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Happy OT everyone! Finally caught up with i do i do and gentleman’s dignity! Which im looking forward to everyweek! It’s saturday soon -grins-
It’s so great to have a drama worth watching to look forward to, and at least one of yours made my list, Matilda!
Can’t have everything!
Happy Friday everyone!
Hi Ivoire! Did you love episode 12 of IDID as much as I did?=)
You mentioned an interesting issue re cold/mean male characters in K-Dramas elsewhere, and I just wanted to say that I absolutely agree that this has to have reasonable limits, and the heroine should be able to stand up to jerks/mean guys. I love my complex – and even tortured – male characters well enough, but I need to know that they can grow and become better men, which is why I never bought the romance in Secret Garden.
Helloooooo Oftheshore
(Just so you know, I started writing on Friday late morning and finished this a few minutes ago).
So good to hear from you!!!! I was going to try and be (somewhat) quiet or demure about IDID, but you went and opened that floodgate for me, so you know what? I am going to go there with you
. I apologize for taking so long to respond to your post, I was busy this morning (Friday morning) and had to run some errands. When I came home, I checked the OT here and went to read some comments on IDID recap for the episode 11. Well, that took longer than I anticipated, as the comments there are many and REALLY interesting to read. So now, I am ready to write my journal for today. Are you ready to read it? Here we go 
****SOME SPOILERS ABOUT I DO I DO****(focusing mostly on episodes 11 and 12).
You asked me, “Did you love episode 12 of IDID as much as I did?=)” Did I ever?!!!! Episodes 11 and 12 had some serious cute/adorable/protective/tender moments that upped my love for TK and confirm to me why he is good for her.
) were both cute and adorable! I immediately thought of that scene when TK started singing (and both men have beautiful voices).
I won’t list all those scenes here (I can’t remember all of them) but some have stayed with me and are worth mentioning: in episode 11, how cute was he when he wrote on his hand [because he couldn't speak] and then took it upon himself to write up a questionnaire and hand it out and begged people to fill it out. I LOVED it when he sang the “I want to kiss you” song, which reminded me of the 1st season of We Got Married with Alex (the singer/cook/actor/restauranteur) and Shin Ae (the actress). In that 1st season, Alex was paired with Shin Ae and he does play that song and sings it to her. Alex starts singing it a little far away from Shin Ae and he keeps getting closer to her as he sings. Shin Ae was very shy and seeing her reaction to Alex singing (and yes, he wanted to kiss her
I LOVED how anxious and worried TK was at the news of JA getting married to the Dr. He couldn’t focus and had to find out (and actually do his job, giving her the questionnaires with the answers). I LOVED how TK looked at her in the morning, when she was cooking breakfast for him. From the moment he 1st saw her to the realization that she was actually in the kitchen, COOKING!!!! The look on his face: PRICELESS (nicely surprised and so much tenderness) and LSW did a great job portraying that.
!), but more than that, when the phone rang and he didn’t let go of his other hand when he picked up the phone 
, (so he was still holding her). *Sighs!* I replayed that scene many times as well. They made it look so natural, and I LOVED how he stayed around and acted like he was a part of the conversation (I thought that was rather cute 
).
And of course, the scene where he eats breakfast, hilarious and precious. I replayed that whole scene many times for the laughs but also because it showed how sensitive and emotionally aware TK can be. I LOVED how he built up her confidence in cooking and how he *lied* (both times) in a smart way. We now know for sure that TK is a better cook. The things that that man will do for his woman, *swoons.* And the way KSA played that scene, from not knowing how to cook to saying that she is good at anything she does, so funny. How they kept a straight face through scenes like that is one of the many reasons why I love the actors/actresses in this drama and their characters. I will stop here for episode 11.
Now on to episode 12:
My favorite scenes (and again I don’t remember all of them at the moment) were when he hugged her to prevent her from going to look for the samples (skinship
And then there are the scenes when the Dr. sees her parents (he redeemed himself some), greets her in the white dress, when TK asks NaRi to leave JA alone (standing up for her), when he stayed up all night to help create a different pair of shoes (with daddy coming to the rescue), when TK slipped the shoes (he changed) on her, the look on his face then, and the look on his face when she kissed him and the way he turned around like a robot (so funny!). One of TK’s crowning moments of course was when he gave dad his speech on single parents. I felt like giving him a standing ovation after he was done talking. It was one of those times when I went, “really, this guy is not dumb.”
I am also liking some of the side characters such as TK’s dad and his friend (who works at the restaurant), and NaRi and the other friend (whose wife is pregnant, Bong Soo) to a certain extent. I am liking (actually loving) some of JA’s outfits, but I can’t help and wonder when we will see the baby bump.
I like seeing how JA is at times vulnerable in TK’s presence (the kiss scene, before, during and after) and how her shyness comes out at times (when he sang). It is nice and interesting to see those different layers in her personality. I could say more about the last two episodes (as you know) but I will stop here, as I have already said plenty.
“You mentioned an interesting issue … which is why I never bought the romance in Secret Garden.
” Yes I did, here:
1–(recap, IDID, episode 10) 7.2.2.1 Ivoire July 1st, 2012 at 11:25 am
and here: 29.1.2 Ivoire July 1st, 2012 at 4:20 pm
and here: 2–OT # 246
a)–3.3 Ivoire June 29th, 2012 at 7:40 am
b)–3.3.1.1.4 Ivoire June 29th, 2012 at 11:04 am
and in another response in between those two responses and the actual post you referred to is here:
http://www.dramabeans.com/2012/07/dramabeans-podcast-12-part-2/
12.1.2 Ivoire July 4th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
I am with you on Secret Garden, I didn’t feel that the hero had fully matured and redeemed himself by the end of the drama. I thought he loved the heroine and he had sacrificed for her, but he still wasn’t treating everyone right (at work for instance) and so I wasn’t very impressed.
I am personally enjoying IDID as I understand that it is a drama that lets the characters breathe and it is taking the scenic route to solving problems, as opposed to taking a straight shot. I have let go of some of my expectations, and I am focusing on enjoying the ride and the view.
Watching Bridal Mask for me is like having the main dish of a meal. It is intense (the drama) and like a main meal, it mostly feels you up. IDID to me is like the dessert. There is always room for dessert (at least for me). And IDID as a dessert is the kind that I look forward to (what endearing things will TK do today?:-)). Like many people, I am ready for TK to find out that he is the dad and I hope that it will happen sooner rather than later. I do think that with TK knowing, there is potential to write in many more conflicts and comedic situations (about the pregnancy, TK’s reaction, his dad’s reaction, his friend’s reaction, Bong Soo’s reaction [and he tends to overreact, so that would be funny], what would become of TK’s future, etc…).
I would like to see TK go through the pregnancy with JA, but I don’t know if I will get to see that *Sighs.* It would also be nice to see JA give birth and have TK be there for that (in the room) and see the beaming dad that he could be. They could then do a time jump and we could get to see scenes like TK taking little TK to kindergarten (after we see that TK and JA got married by using some pictures for example), or as someone suggested in the recap comments of episode 11 (I think), TK and his child pretending to like JA’s food but afterwards going to a restaurant to eat some really good cooked food or better yet, have TK cook for the whole family since he is so good at it.
And I would like to see JA and TK and TK’s dad have their own company and doing tremendously well. Oh, and at the end of the last episode, we learn that KA is pregnant with her 2nd child and that her OB-GYN is a woman, Doctor With Well Established Borders
So yeah, all in all I am still enjoying IDID and I hope that it will do well till the end because I am considering buying the DVD when it becomes available. I do want to see how it ends though, how the next four episodes are written and acted out (and directed, of course). I guess we will find out soon enough, two more weeks to go. I think this writer is struggling some, but I hope she will be able to bring it all together. Maybe she should check out Dramabeans for some suggestions
. We are easily accessible, aren’t we? There are a few of us who enjoy this show and I don’t think we would mind giving her a few pointers, right? 
I hope you are having a great weekend, and that you don’t mind the journal I just wrote
Happy reading!!!! Also sorry I am posting this only now, I have been having problems with my computer, and I had to take care of life, you know…
Happy OT Ivoire and my new fellow friends on DB! I am leaving for Europe this weekend and have decided to leave my laptop at home. That means two weeks with no KD’s – I’m shaking already! And I am loving IDID + a few others so much right now! Must finish errands + packing but just wanted to say hi!
Bonjour Korazy Lady!
I don’t know if you will get to read this message but I just wanted to say “Au revoir” and “Bon voyage!” I hope that you will have a safe trip there and back. I am sooo glad you are loving IDID, because I do to
. I got your last message on last OT, and thank you for that.
Have a great time in Europe!
Thanks, Ivoire! I will be thinking of you while in France! I’ll probably be perusing the foreign channels to see if I can get a glimpse of any dramas, I’m sure! I am fighting the urge to put my laptop in my suitcase as we speak…..
Hi Korazy Lady, I think that some Kdramas are starting to be shown in France, so you might catch a few. As you said, check out some of the channels. I remember reading on some of the dramas’ pages that they were actually shown on some of the main stations in France. It would be worth looking into…
Glad you could type in a few words before you left
Happy Friday, Ivoire!
Hello CMP, I left you a message here:
55.1.2.2 Ivoire July 3rd, 2012 at 12:24 pm
I hope that you will have a great weekend
!
Aww! Thanks, Ivoire!
You are very welcome, CMP!!! I hope your weekend is going well!
Hi again everyone,
I am very interested in this drama with this singer:
http://www.hancinema.net/singer-tim-isn-t-tiny-in-indonesia-43084.html
Is anyone aware of this drama and does anyone know where I might find it when they air it? (online and/or US side with English subs, please). I would greatly appreciate your help. I am very interested in seeing how they tackle the cultural differences. Thanks!
Ivoire again here! just wanted to say that I didn’t write the first line. I never had that happen to one of my posts, so I am not sure how that happened.
I just wanted to say that when my post:
2.4 Ivoire July 6th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
was posted on the site, there was a message in italics that came up above my post and said something along the lines of “your message is in preparation,” and I was not the one who wrote it, so I wanted to write a disclaimer because I didn’t write it.
I see that that message has been removed, and so the post below it doesn’t make sense, but that was the reason why I wrote and posted that message in the first place.
Hi Ivoire! I’m from Indonesia, I don’t think the drama air yet. it will be a big thing, we don’t usually have any foreign celebrities act in a dramas. will update you here if i have any link.
here is his song with Indonesian singer :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-dRLNgzz4M&feature=related
Hello Kelinci Biru,
I hope that you will get to read this message. I have been quite busy this weekend, so I could only get to your message now.
Thank you so much for answering my post. I asked about this drama now because they said that it would air in July, so I wanted to see if anyone here knew about it. So, is the singer (Tim) big or huge in Indonesia? I had never heard about him before I stumbled on that article. And as I mentioned earlier, I am really interested in how they tackle the cultural differences.
I am also curious about the languages that will be spoken in the drama. Do you know what they will be? (Will they be using Korean and a (or some) language(s) from Indonesia?
This sounds like a very interesting project. I hope we will be able to find it online with English subs. And yes, please keep me posted as soon as you have some information. I might not always be here, so please feel free to email me at : amvondo1@gmail.com (I would greatly appreciate it). Thanks again.
I hope your weekend is going well
Hi Ivoire! Just popping on OT at 0055 hrs EST after spending most of my day off either sleeping or marathoning IDID. I hope your birthday was great last week.
I didn’t think IDID would be all that interesting to me, as I have seen numerous old chick / young pup dramas (favorites include Biscuit Teacher, and What’s Up Fox), as well as surprise pregnancy (Fated To Love You, Wonderful Life). However, so many of you were raving about it, that I decided to give it a whirl. That ultimately meant 12 episodes in a day and a half, including all that annoying RL stuff.
I love the fact that Ji An is a strong character, who uses here analytical skills just as well as her creative ones. The fact that she carefully thinks things through is a strong point with this series, although it does slow it down some.
Now than NaRi has entered the dark side, I soo want to see her and Madame Jang get the smackdown they deserve. Probably nothing will affect Jang since she is the majority shareholder in the company, darn it.
I’d like to see TK go to America with Ji An by his side to start their own line of footwear. I know this is farfetched, but what the hey- I can dream. lol
Hello Shukie!!!!!
So good to hear from you and thank you for stopping by and dropping me a few lines. I don’t know if you saw my response, but I did write to you in last OT here: (right after your last answer to me),
3.1.1.1.9 Ivoire July 5th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
I appreciate your post and I would like to comment on it. I have been trying to post in response to Oftheshore but I am having problems with my computer and so it is taking me a loooooong time (unfortunately) to post it. And oh, yeah, I had to go take care of life too
All of that to say that I intend to share a few of my thoughts on IDID in response to your post, so as usual with me, please check back a little later
!
Have a good night!
Iv -
I read the previous post in OT 246 – thanks!
Hello Shukie,
I wasn’t really sure what to expect either before IDID started, besides the description and explanations I read on Dramabeans. I was however curious about it because it was a project that KSA and LJW had chosen to be in. So, I read the first recap and decided to check it out.
Personally, I thing the only drama with an older woman/young pup (as you aptly put it) I have seen so far is MNIKSS, I think. It ‘s the only one that comes to my mind right now. Again, I was mostly curious and I usually want to check out KSA’s projects, even if I don’t see them right when they are airing. To be honest, I also wanted to see how KSA was going to portray a strong and demanding woman a la Cruella de Ville of “The Devil Wears Prada” in which I thought Meryl Streep was excellent.
Kudos to you for watching all 12 episodes in a day and a half, especially since you had to tackle RL issues as well (or at least take care of RL).
I do like that JA is a strong woman as well and that they have maintained that side of her (so far) in the series. I also do like (personally) that we do see how her walls come down, as she gets to know TK and realizes what a wonderful assistant he is (because he is TRULY wonderful. I would love to work with someone like him) and how caring, gentle, tender and smart and hard working he is as well.
I LOVE that TK turns out to be what JA needs in a man if she ends up being in a relationship and that has been well shown in this drama. I LOVE that TK falls in love with her first and not the other around, and more importantly, that he has the courage to admit and confess to her how he feels. I also LOVE that he didn’t say right away that he loved her, but that he liked her and that he was curious about her (his conversation with the Dr.). So we see TK fall in love with JA, but we also see JA slowly melt and appreciate TK, and reveal her vulnerable and soft sides in the process. Some examples are how she talks (and acts) like a little girl when she sees that he saw her drawings. She had been found out and exposed and felt extremely vulnerable. I LOVED how KSA played that scene. The tone of her voice and her body language changed. I LOVED that kiss (I wrote a long post in defense of those kinds of kisses in that episode recap) because it wasn’t forced and TK gave JA the opportunity to stop him if she didn’t want to be kissed and JA welcomed the kiss. I also loved JA shyness when TK sang the kiss song
I have never said this, but I also personally like that TK had never been with a woman before, I found that to be refreshing and different. In RL, I know a few men (some younger than me, in their late 20s) who were virgins when they got married, so I know that happens. JA basically have the upper hand on TK in a lot of areas and that is different for me in a Kdrama (and I welcome that difference).
I do feel however that the show tells us (IMHO) that what TK has is as valuable and as important as what JA has. TK has a great dad (essentially a great family) and a friend who, despite his flaws truly cares about him and tries to be the voice of reason when he thinks it is needed. TK also slowly earns his colleagues’ respect by working hard and by always being polite and well mannered, and I LOVE that about him. He is positive and tries to not let life get him down.
