t be surprised if we’re supposed to accept their doppelgangers as extensions of their souls, so that they find their match in their own eras."-- that's what I think too. Sending Taeyong back to ye olden days would be too cruel. No toilet paper and modern medicine!

Boong-do totally rocks with his beanie. Smart guy! AND he looks amazing in it!

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LOL... you are soooo funny. Love reading you girls, thank you for this new thing. ^^. Keep the good work.

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There's so much win in this post I can't even begin to tally it but if we're pitching on one side or another, I'm totally Team Boong Do - most refreshing hero in Kdrama land ever! Plus being on this team means we get kisses like every other ep. 8D

Gah, totally incoherently in love with Queen Inhyun's Man - the drama. If any of you out there haven't watched it, you need to rectify the situation. Like yesterday!

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In love with Queen In Hyun's Man, the guy (and the drama).
Brains, looks, collectedness, smarts, brains, sword skills, brains, brains, looks, brains, kindness, kindness, brains....
All that brainnnnn~ *_____,*

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I knowww! Brain is so sexy! Especially when it comes in such a cool drink of water like that. ho ho ho

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Brains are sexy. Boong-do is definitely a winner.

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brain is the new sexy.

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i just love that cover banner that was on this website yesterday...ji hyun woo effing sexy

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I like Boong doo too,.
He really smart, really cool, OMG,..He learn to adapt into the new era so fast, so cute, when He tries to drive the car,..SMART BOY, =))
LOVE QIM SOO MUCH!!!

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oh yes . definitely kim boong do. the smart ass dude who asks a girl to treat her like an idiot in the modern world so teach me how to this and that.

yes i agree. BRAIN IS THE NEW SEXY!

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Any guy this cute and earnest in not knowing how to wear a seat belt can take lessons on good-bye customs from me any day, every day. Lesson fees? A smile per lesson plox!

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Boong Do FTW.

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Second that!

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Team Boong Do all the way!

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TEAM BOONG-DO FTW

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Another vote for QIM's Boong Do!
That guy tops in eye smile, soft smile, enigmatic smiles....damn...that's one smiley guy. But i totally love him!

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Yesssss Team Boong-do! I am so in love with QIM! It's the only drama I've ever watch unsubbed simply because I CANNOT STAND THE WAIT. Yoo In-na is so darling with Ji Hyun-woo. And the kisses. Oh swoon.

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Now thats one Joseon man who knows how to kiss a girl in the 21st century. Take some notes Dr Jin and company.

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I think Boong Do has set the new standard for smart, nice-guy smiley. From now on, any time traveler or so-called genius who doesn't smile that much or display that amount of braininess can go back to the drawing board. =/

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Dropped RTP...but luvin Queen In Hyun’s Man. Boong-do fan here.

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I'm loving the 2 dramas, so reading this is thoroughly entertaining. I'm still a little biased to RTP since I've watched it more, but Bong Do's wits is surely engaging and his cute smile heartwarming.

That aside, I'm kind of agreeing with JB on the Tae-Yong-should-be-sent-to-the-past plot. It's what I first thought during the earlier episodes since that ending seems to suit the 2 Mickeys personalities. If that doesn't happen, then I hope they at least make the ending satisfying, not only for the leads but also the ducklings; I love the ducklings to death.

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I'm so glad that despite having so many similarities both shows are sooo good and can stand on their own. I really liked Rooftop Prince (plus I love Mickey) but I'm a little addicted to Queen In-hyun's Man at the moment (okay a lot addicted). Boong-do=swoon. And that theme song has been stuck in my head for weeks!

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Hahaha! I actually enjoyed the conversation more than the content though I'm an RP and QIM follower. Thanks guys! I'm happy enough now to work on five projects all due next week without going crazy. Kdrama is stronger than deadlines!!!

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HAHAHA this was absolutely hilarious. I love both dramas, and this was spot-on.

Also, "girlfriday: Yes, the happily ever after is definitely rockier for Yi Gak. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re supposed to accept their doppelgangers as extensions of their souls, so that they find their match in their own eras.

javabeans: BAH. Cop-out. I’d be more satisfied if they did the sillier thing in sending Tae-yong back in time, Enchanted-style."