I personally don’t hate the Dr., he has a role to play and we need to know why we are making (in my case) the switch from him to TK. The selfish speech he gave JA when she told him she was pregnant did it for me, because I was originally on his team. He looked good, on paper, physically and otherwise. I think that at times, he has helped her and I do think that he loves her, but his approach (showing his lack of respect at times) has not been the right one. I do think that if Dr. had a woman or a friend advising him, he could change some of his behavior for the better. He is not all bad in my book and he does care.
Even when I don’t like certain characters in a drama, I have come to accept that they are there to fulfill a role, it is a drama after all, so I roll with it and put up with it, watching to see how things will turn out. So I have done so with NaRi and Madame Jang. I agree with you however, that I am looking forward to seeing both characters get their comeuppance and I hope it is a good one (and Jake’s as well).
“I’d like to see TK go to America with Ji An by his side to start their own line of footwear. I know this is farfetched, but what the hey- I can dream. lol”
I would like to see that as well, and I would also like to see TK more involved in the pregnancy with more tender and funny moments between TK and JA, because the situation (pregnancy) lends itself to such moments. I would like to see JA have the baby and TK being in the room with her and being a beaming dad when he first sees his child. I would also like to see respective parents of JA and TK accept each other and their children. And I would like the ending to show JA telling TK that they are pregnant with their second child, that would be funny and defying the odds, once again. I might be in the minority in this, but I would like for JA and TK to get married, especially because they love each other.
I have said this before, but I do LOVE that TK is not your typical hero, and that JA was actually the abusive one at the beginning of this relationship. I LOVE that his character has been consistent in who he is, because that hasn’t always been the case in Kdramas and I hope he stays the same until the end. I do LOVE heroes who are kind, tender, gentle and yet very capable and I relate more to them because I am the same way and if I were dating someone, I would want him to be that way, otherwise, I would not be interested. I think you can be such a hero and still have “drama” in a drama.
Personally, TK is a man after my own heart (actually, he already has my heart
). Regarding the pace of the drama, I have relaxed my expectations concerning that and it has allowed me to better enjoy the drama. IDID is a drama that lets its characters breathe and tell the story. Gaksital (I have checked out a few episodes) for me is the main dish in a meal course (with meat and potatoes, it feels you up, keeping you on your toes) and IDID is the dessert and one that is yummy to me. Btw, I always have room for dessert, so I definitely welcome dramas like IDID 
I hope your weekend is going well and thank you for checking out IDID and letting me know what you thought of it. I have LOVED the issues they have explored (JA’s parents’ reactions, JA thought process and actions, the societal issues, tc…) as well.
Ivoire ~
I agree with the majority of your points. You don’t have to have a character as the humourless emotionless Ice Monarch (King or Queen), then suddenly become all soft and squishy. A lot of dramas do that, and sometimes it works, but it’s old and tired and needs a rest!
All of the characters are perfectly capable of standing on their own two feet and telling the world what they want, yet they are learning that perhaps two are better than one.
The slower pace of the series fits in well with a lot of the current fare that’s a little more fast-paced (Ghost, Gaksital). And I lovvvveeeddd the slow, easy kiss in the shoe closet! Nice, natural, and innocent. I sensed little akwardness between the actors, which is the mark of good writing / directing / acting.
Good morning Shukie,
I finally have time to write an answer. As I have said earlier, I am glad you have made the time to watch IDID and that you are enjoying it and I agree with you that it is a drama that is different in more ways than one.
You know, IMO, the humorless, emotionless Ice Monarch doesn’t always do a 180 change as we the audience expect him to. Sometimes, they don’t become all squishy and soft, not all the way there in my book, thus not fully redeeming themselves, and that is disappointing to me. I can think of a few heroes who IMO did not fully change.
And I agree with you that it gets old, you know, been there, seen that, what else is new? I understand that coming up with a new script/new ideas might not always be easy, but it might be doable, right? Between the book ideas writers get and the fictional ones (like all those fusion fantasy sageuk dramas, for example) or something like this which would be a novelty for Kdramas, but worth exploring since some Koreans do marry foreigners (such a topic would be rife with issues to explore, religious issues, cultural ones, family issues, etc…):
http://www.hancinema.net/singer-tim-isn-t-tiny-in-indonesia-43084.html
“All of the characters are perfectly capable of standing on their own two feet and telling the world what they want, yet they are learning that perhaps two are better than one.” Yes, I agree with you about this.
“And I lovvvveeeddd the slow, easy kiss in the shoe closet! Nice, natural, and innocent. I sensed little akwardness between the actors, which is the mark of good writing / directing / acting”
I was sooo happy to read this from you, because I totally agree with you about the kiss. I actually wrote a long response in defense of the kiss in the commenters section in the recap of episode 10. Some people were complaining about the fact that the kiss wasn’t a deep kiss and I made an argument for those kinds of kisses. I am including here the response that I wrote. It is rather long (no surprise there), but I hope you will have the time to read it.
“Hello there,
I agree with Yumi, Ji An did kiss him back. If you watch the scene carefully, you will see at the end of the kiss that she actually did kiss him back. I think she might have been a little surprised by the kiss and only got into it halfway through the kissing, which might explain why it wasn’t a very deep kiss.
There are different kinds of kisses and I think all kinds should be welcome, as they show different kinds of emotions and different personalities in the characters. This kiss was a great kiss (in my book) for where both of the characters are with each other. They are not dating and they are not in a relationship yet (neither one has come to such an agreement with each other) and as true2u has stated, TK is “slowly” melting JA’s heart and resistance. We have to remember how she saw him originally (not very competent and successful, basically not worthy of her) and she has tried to keep him at arm’s length, so TK can only proceed carefully (besides, I think it is his nature to do so).
TK shouldn’t just jump on her with his kisses, that would not look and feel right (to me at least), based on how their relationship is being build up (the pace of it). And I am grateful he did not force a kiss on her. I HATE forced kisses. How many people want to be kissed like that in real life? (and I know, dramas are not about real life, still. I just don’t find them romantic and attractive). I also feel that forced kisses seem to say that it is OK to force a kiss on a woman, which I disagree with. The other person has to want to be kissed, which is why I prefer it when one can see the kiss coming, because then that person has the time to accept it (tacitly) or refuse it. The heroine in QIHM was a great example of why it would be OK to surprise-kiss someone, or kiss her at all. She invited and welcomed his kisses, and she had a way of abandoning herself to them (the kisses) that made it OK to see him kiss her as much as he did and in the way he did.
I LOVE it when the guy has that look of “I am about to kiss you” a la CSW in Best Love (episode 14). The surprised kisses I am OK with are the quick peck on the lips (a la Personal Taste when they went ice skating) or if the person being kissed had indicated in previous interactions that they would be OK with being kissed, surprised or not.
Someone reminded us that TK was a virgin before his night with JA, so it might be safe to assume that at 27ish, he has not dated a lot (if he has at all). Staying in character, he is gentle and soft with her, not only in his kiss (at least this one) but in the way he
approaches her and handles her in general. Throughout this episode and in the past, he has behaved in the same manner with her (I can recount many scenes where he either does stuff for for her or makes her do things for her own good, but he doesn’t aggressively push her, he does it in a gentle way) and in that sense, he is different from her (which must be refreshing for her, to have someone treat her in this way). He is like that with everyone, it is a part of his personality.
Kdramaland offers us different kinds of heroes and I personally welcome (with both arms) this kind of hero. He is kind, gentle, thoughtful, hard working, loyal, devoted, dedicated, smart, nurturing, has potential and a great sense of responsibilities. He is also very chilvarous. It is so refreshing to see that chilvary is not dead (so many chilvarous moments in this show) and that a hero can be attractive (both physically and otherwise) and winsome without being your typical jerk chaebol.
Don’t get me wrong, when I see a jerk chaebol, I look forward to his growth and his changes like anyone else, but I LOVE TK and I LOVE that he is like a puppy when he is around JA. He ADORES her *sighs,* And he said it well “he just wants her to be happy.” TK is a keeper, in my book. Yes, he is young (not that young, if she is 37, as someone mentioned, he is [I think] 10 younger, which makes him 27, good enough for me), bubbly at times, but his heart is in the right place and he is a compassionate person who treats people right *End of rave*
Coming back to the kiss, it was gentle, soft and sweet. Again appropriate for where they both are in their interactions/burgeoning relationship. Not every kiss needs to be a French kiss in my book. There is something to be said about the gentle, soft, not-deep kisses kinds. They convey warmth and a slow built to intimacy IMO.
”
A few people have mentioned that this is KSA and she is not shy about kissing. That might be the case, however this is not about KSA as much as it is about the character she is playing and the context in which she is playing that character. A good actor/actress would play all kinds of roles, CONVINCINGLY, I might add. And she is doing fine here, soft, gentle kisses and all
I hope your week is going well!
Read it! Good job!
@ Shukie, glad you were able to read it, and thank you for your compliment
!
Hi Shukie, good to read from you. I had been hoping that I would hear from you and that you would get a chance to read my response. I just read yours, and will be back later to respond. So please check here later. I Hope you are having a great day!
Goods night to everyone~! It’s 12AM here. Have a nice day!!
And good morning, Lady Seoul, when you wake up (and no doubt, when I’ll be getting home from the theatre too exhausted from Blood Brothers and drive home to do more than check the computer is off!!)
Happy OT Friday Dramabingers! Already at work putting out some emergency fires and will report in later. Mata ne!
Umm…emergency fires??
sure, as opposed to her regularly scheduled fires.
yuk! yuk!
@ Cherkell, your “precious” turned a year older on July 5th (I think, right?), “Happy belated Birthday” to him (you)
! I hope you are doing well!
Yes, you all know how organized I am… my emergency fires are scheduled right down to the minute!
So literally and figuratively this morning:
1. There was a bad fire at one of our Germany stores which dealing with the aftermath will suck up 80% of my strength today; and
2. One of the defendants settled overnight, so we’ve gone from 8 at the outset of the trial down to 6. Lots of paperwork to plow through that will suck up the remaining 20% of my strength and then make me go into negative double-digits in sleep deprivation.
Phone’s ringing off the hook now. More later, chingus!
@ Cherkell, sorry to hear about what happened and how busy you will be. Can I just say (out of care and compassion), please remember to breathe (deep breaths)…
I hope your weekend will be relaxing at some point (emphasis on “hope”)
I’d wish you good luck, but it looks like you’ve already got that planned
Happy OT, cherkell!!
Okay, I think I can finally stop for a few minutes and throw some lunch down my throat. Hello again to everyone and hope your mornings/afternoons/evenings/overnights are going well!
As previously mentioned, the highlight of my past week was (of course) My Precious’s 25th (26th lunar) birthday on 5 July. Lots of bandwidth was chewed up DLing pictures and video of the Fan Meeting the weekend before, so I’ll try to get a few of the more choice (i.e., gorgeous) ones put online soon. I’ve been told I even got a shoutout during the gathering. Aw shucks… :sheepish grin::
And speaking of sleep deprivation, good thing I’m already getting up early to watch AGD live — I’ll be well-trained when “Five Fingers” starts up. The buzz generated is reaching a fever pitch with the first couple of script readings in the bag and filming already started — thank goodness JCW’s gone back to his darker hair color again for this new role!! SQUEEEEEEE!!
But but but… [rant on] WTF do the production companies always have to cast these fricken’ idols in starring roles, ne? Eunjung has done a serviceable job in her prior dramas, but her acting never made me do handstands. Lee Hae In (the second lead female) is in another girl group (GangKiz) that just debuted earlier this year. And that group and T-ara are both in the same management company with Core Contents Media. (Hmm… do I smell a conspiracy here?) Those two had BETTER NOT SUCK, because if this drama wastes the hotness that is Joo Ji Hoon and Ji Chang Wook, imma coming after you with a flame thrower!!! [rant off]
Welp, my Jamba Juice is getting all melty-runny and I need to get back to the nightmare that is my cubicle. Seeyas on the flip side!!
Keep the flame thrower handy, you are going to need it.
Happy Friday everyone! I am looking forward for Gentleman’s Dignity…………
I’m just curious, DTK, you don’t have to answer, of course, but WHAT about AGD do you actually look forward to? Which actor or pairing or part of the drama has you hooked?
Yay! Weekends here again and so is OT!
Happy Friday everyone!
Happy Friday and Happy OT, edelweiss! Do you have weekend plans?
Hi Beaners!
A few pictures of comrade Eun Shi Kyung (among others with a background in musicals) to brighten up your Friday.
http://pann.nate.com/talk/ImageTheme/index?themeId=203077781
Thank you for this! Brings back memories…
ah definitely put some shine on my day
Happy OT everyone! ^_^
I have not catched up on any of the dramas this week. :-p
Been watching movies instead. Haha I think I’m all movies watched out for the weekend though. (dramas will just have to wait… a little longer)
I did read somewhere that Ghost rating is catching up to Gaksital though!! wahoo! lol
Have a great Friday/weekend!
Happy OT cv!
Any movie recommendations?
Hey John,
Rom-com, there’s one that I love with Gong Yoo and Im Soo Young, call Looking for Kim Jong Wook. Gong Yoo and his adorkableness way before Big.
Period/suspense, there’s Gabi with Joo Ji Mo and Kim So Yeon, gorgeous movie.
Thriller, I like the one with Yoon Kye Sang in it call Poong san dog. I think Yoon Kye Sang was amazing here.
I like Blind with Kim Ha Neul in it, too.
You won’t go wrong with classics like JSA and Typhoon (if you love Jang Dong Geun)
There’s one period one call Shadows in the palace or something like that, another thriller during Joseon period, worth the watch.
Hope this list is helpful.
yep, Gong Yoo Im Soo Young, also called Finding Mr. Destiny – that was good.
Another rom-com would be Cyrano Dating Agency.
Rom-com with ghosts? Chilling Romance.
Rom-no com? Always, with So Ji Sub. (I KNOW – I can actually RECOMMEND him in this one!)
Com with very little rom? Castaway.
War movie? Bow.
Thriller? Blind, with Kim Ha Neul and Yoo Seung Ho. Or Psychic, with Gong Yoo and Kang Dong Won.
Thanks Lainey ! Sometimes on weekends I’ll take a break from dramas and watch a movie or two.
Best romcom K-film – Singles (way better than Cyrano Agency)
other good romcoms -
My Dear Desperado/My Gangster Lover (humor here is more muted, but still very funny)
My Scary Girl
Madeleine – great soundtrack
Windstruck (1st half is a real fun romcom and then devolves into a bit of a melo mess
Too Beautiful to Lie – a bit silly, but fun
Crime thriller –
The Chaser
Memories of Murder
Sageuk –
Forbidden Quest (simply superb acting by Han Suk-kyu and Lee Beom-soo
Musa/The Warrior
Others -
Welcome to Dongmakgol
Sad Movie
…ing
You Are My Sunshine (guaranteed to make you cry; not the typical cheesy melo – superb acting, one of the best K-films ever made)
Agreed – Too Beautiful to Lie is silly fun (Kang Dong Won, Kim Ha Neul in the first role I ever liked her in)
Also – if you want dark and desperate and edge of your seat: I Saw the Devil (Lee Byung Hun)
bd~
I watched Gangster Lover. I liked it.
I was watching K, J, C/HK movies on youtube. lol
Watched most of them on this channel. All have english subs. ^^
http://www.youtube.com/user/burnie022/videos?view=1
I’ve notice that most Kmovies are rom-com but doesn’t really have a happy ever after ending. It’s mostly open ending or otherwise, the other side to that is sad where someone dies, and life goes on. Hmm…
Recommendation? ummm… I don’t have any favorites. I liked most of the ones I watched in this youtube channel so take your pick. ^^ They are good watch.