GAHHHH This is the one thing I hope really doesn't happen :(

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just discovered in-hyun's man yesterday. and i've grown extremely fond of these fantasy sageuks.

it's bittersweet for me. im glad for yoon inna's success, landing herself a leading role. she was great in sega. on the other hand, i remember her from mini black dress as well, w/c of course stars my no. 1 fave sk actress, YEH. and i so wish that YEH is starring in another successful film/drama.

in any case, as to the time travelling thing, it seems that when you're a time-traveller from the past, it's a given that money's not gonna be a problem. even if you didn't turn out to be a doppelganger for some rich guy, why, just sell any of your family heirlooms. also, seems to me that scholars from joseon era have a tendency to have a photographic memory. guess, it's something in the food they eat? or because of memorizing all those confucian texts?

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I think your observation about the memory thing is spot on. With the advent of the cellular phone and its 'contacts' feature, people these days have a hard time memorizing even 7 digit phone numbers. 10+ years ago, it wasn't uncommon for most people to be able to recall a couple of dozen phone numbers by heart.

Memory is definitely something that can be improved upon but conversely can atrophy without use. Scientists have even coined the term "technological alzheimers" to describe how feeble most people's short to medium term memories have been rendered by modern conveniences. Studies have also shown that advancements in technology (especially the internet) is changing how our brains work on a fundamental level-- to the extent that scientists are comfortable saying that the brains of the latest generation of kids who have never known a world without the internet are hardwired differently than those who grew up in the analogue age.

So yes, eventhough Boong Do and Man Bo are exceptionally intelligent to begin with, they would be much better at assimilating and retaining information purely because they have had much more practice at exercising the relevant parts of their brain out of necessity alone.

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So true :).

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"Fate: I meant to do that."

Oh hell, that was epically awesome. XD

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Thank you for the laugh. You made me smile so much now :-)

I definitely think alcohol agrees with both of you :-)

Feel free to drop by for a drink, or a few bottles if you're ever Down Under. I'll even send wine to your hotel room. Then we'll get an Aussie Podcast.

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I'm literally wiping tears off my cheeks. I have officially worn myself out enough to turn over and go to bed.
Thank you, Ladies. Always hilarious!

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This is so much win^^ love it, gals you keep on doing the most interesting and amusing things :P but since I have only seen RTP I can't weigh in on this Thing vs. Thing so I'll just enjoy it! ;)

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"girlfriday: And then we process them in the wormholoplex… WINNER: seventy-two apples.

javabeans: WHAT!

Fate: I meant to do that."

What a conclusion! haha XD I love this part!

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Ahahaha, you two are just so funny! Thank you for this convo, you raised so many good points. I love both dramas to bits and I'm eagerly waiting for another time travelling one to start airing, Dr Jin. Too much of a good thing...who said that? Not me.

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I have to say...Mr. Handtowel is easy on the eyes but I'm not looking forward to some more of his bal-yeongi in Dr. Jin.

Maybe if they cast him in a drama where he didn't do anything but look sullen/moody and he just takes 45 minute showers in real-time for 16 episodes straight. Then, yes. I'd look forward to THAT.

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You know you're a bona fide dramabeans addict when your brain automatically processes this kind of post through its "drunken podcast" filter, and you hear the conversation as you're reading it. I love to hear you guys crack each other up. Hope we get another podcast when this round of dramas ends.

I hadn't seen the Princey troll doll before but oh, man-- now I can't unsee it! Too bad neither one of our heroes had a true mane of glory. Loved the part about Fate being like a whiny 13-year-old who you just can't win against.

Has the actor who plays the eunuch in QIM been in anything else? As soon as I saw him, I thought that he looked like he had popped out of a comic book or animated film-- he could not be more perfect for that role.

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Next you guys should do, Chaebols or Evil parents. (City Hunter's Bad daddy!!! OuO)

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U mean, Cheabols and Evil Parents...u know one doesn't come without the other!!!!

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You girls are hilarious! Tnx for the laughs.

As much as I love the adorable Yi Gak (and I love Micky to pieces!!!) I am in Team Boong-do as of the moment. He's the type of k-drama hero every girl will swoon for.

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Great discussion! I'm loving both dramas oh so much :)

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LOL, I laughed so hard at the Arrested Development reference. Oh tobias

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I support Yi Gak, because I don't want KDrama to start a trend of writing perfect heroes like Kim Boong Do, trying too hard to please fangirls' fantasies. LOL

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Why not? Not tired of the always I'm jerk but inside my heart is really warm kind o guy?

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No I'm fine with being smart and kind, but when you are from the Joseon dynasty, you can't really be a snag and totally not a chauvinist. Yi Gak is more accurate of the potrayal of a man from the Joseon era.

The show is starting to give me a feeling of bordering on becoming something like Twilight.

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Queen In Hyun's Man and Twilight = no link. At least for me...

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Snare the watching female viewers by all means necessary.

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The only similarity I can *kind* of see between the two is the color-treatment/cinematography. Dark, ominous, etc. For the Joseon scenes, anyway. But even so the styles, pacing and visual lexicons are entirely different.

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Edward = a stalker, creepy, domineering, over-protective

Boong do = sweet, understanding, fun

I don't see how you see any connection. The show is trying to snare the female viewers you say? But which K-drama isn't? At least this show is making us realize nerdy, smart and sweet guys are just as attractive. Not having to scream at the main lead to not fall for Mr. McJerky who has done nothing but taunt her is a welcome change. For once we can see why the main lead fell for the hero (most dramas I go "what did you see in him again?") and we fall with her and for once we know that she won't friend-zone the nice guy. What's not to love?

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Case in point: Gu Jun Pyo. *facepalm*

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But normally they're not perfect, so Boong Do is a breath of fresh air.

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uh...in what normal universe is Edward perfect? Dude is hella creepy, all going into her room at nite to watch her sleep. Like wth, you undead creeper dude? Boundary, HAVE SOME!

And what snaring of female viewers if like you they prefer the jerky ones? Usually the nice sweet gentlemanly one are relegated to unrequited 3rd wheel anyway. So finally a huge YAY for nice finishing first!

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Exactly my thought.. Since when is the Twilight dude perfect? He is creepy as hell..

and yes.. This is something new. A total gentleman as a hero and not as noble idiot 3rd wheel dude.

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Ok my bad, wrong analogy.

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anyone who criticizes twilight dies

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I've been following both with a bit of Hero in between so it's more of a time-travel-manwhich with gooey nighttime Batmanesque like filling.

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Fate should totally write a recap one day haha.

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Oooh! Genius idea!

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If I may push our luck, Fate should totally do a JB+GF style banter with Santa over time-traveling or who gets to decide what the naughty and the nice should get.

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I always love conversation between JB and GF, glad have another one.
I can' t missed RTP recap from JB but can bear to watch later, while QIHM must see first then read recap.

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HAHAHAHA KABOOM!!!!!

I'D LOVE TO READ ABOUT THE BEST VILLAINS IN KDRAMA HISTORY <3

SOMETIMES, I WATCH DRAMAS BECAUSE I LIKE THE VILLAIN, NOT THE LEADS HAHAHAHA :)

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I'm really grateful I had the comfort and privacy of my own room to read this.... or else people would have thought I should be committed. Every other line had me cracking up, it probably was an odd scene.
I also gotta admit my bias lies with Boong-do. Yes, his baddies are evil, smart and ruthless, but he's clever, level-headed, and pretty handy with a sword. Not to mention he's got his trusty wormwhole! I'd say that gives him a leg up on the competition.
It also doesn't hurt that he's a bit of a looker, and he's so freaking tall! Not that those are necessarily assets for battle, unless he's battling me-in that case I'd happily surrender and show my "appreciation" for not killing me *devious smirk* Guess I got a little Hee-jin in me too :P

"javabeans: Yi Gak wins for helpful guide, though—Park-ha clothes and feeds and houses him, while Hee-jin makes Boong-do find his own way to the park (replete with threat to life). Park-ha even gives him proper Living 2012-Style lessons, while Hee-jin totally makes up stories about what things mean.

girlfriday: But her rules are awesome.

javabeans: You mean because she’s conning the hottie into giving her hugs and kisses?

girlfriday: Yeah. Like you wouldn’t?"

I don't think we got an answer for that one JB, hmmm?

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Hihi, I would happily surrender too! I got a little Hee-jin in me too :P
I like more QIHM now - better villains, better plot, I hope they'll keep the good work till the end.