No matter how I love Kdramas, Korean movies haven’t quite been able to captivate me. Yes, there are ones that I love, but I don’t invest too much in them.
I’m in the same boat on movies. I think it has to do with the culture in the dramas being so different from the movie culture. Although there is some catch up happening these days, the dramas still retain the fiction which is very important for me.
Me too, I prefer dramas to movies as I think they tell a more complete story. Most k-movies I have seen seem incomplete to me like they left out something or something is lacking.
I have to agree. Most of the movies I watched were like slow paced until halfway, when suddenly things happen out of nowhere and The End.
As the resident film-fanatic on dramabeans
I have to respectfully disagree.
I suppose it depends a little bit on what you enjoy in films, and perhaps TV dramas are generally more your thing than films (whether Korean or otherwise), but Korean cinema is extremely interesting and there are some real gems out there – and I’ve only dabbled in it a bit.
With one glaring exception (I’m looking at YOU, Jang Geun Suk, and YOU TOO, Kim Ha Neul) I’ve enjoyed every K-movie I’ve seen. And I didn’t even list the sexy ones yet.
LOL I don’t mind that movie.
I just want to see JGS. ^^
Some fluff are better than others. haha
Big LOL JoAnne!
I didn’t enjoy that one either but I have seen other crappy or not-so-great K-movies as well.
But, nonetheless, K-cinema has a lot to offer, especially when you consider the size of its industry compared to some of the big players in the world!
Yeah, what @alua say! I personally enjoyed the “Lady Vengeance” trilogy enough to go out and buy the unsubbed DVDs so I could watch at my leisure. “Poetry” was a masterpiece in actor subtlety, “Crucible” made my skin crawl in certain spots, and I cannot WAIT until “The Thieves” gets a stateside release. As we say out there on the Interwebs… your mileage may vary.
Like for any film industry, there are good, bad, average K-films.
Overall, I’d say that I’ve seen more good K-films than K-dramas.
Really need to be aware of what K-films to watch and not go for the typical stuff that is popular.
Hoorayyyy! I’m glad that Ghost rating is catching up to Gakistal! Ghost is definitely a good drama!
I agree with you. What bugging me sometimes is when I’m seeing some actors don’t act naturally.
Yeah, and Ghost is suppose to pull ahead next week?–that’s the prediction but I’ll believe it when I see it. haha!
On a side note, I’m trying to find this really old–I think 90s or could be 80s hong kong or china movie–but for the life of me, I can’t remember the title. I was around 15 when I watched this movie. I wonder if anyone know or remember if you’ve watched something simliar?
All I remember of this movie was that this girl got on the wrong sailboat? or was she kidnapped ? not sure. And this guy who owns the boat set sail(or the boat was adrift) with her on it. She’s engaged to be married I believe but with her time on the boat with the new guy, they fell in love? when they came back to civilization, she went back to her life. Ending was he was following her down crowded street calling her name…she wouldn’t turn around… he was holding a bell? ringing. She stops, they said something..then kissed.
LOL
Soooooooooooooo if anyone know anything about this movie/title, let me know. Where I can watch it is even better! ^^
Funny, I watched that movie right about the time I was 14! One of my fav hong kong movies of the 80′s that didn’t involve gangsters, gambling and violent sex. The movie is called “Cupid One”, also the name of the guy’s yaht. Wow, did Sally Yeh and Mark Cheng Ho-Nam have great chemistry! They were fun to watch while they were on boat. But once they got on land movie went from light romantic comedy to overly melodramatic. If only the director did a better job in the second half of the movie.
Hello,
dearest Beanies,
TGIF! Coz tomorrow is Saturday, and it’s AGD time. So much cuteness last week, I’m dying to know what would Yi Soo’s answer be.
Anyways, do you realised in ep11, the F44 each drink of choice shows their personality
Yoon: Beer- very friendly, easygoing, approachable
Jeong Rok: 19-year-old scotch (does that say something about why he’s with his wife)- hmm, this boy love his luxury.
Tae San: Soju- fire-y, burning kind of passionate
Do Jin: Red wine- something that aged well and gets even better over time.. *clear throat* *fanning* does that say anything about his hotness?
Anyways, happy OT!!
Oh! I love your analysis! I love that drama because there is so many little details like that. Nothing is random, and you can talk about it for hours. I can anyway.
i agree– plus. the introductory segments are crazy funny. hehehehe! i love the one where they meet eun hee…. tae san’s shaky illness won everything for me. or so i thought. do jin’s lisp, THOUGH. DO JIN’S SUDDEN LISP. heehehehe
They have to do a special episode with an editing of all the prologues: 1 hour of hysteria.
seriously?? MUST. WATCH. NAO. thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
@maria: It’s just my wish for Christmas, not the reality! Sorry if I break your dream…
While I’m at it, I want a DVD box with audio commentaries and all the bloopers. It was done for SeGa, they can do it for this one.
hey mysty ( can I call you that)
I know what you mean!!! the dialogues, they don’t really waste their breath, do they? I can go even further in my analysis with the prologue in ep12. (don’t want to spoil anyone who hasn’t watch it).
Do-Jin has ordered a “Black Russian” twice. Each time I wondered what was in one. I have heard of a White Russian, but not a Black one.
They use coffee liqueur (tia maria) and/or coke for black russians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Russian
coffee liqueur is for egg nog! Winter balli wa!
Same as a White Russian, minus the cream. I used to drink Black Russians in the summer and White in the winter, eons ago.
A Black Russian is just the vodka and Kahlua. A White Russian adds heavy cream to the mix. Do-jin probably doesn’t want to tack on any extra calories on that super-buff body of his.
LOL, and something they all have in common – a headache and regrets in the morning?
Happy Friday, all!
Been lazy trying to keep up with the dramas I’ve been watching, but fortunately, reading the recaps here and other places keeps me current. There’s just some weird stuff going on in the dramas I’m watching, especially in “I Do, I Do”. They gotta fix that mess up right away. Tell the baby daddy he’s the baby daddy, already! Other than that, enjoying “A Gentleman’s Dignity” and “Big”. Watched “Playful Kiss” again, since I couldn’t get into it the first time. It was pretty alright. Also, have been trying to keep up with the kpop world. I bought Super Junior’s 6th album, so I’m waiting for that. I also bought Cross Gene’s new one because Shin had that momentary power over me, and I have to suffer (not really) with “La Di Da Di”.
And because it’s a CD week for me I also got an old Loveholic CD. Great as usual — I really miss them!
Other than that, I’m still trying to get someone to come with me to the BIGBANG concert when they go to NJ. I hope I can convince my non-kpop-loving cousin to come with me. Not that she doesn’t like kpop, but that she doesn’t know about it. I will have to burn some CDs for her or something.
Be back later for more Friday fun.
Where are you? I plan on going!
Me, Shuk, CV and a few others are planning to go, as well.
We plan on meeting up with other KDrama chingus who aren’t going to the concert as well. So stay tuned!
Shukmeister, depending on where you are meeting and where the concert is, I want to try and make it. It’s a bit of a haul from Philly – do you know any other DBers in the Philly area (actually Valley Forge, really)?
I’ll try and check Twitter while away, if I can figure it out as I’m new to that. (I figured you knew Lois F is me – I’m not ready to reveal my Korazy Lady moniker to the world yet
I’m hopping to stop into Dramabeans once or twice while away but am leaving my laptop at home. I should have one or two good marathoning nights when I return!
Korazy -
You might want to look into touring buses. Just google “philadelphia to NYC”. I know a lot of people talk about the safety issues of these buses, but I checked my local companies and found one with a clean driving record and excellent buses. Mine is a 6hr trip for $ 35.
Also, check to see where the bus drops you off. A lot of them terminate in Chinatown, but the one I use drops me off near Penn Station, where I can pick up the light rail to Newark, two blocks from the hotel.
Keep an eye on your Twitter account for more info!
I don’t know how close Valley Forge is to Philly – can someone drive you there?
wow kewbie your cd collection is growing. My save for later list is growing. I have however demanded birthday presents while forwarding a screenshot of that list. What’s your email address btw? (농담!)
Can’t stand “Playful Kiss”. I’m sorry to anyone who does, but the heroine of that piece was an insipid doormat. The Korean version of her was much better than the Taiwanese version, but still, lost track of the amount of times I wanted to take her aside from some tough girl talk and perhaps a smack or two to the side of the head.
“The object of your affections is a BULLY. Do you not get that?” “You’re a pretty, sweet, generous little girl with your own unique charms. You’re not the sharpest tool in the shed, but someone’s going to love you for that, not IN SPITE OF that, and it ain’t gonna be that weirdo manbot.” “He doesn’t deserve you! He’s a jerk, and not like ‘oooh, so sexy, he’s a jerk’, he’s clinical!”
Yeah, I got issues.
On a happier note, Kpop! I admit I was not a Kpop girl, but then I discovered MBlaq and OMG. They’re playing a concert in my hometown this Saturday and I am DEVASTATED I didn’t have time to get tickets. I mean, it would mean that I would have to squeeze in next to a bunch of girls who are probably young enough to be in my class and have me as their teacher, but STILL. G.O. Mir. Seungho. Lee Joon. And Thunder. Ye gads, Thunder makes me want to do bad, bad, yummy things to him, lol. This noona’s got it bad for him.
And on a sorta related note, despite my very great love for MBlaq, I still cannot get over the hair! I’m sure there’s a portion of the population that likes platinum blonde ladylocks on their idols, but I’m sorry to say I’m not in that group. I watched MBlaq Idol Army and there was one episode where Thunder had Little Orphan Annie hair, I just couldn’t think of any other description for it. He was adorable yes, but no about of adorable (or adorkable, as the case may be) could save that hairdo. Ick.
Rant over. Peace and love for the weekend, y’all!
My 16-year old inner self. Ok and my 20 year old inner self and probably my 25 year old inner self too. They all want Lee Joon, badly.
And Niel, from Teen Top.
sigh.
But those are my only boy crushes. The rest all be menz…and my heart still belongs to My Beloved, in the end.
have you seen a high school jdrama? When I first started watching random dramas there was a lot of playful kiss frenzy so I tried too and dumped it but after watching jdramas I could watch it just fine.
Good lord jdramas… I can’t stand them. They are so quirky and I can’t understand their sense of humor at all. I tried with a few jdramas, but I always tend to drop them pretty fast. O_O
they are quirky aren’t they! My favorites are yankee kun to megane chan, proposal daisakeusen ( had it’s kdrama remake last year), buzzer beat and kurosagi. I would love to see the korean version of kurosagi. I’ve seen similar storylines- city hunter but none quite as good. I’m not a big jdrama fan.
You kind of have to get used to them… and accept that things can be totally bizarre.
I couldn’t watch Nodame Cantabile at first, but now I love it – it just took a steady diet of manga and anime to get there.
On the other hand, I think there are some jdramas that are laudably more realistic than k-dramas, which I find often more satisfying. Dramas like Tatta Hitotsu no Koi or even Kimi Wa Petto (yes, that’s totally quirky, but putting the pretending-to-be-a-dog aside, it’s actually real-to-life).
That said, I watch more k-dramas than j-dramas because the escape is kinda satisfying as well (although I get more upset).
But put me down as non-fan of Playful Kiss as well.
I second the Tatta Hitotsu no Koi recommendation (lovely settings and music) and just about anything else written by Eriko Kitagawa … the 90s jdramas especially are beautifully written with quite a lot of character introspection and not quirky/baka at all.
For something recent that is as dark as Gaksital in a quieter way, Soredemo Ikite Yuku starring Eita is brilliant.
The only non-quirky sort of set in high school jdrama I can think of is Sekai no Chūshin de, Ai o Sakebu but then it’s about leukaemia. Pretty good nonetheless with gorgeous visuals!
I cut my teeth on the 160+ episode renzokus: Sakura, Wakaba, Fight, Kaze no Haruke, etc. and then moved on to doramas such as Densha Otaku, Nodame, Tokyo Tower, Zettai Kareshi. Now my focus has turned to crime dramas like Shinzanmono and Zettai Reido because of the tight scripting and acting. And don’t get me started on the taiga doramas, ’cause we’ll be here all night!
Yeah I couldn’t stand Playful Kiss either.
But oh my god, MBLAQ! They are so freaking adorable! All five of them have such unique personalities that you can’t help but fall in love with them!
“But oh my god, MBLAQ! They are so freaking adorable! All five of them have such unique personalities that you can’t help but fall in love with them!”
THIS. So THIS.
All I could think after watching ‘Hello, Baby’, which is how I got into them is, “Why was I was not made aware of the awesomeness of these guys? Why?!?” Yeah, I pretty much because A+ in a week, lol.
Also, tried watched the Japanese F4, but didn’t get it either and abandoned it. Kdramas are it for me, and the occasional Thai drama, but only for a good laugh. (At the atrocity. God, I’m Thai and I’m embarrassed sometimes!)
I’ve watched about 10 Thai lakhorns, and I can say maybe 3 didn’t have revenge / slapping / violence against women. That’s not to say that I don’t have recommendations, but I definitely like Thai movies more (Hello Stranger is # 1 in my book).
Playful Kiss-I watched the first few episodes and skipped to the last one. Hence I was saved a lot of embarrassment.
And the most important reason I watched atleast that little was because I loved the leads’ outfits. They were good.
Happy OT everyone!
I am currently watching “Big”. I do love Gong Yoo and the Hong sisters, but for some reason this drama is not doing it for me. I will continue to watch though, the beauty that is Gong Yoo mesmerizes me.
I am loving “Bridal Mask”. I could do without the song and dance though.
I want to slap the doctor in “I Do I Do”. Tae-Kang is such a cutie.
I am also stalking the Prucenter’s website for the minute BIGBANG tickets go on sale. I know it is waaaay early, but I seriously have to see BIGBANG in real life!
Yeah,me too! Gong Yoo is the reason I’m keeping up with Big!
My problem with Big is that the story is confusing: I don’t know who I’m rooting for and why. Also, too many secondary characters and storylines. It’s a rom-com supposedly and I have to squeeze my brain: It kills the romantic aspect of the drama. If I want to think I watch Ghost (excellent btw).
My problem with Big is not enough romance from Gong Yoo! If they switch him out at the end I’ll have a fit!
I agree with you. Big is not doing it for me either. So I’m only reading recaps nowadays.
Me too. They seem to have kept the stuff they should have left out (the bitchy second lead, the mom-and-dad birth secret) and then left out the stuff they should have kept (the crazy puns and metaphors, the crack). When I compare this to Best Love or My Girl, it’s way down in the crack meter. Gong Yoo, I think, is the best thing about it.
the question: why are all Hong Sisters´ male main heroes in need of saving, near-lethally sick or in some other way?
just wondering.
Also, I saw an awesome fashion drawing exhibition today and the dresses kind of reminded me of korean drama dresses, but they were from the year 1955 to 1985. Classic style, really sexy. I have never worn a dress, but I totally wanted all of them. I could look like a korean drama heroine.
about the drama Big: does anyone else think Kyung-Joon and Yoon-Jae will have another accident, and we will get Kyung Joons´ soul + his transplanted heart in Yoon-jae´s I-Almost-Died-But-My-Brother-Saved-Me-[Again]-Body?
I think it’s a “girl power” thing or that women more readily sacrifice for love.
While I take it as part of the male-female cocktail of a paternal society that over-indulges their sons and winds up with these grown men who continue to need mama-figures to put them in shape, keep them in shape, or slap them out of shape.
Hello Beaners!
Hope you’ve had a good week.
What did you watch?
I enjoyed a couple of movies, Big Bang and Dancing Queen. (I also tried but couldn’t get past the 1st part of Gabi.)
As to current dramas I watched AGD and IDID and caught the recaps for Big and Gaksital and fast forwarded through Tasty Life and INR 2012-I really like Kim Ji Suk’s character in the latter.
I’m liking IDID-so much so even the cowgirl fashion isn’t bothering me anymore though I admit to disliking the doctor with a passion. AGD dragged for me this week.
Just fast forward the doctor scenes, seriously. You won’t lose anything plot-wise and will definitely be less annoyed.)
Oftheshore,
I understand what you’re saying. I totally do that when I watch the episodes unsubbed. And I’ve been covering the screen with my hand when I do happen to see him. Also I hate to hear Alex singing when the doctor is on.
*I Do, I Do Ep. 12 SPOILER*
Having just endured the 1st 5 minutes of this episode I have a bit of a lessening of my negative feelings towards the doctor…
Agree about the doctor. Couldn’t stand him before, he’s tolerable now
Just drifting from show to show right now, reading recaps, half-heartedly watching AGD and INR2…
but really, I have the sinking feeling that it is going to be months before I watch anything as good as Queen In-hyun’s Man.
I am still in withdrawal, waiting for WithS2 to finish their subs and Dramafever to get on the ball – I think that QIHM is going to be my drama-of-the-year, like City Hunter was last year and City Hall was in 2009.
QIHM was solid.
But best to never say never when it comes to dramas.
I think there’s a chance we will have some awesomeness to come our way later this year.
Oops! Forgot to mention reading the recaps for Dr. Jin, Big and 1N2D.
My bad! To the recappers, ‘Thanks for all your hard work!’
I think Dr. Jin is amusing. In regards to the close ups on the medical ailments I think someone on the team loves grossness or is perverted. I can’t tell which.
Big-like GY but feel it is a waste of SWH to have him in bed so long.
I love reading the Dramabeans Dream Team’s recap of 1N2D however the guys don’t have that special something that would pull me back in-thought the picture of them sleeping like puppies was cute!
Any news on Ji-won anybody?
Happy Friday everyone
The only airing drama I’m watching is Big. I know a lot of people have probs with it, but I love the OTP and Gong Yoo of’course. I find myself aching for Mondays!
Fun question: If you were on a The Amazing Race/Expedition Impossible type of show what kdrama actor or actress would you pick to be your partner?
My pick would be Lee Seung Gi b/c of his 1N2D experience and lovableness
I’m only watching ghost and not really because I watched 8 episodes back to back and had only 2 left and didn’t want to pant after episodes so I’m waiting until next week to watch 4 or 6 more. I’m watching sign while waiting.
I would pick uhm tae woong for his craftiness. The thing is, I don’t think he’s really crafty I just want to pick him.
ahjummabunny, I’m glad you are watching Ghost!
Omg…. you should be glad you didn’t watch the two new episodes. Now I’m itching for more! Gahhhh!
I’m waiting for Ghost to end to watch the whole thing. Sing has its flaws, but I still love it. The final made me cry so much…
I don’t have probs with Big and like Mondays as well
I’m currently watching Big, AGD and Ghost. Big for the comedy, AGD for super crazy comedy plus the cuteness scenes of Im Meahri with the gentlemen, especially Yoon, and Ghost for its clever storyline and So Ji Sub.
happy friday, beanies! it has been way too long since i’ve seen you all!
so, i had been behind on my db recaps already, and i was like “so gaksital looks promising”, and i randomly pick an episode to read through, just to get a feel of it. LAWRD ALMIGHTY i had to pick episode 6. REALLY. where eeeeeerthang an their mother fall apart.
needless to say, i am hooked. don’t tell anybody, but i totally skipped work today to read and watch through to ep12. heheheheheheheh ;p
nooooooooo regrets. LOL
The things we do for the love of kdrama! Happy friday maria!
happy friday to you too! i’m so far behind, so i’m glad be able to catch friday OT… imma spend my illegal day off catching up on my db (priorities, LOL) — what have i missed???
Happy Friday, Maria. Your super-mini-review of Gaksital makes me want to watch
I was excited to hear some news about my favorite actors this week. One, Lee Min-ki was cast in a new movie, Break up. Details are scarce, but it’s supposed be a romantic comedy. A few days prior he was rumored to be in a movie Only You, but I think those were false news. In his tweet, he said to look forward to a drama, so I’m all confused. Anyway, looks like he’ll be in something by the end of the year. Yey!
Also, next week Kim Nam-gil is getting out of the military and there is already speculations about his comeback project. It looks like it’s going to be a sageuk about a descendant of Hong Gil-dong. Looks like his character is going to be pretty badass, so I’m in.
In the meantime I’m really digging Gaksital. Even got my boyfriend hooked. He always asks me when the next episode is coming out. I’m also liking Big more than the most of you seem to. I think the story is very original and I can’t wait to see what crazy developments the writers will come up with next.
OMG kim nam gil is getting out??? it’s been 2 years already???? it’s been 2 years since the trainwreck that was BAD GUY?? …it’s been 2 years since Santa’s first recap??? hehehhehehe
whoa, time sure flies. thanks for the info!
My words! Where the 2yo snows are
Lee Min-ki is back! Yeah!!!!!!! I will watch no matter what it is: He can compensate all the flaws with his beauty.
(End of my shallow raving and back to my know-it-all personae).
I have several amounts of silpeun maeum thinking about kim nam gil as shin gun woo. I don’t know what will relieve me, rom com, dark broody thriller , kick ass action or sageuk with a mixture of the above. I hope it isn’t a ve-she-cule like a kim rae won did.
I can’t wait for Kim Nam-gil to get back! Man, he’s so manly and hot. And his acting is just too awesome
“…next week Kim Nam-gil is getting out of the military…”
Hoyess. I’ve been waiting two years for this! If his comeback project is a sageuk, there are probably going to be comparisons with QSD and Bidam. But I hope this time he stays alive and gets the girl!
Ditto!
I think this would be a smart move for him because Bidam was such a memorable character, and in this drama he would be the lead. Also, doing a drama means that he would be back on screen sooner than with a movie and for a longer time. I personally would love to have him work with a great movie director like Park Chang-wook or Bong Joon-ho because that would elevate his profile as an actor. He is so talented and versatile that I think he could handle pretty much any role.
Yeah~ Lee Min Ki and Kim Nam Gil news all in one week!
Haven’t watch KNG in QSD yet, but I did mine him as the awkward gangster-pretending-to-be-security-guard in Lovers!
/grins at Mary.
I mined him as Bidam in QSD! My two roommates and I watched it on GMA-7 and we all started out rooting for Yushin (Uhm Tae Woong!) but then one of my roommates mined Alcheon (Lee Seung Hyo) and I switched allegiances after Bidam made his appearance.
Hello everyone!
Well, today I have to deal with an exam for my summer class before I can do anymore drama watching. Sigh.
But good lord, another rant about the drama, Ghost…. I can’t believe that there is no preview when it left off with such a cliffhanger at Ep. 12! The drama included some very stupid moments where I feel like they should know better to be more careful with evidences…. But other than that, it’s just getting better and better! Super excited for the next two episodes next week! Freaking intense drama.
I have finally given up on watching Big and just reading recaps from Dramabeans. Lol. I think it’s just moving too slow for my liking? I don’t know. Maybe the plot doesn’t interest me as much….
And for A Gentleman’s Dignity… I haven’t even finished watching Ep. 12 yet, but I’m losing interest with it, too. There are some good moments, but the drama is losing its punch! Eeeekkk.
Hopefully it will pick up again soon.
Anyways, how are your views of the three dramas I mentioned?
LingLing ssi!
You’re very bad! I’m now hooked on ghost and there are only 12 episodes out ( of which I’ve seen 8). Fortunately you haven’t mentioned any new dramas I should watch only dramas you’re dropping. Which dramas will you add to your queue instead? Are you a new kdrama watcher? I started sign and it seems I saw a lot more episodes than I thought, I was fast forwarding a lot. But it’s keeping me off of ghost cravings.
Hey ahjummabunny!
Well, I’m waiting for some new dramas to come out before I start new ones. Cause I know I’m going to be checking out Faith and Nice Guy when it comes out! Well, I have been reading recaps for Dr. Jin, too. But that’s for fun. And when I get really bored I go and watch some of I Need Romance 2.
Nope I’m not a new kdrama watcher. Been watching kdramas since I was little with my sister and my mom, but that was on and off thing. Didn’t really start watching kdramas seriously and crazily until 2009. I tend to start a lot of dramas, but drop them in the progress when it gets boring…. Lol.
And I actually started watching Sign, but yeah I was fast forwarding a lot, so I turned to go read recaps instead. And good lord, I was sad about the ending…. Sigh.
I was only fast forwarding because I saw most of the episodes when it aired on tv. It seems I used to watch the wednesday episode and watch yoo hui yol on thursdays. I disapprove of fast forwarding! I very rarely drop dramas when I first started watching dramas (2009) episodes would disappear or stop being subbed so I have the habit of gobbling up dramas. I tried to read the ghost recaps to assuage the hunger pangs but the episodes are more interesting. It’s a very visual show, it’s not the kaedejun’s lack at all, so I didn’t read the sign recaps.
Hello dramabeaners,
much love for you all. It’s already night here, hope you all have a nice weekend. I’ve been busy this week and rarely watch any Kdramas, so I’m kind of missing it. Wish me have a more relax day to continue my rant and rave.
Dewo, from your wish to God’s ears, positive thoughts and prayers for you a full-on day of rest and relaxation (R&R) to rant and rave (r&r). Best wishes for that day to be SOON.
Good Morning, My Wondrous Beans!
The weather is spectacular and it’s Friday, so I’m happy
All caught up on Big, AGD, and INR2. Need to watch Ep 12 of Gaksital. Still on Ep 6 of IRIS – busy week at work, so no watching during lunch.
Big: We’re getting somewhere, now. But still, really, the bulk of this show is just an excuse to watch Gong Yoo be his adorable self and giggle at Ma Ri and Choong Shik. Like Mysti, I’m confused by my feelings and I don’t know which couple I want.
INR2: Yeol Mae has THOROUGHLY pissed me off. It’s been building – every time she opens her mouth and just VOMITS words at the exboyfriend I just want to slap her mouth shut. Let him breathe, woman. Let him think for a minute. THIS is why he keeps you at arm’s length, even though he OBVIOUSLY adores you. And even though I do want them together in the end (because they both so clearly want that, to me) I kinda dig Coffee Guy. He sure got hot after Personal Taste, and I really like his personality here.
AGD: I swear my lips moved too when Do Jin finally gave Yi Soo the kiss he’s been holding back for months. And WHY can’t people listen to each other? Tae San, Se Ra did not say she didn’t care about you. She said that marriage and babies would affect her career negatively. So why not talk to her about mitigating that? Why not actually look at the pain and fear in her face and understand what it means? Why storm out? Meahri, Yoon GAVE YOU THE DIRECTIONS to his heart. Why did you sit there and cry and not pay attention? He did that deliberately, girlfriend. He was telling you he could care more for you than as the baby sister of his friend, and here’s what you need to do if you want him to think of you as a woman. If you don’t stop crying for 5 seconds and grow the fuck up, I’m going to actively wish that you do NOT get your man. (Can’t WAIT for this week’s episodes)
Gaksital: Episode 11, where have you been all my life? This – THIS gets to the meat of what I love about this show. The conflict and the emotions between Kang To, Shunji, and Mok Dan. And ohhh…Shunji. Watching your slide into evilhood is so much fun. (But not as much fun as watching Kang To reclaim his real self, slowly but surely.)
I saw Prometheus last weekend at the movies and thought it was really well done – visually stunning, interesting story. Tied but still separate enough from Alien mythology. It made me happy. I hope there’s more. This weekend, I’m going to see Magic Mike with my friends. That’s going to make me happy too.
I miss Raine. I hope Hillary made it to Trinidad ok.
Hi JoAnne!
Glad to hear you’re happy. Have you been well?
It’s horribly hot and humid here in Seoul… not my kind of weather at all. At least there’s good A/C everywhere
Should I start watching Gaksital? Of all the current dramas (none of which I’ve been watching… what’s happened to me?) that and AGD (which one of my work friends has been watching and enjoying) appeal to me the most. What would you recommend?
Sethe, my friend! So glad to see you here
I love both Gaksital and AGD, for very different reasons, and since their mood is so different, I can’t really recommend one OVER the other – it depends on how you want to feel, really.
AGD is dialogue, for me. Snappy, funny interaction between friends and their various women, with moments of truthfulness and emotion. And SIZZLING hotness from Jang Dong Gun. I look forward to it every week and spend each episode with a huge smile on my face, even when we have moments that aren’t happy. I LOVE this show.
Gaksital is more about the story, although visually it’s stunning and the action sequences are spectacular. It showcases some pretty dark corners of a few souls, and for one – JooWon – it seems like he holds nothing back emotionally. You’ll hear people talk about Episode 6, or Kang To’s Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day – and it will rip you up to hear/see him go through it. And he doesn’t shy from doing things that make you hate him, either. The central theme is really – how far will you go, and for what? Is family or country more important? What about family who are more like enemies vs friends who are family? What about love? I’m about to watch episode 12, and I think we’re going to get to some really good stuff about the central triangle (Kang To, Shunji, Mok Dan). I don’t have the emotional investment in the the political stuff but I am fascinated by it as it pertains to the story and the machinations.
Glad to see you here, too!
Thanks for the thoughtful analyses — you’ve given me a much better idea what both of those dramas are about. Truthfully, I shouldn’t try to start any dramas right now — my work responsibilities have been increasingly considerably recently (which I suppose is a good thing, but kind of stressful).
Interestingly, I met someone who could almost be a real-life Gu Jun-pyo today. He’s a little younger (only in middle school), but so many other things about him totally reminded me of that character.
He’s a kid that I’m tutoring during his summer break from his super-prestigious international school. His father’s some big-shot with lots of connections (he told me he got into the school because his father pulled strings, and the teachers there give him decent grades even if he doesn’t deserve them). He was talking about how it bothers him that, no matter what he does, the teachers and administrators at his school will never punish him — like, if he gets in a fight with another kid, they’ll punish the other kid, and apologize to him for not protecting him. He agreed that he’s in some ways tried to push the limits, to make them punish him, but so far he hasn’t found anything that’ll make them treat him like a “normal” kid.
I’m not entirely sure why he felt compelled to tell me everything he told me today (possibilities: he’s desperate to be heard and understood; he’s completely lying/trying to play on my sympathy; I don’t really matter cause I’m a temporary tutor and not Korean…), but whatever the full truth of his story, I’ve been teaching here long enough to sympathize with kids whose parents push them toward what the parents’ view of success is, with no regard for what the kids want. And it’s tough for this kid, because on the one hand, studying hard and getting good grades at the international school he doesn’t want to be at feels like letting his parents win, but on the other hand, he is aware that those things are also in his interest if he wants to go to a good university and become “successful” in the future.
The kid does sound like Gu Jun Pyo.
I had believed that drama-stuff and dialogues are just a fantasy, that never happens in the real world, but certain situations make me think otherwise. Its just that the whole thing doesn’t happen to one and one person only, but if you string together many lives, there you go, there’s your drama!
wow, poor kid – with a REALLY good grasp of his situation. I’m thinking he told you because he’s desperate, and because you aren’t Korean. I’m willing to bet he’s not trying to play you. Hopefully you can help him find at least the beginning of a way through that mess.
Yeah, I read him as genuine, and with AMAZING insight.