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if thats happening to me, i'm won't bother with honesty. too much at stakes there. a nerd hottie with no knowledge of the world?

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Too hard to not abuse my "modern knowledge." xD

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why/how are you guys soooo funnny?? :)

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QUEEN IN HUN'S MAN always the winner for me
that show is damn intelligent

love the chemistry between those two lead while rooftop prince kinda awkward

in QIHM...everytime they lock eyes...it like the whole world stop...argghhhh...

can't wait for the next episode
dramabean too busy and not recap latest ep so i even went a lot of site to get live recap..
the story awesome...

spoiler....

Bong-do lost his memory because the his amulet tear in pieces
while heejin the only one who remember him..
she keep waiting but will he be back??
arrgghhh..can't wait wednesday....

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can you please explain the plot for me? at least the time travel part? im on episode 3 and im a bit lost. even with subs :( thank you! much appreciated!

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You can find the recap here:

http://joonni.com/
and
http://maymaywatch.blogspot.com.au/

awesome recap, spreading the love of QIM.

Btw Boong-do team through and through here, he even makes me forget about Lee Jae-ha.

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same here ...i'm totally into QIM...i totally forgot Lee Jae Ha

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Love both dramas, but I was scratching my head and trying to figure out how they can return. I agree with you regarding how does Yi Gak know for sure that he will go back to Joseon times if he solves the Crown Princess death? He doesn't even realize that he is fading in and out while spending happy times with Park Ha. Will he and the Joseon Ranger just fade out and find themselves back in ancient times?
Yi Gak may be the Crown Prince, but he doesn't seem to be too smart; whereas, Boong Do placed first in his civil servant exams and can adapt to his new situations on his own. ( Taking the hand bag with the tourist info about Seoul and general info about present day Korea) If both were lost in a huge forest, my bet would be on Boong Do to find his way home.
Sometimes, I want to shake Park Ha because she is so stupid and boring..The worst kiss ever.I like Hee jin better because she is smart because she makes up stories so she can get some hug and kisses. What girl wouldn't with such a hunk?

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Tae-mu has no reaction control. If anybody bothered to look at him closely in any crucial moment, they’d be all, “…you killed him, didn’t you?”

SNORT.

Oh man I loved RP but once I got to ep 3 of In-hyun, I knew I'm sold for good to that show. Everything is just so perfect. Boong-do wins for me, seventy-two apples or not :P

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Although I have to say, Hee-jin is really annoying me - does she not know how to help a guy when he's caught in a situation? Jeez!

Small complaint though, I'm still loving the drama, just frustrated with heroines who can't do anything at this stage.

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What are you talking about? She always helps him............. lol

Are you watching the same drama ?

She even puts her image in the line, and even if she didn't help him she wouldn't be wrong, after all BD could be just a creep stalker!

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Sorry, I was commenting in the middle of watching the 6th episode, before she finally (and thankfully) made her ~grand confession~, hee. Should've made that clear.

Her help before this was pretty limited, since she always has to toe that image line due to her being an actress. I'm glad she's finally standing up for Boong-do on that image, her image be damned :D

Although I can only imagine the consequences now.

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Even without the plane stunt, I think she has helped him plenty. Who got him out of the bathroom? Hee-jin. Who took him to the library? Hee jin. Who went ALL the way to Jeju to bring him to Soeul? Hee jin. Who got him an ID? Hee jin. She didn't have to do any of that. If your comparing her with Park ha who clothes and feeds the Princey, well you gotta know that our scholar does not need to be clothed and fed.

Plus, as Boong do later points out, the plane stunt was also not crucial. He could've just disappeared back to his time. No biggie.

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Isn't Hee Jin the one who has been always been helping Boong Do? Maybe my memory is failing me but I don't really remember of a time that she didn't help Boong Do... But if you are talking about Boong Do's problems in the Joseon era then she can't help, right?...

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See my previous reply :) Yeah she's always been helping him in anyway she can, but it's limited to her capabilities in the modern era and also her image as an actress. She doesn't have the same liberty that Park-ha, as a "common person", does, where she can just freely waltz around with Boong-do in tow wherever she wants to.

I just hope her role expands from now on.

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Thats because Bong Do comes and goes. Yi-gak needs a baby sitter 24/7.