I hope to be able to help him, but the truth is, the more I learn about what will constitute “success” for a current Korean teenager, the more I see how much my own experiences were different, and how, no matter how much I can empathize, I’ll just never really get it.
I grew up mostly in Montana and North Dakota, and always did well in school, yeah (my parents expected it of me, and I expected it of myself), but I certainly didn’t feel the pressure in middle school of my grades and academic choices determining the rest of my life (as I think is the case in many other countries, for better or worse… both, undoubtedly).
So… I was able to get into a top university (probably mostly due to the desire for geographic diversity), and even then, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I did reasonably well, but didn’t totally excel, and then, a few years after graduation, decided I wanted to get a graduate degree, so I went back to school (to another Ivy League University), and eventually graduated with my doctoral degree.
Point of all this is that someone like me, who experienced so much freedom and flexibility in my education, may not totally be able to understand the constrictions on a young Korean student. I want to help him, but I don’t want to steer him wrong, based on experiences that his culture/society won’t allow him to have…
Sethe! I’ve missed you! No one to talk politics with, lol. Or make snarky Mitt remarks with, or something. :0)
I think you’re handling your student very well, it sounds like he needs someone who will listen w/o the constraints of his own culture. Good luck with him!
I have been very busy this summer and most of the time I forget that it’s Friday until it’s almost over, lol. I’ll be back in the fall when I have to sit outside Megs religion class at 6 in the morning, lol.
Take care!
Shel :0)
Hi Shel!
I’ve missed you, too
I hope you’re well… everything okay?
Even though I’m not commenting here that much, I’m (naturally) still following everything our Mittens does… poor man seems trapped in an uncomfortable place where anything he says with actual substance will alienate some important fraction of the people he needs to vote for him (if he’s too moderate, he’ll alienate the extremely powerful Tea Party wing, but if he’s too far-right, he’ll lose the “independents” he needs to win the swing states… tough dilemma).
I hope I will be able to help my student in some way this summer… I’m being paid to work with him on literature, not to be his therapist, but old habits die hard, and I guess I feel like his emotions and his attitude toward learning are more important (right now) than whatever we might discuss about any particular piece of literature.
See you around (I hope) and take care
We’re all OK here. Got my married son and his wife here for the summer while he does an internship here. It’s been nice to have them around. Actually, we hardly see him…it’s nice to have his wife around, lol. My daughter is thrilled to have her brother here, even though they are 17 years apart, they are good buddies.
My parents and nephew came up for the summer….they have their own house next door, but since my dramaqueen sister back home keeps stirring up trouble, my mom keeps flying back and forth. Which means I’m kind of expected to entertain and feed Dad and my 7 yr old nephew. Makes life a little busy. But, I’m enjoying getting to know my nephew, he’s an awesome kid, but doesn’t “get out” much, so he saw his first fireworks and had his first root beer float this 4th of July. He was thrilled, and I was aghast. I’m now having fun breaking most of her (DQ sis) rules, lol. I told him he can’t go home and fink on me, or she won’t let him come next summer.
Poor Mittens is in a tight spot these days. Hubby is sure he doesn’t have a snowballs chance in Phoenix of winning, but we’ll see.
“Big-the bulk of this show is just an excuse to watch Gong Yoo be his adorable self “-Can’t agree more!!
I know it is totally random, but I have to share this.
Roger Federer just won his Wimbledon semi-final match against Djokovic! Cheers Federer!
Go Roger!!!
anybody have any recommendations for movies? i’m itching to go on a buying spree, and i wanna make sure i get the best ones.. thanks in advance!
My Little Bride and The Classic are the ones I love(among the few I have watched).
i’ve watched the classic, and loved it! if My little Bride is anywhere near that, i’m sure i;’ll love it too. thank you!
My Little Bride is nothing like Classic. It is cute and light compared to those tears you need to shed watching Classic. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and loved Moon Geun Young!!
Chilling Romance with Lee Minki is sweet and really engrossing.
If you’re into indie films, I highly recommend Empty House. The final scene is just hauntingly beautiful.
Recently seen Sunny and Architecture 101, the latter is cute and sweet love story with some 90s nostalgia but the former I LOVE LOVE LOVE with all my hearts – great sisterhoods, bittersweet adolescent and adult parallel, and some 80s goodies. Also, they’re both big hits in Korean box office so yeah
Sunny, a 2011 movie about a group of girls in the 80s and how they reunite many years later. incredibly heartwarming, and awesome. watched it 5 times and still love it.
What kind of films do you normally like?
Are you looking for Korean films? Hollywood? Indie?
… give us something to go on here!
Hello all,
haven’t been here for a long long time. Was too busy at work and with the kids… and lot of my energy was sucked up by trying to solve bullying of my son at school. Nothing nice and we finally changed the school. Hope we will have a good fresh start in September.
Dramawise, trying to follow IDID, Big and AGD. Behind with Gaksital.
IDID – interested in the baby/career problem, not interested in the political fight with the 2 witches.
AGD – watching for the F44 and Yoon.
Big – can’t get enough of Gong Yoo
Planning to go to cinema for Salmon Fishing in Yemen tomorrow… and then maybe a dinner at a Korean restau with my hubbie!
Happy weekend to all!
salman fishing in yemen sounds delicious! Does the movie deal with what they do with the catch? Have a good weekend dorotka.
I loved the book, full of humor and yet serious matters as well. Not much about the catch as about trying to bring salmons to the middle of a desert. And while being on this Mission Impossible, people change and their lives as well…
And can Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt act in anything bad??
Happy Weekend, Dorotka. I’m glad everything finally worked out with your son. I have various family who work in or with schools, and I know how difficult it can be to handle bullying, changing schools…everything. Have a great time fishing and (maybe) eating out
sorry…the fishing should have been in quotes. *facepalm*
Thanks. We had really hard time. First we didn’t want to believe it (well, boys, a push here, a push there… normal), but then serious things happened… and the school didn’t inform us, we got it from my son and the witnesses… then we tried to find solution within the school… no real success, not much understanding from the hometeacher… grades falling… and at the end they said it was basically fault of my son (he has a slight autism)…
Well, case closed, we just hope that the new school will be way better.
Salmons in 5hrs
I’m checking in on the OT for the first time in… a very long time. So… hello. *g*
Currently watching… A Gentleman’s Dignity, Big, I Do I Do, A Gentleman’s Dignity, and Gaksital when I feel brave enough. For older dramas… I Need Romance (love the friendship between the three women) and Que Sera, Sera (grey and twisty and complex, character-wise). Oh, and on the non-kdrama front: Wimbledon (I’m rooting for Andy Murray, of course, as if he gets through to the final he’ll be the first Brit in 74 years to do so. 74 years! Go GB! and er, Murray!).
Hope everyone’s Friday is going well!
Jules! Happy Weekend! Welcome back to the OT
Que Sera Sera is stil one of my all time faves.
It was just so different.
It was gritty, seedy and still gorgeous.
The soundtrack was stellar.
But…..It’s all about Eric!
I LOVED Que Sera, Sera! I’m pretty sure I first heard about it right here on the OT. I think it was one of the most torturously addicting dramas – it was like the 4 main characters were magnetically drawn to each other for the soul purpose of causing each other maximum angst. I’m pretty sure I marathoned it in 2 sittings!
oh, I remember my QSS days…lord have mercy. Eric.
elevator
fainting
My internet went on the fritz for two days so now I’m scrambling to read all the recaps I’ve missed. But before that, happy weekend, DB denizens of the OT! How’s your week been?
Tsk, I need to download more drama episodes. The way my internet is going, it’s better to DL than watch them online, but then the ISPs also frown on big downloads. >_< Lose-lose!
As to local drama, Princess and I is still going strong, and Gino and Jao are both giving me solid second-lead syndrome since it still isn't clear which one's the OTP. Gino reminds me of Shinwoo the way his timing is off, however, so I'm crossing my fingers for Jao. Well, Gino's definitely SLS-worthy.
you need to help me get into the download culture. I’m thinking of canceling my internet service when I stop working. Please and thank you.
Mmmm… What kind of help do you need, ahjummabunny dear?
where do you download from? do you have to get vids and subs separately? things like that.
Um. There are sites /programs that let you rip vids from Youtube or Dailymotion… you just input the url. So you just have to choose the subbed vids you want to keep. (That last phrase is a clue as to one of the sites.)
Laya…I have one of those programs. Why haven’t I ever thought about using it this way? Thank you!
I just use those tools this way because it takes longer to watch an episode online (two hours or more, buffering all the way) than to just rip it and watch it offline (20 minutes plus actual viewing time).
What Jumma Bunny said…
Hi guys – happy OT!
This week I only watched I do I do and have stopped reading recaps for Big. It still baffles me that I can’t really explain why Big doesn’t do it for me, but I’d rather watch Coffee Prince again. Also, I still believe that Gong Yoo’s here was at its best in that drama. I know most people hate the pace of I do I do, but I’m fine with the drama focussing more on character development (personal and career) than on romance. Loved episode 12 – does anyone want to discuss?
Also, tried insulting chaebols and failed. Reason: no chaebols. There’s a Japanese postgrad who is apparently an heir to a big family business, but he’s very zen – not cold and/or broody.
Has anyone here seen Moonrise Kingdom? With the exception of maybe one or two scenes, I loved everything about it. The audience was really cool, too, and everyone was laughing and aww-ing all of the time, which, I guess, proves that it’s a good comedy. Edward Norton was especially awesome, even though the kids clearly stole the show.
As for some new crazy ideas, I was thinking…what if Batman was written by a K-Drama writer? Robin would be a cross-dressing girl, Bruce would (obviously) be a cold and broody chaebol, and Selina/Cat Woman would be the clingy ex-girlfriend.
I don’t mind the pace of IDID either. Watching currently E12
You just made me laugh with your Batman K-drama characterizations
Yeah, I can’t wait for The Dark Knight Rises – in Nolan we trust!
curses! zen japanese men! I was replaying to lee hyun woo’s holic on the train when the young man next to me tapped me to ask if I really like lee hyun woo and offer to lend me some cds. We plan to meet on sunday. I’ve been a mad woman with skin care all this week, however it might not matter since he might only be interested in music exchange.
this is lee hyun woo from attic cat and all the other awesome second lead characters.
Aw, ahjummabunny, good luck! It would still be nice if you at least made a new friend, and then…who knows where this might lead?
By the way, is anyone here based in the UK? Would be nice to meet some fellow K-Drama lovers (PhD can be very lonely, especially since I’m not based in London
).
There are a few people based in the UK here.
By the way, a PhD in London is just as lonely.
Yep, especially if you’re doing library-/lab-based research. Most of my friends from the previous uni live in London, but they don’t get the love for K-Dramas
LOL Yep, the K-batman is spot on!
Oh, but we need Alfred to either die in service to Bruce or be his rival for Robin’s affections…
Oh yes, Alfred would have to go (sorry Alfred!). I would imagine there would also have to be a lot of glaring delivered by the villians, and there would definitely be a classic Noble Idiot moment. Robin would have been a bubbly, yet slightly dim nun/poor girl, and Batman would get hilariously annoyed with her poor martial arts skills.
Oftheshore – You know what’s weird? I just finished watching City Hunter and was thinking about the parallels between that and Batman (the Dark Knight series). What do you think? I feel that a lot of the themes in Dark Knight and City Hunter are very similar but maybe it’s because City Hunter is a manga series and was probably inspired by Batman… Although in my head, Alfred would be a more awesome ahjussi! And screw Rachel Dawes, I’ll take a cross dressed Robin (as Kim Nana) any day lol
I was indifferent about Big until ep. 9 and 10 and I just all of sudden got hooked big time. But it’s a total mind f#ck b/c I can’t see why it’s going to end well. I’m going to watch the rest of the drama nervously. I fell in love with GY on Coffee, but I think he’s actually acting the heck out of his role on Big. I think it is the biggest reason why I got hooked. He’s just so convincing in his role.
I like IDID, too, at least the main characters and Ep. 12 was really great, aside from one little thing which I won’t mention here b/c I don’t want to spoil. But it made me want to hurl something and someone.
Oftheshore,
I read the recaps and book chapter reviews of Coffee Prince on DB this week.
Since I watched the drama before finding Dramabeans it was really interesting to go back and ‘see’ the drama this way.
I’d totally recommend it to anyone who wants to reminisce.
Yep, seen Moonrise Kingdom. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love-love it. I expected more – in the end I thought I would have loved it a lot more WITHOUT having seen the trailer beforehand, because it had all the razor-sharp lines while the rest of the script was a bit more flat.
Plus, I think I missed out on some of the stabs at 60s movies conventions (being too young and having no knowledge about films from that era which Moonrise Kingdom clearly was trying to mock).
Some of the cinematography was awesome. And I was impressed by watching an American movie in which children drink alcohol – of course, that’s Wes Anderson doing social critique for you.
alua,
I only saw 5 or 10 seconds of the trailer, and had very low expectations for this film, so maybe I was just pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere in the cinema also helped. In the end, I loved it for what it was. Still feel sorry for the dog – that was unnecessary.=(
Yeah… wasn’t happy with dog’s fate either.
I truly think they spoiled it with the trailer – you were better off not seeing it (or little of it). The only good thing about the trailer is the misleading twist that’s in it that’s completely turned around in the film.
@oftheshore:
IDID Ep. 12. We loved it! Finally exposes how ugly Korean men and women are. Someone here posted JA deserved her plight, it’s her fault for getting pregnant. When it comes to women, Koreans are still in the dark ages, very dark one. You should sit in on a Korean wives monthly get togethers in NYC.
Are you Korean? In Korea?
After ep 12, I wish at least one cast member joins July 28 “SlutWalk Seoul.” Just a dream.
Happy Friday!
My sister just had her birthday (she’s in her teens now! *sniff*) so I gave her Dream High – and she’s obsessed. Bad big sis, lol.
I’ve been doing this for a couple years now, and I think I’ve hit something good – just give dramas as bday gifts!
you might get cussed at secretly. I used to receive books and watches as presents when I really wanted chinese food parties. I love chinese food!
KDramas as gifts! That’s a cool idea!
But I wouldn’t encourage gifting one to the school-going population simply because they cannot pull themselves away from dramas once they are in! Look at me! I’ve got exams next week, and here I am, obsessing with my kdrama love!
Heehee we’re all BS/BA _____, Major in Kdramas!
Thanks mary, now that I’ve got my BA Major in kdramas, I need to try for my Major in Medicine! If only that were given if I watched medical dramas…:-(
*gasp* The horror! Don’t even think about trying it!
If you’re taking up Medicine, don’t watch medical dramas. Unless you want to specialize in Clown Car Surgery…
Don’t worry, I did that too… I gave Dream High and You’ve Fallen For Me as gifts last Christmas.
/high fives you
*X2-Standart*
The dictionary defines “Double Standart”, as:
1. any code or set of principles containing different provisions for one group of people than for another, especially an unwritten code of sexual behavior permitting men more freedom than women.
The drama I do I do, and Big, are dealing with the reality that not only in Korea but how in Asian countries, the stigma of motherhood, or falling in love with a younger male, still is seen as a bad and shameful choice.
I am a guy, so that little fact lets me to see their struggle from a different perspective, I have talk about age difference before, an unless you have experience falling in love with someone younger or older than you, what ever opinion you have, becomes invalidated by you lack of experiential knowledge.
My current partner is 12 year younger than me, so I have nothing wrong or derogative to say about Da-ran, as she have fallen in love with the younger man, I do believe that the Hong sisters have used the metaphor, of the soul change in order to juxtapose, the absurdity that people have concerning age and love, I do not condone braking any laws, so I do believe that as long as the girl/guy is of “legal age”, there is nothing that society can say or do about the situation.
JI-An on the other hand is a woman that has become pregnant out of wedlock, and to boot the father of the child is at least 13 years her junior, I like the way the writer have used the situation in order to highlight, the reality that for some woman abortion is not an option, and are willing to risk career and social status, in order to prove that their life as an individual has the same relevancy or more now that she is pregnant.
The question remains the same, the fact that she is pregnant, and not married does that preclude her from becoming the CEO of the company? Does an unplanned pregnancy renders a woman stupid, that will preclude her from performing her job, as good as she have done before? Again we can understand that she got pregnant after a one night stand, but is that reason enough, not to tell the younger guy that he is the father of the child, or that she can’t fall in love with him?
I am really liking this two dramas, but I think I like them for the reasons that most people don’t,
I want for Da-ran to pursue falling in love with the younger man, I want Ji-An to have her child and fall in love with the younger man and become the CEO.
What I find most interesting about I do I do, is the fact the that most of woman who give negative comments, always focus on the things that are secondary for a relationship to succeed, they still in 2012 focus on whether the younger man can be a “Good Provider” for her and the child, and used Doctor without borders, as the counter balance of whom she should chose, are woman in this day an age still looking for a man who can be the bread winner, are they not confident enough to be able support themselves, outside of a man providing for them?
And the answer my friends is that the reality is quite different, there are millions of woman that are well capable of taking care of themselves, and having a man in their life, is the icing on the cake, I am glad that Ji-An has stood her ground and is showing everybody, from family and friends, to coworkers, that even when she is in the process of being a single mom, she still well capable of being a productive member of society!!!!!
I don’t think it’s a case of someone being the bread winner as it is the concern of women to not be coupled with irresponsible men. If you cannot provide for yourself and your future family should you need to, you are irresponsible. I’m not even considering the social criteria for men ,only what it implies. I’m always saying these days if men expect the whole package from women why are they only presenting their half way selves? I don’t mean that people from disparate backgrounds shouldn’t love each other, only that they should try to have some common ground. In most developed countries it’s education and all that education affords.
Well let me ask a general question! What about dating a man that happens to make 15k less a year, would he still be consider “Irresponsible”, or would you guys consider even dating a man in that position?
Well @65% percent of college graduates here in America are having trouble finding a proper job, so than would you guys date a man who is a college or university graduate, that does not have the best job in the world, or is making less money than you do? Right now in the American economy more woman have maintain their job status, and man have been hardest hit with unemployment, so something needs to change, I believe the day’s when man where the bread winners is over, now days it requires for both partners to work just to make ends meet.
So the question remains the same, what percentage of a man, making less money than you, will you will be willing to date let alone marry?
I can’t talk about life partner things. I have no such ambition. For dating your salary and educational background is not important. You need only be employed and be able to feed and clothe yourself. I’m not kind of woman who is okay with others paying for her food or diversions and I always say let’s go dutch or pay for everything myself.
I am sort of piggy-backing on ajbny…
People demonstrate their fitness as a partner in more ways than how much money they make. A lack of high paying job could be a result of bad luck, right?
I ask these questions. (I am leaving out a gender pronoun on purpose.)
Do they keep their promises? Are they honest? Are they defeated by being in a low wage position or actively trying to improve their lot? Are they filling their free time with tv? Gaming? Drinking with buddies? Going to clubs? Are they spending money they don’t have?
How do they act around family? Around the mother/father if alive? Do they have patience with people who are not as smart, cool, handsome, well-dressed, etc as them, or are they dismissive? Are they tolerant of people not like them, or prejudice?
Do they pay attention to the little things that are important to you, or blow them off?
Because not everyone will be a CEO, (and who wants to be married to one anyway if you never see them?) but you can expect that the person will take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way, and fully exploit their gifts.
This is what I expect from my children.
And now that I think of it, this is what I hope my children use when looking at potential spouses.
Like your post.
Minor point: JiAn is not 13 years older. He is 27 and she is 37
Can a mother be a CEO? Sure she can.
Can a pregnant high risk patient whose miracle pregnancy beat all hormonal odds dive into a high stakes and time consuming fight for a CEO position? Not as much.
They were smart to show us an “all or nothing” scenario.
She says it earlier, she only has one shot at this baby thing.
She absolutely could get another shot at heading a company. Maybe not her current company, but another up the road.
My own experience is similar.
I was 37 when I successfully got pregnant with my second after a miscarriage. Almost simultaneously, my company offered me a director position in a new business unit.
I turned it down. Tearfully, yes, it was more money and status.
But I knew they would be wanting the 120% (working extra hours on my home computer) I had been giving, and that I still had a 4 year old warranting my attention, too.
I could have done it, but at what personal cost? And it wasn’t like I would lose my current job.
One of my favorite sayings as far as children/work.
How do children spell LOVE?
T-I-M-E
There is only so much, you have to spend it wisely.
@Jomo: Can a mom be a ceo? It’s possible in, sa USA.
Can a single mom be a CEO? NOT in Korea. See ep 12
That’s why I dream about the cast of IDID leading the SlutWalk Seoul in a few weeks.
What I also find relevant in the current I Do I Do universe is the CHOICE that is given to everyone, from President Jang to JiAn’s parents to co-workers as they slowly find out, what will their reactions be, will their initial, kneejerk feelings change and mature, or will they stay locked into age-old die-hard moronic thinking?
They choose to accept, or not. To pigeon-hole JiAn for her pregnancy, her choices, or not. To stigmatize, to criticize … all of that and so much more.
I love that this drama is talking about these topics, and yes, playing some of the stereotypes out to show their absurdity should, and hopefully, will, continue to be in the script and played to the hilt by KSA and the respective cast members.
I hope this gives single mothers in Korea hope.
Every week the same thing happens: I think of all the things I want to talk about on the OT, then Friday comes around and all my ideas go *poof*. Anyway, happy OT Friday and I hope everyone in the US of A had a happy and safe 4th of July!
Same thing happens to me too… I think “oh I definitely must post that on the OT,”and then I forget it! Happy Friday anyway!
4th of July? Up”date” your calender!!
You need to talk? Come on, lets start with a random thought!
Sorry for the date comment. I read it wrong. My bad.
Quite all right.
Random thought: puppies are soft. : )
Write the ideas down in a Word document – it seriously helps!=)
Hello Beanies,
besides my AGD loves, I’m currently digging Gaksital at the moment (besides Ghost). So good, I’m invested.
Just a note about Park Ki Woong. I noticed him playing a villian in Bow the Ultimate Weapon and thought he was good in that role, villiany role thinking they’re doing the right thing. And now I watched him as Shunji, I realised he digs this sort of role really well, evilly but not very evilly intention. This week, I feel his pain. I’m scared for him too.
But he’s also adorable being… adorable! Like at the start of Gaksital.
I think he’s just a great actor in general.
Happy OT everyone!
Currently watching Gaksital and Once Upon a Time In Saengchori. Gaksital really kicked up it’s game this week, eh? I think they’re in the midst of live-shoot now since there’s no previews for next week
I’m about midway through Saengchori, which is a pretty easy and breezy watch. I wish there’s more focus on the mystery, but I love that they introduced the mystery writer character who tries and fails to be Sherlock Holmes.
the mystery writer character is so funny. They haven’t forgotten about the mystery. oi woi woi! I love that show.
LOVED Once Upon a Time In Saengchori
Watched it last week!
The writing was very good because I was interested on many different levels.
romance, dialog/directing, mystery.
I really laughed out loud so many times because of how they edited the scenes.
pak kyu! pak kyu!
Good morning everyone!
My friend and I recently started a podcast called the After Show Show, and tons of Dramabean members have been kind enough to listen to us talk.
We recently released a new episode of a side podcast called the Korea+ podcast. Normally we have an in-depth discussion of the drama Big, but the Korea+ podcast is a discussion about Korean entertainment news.
In this episode we discuss Jo Kwon, Sistar, YG Entertainment, Super Junior, Girls Generation, and the Wondergirls as well as answer some listener questions.
http://aftershowshow.com/releases/2012/7/5/the-after-show-show-korea1.html
Hello everyone!
Just thought I’d share this funny anecdote. Last night I watched A Little Bit of Heaven, an American movie with my man Gael Garcia Bernal & Kate Hudson, and I got frustrated. (Next part might be a spoiler but who are we kidding, you know they hook it up.) So they’re on a “date” (he asks her out but says it’s not a date) and they start kissing….which leads to having sex…on the first date. My husband and I get mad “What?! They just met! That’s not realistic!” We then go on about how Kdramas are so much better because they develop the relationship BEFORE they kiss and/or get in bed, and how American rom coms suck because they always rush things. Of course, what Kdramas show AFTER the kiss isn’t always realistic, too much back and forth, but still you find yourself anticipating the first kiss with excitement. I want to see the foreplay, not just the “we had sex so now we’re together”.
So Kdramas have ruined me, lol.
in olld movies the couple meet and talk all night and then don’t want to part at the end of the night and when he kisses her/ asks her to marry him we’re all caught up in the romance of the thing. and then we get the turn- he was only trying to use her for a newspaper scoop, she’s an out of work actress pretending to be a princess. kdramas might take a little longer to get to the kiss but the meeting of like minds is most of the time exactly what is necessary. I don’t know how it gets lost in modern rom coms. even the detestable sex comedies of the 60′s present this similar meeting of like minds.
I don’t even watch US romcoms anymore with the certainty that I’ll finish it. I prefer the old ones like The Apartment (Jack Lemmon & Shirley McClaine), The Clock (Judy Garland), Woman of the Year (Katharine Hepburn’s & Spencer Tracey’s first!), The Lady Eve (Henry Fonda & Barbara Stanwyck), and just about any romcom with Cary Grant.
did you see 30 day princess yet? the lady eve and ball of fire are my favorite stanwyck movies.
No I haven’t seen Ball of Fire or 30 Day Princess. I’ll put in on my mental checklist! Thanks!
30 day princess is a cary grant movie. it also has sylvia sidney. I think shin mina looks like her a little.
I love Cary Grant. He’s so charming. I’m going to try watching more Korean romcoms then.
Whew I’m late to this week’s OT. It’s 12AM in the Philippines so I’ll just drop this invitation for everyone and turn in for the night.
So, this week in Kdrama Laws, we added the following:
- National Service Amendment (allowing Oppa to serve in the army PROVIDED he returns with choco buns of steel and displays it in a drama/movie as proof)
- Kdrama Genius Act (defining kdrama geniuses which are slightly different from real-life ones)
- Bathroom Use Law (formalizing backstabbing and gossiping inside the bathroom, and the broody shower scenes of course)
Read them in full at:
http://kdramalaws.wordpress.com
That’s it for this week! By the way, we’re in discussion about filing a complaint of sorts for QIHM for violating a lot of kdrama laws. So you might want to watch out for that too. It’s due out sometime this week.
Whew, thanks ladies (and a really really small number of gents) and good night!
Oh, I’m half the episode 12 of IDID and I love it…
I love IDID!
I do, I do!
Took me this long to understand the double meaning of
(the really bad Engrish) lyrics of the title song.
“Baby, I do—oooh…”
Duh: BABY means baby.
But I laugh every time I sing “Say me, I do—oooh”
Really? Say me? Has the song writer ever asked an English speaker if that was right before mailing in his song?
Did any of the studio musicians maybe suggest a slight change? How about the singer? No?
OK. Fine.
And here I was thinking I’m the only one bugged by “say me” on the entire planet – and I’m not even a native English speaker! Simon and Martina from Eatyourkimchi should review this song, they’d have a good laugh about that particular line.)
Waaah I’m torn between asking for IDID spoilers and waiting patiently.
What’s with the song? Just a clue, please? Who sang it, and for whom?
The song from the show? It’s actually called “I Do” by Park Ji Yoon. Beautiful singer, beautiful song, but I agree about the English. Ah well.
Here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJpX_bag8us
She sings her heart out, don’t she?
Love it.
And after hearing it a gazillion times, I’m starting to think it’s correct….
BUT SERIOUSLY, ONE CHANGE WAS ALL IT TOOK!
“Hey, ummm, Ji-yoon-ah, it’s actually, ‘Tell me.’ as in ‘Tell me, I do,’ or drop the “me”, and sing “Saaaay” for two syllables before ‘I do’ It’s just as pretty.”
Like jomo, I try to just hear the correct phrase, although sometimes I end up hearing ‘semi-I do’ (whatever *that* means) instead
@oftheshore
OMG LOL here!
We do try to make sense of words we hear, don’t we.
I imagined a person named “Saemi” that the singer is singing, so it’s “Saemi, I do—oooh!”
jomo,
Oooh, I like your version, it makes more sense than the ‘semi-’ stuff
Sorry I meant to put this one with the lyrics. Same song, but with transliterated lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcdW-pR8RHQ
That part of the song bothered me too until it didn’t sound wrong anymore. I hope I won’t ever say that because of habit, though.
In 9 End 2 Outs, one song has expressions in English and goes like this,”Don’t forget who you are [...] I’m fine [...] I believe [...] I never don’t cry”
I never don’t cry? Sounds wrong too. I bet there are many mistakes in songs, and even when the characters speak a foreign language and it truly feels unprofessional not to check the basic grammar. But, well, it’s funny too!
Hi everyone! I read your posts on this open thread and I thought I could ask you about a few kdrama things I wondered today while watching Tasty Life and I do, I do.
First of all, why do chaebol families or succesful people have (sometimes huge) pictures of themselves on their wall? I can understand the wedding picture and the family one, but seriously, one of yourself ? That huge? (A bit weird too in the office to me, but that I can somehow understand.)
Why do “bad” guys in kdrama always want to marry women against their will no matter how weird it’d get afterwards? Like the youger son (the doctor) in Tasty Life when he knows she loves someone else, his own very married borther-in-law and when she’s said “no I won’t no matter what” so many times! Is it attractive to kdrama men to be overpossessive in a loveless and forced marriage? They could just force the women to date them and spend time with them, and prevent them from seeing the man they love, that’d be a little less weird… If the guy in Tasty Life goes all jealous and whiny because she won’t love him but tries to take revenge on the brother-in-law, although he knew about it, I’ll give up this show, serioulsy. At least, in Que Sera Sera, the girl chose to marry the guy she didn’t like, but it didn’t turn out that great with his jealousy building up.
Is the actrice playing the eldest daugther in TL the one who sings off screen whenever she’s with or thinking about her coward and unmanly doctor? I thought I recognized her voice, but I’m not sure. But I do hope he won’t get the girl, well, any girl actually.
Why don’t people in kdrama talk to each other? Is it okay in Korea to ignore people (except elders, I mean) when they’re talking? Maybe it’s not a big issue in the implicit way to behave. I hate when, for instance in TL but in so many other kdrama, the adopted sister is upset by her sister being in love with the same man as her (or maybe she’s ot in love, I don’t know, but she could speak so that it’s clear) and making a big deal out of it. The adopted sister could’ve said that the man saved her may times and they were close, but no, she just walks out and leaves a huge cliffhanger in her relationship with her sister. Or the Dad could tell his neighbor’s busybody daughter to keep quiet because it has nothing to with her, but no, he walks out too. Maybe that’s a drama thing, walking out of the room when you don’t feel like talking to people.
Does anyone feel like eating madeleines when they see Kim Sun Ah in a scene where she ponders over life? I blame the madeleine scene I liked in Kim Sam Soon, but actually, I didn’t like the fact that she tried to speak French, because seriously, her accent was so strong I couldn’t understand everything (and I’m French and I appreciated the attempt. Lee Seung Ki did a better job with the pronounciation in K2H but why would his character have married a Korean-French bag designer who didn’t really speak Korean? His scene made no particular sense to me.)