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What Kiara said. Plus, I want my female lead to have her own life rather than just being a baby-sitter to the time-traveler and living her life around him.

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Besides, I don't think Boong do is the type to want to be spoon fed. He takes pride in being quick in the uptake and enjoys figuring out things by himself.

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come on! So are you suggesting that a good female lead should always help the male lead? Or vice versa?I am assuming most of the viewers are women and it's kind perplexing that the viewers are reinforcing this kind of sexist view--no wonder Kdramas always replicate the same old cliches over and again.

I prefer Hee-jin because she has her own career and she acts like a modern woman. I love Park-ha in the earlier episodes because she has her both foot in reality and forces F4 to experience work life in 21th century Korea. But now the writer makes her into a typical damsel in distress and self-sacrificing woman without any common sense. It seems that the writer wants to glorify the intelligence of Yi-gak at the expense of Park-ha. For me, Park-ha is exactly like a lady and a maid reincarnate from Joseon dynasty!!

The writer of Queen's Man,Song Jae-jeong, is always brilliant. I actually love all her previous works, including soonpoong clinic, coffee house (page 1), and high kick. I like that she creates a balanced characterization among the entire cast. Rooftop prince is good and Yoochun's acting is impressive, but I find the characters flat and plain. The writer of RP is also brutal to the evil characters because he does not allow any complex psychological depths. This kind of polarization of good versus evil is so passe and boring...I felt like watching a revolution melodrama from the 70s..yawn.

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Obachan, I could not agree with you more re: one-dimensional portrayal of the "evil" characters in RTP. They are more pantomime villain than believable antagonists. Tae Mu, especially, has come off as a schlocky ne'er-do-well as opposed to the much more interesting characterization of the son of an illegitimate bastard son with a inferiority complex who's been driven to desperate deeds after years of being marginalized at the hands of his overbearing and discriminatory grandmother. Perhaps some background anecdotes/flashbacks as to why he keeps making the choices to do bad things would've helped. A real missed opportunity, there. In a drama where suspension of disbelief is paramount and fantasy abounds, it would serve the overall tone and quality of the program no end to at least ground the characters in some reality. As in portraying people as they are in life, albeit in fantastical and exceptional situations; that people are not all good and not all bad and that there are infinite shades of grey between the black and white.

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Addendum to the above^

Except for Sena. She's definitely just an evil, stone-hearted, selfish bitch.

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@Obachan: If this was facebook, I would totally like your comment especially the part about Park ha's role becoming nothing more than Yi-gak's instrument in character development. I see this in other Asian mediums but man, why do the girl always relegate to the role of like a servant/maid/secretary or whatever to the dude?! Like seriously, we can have higher education now you know!

Also, I didn't know the writer of QIHM is the writer of Coffe House, one of only two completed Kdramas I've ever watched. No wonder this drama is striking all the right chord with me.*fangirling writer*

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Thanks for this most interesting conversation. Haha (: I am so in love with Queen In Hyun's Man...<3 Kim Boong Do is hot, sexy, tall, intelligent and that smile of his never fails to make me giddy. Oh gosh. And I just love the directing, cinematography and storyline!!! Before this drama aired I already told myself that I will watch it~ On the other hand I have read most of the RTP recaps and I find it cute and entertaining~ But it's Scholar Kim for me hehe (;(;

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EQM intrigue me, RTP amuse me, QIHM amaze me but TK2H I die for ;)

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Couldn't say it better myself.
can i 'like' this comment 932472985 times?

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@Ilikemangos: Hehheaaheee....thanks, if you must..he,hehaa ;)

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You guys just crack me up. So funny!

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Crazy laughing while reading this!!!!

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You Gooo QIHM...watchin' and lovin' so far!
...tvN why so great ;)
Dramabeans...No words...prefect, just prefect.

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"javabeans: At least Se-na is a good liar. Tae-mu has no reaction control. If anybody bothered to look at him closely in any crucial moment, they’d be all, “…you killed him, didn’t you?”

girlfriday: He’s definitely got guilty attempted-murderer face"

AGREED! lol.

Right now I'm more onboard with QIHM but loving both shows anyway.

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well hello...ooo...On the same board?

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YES.

Also, Tae Mu seems to wear an alarming amount of smoky eyeliner which only compounds the obviousness of his "I totally just tried to murder him/her/it" face.