Do Korean polive officers never check people’s ID? Do Koreans have IDs other than passports and (maybe) driving licences?? When kdrama people are sent to the police station, they’re asked their names and ages. In France, your ID’s checked.
Amg1 said “The question remains the same, the fact that she is pregnant, and not married does that preclude her from becoming the CEO of the company? Does an unplanned pregnancy renders a woman stupid, that will preclude her from performing her job, as good as she have done before?” I might add, what the hell about firing someone who cheated on his wife? In TL, I can get that her family is upset and is the owner of the hospital, but for the staff and the patients to be mad??! Cheating on your wife doesn’t affect your ability to work and private life is… well, private? I don’t always get it.
first: I think those pictures are presents. special commissioned done by someone famous, blah blah blah. the pictures in the room you know snapshots of yourself on your night table I find a bit odd.
second: the drama is using marriage as a euphemism for sex or total possession.
third: they don’t talk because the writer is working on 50 episodes more or less solo, with a ridiculous deadline and wants to create conflict that polarizes continually ( this one is bad, this one is good) when actually talking would be the better conflict but would have endless possible solutions.
I’ve had madelines before I’m not particularly fond of the texture. I’ve only seen kim sam soon on mute and haven’t heard her french accent. I have one more sister that hasn’t seen it, I’ll have to watch it again.
I think there is such an id that includes the ss number. I don’t think non professional kdrama people carry their ids around with them all the time. I haven’t seen a drama where they didn’t ask for id at the police station.
Haha ahjumma, someday you have to tell us the story behind you watching KSS in mute. O_O
shucks now I wish it was an interesting story.
If marriage really is a euphemisn for sex and total possessiveness, I’m scared of the families forcing their children to get married to people they don’t like. Brrrr! Yet, families aren’t often warm and fuzzy in kdrama land…
I’m not saying that the marriage is really a cleverly disguised rape, I’m only saying what might be written as a seduction is written as “let’s be family” to mean let’s have sex.
My sister and I were just watching the first episode of i do i do and I sided with jian’s dad about her slipping out of party and him wanting to spend more time with her because he’s getting older and there are no marriage or grand children news. My sister of course said that I was thinking in korean so it’s possible that dramas have addled my brain and I’m too readily accepting the atrocities of kdrama.
Well, I agreed with the Dad too and I’m a newbie in the kdrama world.
But the leitmotiv “your work is eating your life away so settle down to spend more time with your family” is also omnipresent in Western movies and TV shows, so I think the only Korea part is the meddling with blind dates to force the marriage upon the child.
I just don’t understand why most kdrama characters would go that far to sleep with a woman who doesn’t love them, or maybe I just don’t understand why most male characters are so twitsted, and sometimes even in rom-coms like in I do, I do where the doctor is really creepy (though I was relieved in ep12 but for how long?).
So I guess I’ll just have to accept it too to keep watching twisted love stories during this summer because I like them anyway overall.
At this rate I’m never going to post…
Happy Weekend, All!
Friend and I have finished My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, and though we really, really liked it, we both felt like the ending was kinda lame. Or…not lame so much as incomprehensible. Like some big thing happened that explained everything that we missed (perhaps for cultural reasons).
We tried starting Killer Girl K yesterday. Total flop. I’m interested in finishing it out, so that’ll be my pet project. I wanna see her kick butt!
Today we start Best Love, which I’ve already seen…but never finished. I know, I know I know! I kept trying to watch at work, but I could only ever get through the same 15-30 minutes before I was interrupted or something, so it never worked out. I’m hoping my friend will like this as well, or she’ll just think Gumiho was a freak accident and never want to watch k-dramas again. I CAN’T HAVE THAT KIND OF BLACK MARK HANGING OVER MY HEAD!
*coughcough*
Uh, otherwise, life is pretty good, with one piece of particularly sad news. My godmother (whom I adore) lost her oldest granddaughter to a car accident on Tuesday. Please keep her and the family in prayer. The granddaughter, whom I knew and liked very much, has a fairly young son.
I’m sorry, what a terrible thing to happen. I hope that everyone finds comfort somehow.
Thanks, JoAnne. It’s going to be a very difficult time for the family for sure.
I didn’t finish Best Love, either. I thought CSW was too over-the-top and I just didn’t like the heroine. Can’t even remember why, but I haven’t liked that actress in anything so far.
And prayers for your godmother; that is very sad news.
I liked Best Love, what I saw of it, but I did keep having that moment where I wasn’t sure how they’d gotten together.
Thank you for your prayers.
Ms Prindle,
That is such sad news! I hope everyone comes closer together and appreciates just how fleeting life can be.
When are you getting married ms Prindle?
What drew me to kdramas at first is their story telling- my first drama was a cinderella story almost scene by scene of the first episode I ever saw.
Jumma, I’m sure they will. Unfortunately for Godmommy, there’s been a few deaths in the family recently
Not that this wouldn’t have hit her hard if nothing else had happened.
As for me…me getting married?! I’d have to be dating first, Bunny Love, and I have left an office full of cute for an office that feels like a refrigerator.
I agree with you about k-drama storytelling. I love the storylines and the characters. I mean, yes, sometimes they make me want to throw things at the screen, or just scream at the screen, but overall….it was love at first drama. Which was BOF of all things, chock full of teenager-y makjaeng. (I haven’t yet taught my friend about makjaeng yet.)
Prindie!! LTNS sweetie — welcome back to the fold! Will we be seeing you in NYC come 9 November for the EVENT OF THE CENTURY?!?
So sorry to hear about your godmother. No one anywhere should ever lose a child before their time. Many prayers headed your way…
Hihi! Yes, I plan to be at the event of the century! It’ll be near my birthday. Shuki and I were just talking about restaurants in the city. I’ve suggested Carmine’s off the top of my head, but I’m sure I can think of other places close enough for all the concert goers to hop onto the bus or in their car in time for the show.
Thank you for your prayers. They are greatly appreciated.
LOL the show is a few days after my birthday as well — and this year’s is a Big One. Why not celebrate with good people around, ne?
Can’t wait to see everyone!!!
This year’s a big one for me, as well! How exciting!!
Terribly sorry about your godmother. This is a tragedy no mother should ever have to go through. Hope there is someone to support the boy during this difficult time as well.
On a happier note, you’re to lucky to have not seen Best Love yet – it’s really funny and cute!
Thanks, oftheshore. The son was with his grandfather, last I knew, and family is coming up to be with him.
I’ve actually already seen Best Love. I got aaaaaaaaall the way to the end, and then didn’t quite finish. It’s been a while, though, and I guess I wasn’t totally paying attention, b/c there’s a bunch of stuff going on that I didn’t remember.
/hugs cmrprindle
Thanks, Laya! Much appreciated.
I am probably too deep in my kdrama habit as I am watching 6 of the current airing dramas plus watching Couples Fantasies. (There isn’t much to watch on American TV during the summer). At first I was watching the shows as soon as the subs came out but it didn’t work too well. But now, I have developed a system where I wait until both of the episodes of the week of the particular drama is subbed and then watched them back to back. Then, the next night, I watch the next drama. It works for me.
What I am watching. My rants/raves.
Dr. Jin – One of the dramas that I was looking forward to as the Japanese version is one of my favorite Jdoromas of all time and my hopes were soon dimmed. The Japanese version was so beautifully shot, well produced and tightly plotted around the doctor. I had to watch JIN again and it seemed that 90% of the scenes featured Jin while in Dr. Jin, the doctor almost seams like a secondary character.
Gaksital/Bridal Mask – Good action scenes but is a bit slow. The show has too many characters and it gets bogged down in these people we don’t care about. My big problem is with Kang To and his initial motivation, his brother is literally beaten “stupid” (ok, he was faking it) by the Japanese backed police/military authorities. So Kang To responses by joining the same police force and soon rises up the ranks and becomes a badass who uses torture and other high handed tactics to support the corrupt system. Also, would the police allow a brother of suspected independence fighter to join the police – not afraid of a mole?
Ghost – Not expecting too much but it is a fun thiller.
Happy Weekend, 1061-kun. You’re in great company. There’s a Addicts Anonymous meeting every, um, Wednesday, I think. But I’m not sure an actual meeting has ever been held since no one can find time in their busy drama watching schedule
Hello Everybody!
I was trying to write a post using my outdated mobile phone while on the bus, but as you can see ^^ it was a bit too complicated. Today’s shopping spree was very nice, but my feet are killing me (and they are right!)
This week can be called “bathrobe mambo week” – those 90 seconds from AGD made my days. Sheer delight.
I am very glad Ghost is on the right track – twists, suspense, characters with more than one trait – yeah, one needs also a drama about something else than dating and kissing. Although INR2 can be awarded honorary title of REAL Thousand Kisses. Got to luv Lee Jin Wook *swooooooon*
Have a lovely weekend!
I was trying to write a post using my outdated mobile phone while on the bus,
I am famous, or infamous, for this! I usually change my screen name to “cmrprindle’s phone” so ppl know why my posts are such a hot mess.
Got fun stuff on your shopping trip?
Hi cmrprindle,
I didn’t buy a lot but I did try quite a lot on. I am proud of myself for not spending my monthly income in one day
How are you doing? What are you watching these days?
That is quite the accomplishment, kopytko. Everything in the store always looks so nifty, esp if you’re having a good day and it all fits as well!
Not doing much watching, and nothing current. I’m watching Best Love with a friend of mine, and sorta kinda vaguely watching History of the Salary Man on my own. Oh, and I guess I’m adding the other 2 episodes of Girl K to my tiny watch-list. I know, for an addict, it’s sad. *hangs head in shame*
My “blast from the past” drama this week was:
“Protect The Boss”
I loved it until about ep 12, then I was thinking…..WRAP IT UP ALREADY!
Even though I don’t find Ji Sung attractive he was very funny in this role. Choi Kang Hee’s eyes are HUGEEEEEE. And she really encapsulates the whole “NOONA who will kick your ass because she cares” role well.
The one thing I loved about this drama was that I liked the 2nd leads and they didn’t make the rival female into a villain for once.
I absolutely ADORED the lady who played the Grandma.
Watched BIG, Watched A Gentleman’s Dignity…..can’t wait for next week’s eps.
Running Man ep 101.
This week’s guests were TERRIBLE!
Yoon jong Shin/Kim Bum Soo/Yoon Do Hyun
As much as I love RM, I wish they would bring back the old PUNISHMENTS of making them wear HOT PANTS and dropping them off in random places and forcing them to take public tranport back home!
1N2D is more of my favorite right now because they are SO funny in how they try to bend the rules.
I watched We Got Married:
TeukSo Ep #24
WooJung Ep #47 – Random appearance by that bald guy in LOST.
And the terrible movie of the week award goes to:
Sasu Gwolgidaehoe “Crazy First Love” starring Cha Tae Hyun (June 2003.) First of all, he’s rocking a Korean FRO! Seond, he’s not so hot in this film. Bad acting, bad script, bad everything! But I still love him on 1N2D.
This week I’m fan-girling over Hero JaeJoong. WOW. he’s right up there with No Min Woo on the hotness scale.
And… JOKWON. I find myself interested in his weirdness. No doubt this guy is talented.
Ha ha, I just have to comment, on WGM, that was not the guy from Lost, he’s just someone that sort of looked like him, and the guy on the show mistakenly commented that it was him when he was not.
LOL! I totally thought it really was him! Total doppleganger.
jaejoong passes no min woo because he can act.
I used to think No Min Woo was wooden and had no facial expression. Kind of like the Keanu Reeves of Kdrama-land.
My opinion has JaeJoong ahead of No Min Woo for acting and he’s really funny too. He was really funny on the few variety shows I’ve seen him in.
I haven’t seen No Min Woo in any variety shows other than the Gumiho special of Stron Heart and Butler Fox.
But…..I saw him in “Rock, Rock, Rock!” and then I saw him in some of his youtube videos….WOW. He sings, dances, plays piano, guitar, drums. When he plays the drums it’s like he comes alive….completely different aura.
It’s like he completely throws himself into whatever he’s trying to accomplish. I think he will only get much better with age.
I see similarities in the two. They both seem aloof but they are obviously lit with a fire to achieve and perform.
Either one of them could call me NOONA. =P
Can you express your opinion about JJ’s work in Jin?
Is he really any better than NMW in Gumiho?
Cheers
kopytko,
I can’t give an opinion about JJ in Dr Jin because I haven’t seen it yet.
I am going to be starting JIN this week.
I am looking forward to how his acting has improved since “Protect The Boss”.
I did like No Min Woo in Gumiho as opposed to the first movie I ever noticed him in (Pasta).
Kong gang ul wi ha yo
Does anyone else think the ‘women’ in I Need Romance 2012 have gone backwards in character? The ones from last year’s drama were so NOW. It was great. The ones in this year’s drama have no appeal. I just like the one character of Ji Suk, the coffee dude.
I feel the same. The female characters are bland personality wise. Like country pumpkins trying to be cool and trendy. They are also average in the looks department. KJS has more charisma in that drama than LJW in my opinion. Which is strange because i hated him so much in Vineyard Man and Personal Taste.
Hi Mystisith.
It’s so disconnected from last year’s show. That one was so forward. This one I just don’t get.
But it is nice to like KJS’s character for once.
I have the opposite problem – I see too many similarities between this year’s show and last year’s. Both stories go like this:
A girl is waiting and hoping and flailing about in a relationship with a guy with very definite flaws. The guy shows a distinct inability to change. She has been trying for years and years and years to make him change. There’s a very suitable replacement waiting in the wings for her, but she is so embroiled in this relationship’s history and sexual tension that she can’t break free. Her friends are no help because their relationships are also dysfunctional – one’s a perpetual virgin going the conventional route to find a husband, and the other is a free spirit who cats around. Things come to a head when a cute, perky girl shows up and inserts herself in between the main couple, making a huge play for the guy. He thinks it’s cute, his frustrated gf fumes in the background.
So what’s the difference between I Need Romance 1 and I Need Romance 2?
Why is it that I’m the only one who thinks that the guy isn’t really the one at fault here?
I agree with you. I don’t think he is wrong. It is just that they live together, and you can’t get over someone you love if you live with that person. I tried, doesn’t work.
That’s why she’s been stuck there with those feelings for 12 freaking years.
The characters personalities are pretty mush like last years, I think that’s due to the fact they are inspired in Sex and the City. However, the way this season’s characters approach life seen to have come from a makjang.
The one who should be the free spirit (at least sexually) it’s stuck in an appearance marriage.
The traditional one obsessed with the jerk, just because he make a good marriage option.
The only one who makes sense to me is the main one, just because I can identify with her behavior.
At least I like the guy better this time, last year’s was a true jerk, this year I think there is a reasoning behind his unwillingness to marry
Me too. Something we don’t know yet probably, but also HER. She just pulls and pulls and pulls at him – and I’m sympathetic to her feelings but MY GOD anyone would run the other way. It’s a tribute to how much he loves her that he doesn’t just disappear in the middle of the night.
That’s why I think she should move out of the house. Having him around all the time is what keeps her from getting over him
currently enjoy the chaser the most out of all the show, it surprise me i like this show much better than big, AGD and bridal mask
do you understand korean? i cant found the chaser english sub
I heard it’s on ionairtv.
This week I did a recap of My Princess for myself (The faster version.) Because I couldn’t get the characters in my novel to work and I admit, I’m a sucker for Mr. Hand towel.
Managed to fix it. Probably will return when I get to the second novel. ^^;; I decided to base the male lead’s looks on Song Seung Heon… =P I need a study model, right? I should pick a beautiful one that I can put under waterfalls or in shower scenes. *grins*
Also, I realized that I’ve watched a TON of dramas. I can now name every single drama for a given location. I think to myself, “Wait–that one was Goong…” “Ah! I saw that from a different angle…”
*sighs* Makes me realize I’ve watched a *ton* to be able to name three to four dramas from a single location.
For example, I was like, “Hey! Personal Taste.” when they ran the alleys beside it in INR2… TT (I recognized the window~ I swear… –;; I KNOW…)
Oh and I’m teaching people spoiler code. That’s where people don’t know the spoiler until they’ve seen it.
So instead of “OMG YJ fell over a cliff in a car.” (which everyone should know from Big) You would go something like. “After that important phone call, why did YJ have to do *that*”
Or from IDID, (I did, haha. Maybe a better name for the drama *double eyebrow raise*) The closet scene! That was the sweetest thing *ever* and I think JA *liked it* For those who’ve watched they know what I mean. (the second sweet think TK did in the closet). Especially in light of the silly song.
Worth learning, people. Makes others happier and you can code a response back.
So for example, YJ’s mom is terrible considering the whole bit about the angels thing and her intentions. They aren’t even half of that. They are full of that, but considering the talk between the professor… I think there is still a twist left.
And possessive key lady… I think she’s getting close to figuring it out which makes me go No~
Oh and I really liked INR2 this week. It’s doing social issues very well. But it hasn’t solved the big mystery, even with the first person narration. DAMMIT I wanna know WHY he first person narrated that thing on the boat. What exactly is his deal anyway? (<–spoiler coded.) The whole boat scene was perfect for me. Great dialogue. Despite that, I really like how it showed how she keeps going back and forth with good justification. That was pulled off beautifully. As well as the big other issue in the episode. (coded because I want people to join~) The questions raised aren't like the first one. And it still is racier.
I finished Ataru–but it kind of puts up red flags for me. (The whole all autistic people are savants… and then trying to undercut the whole thing by putting in sci-fi disabilities and making them melodrama).
Mikeneko Holmes I want to finish because seeing a fat guy cross dress as a female cat makes my day. (Also the fainting bit)
Papadol too… which I've gained enough in-universe Japanese to probably finish without subs, but I feel lazy to skip ahead.
Caught this headline while idly Googling ….
Babeh Joo Won and Gaksital Joo Won meet in an epic 1N2D crydown!
http://kpopfever.com/2012/07/joo-won-sheds-tears-in-less-than-a-minute-proves-why-hes-a-top-class-actor/
And yes, I blame Dramabeans recaps for getting me hooked on the show to the point where I’ll watch it raw(r).
Happy Friday Everyone!
Real Life continues to keep me very busy. So I am only watching two Kdramas right now.
I Do, I Do and Big.
I am loving both of them.
I have to say that I am so glad that I marathoned when I first started watching dramas because now, it seems like there just isn’t much time to do it anymore.
Also, it’s so nice to be able to read everyone’s comments, even if I don’t have much time to respond. You are all my fellow comrades in drama watching. Thanks for all of your thoughts, and a big thanks to the dramabeans staffers who make it all happen.
Hi MJP! Happy OT!
I like reading everyone’s comments to! Some are hilarious and others really does help with what to watch next. It’s okay if everyone doesn’t agree about what’s good to watch. Not everyone has the same taste in dramas. ^^
I think I’m burnt out on watching dramas. Even the good ones showing right now, I don’t even want to watch it. ahahhahahahahahaahahah
I’m considering waiting awhile to continue all the dramas I’ve watched so far. Hmm..could be why I was watching movies instead of dramas. (Sigh)
I was just thinking about you today. I hope you’re well. Thanks for stopping by.
Unnie! *hugs*
Life does seem to like to intrude on our drama watching, doesn’t it? I hope things are well with you and the MJP family.
I know that feeling. The days I spent marathoning a drama are gone. Just trying to follow few currently airing. I am way behind with Gaksital, still diligently storing the episodes on my comp, but starting to fear I will never watch them…
Love Big and IDID as well. Finished E12 of IDID and loved it to pieces. JA strikes back. Dad swinging his wig down? Priceless! And when TK puts the shoes on JA feet… I got this wedding ceremony feeling… oh…
Anyway, good luck withe Real Life!
hello folks! I made it Stateside for the fourth of July… yay! I’d been looking forward to 4th of July fire works, because i hadn’t been able to make it for the past 4 years since I left for Mexico.
So my family and I prepare our 4th of july picnic/bbq and spend the WHOLE day at Coronado Island, waiting for the magical moment that is The Big Bay Boom. We (thousands of us) are staring accross the Bay, expecting to see the 17 min firework event, when suddenly, about 5 min before the scheduled time, there was a sound like rolling thunder and the three barges lit up in a display of lights that almost made the San Diego Bay look like it was the middle of the day. Needless to say my family and I felt cheated… and now I have to wait another four years to go watch the Fireworks for the 4th of July… ::tears:: Hope my fellow US peeps had a more satisfying fireworks viewing than I did!
Drama wise- I’ve caught up with almost everything except I love Lee Tae Ri- mostly because it’s a little squicky– he’s twelve for goodness sakes! (How hypocritical of me especially after I watched Adam Sandler’s That’s my Boy and guiltily laughed my head off at the movie… yet somehow, I find the drama more squicky… which might be due to the tonal difference between the drama and the movie… i don’t know)
Big- I have to confess that this is the 2nd disappointing Hong Sister’s drama… the first one being last year’s Best Love. Those two dramas just haven’t captured me like Chunhyang, HGD, YAB, and Gumiho did within the first 5 minutes of watching. And I was so ready to love it just because of Gong Yoo. But I can’t stand wimpy wishy-washy teacher, and the mom and bitchy interloper are pissing me off. Mari started off as cute, but she’s heading towards so annoying I want to off her territory.
I do I do, is really something I hadn’t really counted on watching, mainly because while admire KSA a lot I’m not that attached to her that I’ll watch just about anything she’s on (in fact it took me two viewing of MNKSS before I could like her- her voice annoyed me in that drama because she was so screechy! But then I got used to her talking like that and grew to love MNKSS), however, as usual she delivers beautiful acting and I’m now addicted to this drama. (Actually it’s kind of like how I end up loving Sandra Bullock movies despite no actively looking to like them)
I’m also currently up to date in Alice in Wonder City, which I’m quite fond of despite being angry at two of the leads.
Aww, so sorry, Min! I’d heard about the screwy San Diego Bay fireworks
Are you back in Mexico?
Hi Cmrprindle!
No thankfully i didn’t come for just the 4th of July, I’ll be here in Cali for a couple of weeks more and then it’s off to school again… it was disappointing BUT we had a good family day together without any distractions, so it wasn’t all bad
…woahhh. First time on here o.o
“h-hello!”
Hello, boms, and welcome to the OT! I promise we don’t bite. : )
Cynthia does.
Shh! We’re saving that for the hazing later on.
I miss Cynthia. I was hoping it would bring her out of the shadows. Joongie’s looking cute these days. I wonder if I should mess with him. That might do it.
hazing?! oh geez lol.
Much.
Ah hello! ^^ Thanks for the warm welcome!
Welcome, boms. Don’t mind the unnies/noonas. They really don’t bite. Unless you go after their darlings, then all bets are off
We’re happy to have you on the OT. It’s always good to have a new voice
What are you watching? Have you been watching stuff, or is this your first jump into k-drama land? Have you been lurking for a while?
Hello
Haha to clarify, it would be unnies.. but then again, I could be an unni too lol.
Thanks for the welcome
I’m currently watching Big, AGD, and Queen Inhyun’s Man. I still need to finish Rooftop Prince, but I can’t take the dragging so perhaps a later time.. I’ve been watching dramas for a pretty long time. Since elementary school heh heh ^^;;
As for dramabeans, I love love love this site
since it’s been a while I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve been visiting here, but I’ve never been that active until this year and the open thread here is very new 
Just curious but who is everyone’s “darlings”?? ^^;;
Honestly…I can’t keep track of who has claimed who, lol!
If I step on the wrong toes, or gush too much about the wrong actor, I just flee to the other side of the OT as quickly as my fingers can carry me, lol. The closest I come to a “darling” is Kim Bum, but I’m not quite sure that fits. I think my feelings are too noona-ish, lol 
ohhh I see. Well personally I favor people from the dramas that I watch
for example, my love for Gong Yoo has come back since I’ve started watching Big 
Hello Boms!
welcome to the family where you’ll meet all kinds of interesting people who may or may not bite you if you encroach on their hubbies… be very wary of possessive wifes/lovers… for example I know Siwon has been claimed, as well as Seung Gi, and Heechul (by me), and Rain and in fact there are too many to name, but you’ll find out the more you hang out here!
Watched Departures, the 2008 Foreign Film Academy Award winner, it was really really really good.
The Japanese sense of dark humor on full display, but had me laughing, going “huh?” (with explanations later), and crying, but just a really good little film in the end.
Sigh. Very satisfying.
I think I’ll watch Departures tomorrow. It looks interesting.
Let me know what you think, if you get to it!
The best part about OPEN THREAD is getting new suggestions for dramas to watch.
I wrote down over a dozen “potentials’ this week.
Moonrise Kingdom
Looking For Kim Jong Wook
Gabi
Poon San Dog
Blind
JSA? Anyone have more info?
Typhoon
Shadows In The Palace
Finding Mr. Destiny
Always
Castaway
Psychic
Tasty Life
I usually google the titles to read the synopsis first.
Then I look at the actors.
I give Episode One 15 minutes to hook me.
If I’m not sold on it I move to the next choice.
There are a few that I drop and come back to again later based on what other people said on OT.
I feel guilty that I still haven’t picked up watching Kimchi Family again yet. (from ep 6) Even though I sincerely mean to get back to this one!
I still haven’t seen City Hunter either.
(And I really like Lee Min Ho)
hi there i was wondering if you could hook me up with links to where i can download dramas ive been searching for a while and failling miserably. please help
Holy crap I totally forgot about OT! LOL
Happy OT everybody!
It’s never too late for OT! Happy Weekend, Noelle!
Hi.
I’m new.
I found dramabeans around 3 months ago and it’s been like a flood light illuminating my path to kdrama obession!!! I forget even exactly how I stumbled across it because once I did, there was no going back.
Some time ago, one of those little ads on Hulu was self-promoting their kdrama page. I looked at it, and I was intrigued by the blurb about Fantasy Couple being based on Overboard, a movie I greatly enjoyed, soo… I checked it out. I wound up doing nothing else but eat in front of my computer, get minimal sleep, count the mintues till I could leave work, and WATCH MY SHOW until I was done! There were times in the middle I wanted to give up but I found that I just couldn’t until I saw how it ended! I liked it enough to try another one, but I picked “Manny”, watched two or three eps, found it …. lacking
, and figured enough was enough.
Around the beginning of April, I decided to try another one. This time I chose Pasta. SO much that I loved about the couple yet overall… I wasn’t in full on crack-mode yet, but I WAS looking for another more optimistically! So next up was Playful Kiss. Sweet, simple, and fell for Kim Hyun Joong’s smile even tho his acting was… lacking
. I looked up what else he was in and so I found Boys Over Flowers. ……. The mess that I could not escape! I’ll admit, the first time I saw Jun-Pyo, I thought “ugh! why is the main guy SO not attractive?!” I had changed my tune by the second episode. 
I think that is when I found this site and have watched so many more dramas in the past few months thanks to the wonderful ratings list and recaps!
Soo… That’s my self-introduction and now I’m curious… anything you all think I need to know about participating in OpenThread?
lol…One of my favorite things is when people tell how they got sucked into k-dramaland. I know I’m not the only one. And you’re not the only one to have been crackified by BOF. I’m not sure how it happens, considering how crazy that drama is, but it does — almost every time.
Um, I don’t think there are any special OT rules. Play nice with others. Respect people’s right to disagree. Fight for your man (w/o actually coming to blows). Be prepared to gush uncontrollably about your most recent drama. You know, the usual.
We are always happy to have new voices, new opinions, new addicts, in the fold. Welcome to the OT!
Aw, thank you for the welcome!
Lol, having seen dramas that are MUCH better written than what I started with, I feel like I came in from some strange backwards way!
My trend with watching has been pretty much follow the actors: ie after BoF, I marathoned The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry, then City Hunter
I’ve actually kept a little list of complete and next up since then otherwise I think I’d just get lost in one after another!
I have tried to keep a list of sorts, but then I get distracted, or become indecisive! Clearly you’re better at sticking to a plan than I am, lol
I am legally obligated to ask what you think of TWWSWTM, since it’s my fave drama.
hehe, i really liked it! Kim Bum was so adorably earnest, and my fav character has to be her friend Bu Ki! I haven’t gotten to the place where I’ve rewatched a drama yet, but when I do, I’m sure this one will be one of the first.
Welcome to OT!!!
Our wonderful cmrprindle has explained it well.
We are all in for a good time, respecting each other’s opinions and freely expressing our love for the boys
By the way BOF was my second, that’s back when it would take me a week to finish a drama, and knew nothing about ongoing dramas.
Once again, welcome
thank you! from doing a little back reading, I can tell this is a really fun place! no one in my RL watches kdramas so I’m happy to find a community to share the crazy!!! I JUST started getting into ongoing dramas… I watched King 2 Hearts right as it was ending so I didn’t have to wait for that one, so now I’m following BIG and skimming recaps on the some of the others. With so many good complete ones still to go, I’m sparing myself the weekly wait for now!
Goong was my first. I was mesmerized. I think I watched it in a weekend, bleary-eyed and sobbing. I have never looked back. Welcome!
PS. Rain is mine.
That’s my Unni, claiming your own before anyone to avoid unnecessary fights
lol…I was thinking much the same.
I’m a lover, not a fighter.
I’m going to have to move Goong up my “to watch” list then.
Is it terrible that “mine” may change depending on what I’m watching?! don’t worry tho, I’ll respect the prior claim when I get around to one that Rain is in
Lol, there’s just too many great guys, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to choose just one!! Currently, I’m drooling over Han Soo Jung. I finished Prosecutor Princess..oh, two weeks ago? I think that was the first drama where I got scared I was rooting for the wrong couple! I accepted the final pairing a leeetle grudgingly, but at least it did make sense. but seeing him in that finally pushed me over the edge of indecision to watch Chuno. haha, that’s just blatant eye-candy of a show!
Chuno…all those bare chests just send me into oblivion!
I definitely have other …hmm…*interests*, shall we say? My Beloved is always number one and never in any danger of being supplanted…but I definitely have flings. Eric, Ji Sung, Go Soo, Kang Dong Won, Oh Ji Ho…
and then there’s TOP.
oh and my two REALLY inappropriate crushes: Lee Joon and Niel.
i admit I just had to google most of those names.
But I do know Oh Ji Ho! He definitely has a special place in my heart because Fantasy Couple (Couple or Trouble? the multiple name translations thing sometimes bugs me lol!) was my first drama ever.
Welcome! You came to the right place, k-drama’s crack that never let’s you go once it gets it’s hook in you (I should know-I’ve tried rehab, but just a picture on the internet will set me off again…lol) , so you better prepare for the wacky ride. But at least here in OT you won’t feel alone in the world for loving them
thank you
hahaha, i’ve had thoughts about rehab too! or just simply… taking a day or two break!! can’t do it yet. 
guess i might as well accept the inevitable and settle in for that ride now that I’ve got good company 