Seriously. Just say no to the kohl, dude.

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Just thought of this: the eunuch in Rooftop Prince might try solving the problem of his missing family jewels before heading back to the Joseon dynasty. Since he got presents for his mom when he heads back, shouldn't he see the numerous surgeons in Seoul about restoring his missing man parts before going back? Then again, would time travel rob him of any restorative measures to gain his jewels?

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Bwahahahaha!

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A Huge PFFFFT~!!!! XD

You two makes DB convos sound just like the convenient (but no-less annoying) neighborhood matrons gossiping over the latest nonsensical mundane things in life. XD

Just some things:
In "Rooftop Prince"
1) Can't the producers cameo Baek Ji-yeong for even an episode, or even in the Joseon times (she was given an offer for Jamyeonggo BTW)??? Since she's Zoolander's RL girlfriend and already sang for the OST...and also even Junsu or Yoobro??? XD
2) Also...I can't help but think, if Tae-yong has an older brother, then does that make Yi Gak have one??? TMTETS style??? I can't really help but say this for the 2nd time, "Rooftop Prince" has some TMTETS inspiration:
-royal family without domineering clan factionalism
-Kim So-hyeon, of all people...and Lee Min-ho too...
-the royal bride switcheroo (accidents and sickness, pft~!)
-Kyeon Mi-ri (well, not so much; I mean, yeah, we had Yang Mi-gyeong as Yeon-woo's mom, so why not have our own Lady Choi as the sisters' mom as well, right??? DX)
-older brother complexes...XP

In "Inhyeon's Hottie Nerd Man", not so much...just that talismans rule like we've never had TMTETS before, factionalism like we haven't heard that, and...
1) A possible traitor? I mean, yeah, we have a nefarious Minister Min, but have we never even thought that this Minister might be a traitor to his own clan?? I might be wrong, but as far as I know, there was only one Min clan in the whole of Korea, and that was the Yeoheung Min clan, for which Queen Inhyeon (and decades later, Empress Myeongseong through one of Inhyeon's older brothers) is part of...yet so far, no mentions of Song Si-yeol and other people historically associated with Operation:Reinstate the Queen.
2) Dong-min sucks, and Na-jeong's too bitchy, and Hee-jin has the same reputation of "Greatest Love"'s Ae-jeong. And Hee-jin & Boong-do's interaction's are the quirky and fun type...Yoon-wol is justly to be pitied IMO...
3) No "Dong-yi" references, just please...though I would be happy if suddenly watermaid (musuri) Choi-ssi just sprouted up, but if I ever heard of a "Poongsan dog" reference, I might just barf.

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"Hee-jin has the same reputation of “Greatest Love”‘s Ae-jeong"

No, she doesn't? Hee-jin isn't that famous, her reputation is pretty much a blank paper right now. Whereas, iirc, Ae-jeong had a bad rep and was widely disliked

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DITTO, gurrl!!!

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Oh wait...

oh, yeah, sorry, thanks for correcting me...
must've associated Yoo In-na too much on "Greatest Love" I kinda forgot her character premise...

mian mian...XP

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You guys are too funny, thanks for the laughs! Can't wait for the next duo commentary.

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wow.. I love this!!!... and i love Queen In Hyun's man.... can't wait for the next episode recap..!!!

Thanks!!!

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Queen In-hyun's recapss pleaseeeeeeee. :-o

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I love that the "fish out of the water" humor in Queen In-hyun's Man comes from language more than circumstances, as opposed to RTP, which makes it so much more enjoyable to a nerd like me.

Boong-do is too clever and calm to be thrown off by many of the new things he experiences (numbers, elevators, even cars and airplanes), but the things that confuse him are mostly about modern language, like words such as 선수 (player) and (maybe spoiler ahead) 오글. Which leads to many squeal worthy moments for us (see ep 8)

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Ji Hyun-woo makes me 오글...everytime

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HAHA! OMG yes, same here. TT^TT

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"What does corny mean? How can I be corny to Choi Hee Jin? I wish to do more of the corny things that Choi Hee Jin likes so much."

PFTTTTT.

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I am laughing like a cross-eyed water mongoose who lost her horse in the wormhole of destiny!
Thankyou girls for your timely attention to these vexatious and pressing issues.

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